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DRINKING POTABLE WATER FOR GOOD HEALTH

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 16:15:00 +0000

Water is a very important substance required for our existence and development. Our health can be said to be as good as the water we drink.

Water in the body performs a number of functions: as a solvent for transportation of nutrients; as a medium for excretion; a means for heat control; as a lubricant for joints; and for shock absorption. The usual way of adding water to the body is by drinking. Water also enters the body with foods, especially those rich in water. Water fit for human consumption is called drinking water or potable water. Water that is not potable may be made potable by filtration or distillation, or by a range of other methods. Water that is not fit for drinking but is not harmful for humans when used for swimming or bathing is called by various names other than potable or drinking water, and is sometimes called safe water, or "safe for bathing".

The human body contains from 55% to 78% water, depending on body size. To function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration; the precise amount depends on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages other than drinking straight water. It is not clear how much water intake is needed by healthy people, though most specialists agree that approximately 2 liters (6 to 7 glasses) of water daily is the minimum to maintain proper hydration.

The world health organization recommends a daily intake of at least 2 liters of potable water. What is potable water? It is water that is both acceptable and safe for drinking. Water may be acceptable to you for drinking, but it is not safe. It may also be safe, but not acceptable for drinking. This post aims at making sure you can identify safe water, and that it will be acceptable to you. You may wonder, why will you not accept safe water? Well I will give you an example; some people hate the taste chlorine (the chemical water guard contains) gives to water. Therefore, even though the water is safe, it is not acceptable to them for drinking and you won’t really blame them because we were taught that pure water is colorless, odorless and tasteless.

Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks.

How do you identify clean water? It is really difficult because even though you cannot see any solid impurity in the water, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms may be present. Therefore making sure you get your water from a reliable source, and taking steps to purify it, is the surest way to getting potable water.

There are some things I have noticed that people just ignore, and this puts you at risk of drinking contaminated water. The mistakes which I will list below, should be avoided as much as possible, to ensure you are getting potable water. They include:

· NEVER SITE A BORE-HOLE CLOSE TO A SEPTIC TANK(AKA ‘SUCK-AWAY’)

Why is this important? When you dig a septic tank, you go dip into the earth and sewage may pass through the surrounding earth to near-by water bodies. When a bore-hole is then drilled close to this septic tank, the water that will be coming out is at risk of being contaminated by the nearby sewage. So you may just be drinking ‘sand filtered sewage’.

· NEVER STORE DRINKING WATER IN A DRUM

Storing clean drinking water in a drum puts the water at risk of contamination because you have to dip a cup into the drum to collect the water, and this cup may be contaminated. It is therefore advisable to store your drinking water in a jerry can. This allows you to pour the water into the cup, instead of dipping the cup into the water.

What are the various ways you can purify water that is for drinking?

· You can boil the water and allowing it to cool. This type of boiling should be what is described as the ‘rolling boil’. This means the water should be allowed to boil very well before bringing it down. Some people may not liking boiling water because it gives the water some taste. Boiling water also does not prevent the water from being contaminated again.

· Another method is the use of a chemical called chlorine. Chlorine is contained in water-guard. An advantage is that this method is that chlorine remains in the water and prevents the water from being contaminated. Chlorine however gives water taste.

We should ensure that care is taken when selecting water to drink, as diseases such as cholera, typhoid and other diseases that cause diarrhea are transmitted by contaminated water.

CATARACTS: all you need to know

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 04:54:00 +0000

A cataract is a ‘covering’ of the lens in the eye leading to a decrease in vision. The lens is a transparent part of the eyes, through which light passes to get to the back of the eye (Retina), so we can see. The job of the lens is to adjust the light rays in such a way that it gets to the right spot on the retina. Any problem in the lens affects your ability to see. In cataract, materials make the transparent lens to become opaque. Light can no longer pass through. If the covering is large enough, blindness occurs. This blindness is however reversible (simply by removing the lens that has the cataract, and replacing it with a new one).

Cataract can affect one or both eyes. Often it develops slowly. Symptoms may include:

· Faded colors,

· Blurry vision,

· Halos around light (seeing many rings around light bulbs)

· Problems with bright lights, and

· Problems seeing at night.

This may result in trouble driving, reading, or recognizing faces. Poor vision may also result in an increased risk of falling and depression.

Cataracts are the cause of half of blindness and 33% of visual impairment worldwide.

Cataracts are most commonly due to aging but may also occur due to trauma (injury to the eyes) or radiation exposure. It could be present from birth. It can also follow eye surgery for other problems.

Things that increase your chances of getting cataracts include:

· Diabetes,

· Smoking tobacco,

· Prolonged exposure to sunlight, and

· Alcohol.

Either clumps of protein or yellow-brown coloured materials may be deposited in the lens reducing the transmission of light to the retina at the back of the eye. Diagnosis is by an eye examination.

Prevention includes wearing sunglasses and not smoking. Early on the symptoms may be improved with eyeglasses. If this does not help, surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens is the only effective treatment. Surgery is only needed if the cataracts are causing problems. Surgery generally results in an improved quality of life. Cataract surgery is not easily available in many countries, which is especially true for women, those living in rural areas, and those who cannot read.

The Power Of Wellness

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 05:11:00 +0000

Wellness although used to describe health, does not mean the same thing as health. Health by itself, means a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not just the absence of disease. whereas health is a state, wellness is a lifestyle. Wellness is gaining a general balance in all six health dimensions. To the experts, “wellness” is concerned with its six different dimensions, namely: physical, emotional (mental), intellectual, social, environmental, and spiritual health. These dimensions should be in the right kind of harmony so that one will achieve a sense of well-being. The choices we make everyday determine how well we are. Our wellness status is always changing, depending on the choices we make. Make the right choices today.

Maintaining physical health

Your physical health has to do with the way your body organs work. it is critical for our wellbeing, and it is the most visible of all the health dimensions. Most problems with our health appear physically.

Below are ways that each key area of physical health can be addressed through lifestyle choices:

Physical activity: This should include both leisure activities and structured forms of exercises. Examples of leisurely physical activity include doing house chores, walking, e.t.c. Examples of more structured forms of exercise include strength training, running, and other sports.

Nutrition and diet: A well-balanced diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Fluid, ideally in the form of clean water, should be regularly consumed. Meals and snacks should be consumed throughout the day, and portion sizes should be sensible.

Alcohol and drugs: Avoid these substances because they alter mood or other bodily processes.

Rest and sleep: While regular activity is essential for physical health, allowing the body to rest is just as important. Sleep should take place in a quiet, dark environment and should last approximately 7-9 hours.

Emotional health

Strong feelings such as love or anger are described as emotions. Emotional health can be maintained by being mindful of thoughts and feelings, managing emotions effectively, coping with stress in a healthy way and loving everybody around you.

Intellectual health

This has to do with the way you reason and think. Intellectual health offers you knowledge and skills required to live a successful life. Reading, playing games, debate and learning new skills all help improve your intellectual health.

Social health

It is said that man is a social animal, therefore your social health is essential to enhancing interaction with people around you. Social health helps you maintain lasting relationships with people. it also affects physical health, as maybe noticed after ending a relationship. Improving your social health should start with ending bad relationships, as these tend to put a strain on your social health. Striving to achieve your goals and helping others do the same is a good way to also improve your social health.

Environmental health

This dimension of health is very important as it can affect every other dimension in a unique way. It involves the air you breathe, the food you eat, the water you drink, your level of exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins in the environment, and maintaining good personal hygiene.

Spiritual health

Finally, we all have to believe in a God. This dimension of health is required for support in difficult situations, when all hope is lost and every other dimension is threatened.

TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID TYPHOID FEVER

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 21:12:00 +0000

I am sure a lot of us have heard about typhoid fever, but how many people really know what it means to have typhoid? The rate at which we treat typhoid in Nigeria is becoming alarming. It may shock you, but i had a strange and funny discussion with somebody, that got me thinking. The lady told me that after her examinations, she would stay in school for two weeks before travelling home to treat typhoid. I was shocked. Why? Never before have i heard that you could treat a serious infection like typhoid at your own convenience! I then realized that a lot of us do not really know what typhoid fever is all about. I will try to explain using simple terms so we can all understand.

Typhoid fever is an infection that is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi. How can we get infected? Infection occurs when we drink water or eat food contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. This means that simple health practices like drinking clean water and preventing people from unnecessarily coming in contact with your food and water will go a long way in ensuring you don’t get the disease.

How do you know that illness is typhoid fever? The disease usually starts manifesting six to thirty days after eating/drinking contaminated food/water. It usually starts with high fever. This fever starts gradually and remains over several days. Weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches also commonly occur. Diarrhea is uncommon and vomiting is not usually severe. Some people develop a skin rash with rose colored spots.

Sanitation and hygiene are important to prevent typhoid. Typhoid does not affect animals other than humans. Typhoid can only spread in environments where human feces or urine are able to come into contact with food or drinking water. Careful food preparation and washing of hands are crucial to prevent typhoid.

The most notorious carrier of typhoid fever was Mary Mallon, also known as Typhoid Mary. She was a cook in New York who is closely associated with 53 cases and three deaths from typhoid fever. A carrier is somebody who does not get sick from the disease but can infect others. Cooks who are carriers could infect a lot of people, unknown to them.

PAINFUL MENSTRUATION.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 15:43:00 +0000

Most young ladies expect their periods with mixed feelings. On one hand, the sexually active unmarried ladies are happy because this is the only proof that pregnancy did not occur. On the other hand, most of them are sad due to the excruciating pains they have
to go through. This pain is best described by ladies who have had the ‘privilege’ of experiencing it.

This brings us to the concept called dysmenorrhoea.

what is dysmenorrhoea?

This is simply another medical jargon used to describe painful menstruation. It usually begins around the time that menstruation begins. Symptoms typically last less than three days. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Due to the pain, some ladies do not even go out of their rooms until after 2-3 days. Other symptoms that may be experienced include back pain, diarrhea and nausea.

Dysmenorrhea is divided into two, depending on the presence or absence of a cause. When a cause cannot be found, it is called primary dysmenorrhea. If it has an identifiable cause, medics call it secondary dysmenorrhea.

In young women, painful periods often occur without an underlying problem (primary dysmenorrhea).

In older women it is more often due to underlying issues (secondary dysmenorrhea) such as:

· Fibroids,

· Adenomyosis,

· Endometriosis.

The commonest cause of secondary dysmenorrhea is what is known as endometrosis.

Endometrosis is an abnormal condition whereby the cells that are found in the womb, also known as endometrial cells, also occur in other parts of the body (this should not be the case, because every organ has its own function, and the cells there are designed to carry out that function). This abnormality manifest each time menstruation starts. How? As the womb is shedding those cells as blood, the same thing occurs in every organ where the cells of the womb are abnormally located. If they are in the nose, the person bleeds from the nose every month, during menses. If they are in the umbilicus, same thing occurs.

It is more common among those with heavy periods, irregular periods, whose periods started before twelve years of age, or who have a low body weight.

Dysmenorrhea occurs less often in those who exercise regularly and those who have children early in life.

Treatment may include the use of a heating pad. Medications that may help include painkillers such as ibuprofen and piroxicam (feldene), hormonal birth control, and the Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs) with progestogen. IUDs are devices that are inserted into the womb to prevent pregnancy.

Dysmenorrhea is estimated to occur in 20% to 90% of women of reproductive age. It is the most common menstrual disorder. Typically it starts within a year of the first menstrual period. When there is no underlying cause often the pain improves with age or following having a child.

Although childbearing is said to relieve dysmenorrhea, this does not always occur.

Migraine Headache

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 09:27:00 +0000

At one time or the other, we have all experienced one form of headache or the other.

There are more than 200 types of headaches. Some are harmless and some are life-threatening.

Causes of headaches may include fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, the effects of medications, the effects of recreational drugs, viral infections, common colds, head injury,
rapid ingestion of a very cold food or beverage, and dental or sinus issues.

Treatment of a headache depends on the underlying cause, but commonly involves pain medication. Some form of headache is one of the most commonly experienced of all physical discomforts.

About half of adults have a headache in a given year.

The brain itself is not sensitive to pain, because it lacks pain receptors. However, several areas of the head and neck do have pain receptors and can thus sense pain.

Headaches are divided into two groups; primary and secondary headache.

Primary headache do not have any cause that can be identified by your doctor, but luckily they are usually not dangerous.

Secondary headaches are due to some diseases and are usually dangerous.

Primary headaches are more difficult to understand than secondary headaches. The exact mechanisms which cause migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches are not known.

Migraines are a form of primary headache and are currently thought to be caused by problems with the nerves in the brain

People who are more susceptible to experience migraines without headache are those who have a family history of migraines, women, and women who are experiencing hormonal change or are taking birth control pills or are prescribed hormone replacement therapy.

There are four possible phases to a migraine, although not all the phases are necessarily experienced:

The prodrome:

This phase occurs usually between 2 hours to 2 days before the headache. Symptoms that may be experienced include:

· Altered mood,

· Irritability (becoming annoyed very easily),

· Depression (extreme sadness),

· Euphoria (extreme happiness, sometimes more than is expected for a particular situation),

· Fatigue (extreme tiredness and lack of interest in the environment),

· Craving for certain food(s),

· Stiff muscles (especially in the neck),

· Constipation or diarrhea, and

· Sensitivity to smells or noise.

The aura

This immediately precedes the headache. Auras appear gradually over a number of minutes and generally last less than 60 minutes. The symptoms in this phase are divided into 3 groups:

Changes in the ability to see (visual symptoms); involves seeing black and white or even coloured lines. They may notice an area of darkness.

Changes in the ability to feel (sensory symptoms); Often a feeling of pins-and-needles begins on one side in the hand and arm that spreads to the nose–mouth area on the same side.

Changes in the ability to move (motor symptoms); involves the inability to move a part of the body.

The pain

Also known as headache phase, it usually affects only one side of the head, although both sides can be affected. This pain is frequently accompanied by

· Nausea (feeling like vomiting)

· Vomiting,

· Sensitivity to light (this is described as the ‘fear of light’. People affected stay in dark rooms and avoid light as much as possible),

· Sensitivity to sound (a normal sound is heared as a very loud sound by these people),

· Sensitivity to smells,

· Fatigue and

· Irritability.

The postdrome

These are some effects experienced following the end of a migraine attack.

Potential migraine triggers include:

Allergies and allergic reactions

Bright lights, loud noises, flickering lights, smoky rooms, temperature changes, strong smells and certain odors or perfumes

Physical or emotional stress, tension, anxiety, depression, excitement

Physical triggers such as tiredness, jet lag, exercise

Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep

Smoking or exposure to smoke

Skipping meals or fasting causing low blood sugar

Dehydration

Alcohol

Hormonal triggers such as menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, menopause

Tension headaches

Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs and salami)

Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products and fermented or pickled foods

Medication such as sleeping tablets, the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy.

Triggers do not always cause migraines and avoiding triggers does not always prevent migraines.

Preventive treatments of migraines include medications, nutritional supplements, lifestyle alterations, and surgery. Prevention is recommended in those who have headaches more than two days a week, cannot tolerate the medications used to treat acute attacks, or those with severe attacks that are not easily controlled.

why you should eat garlic

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:29:00 +0000

Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This is the secret of wellness.

Garlic is one of the healthiest foods that have been used to treat a lot of illnesses (Hippocrates used it). If you don’t like garlic, you will likely load up your kitchen with it after reading this

post.

Garlic contains several nutrients. They include:

· Vitamins B6

· Vitamin C

· Manganese and

· Phosphorus.

· Thiamine (Vitamin B1).

· Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5).

· Calcium.

· Iron.

· Zinc.

From preventing cancer to detoxifying the body, to treating ailments like a toothache or cough, here are some of the health benefits of garlic:

· Garlic contains an enzyme called Allicin which is responsible for most benefits of garlic.

· Garlic is effective in lowering body cholesterol in adults with high cholesterol if taken for longer than two months.

· It lowers the risk for hypertension and heart disease.

· Garlic consumption is associated with a lower risk of stomach and prostate cancer.

Some undesirable things above garlic are:

· Garlic is known to cause bad breath (halitosis) and body odor. This is due to a volatile liquid which is absorbed into the blood during the metabolism of garlic-derived sulfur compounds; from the blood it travels to the lungs, then to the mouth, where it causes bad breath. These effects can be minimized by sipping milk while eating garlic (not after).

· If your doctor has prescribed an anticoagulant medication (a drug that prevent the blood from clotting), be cautious about consuming garlic.

How do you prepare garlic?

Always select garlic that is strong and plump.

The first step to using garlic is to separate the individual cloves. An easy way to do this is to place the bulb on a cutting board or hard surface and gently, but firmly, apply pressure with the palm of your hand at an angle. This will cause the layers of skin that hold the bulb together to separate.

Peel garlic with a knife or alternatively, separate the skin from the individual cloves by placing a clove with the smooth side down on a cutting board and gently tapping it with the flat side of a wide knife. You can then remove the skin either with your fingers or with a small knife. If there is a green sprout in the clove's center, gently remove it since it is difficult to digest.

Chopping or crushing stimulates the enzymatic process that converts the phytonutrient alliin into allicin, a compound to which many of garlic's health benefits are attributed. In order to allow for maximal allicin production, wait at least 5 minutes before eating or cooking the garlic. Also observe this 5-minute "time out" period before adding any high acidic ingredient to the garlic (for example, lemon juice). Ingredients with a pH below 3.5 can also deactivate the enzymatic process.

Since crushing and chopping are the food preparation steps that activate garlic's enzymes, these steps can help you obtain many of garlic's special benefits. For example, research has shown that microwaving or boiling garlic in uncrushed, whole clove form will deactivate its enzymes, preventing these enzymes from working. For this reason, we recommend that you chop or crush the garlic cloves prior to heating. According to research on garlic preparation methods, it only takes 60 seconds of microwaving whole cloves to lessen some of garlic's health benefits. By contrast, many of garlic's health benefits (including its anti-cancer properties) are preserved if the whole cloves are crushed and allowed to sit for 10 minutes prior to cooking.

THE NIGERIAN ABORTION LAW

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:06:00 +0000

THE NIGERIAN CRIMINAL CODE (1990) ON ABORTION

This applies to the southern states

228. Any person who, with intent to procure miscarriage of a woman whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any
other means whatever, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.

229. Any woman who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.

230. Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatever, knowing that it is intended to he unlawfully used to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.

The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.

The penal code which applies to the northern states, is similar to the criminal code, but carries a fourteen-year jail term for the woman.

WHEN IS IT LEGAL?

In the northern states, the penal code allows an abortion to be performed if the life of the woman is in danger.

In the Southern states, the holding of Rex v. Bourne is applied, which allows abortions to be performed for physical and mental health reasons.

Aleck William Bourne (4 June 1886 – 30 December 1974) was a prominent British gynecologist and writer, known for his 1938 trial, a landmark case, for performing an illegal abortion on a 14-year-old girl rape victim.

On 14 June 1938, Bourne was arrested after performing an operation without fee at St Mary's Hospital to terminate the pregnancy of six weeks of a 14-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted by five off-duty British soldiers, officers in the Royal Horse Guards, in a London barracks. She asked at St. Thomas' Hospital, but was sent away on the grounds that she might be carrying a future prime minister. Tried at the Central Criminal Court in July 1938, Bourne was acquitted on charges of procuring abortion as his actions were later defended by Lancet as "an example of disinterested conduct in consonance with the highest traditions of the profession".

His defense had been based on the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 in which, under British law, the only recognized justification for the termination of a pregnancy was if the life of the woman was in danger. His defense was that the inevitable subsequent emotional and psychological trauma that the girl would experience would be a risk to her life. If the court recognized this to be a legitimate risk then it would fall under the exceptions to abortions of the Infant life (preservation) act, which they did.

WHY IS MY PERIOD LATE?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 17:47:00 +0000

A late/absent period causes anxiety in single ladies, especially the ones that are sexually active. The fear of an unwanted pregnancy and all the problems that follow it, including the dangers of unsafe abortion forces the lady to desperately search for the cause of her late period.

The most common cause of absent menstruation (known as amenorrhoea in medicine) is pregnancy. However pregnancy may not be the case if a period is simply late.

Let me briefly describe the menstrual cycle:

This is simply a process that occurs every month, to remove the outermost lining of the womb. This lining was generated to hold any pregnancy that might occur. Therefore menstruation has been described as the womb ‘crying’ because pregnancy did not occur.

A normal menstrual cycle length is considered to be 21-35days. In a woman who has a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs on the 14^th day (for a 21and 35-day cycles, ovulation occurs on the 7^th and 28^th day respectively). I want to assume you know your cycle length (that is why you think it is late).

The menstrual cycle is controlled by a lot of hormones; changes in these hormones can alter the cycle.

There are a lot of reasons your period can be late, apart from pregnancy. Let’s talk about them.

Stress/anxiety

Excessive stress can cause your period to be late because stress triggers the release of a lot of hormones which alters the menstrual cycle. Nature has a way of protecting you from getting pregnant if your body is under such extreme stress. Your body prevents ovulation so you don’t have a lot of estrogen. So if you’re dealing with death in the family, huge breakup, or any other life event, it could be the cause of your late period.

Now the problem is this; a late period can cause a lot of anxiety and anxiety can cause a period to be late. It is therefore advisable, that once you have done a pregnancy test and it is negative, try and relax.

Excessive weight gain or weight loss

The body requires an optimal weight for menstruation to occur. Excessive weight loss can cause your period to temporarily cease.

After an abortion or excessive blood loss

If you had an abortion before missing your period, and the method you used is what is called dilatation and curettage (a sharp instrument is used to scrape the lining of the womb), you might have what is known as Asherman’s syndrome. This occurs when the ‘scraping’ was done too far and a layer of the womb that shouldn’t have been removed, was removed. This layer is very important because it is the layer that makes the outermost layer that is lost during ovulation to grow back.

If you lost excessive blood during childbirth, a disease known as Sheehan’s syndrome is likely.

These two cases require medical attention. They are usually permanent.

Birth control pills/family planning pills

Some methods of family planning stop the menstrual cycle, as a side effect. The cycle however returns once the method is stopped. Postinor can also delay your period.

Menopause

Are you above 50 years? If yes, then perhaps it is time to retire. Menopause is normal phase every woman that lives long enough will attain. Cessation of menstrual cycle occurs during menopause. In fact, it could be a sign of endometrial cancer if a woman starts bleeding again after menopause.

If a period is late and pregnancy has been ruled out, just wait for the next month. If it doesn’t come, then you might want to see your doctor.

ENLARGED PROSTATE (powerful guide for BPH)

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 20:50:00 +0000

The prostate gland is a very important part of every man. In my own opinion, I feel ‘the prostate makes the man’.

The prostate gland is considered a guardian of the urethra because it encircles it, and acts as a uniting point for two ‘tubes’; one carrying urine from the bladder and the other, seminal fluid that makes up semen.

The function of the prostate is to produce a fluid, milky or white in appearance, that in humans usually constitutes roughly 30% of the volume of the semen along with spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid.

The prostate also contains some smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation.

There are two diseases that affect the prostate, and cause it to increase in size;

· Benign prostate hyperplasia – the prostate simply becomes bigger and blocks outflow of urine.

· Prostatic cancer – like the name implies, this is cancer.

Most men, if they live long enough (usually 80 years and above), will develop one of these. They are however rare in young men.

Prostate cancer will be the topic of another discussion. Let us focus on benign prostate enlargement (or hyperplasia).

BENIGN PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

It is called benign, so as to differentiate it from its cancer counterpart. What really is the problem when the prostate enlarges? The problem is this; because the urethra (a tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body) passes through the prostate, an enlargement results in blockage of the exit channel for urine. This causes the urine to remain in the body, resulting in what is called urinary retention.

BPH is the most common cause of a group of symptoms known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are divided into storage, voiding, and symptoms which occur after urination.

Storage symptoms include the need to urinate frequently, waking at night to urinate, urgency (compelling need to void that cannot be deferred), involuntary urination, including involuntary urination at night, or urge incontinence (urine leak following a strong sudden need to urinate).

Voiding symptoms include urinary hesitancy (a delay between trying to urinate and the flow actually beginning), intermittency (not continuous), involuntary interruption of voiding, weak urinary stream, straining to void, a sensation of incomplete emptying, and terminal dribbling (uncontrollable leaking after the end of urination, also called post-micturition dribbling). These symptoms may be accompanied by bladder pain or pain while urinating.

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can be caused by BPH. Symptoms are abdominal pain, a continuous feeling of a full bladder, frequent urination, acute urinary retention (inability to urinate), pain during urination (dysuria), problems starting urination (urinary hesitancy), slow urine flow, starting and stopping (urinary intermittence), and nocturia (excessive urination at night – Normally, the need to urinate does not disturb sleep often).

BPH can be a progressive disease, especially if left untreated. Incomplete voiding results in residual urine or urinary stasis, which can lead to an increased risk of urinary tract infection.

Symptoms can vary throughout the day with mild symptoms after standing or walking and more pronounced symptoms after lying down.

RECTAL EXAMINATION FOR BPH

One thing most people who have prostate enlargement experience is the uncomfortable rectal examination that has to be done.

The examination involves lubrication of the doctor’s gloved hand with a gel, followed by insertion into the anus. The doctor then feels for the prostate to make a diagnosis.

If your urination problem caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is mild to moderate and does not bother you, home treatment may be all you need to help keep your symptoms from interfering with your daily activities. Your doctor may want to see you regularly to check on your symptoms.

POWERFUL GUIDE FOR BPH

· Practice "double voiding." Urinate as much as possible, relax for a few moments, and then urinate again.

· Relax before you urinate. Worrying about your symptoms can make them worse.

· Take plenty of time to urinate.

· Urinate while sitting down instead of standing.

· While you are waiting, think of other things or read.

· Turn on a faucet or picture running water in your mind. This may help get your urine flowing.

· Do not limit your fluid intake to avoid urinating. You could become dehydrated, which can cause other problems.

· Drink fluids throughout the day.

· If you often wake up because you need to urinate, limit your fluid intake in the evening. And empty your bladder before bedtime.

· Avoid caffeine and alcohol. These substances make your body try to get rid of water. They can make you urinate more often.

See your doctor if you think you have symptoms suggesting BPH.

TETANUS, causes and prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:06:00 +0000

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, occurs when there is an infection of the body by a bacterium called clostridium tetani. The main manifestation of this disease is known as muscle spasms. Muscle spasm is described as a sudden contraction of one or more muscles, which occurs without the persons control;
an example is the sudden closure of the mouth even when you are making a conscious effort to keep it open. There is usually so much pain in muscle spasm.

In tetanus, the most common type of spasms begins in the jaw and then progress to the rest of the body. These spasms usually last a few minutes each time and occur frequently for three to four weeks. Spasms may be so severe that the bones could break. Other symptoms may include fever, sweating, headache, trouble swallowing, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. Onset of symptoms is typically three to twenty-one days following infection. It may take months to recover. About 10% of those infected die.

Clostridium tetani, the bacterium that causes tetanus, is commonly found in soil, dust and manure. The bacteria generally enter through a break in the skin such as a cut or puncture wound by a contaminated object. These contaminated objects could be rusted nails, metals, broomsticks used for sweeping and other sharp objects that have come in contact with soil. The bacterium gets into the blood, and starts producing harmful substances called toxins. These toxins cause the muscle spasms. The disease does not spread between people.

