Lifestyle Modification as First Line of Treatment for Chronic Disease

Abstract

The practice of medicine is centered on prescribing medications as first line of treatment for majority of medical problems. Although prescription medications are powerful and improve biomarkers such as blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C and lipids rapidly, prescription medications do not always treat the underlying cause of the disease which could be exacerbated due to poor lifestyle-smoking, lack of exercise, bad food choices and stress. Most health care practitioners would agree that the majority of chronic diseases and sequelae are the result of poor lifestyle choices. The progress report of the Cleveland Clinic’s Lifestyle 180 program verifies this with the following statement: Interactions between lifestyle and genetic factors cause the development and progression of a spectrum of chronic conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer...more than 80% of attributable risks may be related to environmental factors, primarily lifestyle factors.1 Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and substance abuse are all modifiable behaviors that if changed can greatly improve health and significantly improve quality of life. Modifying poor lifestyle choices results in decreased disease burden, lessens disabilities and lowers medical costs. Our society is confused and poorly educated about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. People are confused about the role food plays in affecting their health. Regular exercise is uncommon. Stress is managed poorly and sleep is undervalued. This lack of healthy lifestyle choices results in the expression and manifestation of chronic diseases.