How to Stay Ahead of the Five Most Prevalent Critical Illnesses

Critical illness can put a strain on the family’s financial resources. Know the steps that can help alleviate the burden of critical illness and secure your family’s stability.

A critical illness can hit anyone. Some may be predisposed to certain illnesses, but there are also times when it happens unexpectedly. Whichever the case, it is no easy challenge to hurdle. Serious health problems like cancer, stroke, heart disease, or organ failure can impair the body’s normal functions when the necessary treatments are not completely provided.

In 2023, the top three causes of death in the Philippines were ischaemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Getting diagnosed with a serious ailment can cost a huge amount of money. Hospitalization, medical treatments, rehabilitation, and medicines can wipe out one’s entire life savings. The lack of funds not only affects recovery but also disrupts the family’s finances. Without the right preparation, you may find yourself lacking the resources you need to face a medical crisis. The good news is this is one of life’s uncertainties that you can prepare for.

1. Know your family’s medical history. What health issues have affected your mom and dad? Do any of your relatives have a heart condition or have fallen ill with cancer? Knowing these facts can help you take proactive steps to protect yourself, such as consulting a specialist or adjusting your lifestyle. 

2. Develop healthier habits. It goes without saying that a healthy lifestyle is most ideal: eat nutritious foods, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, get enough quality sleep at night, and add a few minutes of exercise to your daily routine. While it is not easy to stay committed, the benefits will far outweigh the sacrifices. This is not to say that you can no longer enjoy yourself - moderation is key. With this, you put yourself in a better position to recover should an illness hit.

3. Follow a healthy diet. A busy lifestyle can compromise your dietary options. Poor eating habits contribute to the onset of critical illnesses. On the contrary, a healthy diet boosts the body's natural defenses and provides the nutrients needed to help reduce the onset of chronic diseases. 

4. Stay active. Start a fitness routine. Exercise is a step to a fit and healthy body. Engage in physical fitness activities at least three times a week. This will help boost your physical and mental health. It also reduces the risk of critical illnesses. Exercise supports the cardiovascular system, helps in blood sugar control, and boosts immunity. When done regularly, it can also lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases.

5. Manage stress. Stress management techniques can help. You may want to consider yoga, deep breathing, and meditation. Remember that being mentally well impacts even our physical health.

6. Create an Emergency Fund. Medical costs are expensive which can affect the finances of the family. It is best to set aside a part of your monthly income for possible health issues when making a budget and prepare for the costs of critical illness by having an emergency fund that covers at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of monthly living expenses. Remember to be conscious of spending habits and cut down on some unnecessary purchases.

7. Get Critical Illness Insurance. Investing in critical illness insurance is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself and your family. It eases the financial load of hefty medical bills. It provides a lump sum cash payment to the insured if the diagnosed health condition is covered under the policy. Critical illness insurance usually includes coverage for conditions such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, and brain injury.

Here’s an infographic to help you gain a better understanding and preparedness for the top 5 most prevalent critical illness.