Dr Ogugua Osi-Ogbu, Consultant Physician Geriatrician with the National Hospital, has advised Nigerians, particularly the aged to closely monitor their health records regularly to ensure healthy life and graceful ageing.
Osi-Ogbu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said ageing was not a disease although the elderly were at a higher risk of developing some ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and stroke.
The consultant said that it was important for the aged population and all Nigerians to monitor their health records which comprised of the four ultimate numbers of their health.
“There are four ultimate numbers which everyone should know about themselves annually in order to avoid sudden death or health breakdown.
“Firstly our blood pressure, secondly blood sugar, thirdly cholesterol and lastly our body mass index," she said.
She described body mass index as a function of the weight to the height which should be between the ranges of 19 to 25.
“If the figure indicates 25 to 30 such a person is regarded as been overweight, 30 to 35 indicate obsessed mildly, while 35 to 40 indicate obsessed moderately.
“For men at the age of 45 years should check their prostrate regularly and anyone from 35 years who is overweight should always ensure that the four numbers are optimal at all times.
“Also if an aged person losses more than 10 per cent of their body weight in less than six months with no ailment diagnosed should consult their doctor,’’ she said.
Osi-Ogbu said persons with family history of certain diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and those living a sedentary life should be more committed to regular checkups.
She said that management of such disease conditions involved lots of education for the patient and their family members in achieving a healthy life and graceful ageing.
“Lifestyle modification is very important to the management of these diseases by eating the right foods, avoid smoking and excess intake of alcohol.
“A minimum of 150 minutes pace walking exercise, which translates to 30 minutes of exercise five times a week is also very important for healthy living.
“The best way to monitor our health records is to make it a birthday gift to ourselves,’’ Osi-Ogbu added.
The consultant advised Nigerians to check into any health facility on their birthdays to ensure that the four numbers for their health were at optimal levels.