NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag stroke

Health

Ban of TFAs will reduce stroke, deaths in Nigeria – NMA

Ban of TFAs will reduce stroke, deaths in Nigeria – NMA
By Ummul Idris
TFAs
Abuja, Oct. 9, 2018 (NAN) Dr Tonnie Okoye, the National Strategic Programme Manager, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), says the banning of food products with Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) will greatly reduce incidences of hypertension, stroke and death in the country.
Okoye said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He stressed that we have been feeding ourselves, children and the next generation with the wrong kind of foods which had made the group of diseases called non-communicable diseases an epidemic.
“You have the cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer making up this very important part of this emerging epidemic of these non-communicable diseases.
“When you use the word epidemic it supposed to refer to diseases that are communicable but because of the prevalence of these diseases especially the cardiovascular category, non-communicable disease have become an emerging epidemic.
“The ban of importation, production and distribution of vegetable oil that contain TFAs and replace them with healthier oils for Nigerians to consume will reduce the incidences of death, stroke and hypertension.
“This is because those cardiovascular related diseases are related to the consumption of these same toxic chemical that is in common oil that we use in cooking in our fast foods, restaurants, hotels and our families.
“When children begin to consume it early in life, by the time they get to 30, they have hypertension, diabetes and different heart diseases especially sudden death,’’ Okoye warned.
According to the NMA strategist, there is high rate of coronary heart diseases that lead to cardiac arrest which are traced to TFAs.
He maintained that when TFAs are ban from Nigeria, “we the clinicians and medical practitioners will begin to see less of hospital admissions and deaths that are related to cardiovascular diseases’’.
On if the ban will negatively affect the fast food industry and other relevant stakeholders which could lead to a fight back, Okoye said: “We believe it will not negatively affect the industry or a fight back.
“What we are saying is change your production line in business; you are giving us a paper that is brown, give us a white paper; it is still same paper business and trade.
“It is same vegetable oil trade but please when you go to import, import those ones that don’t have TFAs or with TFAs that is not more than two per cent.
“We expect collaboration from all industry players and stakeholders.
“It is a win-win situation for all.’’ (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Cell phone addiction causes hearing loss, cancer, others – ENT Consultant

