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Health Essentials

Glaucoma – a call to have your eyes checked

As we raise awareness of Glaucoma this week (it should continue all year), the impor­tance of community education to pre­vent vision loss, regular eye care and early detection of this silent disease is key. The theme “SEE THE FUTURE CLEARLY” puts the whole process into perspective.

What will you do if after years of enjoying the beauty of the world through your eyes, you wake up one day and realize your eyes are failing or have failed you? It could be a ma­jor life-changing event. You may even run the risk of causing accidents. Imagine what one goes through during the DUM phase of DUMSOR.

Now imagine life perpetually in DUM. All this could be prevented if you make time to care for your eyes: check your eye pressure and have your sight checked as well.

Glaucoma is a group of eye con­ditions that damage the optic nerve (nerve of the eye) leading to loss of vision. It is most often but not always associated with an increase in eye pressure.

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In Ghana, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness second only to cataract. Ghana appears to have many challenges with “vision” (note the pun) as we have been identified as the country with the second (some data quote third) highest prevalence rate of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is sometimes referred to as the “silent thief of sight” be­cause it can damage your vision so gradually that you may not notice any loss of vision until the disease is at an advanced stage. The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma has no no­ticeable signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss. As always, the key is to be diagnosed early and managed since this can prevent or minimize damage to the optic nerve. Early diagnosis is only possible if we have regular check-ups. I checked my eye-pressures six months ago, what about you?

Isolating the risk factors

1. Age – Anyone can get glauco­ma, but it most often occurs in those above forty years.

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2. Ethnicity – Africans and African Americans are at an increased risk compared to Caucasians. In high-risk groups it may be necessary to have your eyes checked even in your 20s.

3. Family History/ Genetics – You are at an increased risk if a member of your family has glaucoma.

4. Medical Conditions – Diabetics and people with hypothyroidism are also prone

5. Nearsighted/shortsighted – For this group of people, objects in the distance appear fuzzy without correc­tive lenses.

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6. Prolonged Steroid use – espe­cially if used as eye drops, increases our risk for glaucoma.

7. Other Eye conditions – Severe eye injury, some of which may even cause the eye lens to dislocate. Retinal detachment, eye tumours and some eye infections may also pre­dispose us. Some eye surgeries may occasionally trigger glaucoma.

Recognising the warning signs

It is important to drum home the point that just as in high blood pres­sure, there may be no warning signs. As stated above, the commonest form of glaucoma will hardly warn you. In some forms of glaucoma, however, we may experience the following:

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1. Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision leading to tunnel vision where one is able to see only objects direct­ly in front of him/her

2. Redness of the eye

3. Blurred vision

4. Halos around lights

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5. Severe eye pain is sometimes associated with nausea and vomiting

6. Sudden onset of poor vision especially in low light

Overview of tests available

1. Measuring eye pressure. This is a simple painless procedure. It is often the first line for screening for people with glaucoma.

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2. Visual Field Test – your doc­tor will use this test to determine whether glaucoma has affected your peripheral vision

3. Several other tests are avail­able and include testing for optic nerve damage and measuring corneal thickness.

Treatment options

There is NO CURE for glaucoma, but it can be successfully managed. Our options include eye drops, oral medication or surgery, which reduce pressure in the eye to a level that is unlikely to cause further optic nerve damage.

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You may not be able to prevent glaucoma, but you can avoid its com­plications if diagnosed and its man­agement started early. Talk to your healthcare professional and have eye examinations when necessary.

This is the only way to ensure that you can “…see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way” and you will enjoy this great vision for years to come.

Glaucoma is “a silent thief of sight.” This is another reminder that NOT ALL SILENCE IS GOLDEN! Get checked.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pres­sure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

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Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)

(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)

*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medi­cine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

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Thought for the week – “The next big thing in Healthcare in Ghana is the Medics Clinic. Visit https://med­icsgroupgh.com/ for more informa­tion.”

References:

1. 37 Military Hospital Eye Depart­ment infomercials

2. Mosby’s ACE the BOARDS

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3. www.mayoclinic.com

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

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Health Essentials

Making the most of your visit to the doctor

A doctor and a patient in a consulting room
A doctor and a patient in a consulting room

Very often we leave the doctor’s office only to remember that we left out a major complaint. Some patients immediately rush back to the consulting room totally oblivious of the privacy that the next patient is entitled to. They expect that as they walk in, the doctor should ignore the seated or positioned patient and attend to them. That is totally outrageous. Others go home and continue to live with the condition hoping to be healed miraculously.

Most of us will be extremely lucky to spend fifteen (15) minutes with our doctor and this time is often much shorter in countries/communities where the doctor-patient ratio is so low that at best it can be described as criminal.

We are still in the first quarter of 2025, and I highly recommend that you see a doctor not only when you are unwell but as a means to assess your state of wellbeing and take the needed precautions.

To make the most out of our time with the doctor we need to PREPARE. If your condition is an emergency, then you do not have the benefit of time to prepare.

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A must do!

Kindly ensure your personal hygiene is excellent.

