Lifestyle choices impact individual and society

Poor lifestyle choices are the key contributors in the development and progression of preventable chronic diseases that affect people today, said Dr J Sreekanth, senior consultant at Apollo Hospitals. According to him, lifestyle diseases have been on the increase as words become more industrialised and people live longer.

“Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity with dyslipidaemia (atherosclerosis), heart disease, stroke, COPD, some of the cancers, cirrhosis of the liver, Alzheimer's disease, depression are some of the diseases that have been grouped in this category,” he explained.

Smoking, over use of alcohol, poor diet, lack of physical activity and improper balancing of stress are all reasons for what the doctor calls “preventable chronic diseases of this new era”.“The impact of these diseases is huge, not only on individual basis but also on the society as a whole.

These rob the person’s health at their prime age there by affecting the productivity and quality shattering the growth and economy of a country. Live healthy as life is precious,” he asserted. Sreekanth also suggested that it is necessary to be wary of the “signals” which help in the prompt identification of the health hazards.

"This includes a thorough clinical examination, interpretation of lab data and counselling. However, health promotion, specific protection forms the main stay of primary prevention while treatment of the disease is the secondary level. In already established diseases, disability limitation and rehabilitation is offered as tertiary level of prevention,” he concluded.