Manage your health, stress well to prevent sudden death, medical expert urges Nigerians

Dr. Richard Okoye of SaveALife Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has urged Nigerians, particularly men, to pay greater attention to their health and manage stress to reduce the risk of premature death.

Okoye made the call while addressing members of the Guild of Editors who converged in Enugu for the 22nd All Nigeria Guild of Editors Conference at the International Conference Centre.

He said stress had contributed to many premature deaths, urging Nigerians to regularly monitor their health and seek medical attention when necessary.

According to him, people may appear healthy while suffering from one ailment or another, noting that the difficult economic situation in Nigeria had made it difficult for many people to conduct regular health checks.

Okoye also lamented Nigeria’s low life expectancy, which he put at 53.8 years, compared with countries such as Japan, where he said some people live up to 100 years.

He attributed the decline in life expectancy to factors such as stress, hypertension and diabetes, and urged Nigerians to make regular health checks a priority.

He identified stroke and diabetes among the major health conditions contributing to deaths in Nigeria, saying many people neglect their health until it becomes critical.

He noted that some people work throughout their productive years and retire early, only to die when they should be enjoying their retirement.

“Diabetes and hypertension are the causes of stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. When the heart fails, it causes sudden death. When one starts ageing, the heartbeat is affected,” he said.

Okoye also expressed concern that some people attributed health problems to spiritual attacks instead of seeking medical treatment.

The medical expert further cautioned men against the indiscriminate use of sexual enhancement drugs and drinks, warning that some could pose health risks.

“Don’t allow women to push you into your death by forcing you to have sexual pleasure. Why should you die before your time?” he asked.

He urged men to pay particular attention to their heart health, stressing that sexual enhancement drugs such as Viagra should not be regarded as protection for the heart.