Editorial

Control blood pressure, high sugar level to prevent kidney disease

The Spectator published a report last week titled “Chronic Kidney Disease surge among the youth,” which disclosed that 70 per cent of people with Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) cases in Ghana are between the ages of 20 and 50.

The high incidence of kidney diseases among middle-aged workers raises severe public health concerns, and the nation runs the risk of losing its young to (CKD) if action is not taken.

According to reports, 800 million people worldwide are afflicted with the disease, which kills 2.4 million people yearly, making it the sixth fastest growing cause of mortality worldwide.

Sadly, most of the cases are reported to occur in underdeveloped nations with low resources.

These alarming statistics highlight the need for preventative measures to be implemented in order to prevent the disease, which shows symptoms like itchy skin, cramping in the muscles, foamy urine, fatigue and weakness, swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet, increased or decreased urination, and unexplained weight loss, among others.

We are informed that when these symptoms appear, the illness has progressed to an irreversible level, and patients may require dialysis or a kidney transplant if their kidney function has been severely compromised.

Also, the disease may be caused by unchecked hypertension, drug abuse (including ibuprofen and diclofenac), and herbal remedies, among other things.

The worrying part is that having CKD, no matter how minor, puts a person at risk for more significant issues like cardiovascular disease, which is a set of illnesses that affect the heart and blood arteries and includes heart attacks and strokes.

Medical experts state that diabetes is the primary cause of kidney disease, and that those with the condition should monitor their sugar intake.

They describe CKD as a progressive and irreversible decline in kidney function that occurs over months or years without any noticeable symptoms.

The Spectator is concerned about the issue and believes that setting early detection, intervention, and prevention as top priorities will provide the solution. After a diagnosis, in that case, it is imperative to manage it by reducing salt intake, losing weight, exercising regularly, and adhering to a balanced diet to prevent it from getting worse.

In order to lower their blood pressure, patients with high blood pressure must also modify their lifestyle, take medication, eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, drink enough water, sleep for seven to eight hours every night, abstain from smoking, and consume alcohol in moderation.

To lessen the financial burden that comes with kidney diseases, the government actually needs to act pragmatically and set up an insurance programme for dialysis sufferers.

We also urge every individual to be health consciousn in order to avoid contracting the disease, as the expense of treating a patient undergoing renal dialysis is high and beyond the means of most families.

With CKD, there is no known cure; medication can only assist manage the disease’s symptoms and prevent it from growing worse.

Let us be health conscious to prevent kidney disease.

Editorial

FDA must act on meat singeing claims

Dear Editor,

I read a story in your highly esteemed newspaper, The Spectator last week where a Toxicologist was urging health authorities in the country the use of tyres and firewood to singe meat for consumption.

This is not the first time this issue has come up. Many months back, read a similar story about singing meat with the aforementioned materials.

According to the report, these material contain dangerous chemical compounds that pose health risks to humans.

Sadly, we have not heard anything from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other agencies who responsibilities are to ensure the populace consume healthy foodstuff.

There are a lot of meat and fish on the market singed with these material which Ghanaians are still patronizing and people are not minded by the problems it bring in future.

Wele (cow hyde) is one of the commonest meat on the market. It is consumed a lot by tuo zaafi and waakye lovers but this is believed to be meat that goes through the tyre and firewood process.

Our authorities must hit the markets and abattoirs to ensure that only healthy meat products were sold to Ghanaians. Let’s save our population from some of these dangerous diseases.

Mawuli Seth,

Achimota

Editorial

Make Mother’s Day memorable tomorrow

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, a day which is observed around the world as a unique way to honour mothers and maternal figures for their devotion, selflessness, and contributions to society and the family.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month of May and this year it falls on May 11. The Day is important because it serves as a reminder of how important mothers are influencing people’s lives and raising future generations.

Additionally, it is a day to honour all mothers who have had significant influences on their children’s life, including biological mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, and others.

Besides giving birth, a woman might become a mother by taking on the responsibilities of raising children who are not biologically hers.

Numerous mothers have provided food, clothes, and shelter to innumerable children in orphanages, and these youngsters have grown up to be responsible adults who are fulfilling their heavenly destinies.

One cannot deny the fact that families and communities are built on the leadership, unselfish love and sacrifices of mothers.

The expectation is that families will have ample time tomorrow to hold get-togethers, and neighbourhood activities honouring the achievements of mothers.

In recent years, Mother’s Day has also grown in importance for businesses. This is especially true for eateries and businesses that produce and market cards and other gifts.

Of course, mothers should be honoured every day, but it is especially crucial that we honour them on one day each year for everything they do to improve our lives.

Some people have made serious argument that husbands should not honour their wives on Mother’s Day since they are not their mothers. However, even though the wife is not your mother, she is the mother of your children, therefore she should not only be respected but also given priority. Keep in mind that one nice turn merits another, and that Father’s Day is coming up.

Although it is not always compulsory, recognising and honouring your wife as a mother on this day is a sign of respect and gratitude.

The Spectator says, regardless of the circumstances, whether close or remote, spend some time with your mother or mother figures if you can and express your gratitude to them through telephone calls, gifts, breakfast, lunch or dinner, get together among others for the special roles they have played in your life.

We wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow.