(Aproko Doctor. Photo by Punch News)
Nigerian medical expert and health communicator Chukwuma Okoro, widely known as Aproko Doctor, has warned against rinsing the mouth with untreated borehole water due to the risk of contracting stomach ulcers.
He explained that untreated borehole water especially when contaminated by poorly placed sewage systems or soakaway pipes can harbor Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
When ingested during mouth rinsing, these bacteria enter the stomach and break down its protective lining, allowing stomach acid to cause painful ulcers.
To prevent infection, he advised people to always boil, properly filter, or chemically disinfect borehole water before using it for oral hygiene.
He also cautioned against the frequent misuse of pain medications like ibuprofen and diclofenac, excessive drinking, and smoking, which further damage the stomach lining.
Finally, he urged anyone experiencing persistent stomach pain or black, tar-like stools a key sign of internal bleeding to seek immediate medical evaluation, such as an endoscopy, rather than ignoring the symptoms.