TOPUP AFRICA: EARN AS YOU PAY BILLS

You can now pay your Electricity bills, PayTv, Internet and even recharge airtime, all with your Smart Phone and get profit for your transactions. Click on the link below to download TopUp Africa from Google Play Store and start enjoying huge rewards. https://goo.gl/HkULnX

TSTV: SALE OF DECODERS COMMENCES IN NIGERIA

Nigeria’s new satellite TV, TStv, has concluded arrangement to roll out its commercial decoders after the successful test run of its promo decoders distributed before November, reports CommunicationsWeek. Ernest Essien, the TStv’s Public Relations Officer said that the service provider was committed to making sure that all the intending customers should have their decoders before 25 December. Essien said the company was almost done with test transmission and was just putting some finishing touches. 

Essien reiterated that the price of TStv decoder would remain at the initial NGN 5,000 with all the packages promised, adding that there would be additional surprise packages for its customers. He said that the management had decided to keep the packages secret until the decoders were rolled out. 

The new satellite pay TV actually commenced distribution and installation of promo decoders nationwide on 31 October. Some of the beneficiaries of the promo decoder had commended the improvement in the 

improvement in the number of channels and quality of the programmes. TStv is actually a dream come true for Nigerians.

Basically, there are 3 unique features you get from TStv; pay-as-you-watch, Wi-Fi, and video conferencing.

Some Pay TVs, which had dominated the Nigerian payTV market since 1994, offers premium services that are charged at monthly rates that appears too expensive and burdensome for Nigerians. This has been a nightmare to most subscribers as they’ll rather pay for what they use than being compelled to subscribe monthly – even though they may not exhaust their subscription.

But it seems things will take a new turn with the advent of TStv, a new direct-to-home TV in Nigeria, which is set to offer a pay-as-you-consume plan to customers at a much more affordable price.

TStv plans to offer various unique services that will make life easy for average Nigerians. This is a unique service in Nigeria; It’s good news to Nigerians but of course a bad market to other existing pay TV providers in Nigeria who must now situp or be shaped out out of the market. 

MARRIAGE IS NOT FOR SMALL BOYS.

I used to interpret the saying "Marriage is not for small boys" to mean small  boys in terms of age, until I visited a female mentor that has been in marriage for 47 years.

I asked, so what is the secret of your over 47 years in marriage?
Beaming, she retorted; My son, the expectations you bring into marriage will either spell its doom or success. I married my husband without expectations of enjoying his money or buying cars for me, but with time, my patience, hard work and God-fearing attitude yielded results of getting cars, houses, taking care of our children and all that.

You see, if a married lady keeps on nagging in the house, she pushes the spirit of her husband from the home. If you make the man unhappy, you make the house uncomfortable.

So, I married without high expectations from my husband but simply to make him happy always.

Yes, for the past 47 years, I would be the first to get up from bed and the last to go back to bed. I bath the kids, do devotions with them, prepare breakfast for my husband and boil hot water for him to bath. I iron his clothes he would take to work, kiss him and wish him the best in his daily endeavours.

I asked my old woman, so then what does the man do in return? She laughed all heart and hearty and replied; You see, this is the mistake you young ones make in marriage.
YOU DO SOMETHING FOR YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE AND EXPECT SAME REWARD FROM HIM OR HER, THIS IS WRONG!

When it becomes your attitude to only please your husband or wife always, the other person responds naturally. Indeed, if nothing touches the palm tree, it doesn't rattle.

She continued, my son, never carry "how rich or poor your family is" into marriage. After all, you knew very well the status of your family and decided to marry that man or woman.

Love only compels/leads would-be couples into marriage but it doesn't sustain marriage. Rather, understanding, patience, communication and most importantly, forgiveness sustain every marriage. High expectations are the symptoms of divorce in marriages.

Sometimes you hear, I want to marry a mother, a business partner, God fearing person etc. You cannot get all your expectations in one person. With time and depending on your relationship, you may get some. So minimise your expectations in marriage.

To cut the long story short, as too many cooks spoil the broth, she concluded on the mistakes a couple should resist at all cost in marriage:

1) Never say you have made your wife or husband somebody from a nobody. It hurts. God only used you as an agent for transformation, give the glory to God.

2) Let the man be head of the home no matter the financial, economic, physical and emotional health situation prevailing in the couple's life whilst the woman exercises diligence in the use of the tongue.

3) Having children should not be the ultimate objective in marriage. They are given to enhance your marriage. When God delays in giving you a child, have every reason to live a happy marital life.

4) Sex is a major morale booster after a hard day's stressful life. Try to be sexual beings and not "Angels" in that marriage

5) Resort to God often and less to men to solve your marital disputes.

6) Let the women " Make up" their characters much more than they make up their body.

Indeed, marriage is not for small boys because small boys struggle to forgive, demand everything speedily, lack the patience to wait, have so many friends etc.

Make every effort to let that marriage work and may God help us.

Kindly Share to Bless Others

Nice reading!!!

Nigeria Has Second Largest HIV Epidemic Worldwide: UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has reported that Nigeria purportedly has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and has one of the highest new infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

This is just as it said 720,000 Nigerians are on United States PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment with approximately four million Nigerians having received HIV counseling and testing services in 2017 alone.
The acting Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate, Kevin Krapf, made this disclosure during the commemoration of the 2017 World AIDS day held in Lagos.

The commemoration was organised by the consulate in collaboration with the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) led by the Provost, Professor Babatunde Solagberu.
With the programmed theme: ‘Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships’, Krapf said it reflects the US government longstanding leadership in addressing global HIV/AIDS, increasing our impact to move epidemics from crisis toward control.

He said: “It also highlights the historic opportunity to accelerate progress toward controlling, and ultimately ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in countries around the world.
“Finally, it emphasises the critical role of transparency, accountability, and partnerships in reaching these goals.

“According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and has one of the highest new infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Many people living with HIV in Nigeria are unaware of their status due to insufficient recommended number of HIV testing and counselling centres.

“Low access of antiretroviral treatment remains an issue for people living with HIV in Nigeria, and I welcome the new commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to use domestic funds to provide antiretroviral drugs to an additional 50,000 people living with HIV each year.
“The US government, through PEPFAR, has helped not only to save and improve millions of lives, but also transformed the global HIV/AIDS response.

“Currently, more than 720,000 Nigerians are on PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment and approximately four million Nigerians have received HIV counselling and testing services in 2017.
“Also, approximately 50,000 pregnant women have received antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.” Krapf added: “We are at an unprecedented moment in the global HIV/AIDS response. For the first time in modern history, we have the opportunity to change the very course of a pandemic by controlling it without a vaccine or a cure.

“Controlling the pandemic will lay the groundwork for eliminating or eradicating HIV which we hope will be possible through the future scientific breakthroughs which will lead to an effective HIV vaccine and cure.
“The US government continues to lead the way in the global HIV/AIDS response. But no one country or entity alone can end the AIDS pandemic.
“We are proud to partner governments, the private sector, philanthropic organisations, multilateral institutions, academic institutions, civil society and faith-based organisations, people living with HIV and many others in this project.

“Through this collective effort, we also expect to reduce the future costs required to sustain the HIV/AIDS response.”
It further said: “To accelerate progress toward HIV/AIDS epidemic control, PEPFAR continues to leverage the capabilities, assets, and technological know-how of the private sector, creating innovative solutions to complex problems.”

While thanking the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency for conducting a state-wide aggressive campaign, counselling and HIV/AIDS testing through its mobile clinic initiative, Krapf said their​determination to ensure a zero prevalence of HIV in the state aligns with the strategic plan of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
He also commended the Society for Family Health for providing quality health services to Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

PREGNANT WOMEN WHO SLEEP ON THEIR BACK (FACING UP) RISK OF STILLBIRTHS.

PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE IN THEIR LAST TRIMESTER ARE ADVISED TO SLEEP ON THEIR SIDE AND NOT THEIR BACKS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF STILLBIRTHS.

This advice is from a study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG), which said women who sleep on their backs have at least twice the risk of a stillbirth more than those who sleep on their left side.

These findings are based on a Midlands and North of England Stillbirth Study (MiNESS) in the UK.

The research suggests pregnant women who sleep in various positions should try laying on their sides when ready to sleep because most time is spent in the position one goes to sleep in.

Researchers interviewed 291 women who had stillbirths and 733 women who were delivered of healthy kids in 41 UK maternity units.

They found that mothers who slept on their backs had a 2.3 fold increased risk of stillbirth compared to pregnant women who went to sleep on their left-hand side.

Researchers claimed theory is that in late pregnancy, the combined weight of the baby and the womb may compress blood vessels and restrict blood flow and oxygen to the foetus.

The research also found that the link between going-to-sleep position and late stillbirth was not affected by the duration of pregnancy after 28 weeks, the size of the baby, or the mother’s weight.

“We’re pleased we can now give pregnant women a simple message they can act on for a safer pregnancy: if you’re past 28 weeks of pregnancy, it’s safer for your baby if you go to sleep on your side rather than settling to sleep on your back,” Clea Harmer, CEO at Sands, stillbirth and neonatal death charity, said in a statement.

However, mothers of twins or those who had babies with major abnormalities were not included.

Also,  women who visited the toilet once or more every night were also found to have a reduced risk of stillbirth.

