Daily Health Tips: Harmattan/winter-proof skin

Posted on December 26, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Happy Boxing day everyone. Trust you had a great celebration yesterday!

The weather is pretty dry now and depending on where in the world you are, you’re either dealing with winter or harmattan…but some are actually contending with Summer . That is awesome!

This tip is for the cold, dry air associated with harmattan and winter. How to keep your skin supple during this period?

Moisturise, mositurise and moisturise! Long hot showers/baths may sound very tempting but they dry out your skin. Opt for short showers. Immediately after you have a bath/shower (with cold or warm water as opposed to hot water), pat your skin dry…leaving some moisture still on it, and then apply moisturizer at this time. This locks in the moisture. Look for moisturisers that contain ingredients like isopropyl palmitate, propylene glycol linoleate, squalene, and glycerol stearate, jojoba oil, lanolin, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, propylene glycerol, urea, and lactic acid (Long list, aye :D). These ingredients provide the mix of keeping the skin soft, smooth and pliable and then also draw moisture from the atmosphere to the skin’s surface increasing hydration.

If you are prone to having cracks on your feet or hands, thicker moisturisers may be needed. Good old petroleum jelly is great and stops you from looking like the ‘paper white man/woman’:D. Have a good stock at home and also have small packs for your handbags, gym bags etc. Other thick moisturisers include cocoa butter, shea butter and beeswax.

Constant hand washing, especially with hot water could lead to very dry hands so make sure that you have your moisturiser handy so you can slather it on immediately after hand washing. You didn’t think we were going to advocate not washing your hands anymore, did you? 😉

Hydrating from the inside may not be a bad idea too. So drink at least 8 glasses of water and load up on foods like berries, nuts and fish (which are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids) and spinach. Stay off alcohol and caffeine as they lead to more water loss.

Have a great day, beautiful people and keep the cold out!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Daily Health Tips: It is Christmas morning!

Posted on December 25, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Merry Christmas, y’all!!! Have a wonderful celebration.

Whatever you do today, remember:

  • The reason for the season. Show love to all around you.
  • That a second on the lips can very well mean a lifetime on the hips: go easy on all the ‘rich’ foods available
  • Eat slowly…so your brain has sufficient time to tell your stomach that you’re full before you get stuffed.
  • If you must take alcohol, stick to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. Do NOT drink and then drive!
  • What the empty calories in pastries and soft drinks do to your blood sugar…tread very carefully 😀
  • And…make a difference to someone who’s not quite expecting it!

Merry Christmas, people 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Daily Health Tips: Stress free Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

t is Christmas eve! Merry Christmas, people!!

The words of a popular Christmas song proclaims this season as a wonderful and magical time of the year. There’s something wonderful about completing a cycle…from January to December. Celebrating love, joy and peace on earth. Celebrating God’s goodness in our lives.

As we mark the birth of Christ, may He renew all our commitments made earlier in the year…especially to healthy living 😀 (you guessed that was coming, right?!)

So, be sure to ensure that as you feast this season, you have loads of colour on your plate…salads, steamed vegetables, grilled vegetables etc. Try running over to the shops yourself for that last minute ‘I forgot to buy’ to get some exercise and indeed, if you can get to the gym do so; play lots of songs or Christmas carols and dance along.

Go easy on the frying. Instead, grill, roast or broil. In fact just go easy on the oil. Remember, a second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips :D. Don’t spend the whole of 2014 repairing the damage of the last few days of 2013!

Don’t sweat the small stuff; resist the urge to scream at the guy in the car who cut in front of you…or even the lady (who you rudely tell to go and get a driver :D); drive safely realizing that the whole world is probably doing what you want to do…some last minute shopping, so there’s got to be some order in doing so 😉

If you get to the shop and the last beef has been taken, ‘chillax’; perhaps you should try some chicken; if that’s been taken too, go for fish….whatever you do, just stay cool. This is an admonishment for me as I haven’t been able to get chicken 😀

More importantly, show love. That’s really what the season is about and be thankful 😀

Have a very merry Christmas Celebration everyone.

Here’s to a healthier you.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Daily Health Tips: Prevention of Cross-Contamination of Food

Posted on December 23, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Hello everyone! Merry Christmas!!!

