Amazing: HIV cure is finally here!

HIV cure close after disease 'vanishes' from blood of British man 

The 44-year-old man could become the first person to be cured of HIV using a new therapy

A British man could become the first person in the world to be cured of HIV using a new therapy designed by a team of scientists from five UK universities.

The 44-year-old is one of 50 people currently trialling a treatment which targets the disease even in its dormant state.

Scientists told The Sunday Times that presently the virus is completely undetectable in the man’s blood, although that could be a result of regular drugs. However if the dormant cells are also cleared out it could represent the first complete cure. Trial results are expected to be published in 2018.

"This is one of the first serious attempts at a full cure for HIV,” said Mark Samuels, managing director of the National Institute for Health Research Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure.

“We are exploring the real possibility of curing HIV. This is a huge challenge and it's still early days but the progress has been remarkable."

HIV virus in the bloodstream

The trial is being undertaken by researchers from the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London and King's College London.

HIV is so difficult to treat because it targets the immune system, splicing itself into the DNA of T-cells so that they not only ignore the disease, but turn into viral factories which reproduce the virus.

Current treatments, called anti-retroviral therapies (Art), target that process but they cannot spot dormant infected T-cells.  

The new therapy works in two stages. Firstly, a vaccine helps the body recognise the HIV-infected cells so it can clear them out. Secondly, a new drug called Vorinostat activates the dormant T-cells so they can be spotted by the immune system.

More than 100,000 people in Britain are living with HIV, around 17 per cent of whom do not know they have the disease, and 37 million are infected worldwide.

The first unidentified patient, a social care worker in London, said: "It would be great if a cure has happened. My last blood test was a couple of weeks ago and there is no detectable virus.

"I took part in the trial to help others as well as myself. It would be a massive achievement if, after all these years, something is found to cure people of this disease. The fact that I was a part of that would be incredible."

Professor Sarah Fidler, a consultant physician at Imperial College London, added: "This therapy is specifically designed to clear the body of all HIV viruses, including dormant ones.

"It has worked in the laboratory and there is good evidence it will work in humans too, but we must stress we are still a long way from any actual therapy.

"We will continue with medical tests for the next five years and at the moment we are not recommending stopping Art but in the future depending on the test results we may explore this."

Only one person has ever been cured of HIV. He is Timothy Brown, also known as The ‘second’ Berlin Patient, who received a stem cell transplant from a patient with natural immunity to HIV in 2008.

Sir Elton John urges world to continue fight to beat HIVPlay!01:07

Ian Green, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the Aids charity, said: "There is still no cure for HIV  and we welcome this ambitious study which looks to eradicate the virus completely from the bodies of people living with HIV, instead of suppressing it."

Philip Christopher Baldwin, an HIV awareness activist. "I'm really excited by the recent developments regarding a potential cure for the HIV virus.

"The first person to complete an experimental course of treatment has cleared the virus. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2010, when I was 24 years old. It took me a number of years to come to terms with my HIV.

"I am proud that five British universities have been responsible for this pioneering research. It remains to be seen whether the virus will return in the "cured" patient, or if the other people taking part in the medical trial will respond in a similar way.

"The research, though, is great progress and I hope that these early results will be repeated throughout the trial group. This is an important step towards a world free of the fear of HIV."

Source: Guardian UK
 

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

WORLD PHARMACIST DAY 2016 - I CARE FOR YOU

WORLD PHARMACY DAY 2016 - CARING FOR YOU 

World over, it's another year to commemorate and celebrate the relentless service of pharmacists in the health care sector, this year is themed "caring for you". 


Alot of people out there confuse or misinterprete their services especially in developing nations like Africa and Nigeria is not an exception to this. Many miscontrue the services of a pharmacist as luxury. Would you really blame these set of people?  The answer is a  resounding NO. There is little/insignificant level of awareness to the general public about the distinct roles and functions of a pharmacist. 


WHO IS A PHARMACIST? 

According to Wikipedia; pharmacists, also known as chemists, druggists, are health care professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication. He is adequately knowledgeable about biochemical mechanisms and actions of drugs - usage, therapeutic roles, side effects and potential drug interactions. 


Recent studies has revealed that over 50% of Nigerians engage in self medication, it is therefore imperative to summarize the distinct roles of a pharmacist. 

Pharmacists perform vital roles in the health care system through the medicine and information they provide. Some of these roles/functions include:

1. Provides expertise on drug composition (physical, biological and chemical properties). 

2. The manufacture and usage of drugs. 

3. Achieve positive outcomes from the use of medications to improve a patient's quality of life with minimum risk. 

4. Pharmacists cure diseases. 

5. Eliminate/reduce symptoms. 

6. Arrest or slow down a disease process. 

7. Prevent disease, diagnose disease. 

8. Alter physiological process for desirable result in the patients health. 

9. Dispenses medications by compounding, packaging and pharmaceuticals. 


From the above distinct roles, it is apparent that not everyone can prescribe medications. The next time you have that headache, fever and other symptoms don't just engage in self-medication. Speak to your pharmacist because they care for you. 


N. B- A chemist by Nigerian context(those who run patent medicine stores) is not in anyway a pharmacist, they've sent many to the grave beyond with their wrong prescriptions. Don't fall victim. 


In subsequent post, I'll be discussing the adverse effect of self-medication and the dangers of drug/substance abuse. Tramadol, codeine, rephnol, weed(marijuana) Etc. Watch out! Have a beautiful Sunday. 

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

Revealed! WHO Confirms Diabetes Now Completely Reversible (SEE HOW)

Stop diabetics

So many death caused by Diabetes has been revealed to be due to ignorance or lack of knowledge on it. Diabetes can be traced back to rapid increase in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity. Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50% in the next 10 years. Most notably, they are projected to increase by over 80% in upper- middle income countries. Here are some facts by WHO (World Health Organization) revealing that Diabetes is completely reversible:

1. T1D [ Type1 Diabetes] is characterized by a lack of insulin production.

2. T2D [ Type2 Diabetes] results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. T2D is much more common than T1D, and accounts for around 90% of all Diabetes worldwide.

3. Reports of T2D in children- previously rare- have increased worldwide. In some countries, it accounts for almost half of newly diagnosed cases in children and adolescents.

4. A third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This type is characterised by hyperglycemia, or rapid blood sugar, which is first recognized during pregnancy.

5. 80% of diabetes deaths are now occurring in low- and middle- income countries.   The full impact is much larger, because although people may live for years with diabetes, their cause of death is often recorded as heart diseases or kidney failure.

6. Lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services, can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.

7. Diabetes can be prevented. Thirty minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days, a healthy diet and nutritional supplementation can drastically reduce the risk of developing T2D.

8. Diabetes has a devastating effect on virtually every system in the body, which sets the stage for a variety of diabetic complications. But, as I will explain, this devastation is largely preventable.Diabetes is a nutritional wasting disease. The elevated blood sugar levels that characterize diabetes cause excessive urination. In fact, diabetes mellitus is taken from two Greek words meaning “to pass through” and “Sugar” referring to excessive glucose-laden urination.

9. High blood sugar levels, which are caused by either lack of insulin or insulin resistance (type 1 or type 2 diabetes, respectively), overwhelm the kidneys’ capacity to reabsorb glucose as well as all water-soluble nutrients. Elevated blood sugar levels essentially act like an osmotic diuretic, washing out virtually everything.

10. Every time blood sugar rises and urination increases, patients with diabetes lose water, magnesium, zinc, B12, B6, folic acid, and many other nutrients. Although water is replaced by drinking, nothing is done to replenish the water-soluble nutrients that are also swept out.

Diabetes Is Completely Reversible.  

Replacing lost vitamins and minerals is critical. As a result of these continual nutritional losses, diabetes is the number one cause of blindness, amputation, and kidney failure, and it dramatically increases the risk of both heart attack and stroke.

I believe that if you were to give a healthy person an osmotic diuretic every day without replacing nutrients, they would develop these (and other) diabetic complications.

All of the components in our natural solution help to replace lost nutrients as a result of excessive urination. No wonder this natural solution is working wonders.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

HOPE FROM HOPELESSNESS

I'm gonna be straight and informal as much as possible because this wasn't in any way planned, scripted or premeditated.

I let you down once again my esteemed readers, I've had my own fair share of life. It's easy when you render advices to people about relationships,  health and faith undermining that a time is coming when your own ship might hit the rocks and begin to sink.

I'm I beginning to bore you? Yes! I hit the bottom, I sunk both spiritually and emotionally, the storms came raging like fire, hell got lose over me.

I've always treated and acted strong, brave, smart, composed, intelligent and logical. Behold,  I let friends and families down. The reason I'm actually grabbing my notepad tonight is because someone I hurt truly forgave me and I found my anchor again.

In the game of boxing, you don't lose a match because you fall, you only lose when you refuse to get up on your feet. This phrase strengthened me, and most importantly renewing my love for JESUS - He made all the difference and gave me peace like a river. (I'm certain this is meant for somebody in a difficult situation right now).

Lastly, please don't ever give up on God!
Don't give up on life!
Don't give up on your dreams!
Chase it passionately - it's all gonna be worth it in the end.

I love you always, expect your tantalizing and wonderful health updates once again, ain't gonna leave you stucked or waiting anymore.

Yours in blog,
Jesumbo Oke Timilehin.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

What you should know about Lassa Fever

OVER one year after Nigeria suffered from the deadly Ebola virus disease which claimed some lives, including those of car-givers (medical doctors and nurses), an outbreak of a disease of near same symptoms, though not as deadly, Lassa Fever, has been reported in some parts of the country.

At least 150 infections and seven deaths have recorded in the affected states of Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Bauchi, Oyo, Niger and Nasarawa. Lassa Fever is one of the lethal viral haemorrhagic fevers, apart from Ebola, Dengue and some others.
It has mainly affected West Africa and was first discovered in 1969 in a Nigerian town called Lassa, where two missionary nurses died of the disease.

Since then, it has been recurring, especially during the dry season, particularly between December and March, in different parts of the country and the West African sub-region. Poor hygiene and inadequate awareness and public enlightenment have been identified as major causes of its spread.

Lassa Fever is a viral illness
IT is an acute viral illness caused by Lassa virus, a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to a family called Arenaviridae. The natural host or reservoir of this virus is a rodent known as the ‘multimammate’ rat that belongs to the mastomys genus.

It has been observed that mastomys rats breed very frequently and readily colonise homes; hence the easy spread of this zoonotic virus from infected rodents to unsuspecting humans.

Lassa Fever is common in West Africa
LASSA virus infections are common in West Africa to warrant public health concern.
An average of about 300,000 cases are recorded every year, with 5,000 deaths.

How it is spread to humans
HUMANS can contract the virus when they come in contact, directly or indirectly, with the urine and droppings from infected rats or by breathing in tiny particles from air that has been contaminated with rodent excretions. Some humans who eat infected rodents can equally contract the virus.

If adequate precautions are not taken, care givers, especially doctors and nurses, who handle or treat infected persons can contract the virus from contaminated blood, tissues, secretions or excretions of such patients.

However, it cannot be spread through casual skin-to-skin contacts (including handshakes), provided there are no cuts or bruises.
Lassa Fever usually produces symptoms
LASSA virus has an incubation period of one to three weeks, following which signs and symptoms of the infection emerge. Initially, non-specific symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, back pain, abdominal pain or pain behind the chest wall may be felt, as well as vomiting, diarrhoea and facial swelling. As the disease progresses, mucosal bleeding and bleeding from body orifices may follow.

Lassa Fever can be treated
PROVIDED the affected person presents early enough and prompt diagnosis of Lassa Fever is made, an anti-viral agent called Ribavirin has been shown to be quite effective in reducing morbidity and mortality from the disease.

In addition to Ribavirin administration, supportive treatment may also be given to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, as well as the blood pressure.
Untreated Lassa Fever often results in death
IT was estimated that 15 to 30 per cent of patients admitted for Lassa Fever end up dying of the illness. Death rates are higher for pregnant women, especially those in the third trimester, and their unborn babies.

Mortality rates in the latter group (unborn babies) sometimes reach 95 per cent. Up to one-third of Lassa Fever survivors may suffer from varying degrees of hearing loss, which may be permanent.
Lassa Fever is better prevented
LIKE is commonly said, prevention is better than cure. Since no vaccine has been developed yet for Lassa virus infection, people are advised to employ every possible means to avoid contact with rodents and infected people.

Homes must be kept clean and rodent-free and foods stored in rodent-proof containers. Health care givers must practise barrier-nursing methods, such as isolation of infected patients and consistent use of face masks, gloves, gowns and goggles when attending to such patients.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

LASUTH CELEBRATES first kidney transplant

LASUTH CELEBRATES first kidney transplant

Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, yesterday celebrated the first successful kidney transplant ever done in Lagos tertiary hospital. The feat, conducted on a 56-year-old unnamed male patient, was after several years of training and infrastructure development in the hospital.