Cell phone addiction causes hearing loss, cancer, others – ENT Consultant
By Felicia Imohimi
Cell phones
Abuja, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Consultant Surgeon, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, has warned that cell phone addiction causes noise induced hearing loss.
Ibekwe gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sundday in Abuja.
Similarly, he warned that the spill of noise from cell phones could aggravate cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and stroke as well as cancer in later years.
He noted that this adverse effect was common especially among young persons.
Ibekwe, who is also the National Secretary of Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria, noted that often time youths use the gadget to play music using ear piece for a very prolong time.
Otorhinolaryngology is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose and throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
According to him, prolong use of ear piece to listen to music or any other sound from the phone completely obstruct the ear canal and do not allow escape of any of those sounds.
NAN reports that ear canal is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear.
The ENT expert who described the practice as very common and fashionable among the youth, emphasised that some even go to bed with ear piece for as long as six to seven hours, or while working.
He condemned such addiction, describing it as unhealthy.
“If you must listen to music or other sound you should use the ear phone within a short period which is safer than the smaller ones which pin into the eye canal,” Ibekwe advised.
“It is a common and fashionable practice among youths, we realised that some of them wear ear piece while sleeping or doing some work for as long as six to seven hours, even some wear it while crossing the express road.
“This can lead to noise induced hearing loss and the problem with this type of hearing loss is that rehabilitation and treatment is almost not available. It is very difficult to manage.
“There are lots of proven or established cases of noise induced hearing loss due to addiction of cell phones.
“Most at times we find out in the patient that hearing loss is the particular ear they often use in answering calls like the left side,” he noted.
The consultant lamented that many children and youths were so obsessed with cell phones thereby using it to play games, watch films or other entertainment for hours rather than utilising the recreational aspect embedded in it.
Ibekwe, who likened such addiction to any other addictions like drugs, smoking of cigarettes, Indian hemp or other substances, decried that a lot of adolescents were so addicted to the extent of dependency.
He added that each time they are unable to grab the phone to play game or access other entertainment package their entire system would be in crisis.
The ENT consultant surgeon further noted that some parents are so addicted to the extent that they save, curdle and care for it than they care for their children.
He advised that in as much as cell phone has been proven to be very necessary and useful to augment life in its entirety like shortening time of communication and enhances businesses, among others, everything should be in moderation.
Ibekwe called for concerted efforts of parents and government, among other stakeholders, to ensure moderation and proper usage of cell phones to forestall inherent dangers associated with prolong usage.
Besides, he underscored the need for parents to take up the responsibility of monitoring and discouraging their wards from getting addicted to cell phones.
According to him, parents must ensure a lot of regulations in their homes to prevent children access to cell phones to the extent of addiction.
He explained that exposure to prolong noise from cell phones could worsen hypertension and stroke.
According to him, those that are predisposed to hypertension and stroke should guard against such exposure.
“There is an established pathway in the system that noise has proven to aggravate toward what is called the neuroendocrine partway.
“Noise can stimulate the neuroendocrine system leading to excessive release of cortisol and cathecolamines which aggravates cardiovascular diseases.
“Cathecolamines are hormones that increase noise pressure. It aggravate it secretion in the body.
“So, those that are predisposed to hypertension and stroke are worst of over too exposure to noise,” Ibekwe said.
The expert also identified another adverse effect of cell phone addiction as possible formation of cancer at later years, but described this as unestablished.
According to him, there are speculations of radiation coming from cell phone possibly in later years as having some adverse effects on the users.
“Radiation can predispose the possible formation of cancer and malignancies.
“Though this is not established but very strong and seriously been looked into because the level of radiation that comes from these cell phones are very amazing if you assess and impact on it,’’ he said.
Furthermore, the consultant surgeon advised adults using cell phones to do it in moderation.
Ibekwe enjoined them to often time as possible put their phones on speaker when answering calls to prevent putting them closer to the head or ear.
According to him, such practice will prevent the risk of possible formation of cancer in future.
He also advised that the tool should be kept away from having contact with our body as much as possible and ensure they are switched off at night due to radiation emanating from it.
“We need to switch off our cell phones at night because of radiation that they generate by so doing at least eight hours in the night is completely off.
“We should also ensure we remove them from our beds,” the ENT consultant surgeon advised.
Meanwhile, Ibekwe has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure outright ban of smart phones usage among underage children to safeguard their future.
He noted that though it is impossible for government to ban adults from cell phones usage but have every right to protect children.
He noted that a lot of children that are exposed or addicted to cell phones were ignorant of the inherent dangers unlike adults.
Ibekwe specifically noted that young ones are found of taking risk, describing them as been driven by passion and emotions in whatever they do.
According to him, if proactive step is not taking considering the current trend by banning their usage of cell phones their future will be jeopardised as exposure to such tools could make or mar their lives.
He specifically noted that some primary school children often times carry smart phones given to them by parents to school, describing it as an avoidable distraction from their core purpose of schooling.
According to him, the concerned parents will often time claim that such tools are meant for communication in case of any emergency and eventualities, among other excuses, thereby risking the consequence of such usage.
He noted that such could expose the children to crime and other social vices.
The expert further urged concerned parents to desist from such practice in order to ensure a better future for their children and wards. (NAN)
FUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Exercise to prevent stroke – Neurosurgeon advises

