Fix diet, take meds, exercise – doctors warn as hypertension, diabetes dominates NA outreach

Cases of hypertension and diabetes linked to poor dieting, medication non-compliance and unhealthy lifestyles were among the major health concerns highlighted during a medical outreach hosted on Saturday by Shalom Full Gospel Fellowship at Main and Pilot Streets, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The outreach, which formed part of the church’s annual activities, also saw medical personnel identifying respiratory infections and digestive issues among scores of residents who turned out to access free healthcare services.
Medical practitioner attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital, Dr Shellon Tappin, said many patients examined during the outreach were suffering from high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, lower respiratory tract infections and gastritis, with several cases linked to poor dieting habits and failure to properly manage existing medical conditions.
“Some of them know what they have to do, but due to different social issues, they’re not dieting well. Some are not complying with the medication because they think they can try natural remedies, and those have not been working,” Dr Tappin explained.
She noted that many persons also admitted to skipping meals, rushing to work without eating properly and failing to exercise regularly.
According to the doctor, the four major areas patients were advised to focus on were proper dieting, adequate rest, regular exercise and consistent use of prescribed medication.
“For hypertensive patients, we advise less salt and fats, and for diabetic patients, we further advise reducing starchy and sugary foods. But we also tell patients they still need a balanced diet because the body still needs nutrients to function properly,” she said.
Dr Tappin also raised concern about the number of persons complaining about excessive tiredness, weakness, dizziness and digestive discomfort, symptoms she said were often traced back to unhealthy eating habits and poor digestion.
She explained that respiratory infections remained common due to dusty conditions, recent changes in weather patterns and flooding in some communities.
“These days it’s very dusty, and we’ve had a lot of rain and flooding recently, so people have to take all the necessary precautions,” she said while encouraging residents to continue practising proper hygiene, including covering their mouths when coughing and using sanitising products where possible.
The doctor also warned against excessive use of spicy foods, alcohol, coffee and acidic foods among persons suffering from gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Meanwhile, organiser, Denise Daniels, who is a nurse by profession, said the medical outreach was birthed out of the church’s annual conference activities and reflected the church’s commitment to community service.
“This year we celebrated our 26th anniversary, and the medical outreach right now has been birthed out of the conference. I believe this year is the third year since we implemented the medical outreach,” Daniels said.
According to Daniels, more than 200 delegates from churches in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) attended the conference activities this year.
She explained that Shalom Full Gospel Fellowship viewed itself as a community church dedicated to serving not only its members but the wider public.
“At this medical outreach, we’re also giving free breakfast to the community. Not only persons who want to access the services, but persons passing along the roadside can also receive breakfast,” Daniels noted.
She added that the church’s youth and women’s ministries were also planning additional outreach programmes aimed at assisting shut-ins and vulnerable persons within communities.
“They don’t have to be members of the church… We believe this is what Christianity is about, not only the spiritual aspect, but also helping people physically and serving the community,” Daniels said.