Beware of those diseases without any warning symptoms

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Extract from the article: There are certain diseases that evolve silently and are only discovered in advanced, serious stages, and sometimes without a cure. These include osteoporosis, diabetes, kidney failure and haemochromatosis. According to studies, many people suffer ...

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There are certain diseases that evolve silently and are only discovered in advanced, serious stages, and sometimes without a cure. These include osteoporosis, diabetes, kidney failure and haemochromatosis. According to studies, many people suffer from these diseases without knowing it.

 

These diseases, the most frightening ones, have no symptoms. They are silent, developing without the knowledge of those affected, who feel neither pain nor discomfort.

 

Osteoporosis: the silent bone thief

Osteoporosis-related fractures occur every year in Togo. According to researchers and rheumatologists, it is a pathology that remains undetected until the fracture occurs. Nicknamed "the silent bone thief", osteoporosis affects women over 50 more than men.  It causes a loss of bone mass and an alteration in the quality of the bones, leading to fragility and the risk of fracture, pain and bone compression. The main causes are: advancing age, thinness, smoking, alcoholism and certain drugs that are harmful to the bones.   The recommended test for prevention is a bone densitometry, which detects a decrease in bone mineral density.

 

Diabetes: thousands of people are unaware

In Togo, the national prevalence of diabetes is 2.6% of which more than 80% are unaware that they are diabetic because they have never controlled their blood sugar. The problem with this disease is that the symptoms and complications appear once it is advanced. This is largely due to a lack of information on the subject.

Diabetes is a disease that alters the system of regulating the storage rate of sugars provided by the diet. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can cause serious complications such as loss of sight, foot problems and even amputation, heart attacks and strokes. Get tested.

 

High blood pressure: millions go undetected

High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Even though there are some warning signs such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, etc., they are easily confused with other diseases. In Togo, the prevalence rate of hypertension is 30.5%. Many patients are unaware of it and never consult a specialist. When you have high blood pressure, your heart works too hard, speeds up, gets tired very quickly because of the effort you put in and therefore becomes less efficient. This makes it more difficult for the blood to reach the other organs and impairs their proper functioning.

Remember to have your blood pressure measured at least once a year by your doctor.

 

Kidney failure: by the time you realise it, it is often too late

Kidney failure is an irreversible condition that gradually leads to the decline of the organ. There are almost no symptoms in the early years, as the kidneys adapt and compensate for their loss of function. Some patients only become aware of their condition when their kidneys are at about 20% of their normal capacity.

Every minute, the kidneys filter about 1 litre of blood, and produce urine to remove waste products from the body, preventing toxins from accumulating in the blood. When they malfunction, many toxins can seep into the body and create many serious problems. Worse, chronic kidney disease is a silent disease that can lead to death.  Consult a doctor.

 

Haemochromatosis: too much iron in the blood

Having too much iron in all the organs, which leads to their progressive destruction. Fatigue, joint pain and sexual problems are some of the signs. The symptoms of haemocrotamosis are among the warning signs of a much better known disease, which is why few patients or doctors suspect it until it is advanced. The diagnosis is usually made around the age of 50-70.  To find out if you are affected, three biological tests must be carried out: fasting transferrin saturation, ferritinemia and the HFE gene.

 

Chlamydia: a highly contagious sexual disease

Chlamydia is a disease that can irreversibly damage the female genital tract. It is a highly contagious disease that can be contracted through unprotected sex, but most of the time it is not known because it is asymptomatic.  It is caused by the chlamydia bacteria that is transmitted by another person who is a carrier. The bacteria then multiply in the reproductive tract, causing inflammation of the reproductive organs and can lead to PID or inflammation of the fallopian tubes.  Various laboratory tests are used to diagnose chlamydia.

 

Ovarian cancer: difficult to detect

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect because there are no early symptoms and the late signs are vague and can be mistaken for common disorders. In up to 70% of cases, ovarian cancer goes undiagnosed until it has spread to other parts of the body. At this stage, survival rates are between 20 and 25%. Women who are treated before the cancer spreads have a cure rate of 85-90%. The average age of an ovarian cancer patient is 61 years. The risk increases with age. If you have a close relative with ovarian cancer, the risk can almost triple. If you have had breast cancer, you are more vulnerable to ovarian cancer.

 

Cervical cancer: no warning signs

Sneaky, silent and deadly, cervical cancer, the second leading cause of death after breast cancer, disables and kills girls and women. The figure is alarming. 311,000 women a year across the globe die from cervical cancer. 87% of these deaths occur in the less developed regions of the world, particularly Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Yet it is easier to prevent and cure. The disease is diagnosed too late in most cases. In many parts of Africa, cervical cancer is not identified or treated until it reaches an advanced stage due to lack of access to health care services, effective screening and early treatment.

 

Prostate cancer: a silent killer

Prostate cancer is a silent killer. Early prostate cancer has no symptoms and later signs, such as difficulty urinating and pain during orgasm, are also associated with the common non-cancerous changes in the prostate with age. So the best defence against prostate cancer is screening.

A diet rich in vegetables and low in saturated fat can slow the progression of prostate cancer. Choose vegetables such as lettuce, carrots and cabbage. Selenium, which is abundant in whole grains, seafood, tomatoes and nuts, may also protect against prostate cancer.

 

Parkinson's disease

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease are so subtle and develop so slowly that it usually takes 5-10 years before you know you have a problem. Even then, the disease can almost always be managed, often for decades, with specialist medication and good self-care. Parkinson's disease affects muscle movement, so it is important to stay as strong and fit as possible. Regular exercise is essential. It improves mobility, balance, range of motion and helps maintain strength. Any physical activity, such as stretching, walking, swimming, will help to move better and can improve endurance.

Elom AKAKPO