Are Lifestyle Diseases Covered by Your health Insurance Policy? Find out

Posted on: Jul 28, 2021 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Are Lifestyle Diseases Covered by Your health Insurance Policy? Find out

Even before the coronavirus hit us, lifestyle diseases were a big problem. As the term indicates, they are usually caused by poor lifestyle choices or practices. And while stress related to work and home is at an all-time high today, it’s necessary that you take care of both your physical and mental health, to prevent lifestyle disorders. A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits are often the main culprits. So, find out more about lifestyle diseases, what can be done to prevent them, and how the right health insurance can help you get the best treatment, if unfortunately, you are diagnosed with any lifestyle disease. Remember that the best health insurance in India will make it easy for you to register a claim and offer maximum financial coverage.

What are lifestyle diseases?

Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, and obesity are characterized as lifestyle diseases. Earlier, they used to develop with age, but now, you will find many youngsters falling prey to these. Especially in urban areas, where people have a higher standard of living but lead more stressful lives, such diseases are more prevalent. Demanding jobs, a sedentary lifestyle, and anxiety are the main reasons behind these lifestyle disorders. These are non-communicable but can be life-threatening, like certain cardiovascular diseases including heart attacks and strokes. If not treated immediately, these ailments get only worse. On the contrary, a person having a good quality of life will not suffer from them.

Rising Incidences of Lifestyle Diseases in India

A recent report by GOQii(an integrated preventive healthcare platform in California) titled India Fit Report 2019, revealed that the incidence of cholesterol in India has shot up by 40% overall. And this spike is by 135% among those who are below 45 years. According to the study, the incidence of diabetes has also witnessed a rise by around 40% and blood pressure has increased by 90% among those under 45 years. The survey was conducted based on body mass index (BMI), levels of stress, sleep patterns, and more than 7 lakh Indians participated. It went on to conclude that 4 out of 10 Indians suffer from acute stress while one out of four complains of body aches and pains.

And in 2020, when the pandemic began, the risk of obesity increased due to increased intake of junk food and lack of physical activities at home. The rise in screen time also had a negative impact on people’s overall health.

How You Can Prevent Lifestyle Diseases

Remember, lifestyle disorders occur due to choices people make in their daily lives. Most lifestyle disorders are preventable, and therefore, you must do some small things every day to keep them at bay. Here are some simple ways you can stay away from these lifestyle diseases:

Eat a balanced diet and stay away from packaged, canned, or fast foods as they are high in fats and sodium. Stick to homemade food and healthy snacks.
Don’t skip meals.
Work out regularly.
Stay hydrated as it washes out toxins from your body.
Sleep for 7-8 hours every day as it keeps your mind sharp and refreshed.
Focus on maintaining a high level of hygiene and sanitation.
Quit smoking and drinking.
Manage your stress through meditation, yoga, or by indulging in hobbies.

Protect your health by buying the best health insurance in India

While you should keep an eye on your fitness regime and diet, you must also prepare financially for any medical emergency. Having substantial health insurance is a prerequisite. Here are three things to keep in mind when deciding your health insurance policy concerning lifestyle diseases:

Wide coverage: Ensure that your policy covers lifestyle disorders along with other critical illnesses.
Buy when age is on your side: If you don’t have lifestyle diseases, that doesn’t mean with age you may not develop them. It’s best to prepare early. When you are young and healthy, you can get insurance with smaller premiums and the insurer will reward you for every claim-free year, which you can encash when you actually need the insurance in your mid-30s or early 40s. Also, by then, the waiting period for some diseases will be over.
Research well: Buy the policy online as you can compare various plans and pick the best health insurance in India that suits your needs and budget.

Conclusion

While a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits can help lifestyle diseases to find their way into every other household, the pandemic has made things worse. So, make an extra effort to stay fit, even if you are cooped at home, and avail the right health insurance.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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