Healthy Living and Incurable Diseases; Not All Diseases are Dead sentences -By Miracle Adebayo

While living a healthy lifestyle remains a universal priority, varying interpretations and persistent misconceptions about what constitutes healthy living and the health conditions associated with it has continue to shape public perception and behavior, particularly in developing societies.

In some communities, certain health conditions are widely believed to be hereditary, a belief that, sometimes appears valid, but is often rooted in misinformation. The lack of clear understanding has fueled a wave of misconceptions, resulting in inadequate health education and awareness. These misconceptions hinder public health efforts, making it difficult to achieve widespread adoption of preventive health practices.

In bridging this gap, this report highlights variable health conditions that emanate from different factors from environmental placement to hereditary lineage. Health conditions such as incurable diseases are identified as chronic conditions that are irreversible upon contraction, although they are largely preventable through timely vaccinations, immunization, and adherence to recommended preventive measures.

The Role of Vaccination and Immunization in Disease Prevention

One of the most critical public health interventions in Nigeria—and globally—is vaccination and immunization, especially from birth. Vaccination introduces weakened or inactive components of pathogens or their genetic material into the body, prompting an immune response without causing illness. This mechanism prepares the immune system to identify and combat future infections.

Immunization, while closely related, refers to the broader process by which an individual becomes protected against disease. It includes both vaccination and natural immunity gained through infection and recovery. Though used interchangeably, the terms are not identical—vaccination is the method, while immunization is the result.

Several diseases such as Poliomyelitis (Polio), Hepatitis B, Measles, Yellow Fever, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) fall into the category of incurable conditions that can be effectively prevented with timely vaccination.

Categories of Incurable Diseases

According to the world health organization (WHO), Vaccination and immunization provide critical protection against various infections. However, not all diseases can be managed or prevented through these methods.

While Immunization remains a global health success story that saves millions of lives every year; vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defenses to build protection.

The following are key categories of incurable diseases that require broader awareness and long-term management strategies:

Neurological Disorders

These disorders affect the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease lead to progressive cognitive decline, movement disorders, and loss of bodily function. They typically worsen over time, with no known cure, only symptomatic treatments.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells. This results in chronic inflammation and damage to various organs. Examples include Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Multiple Sclerosis. These conditions are often lifelong and require continuous management.
Lupus is commonly associated with widespread inflammation and tissue damage, leading to problems such as persistent fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes (especially the butterfly-shaped rash on the face), kidney complications, and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Rheumatoid Arthritis primarily affects the joints, causing chronic pain, stiffness, swelling, and progressive joint deformity, but it can also lead to complications in the lungs, heart, and eyes due to systemic inflammation. Multiple Sclerosis affects the central nervous system and often results in muscle weakness, vision problems, numbness or tingling sensations, difficulty with coordination and balance, and, in more severe cases, cognitive impairment and paralysis.

Genetic Disorders

These inherited conditions are caused by gene mutations, which may be present from birth or develop later in life. Examples include Sickle Cell Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and Huntington’s Disease. Treatments are often limited and focus mainly on symptom management rather than cure.

The Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky, and shaped like a sickle or crescent, making it difficult for them to flow freely through blood vessels. This abnormal condition leads to frequent blockages in blood flow, causing intense pain episodes known as sickle cell crises. Individuals with SCD are at increased risk of chronic anemia, frequent infections, delayed growth in children, and complications such as stroke, organ damage (especially in the lungs, kidneys, and liver), and vision problems. Over time, the repeated damage to blood vessels and organs can significantly affect quality of life and overall health.

A generally acceptable preventive measure for SCD is compatibility of genotype before marriage or childbearing. Couples are advised to undergo genotype testing to avoid high-risk pairings, such as AS and AS, which can result in children with SS genotype (Sickle Cell Disease).
Cystic Fibrosis on the other hand is associated with thick, sticky mucus buildup in the lungs and digestive tract, leading to chronic respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, and poor nutrient absorption. Huntington’s Disease causes progressive damage to brain cells, resulting in uncontrolled movements, cognitive decline, and severe emotional and behavioral changes over time.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. While many infections are curable, some—like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C—can become chronic or life-threatening. These diseases spread through contaminated food, water, bodily fluids, or insect bites.

Cancer

Cancer arises from the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in the body. It can affect almost any part of the body and often becomes fatal when detected at a late stage. While some cancers are treatable in early stages, many are considered incurable once they metastasize or become resistant to therapy.

Chronic and Degenerative Diseases

These long-term illnesses worsen over time and typically affect essential organs or systems in the body. Conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Kidney Disease, and Osteoarthritis require lifelong care and monitoring to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Doctor Adebiyi Obasanjo, a consultant cardiologist and medical director, classified some of the causes of these diseases under modifiable factors such as environmental influences which include pollution in the environment, excessive consumption of unnatural foods and energy drinks, among others.

Talking on the preventive measures, Doctor Adebiyi encouraged individuals to go for consistent check up to ensure a clean body system free of diseases.

In his words; he says “Limiting the spread of these diseases still remains the most effective preventive measures. Issues like diabetes, and cancer are sometimes about Lifestyle modifications like engaging in regular aerobics exercise, avoiding taking hard drugs and trans fats, and also adequate sleep of at least 8 hours.

Shedding more light on preventive measures, Doctor Adebiyi mentions that people with genetic related diseases can prevent it once they visit their medical personnel regularly while maintaining a conscious healthy living lifestyle.

The albino which also have the tendency of being prone to skin cancer due exposure to excessive sun ray are also encouraged to try as much to shield themselves from excessive sun ray by using protective means like sunshield, clothings that cover up the skin properly, shades and other necessary means that could serve as protection

Giving professional advice to victims of incurable disease, Dr Adebiyi said not all cases are dead sentences, and the worst of all can be managed effectively once it is discovered early.
Emphasizing on a healthy living lifestyle to prevents this diseases Doctor Adebiyi stresses the need to limits the use of herbs if not total abstinence from it as it also does more harm to the body silently due to its various chemicals composition.