There are currently no blood tests for diagnosing tetanus. The diagnosis is based on the presentation of tetanus symptoms and does not depend upon laboratory isolation of the bacterium, which is recovered from the wound in only 30% of cases and can be isolated from patients without tetanus.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO PREVENTION OF TETANUS

Infection can be prevented by proper immunization with the tetanus vaccine. Unlike many infectious diseases, recovery from naturally acquired tetanus does not usually result in immunity to tetanus.

It is recommended that adults receive a booster vaccine every ten years. The booster may not prevent a potentially fatal case of tetanus from the current wound, however, as it can take up to two weeks for tetanus antibodies to form.

In children under the age of seven, the tetanus vaccine is often administered as a combined vaccine, which also includes vaccines against diphtheria and pertussis. For adults and children over seven, the Td vaccine (tetanus and diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) is commonly used.

Tetanus occurs in all parts of the world but is most frequent in hot and wet climates where the soil contains a lot of organic matter. In 2013 it caused about 59,000 deaths – down from 356,000 in 1990. Description of the disease by Hippocrates exists from at least as far back as the 5th century BC. The cause of the disease was determined in 1884 by Antonio Carle and Giorgio Rattone at the University of Turin, with a vaccine being developed in 1924.

HANSEN'S DISEASE/LEPROSY

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:01:00 +0000

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long term infection caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

Leprosy has affected humanity for thousands of years. The disease takes its name from the Latin word lepra, which means "scaly", while
the term "Hansen's disease" is named after the physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen. Separating people by placing them in leper colonies still occurs in places such as India, China and Africa. However, most colonies have closed since leprosy is not very contagious. Social stigma has been associated with leprosy for much of history, which continues to be a barrier to self-reporting and early treatment. Some consider the word leper offensive, preferring the phrase "persons affected with leprosy". World Leprosy Day was started in 1954 to draw awareness to those affected by leprosy.

Initially, infections are without symptoms and typically remain this way from 5 to as long as 20 years. Symptoms that develop include development of abnormal tissues called granulomas, from the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This may result in a lack of ability to feel pain and thus loss of parts of extremities due to repeated injuries or infection due to unnoticed wounds. Weakness and poor eyesight may also be present.

Leprosy is spread between people. It is believed to occur through a cough or contact with fluid from the nose of an infected person. Leprosy occurs more commonly among those living in poverty and is believed to be transmitted by respiratory droplets. Contrary to popular belief, it is not highly contagious.

Leprosy is not known to be sexually transmitted. People are no longer infectious after as little as two weeks of treatment.

Leprosy may also be transmitted to humans by armadillos and may be present in three species of non-human primates.

Two exit routes of M. leprae from the human body often described are the skin and the nasal mucosa, although their relative importance is not clear.

The skin and the upper respiratory tract are most likely entry route. While older research dealt with the skin route, recent research has increasingly favored the respiratory route.

The two main types of disease are based on the number of bacteria present: paucibacillary and multibacillary. The two types are differentiated by the number of poorly pigmented (not as dark as surrounding skin), numb skin patches present, with paucibacillary having five or fewer and multibacillary having more than five.

Leprosy is curable with a treatment known as multidrug therapy (MDT). Treatment for paucibacillary leprosy is with the medications dapsone and rifampicin for six months.

Treatment for multibacillary leprosy consists of rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine for 12 months. These treatments are provided free of charge by the World Health Organization. A number of other antibiotics may also be used. Globally in 2012, the number of chronic cases of leprosy was 189,000, down from some 5.2 million in the 1980s. The number of new cases was 230,000. Most new cases occur in 16 countries, with India accounting for more than half. In the past 20 years, 16 million people worldwide have been cured of leprosy.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO LEPROSY PREVENTION

Early detection of the disease is important, since physical and brain damage may be irreversible even if cured. Medications can decrease the risk of those living with people with leprosy from acquiring the disease and likely those with who people with leprosy come into contact outside the home. However, concerns are known of resistance, cost, and disclosure of a person's infection status when doing follow-up of contacts. Therefore, the WHO recommends that people who live in the same household be examined for leprosy and only be treated if symptoms are present.

World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on January 30 or its nearest Sunday to increase the public awareness of the Leprosy or Hansen's Disease. This day was chosen in commemoration of the death of Gandhi, the leader of India who understood the importance of leprosy. Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is an infectious chronic disease that targets the nervous system, especially the nerves in the cooler parts of the body - the hands, feet, and face.

syphilis, causes and prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 12:54:00 +0000

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity. It may also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth.

The exact origin of syphilis is disputed. Syphilis was indisputably present in the Americas before European contact. The dispute is over whether or not syphilis was also present elsewhere in the world at that time. Some people report that syphilis was carried from the Americas to Europe by the returning crewmen from Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas, while others say that syphilis existed in Europe previously, but went unrecognized until shortly after Columbus' return. These are referred to as the Columbian and pre-Columbian hypotheses respectively. The Columbian hypothesis is best supported by the available evidence. The first written records of an outbreak of syphilis in Europe occurred in 1494 or 1495 in Naples, Italy, during a French invasion (Italian War of 1494–98). As it was claimed to have been spread by French troops, it was initially known as the "French disease" by the people of Naples. In 1530, the pastoral name "syphilis" (the name of a character) was first used by the Italian physician and poet Girolamo Fracastoro as the title of his Latin poem, describing the ravages of the disease in Italy. It was also known historically as the "Great Pox".

Many famous historical figures, including Franz Schubert, Arthur Schopenhauer, Édouard Manet, are believed to have had the disease. Friedrich Nietzsche was long believed to have gone mad as a result of tertiary syphilis, but that diagnosis has recently come into question

The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending in which of the four stages it presents (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary).

The primary stage classically presents with a single firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulcer, known as chancre, however there may be multiple sores (common in people who are also infected with HIV). The most common location in women is the cervix (44%), the penis in heterosexual men (99%), and anally and rectally relatively commonly in men who have sex with men (34%). This chancre may persist for three to six weeks and disappears even without treatment.

In secondary syphilis, a rash which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet occurs. There may also be sores in the mouth or vagina. Other symptoms may include fever, sore throat, weight loss, hair loss, and headache. Many people have reported having secondary syphilis without having the chancre in primary syphilis.

In latent syphilis there are little to no symptoms which can last for years. In tertiary syphilis there are soft growths known as gummas and problems involving the heart and nerves. Syphilis has been known as "the great imitator" as it may cause symptoms similar to many other diseases.

Tertiary syphilis may occur approximately 3 to 15 years after the initial infection, and may be divided into three different forms:

· Gummatous syphilis – involves development of gummas which remain for a long time. They typically affect the skin, bone, and liver, but can occur anywhere.

· Late neurosyphilis - refers to an infection involving the brain. The person can experience poor balance and lightning pains in the legs. Late neurosyphilis typically occurs 4 to 25 years after the initial infection.

· Cardiovascular syphilis - Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10–30 years after the initial infection.

People with tertiary syphilis cannot infect others.

Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity. It may also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth. The risk of syphilis can be decreased by latex condom use or not having sex.

Syphilis can be effectively treated with antibiotics. The preferred antibiotic for most cases is benzathine penicillin G injected into a muscle. In those who are allergic to penicillin, doxycycline or tetracycline may be used.

During treatment people may develop fever, headache, and muscle pains. This is a reaction to the treatment. It frequently starts within one hour and lasts for 24 hours. In medicine, it is known as Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.

In 2013 syphilis infected about 315,000 people. During 2010 it caused about 113,000 deaths down from 202,000 in 1990. In 2015, Cuba became the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of syphilis.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO SYPHILIS PREVENTION

Syphilis is sexually transmitted, therefore safe sex practices is the best method of prevention, in the absence of abstainence.

If you think you have signs and symptoms of syphilis, contact your Doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), causes and prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 04:45:00 +0000

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as just Alzheimer's, is a long term disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. It is the cause of 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. Dementia is a loss, usually progressive, of the ability to reason and understand. It does not affect consciousness. It can
be caused by a variety of disorders including severe infections and toxins, but most commonly associated with physical damage to the brain structure. People with dementia experience disorientation (confused and not knowing where to go or what to do), impaired memory, judgment, and inability to understand and to think in an intelligent way.

The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events (short-term memory loss). As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self care, and behavioural issues. As a person's condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the average life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years.

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood. About 70% of the risk is believed to be genetic with many genes usually involved. Other things that could increase your chances of getting the disease include a history of head injuries, depression, or hypertension.

The disease process is associated with the presence of some things known as plaques and tangles in the brain. Initial symptoms are often mistaken for normal aging. Examination of brain tissue is needed for a definite diagnosis.

At present, there is no definitive evidence to support that any particular measure is effective in preventing AD. Global studies of measures to prevent or delay the onset of AD have often produced inconsistent results. Medical researchers have proposed relationships between certain factors, such as diet, cardiovascular risk, pharmaceutical products, or intellectual activities among others, and a population's likelihood of developing AD. Only further research, including clinical trials, will reveal whether these factors can help to prevent AD.

Although cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, are associated with a higher risk of onset and course of AD, the use of statins, which are cholesterol lowering drugs, have not been effective in preventing or improving the course of the disease.

Long-term usage of pain medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), an example of which is ibuprofen, is associated with a reduced likelihood of developing AD. However, long term use of these drugs can predispose to development of stomach (peptic) ulcers. These are just observations in research, therefore NSAIDS should not be taken with the aim of preventing alzheimer's disease.

