Lifestyle disorders not a priority for UP residents

LUCKNOW: Obesity, hypertension and diabetes are causing multiple health problems among people in Uttar Pradesh but lifestyle disorders hardly get attention.

“Four in every 10 UP residents suffer from diabetes and two (among four) know it and are taking medicine, studies have revealed,” said Dr NS Verma, HoD, physiology, King George’s Medical University (KGMU).

“The latest data says 30% people above 18 years of age suffer from hypertension. And only two among every five who suffer from hypertension are actually aware of their illness,” said Prof Kauser Usman, HoD, geriatric medicine, KGMU.

Ironically no one cares for hypertension or diabetes that damage vital organs such as heart, kidney and the eyes, said doctors. In the entire state, there is no obesity clinic. Hence, people try to cut their weight when they suffer from the adverse impacts of obesity.

“A majority of problems after age 60 is due to age. But there are hardly any clinics for the elderly. If there are over 5 lakh elderly in Lucknow, hardly two or three places have medical facilities dedicated to them, which is not enough,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary-general, Association of International Doctors.

“Obesity has an adverse impact on body joints too. Every individual joint, like the knee joint, has a weight-bearing capacity according to the body structure. If the weight grows excessive, the joints bear the brunt and if one remains overweight for long, the joints might need surgical intervention,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director, Healthcity hospital.

What can be done

This year, the theme of World Health Day is ‘Our Planet, Our Health.’ “If each one of us ensures we take care of, at least, our own health, the need for medicine will be reduced. Take a simple step out of the house and walk or ride a bicycle every day,” said Dr PK Gupta, former president, IMA, Lucknow.

Doctors said that on the health infrastructure front, lifestyle disorders can be given due preference. “At least one OPD chamber can be dedicated for lifestyle disorders, where anyone can visit and know the risk to him before it actually does the harm to vital organs,” said Dr NS Verma.“Reading blood pressure or getting a blood sugar test should not be restricted to hospitals. Instead, ATM-like facilities can be made so that people develop a habit of keeping a tab on their BP and sugar levels,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla.