What is the secret of your active longevity? We talked to Dr. Noskov about life, medicine and whether it is possible to maintain health in the “silver age”.
Anatoly Lifantievich, how did he become a doctor?
Anatoly Noskov: I was born in Kamchatka, in a small working village. My father worked as a simple lumberjack and died early. Dad is a victim of political repression; They arrested him when I was only two years old. He was later rehabilitated. There were six children in our family. The eldest sister, Maria, once met a fellow traveler from Omsk. He told her about a big beautiful city in Siberia, theaters, a medical academy and invited her to come and enroll. This is how the first doctor appeared in our family. And I went to Siberia after my sister. The road to Omsk took almost a month. Airplane, passenger ship, train. I was very worried that I wouldn’t be able to pass the exams. After all, I am a simple boy from the interior. But I did it right the first time. I was incredibly happy. And I immediately promised myself never to smoke or drink. And I still stand by it to this day.
What is your work experience?
Anatoly Noskov: My experience has exceeded 60 years, I don’t count them. As long as I have the opportunity, I will work. I would like to be ninety years old. We have a very good and well-coordinated team. And then the Hospital will move to a new building. Then I’ll probably stop working.
And I started my professional career at the Tara Central District Hospital, where my wife Faina Vasilievna and I went to work after graduating from the medical academy. She is a doctor specializing in infectious diseases and I am an otolaryngologist. The regional health authorities entrusted me with the task of creating an interdistrict otorhinolaryngology department in the north of the Omsk region. And it was the most difficult moment, but also the most interesting. I still remember that the day after my arrival I had to operate on a patient with an otogenic intracranial complication. And then they brought a patient from Znamenka: his tooth fell out while he was sleeping and went straight into the bronchi. I had to urgently have a bronchoscopy and remove the foreign body.
We worked at Tara for 10 years. Then we returned to Omsk, where I headed the ENT department in the new building of the regional clinical hospital. Now my son Sergei works there, who continued our dynasty. It so happened that almost all otolaryngologists in the region are my students.
Photo: Natalia Graf/RG
How has the health situation changed over this half century?
Anatoly Noskov: Honestly, medicine was more accessible to people in rural areas. In Tara itself we had an ENT department with 30 beds. We operate it ourselves. Many villages had hospitals with inpatient facilities. The air ambulance was flying. And now patients from remote areas are sent to a city hundreds of kilometers away not only for operations, but also for a routine doctor’s appointment. There are not enough specialized specialists.
But today hospitals have equipment that we didn’t even dream of when I was young. You can do CT scan, ultrasound, MRI. They only took x-rays. The patient can choose any doctor and see him. It is true that there would be money. Therefore, it is better not to get sick.
How do you personally handle this? Have you really never taken sick leave in your entire life?
Reproduction. Photo: Natalia Graf/RG
Anatoly Noskov: Not once. Of course, it happened that I caught a cold. But over the weekend I got myself together. Working on your health is a huge job. To be healthy, you need your own efforts, which even the most competent doctor cannot replace. I really love the book of the Soviet scientist and cardiac surgeon, promoter of a healthy lifestyle Nikolai Amosov, “Thinking about health.” I always recommend her to my patients. He argued that most diseases are not the fault of nature, nor of society, but only of the person themselves. More often he gets sick from laziness and greed, but sometimes from irrationality. It can restore health from almost any point of deterioration. But the older the patient, the more effort is required.
Yes, I am a doctor. But I always say: don’t trust medications! We successfully treat many diseases, but we cannot cure you. Your health is solely in your hands.
Personally, I follow the following principles: physical activity, hardening, moderation in food and good mood.
Tell us more. How does your typical day start?
Anatoly Noskov: I get up at five in the morning. I go running in any weather. I am a dedicated runner. I train at Green Island or at the school stadium. Since 2006 I haven’t missed a single marathon. I participate in the Christmas marathon, the Siberian international marathon and the All-Russian half marathon “ZaBeg”. I run distances of 21, 15 and 10 kilometers. This year, by the way, he was recognized as the oldest participant. But I’m not running for awards or prizes. Exclusively for you.
Every year I try to increase the load according to Amosov’s orders. I do gymnastics and clean myself with cold water. Several years ago I joined the walrus club. I’m going skiing. Every year I participate in the Russian ski slope.
After training I return home and have breakfast with my wife Faina Vasilievna. She and I have been married for over 60 years. Family happiness and mutual understanding are also an important factor. Then I’m going to work. I try to walk. Okay, so a normal work day. At my appointment I have between 18 and 20 patients of different ages who are undergoing treatment with us. I make diagnoses and make appointments.
Photo: Natalia Graf/RG
Nurse Gulnara Kuandykova: And to lift our spirits, Anatoly Lifantievich reads us poetry during the break between appointments. He always has volumes of his favorite poets on his desk: Tyutchev and Pushkin. Another secret to their longevity is to remain calm in any situation. He will always encourage the sick and find the right words. And he spread the love of physical activity to our entire team. Now I ski and run marathons.
Photo: Natalia Graf/RG
How are you resting, Anatoly Lifantievich?
Anatoly Noskov: I was once abroad, in Italy. I love the nature of the north of the Omsk region and the South Urals, where we often go on vacation. Whenever I can I go to the theater and the Philharmonic. I read books and periodicals. But I rarely watch television. I prefer the “Culture” program. It is better to just take a walk in the fresh air during free time at work.
