Modern life has given us many amazing inventions like the wireless telephone, cinema, radio, TV that have added new dimensions to our entertainment. X-rays, ultra-sound, scanners and life-saving medicines have further given new diagnostic tools. Advances in spare-part surgery have made the heart, the liver and corneal transplanting possible in the past. Repair of limbs and plastic surgery have given new hopes to the handicapped. Man has conquered the space, landed on the moon, bottom of the deep in search of marine wealth and oil.
The new discoveries, on the one hand, made the human life comfortable, but on the other hand, all this has led to complexities. Social and biological problems such as insanitary conditions, slow disposal of sewage in urban areas, paucity of potable water, ecological imbalance and the community living in high-rise flats complexes are some of the banes of the modern life. The world has become a global village due to quick names of travel. The distances have shrunk. Transmission of epidemics from one country to another and the spread of virulent diseases have increased, Thanks to inadequate health regulations in some parts of this world.
Uncontrolled population has given rise to the problems of poverty, hunger, unemployment, poor housing, pollution and diseases in urban areas. Agricultural land that was once growing fruits, vegetables and other economic crops, has been occupied by the increasing industrialization and housing schemes in the cities. Reduction in forests, flora and fauna has caused imbalance in our ecosystem and affected the wildlife. Man is not aware of his doings and what a price he is paying for these comforts in his life. Man has become more dependent on computer, calculator, fax, radio, TV, internet and other electronic gadgets. His dependence on machines has robbed him of the real piece, thinking, working capacity, and the peaceful environment that was once his prized possession. He is now compelled to take refuge in tranqualisers to sooth his disturbed mind, agitated nerves, and a few hours of sound sleep. The hum-drum of the urban life and poverty have made him addict to narcotics and he tries to drown his worries in alcoholic drinks, yet he remains a victim of tension, pressures and other psychosomatic ailments that have affected his life-style. Uses of painkillers and sedatives have become more common in his worry-mounted life.
Bane of fast pace of life:
The pace of life in modern age has become most fast. It has enslaved almost everyone in hits cobweb. Nobody is ready to be patient in life. Everybody is found running a rat race. Congested living, environmental pollution in the cities has given rise to many problems in our-day-to-day life. Adulterated food items and greed to get rich overnight have given rise to hordes of the health problems. The incidence of high blood pressure, heart ailments, diabetes, peptic ulcers, exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, asthemic attacks, ulcerative colitis, chron's diseases, neurodermititis, cardiac neurosis, psychosomatic illness, stroke, accident prone personalities resulting in industrial and road-traffic mishaps, insomnia, anxiety state, depressive fits, and dyspepsia are closely related to the fast pace of modern life gifted us our health's variegated problems.
Lack of exercise:
Modern life has made us so much used to lifts, automobiles, and air-conditioning that we try to avoid even the slightest exertion. Man has lost his independence and become a 'machine-slave'. He has become more sedentary in his habits. Office work is brought home. This has made him overweight, diabetic, hypertensive, and prone to heart problems. Lack of physical activity and accumulation of stress have made him a victim of depression and psychosis and anxiety, neurosis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, irritability, constipation, and colour cancer. The incidence of these health conditions is far less among people, who are particular about their exercises and try to live within the means a contented life. Fast life (boozing, racing, womanizing, late night clubbing) are instrumental in adding further misery to life and bring quicker end. This also makes one a physical, mental and moral wreck.
Junk food & low fibre food:
Junk food items taken today are very detrimental to our health. Their intake is increasing among the school children as well as in adults. Their intake in course of time causes constipation, long transit time of the bowels, bowel disorders that include diverticolitis, gallstones, diabetes mellitus and pathological obesity. Junk food and low fibre diet should therefore be avoided to escape from their risks to ones health.
Solution:
Moderation in speed of work, softening of goals, walk-a-mile and rest-a-while, interval of rest between working hours is most important in life. Recreation over weekends in the form of picnics, groups gathering (therapy), keeping a hobby like reading good books, gardening, swimming, games and sports are all indispensable. Restoring to Almighty God regularly more at the time of stress, loss of fortune and self-contenment, fast indulgence also give great consolation. Fast walking (say a couple of miles) as a regular hobby in the morning and evening, going to the mosque on foot to a nearby 'bazar' for shopping, jogging in the parks is very helpful in coping with some of the health problems arising out of fast pace of life.
Avoidance of low fibre diet, use of brown bread, aspaghola husk (one tablespoon twice a day) consumption of more leafy vegetables, fruits fresh milk, curds in the daily life are most beneficial. Likewise, use of bakery products and too much of barbecue, spicy and fatty food are not wholesome for health, even if there is no serious health problem. Red meat is a poison in many health conditions. It should, therefore, be minimized if cannot be given up altogether by a person.
The old precept that 'prevention is always better than cure' is paying more than 100 percent dividends in disguise. Hurry and scurry do no good to life. Life should be styled with wholesome habits. It is like a cup of tea. If you sip it slowly, you can enjoy it much it more.
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