Major Causes of Illness in St. Lucia Constantly Under the Microscope The list of major causes of illness on the island can be short or long, depending on who’s asking and who’s answering. It will include cancerous and non-cancerous diseases and may or may not be determined by the rate of fatalities. But they all continue to be constantly surveyed under the national medical microscope. Among the cancerous diseases most prevalent are breast and cervical cancer. Other diseases are heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stress, kidney failure, sickle cell and HIV/AIDS. Most of these and other fatal diseases or medical conditions are being officially monitored and both public and private medical institutions have been increasing and expanding their specialist related services. But while much attention is being paid to these causes of illness and death, there is also increasing attention being paid to
the increasing incidences of suicides and suicide attempts, especially among young persons. Similarly, there is also more interest in such issues as how deaths from violence or vehicular accidents affect the health sector. In addition, health planners are also concerned about the increasing cases of particularly young persons whose state of mental health ends up being altered as a result of their inability to address pressures at home or school, or simply unable to handle peer pressure. Diabetes and kidney failure are among the most prevalent illnesses being reported and cared for nationally. The island was diagnosed by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) as having the world’s highest statistical incidence of Diabetes – something still being regarded here as a negative blot on the national health sheet. However there are those who advocate
a reverse approach whereby the island’s unique world status could be used to its advantage to seek and attract increasing external assistance to tackle the national condition. Kidney failure continues to be another key national illness, with private clinics and practitioners seeking to offer private dialysis services. But issues of monitoring and control have so far not yet been resolved by the Health Ministry, thereby limiting the services to hospitals. There exist various national organisations associated with the long-standing problem diseases such as the Cancer Society, the Sickle Cell Association and the Diabetic and Hypertensive Association. They supply both advisory services and support to members while undertaking national campaigns to increase public education about the various conditions. BF
Troncular Varicose Varicose veins of lateral branches
Telangiectasias Spider veins
Varicosis in general refers to distended veins. It derives from the Latin word for twisted, "varix".
Types of varices include: • Varicose veins of lower extremities • Gastrointestinal varices • Scrotal varices (varicocele)
Real rest for your legs! Control vein disorders No -varix your daily medical stockings for Men & Women
Distributed by:
Renwick & Company Ltd. Vide Boutielle, PO Box 90, Castries, St Lucia, W.I. tel: 1 (758) 455-8000
BusinessFocus Jan / Feb
|
99