Manager of Healthy Lifestyle and Corporate Wellness Services, Nurse Priscilla Prevost, is encouraging Dominicans to focus on a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating.
Prevost was a participant at a DOMLEC mini-expo held at the Peebles Park in Roseau last week. The event formed part of Health and Safety month being observed by DOMLEC.
“We are here to assist people in helping them to identify their numbers,” she told Dominica News Online. “We are focusing on three areas of safety: Know your Numbers, it’s like knowing your blood pressure; knowing your body mass index; knowing your blood sugar, your cholesterol.”
According to Prevost if one is not aware of these important areas, there could be health problems.
“You can get a stroke, you can get a heart attack and these things sometimes they come without any notice, so people need to know their status…” she noted.
She stated also that the focus was on abstinence from alcohol.
“Alcohol causes accidents most of the time and it can cause accidents at home, at work, on the road,” she said.
Additionally Nurse Prevost noted that another area is the importance of sleep.
“Sleep is very important and sleeplessness can have similar effects to use of alcohol…so persons need to get adequate sleep so that they can function to their optimum level at work,” she explained.
Meanwhile Prevost revealed that conducting the assessments over the years it has been recognized that in Dominica the majority of the population are either in the overweight or obese category.
“This doesn’t tell well for us as a country because overweight and obesity contribute to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, heart disease, hypertension and stoke,” she remarked. “As persons identify and know their status we are letting them know what they can do about it and two important aspects are healthy eating and exercise.”
DOMLEC has been observing Health and Safety month under the theme: “Safety and Quality: Our Values without Compromise”
Hats off to Nurse Prevost for her efforts to promote good health among our people. I believe that the followers of Christ should be at the forefront of promoting wellness. I take my cue from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 which states, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Also, 3 John verse 2 says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” God wants us to do all in our power to be well, to look after the bodies that He lent us, not just live carelessly and resort to medication when we are afflicted, or to expect miracles from Him.
Nurse you are indeed correct. I do hope that the District Nurse will provide this important information and advice to those whom they serve. All Dominicans must be aware of this vital information.
Water is essential to drink; fresh fruits; fruit juices – not bottled; vegetables. Eat and drink moderately.
Ample sleep is necessary. We do have a problem with that especially these days, what with the Internet and TV.
I told someone God gave us days and nights for good reasons.
Residing in Ontario, I have noted how some people could be angry, short-tempered and moody. There are some who cannot control their emotions. Having thought of that, I realized, aside from their personal problems, in some cases, they are tired and had very little sleep. In time, lack of sleep takes its toll on the entire body.
It is said that negligence is the primary cause of illness. Health education should commence early, with youths.
Good job nurse Prevost I always admired you
Thank you nurse Prevost for that advice. So many of us are walking around with high blood pressure and diabetes and do not know. I’m in my late 30s, petite (and have always been), and always considered myself to be in good health. So I was surprise to learn I have high blood pressure. I’m fighting my doctor because I do not want to take meds but I am making better diet choices and walking much more. Know your numbers, and stay well my people! I can save your life.
This is a very good advice but i think that abusing any thing especially what is not natural can be dangerous for someones health…as for drinking alcohol i still think that if someone has health issues they should not drink any alcoholic drink at all or any one who drives …i do not think that taking an alcoholic drink on special occasions can be dangerous for someone who is in good health …because my mother would be dead long ago..she is not far from 100 years ,she drinks alcohol when she gets wet by the rain,when she is feeling cold ,when she has a flu ,or before her lunch,it has been a ritual for her since i know her,,she has no health issues ;only had eyes surgery…nonetheless it is better to keep away from it if you cannot control yourself because it is easy to get addicted and this addiction might lead to cirrhosis,poverty,accidents,crimes,violence ,self-neglect and alot more of negative issues…
As a people, we need to focus more on health than on politics; more on health than on partying; and more on health than on Young & the Restless. Keep up the good work.