2016 Sep 18
by Azraa Killru
It was indeed a cause for applause when The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Sri Lanka malaria-free on September 05th. After all, it wasn’t an overnight success but the careful implementation of healthcare policies, which eradicated this life-threatening disease. Refocusing on what remains, it is crucial to be aware of the common diseases prevalent in our nation.
- Diabetes
Sri Lankans are acknowledged as very friendly and “sweet” folks but the world doesn’t really know about the high sugar content most Sri Lankans carry in their blood. More than four million are diabetic in Sri Lanka. From 16% in 2009, the prevalence of this horrific disease increased to 20% in 2014. Predicted to be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030, this is a health condition with NO cure but control.
The major contributors to this disease are physical inactivity and family history. Overeating, lack of exercise, food habits and obesity lead to diabetes. Inheriting diabetes from family members is not an uncommon occurrence, not because it is infectious but due to genetics and sharing unhealthy lifestyles. Stress creates hormonal and metabolism changes and is another cause for diabetes.
Plenty of complications arrive your way when diabetic levels are not kept under control. Strokes, blindness, amputations, kidney failure and heart attacks are potential risks that may be faced. The loss of life related to heart disease related with diabetes is 50% annually. Symptoms alert us to the illnesses we have to pay attention to such as chest pain for lengthy time periods with pain shooting down your left arm being indications of heart disease. These may be subdued or absent for those who are diabetic owing to nerve damage, resulting in silent heart attacks.
Ignorance plays a key role. Cupcakes, fizzy drinks, junk food, tea, tea, and more tea are stuff we are too fond of and many a time don’t know how much sugar it contains. Perhaps the recent initiative to colour-code soft drinks ought to alert the consumers. So next time you buy a soft drink to beat the scorching heat, run in the opposite direction if it is labelled in red (sugar concentration level of more than 11 grams), avoid as much as possible if it is yellow (2 to 11 grams) and maybe take a few sips if it is green (less than 2 grams).
- Dengue
It’s like one gone, but another remains. We bid adieu to malaria, but the curse of the dengue prevails in our nation. Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease, which needs no introduction if you live in Lanka. Nearly 37, 500 dengue patients and 52 dengue deaths up to August 2016 has been reported. It’s like a faithful foe, dedicated to cause havoc among our people. An Aedes mosquito infected with the dengue virus is the predator.
According to the Epidemiology Department of the Ministry of Health:
“During the last 9 month of the year 2016, 39561 suspected dengue cases have been reported to the Epidemiology Unit from all over the island.”
There are three phases in dengue:
- The Febrile phase, which includes a sudden-onset fever, headache, diarrhea, bleeding from the nose and mouth, rashes, vomiting and muscle and joint pains.
- The Critical phase cause hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), pleural effusion (an excess fluid buildup around the lungs), ascites (excess fluid buildup near the abdomen) and gastrointestinal bleeding (causing severe blood loss).
- The Recovery phase can be identified by altered level of consciousness, itching, consciousness and slow heart rate.
- Sinus and Migraine Headaches
Who doesn’t get a headache? Every day you would hear at least one person complaining to you regarding a headache. A regular headache due to stress, lack of food or sleep and sinus or migraine headache are at completely different leagues.
A migraine could be mild or severe in intensity and may either occur at a gradual phase or abruptly. It is provoked by light and sound and may lead to vomiting and nausea. The pain may be felt on one side of the head or in the front, back, top of the head or in the neck. This can subside after several hours with the help of medicine.
Sinus, on the other hand, transpires in the specific sinus areas. They are the areas of the cheeks, bridge of the nose or above the eyes. Sometimes the pain may even be felt in the back or top of the head. Causes of sinuses are allergic reactions, infections or other obstructions. As sinuses can lead to migraines, many a time the two illnesses have been incorrectly diagnosed.
Neglecting sinuses is imprudent. Its impact is underestimated because its close proximity to the brain can put the central nervous system under direct threat of infection.
- Alcohol, tobacco and drug related illnesses
The brunt of smoking is felt not just by smokers but by passive smokers as well. Per day death count due to smoking is 60 in Sri Lanka, with more than 21,000 deaths reported. Meanwhile, alcoholism has a catastrophic impact among our civilians. The problems are not limited to health deterioration and the drain on public finances to fund health services for alcohol caused illnesses, which is anyway at a staggering rate. It also extends to social issues such as violence and sexual abuse on women and children. It also results in destruction of public property, accidents and even leads to suicide and homicide. Family breakdown and loss of wealth are tales associated with extreme alcohol consumption in our nation.
Drugs, although legally banned, still manages to find their ways into the hands of civilians. Pathetically, it manages to trap innocent school kids in its iron grip too. Loss of vision, education and a disciplined teenage destroys the lives and futures of these kids unless identified and effective rehabilitation provided. Many unsuspecting cases go unnoticed, especially if the children grow up in unhealthy territories under parental negligence.
- Asthma
A chronic respiratory issue, causing frequent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. An estimate hitting over two million Sri Lankans, this illness befalls both children and adults alike. Stated as the third highest assassin in Sri Lanka, this illness causes hindrance on daily living. A rapid rise of asthma within a decade by 50% is a direct consequence of environmental pollution. Asthma is linked with “triggers”. These vary from person to person but generally includes dust mites, pollen, animal dander, cockroach droppings and other airborne substances.
The list is exhaustive. Diarrhea due to impure water, depression due lack of mental health access owing to social stigma, and cardiovascular problems are major illnesses impacting the lives of Lankans. Cancer is indeed taking up quite a bit of space in recent times.
Is it a curse to be born and bred in a middle income country? If that is why we face too many illnesses and ineffective eradication of the diseases we have to endure, then the answer is in the affirmative. Both enhanced prevention and treatment are vital for a healthy Lanka.
