Terminal Diseases Versus Professional Diseases

Introduction:

Terminal illness is also called an end-stage disease. It indicates a disease that will progress till death regardless of treatment. An individual with a terminal illness may be termed a terminal patient or terminally ill.

What Are a Few Examples of Terminal Diseases?

The following are a few examples of terminal diseases:

• Advanced cancer.

• Heart diseases.

• Stroke.

• Major organ failure.

• Coronary artery bypass disease.

• Alzheimer's disease.

• Brain tumors.

• Severe burns.

• Paralysis.

• Coma.

• Motor neuron disease (MND).

• Neurological diseases, like Parkinson's.

• HIV.

• Advanced end-stage senescence or debility.

• Liver disease.

• Pulmonary disease.

• Progressive neurological conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

What Kind of Care Is Available for Individuals Suffering From Terminal Illness?

• Individuals with terminal illnesses can potentially prolong their lives with certain medications, treatments, and other supportive therapy such as feeding tubes, defibrillators, and breathing machines.

• Palliative care, also called hospice care, is a specific type of treatment that aims to prioritize comfort in a terminally ill individual.

• A terminally ill individual can avail care at home, in a hospital, in hospice care, or in an assisted living facility depending on his medical needs and comforts.

• Support from doctors, health care providers, hospice counselors, therapists, family, friends, other volunteers, and aides can help the individual cope with his medical condition.

What Is the Treatment for Terminal Disease?

The terminal disease has no permanent cure or adequate treatment. However, a few medical treatments may be considered options to reduce pain or ease breathing. A few terminally ill individuals stop all appropriate but debilitating treatments from reducing the risks of adverse reactions or side effects. A few continue aggressive treatment in the hope of recovery. And others discontinue conventional medical treatment and pursue other supportive treatments like radical dietary modifications.

What Is Terminal Illness Insurance?

The insurance policy and coverage of terminal illness comprise of:

• Sum Amount Insured: Under terminal illness insurance, an individual can claim 25 percent of the sum amount assured if the insured person needs money for the treatment of the terminal disease.

• Claim Availability: During the incidence of a terminal disease, a terminal insurance policy becomes very beneficial, where the nominee receives the sum assured and an additional bonus after the policyholder's death.

• Financial Benefit: Terminal illness insurance policy gives a financial benefit to the policyholders only when an individual or policyholder has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and his life expectancy is assumed to be less than 12 months. However, in a few cases, the death benefit is usually reduced to an equal amount that is already paid for the treatment of the policyholder.

What Are the Benefits of Terminal Illness Coverage?

The following are some of the benefits of terminal illness insurance coverage:

• The family members of the policyholder do not suffer from financial crisis after a terminally ill individual's death.

• In the case of a terminal disease, the policyholder can avail and benefit from at least 25 percent of the sum assured for the treatment of the terminal illness.

• The policyholders and the family of the terminally ill person can get financial support when the policyholder remains unemployed. This is generally followed after the diagnosis of the terminal illness.

Who Should Opt for Terminal Illness Coverage?

Individuals who are suffering from cancer, heart disease, stroke, major organ failure, coronary artery bypass disease, Alzheimer's disease, deafness, blindness, brain tumors, severe burns, paralysis, coma, etc. These medical conditions are incurable, and the life expectancy is very low, so one should opt for terminal illness insurance coverage so as to secure the financial condition of the family of the terminally ill person after his demise.

What Is a Professional Disease?

A professional or occupational disease is a medical disorder or illness that is caused by activities related to a person's work or work environment.

What Are the Examples of Professional Diseases?

The most common occupational diseases in India are :

• Musculoskeletal Disorders: It affects the muscles, tendons, and nerves. Common examples are carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis, repetitive strain injuries, tension neck syndrome, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

• Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis: It is a lung disease that results from inhaling dust from coal, graphite, or man-made carbon over a long time. It is also known as black lung disease.

• Skin Disorders: Contact dermatitis, eczema, and certain skin conditions.

• Respiratory Illnesses: Such as chronic cough, asthma, chronic obstructive lung diseases, asbestosis, and byssinosis.

• Pesticide Poisoning: It occurs when pesticides or chemicals intended to control pests affect humans resulting in potentially hazardous health issues.

• Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Auditory Issues: It is a partial or complete hearing loss in one or both ears due to injurious noises at the workstation.

• Cancers: A few examples of cancers resulting from exposure to risk factors in workplace activity and work environment include lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, cancer of the larynx or pharynx, and mesothelioma (cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs).

• Stress and Mental Health Disorders: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most commonly seen in individuals who are in high-pressure workplaces, such as the military or law enforcement.

• Infectious Diseases: Individuals in the healthcare system, hospitality sector, and social workers are at an increased risk of contracting contagious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and even the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Are Professional Diseases Curable?

Certain professional diseases are curable, but the prognosis is questionable.

How Can Professional Diseases Be Prevented?

• The incidence of professional diseases can be prevented by avoiding the irritant in the workplace.

• Use of personal protective equipment.

• Providing a safe work environment.

• Creating awareness among policymakers, employers, workers, and representatives of the preventive measures to be taken while working in high-risk occupational sectors.

• Reduce risks through engineered controls or physical safeguards or physical safeguards, medical intervention, etc.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, terminal illness refers to incurable diseases and illnesses. Unfortunately, the incidence of terminal diseases in urban cities has been rapidly increasing, compromising the quality of life, and lower life expectancy. Professional diseases are medical conditions resulting from repeated and long-term exposure to risk factors such as chemical agents, irritants, hazardous chemicals, dust, fibers, biological agents, and physical hazards from the work activity or work environment leading to lasting effects, even after exposure ceases. Though occupational diseases occur less frequently, they are severe and disabling.