Stan Ageira
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Nov 30: The number five is famous for Biblical reasons. Old Testament contains five books on Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers). The Old Testament also unfolds the five books written in the form of poetry; from Job to the Song of Solomon.
Dr Edward, a doctor for all seasons of human life, too has completed the series of famous five by presenting his fifth book on health with the title ‘Malgadyanchi Balaiki' (Health for Seniors). The book was unveiled at a function held in Dubai recently. Written and published by Dr Edward Nazareth, the valuable book of 275 pages costs only Rs 250.
He has already written four other books on health, ‘Bhurgyanchi Jatan’ (Child Care) being the first of the series, followed by ‘Yuvazanank Laingik Shikshan’, (Sex Education for Youth), ‘Kazaari Laingik Zivit’ (Marital Sex Relationship) and ‘Madhyam Prayer Balaiki Jatan’ (Health for Middle Aged). And now by touching the topic of health of seniors (Malgadyanchi Bolaiki), Dr Edward seem to have completed the entire cycle of human life from infancy to elderly stage.
According to a recently published report, rising longevity marks growing life expectancy in all parts of the world. The higher level of ageing population is triumph of humanity but also a challenge to society. Worldwide, the number of persons over 60 years is growing faster than any other age group. The number of people in this age group was estimated to be 688 million in 2006, projected to grow to almost two billion by 2050. By that time, the population of older people will be much larger than that of children under the age of 14 years for the first time in human history. Moreover, the oldest segment of population aged 80 and over, particularly prone to all kinds of illness and its consequences, is the fastest growing within older population, expected to represent 20% of the older population by 2050.
However long you live, life remains at ease only when one is blessed with good health. Being imprudent on health issues at young age would lead to health problems through the later part of life. Indiscipline in lifestyle increases health risks. That’s why they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A healthy life is always a reflection of the precautions you take in making it delightful. Dr Edward Nazareth’s new book ‘Malgadyanchi Balaiki’ covers all such critical issues that bother mankind while crossing over from middle age to senior stage.
Medical information is not easy to understand. At times, it’s misleading and causes confusion. The gifted writer in Konkani, Dr Edward has the artistic ability of conveying convoluted topics in most simple way. That’s how he has become popular in Daijiworld for his ‘Ask Doctor’ column for close to a decade. All his past four books on health have been bestsellers and his fifth book ‘Malgadyanchi Balaiki’ is potentially strong to surpass the preceding record. The book makes life simple for the seniors and aged. Medical topics are complex in nature. Dr Edward explains technical points and suggests therapeutic measures for any common man to understand.
The initial chapters of the book cover areas of food, diet, workouts, relaxation and sleeping habits. The tips are not only helpful for the seniors, nevertheless also should be beneficial to ones are on crossroads. He strikes hard with his memorable quote, “People don’t become old within a day”. The essential factors related to the changes and transformations that take place in eyes, ears, digestive system, bones, joints and sexual organs are informatively explained. There is advice on revitalizing the energy level and to maintain the youthfulness at older age. The book tells us about preparation involved in having a fit mind & body beyond the age of fifty. It enlightens on how the aged can take of them selves by staying healthy and provides also useful information for caretakers in looking after the aged. The book could be worthwhile friend for both elderly persons and the custodians as well.
The valuable health tips on common illness and disorders such as high cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and heart connected ailments are highly informative. Dr Edward goes deep into the complaints related to vision, audible range, orthopedics, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's disease. Remedial measures have been suggested to these disorders and several other old age related frailty. Practically it brings us back to the age old saying ‘prevention is better than cure.’
Present teens and young ones are bold enough to solve their problems on sex related issues. However the aged ones feel embarrassed about raising these ordeals. Some basic information on old age sex is provided in this book. It is a complex area that involves your physical make-up, how you think about yourself, and how you feel about others and the society you live in. The requirement of sex at old age, the difficulties, the challenges and answers are explained in best possible way. There is an all important critical chapter on symptoms of Cancer, prevention, early detection and treatment.
Famed writer Dolphy Cassia, advices in his preface, ‘Don’t ignore the symptoms of any kind of illness. We get into bigger ailments while neglecting the alerting signals of curable conditions. This book is a guiding manual for every person above 45. One has to learn and revise the contents on daily basis. The book should be treated as a friend and the alliance will help in having a longer and healthy life. Fr Francis Rodrigues, the editor of Raknno in his introduction categorizes Dr Edward’s book as ‘the must doctor in living room.’ He further elaborates, ‘having the complete series of 5 books of Dr Edward is as good as owning multi specialty hospital at the cheapest possible cost.’ ‘Malgadyanchi Balaiki’ is truly friend in need and a friend in deed for every senior citizen.