AS we all race around town trying to get the last of the Christmas shopping done, please be sure to prevent cross-contamination of food.

Harmful bacteria can pass to raw foods to other food produce some of which we even eat raw. These germs may not cause much harm to adults but could cause very serious infections in children and other people with fragile immune systems.

Let’s give you our top tips for preventing cross-contamination while shopping.
•    If you go to the open market, be sure to go with enough shopping bags. That way you can separate your raw meats/fish from your other foods.
•    If you shop in grocery stores, separate the foods in the shopping cart. You could use the shopping carts that have two baskets. Use one for your fish and meats and use the other for your other foods.
•    When checking out your purchases at the grocery shops, ensure that the attendants keep these food stuff separate. In addition, keep dry foods separate from wet/refrigerated foods. This keeps the different food stuff fresh until you get home and store them appropriately.
•    Maintain this separation in the car, bus or taxi that you will take home. It may be more convenient to pack everything in one bag, but I assure you it is not healthier.
•    Finally, before you start cooking when you get home, be sure to wash your hands as you have handled money and loads of food stuff which may have deposited myriads of germs on your hands.

If we keep our foods safe from contamination from the time we buy them to the time we take them home, we have a better chance of ensuring they are fresh and delivering the right nutrients to us by the time we cook them.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Here’s to a healthier you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Daily Health Tips: Food Hygiene

Posted on December 22, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

As we enter the last few days of the count down to Christmas, let’s remind ourselves of some cardinal hygiene rules for the kitchen (which will witness a lot of action in the next few days :D).

Whether you’re going to have fish, beef or chicken, here are five issues you need to know about food hygiene:

• Eggs. These are at the root of more than 30 percent of food poisoning cases. So get your children to stay off them. If you’ve got children like mine, it may not be as easy as it sounds especially when you’ve mixed up a batch of cakes and are trying to convince them that the batter they desperately want to lick off the bowl is not healthy! Ensure that egg dishes eg French toasts (when you choose to indulge), custards etc are well cooked with no hint of raw eggs. The risk of salmonella infection is ever so real.
• Chicken. Poultry usually harbours the salmonella infection but because this meat is usually cooked before eating, it may not be a problem. However, cross contamination by using the same chopping board or work surface used to prepare chicken to prepare other foods could lead to a salmonella infection. This is also the case if the chicken is stored in the fridge in direct contact with other foods. Use different work surfaces for raw meets and other foods and please separate from other foods when storing in the freezer.

• Raw or slightly cooked fish. Worms in raw fish can survive in the intestines of man and cause infections. Thus fish has to be properly cooked. All you sushi lovers please pay attention . Appropriate cooking methods include grilling and poaching. You know that way most people fry their fish until it sounds and feels like plantain chips when you’re eating it ? Well, that certainly will destroy any worm in the fish but is not healthy for you. Sounds like you can’t win, yeah?

• Raw or partially cooked meat. Provided meat is not minced, any surface contamination of the meat is easily eliminated by cooking. However, minced meat requires that the meat be cooked thoroughly all the way through. Lovers of tartar which are raw meat dishes should be especially wary. Wooden chopping boards are discouraged as cuts on them form rich reservoirs for germs.

• Fruits and vegetables are not common sources of food contamination but could get contaminated if prepared on a contaminated surface or if not in optimal quality when eaten. So be careful

So please make sure that you obey the cardinal rules of hygiene in the kitchen as in every other part of your life. WE must not forget to wash our hands thoroughly before we start cooking too. That saying that germ no dey kill African man, is totally obsolete now. Have a great day and an amazing week, people 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Are you a new mum trying to figure out what it all means? What’s my baby saying when he whimpers, when he cries, when he screams (do you think, perhaps, someone pinched him?)…what does it all mean. It can be pretty overwhelming trying to make sense out of it all, I know 😀

Let’s help you out: Here are some signals babies could be giving out when they cry

Hunger:

If your baby isn’t full after a feed, he would cry at the end of it and before the next one. Babies also don’t feel hungry at regular intervals and so there are days when he appears to need a feed more often and other days when he needs it infrequently.

So, offer a feed if you’re not sure what signal he is giving out.

