The Nation Newspaper

Category: Family Health

  • Healthy responses and behaviours: Laughter

    Today we are going to seriously talk about something funny – laughter, a behaviour.   LOL.  Yes, you may be familiar with Laughing Out Loud.

    The study of humor and laughter, and its psychological and physiological effects on the human body, is called gelotology (Wikipedia) and in the next couple of articles we are going to be gelotologists.

    Laughter is the sound we humans make when we are mentally or physically stimulated into a pleasant excitement.  Some other species of primates demonstrate laughter behaviour.  Laughter consists of rhythmic contractions of muscles of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system with expulsion of air and sound from the respiratory system.

    The stimulus for laughter can come from inside of us – internal stimuli – and these include thoughts, imagination, memory, wishes, and bodily stimuli such as we get from tickling sensation.

    The stimulus can also be and most probably is often stronger from external stimuli such as words, actions, and behaviours of other persons as well as events and scenes that we experience.  In fact, laughter may be better understood as a social behaviour, connecting humans.

    The physiologic mechanism of laughter involves the chest muscles, lungs, the throat, the voice box, the nose and the mouth and a person can laugh wholly or partly from these components.  Parts of the brain are involved in the coordination which may be involuntary or voluntary.

    The overt physiologic involvement may extend to the eyes which release tears, the blood vessels which dilate and in Caucasians may produce blushing, the central neurones which release endorphins which are natural pain killers, the immune system which stimulates protective cells, as well as modulation of hormonal responses that reduce the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

    As a natural human behaviour, laughter can occur in all humans.  Like sneezing, coughing, and crying, laughter is similarly expressed in all humans irrespective of language, culture, sex, age, religion.  Though a natural response, laughing is also a learned behaviour, therefore the stimulus to laughter and the mental modulation of laughter varies with age, sex, education, and cultures.

    The English language has words for various forms or degrees or intensities of laughers: the chuckle, the titter, the giggle, the chortle, the cackle, the belly laugh, the sputtering, the burst, the snicker, the snigger, the guffaw, and the snort.  Each definition is funny and worth looking up.

    Laughter can be controlled up to a limit after which we burst out laughing.  Each human being has a laughing threshold.  Some laugh more easily or more readily than others. Generally, positive experiences and states in life (such as success, achievements, wealth, status, well-being, fitness, friends, good companionship, good food, good news, etc.) lower our laughing threshold and we laugh more readily and more easily. On the contrary, negative experiences and states in life (such as failure, frustration, misery, humiliation, illness, stress, enemies, loneliness, hunger, threat, etc.) raise our laughing threshold and we laugh less readily and less easily or may cease laughing altogether.  The raising and lowering of the laughing threshold is possibly adaptive psychology parallel to homeostasis physiology.  In the physical physiologic realm, if we feel hot, we sweat and the body temperature is lowered.  In the mental realm, if good things come we laugh easily; if bad things come, laughing is hindered or disabled. Our mental state and capability may become reflective of and commensurate with our experience.

    Just as physiologically, we can exercise and build up muscles and increase our running speed and control our breath, we can train our mental function too.  Laughing can become a learned behaviour and especially a coping behaviour.  In fact, we learn to utilize and manipulate laughter in many, sometimes diverse, ways such as: situational laughter as a cover up, stage laughter as when an actor plays a role, or simply to bond with others.

    Thus laughter can be elicited in various psychological states – some positive (e.g. happiness, joy, excitement, relief) and some negative (e.g. embarrassment, confusion, nervousness).  It may be spontaneous such as in success laugh or happy reunion laugh or it may be deliberate such as in courtesy laugh or the evil laugh. To be continued.

    Dr. Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis. For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Banana: Cure for hangover, good for Ulcers

    Banana: Cure for hangover, good for Ulcers

    Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world for good reason. Some scientists believe that the banana may have even been the world’s first fruit.

    Nutritional breakdown of bananas

    One medium banana (about 126 grams) is considered to be one serving. Bananas are naturally free of fat, cholesterol and sodium. Bananas provide a variety of vitamins and minerals.

    Here are some benefits of banana:

    Blood pressure: Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however increasing potassium intake may be just as important because of its vasodilation effects. A high potassium intake is associated with a 20% decreased risk of dying from all causes.

