Health
AS the World marks the 2022 World Thrombosis Day (WTD), experts in the medical field have cautioned Nigerians against excessive consumption of alcohol, drug abuse, smoking and sedentary lifestyle.
They made this known on Thursday in Calabar during an event to celebrate the WTD, annually marked on Oct. 13
to raise awareness on Thrombosis and has “#KeepLifeFlowing” as theme for 2022.
Thrombosis is the formation of blood clot known as Thrombus which stays in blood vessels.
WTD focuses attention on the often overlooked and misunderstood condition of thrombosis.
According to Dr Kingsley Akaba, the Chief Consultant Haematologist at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH),
the death rate associated with thrombosis is high.
He said that thrombosis is a silent killer and one of the commonest causes of sudden death.
He added that the blockage of blood flow could cause sudden death through heart attack, stroke, among others.
He explained that clot can block veins and arteries with symptoms including pain, numbness, swelling in one leg
and chest pain, and if ignored, it might lead to stroke.
The consultant said that the theme of the event — “Keep Life Flowing’, was carefully chosen to encourage the flow of blood in the human body.
“We have to initiate the theme with a view of creating the awareness and advocacy for people to understand the importance of this day.
“Most times, physicians forget about thrombosis while managing patients; we forget to consider it.
“There have been under recognition of thrombosis in the management of patients and this is a big menace to the society.
“I want to advise the public to engage in regular exercise, shun excessive consumption of alcohol, reduce fatty foods, smoking
and avoid sitting in one position for hours.”
Dr Ogbonna Nwabuko, Chief Consultant Haematologist at UCTH, also urged Nigerians to shun drug abuse and smoking.
Nwabuko called for regular exercise with a view to making the body flexible.
The Chief Medical Director of UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, who was represented by Dr Eyong Smart, also said that blood clot could cause stroke and hormonal problems to the human body.
Ikpeme said that the day sought to create the needed awareness on thrombosis by drawing the attention of the public on the need to care for the body at all times.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had in attendance, medical practitioners, serving military officers who are trained doctors, the public and laboratory scientists, among others.(NAN)
C.E
Tags: World Thrombosis Day (WTD)