 

Needing to be held:

We all worry about whether we will spoiling our babies if we carry them whenever they cry. Well, if your baby needs a cuddle and that’s why he is crying then you just need to carry him…and you won’t spoil him! A front carrying baby sling may be a good idea.

Otherwise, Carrying or gently rocking your baby is also a good idea. Rocking is better than vigorously joggling him up and down, because this may prevent him from drifting off to sleep.

 

Tiredness:

When a baby has had way too much excitement and stimulation, it can tire him out, making him irritable and unable to sleep.

Make a habit of putting your baby down in a quiet, darkened room and leave him for a few minutes, even if he’s crying, to see if he will settle and go off to sleep.

 

Too hot or too cold:

You know those warm and wooly caps we wear on our children at all times, whether the weather is cold or hot? Bad idea!!! Babies can feel uncomfortably hot or cold, just as older children and adults do.

If your baby is sweating or his tummy feels hot to the touch, remove some of his clothing. If he is in his cot, take off some of the bedding. Remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train.

The room that a baby sleeps in should be neither too hot nor too cold. Please do not use a hot water bottle or electric blanket for your baby. Do not also place them in direct sunshine. These prevent overheating and significantly reduce the risk of cot death as well making him more comfortable.

 

Wet or dirty nappies:

Well, this bothers some children more than the others! However, regardless of which category your child falls in, please change the nappy as soon as you realize it’s wet or dirty. This helps to prevent nappy rash, which would almost certainly cause your baby discomfort.

Now you know what to do when your baby starts crying…let those maternal instincts kick in 😀

Posted on December 20, 2013 by chatwithdrketch | Leave a comment

Daily Health Tips: Diapering your baby

Posted on December 19, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Compliments of an awesome season everyone!!! There’s something about Christmas that brings out the child in me…perhaps it’s the memory of a time when it was someone else’s responsibility to look after my every need :D. Oh those were the days!!!

Are you a new mum? Still trying to figure out how to go about the business of taking care of your baby and even diapering right? Well, here’s Dr Ketch to the rescue . My top tips for getting the diapering business right.

• When diapering a boy, it’s helpful to always have a clean washcloth or extra cloth diaper on hand to place over your baby’s penis — otherwise you and everything around you will definitely get sprayed. Having said that, still expect to get sprayed. It’s just inevitable!!! (not very helpful, aye?!)
• When diapering a girl, make sure you wipe from front to back. Also limit the amount of soap used on the vagina, as it could increase your baby’s risk of a Urinary Tract Infection.
• Ensure the diaper fits well around your baby’s leg. If you’re experiencing a lot of leaks, it may be time to go up or back down a diaper size.
• To prevent diaper rash:

  • Change baby’s diaper more often than you would normally do.
  • Let baby’s bottom air dry during a diaper change and if possible, leave the diaper off for a while, if you can.
  • Use unscented, mild soap and a warm washcloth to clean baby during a diaper change. Perfume and deodorant soaps can be harsh on baby’s skin.
  • If you use baby wipes, choose those that are free of perfume, alcohol, and chemicals.

So, let’s do it right! Have a great day.

Here’s to a healthier you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Daily Health Tips: Snacking Smart

Posted on December 18, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Good morning, everyone! Wow! It’s exactly one week to Christmas…can you believe it?!

Do you usually snack at your desk while working? Well, snacking doesn’t have to be a dirty word. Here are some tips to help you do it right:
•    Snack on mixed nuts: Especially in the mid afternoon, this is a very effective pick-me-up that gives you a boost when your energy levels are waning. And they are also filled with heart healthy oils.
•    Do not wait too long between meals. This will lead to sugar levels going too low, lead to cravings and makes you over-indulge when you do get to eat.
•    Keep healthy snack options within reach in your fridge and snack cabinet. This would include lots of fruits. This makes it easier to be making the healthier choices when snacking.
•    Drink water and often too. Sometimes, it is actually thirst that we feel and mis-read as hunger. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day and actually more if the weather is super hot.
•    Chew slowly when you eat. The stomach needs about 15 minutes to get the signal that it is full. So don’t just inhale your food; rather, enjoy every mouthful and give your stomach the chance to report ‘I am full’.

