The Nation Newspaper

Category: Family Health

  • Different shades, perpetrators and health implications

    As was stressed in the previous  part of this article,  child abuse  occurs in different ways . In 90% of cases, the abused girl child finds herself trapped in a vicious cycle  and if she eventually comes out of it, she becomes a very  angry woman, difficult to console ,refusing to be comforted and living either alone as somebody with a complex, or as a partner  in matrimony as a wicked wife and an abuser. This is the common situation, where revelations and confessions are made by adults who were abused when some of their abusers were  in their sixties, early seventies or late 80s . Throughout life some girls  mayfind themselves battling the guilt resulting from not being able to open up before  their biological parents at the time of abuse . They may also hurt every one around them, as they transfer aggression variables , fighting inside (intrapsychic conflicts) .Other women unable to carry the emotional trauma simply take their own lives. Apart from the psychological trauma  that  are usually associated with child abuse,the health implications  of abuse, in particular sex abuse are many, including derangement in normal sexual health, disruption in mother child bonding, breast feeding problems, infections and unwanted pregnancies. In particular, damage to the underdeveloped urogenital system predisposes thegirl  child to infections and diseases, some of which might ruin her ability to bear children in future.

    It has been argued that abuse of the girl child occurs more commonly in towns and cities. Unfortunately, it is difficult to adequately compare , due to the circumstances that prevail when situations of abuse arise. However, there are more baby mothers in the rural communities compared with those in the urban and semi urban regions.  A major problem as concerns sex abuse, is that every thing is shrouded in secrecy. Fear of stigmatization prevents abusedpersons  from talking ,and even in the few cases where abused kids managed to report, police are kept out asno body wants  a daughter to  appear in court to be seen or shamed

    In addition, Organizations  thatare  have shown willingness in  understanding the problem and attacking the roots are not backed by law. There is inadequate funding of research, and so without  statistical  data ,the extent of the problem remains un known.

    Certain conditions ,situations and circumstances occur independently or orchestrate to bring about abuse of the girl child . Indeed it is the prayer of every normal Mom or Dad to live strong, healthy and long enough to provide for a child; particularly the girl child before departing . Except in a few cases where women rape young boys, the female orphan is pathetically vulnerable to physical and sexual forms  of abuse . Though it can be considered as part or parcel of  physical abuse, sexual abuse takes the front seat in this kind of discussion because of the increasing cases of violence of sexual nature being visited on  young women  all over the world . The situation has begun to assume bizarre dimensions with many of the cases that went in the form of rape ending in the death of the girl by murder or suicide

    Conflicts and child abuse

    Any where and any time wars are declared, the girl child comes under attack in different ways; as internally displaced (IDPS), they are vulnerable even to all sorts of assaults.  Loss of one or both parents lead to other problems such as  poverty, interruption or stoppage of education, early marriage,  under nutrition,  street life , sex abuse, including rape, teenage pregnancy ,death , infections, including STI and STD.

    The world of today is held captive by a mixed bag  of leaders with ideological commitments  that have been described as divergent, convergent ,explosive, and barbaric. Some leaders have been described as modern day emperors,being  extremely mischievous, unpredictable egocentric and wicked, setting fire in different political fields of the world for the purpose of using the resulting chaos to increase personal wealth, draw attention to  themselves and their friends . They live in  unbelievable luxury ,while women and children die daily from the conflicts they manage to  create and sustain in distant places ,the world over. Some say other world leaders are like chained Dogs, led and  pushed all over the place by strings attached to other men, perhaps of superior intelligence; emotional, physical; having no minds of their own, always talking about many issues and making many vows and promises they have no intention of keeping. They pass  several commands and instructions  from their masters  to their citizens and cronies at the same time, to confuse them ,becoming confused themselves.  Others have been described as  quiet, taciturn, focused, interested in global peace, equity and the social and economic emancipation of man but running around in circles without any meaningful progress in any area. Among the rest, there are those that have been described as working quietly to ensure that irrespective of race and colour, all men, including women and children are treated as human beings with equal rights to health, and that includes, rights of the child including the girl child. Unfortunately most of the world leaders have found it difficult to break  from party politics and behave as statesmen and elders. Their quest for political power and personal aggrandizement  dictate the  voices of opinion they elect to listen to and the decisions they make .

    Making the poor poorer and widening the gulf between the rich and the rest of society has become a formidable weapon that can be used to tighten the strangle hold on the neck of the poor and  make the whiplash of the economy much more painful. For these, the youths have no better solutions than to head for the streets as hawkers, drug peddlers and other crimes that will eventually predispose a young girl  to different forms of abuse. Beyond that, youths are daring and extremely mobile, and as such can easily be mobilized to become active participants, either for those generating conflicts or individuals pouring fuel on conflicts so every one becomes engulfed in flames ,while they run to safety outside father land.

    Culture and child abuse

    Unlike the developed world ,the African girl child is often trapped helplessly in a web of cultural practices . In some parts of West Africa , the conical shape of the  normal developing breast of a young girl is  considered too attractive and provocative . In order to  take away the eyes of boys and men from the breasts and the  girl who owns them, the breasts are   rendered less attractive by applying hot stones  .  More extreme measures may even involve taking the child to a  local herbal surgeon to drain away tissues and blood ,so as to arrest further development and growth of the breasts. The consequences  as can be imagined  go beyond  what was intended . In  many of such cases, the nipples are burnt off  and  the  girl child is left with  breasts that have no nipples , with serious implications for the child she is going to have in future

    Also, researchers have observed that  in some communities in Africa, families are becoming liberal enough to allow a situation of courtship thrive between a daughter and the person she loves , even when cross cultural issues are involved in the relationship. Other societies  are extremely intolerant, with the result that the girl  child suffers unbelievable levels of physical abuse, sometimes leading to her death.

  • Genital herpes

    Herpes is a generic name for a group of viruses that cause a variety of diseases. The ailments people generally associate with herpes are those that produce small blisters on the skin, which open and are replaced by a crust before they heal completely. Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV2), which causes crusted sores, commonly around the lips and mouth (“cold sores”) and the genitalia. The infectious condition itself is also known as herpes simplex.

    The virus is intermittently present in the mouth of healthy carriers and is spread by personal contact; genital herpes is spread by sexual contact with an infected person and is a venereal disease. Although some forms can be transmitted through the air or by contact with infected articles (especially towels) used by someone with active herpes, infection usually occurs through direct physical contact.

    An attack begins with itching of the skin in the affected area, quickly followed by redness and swelling. Within a few hours fragile blisters (vesicles) appear and rupture to exude a sticky serum like fluid which rapidly crusts. Unless secondary infection with bacteria occurs, the lesions heal without scarring within about a week.

    Because herpes blisters individually are the size of a pinhead or smaller, they may not be easily visible. Generally, the affected area will be red, tender, and mildly to severely painful. Fever, headache, and general malaise may also be present.

    Genital herpes infections may cause a painful cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) in women, with ulceration and a vaginal discharge. The results of recent research studies have suggested that women who develop herpes cervicitis may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix in later years. The condition is now seen as a reason for regular screening by Pap smears, which can detect early cancerous changes at a stage when treatment is simple and curative.

    In men the genital infection is usually less severe. However, those whose immune response is impaired (such as cancer patients, HIV/AIDS sufferers or organ transplant recipients) can be very susceptible to herpes infection.

    Genital herpes may be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery. Babies infected during birth by their mothers’ active genital herpes are very likely to die or suffer severe brain damage because they have little or no resistance to the virus.

    Once the virus enters the body, in stays there for the rest of the person’s life, unless a natural remedy is applied. Recurrent attacks may occur, usually during periods when the person is feeling run down, anxious, or depressed, before menstruation, or after sexual intercourse.

    In holistic lifecare, the best prospect of prevention and control of genital herpes is in going back to nature in terms of personal hygiene, protected sexual contact and use of potent herbal remedies. Also, a body kept healthy by proper nutrition and exercise has the best chance of keeping the virus under control.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for total cure of Genital Herpes is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina, Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea augustifolia.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • Brain nutrition and mental fitness

    Brain nutrition and mental fitness

    Yesterday, I had an unusual breakfast.  I decided to have a balanced meal instead of a usual something.  Later in the day as I went through my emails, I got a rejection letter. The email actually came in three days earlier but I did not notice it amongst the many that I had opened.  Providentially, I must have seen it and opened it when I was mentally fit to open it.

    Mental fitness can make a big difference to how we respond to the ups and downs of life and how positive and negative experiences affect us.  Mental fitness enables us to reach mental heights. It makes a difference between mediocrity and greatness.  It is not so much about how much education we have received.  A stark illiterate could be more mentally fit than a university professor.  However, mental fitness does help us in acquiring knowledge and qualifications.

    Mental fitness is important for personal well-being, societal health, and nation building.   The progress of a nation generally depends on the contributions of individual citizens, the commoners and the ruling class. These contributions emanate from mental fitness when we are opportune to contribute in whatever sphere of influence.

    Good nutrition is an essential contributor to mental fitness just as it is to bodily fitness. Therefore we revise here what good nutrition means for the common man.

    Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is now global standard of eating pattern and has stood the test of time.   One could have a habit of eating once a day or twice a day.  This is seen amongst animals, some of which eat once every few days.  It is hard work catching a prey and they simply eat to satiety when they manage to kill and leave the rest to vultures.  Let us hope no human is forced to eat once every few days or only whenever kindness comes to a beggar.  There are many reasons one could opt to eat once a day or twice a day.

    For some time in California, USA, I was eating a big breakfast and doing long experiments in the lab throughout the day and eating a big dinner in the evening. I got into the habit of skipping lunch but I might have been eating more than somebody eating three meals a day because I was not getting slim.  I confess, I put on a few extra pounds.