    Asthma: A study found that children who ate just one banana per day had a 34% less chance of developing asthma.

    Cancer: As a good source of vitamin C, bananas can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. High fiber intakes from fruits and vegetables like bananas are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.

    Heart health: The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas all support heart health. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

    High potassium intakes are also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.

    Treating diarrhea: Bland foods such as apple sauce and bananas are recommended for diarrhea treatment. Electrolytes like potassium are lost in large quantities during bouts of diarrhea and may make those affected feel weak. Bananas can help to promote regularity and replenish potassium stores.

    Eye Health

    Adding a banana to your diet also helps keep your eyes healthy. Bananas have a small amount of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for protecting your eyes and normal vision. Bananas also contain alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which convert to vitamin A to further keep your eyes healthy.

    Regularity: Enjoying a banana each day aids in keeping you regular. As insoluble fiber travels through your digestive tract, it sweeps up waste and helps push it out. You’ll have more regular bowel movements that are soft and easy to pass.

    Weight Loss: Finding foods to fit into your weight-loss diet can be challenging, but bananas make a perfect fit. Bananas are naturally sweet and can help curb your sweet tooth if you get that afternoon sugar craving. Food is forced to sit in your stomach for a while, making you feel full. If you have a banana before lunch, you’ll be less likely to overeat when your food comes to the table.

    Helps Digestion: Bananas are a great source of dietary fiber that most of us don’t get nearly enough of. Fiber helps the food you eat move smoothly through the digestive tract and improves elimination.

    A couple of bananas may be a healthier choice than laxatives to treat occasional constipation.

    A Hangover Cure

    Bananas are a great hangover food for mornings when you’ve overdone it a bit the night before. A couple of bananas in a blender with ice, some berries and coconut milk or organic cow’s or goat’s milk makes a really good recovery drink.

    Good for Ulcers

    Eating bananas regularly may help protect against stomach ulcers. Compounds in bananas seem to create a thicker protective barrier in the stomach against hydrochloric acid.

    Bananas also contain protease inhibitors that work to eliminate certain bacteria in the stomach implicated as a major cause of stomach ulcers.

    Build Better Bones with Bananas: Eating bananas frequently as part of your healthy way of eating can help improve your body’s ability to absorb calcium via several mechanisms.

  • Emerging from disaster: being fully alive on the road to happiness and perfection

    We conclude our series on emergency preparedness by considering a topic that is important as one begins a new year with hope for the best – being fully alive.

    Before the recent holidays, I commented to a student that I had a lot of work to do at home when asked how I would spend the holidays.  After the holidays he asked if I had finished everything.  It was the question of a youth.  I gave a “geriatric” answer that I did some work and others keep coming up but I go on and that is life. As we go older, we realize, we can only finish when we die.  We need to keep fit for life as we need to keep going on with duties and tasks and challenges and interests and goals and possibilities, etc. When we are not fully alive and when we are not fit for them, these activities are finished, so are the benefits, rewards, merits, credits, profits, fruits, and  glories.

    Fitness for life involves well-being in body, mind, and spirit.  Fitness is important for us to be our best and do our best and make a difference in our world, great or small.  We all know about eating a balanced diet and eating regularly and properly (quality, quantity, and suitable for our own body).

    In Nigeria, I feel far away from reality when I discuss eating a good diet and I know many people cannot if they want to.  In a struggling economy that is left to market forces, it may be very hard indeed for salary earners to maintain a good standard of living or to aim for a good standard of living.  As prices go up, stay up, and then climb up again, and again, the quality and quantity we can afford go down and down.  As we look forward to better life in the New Year we need to change to an economic environment that favours better life.

    I was tidying up my office to begin the New Year when I saw the Oct 28 – Nov 3 2012 edition of Castles.  On Page 12, the Property Xtra section gave me food for thought.  Under a bold title on that page, “Continuing lack of electricity and fuel”, I have here a few extracts:   “queues at petrol stations seem to getting longer….. On the back of this is the mystery of persistent powercuts which also seem to be getting worse and worse”; “The average generator using Nigerian spends between N200k-N2m a year on personal use of their generator.  The cost of running personal businesses is a monumental drain on the profits of that business”;   “Generators are being run round the clock, noise and air pollution are major problems that are not even acknowledged”.

