'All medical practices should be blended for common cause'

Dr C N Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, on Thursday, advocated a five-point formula to stay healthy.

Addressing the gathering during the graduation day ceremony at JSS Ayurveda Medical College, here, Dr Manjunath said, “If people succeed in maintaining blood sugar level, cholesterol, blood pressure, body weight and restrain themselves from being over ambitious, it will help maintain good health.”

Citing various examples, where the younger generation is falling prey to heart-related ailments, he said, “In India, people in the age group of 30 to 40 years are suffering from heart attacks for failing on many fronts. Though stress is considered as one of the main reasons, office atmosphere too takes a toll on one’s health.”

Reiterating that the number of cardiac patients has substantially grown from a meagre two per cent in the 1960s in India to an alarming level nowadays, Dr Manjunath said, “25% of deaths are due to cardiac-related ailments. With this, 50% of deaths are occurring due to non-communicable diseases like diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, etc.”

He emphasised on best health practices that can be derived from nature — like sunlight, diet, and exercises. “By exposing oneself to sunlight, one can be assured of sufficient vitamin ‘D’, that has become a rarity nowadays as most people work in the comforts of their offices,” he added.

Supporting the growing demand for integrating various medical practices, Dr Manjunath said, allopathy, homoeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, ayurveda and other practices should be blended for a common cause.

Giving a piece of advice to budding doctors, he asked them to develop good communication skills and also give a patient hearing to their patients. A total of 55 students, including 47 graduates and eight postgraduates, were awarded degrees.

Toppers

Surya Raj was the topper at the graduation level, bagging four medals, including ‘best outgoing student’. Dr Vincy Verghese was the ‘best outgoing student’ at the postgraduation level.