Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Specialist, Dr Promise Sefogah says liver diseases are becoming very common in the country in recent times.

The Medical Director of Shape Healthcare Specialist Medical Centre, one of the sponsors of the Joy FM Family forum, said this can be attributed to reckless consumption of alcohol and the rise in viral Hepatitis which is mostly contracted through kissing, emotional connection, or any other body fluid exchanges.

"Many people carry that without knowing, and it goes on to affect the liver, and liver-related problems, including liver cancer, which is on the rise in Ghana," he revealed.

Dr Sefogah said this when he addressed singles at the breakfast meeting held at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Nungua, dubbed ‘Becoming Mr. & Mrs’, All you need to know before marriage, put together by Joy FM’s flagship family show, Home Affairs, hosted by Edem Knight-Tay.

He also spoke about the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and asked patrons of the event to reflect on the
importance of their health and be mindful of their daily choices and habits.

"Your health is probably the most important asset you have because you can imagine if you're sick, what can you do? Nothing. You'll lie down and wait till you recover. " he reiterated

Dr Sefogah gave some general well-being tips everyone must pay attention to. Here are a few

• Learn to deal with stress. If you don't handle your stress well, it can make you sick or make your sickness worse.
  Identify what is stressing you. If it's something you can avoid, do so. But if it's something you cannot avoid, go to the beach and watch the waves, watch comedy and laugh, do things that won't let you think too much, dance etc.

• Check your blood pressure and sugar levels regularly. They are silent killers because they can kill without you knowing.
  With Ghana's adult population, 1 out of every 3 persons has high blood pressure.

• Adopt Simple lifestyle modification (diet)
  Nobody should have salt on their dining table because salt alone accounts for the risk of causing blood pressure

• Minimise your intake of animal products, meat, sausage, eggs, milk, ice cream, etc.

Dr. Sefogah also mentioned that common cancers are affecting younger people and therefore stressed the need for ladies to go for regular breast and cervical cancer screenings, and for the men to also visit healthcare facilities to check if their prostate and liver are in good shape.

He advised patrons to eat and stay healthy because it takes a healthy individual to make a healthy couple.

Ayekoo to the Shape Healthcare Specialist Medical Centre for providing free on-ground medical diagnosis to patrons at the Joy FM Family Forum