Top 10 Most Dangerous and Deadliest Diseases in India

Do you know the total count of lives lost in India and across the globe is due to deadly diseases? Do you know what all diseases are termed as most dangerous in India? Read on to know about them. 

Despite commendable development in the healthcare industry, there are many dangerous diseases in India that are still prevalent. The cost of treatment of such diseases is very high and they affect individual’s productivity and earning.

In this blog, we are enlisting top 10 dangerous diseases common in India and answering your query on which is the most dangerous disease prevalent in the country.

Top 10 Dangerous/Deadliest Diseases and Critical Illnesses in India in 2022

• Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)
• Stroke
• Respiratory Diseases
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s 
• Diarrhea
• Malignant Tumors
• Covid-19

1. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

This is one of the top 10 dangerous diseases common in India. These are heart related diseases which affect the heart and are among the common causes of deaths in the country.

Signs of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

• Pain in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Numbness in arms and legs
• Discomfort in the Chest
• Pain in other parts of the body such as neck, back, jaw, throat as well as upper abdomen etc.

What Causes Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)?

• High intake of Tobacco
• Not having enough physical activity
• Improper and meager diet
• Hereditary reasons
• Existing diseases like High BP or Cholesterol
• Being Overweight
• People with family history of such diseases

How to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)?

• By staying active physically
• By getting regular exercise
• By watching over your weight regularly
• By curbing the habit of smoking
• By keeping a check on your BP and Cholesterol
• And by eating healthy food consisting of fiber, potassium, magnesium etc.

2. Stroke

Strokes appear if any artery gets blocked in the brain and is one of the most dangerous diseases in the country.

Signs of Stroke

• Numbness in arm, leg or face
• Extreme headache
• Having difficulty in vision (of one eye or both eyes)
• Difficulty in walking
• Trouble in speaking

Causes of Stroke

• Stroke is common among people with high BP and cholesterol
• People with Diabetes
• Among people who are chain smokers
• People with brain Hemorrhage
• People with Heart diseases

Prevention of Stroke

• First thing required is to quit smoking
• Keep blood pressure under control
• Follow healthy lifestyle
• Get regular exercise
• Restrict the consumption of alcohol
• Consume food with high fiber and low fat

3. Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory infections also cause a large number of deaths in the country every year and are termed as one of the most dangerous diseases in India. Lung diseases, pneumonia and severe bronchitis are some such diseases.

Signs of Respiratory Diseases

• Fever
• Cough
• Congestion of the nose
• Sneezing and runny nose
• Shortness of breath that lasts weeks
• Sore throat

Causes of Respiratory Diseases

• Extreme exposure to toxic substances
• Low immune system
• Smoking
• Dust and air pollution

Prevention of Respiratory Diseases

• Give up smoking
• Regular exercise
• Being active
• Using masks
• Avoid breathing polluted air
• Eat a protein rich diet

4. Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis infects the lungs as well as other body parts and is a life threatening disease. However, it is a curable disease.

Signs of Tuberculosis (TB)

• Fatigue
• Blood in cough
• Fever and chills
• Sweats at night
• No or less appetite
• Weight loss without reason

Causes of Tuberculosis (TB)

• Weak immune
• Living in areas that causes conditions for such disease
• Due to coughing and sneezing of infected people that reaches healthy people

Prevention of Tuberculosis (TB)

• Keep away from close contact of infected people
• Getting Vaccinated
• Eating healthy food.

5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is also among the most common diseases in India. This is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult. These diseases take the lives of thousands of people across the world every year.

Signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Wheezing
• Tightness in chest
• Not energetic at all
• Frequent infections of the respiratory system
• Swelling in legs, feet etc.
• Short breath

Causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Due to Smoking
• Via chemical fumes
• Hereditary reasons
• History of such infection during childhood

Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Avoid smoking
• Keep a check on family history of such diseases
• Avoid dust, fumes, etc. at home or at office
• Stay away from air pollution

6. Diabetes

Diabetes is of two types: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.  It is a life-threatening disease.

Signs of Diabetes

• Hunger of extreme level
• Weight loss without reason
• Fatigue
• Thirsty all the time
• Urinating frequently

Causes of Diabetes

• Unhealthy eating habits
• Not exercising regularly
• High BP
• Obesity

Prevention of Diabetes

• Regular exercise
• Avoiding inactive lifestyle
• Eating nutritious food
• Avoid smoking
• Eating fiber rich diet and cutting sugar

7. Alzheimer’s 

Alzheimer’s disease is related to loss of memory and it also interrupts reasoning, thinking etc.

Signs of Alzheimer’s

• Difficulty in doing work
• Forgetting things
• Misplacing articles
• Problem with speaking, writing
• Poor judgment

Causes of Alzheimer’s

• Past history in the family
• Old age
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Inherited from family
• Any head trauma

Prevention of Alzheimer’s

• Eating heart-healthy diet
• Avoiding fatty food items
• Quit smoking
• Controlling risk factors

8. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is passing loose stools three or more times a day, thereby leading to reduction in water and salt, which dehydrates the body.

Signs of Diarrhea

• Loose stool and mucus in stool
• Bloating and nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Blood in the stool
• Uncontrolled bowel urge

Causes of Diarrhea

• Not using clean water
• Poor sanitation
• Malnourishment
• Weak immunity

Prevention of Diarrhea

• Avoid drinking alcohol
• regular washing of hands
• Maintaining hygiene
• Avoiding the use of Aspirin, steroids etc.

9. Malignant Tumors

These are cancerous cells that grow uncontrollably and spread across the body to make it life-threatening. These are definitely among the most deadly diseases not only in India but across the world.

Signs of Malignant Tumors

No symptoms in the early stages or may be painless lump.

Causes of Malignant Tumors

• Exposure to ionising radiation
• Genetically spread
• Presence of pathogens
• Exposure to toxic substances

Prevention of Malignant Tumors

• Avoid consuming tobacco
• Eat healthy diet
• Getting immunization regularly
• Maintaining weight

10. Covid-19

Last but not the least, Covid-19 has emerged as one of the deadliest diseases across the globe in recent times. Originated in China, Coronaviruses was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020.

Signs of Covid-19

• Fever
• Cough
• Tiredness
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chills muscle aches
• Chest pain
• Pink eye

Causes of Covid-19

COVID-19 is caused by the infection with the new Coronavirus and spreads from person to person. Coughs, sneezes, breathes, etc. are some ways it spreads. It can also spread via touching, inhaling the droplets in the air etc.

Prevention of Covid-19

• Avoid close contact with the sick
• Maintain safe distance
• Maintain regular washing of hands
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Use mask to cover face when leaving out of the house
• Avoid touching eyes, nose with dirty hands
• Stay home as much as possible

Also Read:

• List of Diseases Covered by a Health Insurance Policy
• Pre-Existing Disease in a Health Insurance Policy
• Common Diseases in India and Its Impact on Health Insurance Policy