- Thecablestyle

FREQUENT TAKING OF SOFT DRINKS DURING PREGNANCY COULD MAKE YOUR CHILD DIABETIC, STUDY WARNS PREGNANT WOMEN

A new study published in The Journal of Physiology has warned pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to avoid diets high in fructose-containing sugars as it increases the risk of their kids being obese or diabetic.

Researchers from the University of South Australia gave female rats water supplemented with fructose-containing sugars at an amount equivalent to those in standard soft drinks, before, during and after pregnancy.

After birth, offsprings were weaned by a mother who had access to the same fructose-containing beverage, or by one who had access to water only.

Body weight, fat mass and glucose control in the offspring were measured and tissues were analysed to see the amount and type of fat in their livers.

Offspring from mothers who had a diet high in fructose-containing sugars were found to have a detrimental fat composition in their livers.

This can negatively impact the metabolic health of the offspring, contributing to the development of obesity or type 2 diabetes in the future.

“This study highlights the importance of maternal nutrition during the lactation period. Guidelines for consuming added sugars or sugar-sweetened beverages during pregnancy should consider this,” said Sheridan Gentili, senior lecturer in biological sciences at the University of South Australia, and lead investigator of the study.

“As there are differences in physiology between humans and rodents, we need to be careful when translating this research directly to humans.”

Many kinds of cereal, sugary soft drinks and other processed foods have fructose-containing sugars, including sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Excess consumption of these sugars is a major contributor to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

- Thecablestyle

MONKEY POX SPREADS TO SEVEN STATES, 31 CASES REPORTED

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Help to prevent monkey pox and other diseases.

The best way to live a healthy life with your family is ensure that your house and environment is kept clean and neat always. A clean environment promotes good health and wellbeing. There are number of measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus:

1.)   Avoid contact with animals that could harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where monkeypox occurs).

2.)  Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick animal.Isolate infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.

3.)  Regular, proper handwash/personal hygiene and good Environmental sanitation is the key to preventing most diseases. Its advisable to make handwash a regular habit especially in schools, workplaces, and homes too. Always practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans. For example, washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

4.)  Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.

THE FAMILY: A PLACE OF FORGIVENESS-- Pope Francisco

Please look at the speech that was read at the retreat by the Pope.
Regardless of religion, see how beautifully Pope Francis wrote about the family.

FAMILY, PLACE OF FORGIVENESS ...

There is no perfect family. We do not have perfect parents, we are not perfect, we do not marry a perfect person or have perfect children.
We have complaints from each other. We disappoint each other. So there is no healthy marriage or healthy family without the exercise of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is vital to our emotional health and spiritual survival. Without forgiveness the family becomes an arena of conflict and a stronghold of hurt.

Without forgiveness, the family becomes ill. Forgiveness is the a sepsis of the soul, the cleansing of the mind and the liberation of the heart.
Whoever does not forgive does not have peace in the soul nor communion with God. Hurt is poison that intoxicates and kills. Keeping heartache in the heart is a self-destructive gesture. It's autophagy.
Those who do not forgive are physically, emotionally and spiritually ill.

That is why the family must be a place of life, not of death;
Territory of cure and not of illness;
Stage of forgiveness and not guilt.
Forgiveness brings joy where sorrow has produced sadness;
Healing, where sorrow has caused disease.

MARRIAGE TIPS: FACTS OF LIFE.

Marriage, like love, is always very AWSOME. It is the characters involved that makes the difference by making marriage/Love to appear terrible.
While very reasonable, decent and uncompromising courtship is always very imperative, PLS DO NOT RUSH INTO ANY OF THEM. YOU COULD GET BADLY HURT OR......... EVEN LOSE YOUR LIFE. 

COURTSHIP IS ALWAYS A VERITABLE TOOL BEFORE MARRIAGE AND YOU MUST NEVER DISREGARD IT.

Its very unreasonable to marry someone out of mere sentiments and/or pity.
Also, marriage as a result of pregnancy of the girl or woman may quickly turn sour just like marriage because of money or material gains. That's a very faulty foundation of marriage/love.

Never get married to a person, because of the persons sound parental background. Look at the person you intend to get married to and not the parents or family.Trust and Truth must reign in your marriage, else don't get married. 

Always open up, disclose and discuss ALL issues together, no matter how hard it is to discuss such.

Share all your problems/challenges with your spouse because, you are one flesh in  marriage. 
NOTE: Never try solving your problems alone without your spouse's knowledge. Its betrayal of trust

As a family, you all must attend the same church so as to hear the same messages and share same doctrine and belief pattern. This bonds families together.

Your spouse must be the next priority to you after God Almighty. That's the mistake most couple make in marriages by placing their biological parents above their spouse. This is terribly wrong.

NOTE: YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE MUST BE OF FIRST LINE PRIORITY TO YOU BEFORE  YOUR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.

Praying together as family, early morning and night (before bed time) is very helpful to marriage and family.
REMEMBER: A family that prays together, stays together.
Let God be in-charge truly. 

Always visit: FAMILY HEALTH MIRROR for incisive family health tips........... 

EXCESSIVE SALT INTAKE

Too much intake of salt (sodium chloride) can raise your blood pressure, which puts you at increased risk of health problems such as heart disease and stroke. But a few simple steps can help you to cut your salt intake. You don't have to add extra salt to your ready-to-be eaten food on your dinning table as it amounts to too much salt in your food that would impact negatively in your body system. 

Studies have shown that about 75% of the salt we add to our food on our dinning tables is already in our natural everyday foods such as bread, breakfast cereal and ready meals.

A diet that is high in salt can cause increased blood pressure, which currently affects more than one third of adults.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and it is estimated that about one in every three people who have high blood pressure don’t even know it. But if you have it, you are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. If you're aged 40-74, you have to regularly have a check on your blood pressure in a health facility.

Cutting down on salt lowers blood pressure, which means that your risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease is reduced.

HOW MUCH SALT IS ENOUGH FOR ADULTS?

Some schools of thought opines that  Adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day – that's around one teaspoon. While children should eat even less (see below for recommendations for babies and children).

Salt and sodium in your food

Salt is also called sodium chloride. Sometimes, food labels only give the figure for sodium. But there is a simple way to work out how much salt you are eating from the sodium figure:

Salt = sodium x 2.5

Adults should eat no more than 2.4g of sodium per day, as this is equal to 6g of salt.

DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN USE NUTRITION LABELS TO CHECK SALT LEVELS?

Cutting down on added salt is only a small part of the solution. To really cut down, you need to become aware of the salt that is already in the everyday foods you buy so that you would choose lower-salt options using label information.

Fortunately, nutrition labels on food packaging now make this a lot easier. Most pre-packed foods have a nutrition label on the back or side of the packaging.

Many foods also display information about the salt content on the front of the packaging. This may show the salt content as a percentage of your refrence intake (RI) or have colour-coded nutrition information to show whether the food is low, medium or high in salt. Where colour-coding is used, red means high. Try to eat high-salt foods only occasionally, or in small amounts, and aim to eat mainly foods that are green (low) or amber (medium).

Look at the figure for salt per 100g:

High is more than 1.5g salt (0.6g sodium) per 100g. These foods may be colour-coded red.
Low is 0.3g salt (0.1g sodium) or less per 100g. These foods may be colour-coded green.

If the amount of salt per 100g is between 0.3g and 1.5g, that is a medium level of salt, and the packaging may be colour-coded ambdown
International salt content color code:

1) RED COLOR CODE        -  HIGH SALT 
2) AMBER COLOR CODE - MEDIUM SALT
3) GREEN COLOR CODE  - LOW SALT

As a rule, aim for foods that have a low or medium salt content. Try to have high-salt foods only occasionally, or in small amounts.

Of course, one easy way to eat less salt is to stop adding salt to your food during cooking and at the dinner table especially. However, if you regularly add salt to food when cooking, try cutting it down or adding less. 
Also when you sit down to eat, taste your food first to see if it needs salt before adding any. It doesn't take long for our taste buds to get used to less salt and you might find you start to appreciate other flavours even more.

HOW MUCH SALT IS ENOUGH FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN?       

Babies and children under 11 should have less salt than adults.

Babies under a year old should have less than 1g of salt a day. If a baby is breastfed, they will get the right amount of minerals, including sodium and chloride, from breast milk. Formula milk contains a similar amount to breast milk.

Don't add salt to your baby’s milk or food and don't use stock cubes or gravy as they're often high in salt and their kidneys can’t cope with it.

 
Remember this when you’re cooking for the family if you plan to give the same food to your baby.

Avoid giving your baby processed foods such as ready meals as these are often high in salt. However, food manufactured specifically for babies should meet the recommended levels. If in doubt, always check the label.

The daily recommended maximum amount of salt children should eat depends on age:
1 to 3 yrs   –  2g salt a day (0.8g sodium)
4 to 6 yrs   – 3g salt a day (1.2g sodium)
7 to 10 yrs – 5g salt a day (2g sodium)
11 yrs plus– 6g salt a day (2.4g sodium)

Making sure your child doesn’t eat too much salt means you’re also helping to ensure that they don’t develop a taste for salty food, which makes them less likely to eat too much salt in adulthood.

Foods that contain salt

Some foods are almost always high in salt because of the way they are made.

Other foods, such as bread and breakfast cereals, can contribute a lot of salt to our diet. But that’s not because these foods are always high in salt – it’s because we eat a lot of them.

DO YOU KNOW THAT SOME SOLUBLE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT OR PAINKILLERS ALSO HAVE SALT CONTENTS?

NOTE: If you routinely take effervescent (dissolvable) vitamin supplement, or take effervescent painkillers when necessary, it's worth remembering that these can contain up to 1g salt per tablet. Therefore, you may wish to consider changing to a non-effervescent tablet, particularly if you have been advised to watch or reduce your salt intake.

- Special thanks to NHS-UK

-EHSadvisor's Blog

HICCUPS AND CAUSES

In healthy people, hiccups usually go away by themselves with no serious effects after that. Whenever hiccups continue, however, they may cause social embarrassment and distress, and if prolonged may result in speech, eating, and sleeping disorders.

Hiccups can be described as brief, irritable spasms of the diaphragm that can occur for a few seconds or minutes. They infrequently last longer in normal individuals without any underlying medical problem.

Hiccups is rarely a medical emergency. If hiccups last for more than 3 hours, occur with severe abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, spitting up blood, or feeling as if the throat is going to close up, the person should seek medical attention.

A person should see a doctor if the hiccups become chronic and persistent (if they last more than 3 hours), or if they affect sleeping patterns, interfere with eating, or cause reflux of food or vomiting.
 
Many conditions are associated with hiccups, but none has been shown to be the cause of hiccups.

The following are some conditions that may cause hiccup in humans:

a)  If a person eats too fast, he or she can swallow air along with food.

b)  Smoking cigarettes or chewing gum also can cause a person to swallow air and get hiccups.

c)  Any other practices that might irritate the diaphragm such as eating too much (especially fatty foods) or drinking too much (alcohol or carbonated drinks) can make a person prone to having hiccups.

In these instances, mentioned above, the stomach, which sits underneath and adjacent to the diaphragm, is distended or stretched. As they occur in relation to eating and drinking.

Hiccup's are sometimes thought to be a reflex action to protect a person from choking.

d)  Strokes or brain tumors involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders (such as renal failure) are reported to cause hiccups too; trauma to the brain, meningitis, and encephalitis also may cause hiccups.

e)  Damage to the vagus or phrenic nerve may cause hiccups to last a long time.

f)  Problems with the liver, including swelling, infection, or masses can cause irritation of the diaphragm, which can cause hiccups.

g)  Some medications that can cause acid reflux may also have hiccups as a side effect. Most benzodiazepines, including diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax) and lorezepam (Ativan) can cause hiccups. In addition, medications such levodopa (Larodopa), nicotine, and ondansetron (Zofran) can cause hiccups. Other medications that can cause hiccups include levodopa, methyldopa (Aldomet), nicotine, ondansetron (Zofran), barbiturates, opioid pain relievers, corticosteroids, anesthesia, or other chemotherapy medications.

h)  Noxious fumes can also trigger hiccup symptoms.

i) A baby may hiccup after crying or coughing. This is common in babies in the first year. In some instances, babies with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) could be more prone to hiccups.

j)  Anxiety and stress can induce both short and long-term hiccups

However,  diagnosis of hiccups is based on physical evaluation. Laboratory testing is rarely necessary unless the hiccups are suspected to be a symptom of an associated medical condition. The tests to diagnose the associated medical condition will be done and tests will vary according to the associated condition.

HOW TO QUICKLY GET RID OF HICCUPS?

There are a variety of home remedies to resolve hiccups, which include holding your breath,... to drinking a glass of water quickly etc. 
The common effect to most of these remedies is that carbon dioxide builds up in the blood or stimulating the vagus nerve will stop hiccups. Medical care is rarely needed to cure hiccups. If a person has hiccups for more than two days, they should seek medical care.

WHY HICCUPS?

The reason these remedies are thought to work is that carbon dioxide build-up in the blood usually stop hiccups, which is what happens when a person holds breath for example. 
Stimulation of the vagus nerve (the nerve that runs from the brain to the stomach): Also, when the Vagus nerve is stimulated, hiccups can be alleviated (this is what is happening when a person drinks water or pulls on their tongue).

TRY THESE METHODS AT HOME TO GET RID OF THE HICCUPS:

Hold your breath.

Drink a glass of water quickly.

Have someone frighten you (or better, surprise) you

Use smelling salts.

Pull hard on your tongue.

Place one-half teaspoon of dry sugar on the back of the tongue. (Repeat this process 3 times at 2-minute intervals, if necessary use corn syrup, not sugar , in young children.)

"stick a finger in the ear;"

tickling the palate with a swab;

Swallowing a tablespoon full of honey (this distracts the person with the hiccups and may help the diaphragm relax).

However, a person should only try those methods they are comfortable with, and be aware that some methods are not suitable for infants (honey, sugar methods), elderly with swallowing problems, and others with health problems.

You may contact your doctor if they fail to stop the hiccups or it gets worse.

MOUTH ULCERS : CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Mouth ulcers are painful SORES in the mouth and gums. They are also known as CANKER SORES. Mouth ulcers can be extremely painful and uncomfortable which makes it difficult for some people to eat, drink, and brush their teeth.

The symptoms of a mouth ulcer may vary depending on the type of ulcer. Usually, Mouth ulcers range in sizes, and the exact symptom(s) of the mouth ulcer will depend on what type of ulcer a person has as there are basically different types of Mouth Ulcers. These include:

A)  HERPETIFORM ULCERS (HU)

Herpetiform ulcers are a subtype of aphthous ulcers and get their name because they resemble the sores associated with herpes. Unlike herpes, HU is not contagious. HU ulcers recur very quickly, and it may appear that the condition never gets better.

B)  MINOR ULCERS

This type can range in size from about 2 millimeters (mm) up to 8 mm across. These ulcers typically take up to 2 weeks to get better and will cause minor pain.

C)  MAJOR ULCERS

This type of ulcers are usually bigger than minor ulcers. Major ulcers are often irregular in shape and often penetrates deeper into the tissue than minor ulcers. They can take several weeks to go away and are likely to leave scar tissue when they clear.

Mouth Ulcers can be very painful, and the pain can be made worse by food (with pepper especially), drinks (with , and poor oral hygiene.

HU LESIONS:

   •   They appear as extremely painful ulcers in the mouth

   •   Recur very quickly, so infections seem continuous

   •   Increase in size, eventually coming together to form a large, ragged ulcer

   •   It usually takes 10 or more days to heal

   •  They are known to appear anywhere in the mouth.

They tend to be found in more females than males and are more common in older adults.

SYMPTOMS FOR MINOR AND MAJOR ULCERS INCLUDES:

    •     One or more painful sores that may appear on the cheeks, the roof of the mouth, or the tongue

    •.    The appearance of round lesions that have red edges and are yellow, white, or gray in the middle

During more extreme outbreaks of mouth ulcers, some people may experience fever, sluggishness, and swollen glands.

SOME POSSIBLE CAUSES OF MOUTH ULCERS

The exact cause of mouth ulcers is still not known and varies from person-to-person. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, may aggravate mouth ulcers.

However, there are some common causes and several factors that may aggravate mouth ulcers, including the following:

1)   Quitting smoking

2)   Citrus fruits and other foods high in acidity or spice races,

3)    Poor-fitting dentures, and other apparatus that may rub against the mouth and gums

4)    Stress or anxiety

5)     Hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause

6)      Medications including beta-blockers and pain killers

7)      Genetic factors

Some people may develop ulcers as a result of a different medical condition or a nutritional deficiency.

Conditions such as celiac or Crohn’s disease, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, or a weakened immune system may all trigger ulcer's to form.

Thankfully, mouth ulcers tend to clear up on their own, and the pain associated with an ulcer typically disappears within a couple of days.

There are some medications in the form of ointments and solutions that may help with pain and swelling, but these are often not necessary for a person to make a full recovery.

To prevent future outbreaks, people should try to reduce stress and anxiety as much as possible.

TOP BIRTH CONTROL METHODS FOR WOMEN

Population control, Birth control or pregnancy prevention measures have been discussed for decades. The advancements in technology have given us many more choices in this area.

With the help of advanced medical research, birth control measures are no longer to the tune of just a condom. More and more safe and effective pregnancy prevention measures by way of birth control products are being introduced in the market.

Let’s list out a few that are known to be up to 99 per cent effective to prevent pregnancy.

BARRIER CONTRACEPTIVES : If male condom is all that you had heard of, then take a look at the few of these barrier contraceptives to avoid pregnancy.

1.)  FEMALE CONDOM:  This contraceptive is not only useful in avoiding pregnancy but also protect women from most transmitted infections. Easily available at chemists’, this barrier contraceptive prevents the sperm from entering the female body. It is usually inserted into the female organ, about 8 hours prior to having sex.

2.)  SPERMICIDES:  Usually available in foam, gel, cream, tablet or film form, they usually aid in killing the sperm to prevent fertilisation. Taken in conjunction with the Diaphragm or cervical cap, the spermicides are meant to be inserted an hour before intercourse.

 3.)   DIAPHRAGM:  It is made of rubber and is a roundish, rigid rimmed shallow cup that fits into the cervix. It is normally placed inside the female organ to block the sperm entrance. However, it is often recommended to be used with spermicides, as it will kill the sperms cells and disable fertilisation process.

4.)   CERVICAL CAP:    This  is similar  to the Diaphragm in structure, except that it is slightly smaller in size. This also functions similarly like Diaphragm and comes in different sizes for better fitting. However, care should be practiced when using it. Preferably use it after a suggestion from a doctor or a trained family healthcare provider, with proper spermicides. Both the Diaphragm and Cervical caps are supposed to be inserted, at least 8-10 hours before sexual intercourse or penile penetration.

 

 

5.) HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES: Just when you thought you knew all about birth control pills, you will be surprised to know a few more measures that women can adopt for safe pregnancy prevention measure.

6.)  MINI PILLs:  We all know that birth control pill has both the hormones progestin and estrogen, but the mini pill has only progestin that should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor. Lacking the estrogen, mini pills are free from the some possible side-effects of normal birth control pills such as increased risks of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), heart disease or sickle-cell disease. It is also recommended for women who are breastfeeding because the mini-pill does not affect milk production.

7.)  BIRTH CONTROL SHOT (INJECTION): One progestin shot is a progestin injection, which prevents the sperm from getting fertilized. As effective as the regular contraceptive pill, this prevention shot is known to be 99.7 per cent effective in avoiding pregnancies. Other than the above mentioned measures, ring, patch and a few intrauterine devices (IUD) are also available. However, detailed information regarding the same should be obtained from the trained  family  health specialist  before  plunging into self experimentation.  Anything that prevents pregnancy artificially or interferes with the body’s routine fertilization process has to be referred by a health or medical practitioner. This is applicable to not just the IUD’s, but all of the above mentioned birth control measures.

Special thanks to KANIKA KOTHARI

FACTS ABOUT MENINGITIS

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. Meningitis is usually caused by an infection with  virus or bacteria.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.Bacterial meningitis is most commonly caused by one of three types of bacteria:

1.) Haemophilus influenzae type b,

2.) Neisseria meningitidis, and

3.) Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

The bacteria are spread by direct close contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person.

There is also VIRAL MENINGITIS that is caused by virus. :

Viral meningitis  as the name implies is caused by virus and its usually relatively mild. It clears up within a week or two without specific treatment. Viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis.

Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or a bacterium is important because of differences in the seriousness of the illness and the treatment needed.

However, BACTERIAL MENINGITIS is much more serious. It can cause severe disease that can result in brain damage and even death.

Bacterial meningitis is most commonly caused by one of three types of bacteria:
1.)  Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

2.) Neisseria meningitidis,

3.) Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Of the three mentioned above, Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis is also called MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS.

While Meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is also called PNEUMOCOCCAL MENINGITIS.
It is important to know which type of bacteria is causing the bacterial meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people especially now that new resistance strains have been isolated in Nigeria.

HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES

There are three (3) basic types of headaches:

1. Tension HEADACHES , which are the most common type of headache.

2. VASCULAR  HEADACHES  which include migraine and cluster headaches.

3. ORGANICALLY  CAUSED  HEADACHES  i.e. those caused by viral infections, diseases of the brain, diabetes, neck disorders, diseases of the nose e.g. sinusitis.

WHAT IS  MIGRAINE ?

Migraine is a neurological or central nervous system disorder. Migraine is a recurring headache that is characterised by severe pain, usually restricted to one side of the head and throbbing in nature. It is actually a primary headache disorder that is characterized by recurrent headaches that may start from moderate to severe. Typically, the headaches which affects one half of the head, are pulsating in nature, and could last from two to 72 hours.

A migraine can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on just one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and can be so severe that the pain is disabling. Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. About two-thirds of cases run in families. Changing hormone levels may also play a role, as migraines affect slightly more boys than girls before puberty and two to three times more women than men. The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy. The underlying mechanisms are not fully known. It is, however, believed to involve the nerves and blood vessels of the brain.

Pain that worsens on movement and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to smell, light and noise. It's a kind of headaches that can last a few hours, or if left untreated can linger for weeks.Visual disturbances that precede the headache. This is known as an ‘AURA’ and may include flashing lights, zig zagging lines, bright spots, partial loss of vision and may be accompanied by tingling in the hand, tongue or side of the face.

Migraines preceded by an aura are known as classical migraines; those without aura are called common migraines. Migraines can afflict some people two or three times a year, others as often as twice a week. Some individuals are rarely migraine free.

The symptoms of migraine can cause a considerable degree of disability. Normal physical activity can intensify migraine to the degree that some individuals are unable to work and need to retire to a semi-dark, quiet room. Others have to find new jobs or careers.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR HEADACHE  IS  A  MIGRAINE?

There are no specific medical tests for migraine so the diagnosis is based on having all or some of the following symptoms:

Moderate to severe pain – usually on one side of the headPain lasting anything from four to seventy-two hoursThe presence of nausea - with or without vomitingSensitivity to light and sound

WHO CAN GET  MIGRAINE ?

Anyone can get migraine, it affects all age groups including children. However, around 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine.

Migraine affects women more than men.Migraine is a stroke risk factor for women who have a family history of migraine. In this group, taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy or smoking increases the stroke risk factor. Sometimes the onset of migraine can be tracked to puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Migraine can also be exacerbated by menstruation.

Women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy sometimes experience migraine as a side effect of those medications.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE

Treating migraine:

There are several classes of medications used to alleviate migraine:

Medications taken during attacks such as analgesics e.g. aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen.Preventive medications e.g. verapamil.Medications taken when analgesics have failed to work e.g. sumatriptan, ergotamine.The administration of an anaesthetic injection in the neck to block pain.Anti-nausea medications such as maxalon or promethazine maybe given with analgesics if the migraine is accompanied by nausea.

While many medications are available over-the-counter, it is best to consult a medical practitioner to ensure:

there is not some underlying reason for the headaches,the medications do not interact adversely with other medications or natural therapies,the medications are not contraindicated e.g. aspirin sensitivity.

REBOUND  HEADACHES: 

Sometimes medications can actually contribute to migraine. Rebound headaches can occur when the analgesic effect wears off and higher doses are needed to eliminate pain. In such cases an alternative medication is required and overused medications may need to be withdrawn. Hospitalisation is sometimes necessary to withdraw from old medications and work out a new regime.

TRANSFORMED  MIGRAINE 

Transformed migraine occurs when individuals begin to experience a daily pattern of migraine. In some cases there is an element of analgesic rebound headache, while in other cases individuals may be predisposed to frequent migraines.

Failure to control migraine pain may cause neuronal kindling, which can also account for an increase in headache frequency.

Neuronal kindling is a process in which constant pain causes the sensory nerve endings to become ultra sensitive to migraine triggers and the pain threshold is dramatically lowered (i.e. increased levels of pain). Aggressive treatment early in the course of migraine is essential to prevent the occurrence of an uncontrolled daily headache pattern and greater sensitivity to pain.

HOW TO PREVENT MIGRAINE:

Medical practitioners can assist with the treatment of migraine by finding the right medications for specific symptoms. However, migraine sufferers can significantly help themselves to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Careful observation and avoidance of factors that trigger attacks can play a critical role in migraine prevention and pain control.

SOME  FACTORS THAT TRIGGERS MIGRAINE

Some known migraine triggers are:

PHYSICAL TRIGGERS:

These includes lifestyle changes of the individual, e.g. change in sleep patterns; change in exercise patterns, head trauma, jaw or neck disorders.Overuse of headache medicationsHormonal factors such as the onset of puberty in girls, around the time of menstruation and during pregnancy.Sensitivity to some medications e.g. hormones, aspirin based medications.Food sensitivities – e.g. citrus or foods high in amines such as strong cheeses, chocolate, red wine. Some food additives e.g. 282 (calcium propionate) commonly found in bread that is usually eaten on a daily basis, MSG.

ENVIRONMENTAL  FACTORS : These includes such factors as :- 

a.) Bright or flickering lights, 

b.)  Strong fragrances or other odours, 

c.) detergents, 

d.)  Disinfectants,

e.)  Mould, pesticides, 

f.)  Paint, 

g.)  Fumes from industrial facilities, 

h.)  Wood smoke, 

i.)   Cigarette smoke, 

j.)  Loud noises, 

k.) Weather changes, 

l.)  Electrical storms etc... .

HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF MIGRAINE  TRIGGERS 

A daily diary is a good tool for tracking migraine triggers. A comprehensive  food/symptom diary used to identify food sensitivities is easily modified to track migraine triggers. If food sensitivity is suspected an allergy dietitian should be consulted as reactions to foods may not be apparent for several days. 

Other factors that need to be tracked are medications taken, weather conditions, unusual chemical exposures e.g. very strong odours e.g. glue or fragranced products, new carpet, house paint, or pest control chemicals etc.

WHO TO CONSULT IN CASE OF SUSPECTED MIGRAINE:

Many individuals in the community suffer in silence, as they have been unable to get relief from their migraines. It is important not to do this. The following practitioners may be of assistance:

i.)   General Medicine practitioners

ii.)   Pharmacists

iii.)  Neurologists

iv.)  Dentist/Orthodontists

v.)   Environmental medicine practitioners

vi.   Allergist/immunologist

vii.) Anaesthetists

viii.) Allergy dietitians

ix.)  Acupuncturist

x.)  Chiropractors

xi.)  Homoeopath

xii.)  Natural therapist

xiii.)  Physiotherapists

xiv.)  Psychologist

xv.)   Public Health Professionals 

Some rules to remember

1. Treat migraine as soon as the warning signs become obvious,
this is the most successful way to deal with the problem.Always aim at
not letting the headache develop as higher doses and multiple medications
are required when a migraine is fully developed.

2. Make sure the migraine is fully resolved otherwise it can hang
around for an indefinite period and may increase sensitivity to pain.

3. Learn what triggers migraine – keep a daily diary.

4. Avoid known triggers – avoid migraines