THE State of Modern Day Health

Statistics suggest that lifestyle changes have contributed to nearly 65% of deaths in the twenty first century. Cardiovascular diseases have started affecting people right from the age of 45, increasing dramatically between ages 50 and 70. A detailed analysis of these problems has resulted in scientists pointing many of their findings towards the effects brought about by modern lifestyle. Let’s look at some of the key factors: 

DEPRESSION

Be it the stress that one undergoes due to the vast volume of expectations that’s placed upon his shoulder or the magnitude of competition that exists today or sleep deprivation, there is not a second in a modern man’s life when he’s free of depression. With the rise of depression, there has been a proportionate increase in anti-depressants and drugs of the sort. The good thing about these drugs is that they have a sort of rejuvenating effect on one’s body once they have been consumed; however, this effect is only temporary. Further, these pills have been shown to sometimes have side effects like increased levels of enthusiasm bordering on the wild, insomnia, nausea, etc. A very common solution to depression is to practice mind relaxation through techniques like meditation and Yoga and obtain adequate amounts of sleep. 

SCHIZOPHRENIA

This neural disorder is becoming increasingly common in today’s world. A schizophrenic person often experiences hallucinations and hears voices inside his head; if untreated, this may result in a severe case of nervous breakdown. More often than ever, schizophrenia stems from the multitasking abilities of a person wherein he/she is expected to be more than one person at the same time. Sometimes, increased levels of impersonation might result in schizophrenia wherein the person becomes obsessed with the character under concern thereby carrying a mental image of him forever. In 1999, Brown et al at the University of Southampton concluded in their research paper that modern lifestyle habits like excessive alcohol and cigarette use, unhealthy eating habits and the sort are the likely causes of the disease. 

GENERALIZED AND SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

These kinds of disorders arise out of sheer fear of being constantly watched and judged by others. The effects of the same include restlessness, fatigue, lack of clear understanding or focus on any subject, etc.

OBESITY

Recent statistics show that the United States of America possesses obesity rates of as much as 34%; this indicates a dramatic rise of almost 8% from the levels during the nineties. The most common reasons attributed to obesity are loss of sleep, lack of movement, viz., exercise, weight gain, cancer, problems pertaining to alcohol and caffeine addiction, increased levels of fast food consumption, etc. 

ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA

Another common problem today is Orthorexia nervosa. This is normally prevalent in people who follow an extremely strict diet. Somewhere, during the course of this strict and healthful diet, one often forgets to enjoy his meal. This, coupled with effects like planning meals in advance, increased obsession with stringent adherence to desired diet plan, results in orthorexia nervosa.

Nevertheless, in today’s world, more people are coming forward and being extremely open about their mental problems. Solutions like therapy and counseling wherein a person is able to express every minute nuances of his problem are doing a great deal towards the eradication of many mental illnesses. Healthcare technology has also come a long way in not only aiding the doctors with timely solutions, but also the patients and the human population by large with a time-bound reminders and information.