Chronic Diseases
What are chronic diseases?
Chronic diseases are long-term diseases that develop slowly over time, often progressing in severity, and can often be controlled, but rarely cured. They include conditions such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, back problems, asthma, and chronic depression.
How common is chronic disease?
Chronic diseases contribute to 7 out of 10 deaths in the NWT, with cancer and heart disease being the top two causes that contributes to close to half of all deaths. With an aging population, the burden of chronic disease is expected to grow. Chronic diseases common to the Northwest Territories and increasing in number include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension and mood disorders.
How can you reduce your risk of developing chronic disease?
You can reduce your risk of developing chronic disease by making healthy lifestyle choices such as what you eat, being active, and limiting use of tobacco and alcohol. Stress management and a healthy mind are also beneficial to lowering the risk of developing chronic disease.
You can also be screened for certain chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Screening picks up disease early in its course when it is more treatable or has less impact on your health.
Since the onset and type of screening may differ based on age, gender and family history you should talk to your health care provider to find out what screening you can have.
The Let’s Talk About Cancer(link is external) website provides a variety of resources for NWT cancer patients and their families.
For those struggling with stress management; suicidal thoughts; or depression. 811 offers confidential support to residents of the Northwest Territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The 811 also has an option for follow-up calls.
For information on diseases and conditions, including chronic diseases, visit the Government of Canada’s website:
For specific information related to diabetes and heart disease, visit the following links:
Prevention
What can you do?
Make healthy choices. Lead a healthier life!
Alcohol
Do you need support to change your alcohol use? 811 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is 100% free, confidential and anonymous.
The NWT Community Counselling Program helps people deal with a variety of issues including family violence, mental health issues and addictions. It is available free-of-charge to every NWT resident, in every region of the NWT.
Nutrition
Eating healthy is not always easy! Small changes can have huge health benefits.
- Eat 5-10 servings of fruit & vegetables per day
- Decrease processed/packaged food intake
- Reduce the amount of sugar and salt you eat
Physical Activity
Increase your physical activity to improve your health.
- Aim for 150 minutes per week
- You don't have to do it all at once
- Set realistic goals
Tobacco
Quitting is not easy! To achieve your goal call 811. This is a free confidential help line for smokers who want to quit. It provides trained Cessation Counsellors as well as personalized call back programs. It also offers quit smoking reading materials and translation services for all NWT languages.
Talk your community health nurse or doctor regarding a Tobacco QUIT Aid. For more information, see:
Screening
Talk to your health care provider about getting screened for chronic diseases.
There are screening tests available for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, as well as heart disease and diabetes. There are also screening tests for depression and generalized anxiety.