The Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg) has called for the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic diseases through strategic lifestyle modifications.
The society made the call at a press briefing to announce its 6th Annual International Scientific Conference, on Thursday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference tagged, ‘SOLONg 24’ will hold from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30 in Lagos.
The conference is with the theme, ‘Transforming Healthcare Systems in Africa: Sustainable Lifestyle Medicine Strategies.’
The President of SOLONg, Dr Moyosore Makinde, said that lifestyle medicine was an evidence-based approach to preventing, treating and reversing chronic medical conditions, including; hypertension, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
“There was a time that infectious diseases seemed to be on the high.
“We have discovered now that there is a rise in the number of people who are presenting to our emergency rooms with complications from these chronic diseases,” she said.
Makinde said that the conference was aimed at gathering global experts and enthusiasts to deliberate on important health issues and the role that lifestyle medicine plays in reducing the burden of diseases.
She said that the conference was also an opportunity to sensitise medical professionals and patients about healthy lifestyles.
“The objective of this year’s conference is to emphasise the power of lifestyle medicine and its potential to transform the healthcare systems,” she said.
The Vice-President of SOLONg, Dr Abiodun Adelowo, told NAN that lifestyle adjustments and changes could also be beneficial to individuals who already have chronic diseases.
Adelowo, who is also a Consultant Public Health Specialist, advised individuals suffering from chronic medical conditions to see professionals for assessment to determine the degree of the disease.
He recommended lifestyle strategies, which he summarised with the acronym ‘DREAMS’ to address the burden of diseases.
He said the strategies included eating a proper diet, developing healthier relationships, adopting exercise as a lifestyle, avoiding the intake of risky substances such as alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Others are mental health and stress management, and adequate sleep of about seven hours daily.
“Once people sleep, the body starts working; it to repair all the wear and tear that had taken place during the day,” he said.
