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Showing posts from October, 2017

A Healthy Society Requires Functional Cells

A society with little or no social ills is a function of a Healthy Families. The relationships within a nuclear family can be too much sensitive and delicate. At the same time, the strength that these relationships attain with time matches no other strength on the earth. There can be a number of external and internal factors in making this divine relationship weak. The discussion on reasons can surely be too infinite to discuss in a single article. So I am going to discuss the most prominent and major reasons. Right from the outset of a marriage, some sane steps should be taken in order not to encounter future problem s. A wholehearted agreement should be made from both the sides and a thorough probation should be done from both the families which should be friendlier. As for the cultural difference, the west seems to be more incline d towards marriage that boy and girl decide only while the east tend to get the whole procedure done through families. Whatever the procedure is both

More Than Just A Seed

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Introduction Do you know that people consume flaxseeds as food since the time immemorial? The historians say that these seeds are known to people about 6000 years ago. There are documents to prove that this might have been the world's first cultivated super-food. This rekindled the interest of the people in its properties. That was how the research on this particular food from nature had begun. In nut shell, the contents of flaxseed are found to aid digestion, lower cholesterol, improve the skin health, fight cancer, balance hormones, lower sugar cravings and promote weight loss. This research result is just the beginning of a new world of healthy living. In this article, we would look into the advantages of flaxseed. Benefits of Flaxseed People call flaxseeds as linseeds in some places. They are small differently colored seeds that come in brown, golden and tan colors. According to the biochemists, these seeds are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-lino

Preventive Medicine...!

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October is Breast Cancer Prevention Month. It is every woman's duty to take care of their health. Here are some tips to protect your breasts from cancer. Exercise Regularly: "Keep moving every day". Exercise is your best friend when it comes to any health-related problem. The more you sweat, the more calories you burn and this helps you stay healthy. Go for regular checkups: Visit your doctor every now and then, especially if you have any doubts. This is not a condition where you can think and postpone your doctor visit to the next month or even later. The earlier you get diagnosed, the earlier you will save yourself! Know your family history: It is important to know your family history, because most cancers are hereditary. If anyone in your family suffers or has suffered from cancer, then you are prone to a high risk. Encourage breast feeding: If you are a new mom, do not stop breast feeding for any reason. Breast feeding makes you and your baby stay healt

Eight Habits that fuel Impotence

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By Tunde Ajaja Based on findings, one of men's worst sexual problems is impotence. It is a type of sexual dysfunction characterised by the inability of the man to develop or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Beyond the fact that it reduces man's self esteem, it impairs a man's ability to have sexual intercourse and more importantly, it also reduces the likelihood of the man being able to impregnate a woman. But the good news is that it is curable. However, given the serious impact it has on the sexual wellness of a man, it is important to point out that there are certain habits that fuel this dysfunction, and these include: Diet: It should first be noted that the turgidity of the penis is dependent on blood flow and so it is only helpful when people eat the food that would aid blood flow in their system. WebMD, a website that provides valuable health information and tools for managing health, pointed out that the kind of diet or eating patt

The Unwelcomed Visitor

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Everyone fears the word cancer. However most types of cancers can be beaten, if you catch it up soon enough, and even if you don't there are new treatments coming out by the minute everyday that will help you fight and successfully beat cancer. There are however some types of cancers that are more complex in nature than others, brain cancer is the one we're speaking of and the one we will be focusing on. Two types of known brain cancer exist, namely: Primary brain cancer (these generally initiate in the brain), Primary brain cancer almost never moves to any other part of the body, so death is brought on by uncontrollable tumor growth within the brain cavity. Then you get metastatic brain cancer or otherwise known as secondary brain cancer (this type of cancer originates in other parts of the body and get transported or should we say it migrates to the brain thus causing the person to circum to secondary brain cancer. In some cases the patient will not know they have brai

A Public Health Emergency

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THE Philippines needs to act with a higher sense of urgency to stop the increasing number of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cases among our young people. Based on the latest report of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (the UNAIDS’s 2017 report, which was released in August), the Philippines posted the highest increase in new HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region over the past six years. The Department of Health (DOH) said the country’s HIV infection rate grew by 140 percent from 2010 to 2016, with two out of three new HIV infections among 15 to 24-year-old men who have sex with men (MSM). The UNAIDS’s 2017 report showed that in 2016 alone, 83 percent of new infections in the Philippines occurred through MSM and transgender women who have sex with men. The number of new HIV infections documented by the DOH had reached 1,098 in May—the highest since the DOH established the HIV/AIDS Registry in 1984. The DOH had documented 44,010 HIV/AIDS cases, indicating that the

