By Emma Sturgis
Modern medicine has reduced the risk of death or serious consequences from a vast number of medical conditions. It is important to remember, however, that there are still several conditions which can pose a serious threat to an individual’s health, with risks as serious as death if left untreated. The following five maladies are so common that treatment is considered routine, but patients should remember to seek medical assistance if they experience any of the following, as all can lead to some dangerous complications.
Appendicitis
Almost everyone knows someone who has had an appendectomy. Appendicitis is a common childhood malady, but can occur at any point in a person’s lifetime. Appendectomies are performed when the appendix becomes inflamed and riddled with bad bacteria. While surgery to remove an inflamed appendix is routine and can alleviate any worries associate with the condition, serious consequences can result if the problem is ignored. An inflamed appendix can burst, releasing dangerous bacteria into the abdominal cavity during a condition called peritonitis. If a person does not receive rapid treatment for peritonitis, he or she will become extremely ill, and the risk of fatal complications is high.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is another common medical condition involving serious complications beyond oral health. In recent years, doctors and researchers have begun to find links between gum disease and life-threatening conditions like heart disease. While the connection is still being debated, more and more medical researchers are speaking up, suggesting that gum health is as good an indicator of heart disease as cholesterol levels, though exactly how gum health factors into heart disease is still unknown.
Type-2 Diabetes
Adult Onset Diabetes is another medical condition which, though common, is deadlier than most people realize. The number of complications arising from Type-2 are too time-consuming to innumerate, but among the worst are heart disease and the risk of stroke. People with Type-2 are also prone to serious complications like peripheral artery disease, occasionally resulting in consequences as serious as amputation. According to a Calgary optometrist from Crowfoot Vision Centre, diabetes can also affect eye health, leading to problems like glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. These complications are serious, and each can result in blindness.
Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious but common condition as well. This condition is essentially a blood clot in a deep vein, and the consequences can be life-threatening if not addressed quickly and thoroughly. The clot can move and become lodged in critical areas, including the lung artery, heart, and even the brain. All are serious, life-threatening conditions that can leave you debilitated, if they leave you alive.
Hyperthyroidism
A fifth common ailment that can lead to serious complications is hyperthyroidism. Caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone TSH, hyperthyroidism results in an overactive metabolism. While this may initially have seemingly positive results like weight loss or extra energy, the condition will begin to fatigue and break down the body. Hyperthyroidism can cause, among other things, brittle bones, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Like the other conditions on this list, hyperthyroidism complications are potentially life threatening.
With the abundance of medical programs and information available to patients this day and age, most people are well-informed about the conditions listed above. Patients should not allow themselves to feel a sense of security and safety in the familiarity, however, since every one of these medical conditions can indicate or lead to serious, life-threatening conditions.
