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Category: Health

  • Malaria vaccine: Nigeria underplaying anti-malaria herbs

    Malaria vaccine: Nigeria underplaying anti-malaria herbs

    There goes Nigeria again, enigmatic as ever. She is blessed in home gardens, farms and her forests with potent anti-malaria herbs. But she is stretching forth her hands for a malaria vaccine which critics say may contain anti-fertility agents for reducing her population. What a naive nation, you may think! Oh, no  government health officials know what they are after… Their own share of what is in it for them for helping the foreign purveyors to vaccinate more than 200 million Nigerians. This column will discuss no fewer than five anti malaria herbs which quieten and cure malaria fever. Many people do not know much about them. Many others have not even heard about them. So, there must be millions of Nigerians perennially troubled by malaria fever that pharmaceutical drugs have not helped, but are not aware that herbs can end their torment. Such Nigerians constitute the malaria vaccine market which Euro-American companies are targeting, probably with population reduction agenda. Thankfully, I have known about them for about 45 years. Since then, neither my wife nor one of my sons, both of whom are genotype AA persons, has been down with malaria , let alone take hospital drugs or need a malaria vaccine. One of these herbs is called CHANKA PIEDRA (also know as PHYLLANTUS AMARUS). The second is MORMODICA CHARANTIA. The third is CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS. The fourth is ENANTIA CHLORANTA. Do not worry about those botanical names. Soon, I will tell you what they are in simpler terms. Meanwhile, if you cannot stand the stress of picking herbs and cleaning them up, Donkat Ali is a proprietary formula you may wish to try. It is a pity that Nigeria’s healthcare system or shall I call it the sick care system, does not appreciate the value of herbs in the prevention and cure of diseases and puts as many ignorant persons it can find in the hospital system for dowsing with chemical drugs …and now a vaccine!

    You may not blame the big pharma oriented health official for supporting a magic bullet vaccine strike against malaria. About 100,000 Nigerians die every year from malaria fever and it’s complications. These cases are among the 50 million or 25 per cent of the population who attend hospitals every year in respect of malaria fever attacks. About 60 per cent of these cases are outpatients.The number of sufferers keeps growing with population growth.The environment still supports safe Havens for the mosquito to thrive. Still undefeated by man is the anophelis female mosquito which needs and steals human blood to make its eggs grow and mature. More eggs means more mosquitoes. Many homes are not well protected against the invation of mosquitoes. Many persons do not know it takes about seven and 30 days from a mosquito bite for malaria fever to develop in the average persons and that anti-malaria herb teas should replace teas which only tickle the pallate. So, by the time they know what is going on, plasmodium falciparum, the parasite injected into the blood stream with a mosquito bite, may have damaged too many red blood cells and organs such as the liver in which it sometimes hides. Nothing on this earth ever wishes to die. Mosquitoes do not wish to die. So does plasmodium falciparum. When it notices the presence of anti malaria big pharma chemicals in the blood stream, plasmodium falciparum may rush for safety in the liver. The physician must be careful to not aggressively pursue it into this very important organ, lest damage to liver cells may occur. One of these drugs is fancidar. It is designed to treat acute uncomplicated malaria, according to www.drugs.com, which lists the side effects to include : 

    “Headache, peripheral neuritis, mental depression, convulsion, ataxia, hallucination, tinnitus, vertigo, insomnia, apathy, fatigue, muscle weakness, nervousness and polyneuritis.”

    Many patients fare no better under other malaria drugs. Thus, the search goes on for newer, more effective and safer drugs . But mother nature never changes her anti malaria herbs, because they were given to man in the will of the All Wise Creator. Man did not create himself or his body or the world in which he finds himself. Yet he always tries to pose in all his endeavours as if he is the boss, without taking mother nature into account. And that is why he is moving again from pharmaceutical drugs for malaria treatment to a vaccine.

    Drug failure

    Malaria drugs have failed or are failing for at least three major reasons.

    1) It causes many side effects which many users cannot stand, such as the ones mentioned above and more.

