Death is an essential part of our existence because without it life would be meaningless. In any case, it is very important to differentiate those “natural” deaths (in which no external factors intervene) from those that are caused by preventable factors, such as poverty, lack of scientific research, and more. Talking about the loss of life is usually accompanied by a question: what are the main causes of death in the world?
It is estimated that more than 60 million people die every year around the planet. Interestingly, half (54%) of these deaths can be attributed to 10 specific reasons. In the following lines, we tell you which are the 10 main causes of death in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In any case, it must be taken into account that this ranking varies depending on the region analyzed and various factors. These are the most common causes globally, but they do not have to represent the bulk of deaths in your specific region. Once this assessment has been made, let’s get to it.
1. Ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease
Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is a pathology caused by the narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart. This causes a reduction in blood flow to the heart tissues, resulting in symptoms such as neck/jaw pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, and more. Ischemic heart disease is responsible for 16% of deaths worldwide. We go further, as it causes up to 1 in 3 deaths in people over 35 years of age.
There are many risk factors for the development of ischemic heart disease, such as older age, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, family history, and uncontrolled diabetes. The treatment of this condition always involves improving blood flow to the heart, whether with drugs, invasive procedures (such as bypass ), or a combination of both.
2. Stroke or stroke
Cerebrovascular accident ( CVA), better known as a stroke by the general population, occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to the death of neurons due to lack of oxygen and, if treatment is not received promptly. , of the patient. Some of the most common symptoms of this event are difficulty speaking, paralysis or numbness of the face, problems seeing with one or both eyes, headache, and problems walking. Stroke is responsible for 11% of global deaths, although luckily the majority of people who suffer from it are already of advanced age.
Stroke is divided into 2 main types:
- Ischemic stroke: is caused by a blood clot that blocks/clogs a blood vessel that supplies the brain. It is the most common variant and represents 8 out of 10 strokes.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This is caused by a blood vessel breaking in the brain.
3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pathology of the lungs of a chronic and inflammatory nature that prevents the correct flow of air to the lungs. The most popular signs and symptoms of this condition are shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough, frequent respiratory infections, and lack of energy. COPD is responsible for 6% of deaths worldwide, which is equivalent to more than 3 million deaths annually. More than 80% of these deaths occur in lower-middle-income countries.
The main cause of COPD worldwide is smoking. In any case, there are more risk factors to take into account: indoor air pollution, occupational exposure to dust and fumes, genetics and events that affect lung development in childhood are some of them. The best treatment for this condition is to stop smoking, although there are also pharmacological and other more invasive procedures to minimize symptoms and avoid complications.
4. Lower respiratory tract infections
Lower respiratory tract infections are the first on the list that are considered contagious. From a medical point of view, these conditions can be defined as self-limited inflammatory processes that affect the bronchial tree after airway infection. They present with symptoms such as cough, sometimes productive, which can last for 3-4 weeks.
Although these infections are usually minor problems in healthy adults living in high-income countries, it must be taken into account that not the entire population has access to antibiotics and supportive treatments if the condition becomes complicated. Additionally, severely immunosuppressed or elderly patients are at much higher risk of not being able to fight off an infection that for others is mild.
5. Neonatal conditions
There are many diseases capable of ending life before, during, or shortly after birth. Some of the pathologies associated with serious complications in the child population are cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, malaria, measles, and other infectious processes. Fortunately, greater scientific knowledge and healthcare capacity have caused deaths in children to be drastically reduced in recent decades.
6. Lung cancer (and other associated)
Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide, only surpassed by breast cancer. Without a doubt, its most important risk factor is smoking: people who smoke are between 15 and 30 times more likely to develop a malignant tumor in the lungs compared to those who do not. It is estimated that more than 2 million cases of this disease are diagnosed each year and, unfortunately, the prognosis is usually not very favorable.
The survival rate 5 years after diagnosis in the localized phase is 60%. On the other hand, in the distant and very advanced phase, this percentage is reduced to 2%. Some lung cancer cells are inherently resistant to chemotherapy, while others develop resistance and then multiply. The lack of treatment options contributes greatly to the mortality of this cancer.
7. Alzheimer’s and other dementias
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive pathology that begins to manifest itself in the form of mild memory loss but progresses to an absolute inability to maintain autonomy. Alzheimer’s disease is ultimately fatal, but patients who suffer from it can also die from associated (or unrelated) issues, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and others.
8. Diseases that cause diarrhea
Perhaps you did not expect an element like this among the most common causes of death in the world but, again, we must bear in mind that health infrastructures are not equally strong in all countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diarrheal diseases cause 1 in 9 global deaths in children. This translates into more than 2,000 deaths daily.
Severe diarrhea causes considerable fluid loss, which can lead to dehydration and death if appropriate measures are not taken. About 88% of deaths associated with diarrhea are attributable to unsafe water,
inadequate sanitation, and insufficient hygiene. Having access to basic resources should never be a privilege.
9. Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal. This is because the body is not able to produce enough insulin or, failing that, it does not use it properly. It is estimated that more than 537 million people live with diabetes in the world and this trend is only expected to increase over time.
Although we associate diabetes with a common condition in the general population, we must not lose sight of the fact that it can have serious complications if it is not kept under control. Among other things, it can damage the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. In addition, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and even the need to amputate a limb.
10. Kidney diseases
The kidneys are essential organs for well-being, as they are responsible for eliminating waste from the body, regulating plasma volume, controlling blood pressure, maintaining electrolyte balance, and producing certain substances. For this reason, pathologies that cause kidney malfunction deserve to be on this list as one of the main causes of death in the world.
The most common causes of death in the world are, to say the least, surprising. Many of them are present in our daily lives, but others increase in prevalence in low-income regions and go unnoticed by a large part of the population. If one idea is clear after these letters, it is the following: there is a long way to go so that every human being on the planet has quick and safe access to the medical care they need.