    In many parts of the developed world, people eat once a day out of poverty.  In Lagos, this is styled 001, 010, or 100 depending on what part of the day is lucky.The world standard for good nutrition is breakfast, lunch, and dinner and we should try to have this standard.Missing meals leads to low blood sugar, low energy for the brain and muscles, and low mood, plus irritability and fatigue.  This way of life can hardly produce rocket scientists, wonder working engineers, radical technologists, magical entrepreneurs, or the brood of people that tows a nationunto greatness nor can  it achieve precision planning, brilliant logistics, astute  management, technical endurance, etc., – some of the stuff that makes great nations.

    Fresh produce tend to be more nutritious and safer than synthetic products, assuming everything were equally hygienic.An average adult should eat the following types of foods regularly.

    FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.The World Health Organization recommends that individuals consume a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables per day. This amounts to about 5 portions of fruits and vegetables, each portion about 80g, and not counting starchy tubers such as yams and cassava.  Thus theBritish authorities have been encouraging at least “five a day”.  The British Dietary Association says: “Try to eat one or two portions with each meal and make fruit or vegetables the first choice for a snack and it will be easy to eat at least five a day” (https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/FruitVeg.pdf).  Because  a variety of fruits and vegetables is important for us to get different vitamins and minerals, we are also advised to “eat a rainbow”.  Therefore if you are including something green, something white, something red, something yellow, something orange, something  purple, etc., amongst your fruits and vegetables, you are most likely getting a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and protective antioxidants and phytonutrients.

    Tropical foods, traditionally, are well cooked because of the risk of parasites in lightly cooked foods-  including those that have a variety of vegetables as ingredients.  Egusi soup, for example, has its own rainbow of vegetables:  tomatoes, onions, peppers, greens, and egusi.  Well-cooked food retains a lot of minerals but some vitamins are lost.  Therefore, fresh fruits need to be added to such diets.   The streets of Lagos and perhaps those of many cities in the tropics have many fruit vendors and city dwellers should take advantage to eat a variety of clean fruits regularly.

    The Telegraph in Britain, in 2014, reported a 12-year study by researchers at the University College London that found that “eating large quantities of fruit and vegetables significantly lowered the risk of premature death. People who ate at least seven portions of fruit and vegetables each day were 42 per cent less likely to die from any cause over the course of the study.” Thus ten portions of fruit and vegetables daily were recommended (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10735633/Healthy-diet-means-10-portions-of-fruit-and-vegetables-per-day-not-five.html).  The average budget can do with five portions for good enough health.  It is not necessary to think too much about the numbers, five, ten, etc. We need to think about the idea – variety with constancy. To be continued.

     

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA.   For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Infertility

    Infertility is the inability of a woman to become pregnant. In general, infertility can be suspected if pregnancy has not occurred after a year of regular intercourse, (without the use of any form of contraception).

    The cause of infertility may lie in the male or the female. There are numerous causes of infertility in each sex; sometimes no cause is ever found. Investigations for causes in the male are safer and simpler; consequently, they are normally performed first to save cost and to save the woman a series of tests, if a cause can be found in the male. Unfortunately, most men do not submit themselves to fertility tests. Rather, they ascribe the shortcomings to their wife’s conditions only.

    The cause of infertility may be either structural or due to functions of the reproductive system. There may be no production of sperm or ova, or for some reason, the two may not meet to bring about fertilization. General ill-health, especially chronic diseases or endocrine/abnormalities can cause infertility.

    Basically, two kinds of infertility are recognized in the female. There is the primary and the secondary infertility. When a woman has had a child before and there is a long gap, not deliberately brought about by her, it will be said that her condition is that of secondary infertility i.e. no one talks of infertility if the woman had one or two children and decided to stop having more. Primary infertility, on the other hand, is a condition where the woman has not had an issue before and is well into the childbearing age.

    Causes of infertility that can be diagnosed are many. These include Blocked Fallopian Tubes, Uterine Fibroids, Hormonal Problems, Incompetent Cervix, Internal Heat in the lower abdomen, Tilted Mouth of the Uterus, Displaced Uterus, and Lack of Ovulation (especially after prolonged use of some contraceptive devices).

    Other cases of infertility range from infections, especially the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (in both men & women) and Watery Sperms in men.

    Also, some bad lifestyles, social excesses, indiscriminate sexual indulgence, criminal abortion as well as tough exercises, unsuitable postures and heavy sporting activities have been implicated in female infertility.

     

    Prevention /Control

    Women should be very observant so as to note as early as possible, any irregularities in their menstrual period. Excessive heat in the lower abdomen, waist pains or pinching sensations at the sides of the lower abdomen should attract attention. Most importantly, indiscriminate use of contraceptives and abortifacients should be avoided.

    In Holistic Lifecare it is strongly advocated that in order to avoid suffering in the midst of plenty, we must turn to nature.