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Adewale Oke, said the feat, by a team of homegrown doctors, has opened the way for several other patients with advanced renal conditions to be fully treated and at affordable cost in the country.

Oke explained that the patient, who was at the end-stage renal disease, was selected for the maiden surgery, and after about six-hour surgery (organ harvesting and implantation), the operation was successful.

The elated CMD said: “LASUTH has come of age and we are glad. We are able to harness what we have and so we will continue to improve on infrastructure. Kidney transplant is not free; it cannot be free, but with us doing it here, the cost will be affordable (compared to traveling to India or United Kingdom for operation).”

he said.
He added that the feat has complemented the state government’s infrastructure efforts in developing the state-of-the-art Cardiac and Renal Centre in Gbagada.

Head of the surgical team, Dr. Olugbenga Awobusuyi, said that the journey started some 10 years ago, when the hospital began capacity building of specialists with training courses done in Brazil, Kenya and United Kingdom.
Today, Awobusuyi said, we now have confidence that we could do more of renal transplantation of patients around here.
He said that the latest of several services offered in the hospital would help stop the trend of patients going to India and returning with complications that often eventually kill them.

Awobusuyi, a neurologist, said that the patient, who is still recuperating in the ward, had to be persuaded to have the operation here in Nigeria instead of India, his first choice. After a year of dialysis, the patient came up with a donor (nephew), which made LASUTH to consider the operation.

LASUTH management said that where compatible donors are readily available, the procedure is now more possible in the Lagos tertiary hospital.

Kidney transplantation or renal transplantation is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is typically classified as deceased-donor (formerly known as cadaveric) or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the donor organ.

Living-donor renal transplants are further characterized as genetically related (living-related) or non-related (living-unrelated) transplants, depending on whether a biological relationship exists between the donor and recipient

May we continue to witness more successes in our health sector.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

‘Do not pick phones, laptops, Ipads not kept by you’ – Police IG warns

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase yesterday through the  police spokesperson Olabisi Kolawole, cautioned Nigerians to avoid the temptation of picking Ipads, phones or laptops not kept by them, saying terrorists now use those items to manufacture bombs and explosives.

The police also paraded the suspects accused of being involved in the blasts that rocked the Abuja suburb of Kuje and Nyanya at the Federal Special Anti
Robbery Squad (FSARS) Headquarters in Abuja. Explosive materials recovered from them were also displayed.

The Items include:

Engineering textbooks, laptops, phone, face mask, funnel, text tubes, Ipad, 2 number plates, gloves, 27 pieces of detonators, aluminium powder,
Hexomine, hydrogene peroxide, sulphur powder, sodium azide plus nitrate, iron 11 oxide, soldering wire, sugar, litmus paper, sodium carbonate, thermometre, chlorate, filter paper, strings, potassium chlorate, 12 ready-made Improvised Explosives Devices(IED), and a full bag of fertilizer.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

Hurray! Babcock University conducts first Open Heart Surgery (PHOTOS)

A milestone for Nigeria as Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State performed the first open heart surgery in the Institution’s Teaching Hospital last thursday.

The operation which lasted for six hours was done on a 34-year old woman by four resident doctors and it was very very successful.

The cardio thoracic surgeons are:
Professor Kamar Adeleke
Dr. Michael Sanusi
Dr. Mudashiru Lawal and
Dr. Edward Anderson.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

Holla mis amigos!

Hola mis amigos!

Sorry for the two weeks break, I've been working on ways to improve and serve you better with healthy tips. In lieu of this, I'll gladly introduce a new and dynamic series:

MANOSCOPE: A man must be healthy enough in order to be responsible to himself and those dependent on him. A holistic approach to topical health issues faced by our men. Men's health, fitness, fertility, nutrition, cardio, mental and sexual life. It's fun and educating.

FEMNOSCOPE: I've always been so interested in the well being of our ladies, women, spouses and mothers. Many ladies are not adequately informed about their sexual, physical and mental health. We'll delve into the anatomical structures of the female body, family planning, conception, child birth and lots more. Did I just see you smile? These episodes are awesome.

HEARTS 💕 AND SOUL 🔥: Every human is in one form of relationship or another. From the immediate family to our sometimes sweet and complicated love lives. I'd be sharing personal stories we could learn from plus other inspiring relationship tips. Are you shy about approaching that dream girl? Are you contemplating to break up? When do you finally say goodbye to a violent relationship? Understanding personality profiles, the ying yang effect on relationships, love languages and many more. These experiences were gathered from over a decade as a relationship consultant. I've aired many late night relationship talk shows on radio and daily advice people unbiasedly in a balanced and psychologically positive approaches.

SPORTS ⚽ PARADE: Match reviews and prediction, sport analysis, player and coaches interviews, fixtures and lots more. A big congratulations to arsenal fans all over the globe. That was unbelievable!

Your comments and feed banks would be appreciated.

Stay connected on,  www.healthertainment.blogspot.com.ng
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Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

MORINGA: THE MIRACLE TREE OF OUR CENTURY

Moringa, sometimes described as the “miracle tree,” “drumstick tree,” or “horseradish tree,” has small, rounded leaves that are packed with an incredible amount of nutrition: protein, calcium, beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, you name it, moringa’s got it. No wonder it’s been used medicinally (and as a food source) for at least 4,000 years.

The fact that moringa grows rapidly and easily makes it especially appealing for impoverished areas, and it’s been used successfully for boosting nutritional intake in Malawi, Senegal, and India. In these areas, moringa may be the most nutritious food locally available, and it can be harvested year-round.

Moringa leaves are loaded with vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, antioxidants, and more. Moringa has anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and cardioprotective properties. Moringa seeds even work better for water purification than many of the conventional synthetic materials in use today

6 Reasons Why Moringa Is Being Hailed as a Superfood

1. A Rich Nutritional Profile

Moringa leaves are loaded with vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and more. One hundred grams of dry moringa leaf contains:

9 times the protein of yogurt10 times the vitamin A of carrots, 15 times the potassium of bananas, 17 times the calcium of milk, 12 times the vitamin C of oranges, 25 times the iron of spinach

2. Antioxidants Galore

Moringa leaves are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. The latter, chlorogenic acid, has been shown to slow cells' absorption of sugar and animal studies have found it to lower blood sugar levels. As noted in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention:

“The leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree have been reported to demonstrate antioxidant activity due to its high amount of polyphenols.

