Dr Emmanuel Akatibo, a Physician Specialist and Head of the Internal Medicine Department at the Upper East Regional Hospital has bemoaned the rising cases of kidney diseases among residents of the region, especially among younger persons, cautioning people against lifestyles that predispose them getting kidney diseases.
Dr Akatibo, whose spirited advocacy has led to the recent establishment of a dialysis facility at the Upper East Regional Hospital, cited the excessive consumption of energy drinks, self-medication involving cocktails of orthodox medicines and herbal medicines, unregulated use of aphrodisiacs and so on.
“Now our young people who want to live certain lifestyles – drinking a lot of energy drinks, mixing medications, exploring other things that you don’t even know the contents of – you have to know that your body can tolerate that for a while. But when it gets to a certain point, it fails you. And it doesn’t give you a sign during the time when it’s tolerating it. It can only give you a sign when it’s failing. And by that time, it’s too late. You can’t reverse it,” he warned in an interview with Bolgatanga-based A1 Radio.
He added that treating kidney diseases is expensive and time-consuming and people must avoid actions or inactions that could lead to kidney diseases.
He advised people with hypertension to seek early appropriate medical treatment and avoid the use of unapproved medicines.
Dr Akatibo has been instrumental in creating awareness of renal diseases and establishing a dialysis centre for the Upper East Region.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