How Safe Are Your Ears

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Of late, people are becoming deaf earlier than our ancestors. Studies show that the exposure to noise pollution could be the main culprit. Modernization and technological advancement has contributed markedly to the increase in ambient noise levels. Prolonged use of earphones to listen to music is on the increase, mainly among the young. If the same is not used diligently it will lead to the damage to the ears. It is very important to remember that many devices often have a sound output reaching 110dB and hence is powerful enough to cause Noise Induced Hearing Loss with a single exposure. The louder the noise the shorter is the safe exposure time.The upper limit of safe daily exposure is slated for 85dB sound is 8 hours. Generally the safe amount exposure time is reduced by a factor 2 for every additional 3 dB. The safe exposure at 91 dB is only 2 hours [National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 1998]. A simple way to define safe volume is to use the Earphone at a v

Your State of being - an Imprint

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Good mood is like a bright smile, extremely contagious. Happiness latches on with ease from one person to another. It is natural to feel happy being in the presence of someone brimming with joy and laughter. A similar domino effect is rekindled when one comes in contact with a person displaying anger or negative moods such as sadness and hopelessness. After a while, one gets conditioned to the same state. Psychologists have a name for what guides such behaviors - social contagion. According to this theory, behaviors or feelings exhibited by one person can guide the moods or behaviors of others. Depression is one of the most debilitating illnesses in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that nearly 300 million people across the world are affected by it. The disorder is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It increases the risks of comorbid health complications such as diabetes, hypertension and poor cardiovascular health. Depression and low moods are

Say No to Lifts

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Did you know that regularly using stairs could save your life? Studies show that climbing just eight flights of stairs a day can improve your health and lower your risk of early death by as much as a third. So popular has this form of exercise become that you can even get free smartphone apps to count the number of steps you climb and record how many calories have been burned off. Here are six ways that climbing stairs on a regular basis can benefit you: 1. Builds bone and muscle strength Stair climbing is basically a more strenuous form of walking. Because you have to pull against gravity, it demands greater effort, so you get more of a workout. The exercise is great for your body, increasing your bone density, strength and muscle tone - so the likelihood of developing osteoporosis is considerably reduced. 2. Helps your heart By raising your heart rate, stair climbing helps prevent blocked arteries and high blood pressure. This boost to your cardiovascular system lowers t

The Curious Case Of A Woman Who Actually Sweats Blood

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Could this be a case for Grey? A 21-year-old Italian woman with no gashes or skin lesions sweats blood for between one to five minutes, usually when she is sleeping or involved in physical activity. The condition began three years before she sought medical help for the toll it took on her mental health, wrote doctors Italian Roberto Maglie and Marzia Caproni in a report published in the latest issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal: “Our patient had become socially isolated owing to embarrassment over the bleeding and she reported symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder and panic disorder.” The blood would surface on her face and the palms of her hands, reports The Guardian, and, although the doctors prescribed her anti-anxiety medications, the bleeding continued. She was eventually diagnosed with hematohidrosis, a rarely reported condition in which patients spontaneously sweat blood through unbroken skin. They then treated her with propranolol, a hea

Sleep duration affects integrity of sperm

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A new study found a link between sleep duration and a measure of chromosomal health in sperm. The findings are published in the Journal of Sleep Research. In the study of 2020 semen samples provided by 796 male volunteers from colleges in Chongqing (China) from 2013 to 2015, volunteers with more than nine hours per day of sleep and those with 6.5 hours or less per day sleep had 41 per cent and 30 per cent lower High DNA Stainability — an index that represents the proportion of sperm with abnormal chromatin — than did volunteers with seven to 7.5 hours per day of sleep. Chromatin is a complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes. “This is new information after our previous finding that sleep duration has an inverse U-shaped association with semen volume and total sperm count. In the previous study, we found that these two semen parameters were highest when sleep is 7.0 to 7.5 hours per day, and either longer or shorter sleep was associated with the decrease of the two s

Dealing With Culprit Fungus

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Garlic According to Wikipedia, a fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. Please don't ask me what a eukaryotic organism means. However, since you have asked, I will take the next few lines to describe what a eukaryote is. If you were fortunate to have learned Integrated Science in Primary School, you should be familiar with the word “Cell.” Cells, as we have learned, are the building blocks of organisms. There is a component in a cell that carries genetic information called a nucleus. An organism whose cells have a nucleus and of course, other components (organelles) enclosed within membranes is called a EUKARYOTE. Yeasts, Molds, and Mushrooms are descendants of Fungus - or if you wish, Fungi (plural). Whenever I hear the word “Yeast,” all I think of is B-R-E-A-D, a commodity that satisfies hunger. Some may think of wine, others, eye sight. That's the good

Behold, sudden deaths rate soars

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Hypertension  But for the fact that we still live in a society where authorities and most people still dismiss curiosities such as rise in sudden deaths rate as a divine occurrence, the issue would have become a matter of urgent national issue in the country. Indeed, cases of sudden deaths are rampart but we just sympathise with families of victims and wait for the news of next victims. This is quite worrisome and here is why. Generally, non-communicable diseases usually are not at the front burner because of the low risk perception of their implications for life expectancy. However, evidence from expert studies suggests that close to half of deaths are traceable to non-communicable diseases. For instance, a recent revelation by experts linking over 44 per cent of deaths to hypertension should put all citizens on red alert because implicitly, it is a very deadly disease. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the potential danger because it is a non-communicable disease. C

How Prompt Should We Answer Nature's Call?

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The human bladder can hold up to 0.5 liters of liquid. A normal person taking 8 glasses of water a day takes 64 ounces (1.9 liters), hence the need to constantly get rid of the excess water. The bladder stores this excess liquid and when half full, sends signals to the brain to let one know that they should pee. This however, is bearable and one may decide to hold the pee for longer. But how long is long, well it varies with different people. Others can hold it for so long while others can't hold it in for long. It is however advisable that you hit the head as soon as the urge to do so comes. While holding it for a short period has no effect apart from the difficulty to concentrate on anything else than your desire to pee, doing so for long and too many times is harmful. It may lead to infections and other numerous side effects. The bacteria on the genital surface is not being flushed out, hence it can enter through the ureter and migrate in to the bladder. The accumulation

Improvement of Brain Health, Fights Cancer & More: Important Reasons Snail is Good for You

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Snail contains a lot of vitamins, protein and amino acids. It is also very high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and essential fatty acids. Here are six reasons to include snail in your meals 1. Good for the brain Snail is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which assist in the development of the brain and memory of children. Omega-3 improves brain health because it affects the development of cell membranes in the neurological system. 2. Great source of vitamins Snail contains vitamins A, E, B1, B3, B6 and B12. Vitamin A is beneficial for the health of the eyes, while vitamin E may act as an antioxidant. Its omega-3 acid and folate content is also good for pregnant women. 3. Aids bone development Snail contains high levels of magnesium. Magnesium is needed for more than 325 enzymatic reactions, bone metabolism, neural activity, muscle contraction and relaxation, cardiac activity. 4. Promotes good heart health Snails are high in potassium and low in sodium the

WHO supports containment of rare virus on Uganda-Kenya border

GENEVA - WHO is working to contain an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) that has appeared in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya. At least one person is confirmed to have died of MVD and several hundred people may have been exposed to the virus at health facilities and at traditional burial ceremonies in Kween District, a mountainous area 300 kilometres northeast of Kampala. The first case was detected by the Ministry of Health on 17 October, a 50-year-old woman who died at a health centre of fever, bleeding, vomiting and diarrhoea on 11 October. Laboratory testing at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) confirmed the cause of death as MVD. The woman’s brother had also died of similar symptoms three weeks earlier and was buried at a traditional funeral. He worked as a game hunter and lived near a cave inhabited by Rousettus bats, which are natural hosts of the Marburg virus. One suspected and one probable case are being investigated and provided with medical ca

Change Your Style & Change Your Life

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Posture can be static or dynamic. Dynamic posture means that there is a change in the body position such as when you walk, jog, run or jump. Static posture occurs when you sit, lie or stand in one place. In today's modern life static posture occurs a lot. Think of all the people who work at their computers the whole day, and of all the school children who sit at their desks for many hours per day. Our physiques differ. Good posture occurs when there is a balance between the work load of the different skeletal muscles, the limbs and the joints. Problems occur when some of the muscles or joints get overloaded, such as when we carry a heavy weight in one hand only. Signs of overloading are muscular and joint pains. Our posture is the result of the communication between the brain and the muscles and limbs. A good posture is maintained when the natural curves of the spinal column are maintained. We have to guard against sitting or walking with rounded shoulders. With good posture t

WHO targets 874,000 with yellow fever immunisation

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By Gabriel Olawale The World Health Organisation, WHO, yesterday stated its commitment to support Nigeria to immunise 873,837 people against yellow fever in Kwara and Kogi states. According to the WHO Nigeria Representative, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, the 10-day campaign, which began on October 13, targets residents, aged nine months to 45 years old. Dr. Alemu said: “This campaign aims to ensure that people living in high-risk areas are protected from yellow fever. “We have mobilised more than 200 health workers and volunteers to ensure success of the exercises.” He disclosed that WHO had been working with health authorities on its implementation in nine local government areas in Kwara State and two in Kogi State. He said: “Nigeria has requested support from the International Coordination Group , ICG, on vaccine provision for yellow fever. “A global stockpile of six million doses of the yellow fever vaccine is available for countries to access, with the support of Gavi,

The Body's Light

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Six days ago, the world celebrated the World Sight Day. The Biblical Deliverer of the Israelites (Moses) was a man whose eye sight never grew dim with age. When it comes to improving your vision naturally it is helpful to pay attention to the area associated with nutrition. For instance, many factors are responsible for improving your vision health but the nutritional factor is one vital area that you should not overlook. This is due to the fact that the nutrition that you feed your eyes accounts for more than 30% of the results that you get from an eye exercise program to improve your vision naturally. In terms of nutrition there are certain eye vitamins and minerals that end up increasing your vision health. These factors assist you in your efforts to achieve significant results with your eye exercise program in terms of vision improvement. One particular mineral that supports eye health that we don't normally associate with vision improvement is Magnesium. Therefore, here is

Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly

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By Glenn Ellis When bacteria enter the urethra and your immune system doesn’t fight them off, they may spread to the bladder and kidneys. The result is a urinary tract infection, or UTI. UTIs are responsible for around 8.1 million doctor visits per year. Most urine infections are caused by germs (bacteria) traveling from the skin up the tubes of the urinary system. In men, this distance is farther, and the end of the urine tube is farther away from the germs of the guts. So men tend to get urinary tract infections less commonly than women. Women are four times more likely to get UTIs than men because their urethras are shorter. Your UTI risk increases with age. More than one-third of all infections in people in nursing homes are in the urinary tract. More than 10 percent of women over age 65 report having a UTI within the previous year. That number increases to almost 30 percent in women over 85. Men also tend to experience more UTIs as they age. UTIs become more common with

Care for Oneself: the Genesis...

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When did you last stand in front of the mirror and admire yourself? Or, when did you last visit the gym? Umm, months ago? Or perhaps, years ago. It is not a strange experience, in my opinion. Considering the paced at which the world is progressing, everyone is busy chasing their dreams. The mechanics of the world have taken our minds from the life beyond routine. It is imperative that we remove some time from our busy schedule to pamper our self, take care of oneself. We take our bodies for granted. Don't we? Just like a car needs petrol for good efficiency, similarly our body needs a healthy diet and proper nutrition. Want to know how you can take proper care of yourself? Get going and we will give you a real nutrition guide. Understand the difference between fit and healthy. There's a huge difference between being fit and being healthy. You see a well built muscular man. You can say that he is fit, but that doesn't mean he is healthy as well. One has to be

UNICEF, Group trains 60 NYSC members on hygiene

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YOUTHWASH, an NGO in partnership with the UN Children’s Fund is strengthening capacity of Youth Corp Members to activate and sustain Environmental Health Clubs (EHCs) and overall hygiene promotion in schools. The group’s National Coordinator, Mr Nature Obiakor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that 20 volunteers, 60 Hygiene Education Teachers, and 30 Community Health Education Workers also been trained on hygiene promotion in the six area councils under the FCT. According to him, “hand washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet has severally proven to be the best preventive approach to healthy living. “It is considered as the most cost effective way to mitigate diseases such as cholera, pneumonia, diarrhea, typhoid fever and can save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention. “Good hand washing practice also plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards improving well-being and red

Nipple discharge: Causes and effects

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By Dr. Sylvester Ikhisemojie Nipple discharge is one of the most common reasons why a woman is likely to visit a doctor in connection with her breasts in her lifetime. And while most of these cases will involve women understandably, men can also have the condition. Because the breast in men is somewhat rudimentary, it often spells trouble when a male breast is discharging for any reason. There are various types of nipple discharge and each one usually represents some specific kind of condition and we shall be examining some of these associations very shortly. The milky discharge is probably the most common kind of nipple discharge seen in women. In many cases this would occur because the affected woman has recently stopped breastfeeding her baby. Sometimes, a woman can experience such a milky discharge in a period ranging from two to three years after breastfeeding has been stopped. It can also be because the woman has suffered a change in the hormonal representation in her syst

The return of monkey pox, ailment that has no cure, 39 years after

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By Sola Ogundipe The current suspected monkey pox outbreak in Nigeria, which has now spread to seven states, is the third in the nation’s history. There were a total of three recorded human cases previously  in 1971 and 1978 according to the Centres for Disease Control, CDC. The virus was first isolated from colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name “monkey pox.” The first recorded human case of monkey pox was in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. There were also reports of cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The following year, 1971, there was one case in Cote d’Ivoire and two cases in Nigeria. Then in 1976 there were two cases in Cameroon and again in Nigeria, in 1978, one case was recorded. Since then, monkey pox has remained strictly a disease of Central and Western African countries, except in 2003, when 47 cases were reported in the US. The 2003 US outbreak is the only time monkey pox infect