Moringa oleifera extracts of both mature and tender leaves exhibit strong antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules, and give significant protection against oxidative damage.”

Further, in a study of women taking 1.5 teaspoons of moringa leaf powder daily for three months, blood levels of antioxidants increased significantly.

3. Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Moringa appears to have anti-diabetic effects, likely due to beneficial plant compounds contained in the leaves, including isothiocyanates. One study found women who took seven grams of moringa leaf powder daily for three months reduced their fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5 percent. 

Separate research revealed that adding 50 grams of moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21 percent among diabetic patients.

4. Reduce Inflammation

The isothiocyanates, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in moringa leaves, pods, and seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties. According to the Epoch Times:

“The tree’s strong anti-inflammatory action is traditionally used to treat stomach ulcers. Moringa oil (sometimes called Ben oil) has been shown to protect the liver from chronic inflammation. The oil is unique in that, unlike most vegetable oils, moringa resists rancidity.

This quality makes it a good preservative for foods that can spoil quickly. This sweet oil is used for both frying or in a salad dressing. It is also used topically to treat antifungal problems, arthritis, and is an excellent skin moisturizer.”

5. Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Moringa also has cholesterol-lowering properties, and one animal study found its effects were comparable to those of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin. As noted in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology:

“Moringa oleifera is used in Thai traditional medicine as cardiotonic. Recent studies. demonstrated its hypocholesterolemic effect.

How to Use Moringa

If you have access to a moringa tree,
1. You can use the fresh leaves in your meals; they have a flavor similar to a radish. Toss them like a salad, blend them into smoothies, or steam them like spinach.
2. Another option is to use moringa powder, either in supplement form or added to smoothies, soups, and other foods for extra nutrition. Moringa powder has a distinctive “green” flavor, so you may want to start out slowly when adding it to your meals.
3. You can also use organic, cold-pressed moringa oil (or ben oil), although it’s expensive (about 15 times more than olive oil). As reported by Fox News, this is one plant food that displays not just one or two but numerous potential healing powers:

“Virtually all parts of the plant are used to treat inflammation, infectious disorders, and various problems of the cardiovascular and digestive organs, while improving liver function and enhancing milk flow in nursing mothers. The uses of moringa are well documented in both the Ayurvedic and Unani systems of traditional medicine, among the most ancient healing systems in the world.

Moringa is rich in a variety of health-enhancing compounds, including moringine, moringinine, the potent antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and various polyphenols. The leaves seem to be getting the most market attention, notably for their use in reducing high blood pressure, eliminating water weight, and lowering cholesterol.

Studies show that moringa leaves possess anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities, due in part to a compound called niaziminin. Preliminary experimentation also shows activity against the Epstein-Barr virus. Compounds in the leaf appear to help regulate thyroid function, especially in cases of over-active thyroid. Further research points to anti-viral activity in cases of Herpes simplex.

Wouldn't you rather try moringa today? Happy Sunday.

Sources: Fox News, Dr Mercola, International journal on foods and nutrition.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

VITAMINS YOU MUST KNOW

Vitamins are organic compounds which are needed in small quantities to sustain life. We get vitamins from food, because the human body either does not produce enough of them, or none at all.

An organic compound contains carbon. When an organism (living thing) cannot produce enough of an organic chemical compound that it needs in tiny amounts, and has to get it from food, it is called a vitamin.

Sometimes the compound is a vitamin for a human but not for some other animals. For example, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vitamin for humans but not for dogs, because dogs can produce (synthesize) enough for their own needs, while humans cannot.

What are vitamins?

A vitamin is one of a group of organic substances, present in minute amounts in natural foodstuffs, that are essential to normal metabolism; insufficient amounts in the diet may cause deficiency diseases.

Put simply, a vitamin is both:

An organic compound (contains carbon). An essential nutrient the body cannot produce enough of on its own, so it has to get it (tiny amounts) from food.

There are currently 13 recognized vitamins.

Fat soluble and water soluble vitamins

There are fat-soluble and water-solublevitamins.

Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the fat tissues of our bodies, as well as the liver. Fat-soluble vitamins are easier to store than water-soluble ones, and can stay in the body as reserves for days, some of them for months.1

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of fats (lipids).

Water-soluble vitamins do not get stored in the body for long - they soon get expelled through urine.

Water-soluble vitamins need to be replaced more often than fat-soluble ones.

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble.

Vitamins C and all the B vitamins are water-soluble.

LIST OF VITAMINS

The best way to get enough vitamins is to follow a healthy diet that includes a wide range of fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin A
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - retinol, retinal, and four carotenoids (including beta carotene).
- Fat soluble
- Deficiency may cause night-blindness and keratomalacia (eye disorder that results in a dry cornea)
- Good sources include: liver, cod liver oil, carrot, broccoli, sweet potato, butter, kale, spinach,pumpkin, collard greens, some cheeses, egg, apricot, cantaloupe melon, milk.

Vitamin B1 - Chemical name (vitaminer) - thiamine
- Water soluble
- Deficiency may cause beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoffsyndrome
- Good sources include: yeast, pork, cereal grains, sunflower seeds, brown rice, whole grain rye, asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, liver, and eggs.

Vitamin B2
- Chemical name (vitaminer) - riboflavin
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause ariboflavinosis
- Good sources include: asparagus, bananas, persimmons, okra, chard, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, meat, eggs, fish, and green beans.

Vitamin B3
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - niacin, niacinamide - Water soluble
- Deficiency may cause pellagra
- Good sources include: liver, heart, kidney, chicken, beef, fish (tuna, salmon), milk, eggs, avocados, dates, tomatoes, leafy vegetables, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, asparagus, nuts, whole grains, legumes, mushrooms, and brewer's yeast.

Vitamin B5
- Chemical name (vitaminer) - pantothenic acid
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause paresthesia
- Good sources include: meats, whole grains (milling may remove it), broccoli, avocados, royal jelly, fish ovaries.

Vitamin B6
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause anemia, peripheralneuropathy
- Good sources include: meats, bananas, whole grains, vegetables, and nuts. When milk is dried it loses about half of its B6. Freezing and canning can also reduce content.

Vitamin B7
- Chemical name (vitaminer) - biotin
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause dermatitis, enteritis
- Good sources include: egg yolk, liver, some vegetables.

Vitamin B9
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - folic acid, folinic acid
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause pregnancy deficiency linked to birth defects
- Good sources include: leafy vegetables, legumes, liver, baker's yeast, some fortified grain products, sunflower seeds. Several fruits have moderate amounts, as does beer.

Vitamin B12
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, methylcobalamin
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause megaloblastic anemia
- Good sources include: fish, shellfish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and dairy products. Some fortified cereals and soy products, as well as fortified nutritional yeast.
Vegans are advised to take B12 supplements.

Vitamin C
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - ascorbic acid
- Water soluble 
- Deficiency may cause megaloblastic anemia
- Good sources include: fruit and vegetables. The Kakadu plum and the camu camu fruit have the highest vitamin C contents of all foods. Liver also has vitamin C.

Vitamin D
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol
- Fat soluble 
- Deficiency may cause rickets, osteomalacia
- Good sources: produced in the skin after exposure to ultraviolet B light from the sun or artificial sources. Also found in fatty fish, eggs, beef liver, and mushrooms.

Vitamin E
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - tocopherols, tocotrienols
- Fat soluble 
- Deficiency is uncommon. May cause mild hemolytic anemia in newborns
- Good sources include: kiwi fruit, almonds, avocado, eggs, milk, nuts, leafy green vegetables, unheated vegetable oils, wheat germ, and wholegrains.

Vitamin K
- Chemical names (vitaminer) - phylloquinone, menaquinones
- Fat soluble
- Deficiency may cause bleeding diathesis
- Good sources include: leafy green vegetables, avocado, kiwi fruit. Parsley contain a lot of vitamin K.

NOTE: The best way to get enough vitamins for good health is to follow a balanced diet with a wide range of foods. Some people may need to take a daily multivitamin.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

MIGRAINES: THE CONCLUDING PART

Yesterday, I started a series on migraine headaches, where I looked into the causes and types of migraines. So today, I'll delve further into the symptoms and treatment.

SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE
Symptoms of migraine can occur a while before the headache, immediately before the headache, during the headache and after the headache. Although not all migraines are the same, typical symptoms include:

Moderate to severe pain, usually confined to one side of the head during an attack, but can occur on either side of the head,
The pain is usually a severe, throbbing, pulsing pain.
Increasing pain during physical activity
Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
Feeling sick and physically being sick,
Increased sensitivity to light and sound, relieved by lying quietly in a darkened room,
Some people experience other symptoms such as sweating, temperature changes, tummy ache and diarrhoea.

Migraines with aura

Many people experience migraines with auras or warning signs just before or during the head pain, but many do not. Auras are perceptual disturbances such as:

Confusing thoughts or experiences,
The perception of strange lights, sparkling or flashing lights
Zigzag lines in the visual field
Blind spots or blank patches in the vision
Pins and needles in an arm or leg
Difficulty speaking
Stiffness in the shoulders, neck or limbs
Unpleasant smells.

If any migraine sufferer experiences unusual or worrying features that they do not normally have, then they should seek medical help rather than blaming the migraine.

TREATMENTS OF MIGRAINE
There is currently no cure for migraine, so treatment is aimed at preventing a full-blown attack, and alleviating symptoms if they come.


Regular physical exercise may help reduce migraine frequency.

Different people respond to different treatments.

Some lifestyle alterations might help reduce migraine frequency. These include:

Getting enough sleep
Reducing stress
Drinking plenty of water
Avoiding certain foods
Regular physical exercise.

Migraine treatment (abortive therapies) and prevention (prophylactic therapies) focus on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms and taking medicines.

MEDICATION

Analgesia:
Over-the-counter medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (paracetamol), and other analgesics like Excedrin (aspirin with caffeine) are often the first abortive therapies to eliminate the headache or substantially reduce painPainkillers should be taken early rather than allowing the headache to develop.

Anti-emetics :
Metoclopramide may also be used to control symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Serotonin agonists:
Sumatriptan may also be prescribed for severe migraines or for migraines that are not responding to the over-the-counter medicationsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Antidepressants such as tricyclics - are prescribed to reduce migraine symptoms although they are not approved in all countries for this purpose.

Ergots:
Another class of abortive treatments is called ergots, which are usually effective if administered at the first sign of a migraine.

Other drugs:
Combinations of barbiturates, paracetamol or aspirin, and caffeine (Fioricet or Fiorinal)Combinations of acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone and isometheptene (Amidrine, Duradrin, and Midrin).


Prophylactic therapies (prevention)

Migraine prevention begins with avoiding things that trigger the condition.

The main goals of prophylactic therapies are to reduce the frequency, painfulness and duration of migraine headaches and to increase the effectiveness of abortive therapies.

There are several categories of preventive migraine medicine, ranging from diet changes and exercise to prescription drugs. Some of these include:

There have now been many controlled trials of acupuncture for migraine, with some large, high-quality ones in recent years.

Prescription beta blockers
Anticonvulsants (Topiramate)
Antidepressants (Tricyclics and SSRIs)
GabapentinBotulinum toxin A (Botox)
Herbs and vitamins such as butterbur, cannabis, coenzyme Q10, feverfew, magnesium citrate, riboflavin, B12, melatoninSpinal cord stimulator implantationHyperbaric oxygen therapyVision correctionExercise,
sleep,
sexual activity
Visualization and self-hypnosis
Chiropractic care or acupuncture.

DID YOU KNOW?
Human teeth are almost as hard as rocks.

You burn more calories while sleeping than you do when watching television.

Our eyes never grow, and our nose and ears never stop growing.

The thumbnail grows the slowest; the middle nail grows the fastest

Children grow faster in the springtime.

QUOTE OF THE DAY!

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. – Jimmy Johnson

The little 'extra' efforts would significantly make a difference in our relationships, academics and careers when we feel like giving up. Have you ever observed that during an athletics competition especially the 100m, the winner usually leads the others by just a little time difference sometimes less than 1.00-3.00 seconds. That little extra time difference makes the winner extraordinary.
The just concluded diamond league this season further illustrates today's quote. Justin Gatlin had a great season but when it really matters, in the finals, Usain Bolt was extraordinary as he won both the 100m and 200m in emphatic victory leaving Gatlin to second place.
I see you being extraordinary today because you're destined to win.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

MIGRAINES: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments(PART A)

A migraine is a severe, painful headache that can be preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.

The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. Migraine is a common problem affecting millions Africans.

What are migraine headaches?

The exact cause of migraine headaches is unknown; it is thought to be due to abnormal brain activity causing a temporary alteration in the nerve signals, chemicals and blood flow in the brain.

Migraine headaches can be very debilitating. They are more common in women than men, and 3% of people have chronic migraines where they experience symptoms for half the month for six months.

What triggers migraine headaches?

Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches, but many cannot.

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.

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

Fast facts on migraines
Here are some key points about migraines..
The cause of migraines is still largely unknown.
Migraines can be preceded by an aura of sensory disturbances followed by a severe one-sided headache.
Approximately 12% of people get migraine headaches.
Migraine tends to affect people between 15-55 years of age.
Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches such as allergies, light and stress.
Some people get a warning prodrome, preceding the onset of a migraine headache.
Many migraine sufferers can prevent a full-blown attack by recognizing and acting upon the warning signs.
Over-the-counter medications can eliminate or reduce pain.
Specific medications can help some sufferers.
People who suffer from severe attacks can take preventative medicines.

Migraine is commonly misdiagnosed as tension-type headache or sinus headache.
Is there an association between obesity and migraines?

A higher percentage of obese people have episodic (occasional) migraines compared to individuals with a healthy body weight, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported in the journal Neurology.

DID YOU KNOW?
Beards are the fastest growing hairs on the human body. If the average man never trimmed his beard, it would grow to nearly 30 feet long in his lifetime.

Humans shed about 600,000 particles of skin every hour - about 1.5 pounds a year. By 70 years of age, an average person will have lost 105 pounds of skin.

It only takes 7 pounds of pressure to rip your ear off.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Keep your face to the sunshine and you can never see the shadow. – Helen Keller

I stumbled across this quote and it has really changed my perspective about life. We often run away from life's challenges and troubles, that's why we keep failing (shadows). But when we summon courage to face the sunshine (our fears and dangers), definitely the shadow disappears and success is imminent.
In other words, the darkest hour is closest to dawn, at the peak of our problems lies the solution, often times many of us give up on the verge of a breakthrough. Have a wonderful day reader.

Tomorrow, we shall conclude this episode on Migraines, the treatment and medications to use. I bet you don't wanna miss that! Stay healthy always.

Oluwatimilehin Oke Email: healthertainment@gmail.com Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229 BB PIN: 563D9C56 BB CHANNEL: C001C7A18 Twitter & Instagram: @timi0301

SATURDAY FAMILY HEALTH: Ovulation and Safe period

I often feel uneasy when I see young ladies get pregnant due to either carelessness, promiscuity, naivety or ignorance. That is why I'm writing this post to sensitize all women about ovulation and safe periods.

Nevertheless, this is not to take morality and chastity out of the norm, it's just a preventative approach for the myriads of challenges, heart breaks and reproach that accompanies unwanted pregnancy expecially in a society like ours. The social stigma and inadequate support from family members is daunting. So avail yourself this opportunity to learn, educate your female daughters, girlfriend, wives even if you're a man.

Ovulation is the phase of a female’s menstrual cycle in which a mature egg is released from the ovarian follicles into the oviduct.  It refers to the rupture of the ripened follicle in the ovary to discharge the egg ready for fertilization at middle of the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, during the luteal phase, the egg will be available to be fertilized by sperm. Concomitantly, the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is thickened to be able to receive a fertilized egg. If no conception occurs, the uterine lining as well as blood will be shed during menstruation. 

An ovum can survive for about 12 hours after it leaves the ovary. It can get fertilised only if it comes into contact with a sperm within this time frame. Sperms, however, can live in the female genital tract for 48 hours or even 72 hours. 

The menstrual cycle, under the control of the endocrine system, is necessary for reproduction. It is commonly divided into three phases: the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Menstrual cycles are counted from the first day of the present menstrual bleeding to the first day of the next menstrual bleeding. Hormonal contraception interferes with the normal hormonal changes with the aim of preventing reproduction. The duration of menstrual cycle varies from person to person and is usually between 26 to 31 days. Ovulation occurs approximately in the middle of the cycle, i.e. duration of the cycle - (minus) 14 days. 

A week before and a week after the approximate day of ovulation is considered fertile period. The days apart from this are called the safe periods, where the fertilization does not take place.

Safe period

Every month a woman is in safe period that means if you mate with a woman during that time then the chances of her getting pregnant is almost nil. The chances are almost nil because one has to be very careful calculating the safe period. Any miss calculation will result in fertilization.

You have to note your period for at least 6 months and note the number of days between starting date and the next period to know your safe period. Then identify longest and shortest period cycles.

Calculation of Safe Period

The calendar method is most reliable if a woman has a regular period cycle. It is also based on the assumption that ovulation in most ladies takes place at about fourteenth day before the next menstrual flow. The implication of the above is that in a regular period cycle, it can be assumed that ovulation will take place on the fourteenth day before the next period.

If for example, a women’s menstrual cycle varies from 26 days to 31 days cycle. 

The shortest cycle [26days] minus 18days = 8th day. 

The longest cycle [31days] minus 10days = 21st day. 

8th to 21st day of each cycle counting from first day of menstrual period is considered as fertile period. Period other than this fertile period in a menstrual cycle is considered as safe period.

How safe is safe period?

The calendar method for family planning is almost cost-free. All that is required is the calendar and two pens – a red and blue pen. The red pen is used to mark the ovulation day and the preceding ‘unsafe’ six days and the next four days are also underlined in red. The blue pen is used to underline the other days as the ‘safe days’.

The major shortcoming is that the calendar method could be quite tricky, since the pattern of fertility can suddenly change appreciably in the same person over time. Like some ladies would have realized that sometime ago their cycles might have hovered around 28 days and later came down to say 24 days or more – that is stretching to say 33 days. This is common and may be normal.

Safe period is not 100% reliable and so caution should be taken.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. – Henry S. Haskins

WORD POWER - Understanding Better
‘You look tired.’
Tired people are incredibly unappealing—they have droopy eyes, messy hair, trouble concentrating, and they’re as grouchy as they come. Telling someone he looks tired implies all of the above and then some.

Instead say: “Is everything okay?” 

Most people ask if someone is tired because they’re intending to be helpful. Instead of assuming someone’s disposition, just ask. This way, he can open up and share. More importantly, he will see you as concerned instead of rude.

SUMMARY: "You look tired" is wrong. Instead say “Is everything okay?”

Oluwatimilehin Oke
Email: healthertainment@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +234-703-798-6229
BB PIN: 563D9C56
BB CHANNEL: C004BC6FB
Instagram & Twitter: @timi0301

TGIF: Your health, your life - Stress Relief Techniques

Considering the joyful celebrations yesterday, I decided to acknowledge the freedom our heroes past fought so hardly to attain prior to October 1st, 1960.

In lieu of that, I couldn't post something for the health of our men yesterday, my due apologies. Meanwhile, I shared the presidential speech for the independence day celebrations and I was awed at the high level of intellectual and political intelligence of this current administration, it was simple, direct, vivid, devoid of hatred and sentiments - it addressed all the key sectors of the economy. The change Nigerians are clamoring starts with you and I.

Today, we shall continue with the tips for alleviating the unavoidable stress in our everyday lives be it ; work, family, finance, education, even religious activities. Below are some of the simple but imprudent and life changing tips :

Every day, do something you really enjoy.

Add an ounce of love to everything you do.

Take a hot bath or shower (or a cool one in summertime) to relieve tension.

Do something for somebody else.

Focus on understanding rather than on being understood; on loving rather than on being loved.

Do something that will improve your appearance.  Looking better can help you feel better.

Schedule a realistic day.  Avoid the tendency to schedule back-to-back appointments; allow time between appointments for a breathing spell.

Become more flexible.  Some things are worth not doing perfectly and some issues are fine to compromise upon.

Eliminate destructive self-talk:  "I'm too old to. . .,"  "I'm too fat to. . .," etc.

Use your weekend time for a change of pace.  If your work week is slow and patterned, make sure there is action and time for spontaneity built into your weekends.  If your work week is fast-paced and full of people and deadlines, seek peace and solitude during your days off.  Feel as if you aren't accomplishing anything at work?  Tackle a job on the weekend which you can finish to your satisfaction.

"Worry about the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves."  That's another way of saying:  take care of the todays as best you can and the yesterdays and the tomorrows will take care of themselves.

Do one thing at a time.  When you are with someone, be with that person and with no one or nothing else.  When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing that project and forget about everything else you have to do.

Allow yourself time - everyday - for privacy, quiet, and introspection.

If an especially unpleasant task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with, then the rest of your day will be free of anxiety.

Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

Don't forget to take a lunch break.  Try to get away from your desk or work area in body and mind, even if it's just for 15 or 20 minutes.

Forget about counting to 10.  Count to 1,000 before doing something or saying anything that could make matters worse.

Have a forgiving view of events and people.  Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

Have an optimistic view of the world.  Believe that most people are doing the best they can

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get. – Unknown
The conquerors of today never gave up, if you think you've failed and want to quit, you probably haven't failed enough. The greatest of our failures is closest to success. That's my admonition for you this day.

DID YOU KNOW?
There is more bacteria in your mouth than the human population of the United States and Canada combined .

Every square inch of the human body has an average of 32 million bacteria on it.

A fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three Months

You sit on the biggest muscle in your body, the gluteus maximus a.k.a. the butt. Each of the two cheeky muscles tips the scales at about two pounds (not including the overlying fat layer).

WORD POWER: Your Words; Your Personality"
‘You always…’ or ‘You never…’

No one always or never does anything. People don’t see themselves as one-dimensional, so you shouldn’t attempt to define them as such. These phrases make people defensive and closed off to your message, which is a really bad thing because you likely use these phrases when you have something important to discuss.

Instead: Simply point out what the other person did that’s a problem for you. If the frequency of the behavior is an issue, you can always say, “It seems like you do this often.” or “You do this often enough for me to notice.”

SUMMARY: ‘You always…’ or ‘You never…’ is wrong. Instead say, “It seems like you do this often.” or “You do this often enough for me to notice.”

FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

The president of the Federal republic of Nigeria this morning gave his independence day speech. This is the full speech from the president:

October 1st is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.

No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honouring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition arable land; water; forests; oil and gas; coastline; and solid minerals

We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one important commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.

Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.

Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development.

The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.

As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.

My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.

Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections.

And since then, as you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshalled a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G-7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram.

Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run.

That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places. On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost-effective way.

In the meantime, improvement in the power situation is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum.

Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped.

In addition to NNPC, I have ordered a complete audit of our other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation.

Prudent house-keeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources that is important.

We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.

At an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to improve short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handover notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over.

Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the handover notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.

I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.

Happy Independence Celebrations. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all.

WEDNESDAY MATERNAL HEALTH: AMENORRHEA- Causes, symtopms and treatment

Amenorrhea Overview

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding and may be primary or secondary.

• Primary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding and secondary sexual characteristics (for example, breast development and pubic hair) in a girl by age 14 years or the absence of menstrual bleeding with normal development of secondary sexual characteristics in a girl by age 16 years.
• Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding in a woman who had been menstruating but later stops menstruating for three or more months in the absence of pregnancy, lactation (the ability to breastfeed), cycle suppression with systemic hormonal contraceptive (birth control) pills, or menopause.

For a woman to have regular menstrual cycles, her hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, and uterus should all be functioning normally. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH and LH cause the ovaries to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for the cyclical changes in the endometrium (uterine lining), including menstruation. In addition, a woman’s genital tract should be free of any abnormalities to allow the passage of menstrual blood

Amenorrhea Causes

Amenorrhea can result because of an abnormality in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract, or functional causes.
Hypothalamic causes

• Craniopharyngioma (a brain tumor near the pituitary gland)
• Teratoma (a tumor made up of a mixture of tissues)
• Sarcoidosis (a chronic disease of unknown cause characterized by the formation of nodules in different parts of the body)
• Kallmann syndrome (deficiency of gonadotropins, which are hormones capable of promoting growth and function of reproductive organs)
• Nutritional deficiency
• Low body weight or growth delay

Pituitary causes

• Prolactinemia (high blood levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates secretion of milk from the breasts during breastfeeding) - possibly caused by prolactinoma (a tumor of the pituitary gland secreting the hormone prolactin)
• Other pituitary tumors (for example, Cushing syndrome, acromegaly, or thyroid-stimulating hormone)
• Postpartum pituitary necrosis (death of pituitary cells after a woman delivers a baby)
• Autoimmune hypophysitis (cells of the pituitary gland destroyed by the body’s own defense system)
• Pituitary radiation
• Sarcoidosis

Ovarian causes

• Anovulation (lack of the release of an egg)
• Hyperandrogenemia (high blood levels of male hormones)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age)
• Premature ovarian failure
• Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder characterized by underdeveloped ovaries, absence of menstrual onset, and short stature)
• Pure gonadal dysgenesis (defective development of the ovary)
• Autoimmune oophoritis (cells of the ovaries destroyed by the body’s own defense system)
• Fragile X premutation
• Radiation or chemotherapy
• galactose (an inherited disorder in which galactose, a type of sugar, accumulates in the blood)
• Anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract
• Intrauterine adhesions (the opposing surfaces of the uterine cavity stick together)
• Imperforate hymen (a hymen in which there is no opening, the membrane completely closes off the vagina)
• Transverse vaginal septum (a dividing wall or membrane in the vagina)
• Aplasia (absence of an organ or tissue) of the vagina, the cervix, or the uterus

Functional causes

• Anorexia/bulimia
• Chronic diseases (for example, tuberculosis)
• Excessive weight gain or weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Depression or other psychiatric disorders
• Recreational drug abuse
• Psychotropic drug use (drugs prescribed to stabilize or improve mood, mental status, or behavior)
• Excessive stress
• Excessive exercise

Cycle suppression with systemic hormonal contraceptive (birth control) pills

Amenorrhea Symptoms

Amenorrhea is a symptom of an underlying disorder rather than a condition in and of itself. Additional symptoms may be present depending on the associated condition.

• Galactorrhea (breasts produce milk in a woman who is not pregnant or breastfeeding), headache, or reduced peripheral vision could be a sign of an intracranial tumor.
• Increased hair growth in a male pattern (hirsutism) may be caused by excess androgen (a hormone that encourages development of male sex characteristics).
• Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, or disordered sleep may be a sign of ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure.
• Noticeable weight gain or weight loss may be present.

Excessive anxiety may be present in women with associated psychiatric abnormalities.

Amenorrhea Treatment

• In some women, nutritional deficiencies induced by dieting can cause amenorrhea. Such women should eat a properly balanced diet.
• In some women, excessive body weight could be the cause of amenorrhea. These women should restrict the amount of fat in their diet, and they should exercise moderately to maintain an ideal body weight.
• More than 8 hours of vigorous exercise a week may cause amenorrhea. A moderate exercise program may restore normal menstruation.
• In women with anorexia nervosa or excessive weight loss, normal menstrual cycles can often be restored by undergoing treatment to restore and maintain a healthy body weight.
• If amenorrhea is caused by emotional stress, finding ways to deal with stress and conflicts may help.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking is also helpful

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Either you run the day, or the day runs you. – Jim Rohn

DID YOU KNOW?

• Our blood is on a 60,000-mile journey per day. 
• Our eyes can distinguish up to ten million colour surfaces and take in more information than the largest telescope known to man. 
• Our lungs inhale over two million litres of air every day, without even thinking. Their surface area is large enough to cover one side of a tennis court.

BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY: Good personal hygiene

Hygiene (which comes from the name of the Greek goddess of health, Hygieia), is a set of practices performed for the preservation of health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.

Good personal hygiene habits include:

• washing the body often. If possible, everybody should have a shower or a bath every day. However, there may be times when this is not possible, for example, when people are out camping or there is a shortage of water
• If this happens, a swim or a wash all over the body with a wet sponge or cloth will do
• cleaning the teeth at least once a day. Brushing the teeth after each meal is the best way of making sure that gum disease and tooth decay are avoided. It is very important to clean teeth after breakfast and immediately before going to bed
• washing the hair with soap or shampoo at least once a week
• washing hands with soap after going to the toilet
• washing hands with soap before preparing and/or eating food. During normal daily activities, such as working and playing, disease causing germs may get onto the hands and under the nails. If the germs are not washed off before preparing food or eating, they may get onto the food
• changing into clean clothes. Dirty clothes should be washed with laundry soap before wearing them again
• hanging clothes in the sun to dry. The sun's rays will kill some disease-causing germs and parasites.
• turning away from other people and covering the nose and mouth with a tissue or the hand when coughing or sneezing. If this is not done, droplets of liquid containing germs from the nose and mouth will be spread in the air and other people can breathe them in, or the droplets can get onto food.

 

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH POOR HYGIENE

There are many sicknesses which can be caused by inadequate (poor) domestic or personal hygiene.

Signs of poor domestic hygiene include:

• not cleaning the toilet
• not getting rid of rubbish
• not washing clothes and bedding frequently
• not storing food properly

Signs of poor personal hygiene include:

• not washing hands
• not showering
• not washing hair

Diseases in Indigenous communities caused by germs and parasites resulting from inadequate domestic and personal hygiene

Bacterial

• food poisoning
• gastroenteritis
• diarrhoea caused by Campylobacter
• pneumonia
• trachoma
• skin infections

Viral

• hepatitis A
• gastroenteritis
• colds and flu

Parasitic

• giardiasis
• scabies infection
• pediculosis (head lice infection)
• hookworm infection
• threadworm infection
• roundworm infection (strongyloides)

Poor domestic and personal hygiene practices can help the transmission of disease-causing germs:

• directly by the faecal-oral route, or by person to person or pet to person contact
• indirectly by vectors coming into contact with people or their food, people breathing in airborne droplets of moisture which contain germs or eating contaminated food.

PERSONAL HYGIENE FOR WOMEN

The vagina is able to clean itself no special care is needed, other than washing the external genitals. Do not put anything like douches into the vagina, as the delicate skin can be damaged. Here are some personal hygiene suggestions for women:

• Menstruation - wash your body, including your genital area, in the same way as you always do. Change tampons and sanitary napkins regularly, at least four to five times a day. Always wash your hands before and after handling a tampon or pad.
• Cystitis - is an infection of the bladder. This is a common condition for sexually active young women. Urinating after sexual intercourse can help to flush out any bacteria that may be in the urethra and bladder.

·         Thrush - some soaps and detergents can irritate the skin of the vagina, and make thrush infections more likely. Some people find that they often get thrush when they use antibiotics. Use mild soap and unperfumed toilet paper.

·         Avoid tight, synthetic underwear. Try cotton underwear, and change regularly. There is medical treatment for thrush, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

PERSONAL HYGIENE FOR MEN

A build-up of secretions called smegma can form under the foreskin of uncircumcised men. If you are uncircumcised, gently pull back the foreskin when you have a shower and clean with water. You can use soap if you like, but make sure you rinse it off well.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out." --John Wooden

DID YOU KNOW?

• ·         Most people have lost fifty per cent of their taste buds by the time they reach the age of sixty.

• ·         The amount of carbon in the human body is enough to fill about 9,000 'lead' pencils.