  • Take a good bath and brush your teeth
  • Wear clean clothes that also make undressing easy, especially if you need to expose some areas for inspection/examination.

This may sound ridiculous, but the opposite does happen in real life.

Remember that doctors are human and when you are unkempt you may not get adequate contact with your doctor.

Research on the symptoms

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If you have access to the internet or a book worth its salt you may read about your symptoms or wait to read after your doctor tells you your diagnosis.

Remember that if you need to research on the internet, it is essential that you use a reputable site.

In tune with your complaints

  1. Write down your complaints/symptoms if you think you may forget
  2. If you have had a similar problem and have the results of any investigations e.g. Laboratory tests, x-rays, CT scans etc kindly carry them along
  3. Let your doctor know if you react to any drugs
  4. Be truthful about any medications you have taken for the condition, if you do not remember the names make sure you go with the containers
  5. If you have any other medical conditions (and medication) make the doctor aware
  6. Remember to make a note of the following
    1. When did the symptoms/complaint begin?
    1. How long have you had these symptoms?
    1. Is it getting worse?
    1. Does anything make the condition worse?
    1. What makes you feel better?
    1. Is anything related to their onset?
    1. How often does it occur?
    1. How long does it last e.g. in pain conditions as well as rash, allergies etc
    1. Does anyone else in your family have them?
    1. How do they affect your daily life?
    1. Is it related to work or home?

You may need to modify these slightly when you have skin lesions, swellings etc. This list is by no means exhaustive, and you may not need to find answers to all of them before getting help, but they will definitely help you ace the visit to your doctor.

If your doctor books you for surgery, do not leave his presence without finding out the following:

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  1. Will you go home on the same day of the surgery?
  2. Will you need assistance to go home or can you drive unsupervised for instance
  3. What form of anaesthesia will you be given?

Then, if your visit is for a medical examination, do remember that also being aware of disease conditions in your family will help your doctor select the appropriate tests and make the whole experience and time useful.

See you in the consulting room soon.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)

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(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “The next big thing in Healthcare in Ghana is the Medics Clinic. Visit https://medicsgroupgh.com/ for more information.”

References:

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  1. www.patientedu.org
  2. www.healthclubsgh.com

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

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Health Essentials

This Valentine’s weekend renew your energy

t is quite common to hear people complain about a lack of energy, fatigue, foggy brain and a host of others. The real danger is the acci­dents and errors that this situation may cause, and quite often many people suffer the consequences.

There is NO quick fix for renewing your energy, but it doesn’t take an effort akin to manning a spaceship to achieve this. Over the past few years, I have been a huge proponent of Greenscription. This essentially in­volves PRESCRIBING everyday lifestyle modifications that make us the best version of ourselves. Definitely every human will occasionally have a bad day, but we can minimise these and enjoy life.

Yes, you may need a supplement sometimes or require medication to correct or treat a condition, but we will all feel more energised if we practice the steps below. Remember “one healthy choice is ALWAYS fol­lowed by another”, start slowly and add on. We all have what it takes.

enjoying sunlight

1. Learn new things: yes, we all need to. Avoid rut. What are you learning now?

2. Simplify things: no need to complicate things. If it appears too complicated its either you don’t understand it or you are on the wrong path

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3. Think positively: your cells are listening to you at all times. Speak positive words

4. Eat healthy food: we are what we eat. I am sure people pow­ered by unhealthy, refined food-like substances is definitely the wrong “fuel”

a. I believe you know water is an essential component of your food. Drink adequate amounts.

5. Socialise: we are no islands. DO NOT isolate yourselves. We derive energy from people but avoid energy sappers. They will drain you to death.

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6. Meditate: allow your brain to rest

7. Move and play: Exercise and play happen to be one of the few things that provide instant results. When did you last take a walk out­doors or join friends to play a game of table tennis or other.

8. Be grateful: Gratitude ap­pears too simple to be real BUT it is a game changer

9. Enjoy sunlight: very few things beat sunlight. Little wonder seasons with limited sunlight have high numbers of people with mental health challenges

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10. Spend time in nature: the sound of water, rocks, greenery. They have amazing benefits. Spend time in nature and do it often. You may even create your own at home or at the workplace.

11. Music is life; but it needs to be the right type.

12. Get enough sleep: It all starts with Sleep, and it ought to be restful. If you have sleep apnoea you may be doing yourself a disfavour. If you snore, talk to your doctor and get the appropriate tests done.

13. REST – Even the Almighty God rested. Not because He needed it BUT he had to set an example for us. Sometimes we just need to sit and “do nothing” or get creative or cut out the noise.

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Do put these into practice and next week we will delve into what we need to avoid to remain energised.

This Valentine’s weekend, renew your energy and continue with the tips that will ensure you remain the best version of yourself.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sug­ar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr Kojo Cobba Essel

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Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)

(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)

*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “The next big thing in Healthcare in Gha­na is the Medics Clinic from Medics Group & Health Essentials. Send me an email at dressel@healthessen­tialsgh.com for more information.”

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References:

1. Culled from Mental Health on LinkedIn

By Dr Kojo Cobba Essel

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