 | Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are non-infectious or non-transmissible, and can refer to chronic diseases which progress slowly and can last for long periods of time. NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and strokes), cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and mental disorders. Without proper treatment, chronic conditions can lead to severe disabilities and premature death. Upjohn (Thailand) Co., Ltd. recently held its “Upjohn Day” event as a platform to exchange and share knowledge and experiences in the treatment of NCDs among healthcare professionals and experts. Emeritus Prof. Dr. Apichard Sukonthasarn, Deputy Hospital Director, Internal Medicine Department Director and Head of the Heart Center at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, said that the cause of NCDs is living an unhealthy lifestyle associated with poor diets, being overweight, stress, as well as the effects of migrating from rural areas to urban areas. One study indicated that migration is one of the major risks of NCDs among Thais. Furthermore, being obese or overweight is linked to the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia, all of which can lead to atherosclerosis, which is the most common cause of stroke and cardiovascular diseases, as well as blood vessel diseases, particularly in the legs and arms which can lead to disabilities and death. |
“The prevalence of NCDs is expected to continue to increase unless serious action is taken to address their common causes. In Thailand, we have not yet been able to prevent the prevalence of NCDs, even though several campaigns from both the public and private sectors were launched to encourage people to manage their weight, reduce their salt consumption (to reduce high blood pressure), eat healthy, and give up smoking (as smoking increases the risk of
Dr. Apichard added that NCDs such as stroke and cardiovascular diseases normally take from 5-10 years to show their gradual signs and symptoms and are expensive diseases to treat. In addition to disabilities and the inability to work due to the poor health of patients with NCDs, their deaths can have a devastating effect on household income and social wealth, which in turn, impacts the well-being of the public and private sectors. In the end, it generates a financial burden on the government which must actively prevent, control and treat NCDs.
“Effective guidelines on the treatment of NCDs include medications and behavioral changes which require the advice of medical experts or medical associations, the Ministry of Public Health, or healthcare information from reliable agencies. Purchasing medicines based on your own research without a doctor’s evaluation and prescription is not recommended and can be potentially harmful to the patient,” said Dr. Apichard.
Dr. Apichard added that NCDs such as stroke and cardiovascular diseases normally take from 5-10 years to show their gradual signs and symptoms and are expensive diseases to treat. In addition to disabilities and the inability to work due to the poor health of patients with NCDs, their deaths can have a devastating effect on household income and social wealth, which in turn, impacts the well-being of the public and private sectors. In the end, it generates a financial burden on the government which must actively prevent, control and treat NCDs.
“Effective guidelines on the treatment of NCDs include medications and behavioral changes which require the advice of medical experts or medical associations, the Ministry of Public Health, or healthcare information from reliable agencies. Purchasing medicines based on your own research without a doctor’s evaluation and prescription is not recommended and can be potentially harmful to the patient,” said Dr. Apichard.
| Dr. Thoranin Kongsuk, Director of Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, said that mental health disorders are associated with most physical diseases. However, some mental illnesses occur but have no relationship with any physical disease. Psychiatric illnesses, or mental health disorders, significantly affect the health of the Thai people. Depression is a very common mental health problem which has become the third cause of death after diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among Thais. Therefore, it’s a mental illness that urgently requires effective actions and solutions to save lives. People with severe depression have a high risk of suicide. One study showed that 1.5 million Thais aged 15 and older are suffering from depression or depressive disorders, and 10-15% of patients with depression have committed suicide. “Some people do not know that depression is considered an illness. Depression is not the same as sadness which is simply a human emotion. Many people may never realize that they experience depression until it’s too late for them to seek help or treatment. People can die because of depression and be unaware of their condition. Ten years ago, local hospitals had no access to medicines to treat depression. Currently, the situation has greatly improved with the revolution in effective treatments alongside improved access to health services, which prevent a repeat of illnesses or attempts at suicide. Patients registered in the treatment system have reduced the suicide rate by 0.1%, or one or less attempts at suicide per year. On the other hand, patients outside of the treatment system account for 10-15% of the suicide rate. |  |
“The current most effective treatment for depression is medication alongside psychotherapy, which leads to changes in behavior and thinking in patients with depression. Studies have found that 35% of patients with depression can be treated with medications while 50% of patients who do not follow proper treatment programs can experience depression more than once in their lives. Effectively tackling depression requires continuous treatment. Patients can be prescribed with medicines over a period of 6-9 months. Incomplete or inconsistent use of medicines will result in unsuccessful treatment and prolong the state of depression. People who have mental health problems, including stress, should not hesitate to seek treatment. Hotlines are open 24/7, or they have the option of going to any local hospital or institute of psychiatry to receive advice,” concluded Dr. Thoranin.
Roughly 1,000 Thais every day, or 350,000 Thais every year die from NCDs. But NCDs are preventable. It’s time to promote positive behavioral changes and healthy lifestyles, such as a healthy diet, no smoking, no drinking harmful amounts of alcohol, and regular exercise, all of which help reduce the number of patients with NCDs and the corresponding death rate. Let’s help to sustainably address NCDs, the silent killer of the Thai people.
Roughly 1,000 Thais every day, or 350,000 Thais every year die from NCDs. But NCDs are preventable. It’s time to promote positive behavioral changes and healthy lifestyles, such as a healthy diet, no smoking, no drinking harmful amounts of alcohol, and regular exercise, all of which help reduce the number of patients with NCDs and the corresponding death rate. Let’s help to sustainably address NCDs, the silent killer of the Thai people.