Hormone replacement therapy, although previously used, may increase the risk of dementia.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PREVENTION

People who engage in intellectual activities such as reading, playing board games, completing crossword puzzles, playing musical instruments, or regular social interaction show a reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease. Education delays the onset of AD syndrome, but is not related to earlier death after diagnosis. Learning a second language even later in life seems to delay getting Alzheimer disease. Physical activity is also associated with a reduced risk of AD.

People who eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, have a lower risk of AD. Those who eat a diet high in saturated fats and simple sugars have a higher risk.

There is limited evidence that light to moderate use of alcohol, particularly red wine, is associated with lower risk of AD. There is tentative evidence that caffeine may be protective (another reason to drink coffee). A number of foods high in nutrients known as flavonoids, such as cocoa, red wine, and tea may decrease the risk of AD.

Reviews on the use of vitamins and minerals have not found enough consistent evidence to recommend them. This includes vitamin A, C, E, selenium, zinc, and folic acid with or without vitamin B₁₂. Additionally vitamin E is associated with health risks.

There is inconsistent and unconvincing evidence that ginkgo has any positive effect on cognitive impairment and dementia.

Some researchers support the use of medical marijuana in the prevention and treatment of AD. This is however a controversial topic.

Mental and physical exercise and avoiding obesity may decrease the risk of AD. There are no medications or supplements that decrease risk.

No treatments stop or reverse its progression, though some may temporarily improve symptoms. Affected people increasingly rely on others for assistance, often placing a burden on the caregiver; the pressures can include social, psychological, physical, and economic elements. Exercise programmes are beneficial with respect to activities of daily living and can potentially improve outcomes. Treatment of behavioural problems or psychosis due to dementia with some drugs known as antipsychotics (used in treating psychosis) is common but not usually recommended due to there often being little benefit and an increased risk of early death.

In 2015, there were approximately 48 million people worldwide with AD. It most often begins in people over 65 years of age, although 4% to 5% of cases are early-onset Alzheimer's which begin before this. It affects about 6% of people 65 years and older. In 2010, dementia resulted in about 486,000 deaths. It was first described by, and later named after, German psychiatrist and pathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. In developed countries, AD is one of the most financially costly diseases.

Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004), an American politician and actor who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989, prior to his presidency, he was the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, following a career as a Hollywood actor and union leader, disclosed his diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease in 1994. He died ten years later at the age of 93. An icon among Republicans, he ranks favorably in public and critical opinion of U.S. Presidents.

BENEFITS OF SLEEP

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:43:00 +0000

Sleep is a mechanism that has been put in place to ensure the body has enough time to recover from the daily stresses it undergoes. There are a lot of activities that occur in the body while you are asleep. They include:

· Blood supply to muscles increases,

· Tissue growth and repair occurs,

· Energy is restored,

· Hormones are released (such as: Growth hormone, essential for growth and development, including muscle development).

Evidence suggests that various sleep stages are involved in the consolidation of different types of memories and that being sleep deprived reduces one’s ability to learn.

Sleep is divided into two broad types: rapid eye movement (REM sleep) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM or non-REM sleep). REM sleep is associated with dreaming.

A University of California, San Diego psychiatry study of more than one million adults found that people who live the longest self-report sleeping for six to seven hours each night.

Researchers at the University of Warwick and University College London have found that lacks of sleep can more than double the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Children need many hours of sleep per day in order to develop and function properly: up to 18 hours for newborn babies, with a declining rate as a child ages. Early in 2015, after a two-year study, the National Sleep Foundation in the US announced revised recommendations as shown in the table below.

Age and condition	Sleep Needs
Newborns (0–3 months)	14 to 17 hours
Infants (4–11 months)	12 to 15 hours
Toddlers (1–2 years)	11 to 14 hours
Preschoolers (3–5 years)	10 to 13 hours
School-age children (6–13 years)	9 to 11 hours
Teenagers (14–17 years)	8 to 10 hours
Adults (18–64 years)	7 to 9 hours
Older Adults (65 years and over)	7 to 8 hours

Scientist have not been able to really explain why we sleep; When asked, after 50 years of research, what he knew about the reason people sleep, William C. Dement, founder of Stanford University's Sleep Research Center, answered, "As far as I know, the only reason we need to sleep that is really, really solid is because we get sleepy."

Diet affects the quality of sleep and a varied diet containing fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat proteins, and whole grains can be the best nutritional option for individuals seeking to improve the quality of their sleep.

Sleep deprivation can cause many health effects ranging from ‘minor’ problems like inability to remember things to long term conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO REFRESHING SLEEP

The tips below could help you get a refreshing sleep every night:

· Go to bed at the same time nightly.

· Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, heavy or spicy foods, and alcohol and other optional medications that might keep you awake, four to six hours before bed-time.

· Set aside enough time to get at least 7 hours of sleep.

· Block out distracting lights and noises.

· Only engage in sleep and sex in bed (no TV-watching, reading or eating).

· Exercise regularly but not right before bed.

Most times, we have an important activity that will last through the night, and we just need to get some sleep before going out, but we find ourselves staring at the roof until we just get up frustrated. You can still get that sleep if you follow the tips above, in addition to closing your eyes whether you are feeling sleepy or not. When the eyes are closed, sensory input (messages) from the eyes to the brain are cut off, this relaxes the brain. This is because the eyes send the highest amount of sensory stimuli to the brain.

Therefore just closing your eyes for 30minutes is enough to make you sleep. You must be in a quiet environment, imagining yourself waking up when you still need more sleep (focus on this thought as being distracted could prevent sleep and push you into thinking about other things). Do this same time same venue every day, and you will see yourself sleeping when you want. It works for me, but we are all different.

HOW MUCH ALCOHOL ARE YOU DRINKING?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 04:31:00 +0000

It is important we control the amount of alcohol we take in regularly, but how many of us really know what a unit of alcohol is?

The idea of counting alcohol units was first introduced in the UK in 1987 to help people keep track of their drinking.

Nigeria is one of the largest alcohol markets in the world, and most Nigerians drink well above the recommended level of alcohol.

Units are a simple way of expressing the quantity of pure alcohol in a drink. One unit equals 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol, which is around the amount of alcohol the average adult can process in an hour. This means that within an hour there should be, in theory, little or no alcohol left in the blood of an adult, although this will vary from person to person.

Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than 4 units in any given day, and have at least 2 alcohol-free days a week. Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than 3 units in any given day, and have at least 2 alcohol-free days a week.
Knowing your units will help you stay in control of your drinking. To reduce your risk of harming your health if you drink most weeks:

men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week

spread your drinking over three days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week

POWERFUL GUIDE TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Using units is a simpler way of representing a drink's alcohol content – usually expressed by the standard measure ABV, which stands for alcohol by volume.

ABV is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of liquid in a drink.

You can find the ABV on the labels of cans and bottles, sometimes written as "vol" or "alcohol volume" or you can ask bar staff about particular drinks.

You can work out how many units there are in any drink by multiplying the total volume of a drink (in ml) by its ABV (which is measured as a percentage) and dividing the result by 1,000.

Strength (ABV) x volume (ml) ÷ 1,000 = units.

Common beers in Nigeria and their ABV

· Heineken lager beer - 5.4%

· Gulder lager – 5.2%

· Star lager – 5.1%

· Legend extra stout – 7.5%

· 33 export lager – 5%

· Star lite lager - <4% (starlite website)

· Guinness foreign extra stout – 7.5%

· Guinness extra smooth – 5.5%

· Smirnoff ice – 5.5%

· Harp lager – 5.1%

· Hero lager – 5.2%

The volume of an average beer bottle is about 600mls.

Legend extra stout = 7.5 x 600/1000 = 4.5 units

Malaria and typhoid- diagnosis in Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 21:15:00 +0000

In recent times, the diagnosis of ‘malaria and typhoid’ is becoming a source of concern. They go together all the time that one would think they are a couple.

Why ‘malaria and typhoid all the time? Why do they always coexist in Nigeria? You asking a typical Nigerian coming from the laboratory (or ‘hospital’ as they like to call it); “Oga wetin them say they worry you”? “Dem say na malaria and typhoid” is always the reply. It is either these two diseases have formed an alliance to kill Nigerians, or some people somewhere are busy killing people with the
wrong diagnosis just to make quick cash.

Malaria is known by a lot of persons, but few people really know what typhoid is.

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a disease that occurs following infection by a germ called Salmonella typhi. This bacterium infects only humans. The disease typically occurs in places with improper sanitation and a poor source of drinking water. You can get typhoid fever through contamination of food and drinking water by faeces or urine of infected persons or chronic carriers of Salmonella typhi (a chronic carrier is somebody who has suffered from the disease and recovered, but still carries and distributes the bacterium; they do not suffer from the disease, but they infect other persons. Typhoid fever occurs mainly during the rainy season (probably because flies increase)

It takes about 3-21 days for symptoms to appear after contact with infected food or water. Without effective treatment, about 10% of infected persons die.

How do you know typhoid?

During the first week, the person starts feeling unwell, with headache, cough, sore throat, abdominal pains, and constipation. The fever is a high and continuous one, lasting for 3-4 weeks. The major symptom of this fever is that the fever usually rises in the afternoon up to the first and second week. By the end of third week, the fever starts subsiding. In the second week, the person is often too tired to get up.

