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‘Treating high blood pressure may do more than prevent heart attacks and strokes. In older adults, intensive blood pressure lowering may also conserve brain function, according to a new study.’

Want to know more? Read!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-better-blood-pressure-control-may-benefit-the-brain

Yesterday was World Cancer Day. So, our post is dedicated to cancer today.

Can your lifestyle contribute to cancer? Yes it can! Here are some tips to help you make the right choices.

Dos

• Eat healthy. More fruits and vegetables which are full of anti-oxidants which help protect the body against free radicals that lead to cancer. Eat less animal fats. Green leafy vegetables are rich in substances that are thought to protect against cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. These vegetables are also rich in folic acid which helps your body produce new cells and repair DNA, and is especially important for women of childbearing age because it can prevent neural tube (spinal cord) defects in a developing fetus . You get the most of these nutrients when the leaves are eaten raw or slightly cooked. So please don’t smother them in oil!!!

• Exercise as this helps you lose weight and reduces your risk of certain cancers like those of the breast, kidney and oesophagus.

• Garlic: Funny…but it could very well be the sulfur compounds causing that odor that also stop cancer-causing substances from forming in your body, speed DNA repair, and kill cancer cells :D…..talk about a stinky idea!! Garlic also battles bacteria, including H. pylori (the one connected to some ulcers and stomach cancer), and it reduces the risk of colon cancer. To get the most benefit, peel and chop the cloves and let them sit 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. That activates enzymes and releases the sulfur-containing compounds that have the most protective effect
  And…by the way, stick with the cloves, not the dietary supplement.

• Carrots: They contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant believed to protect cell membranes from toxin damage and slow the growth of cancer cells. They also deliver other vitamins and phytochemicals that might guard against cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Some studies have suggested that cooked carrots supply more antioxidants than raw. If you’re cooking carrots, leave them whole while steaming or boiling, and cut them after they’re done. That reduces the loss of nutrients and gives them a sweeter taste as well.
• Whole Grains: They have a lot of fiber and contain other substances that might battle cancer. So stock up on 100% whole wheat bread (not white bread), ofada or brown rice as opposed to polished white rice and oats instead of sugary cereals.
• Strawberries: Berries are thought to protect against heart disease, memory decline and cancer. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants which are thought to destroy cancer-causing substances and slow the growth of tumors. Other types of berries like raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries are also good sources of these anti-oxidants. They can be found fresh or frozen at big supermarkets in major cities. Studies have shown that eating fruit, including berries, probably decreases the risk of lung cancer and could prevent cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
• And guess what? Breastfeeding is protective against cancers…one more reason to ensure that your baby gets this all important goodness 😀

Don’ts

• S Smoking is one avoidable lifestyle habit that increases your chances of a lot of diseases like cancer) of the mouth, throat, stomach and cervix high blood pressure etc. Even second-hand smoke (inhaling smoke from someone else who is smoking) has been implicated in lung cancer.

• Alcohol intake: Limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women with at least 2 alcohol-free days per week. However, even these recommended amounts are still associated with significant health risks include cancer

• Red Meat and Animal Fat: Studies have shown that a diet high in animal fat increases the risk for several types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Poultry and fish contain less fat than red meat, thus reducing the red meat in your diet may help to prevent cancer. A diet high in fat also is major cause of obesity, which is a risk factor for many types of cancer.

• Unsafe Sex: This has been implicated in cervical cancer. Unsafe sex can cause infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cancer of the cervix and is a risk factor for other types of cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that is spread through sexual, skin-to-skin contact. There is a vaccine to prevent this cancer now. Please ask your doctor. HIV/AIDS is also associated with some types of cancers. Get screened regularly

There are vaccines to prevent some cancers like those of the cervix. You could also take the Hepatitis B vaccine to prevent long term damage to the liver and cancer.

More importantly, study, know and understand your body and be sure to notice any change(s) like change in skin colour, development of a lump etc.

I hope you had a lovely day, folks 😀

Q: Doc please help. I am 27 weeks pregnant, I have craving for water, I drink more than 4L a day and that worries me. I asked the nurse at the clinic she said it’s a good thing, water cleans the bladders. What worries is that I feel like I abuse drinking water and I overdose it.

A: Water needs increase during pregnancy, what with production of amniotic fluid, increased blood volume morning sickness et al. But there is really no specific recommended amount of water to take when pregnant because it differs depending on activity level, weather conditions, body weight etc. Usual recommendations are for about 8 glasses of water per day from all sources – water, milk, soup etc. This is not even up to 2 liters and so if indeed you are taking up to 4 liters a day, please consult your doctor. It is indeed possible to have too much of a good thing. This could really just lead to you visiting the bathroom more often or actually lead to water intoxication. Water intoxication is a situation in which massive amounts of water are taken in a short time, giving the kidney way too much work to do with resultant headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, brain swelling later etc.