    Some of the suggested natural remedies being suggested for infertility include the extracts of local herbs such as Acanthospermum hispidum, Desmodium velutinum, Kigelia africana, Momordica charantia and Viscum album.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • Breast cancer: Clinical anatomy and breast self-examination

    Breast cancer: Clinical anatomy and breast self-examination

    Causes of  breast cancer in women

    Though, a constellation of factors operate to cause the disease, it is relevant to note that the normal growth of breast tissue depends on certain hormones such as Thyroxin, Prolactin, Estrogen (ducts) Progesterone (glands), Growth hormones, HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) and HPL (Human placental lactogen)  amongst others.

    There are clinical and demographic overlaps, but in general, a woman’s risk of developing Breast Cancer has been linked, to a number of factors which include in order of clinical surgical importance.

    1. Female gender: It occurs mostly in women 99.9% as opposed to men 0.1%
    2. Age: It is the 2nd most important risk factor. Breast Cancer is rare before 20, but can occur in any age group. It is common in women between 30 60 years olds. More than 50% of Breast Cancer occur in women 65 years and older. PABC (Pregnancy associated Breast Cancer) appears to occur  most commonly in younger age groups.
    3. Family History: Striking family history of Breast Cancer is characterized by the presence of multiple first degree relatives

    – Mothers

    – Grand mothers

    – Aunts

    – First cousins with pre menopausal Breast Cancer

    – Bilateral disease

    – Family history of Ovarian Cancer

    1. Presence of Precursor lesions on Prior biopsy:

    90%of breast lumps are not breast cancer, but all breast lumps are presumed to be cancer until otherwise proven

    1. Women with fertility problems: These are often diagnosed with high doses of ovarian stimulating hormones
    2. Those achieving first Pregnancy and child birth beyond age 30 years and above.
    3. Genetic factors:

    Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA) gene and in males Breast Cancer 2 (BRCA1), RAP 80 and newer genes have been implicated. Population studies have demonstrated two (2) base pair deletions at position 185 and a single base pair insertion at position 5382 of BRCA2. For BRCA1, single base pair deletions at 6174 have been documented. These constitute most of the mutant alleles in AshKenazi Jews.

    Experts believe that in some cases,mutation in the genes controlling proliferation and apoptosis (programmed cell death) are responsible for Cancer. Mutations in the BRCA at 17 q 21 and BRCA2 13 q 12 Oncogenes have given support to the argument that cancer is a genetic disease, Estrogen and to a lesser extent Progesterone acting via the agency of heredity to promote neoplasia  in concert with other trigger factors.

    The P53 tumor suppressor gene(a transcription factor) operates by loss of function when activated, and is inherited in a recessive pattern, where as the oncogenes which are associated with dominant pattern of inheritance operate by gain of function when activated(proliferation)  ;others are bcl-gene associated with apoptosis and the metastasis gene for which the nm23 is a candidate gene. They are believed to operate in concert with growth factors in controlling activities of thyrosine kinase at the presynthetic(G1/S) and premitotic(G2/M) phases of the cell cycle

    1. Breastfeeding: Those who chose not to breast feed or whose husbands refuse to separate sexual breasts from reproductive breasts, are on their own at risk. Breast Cancer  having been observed to be relatively uncommon in primate and sub primate mammals, research indicates that breast feeding for about 36 months, throughout a woman’s reproductive life, offers some degree of protection against breast cancer. E3 (estriol) as opposed to E2 (estradiol) is protective,from the period of first term pregnancy and parturition throughout life. Women with gonadal dysgenesis (born without normal organs of sex/reproduction)may also enjoy protection which perhaps further implicates the ovarian factor in the concert of major events leading to breast cancer in women, as explained further hereunder,

    * The ovary do not secrete estrogen in experimental hyper prolactinemia.

    * Prolactin appears to affect granulosa cell function in vitro(in the living), by inhibiting synthesis of progesterone. It also alters the normal Testosterone: Dihydrotestosterone ratio.  In this way, it decreases aromatizable substrate(amount of cholesterol /derivatives available in adipose and other tissues convertible to estrogen) and increases local concentration of anti estrogen.

    In non breast feeding women, there is a mean delay before the first ovulation of about 45 days.

    * The development of estrogen receptor at puberty is largely prolatin dependent(good and     bad sides of baby fat).

    * The nexus of paracrine interaction between the gonadotrophs and lactotrophs estrogen, ultimately impact on the breast.

    1. Blood group, Nutrition and breast cancer( Blood group A, AB,)

    Recent and ongoing research aimed at characterization of diseases has demonstrated increasing frequency of Breast Cancer among individuals in blood group A, and AB, though no blood group is totally immune

    1. Previous breast lumps
    2. Early menarche and late menopause : these leave the system awash with hormones

    Android obesity significantly and Gynoid obesity less so, lower the threshold for early menarche ,similarly, high levels of post menopausal Estrone (E) produced by aromatization, can lead to neoplastic changes

    1. HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer

    Viral peptides have been found in tissue biopsies, from patients with early breast cancer. Studies have shown that retroviruses including HIV are capable of acting as cellular gene transcription factors. Even the presence of viral particles of HIV in the vicinity of Human T-lymphocytes have been known to produce transformed lymphocytes which apart from becoming the targets for Natural Killer CD 8 lymphocytes also become oncogenes. Some retroviruses (ART) encode MAP (membrane associated proteins). It is interesting to note that young T- lymphocytes are more prone to HIV induced transformation.

