Sedentary Lifestyle Potentially Increases Health Problems

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of Indonesians that are currently living sedentary, which is a somewhat inactive lifestyle, has increased in recent years which has resulted in the rise of people suffering from noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and nerve damage. 

Health Ministry’s Director of Health Promotions and Community Empowerment Imran Agus Nurali revealed this during a virtual press conference for the Neuropathy Awareness Week on June 20, Antaranews reported. 

Citing the MInistry’s research on basic health found the proportion of Indonesians living sedentary grew from 26.1 percent in 2013 to 33.5 percent in 2018. Despite no conclusive records on the increase due to pandemic restrictions forcing people to spend more time at home in 2020, it is believed the number will surely increase.

However, even with the 2018 records, the number of noncommunicable diseases will burden society in general and the government considering the time, money, and technology that are needed to overcome the challenging situation.

“Educating people through campaigns and early detection for this type of disease is the most effective and efficient way to control the risk factor,” said Imran, who encourages people to adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes managing stress, taking enough rest, actively engaging in physical activities, and quit smoking. 

Nerve damage

One of the noncommunicable diseases in the spotlight is nerve damage or neuropathy. It is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system with general symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the hands and feet that can affect the patient's quality of life.

"Peripheral nerves connect the central nervous system with all important parts of the body," said Head of the Neuro Physiology Study Group of the Indonesian Association of Neuroscientists (PERDOSSI), Manfaluthy Hakim.

He appealed to the public to equip themselves with more knowledge of the symptoms of neuropathy and perform early detection so that early treatment can be carried out, including the provision of neurotropic vitamins. 

The goal is to prevent the effects of more severe neuropathy because, according to him, "nerve damage can be irreversible if more than 50 percent of the nerve fibers have been damaged."

ANTARA

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