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Adimekwe, a Resident Cardiologist in the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. According to him, there is an urgent need to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage the public to prevent and control this `silent-killer’. The World Hypertension Day (WHD) is commemorated on May 17, every year. The theme for the 2013 event is “Healthy Heart Beat – Healthy Blood Pressure’’. According to the cardiologist, hypertension is an increase in blood pressure to a level that can damage body organs. It is commonly known as High Blood Pressure. “Hypertension has to do with an increase in the level of blood pressure. It has to be high to such a level that it can damage body organs. “In medicine, that level has been defined to be greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg of blood pressure, as measured using a sphygmomanometer, on a person’s arm. Hyperten

Prevent liver problems and reduce the severity of symptoms of liver diseases by following these guideline. Liver disease is often the result of years of unhealthy lifestyle practices.  • Prevent liver diseases by abstaining from alcohol. Alcohol consumption and abuse overtime may lead to cirrhosis. • Read the labels of over-the-counter drugs and prescribed medications carefully. Certain prescribed drugs may actually cause liver damage or hepatic toxicity. • Adopt good nutrition practices. While eating a well-balanced nutritional diet may not prevent liver diseases completely, dietary practices help to build the body’s immune system and prevent liver infections. • Restrict intake of saturated fats, processed foods, and excess intake of tobacco and caffeine. • Hepatitis can be prevented by engaging in safe sexual practices, avoiding use of non-sterile needles, and undergoing regular STI testing. Contact your physician for appropriate vaccinations. • If you det

 Hypertension: Pharmacists caution against high consumption of noodles, paracetamol AS Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Health Day, with the theme “High Blood Pressure”, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, has cautioned against unrestrained consumption of foods such as noodles which are high in salt content, and drugs such as paracetamol that contain sodium, as a way of effectively addressing risk factors for raised blood pressure or hypertension. Giving the warning in a statement to mark the Day in Lagos, President, PSN, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo said: “The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, taking regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding tobacco use.” Akintayo observed that reduction of hypertension in the Nigerian population can only be effected through strong public health policies such as reduction of salt in pr