chatwithketch

We have often heard that breakfast is the best meal of the day; but often times we rush out and without this, we start our day. When we skip breakfast, we are likely to binge on other foods later on, increasing our calorie count and opening us up to lifestyle diseases. Want to count your calories? Download the food tracker on the Samsung health app and find a reliable companion to remind you of the calorie count of all your foods! #DreamYourDream #Mondaymotivation #healthylivingwithdrketch

Q: Doc I don’t know if I’m pregnant or not because 2 months I don’t have monthly period then the next month my period came..I am worried because after its color black. Can you please help me to understand what happening? Thanks.
A: The uterus (womb) usually prepares to receive a fertilized egg every month and when that fails, the thickened lining of the uterus which had prepared to receive a baby is shed. Usually, this blood does not contain clots as anti-coagulants (substances that prevent clotting of blood) in blood ensure that this doesn’t happen.However, if the blood is flowing faster than the anticoagulants can work, then clots appear. This would usually happen on the heaviest day of the flow as appears to be the case here. So, clots do not necessarily suggest a problem.But, if this appears to be the case on all or most days of the period, or you find that you’re using a sanitary towel per hour for several hours, please see your gynaecologist.

Conditions that may lead to excessive bleeding and therefore, clots in blood during a menstrual period include a miscarriage (of a pregnancy), fibroids, dramatic recent weight loss, thyroid problems, large uterus etc If this is further accompanied by feeling of faintness, tiredness and paleness, you should head to the hospital immediately.

Towards the end of a period, the blood usually becomes dark due to older blood not being expelled fast enough from the body. It is not usually a cause for concern and should not prevent pregnancy. If, however, the dark colour is present all through the menstrual period, please see your doctor. Better safe than sorry.

As for the missing period, remember that a ‘regular’ menstrual cycle is supposedly one in which the cycle (the length of time from the 1st day of a menstrual period to the first day of the next menstrual period) is about 28 days but there is nothing abnormal about cycles that fall outside of this range. It could range from about 24 days to 34 days with ovulation happening at mid cycle. Indeed, in some women each period appears to have a different cycle. For young girls who have just started menstruating, skipped or irregular periods may occur.What do people refer to as irregular periods? Well, if the time between each period changes, or the length of days of the period changes or indeed when the quantity of blood lost during each period changes, the period is termed irregular. What can cause these changes?

They include:

• Changes in hormone levels, as is common in the puberty period or menopausal period (not an issue here)Stress

• Excessive weight loss or excessive weight gain

• Fibroids• Problems with the thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

• Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD)

• Scarring from previous surgery in the uterus

• Breast feeding mothers may also experience irregular periods as the hormones released may delay return of menstruation. Remember, however, that this is not an effective means of contraception.

So, it’s always a good idea to keep a record of your periods: length of cycles, number of days the period lasts, presence of pain etc. If you keep a chart of this over time, you would be able to know what is normal for you.

Treatment of irregular periods depends on cause: fibroids, PCOD, hyperthyroidism all have to be treated. If irregularity is due to stress, learning coping mechanisms or relaxation techniques may help. Reduce weight or go easy on your exercise routine, if weight issues are a problem.

So, you might want to go and see your doctor to check you out.All the best.

Good night y’all  😀

Announcing the winner from our draw of 5 shortlisted entries….

Opeyemi Morakinyo is the winner of the Samsung #DreamYourDream contest of 5^th June 2017!

Congratulations! We were so excited, we decided to hold the draw before month end! 😀

Please pick up your Samsung phone from the Samsung office at 6th Floor, FF Towers (Pan Ocean Building), Plot 13/14, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos between 9am-3pm any working day next week. That is between Wednesday and Friday next week. Be sure to go with a means of identification.

What a great way to start your weekend! #DreamYourDream

Ever wondered how to keep your brain alert and sharp? Well, some foods can help. Read!

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/foods-linked-to-better-brainpower

Good night, everyone 🙂

‘Going out for dinner can be a nice way to unwind with family or friends. But if you’re watching your salt intake, restaurants aren’t always so relaxing. Much of their fare is loaded with sodium, a main component of salt. In fact, some entrees at popular chains contain far more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium — the recommended limit for an entire day’s worth of food.’

For more, please click on this link http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sticking-to-a-low-salt-diet-when-eating-out-2017061611839?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

Have a good night, y’all 🙂

Are you getting enough vitamins in your diet? If you’re not sure, you should read this!

Click on this link: http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/does-your-diet-deliver