    Acute fuel shortage at Christmas time in 2017 came like a customary event.  Many people took to walking to their destinations.  Initially, there were no buses along certain routes and in other routes, there were buses but they hiked their prices to make up for the difficulties in getting fuel. The Government is trying to drive out the demons of disaster, a task indeed.  For many Nigerians at a time of fuel scarcity, some of the little money budgeted for feeding well is diverted to solving fuel scarcity issues.  People need to get to work so that their bosses do not have excuses to fire them or cut their salaries or wages.  They would rather starve than lose their jobs.

    For a happy New Year, we must eat well.  There is no life without food and no good life without good food.  Michelle Obama was growing her own vegetables in her backyard at the White House.  Many of us own land here and there or have access to land in our villages and home towns.  There are things the authorities should do but there are also things that we can do for ourselves to improve our standard of living. This is food for thought to begin the year with.

    Apart from good food, the body needs exercise.  Exercise that is enjoyable is good for both the body and the mind. Such exercise should be frequent and even regularly planned.   Exercise can be fun with music, with good company, or in a good environment.  Some superrich Nigerians go to the level of bullet proof gym but for most of us, we can get by with a good walk on the beach with a friend, playing with the kids in the park, bicycling in a safe neighbourhood, skipping rope at home, swimming in a hotel or resort, farming in the village, etc.

    And how do we keep our mind fit.  Love is it.  Do what you love and love what you do.  There is nothing better for the mind than love.  Sometimes the things we have to do are difficult but we can do them in a way we love.  For many people, professional work or their means of livelihood may not be loveable.  One may find some loveable activity to do frequently because the mind needs to experience love.  When we love what we do, we easily bear fruit in it.

    Of course, one’s spirit needs to be healthy and fit, therefore we should all learn to walk with God, as King David said: “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23).

     

    Dr. Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis. For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Emergency Preparedness: Waste management

    Emergency Preparedness: Waste management

    We have discussed the simple bucket toilet.  Now we look at variations of this concept.  The Twin Bucket Emergency Toilet system (a two bucket system), was used in New Zealand after an earthquake destroyed infrastructure in 2011.  One bucket is used as a urinal for depositing only urine and the other bucket is used for defaecation.  While faeces give odour immediately, odour develops from urine over time due to both chemical changes and bacteria action.  To slow down the development of odour from urine, sprinkle a level teaspoon of detergent on it after urination (or add some drops of liquid soap).  In addition, a few drops of disinfectant, bleach, or a sprinkling of scouring powder added immediately after urination can help to neutralize bacteria action and prevent foul smell.  In the absence of any of these, try salt or any other substance just to make the urine different and deter bacteria that like to grow in it.  Urinals should not be filled up and should be emptied as frequently as possible.

    Compost is decayed material from plants and other biologic matter. The composting toilet allows faeces to be naturally digested by bacteria and is used when there is lack of water and electricity and lack of plastic bags or other resources. Carbon additives such as sawdust, coconut coir, or peat moss added after each defaecation create air pockets in the excreta, improve the composting and reduce the odour.  However such arrangement must be contained and blocked from flies, cockroaches, rats, and other vectors of disease.

    The Tote-Able Toilet is a manufactured product following the principle of composting waste. It is useful for travellers and for conditions emanating from infrastructural damage to buildings.  It is a  6-gallon  volume bucket and it is supplied with  enzyme packets. It costs about $15 in the USA.  The bucket is covered by a detachable manufactured seat with a rubber gasket that prevents any odour from emanating from the toilet into the room.  The enzyme pack “Enzyme 300” is a mixture of real microorganisms that have affinity for faeces and feed on it and some enzymes that degrade the faeces. According to the manufacturers, “enzyme 300” cleans, maintains, and deodorizes.  It contains 300 million organisms per gram of facultative bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and aerobic bacteria and also utilizes 4 enzyme systems and microbial nutrients. The enzymes are: amylase for starch and carbohydrate digestion; cellulose for cellulose digestion and this includes digestion of toilet paper and feminine sanitary towels; lipase for fat digestion; and protease for protein digestion.  According to the manufacturer, it “contains the necessary septic enzyme systems for accomplishing the digestion of proteins, fats, starches, carbohydrates and cellulose”.  Only a small amount of enzyme is needed to add to the waste for action to begin.  When using a bucket as  a composting toilet, do not add soap, disinfectant, bleach, scouring powder or any chemical to the faeces as these can kill the friendly bacteria being utilized for composting.

