CORRECT MYTH AND FALLACIES ABOUT NON-COMMUNICABLE

DISEASES
We human are curious by nature. Through the span of time, we were able to explain the things
that are happening around us. We Filipinos exhibit this kind of characteristic; we tend to explain
things on a creative manner. This enable us to come up with some remarkable ideas, but there are
times, scientific explanation gets sacrificed in favor of an amusing result. Thus, this makes some
of our ideas about the world inaccurate.
Have you ever heard your mother saying not to take a bath on Friday night because you will get
sick? And you never ask her why, since our culture taught us to respect and listen to our elders.
But, have you ever asked yourself “Is it true that I’ll get sick?”
“Health is wealth” is a famous saying that refers to the importance of health to us. Our health is the
key to our happiness. But sad to say there are practices in the world that contradict the proper way
of being healthy. This module will help you understand the different myth and fallacies about non-
communicable diseases and how to be equipped with right knowledge and correct practices to
become healthy.
What is a myth? And what is a fallacy? According to Merriam dictionary, myth is a popular belief or
tradition that has grown up around something or someone. Meaning it is only a form of practice
established through the span of time without any form of scientific study, in short it is a false
perception. While fallacy is an often conceivable argument using false or invalid inference. Both
concepts have the same definition of a false and mistaken idea.

WAYS TO PREVENT NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

We have this saying “Prevention is better than cure”. This is true in fighting non-communicable
diseases. It is better to stop an illness from happening than to stop it after it has already started.
Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens or disease-causing organisms such as
bacteria or viruses, but by how people live, by conditions with which they are born or by the
hazards around them. It also includes diseases caused by a breakdown of the body tissues, poor
diet environmental and occupational hazards, stress, and tension.
Below are preventive measures to avoid non-communicable diseases or at least reduce the
severity of the symptoms:
• DRINKING ENOUGH AMOUNT OF WATER – helps your kidney to eliminate water soluble
waste materials.
• STRESS MANAGEMENT – it is a skill to reduce stress in your life for you to be more productive
and to lessen the risk of having non-communicable diseases.
• EATING HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOODS – this is needed by your body for growth and
repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy, and helps to prevent diet-related illness.
• EXERCISING REGULARLY – helps to reduce weights and help prevent or control many
diseases.
• AVOIDING SMOKING- this will prevent you from getting lung illnesses, cancer, and heart
disease and gives you a strong immune system.
• MANAGING WEIGHT – helps you get a better sleep, hormonal balance, and mood.
• GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP – it can benefit your heart, weight, and mind. It helps you to be in a
better mood, increases productivity, and boosts your immune system.
• SCREENING- if you have a family history of non-communicable diseases it is recommended to
be screened by a physician.