What Are NCDs?

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are not passed from person to person.
They include illnesses like:

• Cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks, strokes)
• Diabetes (especially type 2)
• Cancers
• Chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. COPD, asthma)
• Other chronic conditions (kidney disease, certain neurological disorders, musculoskeletal)

These diseases often develop slowly over time, and their symptoms may not be obvious until the condition is advanced. [1]

Why Are NCDs Rising?

1. Lifestyle & Behavioral Risk Factors [2]
   The World Health Organization identifies key modifiable behaviors that drive NCDs:
   • Tobacco use (including secondhand smoke),Unhealthy diets (excess sugar, salt, saturated/trans fats) Physical inactivity / sedentary lifestyle Harmful use of alcohol
   These behaviors lead to metabolic changes — high blood pressure (hypertension), overweight/obesity, elevated glucose (pre-diabetes / diabetes), abnormal lipid (cholesterol) profiles — which then progress to disease.
2. Environmental & Structural Drivers[3]
   NCD risk is not just individual choice — structural factors play a big role:
   • Air pollution (both outdoor and indoor) contributes to lung disease, cardiovascular risk, and even diabetes.
   • Urbanization & built environment that discourage walking, cycling, physical activity.
   • Food systems dominated by ultra-processed foods.
   • Socioeconomic inequalities, lack of access to healthy food, healthcare, safe parks, etc.
3. Aging Populations & Demographic Shift
   As life expectancy increases, more people live long enough to develop chronic diseases. The population’s age structure shifts.
4. Silent / Latent Onset
   Many NCDs have a long “latent period,” meaning damage accumulates years before symptoms appear. This “silent” progression means many are diagnosed late.

The Burden & Consequences

• Globally, NCDs are responsible for most premature deaths and disability.
• In India, NCDs are estimated to now make up more than half of the country’s disease burden. [3]
• In a recent report in Economic Times, India is described as facing a silent epidemic of lifestyle diseases — with rising prevalence of fatty liver, metabolic disorders, childhood obesity, and “silent cardiac risk.”
• Healthcare systems get burdened: frequent hospitalizations, complications, costs — especially in low-resource settings.

For example, many people may be unaware they have hypertension or early-stage diabetes until complications occur (heart attack, kidney damage, stroke).

What You Should Be Aware Of: Red Flags & Early Indicators

These signs may hint at an underlying chronic process — take them seriously:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Frequent urination, thirst (possible high blood sugar)
• High or fluctuating blood pressure
• Shortness of breath with minimal exertion
• Chronic cough, wheezing
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Persistent pain, swelling, or joint stiffness
• Elevated cholesterol, triglyceride, or liver enzyme levels on routine labs

If any of these appear — get medical evaluation and appropriate screening.

What We Can Do: Prevention & Management

Because most NCDs are driven by modifiable risks, prevention is powerful. Here’s a roadmap:

1. Adopt Healthy Behaviors
   • Quit tobacco & avoid second-hand smoke
   • Eat a balanced diet: plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes. Reduce refined sugar, processed snacks, red and processed meats
   • Stay active: Aim for at least 150 min of moderate activity per week (walking, cycling, yoga, swimming)
   • Limit alcohol consumption
   • Sleep well & manage stress — chronic stress and poor sleep disrupt metabolic balance
2. Regular Health Screening & Early Detection
   • Monitor blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile
   • Periodic health checks (annual or biennial) starting from middle age
   • Cancer screenings as per guideline (e.g. breast, cervical)
   • Early detection allows intervention before severe damage.
3. Integrated, Multidisciplinary Care
   • For those diagnosed: comprehensive care (medication, lifestyle support, rehabilitation)
   • Use digital tools, telemedicine, patient education
   • Self-management and patient empowerment are key
4. Policy & System-Level Actions
   • Create environments that make healthy choices easier (safe walking paths, parks, fruit/vegetable markets)
   • Regulate advertising of unhealthy foods, impose sugar taxes, promote front-of-pack labeling
   • Air quality improvement, clean cooking fuels
   • Strong primary care systems and universal health coverage
5. Community Engagement & Awareness
   • Public campaigns on NCD risks, prevention
   • Health camps, mobile screening in rural / underserved areas
   • Educating children and youth early about healthy habits[4]

A Hopeful Outlook & Call to Action

The label “silent surge” is apt — NCDs often progress quietly, but they don’t have to control lives. With informed choices, early action, and supportive systems, many such diseases are preventable or manageable.

On Nellikka.life, we believe in shining light on challenges and solutions. Let’s move from fear to empowerment — from reaction to prevention. Every step you take matters — walking, breathing clean, choosing healthy food, refusing tobacco — it all compounds into wellness.

Let’s become a generation that transforms the “silent surge” into a wave of health, resilience, and hope.