    2)The way pharmaceutical malaria drugs work is not the way the medicine of mother nature works. Drugs work by directly attacking germs and parasites such as plasmodium falciparum. As I said earlier, nothing which exists wishes to de-exist. So, every living organism adapts itself to any inhospitable environment. Plasmodium falciparum is no exception. Thus, from 1950 when I was born, many malaria drugs have hit the malaria market and gone away after some time. The earlier ones I can recall from my youth include paludrine, quinine, aspro etc. They kept becoming ineffective against plasmodium falciparum. Yet they do not defeat herbs because herbs do not directly wage war on them. Rather, herbs stimulate the immune system to do it’s work. This is a more successful pathway to healing because it is the immune system, not chemical drugs, that the Will of God, through the hands of mother nature, gave the job of defending the human body against infections and diseases. It should be clear from the foregoing that the wrong pathway to the treatment of malaria fever has made many persons endemic sufferers of malaria fever over the years. This situation makes such patients change medication and increase dosage until their bodies become too toxic with drug residues which cause or support the emergence of other health challenges. In this regard, I would forever not only remember but, also, give gratitude to revealed knowledge of the 1920s which gives mankind the following hint regarding their health…Neither drugs nor injections, but the right foods and drinks  bring lasting health.

    Vaccines

    Vaccination is an offshoot of the germ theory. When it became somewhat settled that germs cause diseases, the next step was to develop drugs which would kill disease-causing germs at dosages which would cause little or no health problems for humans. With drugs failing and germs becoming more difficult to kill without the human body itself being hurt or harmed, the idea that immunity holds a better key to disease cure began to unfold. Really, what makes the difference when two persons are exposed to the same environment of germs which clobbers one underfoot as it were and the other goes scot free or unhurt. The African Black Ant displays this sort of resilience to the amazement of researchers, although under another circumstance. In several studies, it has been exposed to an exclusive sugar diet or feed without developing diabetes or symptoms of it. I have an uncle in his 80s who has been drinking beer from adolescence, akin to fish drinking water,but without exhibiting symptoms of alcohol abuse. The resilience has been narrowed to the work of antioxidants from the immune profile. Thus, vaccines and vaccination as a means of boosting immunity became popular. Vaccines are weakened germs introduced into the body which the body’s immune system fights and defeats to develop a memory of them, as the security agencies of a country tracks criminals.

      Today, there are two world views of vaccines.

    1) The first is as described above, namely that vaccines are magic bullets which deal with germs once and for all. It is widely believed that a person vaccinated against a germ can never be successfully attacked by that germ.

    2)The opposing view is that vaccines can be dangerous because their side effects of which we have no final definitive knowledge as yet, may take decades to manifest. In some scientific circles, the multiplicity in the rate of cancers worldwide has been related to some vaccinations of the 1950s which, as children, some members of my generation took for diseases such as tuberculosis and polio.

    Beyond these opposing world views, there is an emerging idea which is gaining currency, of vaccines being used for a hidden agenda against certain population groups. The case has been well made against COVID-19 vaccines. Why was the vaccine forced down the throat of African nations whose people suffered minimal number of deaths when the vaccine was most needed in Europe and the United States where people were dying “like flies”? Even the chief executive officer of one of the companies which manufactured one brand said he did not get vaccinated because he had no immunity problems! The President of Madagascar warned in the heat of the COVID-19 controversy that Africans should not trust that the vaccination then president Donald Trump received before the cameras of CNN was the vaccine sent to Africa. Lately, the controversy has wandered to encompass speculations that a malaria vaccine may include ingredients to make African men and women grow less fertile. It is said that this is a way of curbing African population growth by white supremacists.

    Malaria Herbs.

    I am most at home here. I raised my family on them, still personally use them and have helped many long suffering persons regain their freedom from inefficient drugs and perennial breakdown from malaria fever. As I promised earlier, I will now offer some insight into about four malaria herbs I am familiar with. For want of space, the list cannot be longer.

    Chanka Piedra

    The herb is well known in Asia by this name which means stone crusher. The crushing of stones in the gall bladder and in the kidneys is one of its specialties. To this, some Nigerian researchers have added dissolution of cataracts of the eye lens, also a stone. It is hypotensive. That means it lowers blood pressure. It is also hypoglycemic. That means it lowers blood sugar. It kills all sorts of germs, including the dreaded staphylococcus aureus. Besides, it is an anodyne , that it is pain killing. It is rich in iron and, therefore, good for iron deficiency anaemia. It is a good health support for malaria prevention and cure.

     In Yoruba land, chanca piedra is known by different names, depending on the local dialect. The plant is known, too, to other peoples of Africa, who have local names for it. When I experienced high fever symptoms during COVID-19 season, I placed chanca piedra in glass bottles filled with water to solarise the extract. I also kept some in aromatic schnaps bottles. This extracted all the green colour. The solarised extract produced a golden water solution, like the boiled water extract.

    Professor L.S Gill , Indian author of Ethnomedical  Uses Of Plants in Nigeria, gives us some insight into the herbs I mentioned earlier. Born in 1940, he obtained his first degree, B.Sc Botany/Zoology /Chemistry at the age of 19 in 1959, his M.Sc Cytology in 1963 and Ph.D in 1971. In 1976, he was appointed Professor of Botany at the University of Benin, Nigeria. Professor Gill was actively engaged in Biosystematics, Cytogenetics, Morphology, Ecology of weeds and Applied Botany.

    Of Chanka Piedra (Phylantus Amarus), Professor Gill says:”local names-Benin (Ebe benizo), Yoruba(ehinbisowo/ehinolube/dobisowo). The Bonus use the dried plant as a vermifuge (worm expellant). The decoction of the plant is used as a purgative.”

    Mormodica Charantia

    The yorubas call it Ejirin, and use it for all sorts of health disturbances, including diabetes and uterine fibroids. In large doses and prolonged use, it is believed to offset fertility in both genders.The good news is that the offset is reversible with discontinuation of the herb. Professor Gill says: “English names:African cucumber, bitter gourd. Local names Yoruba (ejinrinwere); Uhrobo (udjiro); Igbo (Alo ose). In Uhrobo land, the decoction of the whole plant is used for the convulsion, nervous disorder and as purgative. In Borno, the decoction of the leaves is used as a cure for cholera. The seeds are used as vermifuge, emetic, purgative, bitter tonic and jaundice. The juice of the leaves and fruit is also used as an antihelmintic and purgative. The juice is also a relief for soles of the feet. It is also applied around the eyes for the cure of night blindness. The fruits, either in the form of cooked vegetable or as a soup is believed to cure diabetes. 

    Stand out for recognition, Mrs Comfort Obayuana. Arguably, she was the first Nigerian to put Momordica Charantia on the Nigerian health food store shelf in a presentable proprietary form. She named it Karela, the name the Indians call it. She presented it at the 2002 Accra A-SNAPP conference at which Nigeria was the single largest African delegation, surpassing even that of host, country, Ghana. Mrs Obayuana also produced other Nigerian herbs in powder form. But, alas, the high cost of diesel to run machines for drying herbs and the huge expense of freeze drying machines scuttled the production capacity of her company, Healthways.

    Lemon Grass

    Lemon grass became very popular in Nigeria as anti-snake and anti–malaria herb long before grasses such as wheat grass acquired their reputation worldwide as power houses of medicinal ingredients. In Nigeria, Lipton tea, a member of the Unilever group, once asked the Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi, (FIIRO) to research lemon grass for anti-malaria purposes. FIIRO found it a great malaria herb. But the parent company in the United Kingdom did not favour the idea of lemon grass being sold by the company to protect Lipton tea sale. Lemon grass proved it could kill plasmodium falciparum in another study carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). I infused about 10 drops of lemon grass oil or the tincture in about 1.5 liters of water which I encourage my friends or acquaintances to sip when they wish to overcome malaria fever or to prevent it, especially when pharmaceuticals have failed. Professor Gill says of lemon grass (cymbopogon citratus)

    “Waapa and Kooko-oba (Yoruba) ; Iti (uhrobo) . The leaves along with honey are used for cough, malaria and chest pain. It is also used for ringworm. It could stimulate the nervous system. It is an ingredient of many traditional healers’ recipes”

    Enantia Chlorantha

    Don’t mind me and the Botanists. This herb is known to the yorubas as awopa. All herb sellers and traditional medicine practitioners know of it. It helped me a great deal with my COVID fever symptoms. In herbal medicine, it is widely used for “jaundice, malaria, fever, infective hepatitis”, according to pubmed.ncbi.nim.nih.gov.

    What does professor Gill say about this herb? “Osopupa, Osomolu(Yoruba); erenba-vbogo(Noni). The root is taken hot in the morning and at night while going to bed for the treatment of malaria and jaundice . The bark is also used for treating leprous spots. The water extract of the bark could cure liver damage. The stem can be used as uterus stimulant.

    Conclusion

    Mother Nature has answers for all our health problems. She made our world in The Will of God. Then, she knew we were coming to the earth and before we did, had provided for all our needs…food and medicinal herbs for whatever illnesses we may expose the body to. We rejected the food of mother nature. We overturned the circadian rhythm. Chickens, goats and birds go to sleep when the sun is down. Not us humans. We live like drunkards who know our nation is governed by laws but cannot understand that our world is governed by natural laws. Pharmaceutical drugs are failing us. We are turning to vaccines with all their health dangers and the possibility of denaturing target populations. Happily, through revealed knowledge, we now know we can do away with pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines. The foregoing medicinal herbs and many more that time and space do not allow me to mention here can be cultivated on plantations and processed by factories working under good manufacturing processes (GMP). Why can we not have these herbs in the form of powder, tea, tablets, capsules, water fluid extracts and even tincture and homeopathic remedies? Let’s think and act more as natural human beings in partnership with mother nature. Malaria fever was never, and still is no big deal. If it was, our forebears would not have survived it to propagate our generation. What kept malaria fever in check in those days, when they had no pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines? Herbs, of course! Malaria need not kill anyone in our country. We do not need a malaria vaccine.  

  • Building healthier, productive future through food fortification

    Building healthier, productive future through food fortification

    Distressed by Nigeria’s frightening nutrition crisis – with millions undernourished, overweight or obese – and the devastating impact on public health, national productivity and economic development, experts have recommended a proven solution: food fortification, a simple and cost-effective intervention that can be used to add essential nutrients to foods that are commonly consumed by large populations, as a strategy to improve nutrition and health. Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF reports

    The speakers’ mien was as stern as the warning message. In the face of startling indices, Nigeria has a choice: sink deeper in the muddy morass of public health/economic crisis or recalibrate itself to its manifest greatness through rigorous implementation of smart policies. That was the mood last Thursday at a one-day media roundtable to launch a third-party advocacy on food fortification and workforce nutrition, held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The roundtable discussion, with the theme, “Fortifying Nigeria’s Future: A Media Roundtable on Promoting Fortification Compliance and Workforce Nutrition in Nigeria,” was organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in conjunction with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and E-health Africa.

     Indeed, going by Nigeria’s health indices and what these portend for public health and economic growth, there is cause for worry – since health is now globally recognised as an important determinant of economic development; a healthy population means higher productivity. According to  the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 18.7 per cent of adults in Nigeria are overweight and 4.4 per cent are obese – an increase from 17.4 per cent and 3.4 per cent, respectively, in 2018. To bring the figures home, experts warn that overweight and obesity are major risk factors for chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer, which are the leading causes of death and disability in Nigeria. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are often defined broadly as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.

     But that is not all. The NDHS report also showed that 44.1 per cent of children under the age of 5 in Nigeria are stunted; meaning they are too short for their age. This is a decrease from 46.0 per cent in 2018, but medical experts insist that it is still a high number in a country with huge population. Also, stunting is a sign of chronic malnutrition that can have long-term consequences for health and development; while nothing less than 20.3 per cent of children under the age of 5 in Nigeria are wasted; meaning they are too thin for their height – an increase from 19.9 per cent in 2018. Wasting is a sign of acute malnutrition and can be a life-threatening condition.

     Determined to effect a positive change, CISLAC and partner organisations assembled medical and nutrition experts to dissect the issues – how health indicators affect productivity and economic growth. While explaining the rationale for embarking on a public advocacy on workforce nutrition and food fortification, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, executive director of CISLAC, said because the media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy, he and his partner organisations are ready to spearhead public advocacy that can compel policymakers to do what is required to save Nigeria from its malnutrition crisis, which can have devastating impact on public health, national productivity and economic development.

     “As you know, Nigeria is facing a serious nutrition crisis. Millions of Nigerians are undernourished, and many more are overweight or obese. This has a devastating impact on health, productivity, and economic development. I am here today to ask for your help in raising awareness of the importance of food fortification and workforce nutrition. By shining a spotlight on this issue, you can help to make a real difference in the lives of millions of Nigerians. I am also here today to ask for the support of regulators, members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, and food producers. Together, we can work to ensure that the food fortification policy of 2019 is implemented effectively, and that Nigerians have access to fortified foods,” he charged the media and other stakeholders.

     In his presentation, titled, “The State of Malnutrition and Workforce Nutrition in Nigeria,” Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said it is important for the government as well as employers of labour to promulgate or constitute effective policies that would promote and prioritise effective workplace nutrition. While charging all stakeholders to do what is good for Nigeria, Oloriegbe called for a complete overhaul of the nation’s existing food fortification policy and laws – a deliberate effort that needs to be complemented by serious implementation to ensure compliance. “The problem is a combination of inadequate regulation policy and poor compliance. The current policy and laws that we have are not adequate enough to address all the issues,” he asserted.

     With the right policies on food fortification put in place and well implemented, Oloriegbe said Nigeria can rebuild the future. Nutrition, he said, has a direct impact on the wellbeing and productivity of the workforce. According to him, workforce nutrition means food for workers in their workplaces, adding that productivity is always affected negatively when workers are malnourished. While pointing out that other things associated with workforce nutrition such as enforcing an environment where drugs, alcohol consumption and smoking are not encouraged, Oloriegbe said in addition to providing  food, lifestyle enlightenment and stress management need to be put in place in work premises.

    In his presentation, “The Role of Fortification in Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies,” Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, President, Nutrition Association of Nigeria (NAN), explained that proper nutrition is critical to building a strong immune system, which helps the body to fight off diseases and infections. Afolabi, who is of the Department of Nutrition and Diabetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Ogun State, called for a large-scale food fortification with multiple micronutrients to ensure improved coverage and effectiveness.

     The NAN President said food fortification is a simple, cost-effective intervention that can be used to add essential nutrients to foods that are commonly consumed by large populations. According to him, fortified foods help to prevent micronutrient deficiencies such as anaemia, Vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency. Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including impaired cognitive development, stunted growth, and increased risk of infection, he warned. Fortified foods can also help to address the problem of overweight and obesity, which by simply adding micronutrients such as vitamins, fibre and protein to food vehicles during production can make them more filling, thereby helping Nigerians to eat healthier diets.

     According to Prof Afolabi, out of two main micronutrients, the deficiencies in five are of greatest health significance: vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency disorder, zinc deficiency and multiple micronutrient deficiencies. While lamenting that the burden of micronutrient deficiency in Nigeria is alarming, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) categorised as severe, the nutrition expert said malnutrition crisis is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is also a challenge in many parts of the world. But he concluded that the challenge waxes stronger because food systems in many countries do not contain nutritious foods, just as many people and families suffer from limited purchasing power, which makes them incapable of purchasing nutritious foods; while limited access to nutritious foods combines with food systems that don’t make nutritious foods convenient or desirable to further worsen the crisis.

    Prof Afolabi painted the ugly picture thus: In 2016, anaemia prevalence in Nigeria was 68.3 per cent, 48.8 per cent and 57.8 per  cent among children, under five years, non-pregnant women 15-49 years of age, and pregnant women 15-49 years of age, respectively. At least, a third of the anaemia is attributable to iron deficiency; about 42 per cent of children 6-59 months are vitamin A deficient; while an estimated 21 per cent of Nigeria’s population is at the risk of inadequate zinc intake, he said.

     Making a case for food fortification, the don quoted findings from a recent systematic review and meta-analysis that showed that large-scale food fortification reduced anaemia by 34 per cent, reduced goiter by 74 per cent and reduced neural tube defects by 41 per cent. For him, it makes sense for government and other stakeholders to embrace full-scale food fortification exercise because of its proven benefits: highest impact in terms of health improvement/sharp reduction in diseases or death, low cost to government, easy to scale where food vehicles are with large processor, and the fact that it does not require any ‘conscious’ action by consumers.

     Also, Prof Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, President and CEO, Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI), said workers need to priotise their health as well as their eating patterns and habits to remain healthy; while employers should show serious concern in the eating habits of their employees to guarantee a desirable level of productivity needed for profitability. While also advocating that workers should have access to healthy food and water at work, Ogunmoyela said employers should put in place a strong health and nutrition policy framework in order to have a healthy workforce. According to him, employees are what they eat, stressing that the health of the next generation of workforce would be determined by the health of today’s workforce.

    Although adults spend more than half of their active hours of the day at work, Oloriegbe said the workforce is particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. The effect, he said, is that workers who are not getting the nutrients they need are more likely to be sick, less productive, and more likely to have accidents, which can have a significant impact on the economy. Nutritionists said fortified foods can help to improve the health and productivity of the workforce, because by providing workers with the nutrients they need, fortification can help to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and improve safety.

     In the communiqué issued at the end of the roundtable discussion, experts agreed that the media, regulators, members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, and food producers should begin to promote food fortification and workforce nutrition as a strategy to promote health and workers’ productivity in Nigeria. Hold governments accountable for their commitments to nutrition. The media can track the progress of governments in implementing nutrition policies. This will help to ensure that governments are meeting their commitments and that Nigerians are benefiting from fortified foods.

    Employers across the country are also enjoined to take the issues of workforce nutrition more seriously to improve the productivity of their employees by providing healthy food options in the workplace, which should include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the cafeteria or vending machines; encouraging employees to be physically active by providing on-site fitness facilities or subsidising gym memberships; creating a healthy work environment by providing a smoke-free workplace and limiting stress levels and supporting employees who are trying to lose weight or improve their overall health.  

  • Eight facts about ADHD

    Eight facts about ADHD

    ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Here are eight facts about ADHD:

    Read Also: MI Abaga, wife open up on ADHD struggles

    1. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 6-9% of children and 2-5% of adults worldwide.
    2. The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but research suggests that it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 
    3. It is more commonly diagnosed in males than females.
    4. ADHD can impact academic, social, and occupational functioning if left untreated.
    5. Treatment options for ADHD include medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes.
    6. Some people with ADHD also experience co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.
    7. There is no cure for ADHD, but with proper treatment, people with ADHD can lead fulfilling and successful lives.
    8. ADHD is often misunderstood and stigmatized, but it is important to remember that it is a real and valid condition that requires support and understanding.
  • Health benefits of Tiger Nuts

    Health benefits of Tiger Nuts

     Tiger nuts, which is Ofio in Yoruba language, are highly nutritious with energy content and health benefits which include:

    • Preventing heart attacks, thrombosis and activate blood circulation.
    • Treat erectile dysfunction ED, Increase sperm count, and Boost libido
    • Due to the high contents of soluble glucose, they prevent cancer and lately some investigators have discovered that they reduce the risk of suffering colon cancer. 
    • Control blood pressure, Helps to control diabetes, Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease, Loaded with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins C and E and potassium and phosphorus
    Tiger Nut
  • Eight tips to reduce excessive sweat

    Eight tips to reduce excessive sweat

    Excessive sweating can be a challenging condition to manage. While it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

    Here are eight general tips that may help manage excessive sweating:

    *Stay hydrated:

    Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain optimal hydration levels. Proper hydration can help regulate body temperature and reduce the need for excessive sweating.

    *Wear breathable clothing:

    Choose loose-fitting garments made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen. These materials allow air to circulate around your body, keeping you cooler and reducing sweat production.

    *Use antiperspirants:

    Use clinical-strength antiperspirants that contain aluminum chloride. Apply them to dry skin before bedtime, as this allows them to work overnight when sweat production is lower. Regular use can help reduce sweating over time. Apply antiperspirants to clean, dry skin before going to bed. Look for products containing aluminum chloride, as they can help block sweat glands and reduce excessive sweating.

    *Shower regularly:

    Keep your body clean by showering daily using a mild, antibacterial soap. This helps remove bacteria and sweat residue that can contribute to body odor.

    Use talcum powder or cornstarch:

    Apply talcum powder or cornstarch to areas prone to sweating, such as underarms, groin, or feet. These powders can absorb moisture and help keep your skin dry.