    On the other hand weakened and reduced T  lymphocyte population can hardly mount formidable viral attack. How ever, Breast Cancer is not listed by the CDC as one of the recognised  opportunistic infections (OIS) disease conditions

    1. Patients on HRT (Hormone Replacement therapy).

    The biochemical commonality between the female gonadal steroids and environmental carcinogens is the benzene ring. These agents which are being abused by women with fertility issues undergoing treatment from Herbalists can induce cancer any where in the body, either directly or through the intermediates  produced when they are metabolized,

    . Others

    Uncontrolled exposure to X-rays, use of breast firming creams, Alcohol recycled vegetable oil, Tobacco, flavouring and colouring agents in fast foods are all potential carcinogens depending on genetic constitution of the individual.

    Some symptoms and signs?

    Symptoms and signs of breast cancer may be concealed, masked or obvious . They  can also  be generalized or specific, depending on the stage of the tumor, location and extent of spread. Pain, yellow eyes, malaise, lethargy, thirst and weight loss are some of the non specific or generalized symptoms.

    Grave signs that should require serious action include

    1)            Painless breast lump

    2)            Breast oedema

    3)            Skin ulceration (not dimples) seen to be coming from a solid breast lump

    4)            Fixation of tumor to the chest wall muscles and even beyond

    5)            Presence of matted axillary lumph nodes or even a single axillary (Armpit) lymph node more than 2.5cm (larger than the breadth of an adult finger)

    6)            Arm oedema (pitting or non pitting) swelling of the Arm of the side where breast has a problem.

    7)            Sudden appearance of a painful hard lump in pregnancy is serious, more so if  unilateral (in one side).

    The most important single fact about the clinical features of breast cancer is that it is not like tooth ache or wound in the tongue; it can be silent at the onset and at any other time like partially extinguished fire only to come out stronger and deadlier.

  • Nutrition: Creating a healthy thriving food environment

    The “WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health”adopted in 2004 by the World Health Assembly (WHA) called on all – including governments, the private sector, and the civil society – to take action at global, regional, and local levels to support healthy diets and physical activity.

    Recently I was watching the rain fall in Lagos.  I had to leave the work I was doing and step out of my office to watch it.  No, I am not a lay-about.  In fact, itwas on a very busy day.  I don’t know if I was thinking as a scientist, a poet, or a prophet, but I was thinking that rain is such a source of blessing.

    For some, with flooded homes, lost property, or disruption of life, that tropical rain of West Africa may have seemed like a curse or may have actually served a curse. For those who can study the rain and think a bit, it can be viewed as a source of economic wealth, as good as crude oil or minerals, if not more valuable.  It is not everywhere in the world that plants grow prolifically without anybody’s permission.  In fact, West Africans, with their ample rain, sunlight, and fertile soil,  should be amongst the best fed people in the world, with an undeniable potential for massive employment and entrepreneurships in the food and agriculture industries. Fortunately, many Africans in the private sector now see themselves as part of nation building and are not waiting for only the governments to create food and agricultural projects.  A lot can be done by the private sector and by the numerous graduates of 126 Nigerian universities, for example.

    The World Health Organization Fact Sheet No 394 of September 2014 suggests some steps to create a healthy food environment and these include:

    o             increase incentives for producers and retailers to grow, use and sell fruits and vegetables;

    • reduce incentives for the food industry to use saturated fats and free sugars;
    • set and enforce targets to reformulate food products to cut the contents of salt, fats (i.e. saturated fats and trans fats) and free sugars;
    • implement the WHO recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children;
    • establish standards to promote healthy, safe and affordable food in public institutions;
    • encourage private companies to provide healthy food in their workplaces;
    • set incentives and rules so consumers have healthy, safe and affordable food choices;
    • encourage transnational, national and local food services and catering outlets to improve the nutritional quality of their food, create real choices, and review portion size and price;
    • Consider taxes and subsidies to encourage food manufacturers to produce healthier food and make healthy products available and affordable.

    Farming and agriculture can be fun and fulfilling full time or part time jobs, hobbies, careers, or simply humanitarian services.  The field is a platform for scientific and technological applications, innovation and creativity, able to serve the aspirations and drives of many youthsand the potentially rich.

    Sunlight, rain, soil, – all these resources that are undervalued or that have been neglected for too long can be great servants of blessing for those who think.

