Top 10 Diseases in India: Causes, Lifestyle Risks & Prevention

In India, lifestyle diseases are increasing, repeatedly giving tough competition to infectious diseases. It becomes a major issue because too much stress, unhealthy diet, increasing pollution and no yoga exercise have led to a rapid rise in lifestyle disorders across the country.

In this blog, we'll cover the top 10 diseases in India, their causes, and prevention.

What Are Lifestyle Diseases and Why Are They Rising in India?

Lifestyle diseases, also called lifestyle disorders, are the health problems people are facing more often in the modern generation. It is caused by unhealthy living, such as eating junk or sugary foods, smoking or drinking. As it is not at all communicable but can be genetic and can be spread from generation to generation.

Some of the common examples of lifestyle diseases are diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and more 

Important Fact: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 60% of deaths in India are because of common lifestyle diseases.

Which Are the Top 10 Diseases in India?

1. Heart Disease: 

It is one of the leading diseases in India caused by blocked or narrowed blood vessels. It includes conditions like coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure. Its symptoms include chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue seen mainly in those with high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise.
                                         
 

Prevention of Heart Diseases

• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Avoid foods having more fat, salt, and cholesterol.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.
• Chech heart rate everyday with pulse oximeter.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Monitor blood pressure every day with.
• Check cholesterol and blood sugar levels routinely.
• Reduce stress with yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
• Get regular health check-ups after age 30.

2. Diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes)

It is a metabolic disorder in which the body stops using and producing insulin leading to high blood glucose level. In India, Type 2 diabetes is very common due to obesity, poor diet, and inactivity. Its symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue.

 

Prevention of Diabetes (Type 2)

• Maintain a balanced weight.
• Eat a fiber-rich diet (vegetables, whole grains, legumes).
• Cut down on sugary foods and drinks.
• Avoid processed and fried foods.
• Exercise 30–45 minutes daily.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Get regular blood sugar check-ups with a glucometer.
• Manage stress effectively.
• Sleep 7–8 hours daily.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.

Facts: 1 in every 12 adults in India is diabetic, making India the “Diabetes Capital of the World.” (Source: IDF Diabetes Atlas 2023)

3. Cancer (Lung, Breast, Cervical, Oral)

In India lung, breast, cervical, and oral cancer are the most common. It is a group of diseases in which body cells start growing uncontrollably. It is mainly caused by smoking, alcohol, poor diet, infections, and genetic factors. Its symptoms are unexplained weight loss, lumps, and chronic cough.



Prevention of cancer

• Avoid tobacco in all forms.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Eat a diet rich in antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, nuts).
• Get regular cancer screenings (mammogram, Pap smear, oral check-up).
• Exercise daily.
• Protect skin from harmful UV rays.
• Maintain healthy weight.
• Get vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis B.
• Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants.
• Treat infections early and follow medical advice.

4. Chronic Respiratory Diseases (Asthma, COPD)

It is a long lasting lung condition that affects airways and air sacs resulting in breathing difficulty. It includes asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Wheezing, difficulty breathing, persistent cough are the common symptoms. 

  

Prevention of Chronic Respiratory Diseases

• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
• Minimize exposure to air pollution.
• Use spirometer, steam inhaler and nebulizer for good lungs health.
• Wear masks in polluted areas.
• Manage allergies with doctor-recommended medicines.
• Exercise to strengthen lungs.
• Avoid chemical fumes and occupational hazards.
• Eat a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
• Get regular lung function tests if you have symptoms.
• Take prescribed inhalers/medications on time.

5. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

It is also known as a silent killer as it does not show any symptoms, often silent, but can cause headaches, dizziness. It happens when the blood flows in force against the artery wall causing the heart to work harder to pump blood. 

Prevention of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

• Eat a less salty diet.
• Include potassium-rich foods (bananas, spinach).
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit processed foods.
• Practice yoga and meditation for stress.
• Get 7–8 hours of sleep.
• Monitor blood pressure regularly with a BP monitor.
• Visit your doctor for routine check-ups.

Facts: High blood pressure affects nearly 25% of Indian adults and is a leading cause of stroke and heart disease. (Source: Lancet Study 2022)

6. Kidney Disorders

In this condition the kidney stops the ability to effectively filter waste and excess fluid from your blood resulting in death. The main cause of kidney damage or loss is diabetes and hyper blood pressure. 

Prevention of Kidney Disorder

• Stay well hydrated.
• Control blood sugar levels.
• Maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Limit salt intake.
• Avoid overuse of painkillers or self-medication.
• Eat a balanced diet with limited protein if recommended.
• Exercise regularly.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Get routine kidney function tests if at risk.

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7. Stroke

It happens when the path of blood towards the brain stops and when blood vessels in the brain bursts. The result of blockage is oxygen and nutrition not given to cells causing brain damage, brain related disability, or death. Sudden weakness, slurred speech, paralysis are the signs of stroke.

Prevention of Stroke

• Control blood pressure.
• Manage diabetes properly.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Exercise daily.
• Quit smoking.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Manage cholesterol levels.
• Maintain healthy body weight.
• Recognize early symptoms and act fast (FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call doctor).
• Go for regular health check-ups.

8. Tuberculosis (TB)

It is a kind of infection that affects only lungs and can be spread towards other body parts. It is communicable as spread by a person coughing, sneezes, or spits. Chronic cough, night sweats, weight loss are the symptoms of tuberculosis.

Prevention of Tuberculosis

• Get the BCG vaccination.
• Ensure early diagnosis and complete treatment.
• Avoid close contact with infected individuals.
• Practice good ventilation indoors.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing.
• Strengthen immunity with a healthy diet.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.
• Follow proper hygiene use mask and hygienic products.
• Regular check-ups for high-risk groups.
• Support TB awareness programs.

9. Liver Diseases (Fatty Liver, Cirrhosis)

In  India Fatty liver and cirrhosis are common diseases. It occurs when the lever stops working due to alcohol, obesity, viral infections, or poor lifestyle. Some of the symptoms are fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain.

Prevention of Liver Diseases

• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Eat a balanced diet with less fat.
• Avoid processed and fried foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight regularly with weight machine.
• Exercise daily.
• Get vaccinated against Hepatitis A & B.
• Avoid sharing needles or razors.
• Manage diabetes and cholesterol.
• Stay hydrated.
• Go for regular liver function tests.

10. Mental Health Disorders (Depression, Anxiety)

It is one of the modern diseases also seen in the younger generation. It is a kind of mental health issue like depression and anxiety increasing by excessive stress, lifestyle changes, and social pressures. Low mood, insomnia, irritability, lack of interest are the symptoms of mental health disorder.

Prevention of Mental Health Disorder

• Manage stress through yoga/meditation.
• Stay physically active.
• Maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
• Build strong social connections.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs.
• Talk about your feelings with trusted people.
• Seek therapy or counseling when needed.
• Take breaks from work and digital screens.
• Eat a nutritious, mood-boosting diet.
• Practice self-care and hobbies regularly.

“Learn more about how yoga helps in preventing and managing lifestyle diseases”

Conclusion 

This top 10 disease of India shows the  unbalanced lifestyle, stress level, pollution, and our spoiled habits making our health worse. These lifestyle diseases are not only shown in older adults but in young adults too. These diseases are lifetime diseases if diagnosed,  but can be treatable by taking prevention, monitoring everyday, and adopting good habits in life.

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