    Enzyme 300 can also be used in sewage treatment plants, lagoons, open ground gutters, and for treatment of septic tanks, cesspools, drains, and grease traps. It is non-caustic, non-corrosive, and non-toxic and does not react with metals or porcelain of plumbing fittings.

    The manufacturers also produce the Double Doodie Plus™ bags which “are designed to capture and hold waste for easy disposal in an emergency. Double Doodie bags have an inner waste bag and an outer sealable leak-proof carry bag. Included Bio-Gel™ solidifies waste and reduces odour.” The new product is larger than the original Double Doodie bags to fit in a household toilet in an emergency. They also work well with most portable toilets, including the Tote-able Toilet.

    In summary, we should avoid open defaecation.  By natural or artificial means, we can always contain faecal waste and prevent transfer of disease by vectors from waste to humans.

     

    Dr. Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis. For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Urgent issues on men and their prostate, infections, as well as male and female infertility

    Happy new year once again Dear readers, May the God bless you and keep you in good health. I will like to discuss briefly about prostate enlargement among the aging men before I proceed to discuss dominant issues on male and female fertility.

    The prostate is an important organ in every  man that helps in the production of Siemens, and when it is enlarged it can put pressure on the urethra and the urinary bladder and therefore can lead to sudden urinary blockage, difficult urination, excess and sudden urination at night, dribbling urination and inability to completely empty the bladder during urination, etc. Other risky stages of any prostate enlargement is that if the PSA(prostate specific antigen)is not monitored it can lead to prostate cancer, and Doctors may suggest Biopsy test.  A normal P.S.A ranges from 0-4ngl, but for any man who cares about his health whose P.S.A level is elevated above the normal level of 0-4ngl depending on the man’s age should seek for urgent medical advise and treatment.

    I am bold to say once again that we have made tremendous progress in handling prostate matters, and today we have living testimonies. Urgency and frequent urination especially at night are obvious symptoms that should not be taken for granted. We have an independent medical laboratory outfit managed by accredited and licensed professionals who can help our patients conduct both prostate scan and PSA test before our treatment. Between the ages of 40 years and above every man should have done prostate scan and P.S.A tests with or without any symptoms. Early detection of prostate enlargement and cancer saves men’s life by large extent. United State of America Prostate Health Society says that prostate problems are on the high rise all over the world.

    For our treatment, we rely on documented herbs researched upon by expert overseas. Distance is not a barrier to access our herbal remedies. Please note that for now, we have stopped our remedies from being marketed by agents around the country for safety reasons, call the numbers below and place your order directly from us, and we will deliver to you. We have built good reputation over the years having been on this column for well over six years.

    Now let me discuss male and female infertility. (let me share this testimony again which I have shared before). Some three months ago, a lady in her late 30s came to my office and was looking so frustrated.

    Though she was properly dressed, but she was obviously not happy.  She was even reluctant to pay for our consultation fees. When she managed to pay, my Secretary ushered her into my office. Again when she was now seated, she was reluctant to narrate her health problems to me.  When I asked her questions to know her medical history, all she did was to give me several medical laboratory results which I studied while she sat down watching me.   As I looked at several laboratory results which she conducted in different medical laboratory in Lagos and London, I discovered that her  Urine Culture Test, H.v.s And Pelvic Scan Showed Staphylococcus, Candidiasis, P.i.d I.e Pelvic Inflamatory Diseases And Fibroid. Among the results she handed over to me,  I also discovered that the husband’s test result showed that he had  oligospermia, which means that the sperm count was less than 20 million sperm per milliliter of siemen.