To confirm it is typhoid fever, a blood test known as blood culture must be done. Widal test is negative in the first week and a single Widal test is of little relevance.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO TYPHOID FEVER PREVENTION

· Control the reservoir, by identifying sick people and taking them to the hospital for proper treatment.

· Proper sanitation and avoiding food and water suspected to be contaminated. In clean societies, typhoid fever is not common. The famous case of Typhoid Mary, a food handler who infected over 1300 persons in her lifetime (she was a chronic carrier) is evidence that food handlers must maintain proper sanitation.

· Immunization, which can be given to anybody except children less than two years helps decrease the severity of the disease, but does not give 100% protection.

The fever seen in malaria usually comes once in two days, especially in the evening. The ACT (artemisinin combination therapy) antimalarial drugs are very effective in clearing the parasite. Drugs like fansidar and amalar are just for prevention, they do not cure malaria.

I have talked about the two diseases. Can they occur at the same time in a person? Yes, but that person would not be walking on the streets unaided. This diagnosis in Nigeria is scaring me. How come everybody has malaria and typhoid? I fear for my fellow countrymen, who might become victims of wrong diagnosis.

Typhoid fever is a HIGH FEVER. Not every ailment is ‘Malaria and Typhoid’. Spread the word and save a life today.

COFFEE/CAFFEINE; all you need to know

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 02:54:00 +0000

Who can separate me from the love of coffee? Most people just need that extra push from caffeine, to enable them meet up with the daily challenges of life. I have, and will remain a big fan of coffee drinking. As an African, you should love coffee because the coffea plant was exported from Africa to countries around the world (coffee plants are now cultivated in over 70 countries).

POWERFUL GUIDE TO COFFEE CONSUMPTION

A lot has been said about caffeine in coffee, and the health effects. However, caffeine is not
the only component of coffee. Brewed coffee from typical grounds prepared with tap water contains 40 mg caffeine per 100 gram and some essential nutrients, but in insignificant amounts. In espresso, however, likely due to its higher amount of suspended solids, there are significant contents of magnesium, the B vitamins, niacin and riboflavin, and 212 mg of caffeine per 100 grams of grounds.

Polyphenols (antioxidants) in coffee have been shown to affect free radicals in the laboratory; contrary to popular believe, there is no evidence that this effect occurs in humans. Polyphenol levels vary depending on how beans are roasted as well as for how long. As interpreted by the Linus Pauling Institute and the European Food Safety Authority, dietary polyphenols, such as those ingested by consuming coffee, have little or no direct antioxidant value following ingestion.

Does drinking coffee have any specific health benefits? Research results available are contradictory. Similarly, research results are conflicting regarding the potentially harmful effects of coffee consumption. Furthermore, results and generalizations depend on age, gender, health status, and amount consumed.

Drinking caffeinated coffee in moderate amounts does not increase your risk for heart diseases. Coffee's negative effects are more common when taken in excess, with potential health risks due mainly to its caffeine content and can therefore be avoided by drinking less coffee or using decaffeinated coffee.

Caffeine belongs to the class of drugs called ‘psychoactive drugs’; drugs like marijuana and cocaine belong to this class. Caffeine is however 100% legal, making it the most widely consumed psychoactive drug. It is contained in coffee, tea and kola nuts. Energy drinks and soft drinks like colas (originally produced from kola nuts) contain significant amounts of caffeine (that is where the energy is coming from and this is also the reason why people who drink coke regularly become addicted to it).

For people who take colas excessively, there is an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (phosphoric acid used in colas is thought to be a possible cause).

Some people find it difficult to sleep disruption if they consume caffeine, especially during the evening hours, but others show little disturbance. Caffeine being a psychoactive drug can produce a mild form of drug dependence; you know this has occurred, when you experience sleepiness, headache, and develop an irritable mood after stopping caffeine, following repeated daily intake. The body adapts to the increased blood pressure and heart rate, and increased urination due to caffeine; when you use caffeine for long, these parameters may not be affected anymore.

Caffeine is used to reduce physical fatigue and to prevent or treat drowsiness. It produces increased wakefulness, increased focus, and better general body coordination. The amount of caffeine needed to produce these effects varies from person to person. Desired effects begin approximately one hour after consumption, and a moderate dose usually subsides in about three or four hours. Caffeine can delay or prevent sleep, and improves task performance during sleep deprivation. These are the reasons why most people (including me) take coffee. If it works for you, then you know what I am talking about. The energy is overwhelming, like an electric charge.

What are the health effects of EXCESSIVE caffeine consumption?

· Restlessness,

· Fidgeting,

· Anxiety,

· Excitement,

· Increased urination,

· Diarrhea (I have experienced this one countless times. It is horrible),

· A rambling flow of thought and speech,

· Irritability,

· Irregular or rapid heartbeat,

· In cases of much larger overdoses, mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, disinhibition, delusions, hallucinations, or psychosis may occur.

· Massive overdose can result in death.

does STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS cause EVERYTHING?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Tue, 31 May 2016 02:51:00 +0000

Most Nigerians are familiar with these words “Na Staph dey cause weakness of penis, madness and dey make man no dey fit stand kakaraka dey do him work”. I am so tired of hearing these ‘chants’ every day. Therefore in this post, I want to take time to introduce this organism, popularly called ‘the BABALAWO’S ORGANISM’ AKA Staphylococcus aureus. For the purpose of this post, I will call it SA.

What can it cause? Does it cause all those things they accuse it of? What drugs can be used for the treatment of Staphylococcus infection?

POWERFUL GUIDE TO ALL ABOUT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

SA is a bacterium that is frequently found in the nose, respiratory tract, and on the skin. It therefore goes without saying, that S.A is a NORMAL component of our body. Why? But it is a germ? Well not all organisms are dangerous to us, as long as they know where they should not go, how much space they should occupy, their ‘family size’ and the amount of nutrient they should use. These organisms that can stay in and on our bodies without causing HARM to us are called NORMAL FLORA. A normal flora in one part of the body can be dangerous if it should move to another part.

In the majority of cases, SA does not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection.

SA is a normal inhabitant of the healthy lower reproductive tract of women and can be found in the nose, back of the throat and skin in about 30% of people. SA can cause skin infections, such as pimples, impetigo, boils, cellulitis, folliculitis, carbuncles, scalded skin syndrome, and abscesses.

Life-threatening diseases include:

· Pneumonia (a disease that occurs when bacteria infect the lungs),

· Meningitis (infection of the brain ‘covering’),

· Osteomyelitis (bone infection),

· Endocarditis (heart infection),

· Toxic shock syndrome (infection with toxin-producing staphylococci, occurring most often in the vagina of menstruating women using superabsorbent tampons) the person experiences high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes. Decreasing blood pressure and shock can result in death.

· Bacteremia, and sepsis (when the bacterium enters the blood).

It is still one of the five most common causes of hospital-acquired infections and is often the cause of wound infections after surgery.

Skin infections are the most common form of SA infection. This can manifest in various ways, including small boils (may be red, swollen and painful, and sometimes have pus), folliculitis, impetigo and cellulitis (a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot).

Infection by SA mainly occurs when you have a cut on the skin; this allows the organism pass through the barrier provided by the intact skin. People who inject themselves with illegal drugs can push the organism from the skin into the blood. SA is killed in one minute at 78 °C and in ten minutes at 64 °C. SA IS NOT A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION.

To known that an infection is caused by SA is very simple; consult a doctor.

The fact that SA ‘grows’ on your lab culture result does not mean you have SA infection. This is because, SA is a normal component of some parts of the body, like I mentioned earlier. The way the sample was collected also matters. It is however not present in the blood. So when your doctor tells you to go and do a blood culture for SA, we don’t expect to see it.

Treatment of SA can be difficult, especially when dealing with the ones are resistant to the common penicillin drugs that were used for treatment in the past.

I do not think (I don’t want to say it can’t) the Herbal ‘mixtures’ sold on the streets of Nigeria can cure SA. These drugs rather cause kidney damage; a lot of substances which the body does not really need are taken into the body. The kidneys pay the price.

Tips on stress management

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Sun, 29 May 2016 05:52:00 +0000

In psychology, stress is defined as a physical or psychological stimulus such as very high heat, public criticism, or another noxious agent or experience which, when impinging upon certain individuals, produces psychological strain or disequilibrium.

“We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if
we carry yesterday’s burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.”
– John Newton

POWERFUL GUIDE TO STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress can make the individual more susceptible to physical illnesses like the common cold. Stressful events, such as job changes, may result in insomnia (difficulty sleeping), impaired sleeping, and health complaints. Research indicates the type of stressor and individual characteristics such as age and physical well-being before the onset of the stressor can combine to determine the effect of stress on an individual.

I read a story sometimes ago, about a man who always felt that without him, the company will not run successfully. His family asked him to rest a bit, he refused. One day, he slumped and died. One the day he was buried, a new person was appointed to take his place. So who said you are the only one that can do that job?

Stress triggers the Fight or Flight response in the body. It increases the level of hormones that are usually activated in emergency conditions (they are not supposed to be there for long), causing the body to be under the influence of these hormones (e.g. cortisol) for a very long time. The primary function of cortisol is to increase blood sugar, suppress the immune system and aid in fat and protein metabolism. This could lead to damages to the body organs if it remains there for too long.

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”
– Sydney J. Harris

What are the dangers or signs of excessive stress to the body?

