The lifestyle crisis

Almost every day Kashmir is losing enterprising young people to health issues which are avoidable and curable. Lately, lifestyle and situation-induced diseases have begun to take a heavy toll on the health and lives of young people in Kashmir. The commonest diseases that are resulting in mortality in the age group of 30-50s are cardiovascular diseases and hypertension-related complications related to brain. As a consequence many young people are facing sudden deaths either of heart attacks or brain strokes. One of the commonest causes of these health complications is heightened blood pressure, which, quite often remains unknown to patients until they are afflicted by a severe health condition. Hypertension is known to be caused by several factors, like genetics, lifestyle and the environment one lives in. Most of Kashmiri people’s lifestyle has been negatively impacted by the almost three decades of armed conflict. Outdoor activities have reduced considerably. Positive socialising, which could result in enhanced physical activity, has largely vanished. The environment in which the people live is stressful. Economic challenges as a result of disturbed work and business environment are a factor too. Uncertainties about the future create a sense of generalised anxiety which has assumed epidemic proportions. People have developed benign emotional responses to the stress from the conflict that results in heightened blood pressure as well. These issues have to be addressed largely at the societal level. Lifestyle modifications are a must for a healthier living. The political conflict has to be addressed too to create an environment of hope and promise. We cannot afford to continue with this silent mayhem like business as usual.