    Harvesting, diverting, and utilizing rain water; soil and agricultural resource management and development, exploitation of solar power, are areas where many graduates can turn their knowledge into profit and at the same time help to create a good, healthy, thriving, food environment in Africa.

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA.   For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635.

  • Sickle cell anaemia

    Sickle Cell Anaemia is a genetic disorder that is brought about right from the time the individual is being formed in the womb. It occurs in a baby who is a product of a couple that are both of the AS and/or SS Blood group.

    Sickle cell disease is a common disorder occurring exclusively in the black race. This hereditary disease causes the production of an abnormal type of haemoglobin by the bone marrow. The abnormal haemoglobin differs from the normal by a small change in the structure of the molecules.

    Red cells with this type of haemoglobin form sickle or crescent shapes (like saucers) when subjected to lowered oxygen concentrations. The cells do not pass through the same blood vessels readily, and may block the blood supply to vital areas.

    Among the symptoms to be encountered in Sickle-cell disease is sudden abdominal pain followed by the appearance of dark-coloured urine. It often begins with an inner restlessness and a feeling of general discomfort. This is followed by pains in the bones and joints which become more severe over a period of days. Some times, a swollen foot is observed. Also associated with Sickle cell disease is leg cramps, acute pain in the left side and a yellowish discoloration to the eyes (i.e. Jaundice).

    In the severest cases, slight exercise may bring on the pain. There may be severe anaemia, a huge liver, repeated fevers and recurrent bone pain. A bone in the leg may crack, which can cause a child who had been walking not to be able to walk. Sometimes, cuts that are sustained by sicklers can be quite difficult to heal, just like in diabetes. Patients with Sickle-cell disease easily succumb to other infections. The crises can be as frequent as every two months, lasting for 2 to 8 days.

     

    Prevention

    The only way of preventing this genetic problem is for couples intending to marry to ascertain each other’s blood group. If their combination will produce SS and they are not ready to go through the strain of caring for an SS child, they should not attempt to marry.

    For the management and control of Sickle Cell, a highly nutritious diet, rich in proteins and Folic acid is very essential. Folic acid is found mainly in leafy green vegetables. It is very important to adhere to natural foods, and not over-processed or denatured food like white flour products. These should be avoided. Milk, meat, soft drinks and highly proteinous foods should be cut off the diet. No sugar should be taken. Instead, honey is a very good substitute.

     

    Treatment

    The Holistic Lifecare remedies suggested for Sickle Cell Anaemia include natural extracts of local herbal plants such as Aloe vera, Morinda lucida, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides. Also recommended is auto-urine therapy.

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • Breast cancer: Clinical anatomy and breast self-examination

    Breast cancer: Clinical anatomy and breast self-examination

    The deaths in very recent past of prominent Nigerians, Professor K.D.K Koki, Dr. D. Fiberesima , Yinka Craig, Chief Gani Fawehimi and a host of others unreported, will have severed as a wake up call to experts and primary health care practitioners about the urgent need to look at cancer in Nigeria as a public health problem and no longer a diseases of the White race.

    No known curable drug for cancer has been discovered, and in resources limited countries like Nigeria, studies have shown that of all the several approaches towards healthcare, the most beneficial with regards to costs and benefits  is in the province of preventive health care.

    Surveys across the globe have shown that 7 to 10% of all cancer related deaths are attributable to factors  that  can be curtailed . These include

    –              Reproductive / sexual behaviors

    –              Diet and life style

    –              Environmental pollution

    –              Geographical features

    –              Genetic factors

    What follows hereunder contains materials suitable for the medical, academic, allied medical and other categories of people interested in or involved with the subject matter. The lay public can benefit  greatly by taking out what they can and then  seek clarifications where necessary.

    Amongst women, questions are being raised with regards to the changing patterns of cancer;  is cancer changing from the cervix to the breast? What trends are we seeing with respect to our environment and carcinogens. Do we now have a place for the old but rejected and disregarded BSE (Breast Self Examination)? How effective is Breast Self Examination in primary level care particularly amongst uneducated rural women compared to women in high socio-economic class in whom breast cancer is most common?

    In any case, the issues are worth considering;

    Cancer is Greek World for Crab, which arose, because of the need by Ancient Anatomist to define  a new growth, (neoplasia) that had gone beyond the confines of it’s tissues and developed the structures with which it can spread to distant sites,(usually un encapsulated). That scientific enquiry by Anatomist gave birth to the word cancer as it is known today.

    The smallest morphologically identifiable and functional unit of an organism is the cell. Cancer is said to have occurred when a group of cells arising from the same origin become selectively and abnormally favored in such a away that  the normal regulatory mechanism for  cellular growth, is lost, with the result that the cells  expand and invade neighboring tissues, neurovascular channels and then spread to distant sites.

    Breast cancer is now being referred to as the ultimate cancer in women, because the organ undergoes morphological (structural) changes throughout the life of a woman. According to SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results), the probability of a woman developing breast cancer increases throughout life  from birth to death.

