Nigeria – Not All Medical Conditions Require Injections – Experts*

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Medical experts, Dr. Rotimi Adesanya, a public health specialist, and Christianah Adeboboye, the Lagos State Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, have advised that not all medical conditions require injections, as most drugs have oral versions that are just as effective.

They advise patients to always eat before taking injections to avoid dizziness, weakness, or fainting.

These professionals who spoke I’m exclusive interview with Health wide, highlighted that injections are foreign bodies that necessitate a certain amount of glucose in the body to prevent adverse reactions.

According to Adesanya and Adeboboye, professional nurses administering intramuscular injections must ask the patient if and when they had their last meal before giving injections.

According to Medical News Today, injections, which consist of a needle and syringe, are used to deliver liquid medications, fluids, or nutrients directly into a person’s body and can be administered into a vein (intravenous), muscle (intramuscular), skin, or bone.

A report reveals that in some hospitals, nurses do not ask patients whether they had eaten before administering intramuscular injections. One patient, identified only as Blessing, noted feeling weak, dizzy, and almost fainting after receiving an injection on an empty stomach. Blessing mentioned that the nurse did not inquire about her meal status before giving the injection.

Dr. Rotimi Adesanya emphasized that injections are foreign bodies requiring specific conditions and glucose levels before administration.

He warned that patients given intramuscular injections without eating may suffer from low blood sugar, resulting in dizziness and general destabilization.

Adesanya elaborated: “Injections come with several side effects. Reactions could vary from dizziness to weakness, and in some cases, people may collapse or experience itching.

“To be on the safe side, certain injections should be administered while the person is lying down, especially for frail individuals.”

He also urged nurses to always ask about their patients’ meal status before administering injections and advised patients to truthfully disclose their meal status.

Christianah Adeboboye emphasized that professional nurses follow strict standard practices. She noted that some injections, like insulin for diabetic patients, should be taken on an empty stomach or a few minutes before food.

However, injections requiring a certain level of glucose in the body should not be taken on an empty stomach to avoid adverse reactions such as weakness, blurred vision, and dizziness.

Adeboboye further stressed that patients have the right to know about the drugs being administered, the reasons for the administration, and the right to consent or reject treatment.