BP knows no age in today's world, says Medical practitioner, Njelita
* as Tony Oli, Aburime, others receive award of recognition by SWAN, Anambra
PAMELA EBOH, Awka
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Anambra State Chapter on Friday night wrapped up a two day end of the year event with awards of recognition to some deserving personalities in the state.
They include, Immediate past Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission during the Willie Obiano administration, Tony Oli, the Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka, Dr Chukwudi Njelita, and the Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Christian Aburime.
Others awardees were, Anambra State Commissioner of Police,
CP Ikioye Orutugu, Chukwudi Oli, and Obinna Ezema
The award night chaired by the former Commissioner of Information Dr Paul Nwosu featured Lectures by Dr. Njelita and Dr. Henry Duru who spoke on the topoic, "Positioning Anambra For Multi Million Dollar Sports Economy.
Njelita who spoke on "Sudden Death Syndrome, Why Exercise Is Not Enough urged people to take their health seriously, noting that hypertension has no cure.
He said that though exercise is good, age factor should always be considered while indulging in it.
"You are not an athlete, why would you want to run like one, you are not a basketballer, why would you want to indulge in the play more than a trained basketballer. Avoid exercises that would overstretch you heart. Don't run, walk",the CMD stated.
Giving insight on the reason for spike in sudden death, Njelita cited the food intake of rural dwellers and that of urban dwellers, saying that urban dwellers eat mostly digested foods packed with sugar while rural dwellers eat foods that take time to digest.
He called on people, especially those above 40-years-old to always do random check for BP, sugar level, saying that at that age, the body system is no longer working it used.
The medical practitioner added, "In the time we are living now, there is no age limit for hypertension. It can happen to anybody. Its no longer an old person disease. Ive seen a 17 years old suffering from BP. Once hypertension comes, it has no cure. The only a doctor will do is to place you on a medication and monitor your progress.
"A doctor can never tell you to stop taking your BP drugs, he can only cut down the dosage, if he notices significant improvement, but he can never tell you to stop taking it".
While demonstrating how a person that slumped should be handled, he advised that a person that suddenly slumped should be laid flat on the ground or stretcher without bending any pat of his body and then take the person to a medical facility.
According to him, the essence of lying the person is to help the flow of oxygen to the brain.
On his part, Dr Henry Duru of the Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, NAU, Awka, made a strong case for enhanced investment in the sports sector by federal government to drive the state’s economy, noting that such is the practice in the western world.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Chairman of SWAN, Chimezie Anaso said that the annual event was put in place to appraise activities of the association and to appreciate contributions of outstanding personalities.
He said that the association would continue to reward excellence, celebrate success stories as well as chart the way forward for greater exploits.
The event which was held at East End Hotels Awka drew the presence of government functionaries, personalities from the medical, sports and academic circle.
The well attended event was rounded off with shuffling on the dance floor by members of the association, friends and colleagues