THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is not surprising that life expectancy in Kerala at 60 years is less compared to many other parts of India. Though life expectancy is a very important parameter, much more significant will be the years spent in good health, says diabetologist Dr Jothydev Kesavadev. He spoke to DC about the factors behind the worsening parameters in Kerala in old age.
Q: Has the situation become worse ?
A: Despite 100% literacy, the Kerala population is highly vulnerable to unproven therapies. Even after diagnosis of major illnesses, patients are attracted towards the so called 'natural remedies' which have not been tested in clinical trials.
Q: When should one prepare for old age?
A: Preparations for old age should ideally start at age 50 onwards. Unfortunately such preventive lifestyle modifications or therapies are never accepted. Life has become miserably busy for everybody irrespective of the job they are involved in. Be it a shopkeeper, a servant maid, IT professional or a politician, the lifestyle is so erratic that there is no time for exercise, proper sleep and food timings are irregular coupled with unhealthy food in abundance.
Q: Are people following proper medication after diagnosis?
A: By nature and because of prior experiences, Keralites are suspicious of everything. Hence even after the diagnosis of a high blood pressure or cancer or diabetes, they either suspect the doctor or medications or fear the side effects, or are scared of high cost; thereby unduly delaying optimal treatment.
Q: Are magical therapies and unproven therapies compounding the problem?
A: High level of literacy, widely prevalent unproven magical therapies, recurrent episodes of hospitalisations due to irregular and non compliance to proven therapies are the major reasons adding on to a miserable old age which reduces quality of life as well as longevity. Personally, for quite a while, I have been listening to top research scientists from other parts of India and rest of the world, criticising even the government in Kerala, promoting age old therapies (Ayurveda, Siddha etc.,) for even major illnesses, which the common man is forced to believe as 'safe and effective.'