    To be continued

    For Treatment, and delivery instructions of our herbs, pls call Dr Paul Torty who is the C.E.O of the Saints Herbals, The Saints Medical Foundation and Express Medical Laboratory on 08037140368, 08051625888, 08038824033. Distance is a not a barrier. Call now. WWW.drpaultorty.com. Email;paultorty@yahoo.com.

  • Emergency Preparedness: Water

    We have discussed air as an essential element for sustaining human life and maintaining supply of air through both breathing and blood circulation as an aspect of emergency response.

    The next element we consider is water. Two thirds of the surface of the earth is covered with water and living things generally have a high percentage of water in their composition. Water is certainly important for life on earth.

    How much do we need water? A story from Akwa Ibom in Nigeria gives us the answer (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/247941-feature-how-potable-water-is-changing-lives-at-a-rural-nigeria-community.html). Access to water improves living, sanitation, and hygiene.

    “How potable water is changing lives at a rural Nigeria community” is a story written by Nike Adebowale and published on November 1st 2017.  It is a story that needs to be repeated in all rural areas in Africa a.s.a.p.

    It is a story that should be repeated every square kilo meter of rural Africa and it is a miracle that is not too difficult for any Government or any person of means who has social concern, even the size of a mustard seed. The following lines from this story tells us what a difference we can make in people’s lives by tackling the issue of water supply.

    “Gift Bassey, a 16-year-old secondary schoolgirl, said, “I no longer have to wake up at 5 a.m. to fetch water from the stream because God has blessed us with a borehole.” Well, God did; through the European Union, EU, and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.”

    “Nsit Atai is one of many local governments in Akwa Ibom State that lack pipe-borne or any other source of potable water supply. This is despite the state being one of the richest in Nigeria, earning more from the Federation Account monthly than almost all other 36 states in Nigeria.”

    “Like Nsit Atai, many parts of Nigeria do not have access to potable water, with rural dwellers suffering the most. Many walk several kilometres in search of water while others depend on polluted water from ponds, stream, rainwater and floods for domestic use.”

    “Joy Usoh, a 15-year-old girl, described the borehole as a great privilege to the community. She said it has saved her a lot of stress.”

    “Uwemedimo Davis, the deputy village head of Onong Uwana in Nsit Atai, said the provision of a borehole for the community has reduced deaths and illnesses among children. “Before this water project came, we had many cases of diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera among other diseases. But now, we don’t even record any serious illnesses anymore. Our children are very healthy and happy,” he said.”

    Water – clean water, safe water – is very important for preserving and saving lives.  Whether we are talking of an underdeveloped rural area or an ultramodern metropolis that has been struck by disaster and water supplies have been cut off or contaminated, we must keep remembering that water is linked to life, sanitation and hygiene.

    Thirst is a compelling appetite. When a person is dehydrated and thirsty, he or she is compelled to drink what is available. Children, especially, fall for this appetite and in environments where there is poor water, children die from diseases.

    Adebowale explains that “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is a programme organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Child Right Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Ministry of Information.”

    The acronym WASH should not be forgotten or undermined.  Without safe water, we cannot maintain good sanitation for long. Without safe water, we cannot maintain good hygiene for long.  Without safe water, diseases break out.

    In a time of emergency, enlightened people should make it a priority to arrange for safe water for everyone, in order to promote sanitation and hygiene (especially in the midst of despondence or display of hopelessness), and to prevent or limit the outbreak of disease.

    Dr. Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis. For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635.

  • Fibroids and infertility

    Let me start by sharing this testimony, though I hate to share peoples testimony especially those  close to me for some reasons. My younger sister (same parents) after having the first baby in her first pregnancy well over 3 years has not been able to conceive until recently. The story is thus; Precisely two months ago my wife and I invited her to my house so that I will find out if there is any medical issues. Reluctantly she opened up to us that  her menstruation is relatively excess, and that she experiences discomfort in her tummy. However, I asked her to see me in my office the following day. When I checked her I  discovered that she has an abnormally bloated abdomen. I sent her for scan and you know what, my suspicion was cleared. She has fibroids. I immediately referred her for medical tests such as urine culture, blood culture as well as h.v.s (higher vaginal swap and the results proved presence of bacteria infections. Of course the scan she did had already indicated she had P.I.D. (Pelvic inflammatory  diseases). She was on our fibroid remedy for two months and got pregnant while taking our herbal formular for fibroid as well as infection. She has spread the news in the village to her mother in law, my parents and all our relations close to her. She has volunteered to grant interviews on my page in future in order to encourage women facing same challenges. All to the Glory of God.

