Some years back, I had typhoid twice and it was as a result of the water I was drinking back then in school. First, it happened during my NCE days in the college of education. I couldn't afford to buy pure water because the money wasn't enough to get me food or pay for school stuff. I leaned on the well water in front of a hostel beside mine. Everyone was allowed to fetch using different fetchers, unlike some who had just one fetcher for it.
Other times, we'd look for water around the whole area and it was very tough then. There was this particular place they used borehole tap water, and it felt safe, unlike the well water, but it was always like being on guard and at alert when the light came, so we could get water for drinking. Most times, I would be called while in the lecture room, when the lights came on, and you'd see me running home, leaving lectures behind because the water was clean to drink.
Little did I know the sickness had been storing up in my body system with different water from everywhere, which, in places, looked dirty and unkempt, but as students, we didn't mind. This resulted in me being admitted to the hospital as I was rushed home from school.
As if that was not enough, I experienced the same thing during my University days. I still couldn't afford to buy water, but would always go as far away as my friend's place, carrying a small blue keg for drinking water, thinking it was safe to drink, especially with the way they protected the well from outsiders. The sickness came again and this time, it was much worse than the first. The doctor said it could have led to death if they hadn't brought me on time, and then, my aunt, whom I stayed with, kept thinking it was spiritual, and so, she would pray and avert the negatives from me.
I finally recovered, and with my sister's help, she volunteered to send me monthly payments to get a Cway bottled water, as that was safer than the unhygienic water I had been used to. Ever since then, I have never had to experience typhoid again. The secret was drinking clean and safe water, and it has helped me till today.
That experience taught me that sometimes, you don't need anything to remain healthy and free from disease other than changing your lifestyle. Our lifestyles comprise the way we eat, what we eat, drink and how we live our lives generally. This doesn't need constant medication to prevent illness, but with doing what is right, eating a balanced diet, drinking good water and staying away from stressful tasks.
Another experience was my sugar intake, which led to me having prediabetes when I got tested for the first time. I used to take carbonated drinks a lot. My favourite then was Coke and I may take more than 5 bottles in a week. I couldn't do without drinking soft drinks every day and week. But when I saw the result and where it was leading, no one told me to stop by force. I have restrained from drinking any sugary drinks, including chocolates, which only happens once in a while. In fact, I can't remember the last time I took an ice cream because I'm careful of my sugar intake.
I used to test myself to know my sugar level, and so far, it has been at a normal level, and the prediabetes has left. This is why I got my machines to help me do it at home instead of having to visit the hospital every time. Being in good health and a state of mind, free of some basic illnesses, could mean changing our lifestyles, and it works.
Image Source: Chatgpt
