WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY: LASUTH URGES PATIENTS TO STOP SELF MEDICATION

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) joined the rest of the world to mark the World Arthritis Day as declared by the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO) and urged patients to desist from self-medication, saying that the practice is capable of causing further damage to their health.

Speaking at a workshop organised by the Hospital at Rheumatology Clinic, LASUTH and themed: “It’s In Your Hands, Take Action”, the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Professor Adewale Oke said that arthritis does not require the approach given to it as many expose themselves to greater risks by indulging in unprescribed medication.

Oke noted that arthritis is fast becoming a prevailing ailment across the world with 30 of every 100 persons being discovered to be affected, adding that there is no specific age range for anyone to be affected.

He used the occasion to debunk claims by some individuals who attributed arthritis to spiritual attacks or as having a spiritual etymology, saying that such claim does not have any scientific proof or backing.

The CMD further explained that arthritis, which affects the human body joints, is often caused by the amount of fat in the human body, ageing, heredity and engaging in stressful activities among other reasons.

He, therefore, advised patients to ensure a balanced composition in their food and nutrition intake, 6-8 hours sleep daily, regular exercise, eating fruits and consumption of at least 4cups of water on a daily basis, stressing that arthritis is a manifestation of many diseases.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Head of Rheumatology Unit, LASUTH, Prof. Femi Adelowo called on every member of the society not to patronize pharmacists ignorantly for the treatment of arthritis without consulting specialists.

He equally urged them to take prescriptions only from qualified doctors for any kind of ailment so as not to imbibe in drugs capable of affecting their health.