7 diseases that kill the most in the world

More than 50 million people die annually on the planet - a number larger than the entire population of the state of São Paulo. Doing this may seem rather morbid, but according to the World Health Organization, knowing how many people die each year and the cause of these fatalities is key to identifying problems and implementing effective public health policies. And cigarette campaigns seem to be a priority: according to the latest WHO report, published in 2011 and based on 2008 data, cigarette smoking is linked to three of the most fatal diseases and is responsible for the deaths of 1 in 10 adults worldwide. What else have people died of? Check out the 7 most deadly diseases in the world:

1. Ischemic heart disease

Number of deaths: 7.25 million (12.8%)

A disease, usually caused by a coronary atherosclerosis, in which myocardial ischemia occurs. Do not understand anything? Calm down, we'll explain. Ischemic heart disease happens when something interferes with the heart's irrigation (which, in addition to pumping blood to the rest of the body, is also moved to blood!). This is when plaques of fat, cholesterol, calcium, or collagen build up in the arteries, hinder the blood circulation, and hamper the rhythm of your body's most important muscle. His heart stopped, and his cells began to die. There you have. The risk of the disease increases with age, but can also be aggravated by smoking, red meat consumption, diabetes and high blood pressure.

2. Stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases

Number of deaths: 6.15 million (10.8%)

The stroke - the popular name for stroke or stroke - is caused by clogging or rupturing of cerebral blood vessels. Advanced age, high blood pressure (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes are some of the major risk factors. Stay alert to the symptoms: the faster the care, the greater the chances of survival.

3. Inflammatory diseases of the lower respiratory tract

Number of deaths: 3.46 million (10.8%)

Trachea, lungs, bronchi, bronchioles and pulmonary alveoli make up the lower airways, part of the respiratory tract also called the lower respiratory tract. Infections in this region are usually caused by the malfunctioning of the eyelashes lining the trachea - it is thanks to their movement that the dirt we inhale as we breathe is swept out through the cough. Pneumonia, an inflammatory disease in the lung, also fits into this "deadly disease."

4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

Number of deaths: 3.28 million (6.1%)

Shortness of breath, muscle fatigue, respiratory failure. These are some of the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Generally triggered by smoking, passive exposure to smoke, exposure to dust, environmental pollution or genetic factors, COPD destroys the alveoli and compromises lung function. It's time to review the quality of the air you breathe.

5. Diarrhea

Number of deaths: 2.46 million (4.3%)

A "simple" diarrhea can be deadly. It can be caused by inflammatory bowel diseases, side effects of medication, infections (by viruses, bacteria or parasites) and allergies. Diarrhea leads to loss of large amounts of water and minerals, which can lead to severe dehydration.

6. HIV / AIDS

Number of deaths: 1.78 million (3.1%)

Responsible for taking more than 25 million lives over the last three decades, the disease remains a major global concern. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) strikes the immune system and weakens the defense against infections and some cancers. As the virus destroys and impairs the immune system's cell function, infected individuals gradually become unable to fight off infections. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS, which can take anywhere from 2 to 15 years to develop, depending on the individual. Although there is still no cure, treatment with antiretroviral drugs can control the virus.

7. Lung, tracheal, and bronchial cancer

Number of deaths: 1.39 million (2.4%)

The cigarette strikes again: the most common cause of this cancer is prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke. One of the reasons for being so deadly is probably its difficult diagnosis - lung cancer, is often discovered in advanced stages, which makes the mortality rate reach 86%.