Lifestyle-related diseases on the rise

PANCHKULA, Aug 22: Lucretius had rightly written in his book, "In earlier times starvation consigned languishing bodies to death, on...

PANCHKULA, Aug 22: Lucretius had rightly written in his book, "In earlier times starvation consigned languishing bodies to death, on the other hand, prosperity plunges them to grave". This is also true in context of Panchkula. In the past few years, there has been a marked rise in lifestyle-related diseases in the district. Figures reveal that the district is sitting on the brink of major epidemic with disastrous and far-reaching medical, social and economic consequences: the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes melliatus and hypertension.

Modernisation has led to a sedentary lifestyle, one of the major reasons for the growing number of such diseases. According to Civil Surgeon H.C.Nagpal, the major problem lies in failure of early detection of these diseases in rural areas. Though the government has been trying hard to tackle communicable diseases, not much effort is put in bringing about awareness of these diseases.

Nagpal said, in Western countries, they have been able to create awareness and thus affectively deal with these diseases. In this district, though the life expectancy has increased, but a majority of the population is suffering from such diseases. According to a survey conducted last year, out of the 5,60,000 patients treated in different hospitals of the district, 2,12,300 patients suffered from these lifestyle-related diseases.

As per statistics, 20 per cent males in urban and semi-urban areas of the district are suffering from these diseases, while in case of females, it is 18 per cent. In rural areas, the figure remains between 6-8 per cent for both males and females. Various causes for hypertension are high sodium intake, excessive consumption of calories, physical inactivity, excessive consumption of alcohol, low intake of potassium and excessive smoking.

According to doctors, 80 per cent of the hypertensives are likely to have cardiovascular diseases. With rise in hypertension, 7-10 per cent adults in the urban areas and 3 per cent adults in rural areas of the district suffer from cardivascular diseases. Diabetes melliatus is prevalent in approximately 3 per cent of all age groups in the district. And is said to be a major cause of blindness in those above 40 years. It is also a major cause of cardiovascular diseases. By the year 2010, the number of diabetics in the district will increase by 170 per cent.

According to the Dr H.C.Nagpal, the secret of healthy life is an active life, which includes a brisk walk for half an hour, intake of vegetarian diet rich in fibres, stress management and avoiding junk food. In rural areas, these diseases have shown an upward trend as latest innovations and better farming techniques has made the lives of rich villagers, sedentary. In any case, prevention is better than cure, and it should start from childhood.