· Memory problems

· Inability to concentrate

· Poor judgment

· Pessimistic approach or thoughts

· Anxious or racing thoughts

· Constant worrying

· Moodiness

· Irritability or short temper

· Agitation, inability to relax

· Feeling overwhelmed

· Sense of loneliness and isolation

· Depression or general unhappiness Aches and pains

· Diarrhea or constipation

· Increased frequency of urination

· Indigestion

· Changes in blood glucose

· Nausea, dizziness

· Chest pain, rapid heartbeat

· Loss of sex drive

· Frequent colds

· Irregular periods.

· Eating more or less

· Sleeping too much or too little

· Isolating oneself from others

· Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

· Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

· Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Time management is the key to reducing stress. Manage your time properly, and 24 hours will be more than enough for you. There are things you shouldn’t spend your time doing; identify them and you are on your way to living a healthy life. The most stressed individuals are not always the richest.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
– William James

Everybody has a different threshold for stress. Some people withdraw; some people experience anxiety; some become angry. Once you know how you feel what stressed, you will better understand how to manage stress.

“It is not stress that kills us, but it is our reaction to it.”
– Hans Selye

I leave you with this; “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”
– Ovid

POWERFUL GUIDE TO SOME MEDICAL MYTHS

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Thu, 26 May 2016 05:14:00 +0000

Below are 5 medical myths:

Existence of a tongue map

Taste is the sensation produced when a substance in the mouth reacts chemically with taste receptor cells located on taste buds in the oral cavity, mostly on the tongue. It is one of the determinants of flavors of food or other substances.

The tongue map or taste map is a common misconception that different sections of the tongue are exclusively responsible for different basic tastes. Although widely taught in schools, this was scientifically disproven by later research; all taste sensations come from all regions of the tongue, although different parts are more sensitive to certain tastes. The origin of the tongue map was actually a mistranslation of a German thesis, written by Edwin Boring in 1901. Currently, humans can taste five different flavours; sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami - a savory, meaty taste associated with monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Do not wake a sleepwalker

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism or noctambulism, is a sleep disorder. Sleepwalkers arise from the slow wave sleep stage in a state of low consciousness and perform activities that are usually performed during a state of full consciousness. These activities include sitting up in bed, walking to a bathroom, cleaning, cooking, driving, violent gestures, grabbing at hallucinated objects, or even homicide. Sleepwalking events are common in childhood and decrease with age.

It is common knowledge that waking a sleepwalker can cause heart attack or coma in them. However, according to the United States National Sleep Foundation, the reverse is, in fact, true: it is dangerous not to wake a sleepwalker.

Waking a sleepwalker might confuse them, but not waking them might be more dangerous, as somnambulists have been known to act violently.

Where possible, simply guiding the sleeping wanderer back to bed is the best option. But if the sleepwalker declines, the National Sleep Foundation suggest using loud, sharp noises (from a safe distance) to wake up the person; This will most likely startle the sleepwalker, but it's better than shaking the person in close range because that might trigger the sleepwalker to feel attacked and hurt you.

It is best to explain gently to them after waking, that they have been sleepwalking.

Do not swim with a full stomach.

Swimming is described as self-propulsion of a person through water or another liquid, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Humans can hold their breath underwater and undertake rudimentary locomotive swimming within weeks of birth, as an evolutionary response. Swimming is consistently among top public recreational activities.

It is a common misconception to ‘never go swimming on a full stomach - wait at least 1 hour - otherwise you face cramps and potential drowning’.

The basis of the myth is that, after eating, blood flows to the stomach for digestion. This leaves less blood for the muscles to use while swimming, causing them to descend into pulsating cramps.

Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist at the New York University School of Medicine, said that if one was to swim incredibly strenuously, minor cramps might occur.

However, for the standard swimmer, there are no worries, and drowning because of a cramp is even less likely.

A report carried out by the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council looked at multiple relevant studies and asked a number of experts and concluded that there is no correlation between eating and drowning or near-drowning events.

If alcohol is involved in the pre-swimming meal, the likelihood of drowning certainly is increased.

Blue blood

Do think you have blue blood? We were taught that blood turns blue when it losses oxygen.

If you've ever glanced at the thin veins on your wrist, you could be forgiven for thinking that the blood within them is blue (for light skinned individuals).

However, when we cut ourselves, the blood is always red. This, we have been told, is because the blood is oxygenated as soon as it touches the air.

Despite the way things appear, none of the above is true. Blood is never blue. When it is deoxygenated, it is a deep shade of red, and, once oxygenated, it is cherry red.

A number of factors make the veins appear blue:

· The skin is made of numerous compounds with a variety of optical properties, the way that light travels through it, or bounces off it, is difficult to predict. Light reflection is what determines the color you see.

· The absorption coefficient of deoxygenated blood is altered.

· The depth and diameter of the blood vessels has an effect.

· The way in which humans perceive color.

Sugar makes children hyperactive

Hyperactivity means an increase in movement, impulsive actions, being easily distracted, and shorter attention span. Some people believe that children are more likely to be hyperactive if they eat sugar, artificial sweeteners, or certain food colorings. Other experts disagree with this.

There is however no scientific evidence that sugar increases children's energy levels.

There are many reasons to limit the sugar a child has other than the effect on activity level; tooth decay and obesity are top on the list.

TUBERCULOSIS - a major public health problem.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Wed, 25 May 2016 14:06:00 +0000

Tuberculosis (TB) has been present in humans since ancient times. Tuberculosis is the second-most common cause of death from infectious disease (after those due to HIV/AIDS). One-third of the world's population is thought to be infected with TB. New infections occur each year. In 2014, there were 9.6 million cases of active TB which resulted in 1.5 million deaths. More than 95% of deaths occurred in developing countries.

The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for causing TB.

Most infections do not have symptoms; this is known as latent tuberculosis. About 10% of latent infections progress to active disease, which if left untreated kills about half of those infected.

Active tuberculosis is when an infected person has symptoms. Whereas active TB can be contagious, latent tuberculosis is not. It is therefore not possible to get TB from someone with latent tuberculosis.

Approximately 10% of people with latent TB will go on to develop active tuberculosis. This is particularly true, and there is added risk, in particular situations such as medication that suppresses the immune system or advancing age.

Active infection occurs more often in people with HIV/AIDS and in those who smoke.

What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?

General signs and symptoms include:

· Fever,

· Chills,

· Night sweats,

· Loss of appetite,

· Weight loss, and

· Fatigue.

Night sweat is not the sweat that occurs when you are in a hot room at night. It occurs during sleep, and it is very obvious that something is wrong because other persons in the room may not be sweating that much. This sweat is described as being more than the normal required to maintain body temperature.

What can increase your risk for tuberculosis?

A number of factors make people more susceptible to TB infections. The most important risk factor globally is HIV.

Tuberculosis is closely linked to both overcrowding and malnutrition, making it one of the principal diseases of poverty. These people are at particularly increased risk:

· People who inject illicit drugs (high risk for HIV).

· Inhabitants and employees of locales where vulnerable people gather (e.g. prisons and homeless shelters),

· Medically underprivileged and resource-poor communities, high-risk ethnic minorities,

· Children who are in close contact with high-risk category people (the immune system of children is not well developed)

· Health-care providers serving these patients.

Chronic lung disease is another significant risk factor. Those who smoke cigarettes have nearly twice the risk of TB compared to nonsmokers.

Alcoholism and diabetes mellitus can also increase the risk of developing tuberculosis.

Certain medications, such as corticosteroids depress the immune system, and are becoming increasingly important risk factors, especially in the developed world.

The roles of the genes you inherit have not been well defined.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION

Transmission of tuberculosis occurs when people with active TB cough, sneeze, sing or laugh and release the TB particles into the air; in a poorly ventilated room, the particles could remain suspended in the air for hours. A single sneeze can release up to 40,000 droplets. Each one of these droplets may transmit the disease, since the infectious dose of tuberculosis is very small (the inhalation of fewer than 10 bacteria may cause an infection).

People with prolonged, frequent, or close contact with people with TB are at particularly high risk of becoming infected. A person with active but untreated tuberculosis may infect 10–15 (or more) other people per year.

The immunity of the uninfected person, the amount of TB droplets, the air circulation and how long the uninfected person is exposed to the bacteria, determines infection.

The currently used Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was developed in 1921 and remains the only available vaccine against TB. Unfortunately, BCG is only partially effective: it is unreliable against adult pulmonary TB and it is not possible to ‘boost’ the protection offered by initial BCG vaccination with a subsequent BCG shot later in life. As at May 2015, sixteen different TB vaccine candidates were in clinical trials.

The World Health Organization, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and US government are subsidizing a fast-acting tuberculosis test for use in developing countries. The test can determine if there is resistance to the antibiotic rifampicin (used for treatment of TB) which may indicate multi-drug resistant TB and is accurate in those who are also infected with HIV.

The Mantoux test is used to determine exposure to TB. The protein is injected between the layers of the skin (dermis) and read 48 to 72 hours later. A person who has been exposed to the bacteria is expected to mount an immune response in the skin containing the bacterial proteins. The reaction is read by measuring the diameter of the raised/hardened area across the forearm. The healthcare provider interprets your result depending on certain factors like your risk for TB.

TB diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria is provided free of charge.