Every pregnancy is different and unique. So discuss your concerns with your doctor. He’s in the best position to know if you are overdoing it.

All the best!

‘Have you ever been walking along while looking at your cell phone and nearly run into someone or something? If so, you’re not alone. It happens to me all the time. If I veer into another person’s path, I move aside, apologize, and promise myself I’ll be more careful. And then I return to whatever I was doing on my phone.’

Want to know more? Click https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-your-cell-phone-dangerous-to-your-health-2020012118697

Hey! Thought to share this again.

Q: Hello Doctor, thanks for being a source of medical education to most of us. Please, I would like to know if it is normal for a baby’s navel to get bigger. My boy is 7 weeks old and his Navel is getting bigger than it was after the normal birth treatment. My daughter presses it in my absence. Could it be the reason for it to get bigger almost by day? Again he stretches a lot…could that also be the reason? I’m just curious ma’am. Thanks for being there to lean on.

A: It does sound like your baby has an umbilical hernia. Don’t go shouting and screaming just yet! It’s probably not as horrible as it sounds. It looks all dramatic any time the baby cries and does appear to ‘swell up’ causing parents to panic. But, it usually closes up on its own by the time the baby turns 1 year though some may last slightly longer. If this persists up till the age of 3 years, please see your baby’s doctor.

Now, what’s a hernia? This is the protrusion of an organ or its covering through the wall of the cavity that usually contains it. There are different types of hernias (or herniae) and they include:

Inguinal hernia: The most common type of hernia. It usually happens in situations where the pressure inside the abdomen is increased.

Other hernias include incisional hernia (where a protrusion develops from the site of a previous surgery, especially abdominal surgery), femoral hernia (which has the same risk factors as inguinal), umbilical hernia (common in black children where the umbilicus, aka navel does not form a small ‘button’ on the abdominal wall but protrudes) and hiatal hernia (where the stomach squeezes through a hole meant for the oesophagus (the pipe through which food gets to the stomach).

Typically, all hernias are caused by a weakness in the wall of muscles or containing cavities and an increase in pressure. Examples of activities that increase pressure in the abdomen are long standing cough or frequent sneezing, carrying heavy loads regularly, straining at stool whether due to constipation or diarrhoea etc. The walls of muscles are usually weakened in people who are obese, pregnant women, smokers and malnourished people. It is also more common in men and as people grow older.

What are the symptoms? People with hernia would usually notice a protrusion after a strain eg lifting something heavy or coughing. Sometimes, they are able to push it back. Other times they are not. The worry about hernia and the reason why they have to be treated quickly is that they may strangulate. Yes, just think about the word strangle and you understand what strangulate means  The protrusion may become squeezed by the opening through which it passes blocking off blood supply to the area protruding. Once a part of the body is deprived of blood, it dies. We don’t want that to happen 

The decision as to whether to go for surgery or not depends on where the hernia is located (inguinal and femoral hernias usually need surgery), the contents of the hernia sac and the symptoms. A truss (a supportive device that prevents enlargement of a hernia) may be prescribed by your doctor to help for a short period of time. Typically a doctor will schedule a surgery to repair a hernia. Complaints of pain in a hernia patient may mean strangulation, which need to be dealt with immediately. Umbilical hernia does not usually require surgery as the protrusions usually ‘return’ on their own. If this persists beyond 5 years, then surgery may be needed.

If you do require surgery, you don’t need to fret about it…really. This is not major surgery…it’s intermediate (sort of like half way between minor and major :D). Your doctor will provide answers to all the questions you have and of course, counselling. There are options for laparoscopic surgery which is surgery done through small incisions guided by a camera.

Preventive measures include having a healthy weight, giving up smoking, treating conditions that may lead to long standing coughs, eating healthy to prevent straining at stool etc.

So, peeps, you can’t dodge this stuff. It’s healthy living and eating all the way  Have a great weekend.

The Novel Corona Virus is a member of the corona virus family that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. It is novel because it is new – we are just trying to understand more about it.
Although the first cases were seen in China, a couple of other countries have since reported cases too. So, this concerns everyone! How do you stay safe? Well read the advisory below from the WHO website:
WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices:
Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider;When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
Stay safe!

‘As we age, our digestive systems can become more sensitive to certain types of foods and methods of food preparation. While you once may have handled the spiciest of foods without breaking a sweat, now that super-hot chicken curry gives you the digestive drama known as diarrhea—uncomfortable, unformed, watery stool.’

‘Learn how to identify the foods or ingredients that give you the runs.‘

Read! https://www.health.harvard.edu/digestive-health/is-something-in-your-diet-causing-diarrhea