Physician urges Nigerians to adopt preventive medicine lifestyle

A consultant family and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. Muyosore Makinde, has urged Nigerians to adopt preventive medicine lifestyle for a healthy living.

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Makinde, who works with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), gave in Lagos, that people should not wait to be sick before checking their health status.

According to her, people should always check to know their health status in terms of sugar level, blood pressure, screening for cancer or diabetes, among others.

The physician said that living a preventive medicine lifestyle entailed engaging in regular physical activities and being conscious of what to eat, when and how to eat it in terms of quantity and quality.

She said studies had shown that the diets were linked to a good number of the chronic non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer or diabetes.

According to her, “These diseases are quite avoidable, using proper nutrition.”

Markinde, who said that poor sleep or chronic sleep deprivation could cause most diseases, emphasised the need to engage in adequate rest and sleep particularly at nights.

She said, “It is advisable that adults between 18 to 65 years should have at least seven to eight hours of sleep at night.”

The physician noted that the importance of sleep could not be over-emphasised as the body naturally repaired itself during times of sleep.

“A healthy eating entails eating in moderation with the five components of nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats/oils, vitamins and minerals and water) in their right quantitative and qualitative proportions.

“We should be conscious of what we consume; the sugar content of the meals, how much cholesterol the food contains, how much saturated fat it contains, how much of salt is in the food and likewise fibre. All these food items are quantified for health.

“I advise that the sugar content must not be in excess, salt intake must be limited and the fibre intake in food should be very high.

“Do not indulge in taking bottled and tin foods instead take natural food and avoid the excessive intake of alcohol,” she said.

She also urged people to try as much as possible to limit the intake of fried and junk foods.

“Do not wait to be sick before checking to know your health status; make conscious effort to go for regular medical checkup,” she said.

Makinde also emphasised the need for engaging in regular physical activities.

She noted that studies had shown that sitting for a long time increased the risk of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart problems, arthritis and hypertension.

According to her, an individual is expected to engage in 150 minutes of moderate intensive pysical activities every week, which translates to 30 minutes of exercise per day.

Makinde stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary stress and making out time for relaxation in order not to be depressed.

“Exercise is key to maintaining a healthy preventive medicine lifestyle; even if it’s just walking or jogging at the comfort of your premise, it will go a long way to keep the body in shape.

“Depression is real, try as much as possible to avoid stress. For example, the stress is much in Lagos, but device a means to curtail the stress. Learn to delegate some certain works to others even at the workplaces or at home.

“Drink lots of water at least three litres of water per day and make out for relaxation as these hints help in maintaining healthy preventive medicine lifestyle,” she said.