Though life expectancy in the modern era has significantly increased compared with the past, new mysterious communicable diseases, lifestyle morbidity, and health risks are continuing, according to noted physician Kutikuppala Surya Rao.
Addressing members of the Rotary Club of Port City on ‘Modern age people and health issues’ in Visakhapatnam on Friday night, Dr. Surya Rao, who was inducted as Fellow of Royal College of Physicians in London last week, observed that the health of an individual was governed by several factors.
“Today, the modern age person may brag that he or she has achieved many things. But one thing is certain — his/her health is always under threat due to overburden, stress, anxiety, and pollution. The fast paced life without enough rest will silently drive people towards disease and ill health,” he stated. Studies found that incidence of heart attack in the present era increased dramatically among modern youth. Sitting in front of a computer for hours together, talking over the cellphone day and night, listening to music in iPods and other gadgets with headphones even while eating and sleeping, at 110 to 120 decibel sound levels, are some of the modern era induced health hazards.
‘Computer sickness’ has been causing headache, eye strain, neck pain, cervical spondylitis, Dr. Surya Rao noted.
Alarming trend
“In a study, we found that 18 per cent of young men have reported impotency and poor sex drive, 15 per cent young women complained giddiness and weakness, 21 per cent stated menstrual disturbances, 18 per cent complained of infertility issues, and all of these are highly worrying health and social problems that are emerging in the modern times.
