Kathmandu, 19 Bhadra (04 Sep): Non communicable diseases are becoming more complex in the world. Experts say that the risk of non- communicable diseases are increasing due to globalization, urbanization, population growth and changes lifestyle and environmental pollution. According them, diseases are such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and asthma are increasing due to unhealthy lifestyle.
Cardiologist Dr.Rajendra Koju, most of patients who come to the OPD have high blood pressure, diabetes, chest pain and heart problems. All these are all non- communicable diseases. It is his experience that many people ignore it even though they are aware that healthy eating and exercise make the body fit. Due to lack of discipline in food obesity is also increasing in children.
“Eat too much fat and sweets but no physical exercise and fat accumulates. On the other hand, pollution has also made many people sick”, says Dr. Koju.
40 million people die annually from non-communicable diseases
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 40 million people die every year from non-communicable diseases, which is equal to 74% of deaths worldwide. Every year, 17 million people die before age of 70 due to non-communicable diseases. 77% of deaths from non-communicable diseases are in low and middle income countries.
Need to focus on prevention
Diabetic Specialist Dr. Jyoti Bhattarai says, “Apart from genetics, many people have junk food, lack of exercise, fat accumulation in the liver, which we call ‘fatty liver’ despite looking thin. Lack of balanced food, sugary drinks seem to increase diabetes. This can lead problems like kidney failure, leg amputation and heart attack.
He says that it will be necessary to make students aware from the school level to prevent non-communicable diseases and to provide public awareness to the parents as well. He suggests that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes can be avoided by exercising regularly, eating fiber rich foods, not eating processed food and eating home cooked food.
According to him, parents should focus on sports rather than getting addicted to mobile and television. He says, “The state should also promote healthy lifestyles in the school curriculum and build exercise facilities”.