    The essence of this write up most importantly is to inform my readers about our new research in treatment and handling of fibroid cases. As a matter of fact and  according to research, women in their productive years between the ages of 25 years to 44 years are prone to have fibroids at different  time in their life, though the exact cause of fibroids is not known, but its believed that hormones such as estrogen and progesterone play a role in their development. However, some medical analysts also believe in their research that certain lifestyle among women especially women in their reproductive age can also cause fibroid to grow. They are 3 kinds of fibroids that have been  identified by medical experts such as intramural fibroids, sub serous fibroids and submucous fibroids. All these terms connote that fibroids can grow either inside the womb, outside the womb and on the wall of the womb. Intramural fibroids usually can lead to excessive bleeding or excessive menstrual flow which in very bad cases can lead to anaemia among women. My study about the processes and research done in most part of Asia, and South America  showed that certain herbs are effective in helping to fight fibroid growth. However, our experience relying on those studies  conducted in those countries showed high success rate in our practice of natural  medicine.

    We have recently advanced our  fibroid remedies and they are indeed very effective in dissolving, and shrinking excessive fibroid growth and thereby helping women to even conceive where conception becomes a challenge due fibroids. It is important to note that due to astringent action of  some of the herbs, excessive bleeding or menstrual flow can be controlled in matter of days while the patient is on the remedy. We have on record many testimonies of women who took our herbs and eventually conceived  apart from the herbs helping to fight the fibroids, it is also useful and effective against ovarian cysts and other kinds of growth.

    For treatment and delivery, enquiries call Dr. Paul Torty, The C.E.O of the Saints Herbals, and The Saints Medical Foundation. Phone Nos.  08037140368, 08038824033, 08051625888, 08038824033, and  08083860575. Presently we are in Lagos, and Enugu, call now. Distance is no barrier wherever you are in Nigeria. Integrity, Honesty and Trust are our watchword  Email: paultorty@yahoo.com.

    Website: www.drpaultorty.com.

  • Gonorrhoea is becoming untreatable – WHO

    Gonorrhoea infections are on the rise and doctors are running out of antibiotics capable of fighting the increasingly resistant bacteria causing the sexual disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Friday.

    The sexually-transmitted infection affects an estimated 78 million people each year and disproportionately affects women, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, as well as increasing the risk of HIV.

    Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus.

    It is mainly found in discharge from the manhood and in vaginal fluid and can easily pass between people through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex.

    Two-thirds of the countries that report resistance data to the WHO have seen cases in recent years in which their antibiotics of last resort no longer worked against gonococci bacteria.

    “These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries where gonorrhoea is actually more common,” WHO expert, Teodora Wi, said in Geneva, Switzerland.

    She added:”Gonorrhoea is a very smart bug.

    “Every time you introduce a new type of antibiotic to treat it, this bug develops resistance to it.”

    She spoke of three cases of the disease.

    “These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg, since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries where gonorrhoea is actually more common.”

    A WHO study found that from 2009 to 2014 there was widespread resistance to the first-line medicine ciprofloxacin, increasing resistance to another antibiotic drugs called azithromycin, and the emergence of resistance to last-resort treatments known as extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs).

    Britain and the United States reported increases of more than 10 per cent in 2015.

    Cases among gay men in France doubled between 2013 and 2015.

    Rates are highest in Africa, where one in 10 men is infected annually.

    The main reasons for the increase are decreasing condom use, increased mobility as well as poor disease monitoring and inadequate treatment, according to the WHO.

    Gonorrhoea can infect the genitals, rectum and throat. It can lead to inflammation of the pelvis and to infertility.

    Currently, only three new drugs are being developed, because pharmaceutical companies know that the bacteria will soon become resistant to any new antibiotic.

