AGAINST the backdrop of the rising incidents of sudden deaths among Nigerians, the recent alert by the World Health Organisation (WHO), on the upsurge of hypertension and diabetes in Nigeria and other low and middle-income countries is worrisome. While hypertension is due to constricted blood vessels that restrict the flow of blood, diabetes is caused by raised blood sugar level. Both are killer diseases.The alert should serve as a wakeup call on government at all levels, to pay attention to these debilitating health conditions in order to protect the population. Nigerians too should learn to prevent or manage these diseases. Many people have died in recent times from heart attack, while several others have been struck by stroke. A national health emergency action is needed to tackle these ailments.Although statistics are scarce, the picture being painted of the number of people afflicted with these diseases is scary; with the situation aggravated by worsening economic and social hardship that predispose Nigerians to negative stress. The country cannot claim to be recording progress in healthcare delivery when a large proportion of the population is unhealthy.The WHO alert followed the release of this year's World Health Statistics 2012 Report, in which data from 194 countries showed that there is a growing problem of non-communicable diseases burden. According to the report, one in three adults worldwide has raised blood pressure (hypertension), while one in 10 adults have diabetes. High blood pressure causes about half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease.The report notes that in Africa, more than 40 to 50 per cent of the adult population have hypertension. And in some African countries, as much as half of the adult population are afflicted by the ailment. The situation demands urgent action.Hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This condition forces the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood to all parts of the body. Some factors that predispose people to hypertension, apart from genetic factors, include lifestyle, eating of fatty foods with high cholesterol, lack of exercise and stress conditions.Environmental factors like excessive noise from the myriads of generators and those emanating from loudspeakers mounted on worship centres that disrupt sleep at night are part of many such circumstances causing stress among Nigerians. For instance, the traffic snarls in Lagos, and the attendant long hours on the road are also contributory factors. People should pay special attention to their lifestyle. What they eat and how they exercise their bodies are of critical importance.Among other things, hypertension affects the kidney and could lead to heart attack if untreated. It is a silent killer that does not show any symptoms until it reaches a critical stage. Consequently, millions of people are not aware that they have high blood pressure (BP) condition. These are the high risk group who are prone to sudden stroke or heart attack.The only way to detect raised blood pressure is by checking the blood pressure and monitoring it regularly. The normal blood pressure is 100-140 systolic and 60'80mmHg diastolic pressures respectively. For best results, the BP should be checked first thing in the morning when the pressure is at its optimal level. BP level above the normal should be monitored to establish whether it is stress related or a developing medical condition. Sedentary workers should take a walk regularly to facilitate blood circulation.In the case of diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus), there are two main types. Type 1 (mostly in children) is caused by the failure of the body to produce insulin. It requires the sufferer to be injected with regular insulin. Type 2 (mostly in adults) is caused when cells in the body fail to use insulin properly. Gestational diabetes manifests in pregnant women whose blood sugar increases during pregnancy. Other types of diabetes mellitus can be diagnosed through proper medical tests.Unlike high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus presents critical symptoms like frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger. The best way to determine whether one has diabetes is to do a fasting sugar test, the normal fasting sugar level being 60 -100mg%. While some people are genetically predisposed to diabetes, others contract the disease through unhealthy lifestyle. Too much consumption of sugary foods and drinks could be predisposing factors.Anyone diagnosed with raised BP or diabetes should seek second opinion to avoid wrong diagnosis. Thereafter, if confirmed, they should see their doctor for proper analysis and treatment. Self-medication is dangerous. It should be avoided. There are affordable generic drugs that are prescribed and used in treating the ailments.Unfortunately, the adulteration and faking of drugs has compounded the problem of healthcare in Nigeria, resulting in inefficacy of most drugs purchased over the counter or given in hospitals. Otherwise, with proper medical attention, the diseases are treatable but not curable. Government should play a leading role to ensure that the drugs consumed by the citizenry are genuine. The effort of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in combating fake drug merchants is notable, but the agency should do more to counter the fakers' increasing audacity.The Ministry of Health should also embark on aggressive public enlightenment campaign to educate the populace on the dangers posed by these ailments. Government should work in collaboration with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to educate the masses of the people appropriately.
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