Top 10 Causes Of Death In The Western Cape

I know we’re all less willing to discuss death but trust me, you deserve this information as it is your right to know the major causes of the cessation of human lives around you. Besides, there’s no point being uncomfortable with discussing death, we’re all in a queue awaiting our turn, and like Plato said, “to fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise without really being wise, for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For no one knows whether death may not be the greatest good that can happen to man.” So brace up and read about the top 10 causes of death in the Western Cape.

See Also: 10 Ideal Way To Survive South Africa Without The Government’s Help

Causes of Death in the Western Cape

10. Lower Respiratory Infections

Rate: 3.5 Percent

LRTIs

The symptoms of lower respiratory infections though they vary, often include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever and lethargy. As uncovered, lower respiratory infections are more common during winter as people tend to stay indoors and share the same re-circulated air (and germs).

Don’t be confused, the lower respiratory (tract) infection or LTRI is a generic term for an acute infection of the trachea, airways and lungs which make up the lower respiratory system. These infections consist of a group of illnesses like bronchitis, croup and pneumonia collectively referred to by the term “lower respiratory infection.” And the best preventive measure is to practice good hygiene. You have to for 3.5% of deaths in Western Cape are caused by this infection.

9. Throat, Lung And Bronchial Diseases

Rate: 3.7 Percent

asthma

This generally refers to breathing problems and disorders that affect the lungs and organs that allow us to breathe. Such diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema Infections, like influenza and pneumonia Lung cancer, sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis are found here. These diseases work hard to prevent the body from getting enough oxygen. Within the time-frame of this report, 3.7 percent of deaths in Western Cape South Africa are caused by the throat, lung and bronchial diseases.

8. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)

Rate: 3.8 Percent

Based on the fact that most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke, smoking cigarette is regarded as the leading cause of COPD, a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. Progressive is emphasized in defining COPD because the disease gets worse over time. There are many symptoms of COPD, the most prominent however includes coughing that produces a lot of slimy substance (mucus), wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Meanwhile, longtime exposure to other lung irritants like air pollution, dust or chemical fumes can also cause COPD. 3.8 percent of the deaths in Western Cape are caused by COPD. So, stay away from the “cancer stick”, smokers being liable to die young isn’t a myth.

Read Also: 8 Most Efficient Ways To Recognize True South African Drug Addicts

7. Diabetes Mellitus

Rate: 4.3 Percent

diabetes_prevention

Diabetes accounts for 4.3 percent of the deaths in Western Cape. It is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects your body’s ability to use the energy found in food. Usually, your body breaks down the sugars and carbohydrates you eat into a special sugar called glucose so as to fuel the cells in your body. When the cells can’t take in the glucose, it builds up in your blood and high levels of blood glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, heart, eyes, or nervous system. explaining why diabetes, especially if left untreated can eventually cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage to nerves in the feet.

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6. Road Injuries

Rate: 4.6 Percent

road injuries

4.6 percent of the deaths in Western Cape is as a result of road injuries. You already know about the terrible nature of accidents in South Africa but then did you know that  40 people do die each day on our roads? And that based on the International Transport Forum (ITF) ranking, South Africa is the worst out of 36 others when you consider the number of road fatalities?

Just check this out: Top 5 Most Terrific Road Accidents In South Africa – Video

5. Cerebrovascular Diseases (Strokes)

Rate: 5.2 Percent

Cerebrovascular Diseases (Strokes)The disease was estimated as the cause of 5.2 percent deaths in Western Cape. It refers to a group of conditions that affect the circulation of blood to the brain thereby causing a limited or no blood flow to affected areas of the brain. As discovered, when blood flow is completely obstructed or limited to the brain, it does cause a stroke, transient ischemic attacks, or dementia, which can as well lead to a variety of other health complications. Also, Cerebrovascular disease primarily affects people who are elderly or have a history of diabetes, smoking, or ischemic heart disease

4. Ischaemic Heart Diseases (Heart Attacks)

Rate: 6.5 Percent

Heart Attack

It almost impossible to explain this health condition responsible for 6.5 percent of deaths in Western Cape without using jargon. But then, the next paragraph is probably the best ordinary way to explain ischaemic heart diseases otherwise generally regarded as heart attacks.

Ischaemic heart diseases is a term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. As observed, when arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen are supplied to the heart muscle which leads to discomfort, chest pains, and ultimately result in a heart attack

3. Tuberculosis

Rate: 7.4 Percent

TB-workplace

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease and is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. Some of the major symptoms of TB include; a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and sweating at night.  Tuberculosis is a major cause of the deaths in Western Cape with 7.4 percent.

See Also: Top 9 Most Awkward South African Health Issues

2. Interpersonal Violence

Rate: 9.2 Percentmob-justice

Shame! We kill ourselves more than the diseases killing us. Nobody should be surprised about this, the everyday violence in South Africa has long gone crazy to such extent that we all now considered it a miracle to stay away from trouble especially in certain locations. People are killed by criminals, criminals are killed via mob justice, hate killings, police killings (“accidental discharge”) killings related to rape, the killing of foreigners, stray bullet hits, farm attacks, and a whole load of other reasons for people violently killed in South Africa earning Western Cape 9.2 percent of deaths related to interpersonal violence.

1. HIV

Rate: 12 Percent

image source

HIV has killed more people in Western Cape than any of the other causes of deaths. 12 percent of the deaths are attributed to HIV, there’s no point to lecture you about the virus, you’ve definitely seen numerous campaigns about HIV and you equally know abstinence ranks top as the major preventive measures followed by having only one sexual partner, and always ensuring your protection. 

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Nedu Raymond
Nedu Raymond
An advocate of closed-back headphones, horror movies, and dark humor; Raymond believes Peter Griffin and Stan Smith should be real people. Outside of having to write, edit, and work on other forms of content, he may keep up with the EPL or listen to everything Eminem and Jon Bellion.

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