So, there you go! You’ve got no excuse to get stuffed today! Eat right and feel light 😀 (Hmmm! nice rhyme….)

Have a great day, people!

Here’s to a healthier you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Daily Health Tips: The Dark Hole of Depression

Posted on December 17, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Depression is a mood disorder that is beyond the ordinary ups and downs experienced daily. It is a serious health concern. Some people have described depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. Can you imagine how that feels? Surprisingly though, some depressed people actually don’t feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic; men are more likely to feel angry, aggressive, and restless.
Do you wonder how people get to this ‘black hole’ of depression? Here are some issues that can lead to depression:

•    Conflict. The presence of conflict in any area of our lives could lead to depression,.
•    Death or a loss of a loved one, naturally leads to grief and sadness. This however, increase the risk of depression.
•    Genetics. Studies have not been able to conclusively show how this contributes to the disease, but a family history of depression may increase the risk.
•    Major events. I’m sure we can all understand how losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring would lead to depression. But what do say when the opposite is the same? You would think that events like starting a new job, graduating, or getting married would make you excited and raring to go, yes? On the contrary, it could lead to depression.
•    Other personal problems can lead to depression and they include, the feeling of social isolation for whatever reason

Symptoms?
Depressed people usually lose interest in daily activities. They have no interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. This person clearly loses the ability to feel joy and pleasure.

There is a bleak outlook on life. It appears that everything is bad, getting worse and will never get better. There is an increasing feeling of helplessness and hopelessness

There is a change in weight or appetite. This could be in either direction as a result of differing effects in people: it could lead to increased appetite and subsequent weight gain in some and reduction in appetite and subsequent weight loss in others.

Depression again affects different people differently here and thus could lead to inability to sleep or over-sleeping.

Tolerance level of depressed people is usually low and so they tend to snap at little issues, feel irritable, restless, angry and oftentimes, violent.

Unfortunately, it may not always be possible to prevent depression. But some strategies may be helpful.
•    Know your personal risk of depression. If you have a family history, you are more at risk.
•    Develop a strong social and spiritual support system. Join activities in clubs, churches, art centers etc.
•    Exercise regularly and reduce your stress. If the latter is not readily viable, improve on your stress coping mechanisms.
•    Get treatment for alcohol and drug abuse if this is a problem for you.
•    Eat healthy and get the necessary amount of sleep daily (7 – 8 hours)

Have a great day, people and stay out of the dark hole pf depression 🙂

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Daily Health Tips: Substance abuse

Posted on December 16, 2013 by chatwithdrketch

Substance abuse is becoming a major problem in our environment as teenagers move from the stages of  experimentation to total dependence on these drugs.

Here are 5 ways to help your children avoid substance abuse:

Spend time with them. WE all get too busy with one thing or the other and do not spend quality time with our teens. Teens with hands-on parents who are involved in their lives are more likely to avoid drugs and alcohol. Families that spend time together, hang out and eat meals together have more opportunities for insightful and/or continual conversation. Discuss ways for your child to make responsible choices, no matter what his or her friends are saying or doing. Praise achievements. Never miss a chance to praise your child and build his or her self-esteem.

Encourage them to join a team. Sports build self esteem. Studies have shown that teenagers involved with sports are less likely to get involved with drugs or alcohol as teammates and coaches have expectations for everyone on the team to be playing to their full potential. Most teams also apply strict sobriety rules, which create a huge incentive for teens to stay clean.

 

Get them involved with an organization. If sports isn’t your teenager’s thing, get him involved in some other extra-curricular activity: arts, music or spiritual groups. These help keep the teenagers busy an interacting with groups that build a sense of positive self worth.

 

Be open and have discussions about drug abuse and consequences. Forget the old wives’ tales we were told as children about the consequences of drugs. Focus on facts and get them involved in figuring out how to avoid peer pressure when drugs are offered. Remember that even a teenager can develop a drug problem.

 

Ask your teen’s opinion. Listen to your teenager’s opinion on the issue. Watch the body language and do not be judgmental. If they sense this, they can clam up and you will be none the wiser as to their real views on drug use or whether they are using drugs already.

 

Beyond all these, Show good example. The teenagers learn a lot more from what we do than what we say!

Here’s to a healthier you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment