Prof. Dayo Faduyile, OON, an expert Medical Doctor and Professor of Pathology and Forensic Medicine has taken the sail off the boat of the popular ‘ jedi-jedi’ narrative, stating that what most people erroneously tag ‘ jedi jedi’ is dysentery, a diarrhoea disease which has the attendant effect of blood in the stool.
The Professor of Medicine who doubles as Special Adviser on Health in Ondo State gave this indication in his weekly health nugget, an online medical discourse which he does to educate the good people of Ondo State on matters of health concern and well-being.
While stating that dysentery is a diarrhoea disease with blood in the stool, Prof. Faduyile noted that it is occasioned by amoeba ( parasite ) or invasive bacteria. He further stated that dysentery is commonly associated with intense abdominal pain, cramps and fever, stressing that people are used to ascribing such pains to what has been known as ‘ jedi- jedi’, whereas, treating it as such is medically inappropriate because diarrhoea when complicated can result to intestinal perforation which damages the well-being of the sufferer.
Prof. Faduyile said,” when dysentery occurs, it may last over 2 weeks and it leads to severe weight loss ( emaciation).
” It is transmitted through infected water and food and it is highly infectious in poor hygienic environment; the good news is it can be properly treated with drugs.”
He maintained that bloody stool or blood in the stool of adults may be sign of cancer of colon, adding that there is danger in assuming that this condition is ‘ jedi jedi’ without ensuring proper medical diagnosis to ascertain the course of an adult person having blood in his or her stool.
The Medical expert said the best step to take for anyone who sees traces of blood in his or her stool is to see a doctor urgently.
Faduyile also indicated that above all things, a healthy environment is required to avoid diarrhoea and other diseases.