Exercise to prevent stroke – Neurosurgeon advises
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Stroke
Abuja, June 21, 2018 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a Neurosurgeon based in Abuja, on Thursday recommended exercise as a preventive mechanism against stroke.
Ogungbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that exercise was the only way to prevent stroke.
According to him, it is cheaper to prevent stroke than to treat a stroke.
The expert therefore advised Nigerians to exercise to prevent stroke.
“Stroke is a problem that occurs in the brain. It occurs when there is no blood supply to a part of the brain which makes that part of the brain suffer.
“It means therefore that whatever functions that part of the brain does, stop. If for example, it is the part of that brain that supplies eyesight, or to do with hearing or moving the arm or legs or speech.
“If there is no blood supply to that part of the brain, then, that part of the brain becomes injured. It means it stops functioning. That is essentially what stroke is,’’ said Ogungbo.
He said the individual may therefore go blind, deaf or have weakness of an arm, leg or both.
Ogungbo noted that stroke was common in the country, saying most Nigerians know little about or appreciate the magnitude of the problem.
“Misconceptions and myths surrounding stroke must be debunked. The key fact is that every Nigerian knows or is aware of somebody who has suffered a stroke, either it is in the family or is in the neighbourhood or heard.
“The major risk factor for stroke in Nigeria is hypertension or high blood pressure. Other conditions such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, sickle cell disease are also risk factors for stroke.
“Even just being black, Nigerians, Africans, black people in general, predisposes us to stroke. Stroke is also a condition that can run in families,” he said.
Ogungbo also advised Nigerians to be careful of ‘mini’ stroke, saying that if a stroke had happened small before, then it is a warning sign to prevent a bigger one.
“Someone who has had a small stroke needs to go to hospital and not ignore it, and think because the stroke has gone away `my arm is now functioning; that is the end of the matter,’ it is often time not the end of the matter.
“What we teach is the acronym called FAST, which means Facial weakness, Arm weakness, problem in Speech and you need to Telephone or go to the hospital as quickly as possible.’’
The neurosurgeon listed the warning signs of stroke as weakness of the face, arm or leg, problem with speech, or difficulty in walking, sometimes sudden confusion and severe headache.
He, however, advised anyone with the signs to immediately visit the hospital.
“The best prevention of stroke is lifestyle; people who smoke must stop smoking. People who are alcoholic must stop drinking. People who are obese must lose weight.
“Those who do not exercise have to get out and exercise; to keep the heart working properly.
“Anybody who has been diagnosed as having hypertension must continue to do whatever they can to keep the blood pressure under control,’’ Ogungbo said.
He warned that hypertension could lead to stroke if not properly managed, adding that treatment of high blood pressure cannot be treated by pastors or imams or native medications.
He described hypertension as a silent killer, adding that it can be normal today and high the following day.
“Having a stroke also puts you at increased risk of developing other serious medical problems which can often lead to death in the immediate period following the stroke or several months after.
“Going to a hospital quickly after you have suffered a stroke can help your doctor prevent these serious medical problems and can make a difference in saving your life and how quickly you recover.
“So, stroke can be managed in the sense that we can help in preventing death, reducing the disability and also preventing another stroke,’’ Ogungbo said. (NAN)
OEO/HS/MST
Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Physiotherapist recommends regular rehabilitation for stroke patients

Physiotherapist recommends regular rehabilitation for stroke patients
By Ummul Idris
Stroke
Abuja, May 10, 2018 (NAN) A physiotherapist, Mrs Lola Jude, has advised stroke patients on the need for regular rehabilitation therapy to prevent further deformities.
She gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
According to her, patients need constant attention to prevent their bodies from becoming stiff.
She added that rehabilitation was the process of physical activities that get the patient back to normal life after the stroke incident.
Jude said that rehabilitation should start immediately a person had suffered a stroke, depending on the blood pressure of the patient.
She also advised that passive exercise should be done continually to remind the brain to send signals to the paralysed parts of the body.
“The body works on a principle of use it or lose it and muscle atrophy is the wasting away of muscle due to misuse.
“The person should be positioned properly on the bed to avoid deformities, depending on how bad the stroke is, the blood pressure should be stabilised to avoid an immediate re-occurrence,” she said.
The expert said that though recovery normally comes but the physiotherapist was needed to preserve the muscles for best recovery.
Jude stated that the job of the physiotherapist starts by teaching the patient proper breathing patterns.
“The limbs, ribs, shoulders and fingers are massaged and exercised using passive movements on both the affected and unaffected sides,” she said.
She said that while certain positions were encouraged for stroke patients, others were not discouraged.
She recommended that the patients’ hands should be placed behind their heads and a lot of pillows should be used to rightly position them, especially their shoulders.
She advised on the need for patients’ caretakers and family members to be taught some level of physiotherapy and stroke management techniques to complement expert efforts.
She called on patients to join group treatments and see psychologists to handle their emotional setbacks. (NAN)
UMD/IFY/MST
Edited by Ify Omowole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

