Expert stresses importance of warning signs in preventing chronic illnesses

A medical expert, Professor Kayode Adedapo, has emphasised the importance of recognising and acting on early warning signs of illness, in order to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis.

Professor Adedapo, in a 2022/2023 inaugural lecture he delivered at the University of Ibadan, entitled ‘Elucidating the Fingerprints of Chronic Diseases: That Life May Be Preserved,’ stated that what physicians call symptoms are the body’s warning signs of diseases that, if ignored, will prevent the body from repairing itself and restoring health.

According to him, “the body is indeed capable of repairing itself, provided the early warning signs are heeded and the immune system is competent in stopping the body’s invasion. This is usually within a few weeks.

“If this is exceeded, the process becomes chronic and may require definitive lifestyle changes early enough to restore health. When, however, these health codes or fingerprints are ignored, which is usually the case, the body fails to repair and moves from the state of ‘ease’ to ‘disease.’

Adedapo, a chemical pathologist, stated that protein in urine is a telltale sign of a disease affecting the kidney, which may arise from hypertension and heart failure, just as sugar in urine tells of uncontrolled diabetes or new-onset diabetes.

“Early detection of protein in urine at a very low level makes correctional measures possible, to prevent the full development of kidney damage and thereby prolong life,” he stated.

The don also declared the importance of a good diet and an adequate, high intake of fruits and vegetables regularly in meals to fortify the body sufficiently against ill health.

“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art. What we consume on a regular basis can affect the possibility of developing chronic illnesses.

“There seems to be a direct correlation between the frequency of animal proteins and the possibility of cancer. Smoked foods and dairy consumption have been reported to support the development of prostate, thyroid and other cancers,” he stated.

The don, however, said the consumption of uncooked food (fruit and vegetables) loaded with nutrients rather than cooked foods rich in calories is good for controlling chronic diseases and correcting the acidic nature of the internal milieu, which supports chronic inflammation in the body.

Professor Adedapo, in his recommendation, asked for a multidisciplinary treatment approach to chronic diseases and increased health funding to enable easy and affordable access to health for all.

“Perhaps this will address the issue of late presentation of people with chronic diseases and with the broadening of health insurance to support the treatment of chronic diseases, which at the present is most by out-of-pocket spending,” he concluded.