    To control gonorrhoea, doctors not only need new medicines, but also a rapid diagnostic tool and a vaccine, which are yet to be developed, WHO Antimicrobial expert, Marc Sprenger, said.

     

     

  • Staphylococcus

    Let me quickly mention that as part of expansion, Dr Paul Torty will henceforth consult in Lagos and Abuja, but for those outside these two locations please do call we will tell you how to access our herbal formulars for diverse health disorders. For the purpose of this wrirte up, i shall be discussing Staphylococcus Infections, hence i will start by quoting this extract from the columbian medical encyclopedia in which this fact was documented about staphylococcus and it reads thus: “Staphylococcus are any pathogenic bacteria, parastic to human that belong to the genus staphylococcus.

    The spherical bacteria cells (cocci) typically occur in irregular clusters (Gr. staphyle – bunch of grapes) the term staphyloccosi is also sometimes used loosely for the cluster arrangement itself and broadly for any bacteria with such a growth pattern. The pigments produced by staphylococci are the basis of the names given to the various strains? Those with colors ranging from orange to yellow are designated Staph aureaus.

    They produce infection in any organ of the body such as staph pneumonia of the lungs, brain access etc. The most common food poisoning is brought by staph contaminated food. The staph organisims also generate toxins and enzymes that can destroy both the red and white blood  cells. Limited space in this column will not permit me to quote other authorities all over theworld, hence I decided to make reference to the above quotation which of course will form basis for my discussion today on staphylococcus.

    However I will do my best in quoting and refering to other quotations as this piece on staphylococcus continues running in this column. I believe there have been a lot of misconception concerning staphylococcus and of course I will always do my best to enlighten as many as want to be enlightened on this subject. I have said severally and in reference to opinion within and outside Nigeria that 27 species of staphylococcus are identified by medical experts, but the most common and most disturbing specie of these infections are staph epidermidis which attacks the skin and staph saprophyticus which attacks the urinary tract and staph aureaus which destroys the immune systems leading to numerous opportunistic infections.

    According to the quotation from the Columbian medical encyclopedia stated above, staphylococcus attacks several organ of the body leading to staphylococcus pneumonia of the lungs which leads to difficult breathing and cough condition. Staph also leads to brain access.

    According to the quotation above, staph organisms also generate toxins and enzymes that can destroy both the red and white blood cells. To me and without mincing words, any micro organisms which can go to the extent of destroying both the white and red blood cells is a serious health problem. However, for the benefit of new readers of this column staphylococcus aureaus damages the immune system leading to joint and muscular pains, staph aureaus also attacks the blood thereby leading to crawling and and pinching sensation on the skin, staph attacks the bones, the muscles, and joints leading to general body weakness.

    Staphylococcus also attacks the ovary, the womb and and at times leading to tubal blockage, and therefore leads to female infertility.

    Certain Medical analysts believe that this infection and other categories of infection could lead to  hormonal imbalances thereby leading to a change in the menstrual cycle,  scanty menses, and amenorehea where there is no menses at all. Analysts believe that staphylococcus could affect the sperm mortility and viscosity thereby leading to oligaspermia or azospermia where there is no sperm at all and therefore leads to male infertility. Staphylococcus appears in clusters, the word staphylococcus was derived from the fact that the infection appears in staphyle manner and the word staphylococcus is used sometimes loosely to demonstrate the cluster arrangement itself in which the bacteria appear. It demonstrates the level of the growth manner of this infection. In my further analyses of the assertion by the columbian medical encyclopedia quoted above, staphylococcus attacks virtually and if not every tissue and organs of the body. However, Dr Lowy the Head Researcher at the Columbian University, Department of Pathogens and other diseases believe that Staphylococcus are now resistant to certain antibiotics. Staphylococcus are bacteria infections. They are not viral infections. Research on certain herbs documented by Dr Hoffman, a former Lecturer at the University of Wales and the former president of American Guild of Herbalists have helped us in treating staphylococcus. Staphylococcus can be destroyed and eradicated from blood streams and other organs where affected. We have treated staph and we have been treating staphylococcus, Couples who could not have children have taken these herbs and conceive. Children who are disturbed by these infections have been treated by us whereby they went back to school. Patients on emergency situation as a result of staphylococcus have recovered and stay alive after taking these herbs. The herbs are documented by Dr Hoffman and have been very reliable remedy for staphylococcal treatment. Skin irritations, sexual malfunctions and lost of menstrual cycles have been restored while patients are on these herbs in a short while. Itching associated with this infection can also be relieved while the systems are totally cleared of this bacteria infections etc.