    World wide 43,000 women out of reported cases die each year and on the average, 1000,000 women develop breast cancer each year. Studies in the US show an age adjusted rate of 27 per 100,000 deaths and Globally it has been estimated that 1 out of every 11 women will develop breast cancer in their life time.

    In Nigeria, breast cancer afflicts an estimated 12,000 women annually. About 5% of cases of pregnancy associated breast cancer have been seen and in most studies mortality is as high as 80  90% adding to the burden of care associated with perinatal and maternal morbidity.

     

    The Problem

    The form (morphology) function (physiology) and diseases (Pathology) of the human female breast are major concerns of  not only physicians, but families and  societies.

    The organ(breast) is located in an exposed part of the body, but sexual health is  taught sparingly in most Nigerian Schools, Cultural and religious barriers  forbid detailed conversations of the nature expected of that private part of the human body. In deed and in some parts of the Country and the world, only female medical practitioners are permitted to carry out detailed medical examination on women. More over, because signature symptoms and signs of breast cancer are subtle, emerge later or even absent from the onset, some affected women die without ever knowing what killed them. Breast cancer patients of the Nigerian African descent at the time of presentation, are on the average 10 to 15 years younger ,compared with women in the Western countries and it is in the younger age group that pregnancy associated breast cancer(PABC) though uncommon present with very challenging obstetric and gynecological situations.

    The whip lash of the economy cuts deepest into the underserved who live in abject poverty, have no access to radio and television and are too far away from primary health care facilities. How do we mainstream these vulnerable and under reported group? The answer is not far to fetch; we create awareness and encourage participatory health care delivery system, in the spirit of self realization because health education and health promotional activities yield better and sustainable results when you start from the known to the unknown.

    To ascertain health status of  the breast, detect and diagnose early abnormalities and treat or be treated. It is of paramount importance that, every woman(age not a serious barrier), first responders, paramedics, general practitioners, family Physicians and other specialists at various levels of the system understand the anatomy of both the glandular and connective tissue components of the breast, and of the inter relationship between these components..

    Research findings suggest that if there is increased awareness and improvement in the capacity of women to understand themselves and members of their families, to enable them cultivate risk avoidance  behavior and seek medical attention early enough, further substantial reduction in breast cancer and other cancer related death is achievable.  Awareness may not translate to knowledge all the time, but according to Ancient Chinese Public health practitioners,

    “When I hear about something I forget it”

    “When I see something,  I remember it,”

    “When  I do something,  I know it.”

    Indeed, physical examination of the breast by self, Sister, Aunt, Mom, is in fact a demonstration of its Anatomy, in a living subject. The same concepts apply as when a physician does breast examination in the consulting room.

     

    Clinical Anatomy

    The breast; nor Mamma is a modified skin appendage of appocrine sweat gland specialized for milk production. It is the major anatomic structure, by virtue of which modern humans as  Homosapiens are placed in the class Mammalia.

    Prepubertal male breast is nearly always the same as the female, and just like females males can develop cancer of the breast and die even faster from it’s complications. In the growing human, distinct anatomical differences develop soon after under the influence of gonadal (Ovarian) hormones. Indeed, the male breast can be made to enlarge and even produce breast milk, if the appropriate hormonal regulatory factors are supplied in controlled amounts.

     

    Embryology

    Development  of the breast begins by about the 4th week of intra uterine life, through the 8th  to the 12thweek . This falls within and a little  beyond the period of human embryogenesis .it is during  this period that  agents  which are capable of disrupting or aborting the  normal process or program of development are best avoided. By puberty, the human hypothalamohypophyseal gonadal axis becomes more active and releases it’s hold on Ovarian activities, leading to the growth and development of the female breast.

    At the appropriate time, pregnancy pumps estrogen and progesterone into the female circulation  reinforced by placental uterine , thyroid and adrenal hormones, all leading to enlargement of the glandular and connective tissue elements of the breast, changes which in most cases are only slightly but significantly reversible with cessation of lactation.

  • Mail infertility

    Infertility is a condition in which a man and woman try to have children but the woman does not become pregnant. Primarily, infertility affects 15% to 20% of couples who wish to conceive. Approximately one-third of cases result from male factors, one-third from female factors, and one-third from combined factors. It is therefore crucial to evaluate both partners before deciding on any form of natural or artificial intervention.

    Such evaluation is warranted if there is no pregnancy after 6 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. Hormonal profiles and detailed semen analysis are the cornerstones of laboratory investigations after the history and physical examination.

    Investigations for causes in the male are safer and simpler; consequently, they are normally performed first to save cost and to save the woman a series of tests, if a cause can be found in the male. Unfortunately, most men do not submit themselves to fertility tests. Rather, they ascribe the shortcomings to their wife’s conditions only.

    Men are sometimes unable to make their women pregnant because they have fewer sperm than is normal. This condition, scientifically called Oligospermia, is the presence of less than 20 million sperms per milliliter in the ejaculate; while Azoospermia is the total absence of sperm cells.

