Non communicable diseases used to be the problems of developed nations, where facilities like transportation have encouraged sedentary lifestyles, and near universal access to inexpensive food that is often lacking in nutrition has led to increase in unhealthy food habits. But with increasing development, the percentage of population dependant on agriculture and other labor intense professions has decreased in Nepal, in turn increasing the number of people living sedentary lifestyle. The result is that the bane of developed nations is slowly engulfing Nepal as well.
With the public health system and awareness mechanisms geared towards communicable diseases, non communicable diseases hardly get any attention in Nepal. But out of the spotlight, the number of patients suffering from non communicable diseases has been growing rapidly. In particular, hypertension, a precursor to heart attack and several other cardiovascular diseases, poses a severe risk to the health of Nepali people today. It is estimated to affect as many as a third of Nepali people, and in a worrying trend, more and more youngsters in their 20s and 30s are reported to be suffering from hypertension. [break]
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is easy to detect and cure, but just as easy to ignore because it has few serious symptoms in the early stages. But the consequences of doing so can be disastrous, as hypertension significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. Symptoms like weakness, dizziness and headaches can remain dormant for years, but if discovered early, the dangers pose can be reduced. Exercise and dietary control are enough to reduce hypertension in the early stages, and medications are available for advanced stages.
Individuals should try to consume as little as possible of fast food, meat products, and alcohol, and cigarettes. Monitoring pressure at home is a good idea as well. Many people experience an increase in blood pressure at hospitals because the experience of going to a hospital makes them nervous, and measuring pressure at home is likely to give more accurate results.
The state of public health in developed nations tells us that non communicable diseases only increase with improved living standards. As Nepal steadily walks the path of development, it is leaving one kind of diseases behind and trading them for another. In order to combat the health hazards that come with sedentary lifestyles, it is important that the public health mechanisms focus as much on non communicable diseases, which are here to stay, as on communicable diseases which are on their way out.
Individuals need to be aware of the risks of urban lifestyles, and head them off early before they reach drastic proportions. We must take time out for physical activities, no matter how busy our lives are. We must focus on nutritious and balanced diet. We must take symptoms seriously and treat diseases before they spring a surprise attack on our health. As our living standards increase, we must take care not to let our health fall prey to easily avoidable risks.
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