Spotlight on Chronic Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
It￢ﾀﾙs that time of year when the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia all make their seasonal appearance. Although we are lucky that these illnesses are typically only rampant during the cold season, there is a downside: Chronic disease. Chronic diseases don't have a season. They can occur at any time of the year and in almost anyone. Sometimes they are brought on because of genetics, but usually they're the result of a certain lifestyle. And more specifically, and perhaps surprisingly, chronic diseases are often the result of inactivity and sedentary behavior. So in this installment of RSIs that result from inactivity, I'd focusing on chronic disease: what is it, the symptoms, and what you can do to prevent it.
What is a chronic disease?
Chronic diseases are conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Quite a few chronic diseases often have no symptoms, so you will need a doctor to perform an examination and a history to see if you have one. Tests will help determine if you have an increased risk for any chronic diseases. With that being said, please consult a doctor if you believe you could be at risk.
You also might be wondering how chronic disease is linked with Repetitive Strain Injuries. Well, as you will read below, pain is often a common indicator that you could be at risk for a chronic disease. But unfortunately, many people with pain often dismiss it as a RSI brought on by inactivity or performing some action repeatedly. Which is why you must be careful with self-diagnosing. Chronic disease has many of the same symptoms as RSIs, and it's important to catch a disease such as heart disease or breast cancer before it's too late. 
So what would my symptoms be if I have a chronic disease?
If you are suffering from a chronic disease due to inactivity, you may feel extremely tired. This will also be marked with a lack of energy or motivation to complete you work or errands. You may also have some clouded thinking or blurred vision linked with sitting in front of the computer or at a desk for more than 30 minutes at a time. Also, if you are feeling an excessive amount of stress, your brain could be on overload and not thinking clearly, which may also cause a headache.
If you have a chronic disease linked to inactivity, it is likely that you will find yourself thirstier or hungrier (or maybe even a lack of hunger) than usual. Digestive disturbances are also common. This could be due to lack of proper sleep or proper nutrition, as well as excessive stress and work. You may feel sick, have a fever, or feel nauseous from time to time as well.
Being inactive from sitting too much, whether at work, during your commute, or at home, will cause your muscles to tighten. You can also experience widespread muscle, joint, and body pain due to inactivity. If you have improper posture and slouch forward, this will add to your body pain. Not exercising, stretching, or moving enough throughout the day will also cause these pains, and being overweight will only add to your troubles, so try to get active.
Most importantly, you may feel normal and have no symptoms at all, even if all of these factors are working together to cause your chronic disease. This is why it is extremely important to get regular examinations from your doctor. Of course, there are easy ways to prevent chronic disease, so try them out as well!
Prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.
After being diagnosed with a chronic disease, your doctor will help you treat it properly. This may call for medicine, dietary or lifestyle changes, or medical treatments. To help prevent a chronic disease in the first place, you can start making lifestyle and dietary changes now. If already diagnosed, it will help to relieve some symptoms, so changes are still necessary. All you need to do is focus on making health and wellness your lifestyle. First and foremost, get moving. Regular exercise and movement is the best medicine for preventing many diseases and injuries.
And as important as regular exercise is, it is also crucial to increase your overall movement as well. Taking frequent micro-breaks from sitting for prolonged periods of time, and breaks from being on the computer, phone, or watching the TV are just as important as exercise. Try to take a two minute break every hour to do a few simple stretching and strengthening exercises. 
Secondly, you must maintain a healthy weight, and there are several ways that you can accomplish this. One key way is to improve your nutrition. Eating right and cutting out unhealthy foods is the best way to kick start losing weight. Your next step is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Improper sleep can lead to extra fat storage, which is never good. You also must manage your stress. Too much stress can lead to weight gain, so keep it under control whether through yoga classes, breathing techniques, or lightening your load.
Lastly, improving your ergonomics and posture will help rid you of pesky pain. Start by learning how to sit correctly. Make sure you￢ﾀﾙre sitting on the front third of your chair with your shoulders back and down. Then look around your office and see where there is room for improvement. Simple products like an ergonomic mouse, keyboard, chair, and desk will help to improve your office lifestyle. For more ways to improve your health and avoid chronic disease, check out our Pinterest board, Prevent Chronic Disease.
Have a question about chronic disease?
If you still have a question about chronic disease and don't think it warrants a call to your primary care physician, then Voom's doctors are here to help! Both myself and my brother, Dr. Greg, will gladly answer any of your health and wellness questions. Just fill out the form and one of us will get back to you within 24-36 hours!





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This resource is not meant as a diagnostic tool. If you are suffering from a chronic pain condition, visit your physician before beginning any treatment protocol.
http://blog.voomwell.com/blog/bid/376402/Surprising-RSIs-that-Result-from-Inactivity-Chronic-Disease