    Causes of male infertility include testicular abnormalities, chronic infections such as Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Herpes, Staphylococcus, Trichomoniasis, Candidiasis, etc., as well as environmental factors (such as irradiation), nutritional imbalance, drugs, sexual habits, etc.

    In trying to solve the problem of male infertility, it should be understood that spermatogenesis, that is, the process from sperm formation to maturation takes approximately 74 days. It is therefore necessary to go back to nature and observe events while exercising patience over a period of about three (3) months, before drawing conclusion on viability or efficacy of bio-medical intervention.

    Thus, a repeat sperm analysis is only meaningful after three (3) months of intervention. It is also important to note that hormones and other medicines commonly given to men who cannot have babies almost never do any good; magic cures are not likely to help either.

    Unfortunately, most men with problem of infertility would want it solved overnight; thereby patronizing phony, unscientific and self-acclaimed instant healers! Be careful not to waste your money on things that will not help.

    Oligospermic and Azoospermic patients will benefit immensely from the holistic natural remedies scientifically formulated from herbal extracts of local plants such as Bombax buonopozense, Triumfetta cordifolia, Momordica charantia and Musa paradisiaca.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • Food should be good, nice and delicious

    Food should be good, nice and delicious

    Food should be good, nice, and delicious for the rich and for the poor, for the free and for the prisoner, for the young and for the old, for the sick and for the healthy.

    Americans love Chinese food and so do I.  In my days in the US when I could not speak of cash flow, my first choice was always Chinese.  I would go to an eatery and enjoy as good as a feast under five dollars, tax included.  The days are coming, if we work hard enough, when everybody has a chance of eating well.  Until the poor man or woman can buy good food and enough food, we are not yet a developed country.

    Food is necessary for living and if we want to live our best lives, food should be good, nice, and delicious.  Food keeps our bodies looking good, feeling good, and fit for our missions in life.  Food keeps our minds functional, positive, and fine.  Food keeps our spirits high, keen, and gracious.  We all know the effects of food on us even without Oliver Twist singing “food glorious food!” Excuse my using Jesus, but he did turn water to the finest wine  fact or fable.  Now if he were to prepare the food for such a wedding feast, surely the feast would be heavenly.   Bread and life are so synonymous that he, himself, wanted to be bread for his beloved.   When we give food to people, we can be sure we are giving them life.  The better the food we eat, the better the life we live.  Therefore, food should be good, nice, and delicious to keep the life of the family healthy and happy. This means some sweat for the bread winner(s) of the family, but it is worthwhile sweat.

    Food should be good.  If food is nice and delicious but not good, it is not food.  Food should give life, not take life.  So many people end up with less life because of what they ate or what they have been eating.  Some “foods” shoot up a person’s blood pressure to damage the body’s vital organs, or create bad internal environment within the body such as high cholesterol, or damage body structures such as causing arthritis and gout.  Foods that cause permanent bodily dysfunction or that destroy body components are poisons; they disturb life, they limit life, and they take life from us.  They are not good.

    Food should be nice.I once went on a date and we went to a posh Chinese restaurant for lunch.  The restaurant was large and beautiful but full of “customerless” tables.  The lack of busyness should have been a warning sign but the environment was so inviting that we looked forward to the meal.  The orders came, served with propriety.  The food was too plain for a posh place and not appetizing.  I noticed he hardly ate and I did my best to eat something so as not to waste.  After struggling, we abandoned the meal.  The bill for that lunch was more than a laborer’s minimum wage for one month.  We did not mean to sin.  We asked for a doggy bag and we left.  The guy did not win my heart originally and the meal added bias to doubts.   I might have fallen in love through just roasted plantain and peanuts (“boli-b’epa”in the streets of Lagos).  I later gave the doggy bag to a hungry man who only wanted food in his stomach and didn’t care what food.

    Food should be delicious.Before I left Memphis this summer, after some weeks of brain-exciting research, my host lab went out for dinner.  The restaurant we went to downtown was known to be excellent and popular.  As we sat waiting for our plates, a celebrity was departing and all eyes were turned towards the door and of course the room was filled with related chit chat.  The valet hustled about at the exit and in no time the celebrity was gone, dinner done.  As we were rounding up our own meals, all different choices, a colleague asked me how was mine (since my plate arrived looking interesting) and unthinkingly I blurted out: “Boring!”.  Now, that was quite impolite of me in such a posh restaurant but it was an involuntary reaction.  I think I am pardonable because I do have taste buds and may God bless my taste buds always.

    It is not good to fall sick from the food we eat; it is not nice to grind sand in our teeth every time we eat; and if food is not delicious, it simply passes through the stomach and not the appetite.  Food should be good, nice, and delicious, but if it is not, we might still eat, for half bread is better than none.  Next, we look at what our minds and bodies need to be strong and thrive, what our bodies need to be healthy, what our bodies need to survive, and what our bodies need to stay alive.

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA.   For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635