HEAVY PERIODS - how to know the cause

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Wed, 25 May 2016 03:04:00 +0000

Do you think your periods are becoming heavy? There are a lot of factors that can make your periods changes from a ‘normal’ (varies among individuals) flow to becoming particularly heavy and a source of concern to you.

A visit to your doctor may reassure you that your periods are in fact normal. However, if it is not, below is a list of possible causes of heavy menstrual bleeding:

· Fibroids.

· Pelvic inflammatory disease.

· Endometrial cancer.

· Cervical cancer.

· Thyroid disease.

· Disorders of the blood clotting mechanisms in the body AKA bleeding disorders (e.g. Von Willebrand disease).

· Diseases affecting your thyroid gland.

· Use of intrauterine contraceptive devices.

· Taking drugs that prevent blood from clotting (e.g. warfarin).

· A growth in the womb called an endometrial polyp

· Sometimes a cause cannot be found; doctors have a fancy name for this and they will tell you when you meet them.

powerful guide to knowing the cause?

Fibroids are very common among women of African descent. They can grow to very huge sizes and they commonly signal their presence through heavy menstrual bleeding. If you have fibroids, they may compress your bladder, making you pass urine frequently. Things that could increase your risk for fibroids include:

· Just being an African or having African ancestors (black Americans).

· A woman who has never given birth.

· Being obese.

· Having somebody in your family who has fibroids.

Unless fibroids are causing symptoms (like heavy menstrual bleeding or infertility), they do not need to be removed; surgery has its own risk. Fibroids usually shrink after menopause; if they don’t, see your doctor again (you are probably dealing with cancer).

How do you know you have a bleeding disorder?

· You bleed excessively from other sites even after a small bruise.

· Bleeding excessively during childbirth.

· Bleeding excessively after surgery or tooth extraction.

· A family history of people with bleeding disorders.

For pelvic inflammatory disease, you could have things like:

· Abnormal vaginal discharge.

· Pain (abdominal, pelvic and/or during sex).

· Fever could be present.

If you are using an intrauterine device like the copper T, heavy menstrual bleeding is a side effect. If it continues, you may want to remove it (there are better choices for family planning).

Other things you could notice in cervical cancer include:

· Bleeding after sex.

· Bleeding after menopause.

· Blood stained vaginal discharge.

Screening for cervical cancer is widely available and cheap or even free. Get yours today; you will be glad you did.

The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. What are things that could increase your risk for this cancer?

· Obesity (this guy is a risk factor for a lot of diseases, better maintain a healthy weight).

· Diabetes mellitus.

· Hormone replacement therapy.

· Endometrial cancer in a member of your family (people you share genes with).

· Never giving birth (maybe I should add “to a child” because people give birth to things these days).

· Late menopause.

Any bleeding after menopause must be taken seriously; a diagnosis of cancer is likely.

Due to excessive blood loss, you are likely to be tired all the time. This is a feature of anaemia.

There are a lot of treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding, see your doctor. I must add however, that surgical treatment options compromise your fertility; unless you have completed your family size, this may not be the best option.

POWERFUL GUIDE TO SICKLE CELL PREVENTION

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:45:00 +0000

Our blood group consist of two parts; the ABO (you can be A, B, AB or O) and the Rh (you are either +ve or –ve). An example is the A+.

The problem is the absence of that Rh (e.g. O-) in a woman who is married to a man that has Rh (e.g. O+). This can result in the death of their unborn baby. The disease is called Haemolytic disease of the Newborn. The process that leads to the disease is called Rh iso-immunization. Let us see how this occurs.

A baby inherits its blood group from its parents. The inheritance pattern for the Rh is shown in the picture below.

If the baby inherits the Rh+ve blood group, and the mother is Rh+ve, there is no problem as far as this disease is concerned. However, if the mother is Rh-ve, then there is a problem.

Let me explain what antigens and antibodies are because we will be using these terms often. Antigens are on every living thing. They are like ID cards. Apart from identical twins, no two persons have exactly the same antigens. Antigens are just things that your immune system identifies to confirm ownership. This means if your immune system comes in contact with anything, it will kind of scan through it to check if the antigens on the foreign body corresponds to the antigens in your own body. If there is even a slight mismatch, the immune system destroys that thing using antibodies.

Allow me introduce the term sensitization. This means that a woman without the Rh antigen has little or no antibodies against any blood containing the Rh antigen. This is because our body produces antibodies against foreign bodies only when we are exposed to those agents, this is what we try to achieve with immunization. There are some antibodies that are naturally present in our body; these do not require sensitization e.g. ABO blood group antibodies.

The sensitization of an Rh-ve woman is what we do not want; should this occur, all subsequent Rh+ve pregnancies would either be terminated or the babies would be born with severe anaemia, leading to a condition called kernicterus which causes brain damage to these babies.

The first Rh+ve pregnancy (not the first delivery) is usually spared because the body needs time to produce antibodies.

How can a woman be sensitized?

First, her blood group must lack the Rh, which means Rh-ve (A-, B-, AB- or O-). Then she must come in contact with Rh+ve blood. This occurs through several ways:

· Miscarriage or during induced abortion, where they baby was Rh+ve, having inherited it from the father. Most Rh-ve women come to the hospital with what they call their ‘first’ pregnancy, forgetting the abortions and miscarriages they might have had in the past. The blood of the baby usually enters the mother’s circulation to cause sensitization.

· Bleeding during pregnancy (called ante partum haemorrhage).

· Blood transfusion with Rh+ve blood.

· Medical test on the baby while still in the womb.

What can be done?

After sensitization, nothing can be done. Therefore the aim is to prevent sensitization of the mother. This is done by giving the woman a drug called Rhogam, to clear the foreign antigens in the blood before the immune system sees them.

In most developing countries, facilities for testing the blood group of the baby while in the womb either does not exist or the test is very expensive. However, in a country that has the facilities, Rh-ve women at risk, have the blood group of their babies determined before taking Rhogam. This is due to the fact that the baby starts expressing Rh antigens at about 30 days of age.

KNOW YOUR BLOOD GROUP AND THAT OF YOUR PARTNER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MALE INFERTILITY: causes and prevention.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Chinda) — Tue, 24 May 2016 09:47:00 +0000

Male infertility contributes about 30-50% to the causes of infertility in couples today; this means that out of every 100 couples who are infertile, 30-50 of them have a problem with their male partners.

What is really infertility? Is it a situation where a couple fails to get pregnant after 6 months of trying for a child? Is it a situation where a couple has sex once every week and they fail to achieve pregnancy? Here is what infertility is:

Infertility is defined as inability for a couple to achieve pregnancy after one year (of trying
not of marriage), in a couple with adequate unprotected sexual intercourse and in the absence of birth control.

When a couple has regular intercourse of at least 3 times a week, 50% of them would achieve pregnancy within three months and 85% within one year.

Therefore only about 15% will be defined to have infertility

In Africa, it is the female who bears the brunt of the problem, as you see her moving about searching for the solution to a problem she feels is coming from her. Things are however changing as women are becoming more enlightened.

The reason why the man may feel all is well with him may be because at every intercourse he ejaculates ‘something’ he feels contains enough sperm for fertilization; semen quality is more important than volume.

What are the causes of infertility in men?

A disease called Kallmann’s syndrome (men with this may not have the ability to smell).

Problems with your pituitary gland, which can occur due to a tumor, radiation exposure or surgery.

Hyperprolactinaemia: this is due to a tumor in the brain that produces excess of the hormone called prolactin. Males usually have problems seeing well, decreased libido and abnormal sperm.

Testosterone replacement therapy inhibits production of sperm.

Problems with the thyroid gland.

Men with diabetes mellitus.

Men who have abnormalities in their body structures. Examples include Congenital (from birth) absence of vas deferens, obstruction of vas deferens and congenital abnormalities of the ejaculatory system.

Chromosomal abnormalities.

Men who had mumps as boys. Orchitis often develops 4-6 days after the mumps begins.

Chemical or radiation exposure: this occurs in men who work in companies that deal with radiation or chemical exposure. The radiation kills all the cells that produce sperm. The man is rendered infertile permanently.

Retrograde ejaculation: this is ejaculating backwards (like into the bladder) instead of outside.

Impotence.

Decreased libido.

In about 10-15% of cases the cause of infertility will not be found.

powerful guide to male infertility prevention.

There is usually nothing that can be done to prevent male infertility caused by genetic problems or illness (many types of male infertility aren't preventable). However, there are ways men can decrease the possibility of infertility.

The following ways have been suggested:

· Avoid smoking (damages sperm DNA) and excessive alcohol.

· Avoid usage of drugs of abuse like marijuana.

· Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercises.

· Reduce the stressors in your life.

· Avoid radiation exposure. if you work in such companies, protect yourself at all times.

· Avoid exposure to toxic substances.

· Observe good personal hygiene and health practices

· Wearing loose-fitting underwear.

· Avoid excessive heat to the testes (as is seen in commercial drivers- placing something on the sit helps decrease the heat getting to your testes).

· Maintain optimal frequency of coital activity: sperm counts can be depressed by daily coital activity and sperm motility may be depressed by coital activity that takes place too infrequently (abstinence 10–14 days or more.

· Wear protective equipments to protect the testicles, in any sport such as baseball, football, cricket, lacrosse, hockey, softball, paintball, rodeo, motocross, wrestling, soccer, karate or other martial arts or any sport where a ball, foot, arm, knee or bat can come into contact with the groin.