Health news and healthcare information industry has progressed by leaps and bounds, but so have the new diseases. On one hand, as the medical expertise is spreading worldwide and reaching every nook and corner of the world, the same mankind with this benefit is digging its own grave even with such exposure and awareness!

The greatest health risk right now is obesity which is increasing its spread by leaps and bounds everyday. With a stressful life and hectic routines, it is but natural that healthy eating goes for a toss and junk food is the easiest option available. Even the contrary - all play and no work makes Jack a fat boy! In addition to high fat foods and sedentary lifestyle, hormonal and genetic problems can also lead to obesity. Childhood obesity is also on a rise adding to the problem.

Obesity not only affects physically like heart disease and hypertension but also psychologically like embarrassment, low self-confidence and depression. Some overweight infants face the problem of slow motor skills development; while mild or severe obesity may also raise a kidney-stone risk.

As it is said, Prevention is better than Cure; one can at least try and avoid high calorie foods and live an active life to prevent this health risk, but when it is to be combated, different weight-loss program or weigh-loss drugs are available but they should be taken only after medical expert's consultation.

Another big health risk threatening a person's survival is the heart disease. Recently, it has been stated that heart risk has been the leading cause of death. There are various heart risks like Coronary heart disease - failure of blood circulation in the heart, Cardiomyopathy – irregular or non-functioning of the heart muscle, diseases like diabetes and hypertension affecting the arteries and veins, reduction in pumping blood or high blood pressure or inflammation of heart muscles.

The only way reduce heart risks is low cholesterol foods, activity and exercise, controlling blood pressure and avoiding bad habits of drink and smoking to keep the heart healthy and live longer.

The third disease to be bestowed the "no. 1 killer" tag is Cancer. It is said that every 1 out of four persons dies due to cancer. Cancer is the unrestrained growth of irregular cells in the body. Cancer can occur when the cells in the body multiply too quickly and do not die when not needed. Cancer can occur in any part of the body like skin, lung, stomach, brain, kidney, cervical, liver, ovarian, uterus, breast, colon or bones.

Cancer can be caused due to certain chemicals, toxins or environmental poisons, genetic problems, excess alcohol, excess sunlight, obesity, viruses and radiation. Symptoms are specific to the part which has developed cancer and sometimes there are no symptoms till the advanced stage. The common symptoms can be loss of appetite, fever, chills, fatigue and weight loss. Various tests like MRI scan, CT scan, biopsy, chest x-ray are employed but the treatment options include only surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in case of malignant tumours which spread throughout the body, while benign tumours can be controlled.

These "no. 1 killers" can be combated easily only if one acknowledges the need of a simple and healthy lifestyle.