Classification of Non-Communicable Diseases

Based on the organs affected, the age at which a disease occurs, and the different external factors that cause it, a disease can be classified. The three broad categories into which non-communicable diseases can be classified are discussed below.

Lifestyle Diseases

Lifestyle diseases are ailments primarily influenced by individual behaviors and choices. They are commonly associated with modern living and include cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and respiratory conditions. Common causes of these diseases are sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Geriatric Diseases

Geriatric diseases are those diseases which are prevalent in older populations, often characterized by complex and chronic issues. Common among these are neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, arthritis affecting joints, cardiovascular ailments, and osteoporosis leading to fragile bones.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are caused when the immune system, designed to protect the body, mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes. These disorders result in chronic inflammation and can affect various organs and systems. Autoimmune diseases often have a genetic predisposition, triggered by environmental factors.

Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders are another group of non-communicable diseases. These disorders affect thoughts, emotions, and behavior, and impact an individual’s daily functioning and well-being. Common mental health disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are those diseases that do not spread from one person to another. These diseases can be caused due to different factors like lifestyle, environment, genetic composition, age, and stress. Usually, NCDs develop very slowly and persist for a prolonged duration of time, sometimes throughout the lifetime. Some common examples of non-communicable diseases are- diabetes, asthma, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, etc. Prevention of NCDs includes proper diet, healthy lifestyle, and adaptation of stress relieving exercises like meditation, and yoga.