High cholesterol level leads to stroke – Physician

High cholesterol level leads to stroke – Physician
NAN-H-50
Stroke
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN) Dr Clement Wilson, a private medical practitioner, says people with high level of cholesterol are at higher risk of stroke.
Wilson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that it was relevant for people to know their cholesterol indices and check their blood pressure level to avoid stroke.
He said a survey had indicated high rate of distress calls on stroke related issues at major festive activities and advised people to always consume balanced diet.
“People have exposed food items that increase cholesterol level and blood pressure during festivities,’’ said the physician.
He called on people to reduce intake of fried foods, hydrogenated oil, sweets, highly processed carbohydrate from refined white wheat flour use for making cakes, Chin chin and doughnut.
Wilson said consumption of fried meat, fish could easily increase cholesterol level that can result blood clot.
According to him, clotted particles in the blood can block a blood vessel in the brain or heart which are the organs with the smallest blood vessels, hence leading to a stroke or heart attack.
The medical practitioner said that some of such attacks could be irredeemable and fatal, warning people against eating food with high cholesterol content. (NAN)
UMD/DS/MST
Edited by Dauda Shehu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Group recommends exercise, diet for healthy living

Group recommends exercise, diet for healthy living

NAN-HG-5

Lifestyle

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 5, 2017 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, Director, Stroke Action Group, on Wednesday recommended routine exercise and healthy diet for a healthy living, especially elders.

Ogungbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that most diseases in our mothers and fathers may be prevented or at least slowed down as a result of a healthy lifestyle.

“ Osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressures, diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, depression and certain cancers are some of the common conditions that can affect the elderly.

“We have enough technology and enough sense of not to be sick again.

“In addition to diet and exercise, other important life style modifications can lead a healthier life in elderly,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said the worst thing was for someone to spend his or her live working to bring up and provide for the family, then at the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labour, die or fall sick with some illness.

He said there were some social factors that are likely to be responsible for many of the problems of the elderly in the community, including loneliness from losing a spouse or friends and inability to independently manage regular activities of living.

“They include social factors for the elderly, difficulty coping and accepting physical changes of aging, frustration with on-going medical problems and increasing number of medications.

“Others include social isolation as adult, children are engaged in their own lives, feeling inadequate from inability to continue to work, boredom from retirement and lack of routine activities, financial stresses from the loss of regular income,’’ Ogungbo said.

He said these social factors can have negative impact on the overall health of an older individual like cancer, arthritis, alzheimer’s disease, stroke and heart attacks, while sudden death are more common in the elderly above 50 years of age.

Ogungbo said some suffer from ill-health seemingly soon as they retire from active service from 50 to 60 years of age.

“In Nigeria, that means many who were employed in the civil service and without much in their savings or a credible pension when ill-health occurs, they rely on friends and family, especially the children to look after them.

“Yet, these children may not really be in a position to pay for expensive treatment for their loved ones. As they also have children, mortgages and rents, bills and lives to live,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said to prevent some of the health challenges of the elderly; balanced diet and participation in regular exercise are paramount in maintaining a healthy life for people of all ages.

However, he advised that the elderly should get rid of bad eating habits and eat more fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, plenty of water and exercise.

“The elderly should eat well, make their own supplements and stay off sugar. Sugar is a deadly metabolic poison. It reduces immunity and feeds cancer,’’ the expert warned.

He advised the elderly to beware of the side effects of drugs and drug interactions including over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and alternative medicine.

“To prevent ill health in your parents get them out of the house. Get them T-shirts, shorts and trainers and get them on the streets.

“Encourage them to go for walks and smell the outdoors; get your mother out and your father will follow. They should go out for walks and short exercises: breathing in deeply and relaxing the minds to clear out the stresses of life.

“Get your mother on the dance floor at home: dancing with you and the grand-children. This stimulates the mind, body and spirit encouraging blood floor to dormant parts of the body.

“Play games with your father especially card games, ‘Ayo’, chess and scrabble. Teach them Sudoku and so many other brain training games that are available as Apps online,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said with proper diet and exercising money would be saved in the future and probably live long enough to truly enjoy the fruits of their labour. (NAN)

OEO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola