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Salt is important for our cells to function normally but too much can lead to high blood pressure and there appears to be some link between excessive salt intake and kidney stones, kidney disease and even obesity.Salt is important for our cells to function normally but too much can lead to high blood pressure and there appears to be some link between excessive salt intake and kidney stones, kidney disease and even obesity.So, if you’re one of those who routinely reach for the salt shaker before you taste your food, this may be just the right time to re-think that! If you’re not in this group, don’t shout ‘Hurray’ just yet. Salt is contained in so many foods we eat, that if you’re not very meticulous about reading labels or even just knowing what foods are high in salt, you probably consume more than you need. Here are a few examples:
• Our dry fish in Nigeria (and I daresay other parts of Africa) are dried and preserved with salt.• Dried meat• The chicken cubes or other food seasoning cubes we use to cook• Ketchup• Bacon, sausages• Pizza…Ahah! Yep, you’re wolfing down loads of salt with every bite…but I’m almost sure you knew that! 😉• Salted nuts…when buying nuts, go for the unsalted variety. And remember that the nuts should be taken by handfuls and not by the bottle or pack or bowl 😀• Try reading the packs of cereals before you buy. In fact generally do this for all packed foods…compare one with another and always choose a less salty variety.• Always rinse out foods in cans like sweet corn etc to get rid of unwanted preservatives and of course, salt.
Remember that not eating salty food does not mean you’re eating boring food. Use spices like peppers, ginger, garlic, curry and herbs like parsley, our scent leaf etc to put that extra pizzazz into your food. Trust me, after about a week of training, your taste buds will get used to this new reality. This is particularly important for children because if they are not introduced to very salty foods when they are young, then it’s easier for them to stay on the straight and narrow road when they are grown.
So, kick all that excessive salt out of your diet and live healthier. Remember that if you can taste the salt, it’s probably too much!
For more tips on eating less salt, click on the link below:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/5-ways-to-use-less-salt

Have a good evening, everyone 😀

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a great day today? I want to thank you all from the very depths of my heart for your kind wishes to me yesterday, as I celebrated the beginning of another year. You all made my day super special and I pray for you all, that your joy might be full.

I love Irish blessings…there’s just something special and poetic about them. I share one of my favorites  (slightly altered) with you and speak that into your lives, individually and collectively.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again (tomorrow by His grace :D)
may God hold you in the palm of His hand

Amen!

And now to our question of the day….

Q: Please I want to ask you something, I gave birth to a son 10yrs ago. His father and I departed; now we’re together again but I can’t take in since we have been together. What can really cause it?

A: Secondary infertility is very common, but not often talked about. Even when women present themselves to the hospital, they don’t come out straight to let the doctor know what actually brought them to hospital, and rather list a series of symptoms most often, unconnected to their primary (main) concerns. Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant, or carry a pregnancy to term following the birth of one or more children. There however has to be frequent (at least three times a week), unprotected intercourse for a period of at least one year (six months for women older than 35), for this definition to be complete.

The causes include impaired sperm production (quantity and/or quality), erectile dysfunction, or new disease conditions in males. In females the causes include tubal damage (that is damage to the tubes from infections or adhesions in which case certain body surfaces stick together following surgery), ovulation problems (menstrual abnormalities), uterine conditions (infections from complications during a prior delivery, retained placenta, or a miscarriage which wasn’t properly cared for), complications from previous pregnancy(excessive bleeding following delivery) and changes in you or your partners’ risk factors; like changes in age (increasing age), weight, smoking and use of certain medications or disease conditions.

Oftentimes, no reason can be found for the infertility and this is even more nerve wracking, because nobody has an idea how long it’s going to last or what treatments are going to work best. Joining support groups and/or counseling sessions may be helpful during this period of waiting.

Prevention of infertility is targeted at the risk factors. Quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise moderately and keep your weight within normal limits.

Find a hospital with a good Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialist. The closest teaching hospital to you may be a good place to start your search. He will examine you properly and advice on the best course of treatment for you and your husband, if needed

All the best! J

The title of this post was borrowed quite liberally from David Jones David’s song, titled ‘Hello Doctor’. Have you seen the video? You should – very instructive about the subject I am about to write on.

Many children hate cough syrup. Scratch that…they hate all medicines. However, there are some teenagers who take ten of bottles of cough syrup daily! Can their coughs be that bad? Could a doctor have prescribed all of that?

If you’re into pop culture, you may know that at parties, sometimes, these cough syrups, especially those containing codeine are added to drinks, to enhance the drinking experience L

And then we have those people who sniff glue. One would wonder if they love the smell that much or perhaps, it reminds them of something/someone pleasant?

Then there are those who inhale the fumes from soak away pits! Now you would consider that downright disgusting! What’s to like in the smell of poop?!

This is the new or perhaps, old face of drug addiction in Nigeria which is just getting a lot of face and air time now.

In the past couple of days and weeks, a lot has been said about drug abuse in Nigeria (codeine, tramadol etc) including bans et al. It is important that this conversation continues with great emphasis on control of ethical and prescription drug prescription. However, that’s one side of the problem – the supply side. However, the supply side exists because there is a demand for this. So, we need to take a look inwards to understand what drives the demand. When did our teenagers move from hating the smell and taste of drugs to ‘downing’ bottles daily? When did it become fashionable to sniff stuff? Who is most likely to be affected by this and what can you do if you discover this? This post will focus on prevention, treatment and enforcement.

First, why do people start taking these drugs? Codeine is an opiate drug which is addictive with potentially dangerous effects used for pain relief and also suppresses cough, which is why it’s found in prescription cough syrups. Pentazocine is another pain killer, originally thought to be non-addictive, but that has since been found to be a drug of addiction that affects mood and behavior. This drug is used for moderate to severe pain. A good number of people start using them first, because they were prescribed by a medical practitioner. Some users report that initially, they just liked how the drug took away the pain they were feeling (I’ve heard this a lot from sickle cell patients with bone crises) but when the pain reduced, they observed some other ‘great’ feelings they were experiencing like ‘euphoria’, ‘feeling good all over’, ‘no worries’, ‘relief for pain and the mind’ etc. Others do not have the excuse of pain. They have heard how good these drugs make one feel. Some conditions make people more at risk of this drug misuse and addiction. They include:

• Poverty
• Youth
• Unemployment
• Personal or family history of substance abuse
• Heavy tobacco use
• Stressful conditions
• History of depression and/or anxiety
• Previous history of alcohol misuse
• Regular contact with high-risk groups or environments

Why do these drugs make people feel this good? They depress the central nervous system leading to feelings of drowsiness and relaxation. They make the users sociable, euphoric and serene. For someone who is dealing with a lot of stress, these are desirable feelings making the users want to re-enact them again and again. The physical dependence that subsequently develop, lead to withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not taken. These symptoms include sweating and chills, irritability, abdominal discomfort etc. So, quite a number of users actually continue to use these drugs subsequently just because they do not want to experience these withdrawal symptoms – they can be quite severe.

Sniffing glue produces the same effect of depressing the central nervous system. For those who inhale fermented human waste, the fumes act as a hallucinogen causing change in perception and hallucinations.

How do we prevent this? When I say we, I mean all of us as a community of people either suffering from this, know people who are suffering from this or know people who are at risk of this. We all need to get involved.

For one, if you or someone you know has a prescription for these drugs, please have a long discussion with your doctor as to how to use, how long it should be used and what signs to look out for that might suggest dependence. I suspect the doctor will do this without prompting but as has always been my take on this page, you all have to be empowered with information about your health so you can make the best decisions for yourselves and your families. If the doctor does not provide the information, please ask. It is your right! While these drugs are still being used according to prescription, keep them out of the reach of children or indeed anyone who could misuse them.

If you’re a parent, are you providing adequate information and a safe home environment where your children can thrive in all ways? Are you comfortable discussing any issue with your children? Are you aware that if you’re not providing this education yourself, you’re probably allowing your teenager to learn from his friends and/or the internet…where he/she may very well be learning all the wrong things! Engage them in activities they are interested in like sports etc and encourage open discussions without judging.

To wean one off this, it’s usually best to get into a voluntary program for drug addiction where there will be a combination of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. A long hard look at one’s life including unhealthy relationships, toxic home/family environment etc will be encouraged. The program will involve detoxification, exercise, counseling and other creative activities like music, art, dance, drama etc. Getting enrolled with a help group will also be helpful, if this can be found.

If you perhaps live in an area where none of the above can be readily achieved, you may have to go it alone…perhaps with the support of family. There are two options: cold turkey (where you stop completely at once and ride out the withdrawal symptoms) or where you stop gradually and you reduce the dose of drugs from 3 ampoules daily, to 2 and then 1 and then on alternate days until it’s completely tapered off. Please try!

Nothing good in life comes easy. One needs to work at this if one wants to be free and with all of us helping and pitching in to help, we should be able to arrest the demand side of this problem.

Stay drug-free y’all!

Guess the substance that found its way into the list in a bad way? Alcohol! Guys, if you indulge, you need to really consider reducing or stopping. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start!

Read!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4-ways-to-protect-against-skin-cancer-other-than-sunscreen-2018042713722

Q: Good evening ma’am, hope you are good? Please ma’am, if you can answer me urgently will love it. I gave birth last three weeks. After three days, my son was found with jaundice in his body but the doctor did two blood tests not the same day and found out that the level of the jaundice is not high to put him on phototherapy. But up to now, the jaundice has not cleared from his eyes but is no longer on his skin. He sucks well and is getting fatter day by day. But I am worried over his eyes. Please help me. What can I do ma’am?

A: Jaundice is a condition in which there is yellowing of the eyes or the skin. It can happen in both children and adults. Usually, when old red blood cells are broken down, a yellow pigment, bilirubin is released as part of that process. The bilirubin is removed from the body through urine and stool. It is the bilirubin that gives rise to that yellow colour seen in jaundice.

Other symptoms of jaundice include deep yellow urine and pale stools.

In new born babies, there are two types of jaundice (neonatal jaundice) that can occur: Physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice.

Physiological jaundice occurs as a natural process of life. While in the uterus, the baby’s bilirubin is removed through the placenta. Once the baby is born, he/she has to handle this bilirubin business by himself/herself 😀 (talk about responsibility immediately after touching down in planet earth!) because his organs are unable to deal with all the bilirubin released from breakdown of red blood cells. As the bilirubin accumulates in blood, jaundice results. Typically, this jaundice appears about 24hours after birth, actually gets worse until the 3^rd or 4^th day. It would usually have disappeared by the end of one or two weeks.

Pathological jaundice is due to a disease condition like infection, mother and baby’s blood groups not being compatible etc. This is typically present before 24 hours of birth.  Indeed, this is the main difference between the two types of jaundice. The one that occurs naturally is seen after 24 hours while the one due to disease is seen before 24 hours…rule of thumb J

Jaundice may be mild, disappearing on its own, especially physiologic jaundice. However, sometimes, the yellowness deepens, the baby may develop a high-pitched cry and/or develop arched back. These are dangerous signs and this child should be in a hospital. Indeed, if you observe jaundice in your baby after you have left the hospital, please get it checked out in the hospital just to be sure.  Most babies are able to deal with this excess bilirubin on their own without needing treatment. However, some other babies may be put under special lights called phototherapy or in more serious conditions, an exchange blood transfusion may be done (literally, this involves practically exchanging the baby’s bilirubin-filled blood with ‘new’ blood).

The main focus in jaundice is to bring down the level of the bilirubin. If this is not done, it could cross the blood/brain barrier and stain the brain leading to brain damage, a condition called Kernicterus.  More frequent feeding is usually suggested as this helps the baby get rid of more bilirubin.

So, in your case, it would appear that the jaundice is physiological but given the ability of bilirubin to cross the blood brain barrier and cause brain damage, I suggest you take your baby back to the paediatrician to re-evaluate the jaundice. Better safe than sorry!

All the best J

Q: Thanks doc, this is so helpful but may I ask what causes PCOD and hyperthyroidism, thanks

A: PCOD is an example of a pathological cyst.

What’s a pathological cyst? Let’s start from the beginning…

Ovaries are small bean-shaped organs on either side of your womb. Every month, your ovaries develop sacs called follicles from where eggs are released monthly and female sex hormones produced. After the egg is released every month, the sac disintegrates. But sometimes, the egg is not released and the sac remains or the egg is released and the sac does not disintegrate. This follicle becomes the fluid-filled cyst sac. Usually this is not a problem as it could form during every menstrual cycle and usually resolves on its own. These cysts are called the functional cysts. However, these cysts could get very big and in some instances become twisted or they could rupture causing problems. This latter type is called pathological cyst.

Examples of pathological cysts occur in Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and endometriosis. In the former, small cysts appear all over the surface of the ovary and is also associated with irregular menstruation and high hormonal levels. In endometriosis, the tissues of the uterus (womb) are found outside of the uterus. These two pathological cysts are associated with fertility problems. Functional cysts are hardly associated with fertility issues except they become extremely large.

Treatment depends on your particular situation. Your doctor could order serial scans to continually observe the size of the cysts and see if they reduce in size. Another treatment option is the use of birth control pills to prevent the development of more cysts in future menstrual cycles. The final option is surgery. Your doctor will determine what option works best for you.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when your body produces too much thyroid hormones. These hormones are usually produced by a butterfly shaped organ located at the front of your neck, called the thyroid gland. These thyroid hormones produced typically control the rate at which the body converts food t energy (metabolic rate) and also controls a whole lot of other cells and tissues like your bones (the hormones determine how your body incorporates calcium into your bones), the rate of your heart beats, your muscle contraction, cholesterol levels etc

Most cases of hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves’ Disease in which the body no longer recognizes the thyroid gland as part of it and produces antibodies to fight it. In response, the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.

As in the case above, there may not be any family history though it is known to run in families.

Thus in hyperthyroidism, you may have no symptoms (leading to a chance discovery) or symptoms would include fast heart beats/palpitations, swelling of the thyroid gland which is seen as a neck swelling (goiter). Irregular periods.The higher than normal metabolic rate would lead to symptoms like increased appetite, weight loss, sweating and increased sensitivity to heat, restlessness, tremors, tiredness, difficulty sleeping etc. In Graves’ Disease, there are also eye symptoms which include protrusion of the eyeballs, red and swollen eyelids, watering of the eyes and double vision.

The doctor will examine the person with symptoms and run blood tests to check for the level of thyroid hormones. Treatment could be with medications or through surgery or a combination of both.
You will need blood tests regularly though to monitor the level of your thyroid hormones.

Depending on your degree of weight loss, you may need to have a dietician walk you through your diet paces and ensure that you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Wearing sunglasses, using eye drops that moisten the eye (artificial tears) and ensuring that the head is elevated when sleeping or lying down will help reduce the symptoms of Graves’ Disease. If you smoke, stop…this may help prevent developing Graves’ Disease or prevent the eye problems associated with it, if you already have the disease.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism is usually effective and so you should be able to live a normal life.

Happy Workers’ Day, everyone 😀

Q: Please ma’am, can family planning injection cause delayed period and scanty period?

A: Family planning injections work by thickening mucous in the cervix, preventing sperm from getting into the womb (uterus) or by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs every month (ovulation) and so the person taking the injections can’t get pregnant.

Taking these injections affect women differently. In the first few months, there be excessive bleeding during periods, followed by a period of lighter periods. This may yet be followed by a period of irregular or no periods especially in women who have taken these injections for up to a year. Irregular periods should be discussed with your doctor to ascertain the cause. It may be due to the drug or due to an infection which needs to be treated. Prolonged periods can also be treated.

When these injections are stopped, it takes a while for ovulation to be restored because these injections are long lasting. It can be as long as 2 to 3 months. In some other cases, this can last for about a year or even up to 2 years. This has nothing to do with the duration for which the injection was taken.

I hope this helps.

All the best! 🙂