Too much thinking can cause health problems

... taste your urine at times - Accra, Aug. 12, GNA - Mr. Eric Dwamena, Head Pharmacist at Juric Pharmacy, on Sunday advised people to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on them through excessive thinking since it could cause health problems.

He emphasized that stress was the number one cause of diseases like hypertension and diabetes which he dubbed: "stressed-related illness." "To avoid unnecessary thinking or stress, be content with what you have, understand yourself and adopt healthy lifestyles." Mr. Dwamena was educating members of the Asylum Down Presbyterian Church to climax the health week celebration observed by the Church from 5th-12 August 2007.

As part of the health week celebration about 52 members of the church undertook a free medical screening on diabetes and hypertension where those found to be at risk were referred to appropriate health centres for further medical treatment.

Mr. Dwamena also advised people to have regular exercises by using the treadmill, skipping or doing brisk walking every morning. He noted that regular exercise was key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and explained that exercise helped to burn fat in the body. Educating church members about the symptoms of diabetes, he mentioned excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, dizziness and fatigue as some symptoms of diabetes. He identified stroke, blindness, heart attack, kidney failure and impotence as complications that could result from diabetes. Mr. Dwamena said there was the need for people to have regular medical check-ups to know how they were faring at any point in time and noted that people with both parents having diabetes where at 45 percent risk.

"If you can, taste your urine at times to see if it is sugary," he said, while advising people to avoid eating late in the night.