The pandemic has led people all over the world to become hyperaware of terminologies like ‘morbidity’ or ‘co-morbidity’ but what does it mean to have co-morbidities, and how will this affect one’s quality of life? It is important to know why co-morbidities develop, because understanding risk factors will help you make better and smarter decisions that can avoid potential sickness in the future.
What does morbidity mean
Morbidity refers to the onset of a specific illness, disease, injury, or disability, while mortality refers to death caused by a specific condition or disease.
Morbidities in particular are either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), but commonly refers to the latter. In 2014, the DOH released a list of top 10 causes of morbidity in the Philippines which include acute respiratory infection, pneumonia, and hypertension.
What is a co-morbidity
What then, does co-morbidity mean? According to Annals of Family Medicine, it refers to “the presence of more than one distinct condition in an individual.” This means that if you have two or more medical conditions at a given time, you are likely co-morbid.
The parameters surrounding this definition varies. The term ‘condition’ refers to an acute or chronic illness, disease, or disorder that occurs either simultaneously with another condition at a point in time, or may occur one after the other within a given period.
It is explained that co-morbidities develop due to any or a combination of three things:
- Direct causes – Your condition prompts another condition to develop. For example, you are obese and hypertension or diabetes develops.
- Indirect causes – Your condition affects an external factor that may influence the chances of you developing another condition. For example, obesity hampers your physical activity and mobility. This can lead to demotivation and over time, develop into mental health problems.
- Common factors – Either biological, social, or environmental. Examples of which are genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and living conditions. Your obesity may be attributed to poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
It is important to know why co-morbidities develop, because understanding risk factors will help you make better and smarter decisions that can avoid potential sickness in the future.
How to manage your co-morbidities
In a study in 2014, five lifestyle-related factors were determined to affect or influence the prevalence of comorbidities, whether individual in occurrence or in combination with other factors. These are:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Tobacco Usage
- Alcohol Intake
- Physical Activity
- Nutrition (Vegetable and Fruit Consumption)
The results from this study reveals that BMI and tobacco usage (smoking) increases the likelihood of developing co-morbidities more than the other factors—meaning the higher your BMI and the more you smoke, your health risk of developing co-morbidities increases. However, it is also noted that a combination of all these unhealthy choices will lead to the likely development of multiple morbidities, too.
It cannot be stressed enough that choosing healthier options will help in the prevention of diseases in the short and long term. What can you do?
- Keep your BMI at a normal level
- Stop smoking
- Limit intake of alcohol
- Keep active through regular exercise routines
- Choose healthy foods and beverages
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Limit sugar, salt, and fat
- Keep your meals balanced with a mix of protein and grains
It is very important to consult your doctor on how best to manage the complexities of your co-morbidities. The physician will be in the best position to provide guidance for a holistic approach in treatment and management.
Once you have a treatment plan in place, make sure to carry it out consistently by:
- Scheduling regular check-ups with your physician
- Taking your prescribed medications according to proper dosage and frequency
- Monitoring your health status, e.g., monitoring weight/blood pressure/blood sugar levels
Co-morbidities may put you at higher risk of developing complications but remember that it is not a lost cause. Living healthy should benefit your health in the long run and prevent certain diseases from developing.
General disclaimer
Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.
Sources:
- Defining Comorbidity: Implications for Understanding Health and Health Services - PMC
- Morbidity vs. Mortality Rate: What’s the Difference?
- Morbidity Week 52 - Department of Health
- Drugs | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Lifestyle factors and multimorbidity: a cross sectional study | BMC Public Health | Full Text
