Top 10 Deadliest Diseases Of All Time
Medical science has improved day by day, also new diseases were discovered over this time. Some diseases are not that much harmful where as some are so deadly that can even wipe out an entire city. What are the top 10 deadliest diseases of all time? Let's take a look at them.
1. Coronary Artery DIsease (Heart Disease):
The deadliest disease in the world is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). CAD occurs in blood vessels which block the supply of blood to the heart by completely blocking or narrowing the vessels. On average around 7 million people die in a year according to World Health Organization and it is increasing day by day.
2. Stroke:
The brain stroke occurs when an artery in the brains becomes blocked or leaked. Brain cells start to die within minutes as they do not get Oxygen. Around 6 million people die from brain stroke in a year and it's also increasing.
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
This is a progressive lung disease that causes breathing problem. COPD causes around 3 million deaths a year.
4. Lower Respiratory Infections:
According to WHO, around 3 million people die for this. Pneumonia, Bronchitis, and Influenza are in this group of diseases. Travelers tend to get infected more and do suffer from these diseases.
5. Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancers:
These all are respiratory cancers. Food adulteration, smoking, and pollution are the main reason for these types of cancers. It is estimated that around 1.5 million deaths a year are the reason of this.
6. HIV/AIDS:
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system. It can cause AIDS which is a chronic, life-threatening condition. Around 1 million people lose their lives to AIDS.
7. Diarrheal Diseases:
Diarrhea or loose stools lasts more than a few days and the human body loses too much water. Severe Dehydration causes death. More than 1 million children and also adults die of diarrhea every year.
8. Diabetes Mellitus:
Diabetes affects the insulin level of the body. In type 2 diabetes the body doesn't produce enough insulin. About 1 million people die from diabetes-related causes according to WHO.
9. Preterm Birth Complications:
Every year, as much as 1 million deaths are the reason of prematurity and complications due to low birth weight. Lack of proper skill in medical care facilities is the main reason for these deaths.
10. Tuberculosis (TB):
This is a lung condition and it is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads by air and it possible to treat successfully now a-days. Still, around 900,000 people die every year and it is decreasing every year.
Hi, this is a nice, brief, clear list, thanks!
To add in another layer of analysis, let's not forget how the causes of death vary massively by country income* - lower respiratory disease and diarrhea related deaths are the top two killers in low income countries, which are mainly children dying of entirely preventable illnesses related to poor nutrition, water and hygiene.
In richer countries, the top two killers are heart disease and stroke, which are more associated with old age (but not entirely) and fragility, so much more difficult to prevent.
It's also interesting to note that relatively small sums of money invested in basic improvements to water supplies and sewage systems in poor countries would reduce these preventable deaths by millions a year.
Much progress has been made in this area over the past few years so there's room for optimism (I agree with the recently deceased Hans Rosling on this), but there's still much to do!
Nice to see people posting about important, global issues.
*source - WHO - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/index1.html
Brilliant!