Coronary heart disease

In Malaysia, the number 1 killer in terms of diseases and health-related

problems is coronary heart disease. In 2010, the total number of deaths in Malaysia

resulted from coronary heart disease was at 22,701 according to the WHO (World

Health Organisation). Coronary heart disease refers to the build-up of plaque in the

heart’s arteries that could lead to heart attack. It may be chronic, narrowing of the

coronary artery over time and limiting of the blood supply to part of the muscle. Or it

can be acute, resulting from a sudden rupture of a plaque and formation of a thrombus

or blood clot. You can avoid this disease by many ways, among them is quit smoking.

Avoid secondhand smoke too. Quitting smoking may be the best thing you can do to

prevent heart disease. Exercise . There are lots of ways that exercise boosts your heart

health. It can improve cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also help you reach a

healthy weight. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program to make sure

that it's safe for you. Eat a heart-healthy diet . The way you eat can help you control

your cholesterol and blood pressure. Stay at a healthy weight . Being active and eating

healthy foods can help you stay at a healthy weight or lose weight if you need to.
Stroke
Stroke is the third largest cause of death in Malaysia. Only heart diseases and

cancer kill more. It is considered to be the single most common cause of severe

disability, and every year, an estimated 40,000 people in Malaysia suffer from stroke.

Anyone can have a stroke, including children, but the vast majority of the cases affect

adults. A stroke is a “brain attack”. It can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when

blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of

oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by

that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost. Stroke can be

avoided in many ways, among them is to lower your blood pressure. High blood

pressure is a huge factor, doubling or even quadrupling your stroke risk if it is not

controlled. High blood pressure is the biggest contributor to the risk of stroke in both

men and women. Monitoring blood pressure and, if it is elevated, treating it, is probably

the biggest difference people can make to their vascular health. Lose weight. Obesity, as

well as the complications linked to it (including high blood pressure and diabetes), raises

your odds of having a stroke. If you're overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can have

a real impact on your stroke risk. Exercise contributes to losing weight and lowering

blood pressure, but it also stands on its own as an independent stroke reducer. You

should also quit smoking Smoking accelerates clot formation in a couple of different

ways. It thickens your blood, and it increases the amount of plaque build-up in the

arteries. Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, smoking cessation is one of the

most powerful lifestyle changes that will help you reduce your stroke risk significantly.
Influenza and pneumonia
According to the latest WHO data published in May 2014 Influenza and

Pneumonia Deaths in Malaysia reached 11,773 or 9.26% of total deaths. Influenza (flu)

is a highly contagious viral infection that is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter

season. Influenza is spread easily from person to person, usually when an infected

person coughs or sneezes. Pneumonia is a serious infection or inflammation of the lungs.

The air sacs fill with pus and other liquid, blocking oxygen from reaching the

bloodstream. If there is too little oxygen in the blood, the body’s cells cannot work

properly, which can lead to death. What you can do it to stop smoking. You're more

likely to get pneumonia if you smoke. Avoid people who have infections that sometimes

lead to pneumonia. Stay away from people who have colds, the flu, or other respiratory

tract infections. If you haven't had measles or chickenpox or if you didn't get vaccines

against these diseases, avoid people who have them. Wash your hands often. This helps

prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that may cause pneumonia.
Lung diseases

Lung diseases are some of the most common medical conditions in the world. It

was the eighth highest killer with a fatality of 2,934 in 2010 which by 2013, it has

become the fourth killer-disease in Malaysia constituting 6,797 which is more 200%

increase. The lungs are part of a complex apparatus, expanding and relaxing thousands

of times each day to bring in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Lung disease can result

from problems in any part of this system. Lung disease can be prevented if you Stop

smoking. Smoking damages your lungs and increases your risk for a number of diseases

including lung cancer and COPD. This is because combustion of materials releases

harmful substances into your lungs (toxins and carcinogens). If you have never smoked,

don't start. If you are still smoking, it’s never too late to quit. Learn more about how to

quit including the many effective medications and smoking cessation programs that

work. Avoid second and third hand smoke. Breathing the smoke from cigarettes and

pipes boosts your risk for the same diseases that affect people who smoke. Don't allow

smoking in your home, in the car, or at work. Also stay away from third-hand smoke—

residual tobacco fumes that adhere to walls and furniture that—along with indoor

pollutants to form lung-damaging compounds. Clean your carpets. Rent smoke-free

hotel rooms. You’re your hands. Wash thoroughly with soap and water several times a

day to keep germs at bay and avoid most of the common infectious diseases that are

spread by hand. Cover your coughs. To help stop the spread of germs, cover your mouth

and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Stay away from crowds during peak

cold and flu season, get plenty of rest, eat well and keep your stress levels under control.

Clean your house Air fresheners, mould, pet dander, and construction materials all pose

a potential problem.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is the seventh top killer in Malaysia with total deaths amounting to

3,205 (2010). 3 years later, it is the fifth top killer disease with 4,760 deaths reported

which means Malaysians are consuming more sugar than ever. Diabetes mellitus (or

diabetes) is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects your body’s ability to use the energy

found in food. All types of diabetes mellitus have something in common. Normally, your

body breaks down the sugars and carbohydrates you eat into a special sugar called

glucose. Glucose fuels the cells in your body. But the cells need insulin, a hormone, in

your bloodstream in order to take in the glucose and use it for energy. With diabetes

mellitus, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin; it can’t use the insulin it does

produce, or a combination of both. There are several ways to reduce or avoid the disease

among them is to lose excess body fat. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes.

In contrast, every kilogram of weight lost reduces diabetes risk by 16 percent. Follow a

plant-based, low-calorie diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables—a dietary pattern

studies show reduces diabetes risk. Foods to avoid are those rich in trans fats (also

called hydrogenated fat), saturated fat, and sugar. Drink water. Studies link sugar-

sweetened beverages with obesity and diabetes. Cut them out of your diet and the risk

of both conditions falls. Move your body. Physical inactivity raises the risk of diabetes.

Exercise renders cells more sensitive to insulin. Studies show that mindfulness

meditation improves the ability to cope with stress. Physical activity and social support

also help relieve stress. Sleep well. Chronic sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep

increase the risk for diabetes and obesity. If you have continued problems sleeping,

contact your doctor.