    Dr Paul Torty is the C.E.O of The Saints Herbalds and the Editor of Primehealth Magazine published from Lagos.

    For our treatment on Staphylococcus, and other health disorders, call Dr Paul Torty on 08037140368, 08038824033, 08051625888, Distance is a not a barrier call now.

  • Bacteria infections and infertility

    IF you are a regular reader of this column, you will recall that for the past five months, I have taken time to discuss the subject of staphylococcus. I have also talked about Fibroid in the early edition of this column.

    However because of the response I have been getting from this column, I intend to discuss other bacteria infections. As you well know, the column discusses issue of bacteria infections, the causes, the effect and the implication of this health problems. If you asked me what I have achieved since I  started writing on this column my first response shall be education and enlightenment and my second achievement is that I have been able to acquaint our readers about certain herbs that can help fight or clear bacteria infections. Neverthless, I have testimonies concerning our herbal formular. I am happy that our enlightenment are yeileding results.

    Women have seen their menstrual cycle come back, even in the cases of amenorhea. Men battling with sexual and libido problems have been revived and I am amazed to see cases of oligaspermia reversed. I have seen women who are able to conceive while taking our herbs in a matter of weeks and months. I have met patients battling with staphylococcal problems and most of them being in emergency condition,but when we administer our herbs, they are revived.  I thank God whose words do not fail.  Herbs are for the healing of the nations, according to the scriptures.   In this edition, I am prompted to talk about bacteria infections generally. For adequate enlightenment, a regular and ardent reader ofmy write up asked me to talk about bacteria infections generally.

    His argument was that he does not have staphylococcus, even though he has followed my instructions to do laboratory culture and sensitivity on his blood and urine.  His results showed that he had Chlamydia and in a different laboratory result he also had e-coli. Though he acknowledges  that he had virtually all the symptoms I have mentioned about staphylococcus, such as breathing problems, joint aches and pains in the muscles, cough condition, internal heat, rumbling stomach, erectile malfunction and low sperm count, crawling sensations and itching. Now his question is can different bacteria infections have the same or similar manifestation of symptoms and my answer is simply yes as follows: Let me say that bacteria infections are micro organisms which are prevalent everywhere, it can be ingested through unhygeniec food, dirty and unwashed vegetables, combined use of toiletaries, can also be contacted through sexual intercourse.

    However, medical analysts have noted that bacteria infections have different origins, but when they affect different tissues of the body, it can therefore affect the entire performance of the body.  For instance, streptococcus manifest more on the skin and can also affect the respiration when it attacks the lungs and therefore may lead to streptococcus pneumonia, leading to cold, cough condition and at times chest pains. Staphylococcus  which has upto 27 species such as staph epidermids – attacking the skin, staph saprophyticus – attacking the  urinary tract. Acording to medical analyst, Staphylococcus aureus can attack every organ of  the body such as the lungs, the skin, the entire male and female reproductive system leading to male and female infertility. My experience in treating women for instance show that most of their laboratory results which reveal bacteria infections are leading to pelvic inflammatory diseases (P.I.D.s), and causing so much pains which  are caused by these bacteria infections. And most of the time it can lead to female and male infertility as the infections block the tube, affects the ovaries, and can lead to hormonal imbalance among women in their reproductive age, changing their menstrual  cycle to scanty or no menses at all (amenorrhea). And in the case of men leading to poor  erectile function, low sperm count and male infertility too.

    Other bacteria infections which can manifest the same symptoms mentioned above are: gonorrhea, clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli etc. The series of bacteria infections are voluminous, please keep in touch for more enlightenment next  week.

    For treatment of  S.T.Ds and other bacteria infections, call Dr Paul Torty, who is the CEO of THE SAINTS HERBALS .

    Call Abuja office; 08038824033, and Lagos ofice 07064426191, distance is not a barrier call now.