Changing lifestyle multiplies diabetes, hypertension cases
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2019: Since the past few years, the State has been witnessing increased cases of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and other non-communicable diseases, and this disturbing trend has been largely attributed to changing lifestyle of people.

A survey report says that 60 per cent of the untimely deaths across the country are caused by non-communicable diseases.

According to the 13th issue of the National Health Profile 2018 published by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 35,505 people took part in a clinic held in the State from January 1 to December 31 of 2017.Out of the total people who took part in the clinic, 7944 were found suffering from diabetes, 8854 from hypertension, 401 from cardiovascular diseases, 121 from stroke and 101 from common cancer.

As per a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, non-communicable diseases top the list of medical problems which are hardest to be cured or prevented in India.

It says that 60 per cent of the untimely deaths across the country were caused by non-communicable diseases.

Talking to The Sangai Express, some health experts noted that people's lifestyle has changed a lot in the State.

While physical activities and regular exercises have seen a downslide, consumption of fish, meat and junk foods has been growing fast.

On account of these changing lifestyle and food habits, many people have been found suffering from high blood pressure and high sugar level soon after reaching the age of 30, said the health experts.

Then they recommended fresh vegetables, low-calorie foods, reduction of cooking oil and ghee in one's diet and regular exercise.

They said that just 30 minutes of physical exercise in a day can keep at bay most of the cardiovascular problems including heart attacks.

A WHO report attributes 26 per cent of all untimely deaths to cardiovascular diseases, 28 per cent to communicable diseases, 13 per cent to chronic respiratory diseases, 12 per cent to non-communicable diseases, 7 per cent to cancer, 2 per cent to diabetes and 12 per cent to others.

According to National Health Profile 2018, 59,364 people were tested for HIV in 2017 and 1.41 per cent (836 people) were found sero-positive.

At present, 12,309 HIV positive people are receiving ART in the State and the State has 13 ART centres.

Till December 2017, there were 7,298 HIV positive people in Nagaland who were receiving ART.

There were 5,704 such people in Assam, 6623 in Mizoram, 1,725 in Meghalaya, 1,174 in Tripura, 167 in Sikkim and 93 in Arunachal Pradesh.

Out of 1,116 people infected by acute Encephalitis in the State in 2017, 11 died.

Out of 186 people infected by Japanese Encephalitis, 10 died and only one died out of 187 people infected by Dengue.

Altogether 32,085 cases of diarrhoea reported in 2017, 18 people died.

There were 51,205 cases of acute respiratory infection and 23 died.

Out of 33,857 pregnant women tested for HIV, 72 were found positive.

Together with three others, the 72 women were registered for life long ART.

It further says that only 69.1 per cent of all child deliveries in the State are done at health centres or hospitals.

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