    *Manage stress:

    Stress and anxiety can exacerbate sweating. Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or engaging in activities you enjoy to help reduce stress levels.

    Limit spicy foods and caffeine:

    Spicy foods and caffeinated beverages can stimulate sweat production. Reduce your intake or avoid them altogether if you notice they trigger excessive sweating.

    *Choose the right footwear:

    Wear breathable shoes made of natural materials like leather or canvas. Avoid synthetic materials that can trap heat and moisture, leading to sweaty feet.

    *Maintain good hygiene:

    Shower regularly using mild, antibacterial soap to keep the skin clean and prevent bacterial growth that can contribute to body odor. Dry your skin thoroughly afterward to prevent moisture buildup.

    *Consult a healthcare professional:

    If your excessive sweating persists and significantly affects your daily life, it’s advisable to seek medical advice. A healthcare professional can help diagnose the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatments or interventions.

    Remember, while these tips can be helpful in managing excessive sweating, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan if your sweating is severe or persistent.

  • Top five health benefits of grapefruit you need to know

    Top five health benefits of grapefruit you need to know

    Grapefruit is a citrus fruit known for its sour, tangy taste. It is a good source of vitamins A and C as well as potassium and fiber. Grapefruit is often consumed as a breakfast food, either sliced or in juice form, and is also used in salads, desserts, and cocktails. There are several varieties of grapefruit, including white, pink, and red, each with its unique flavor and nutritional profile. This makes it one of the healthiest citrus fruits you can eat.

    Research shows that grapefruit may have some powerful health benefits:

    *Grapefruit lowers cancer risks

    One of the potential benefits of eating grapefruit for its vitamin C content is a decreased risk of cancer.

    Studies have shown a link between people with higher amounts of vitamin C in their diets and a low risk of developing cancer. One review found that vitamin C intake was linked with lowered risks of 11 types of cancers or cancer-related conditions such as bladder cancer, cervical tumors, and renal cell cancer.

    *Grapefruit lower blood pressure

    This fruit may be helpful if you have high blood pressure. Grapefruit’s effect on blood pressure may be due to its decent potassium levels. That’s important because potassium helps neutralize the negative effects of sodium and relax the walls of blood vessels.

    *Grapefruit Improves diet quality

    Grapefruit is a great choice if you want to boost your intake of high-nutrient foods. Research has suggested that consuming grapefruit improves diet quality and increases vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and dietary fiber intake.

    One-half of a red or pink grapefruit delivers 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C and 35% of that of vitamin A. It also contains 8% and 5% of your recommended daily values for fiber and potassium, respectively.

    *Grapefruit helps control blood sugar

    Grapefruit also has a lower glycemic index (GI), which means it does not raise blood sugar as quickly or as much as high-GI foods

    However, your blood sugar reaction to food can vary widely, depending on the composition of your meal—how much you are eating and what you are eating. For example, foods containing carbohydrates like grapefruit with protein and fat can help reduce blood sugar spikes.

    *It speeds up wound healing

    Vitamin C helps make collagen, a protein that’s needed to help wounds heal. This vitamin also increases the rapid production of dermal fibroblasts (cells that help repair the skin after injury)

  • Kwara wins NGF healthcare delivery award, rated best in North Central

    Kwara wins NGF healthcare delivery award, rated best in North Central

    Kwara has been rated the best State in basic healthcare delivery in the entire North Central region, beating Abuja the Federal Capital Territory and other North Central states, to clinch the first position. 

    At an event in Abuja on Wednesday night, the State won the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF)’s Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge award for the improvement recorded in the sector in the last four years.

    Read Also: ‘Kwara has bright future under incoming Tinubu administration’

    The NGF Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge was consummated in 2019 as part of the ‘Seatle Declaration’, which assesses overall performance of primary healthcare delivery using indicators like ‘government’s support and commitment, quality of service delivery, improvement in the health indices and outcomes, community participation and ownership, among others’. 

    Commissioner for Health Dr Raji Razaq and the Executive Secretary of the Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Nusirat Elelu received the award on behalf of the state. 

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also attended the award ceremony alongside many other serving and former governors from different parts of the country.

  • Hypertension: Taming a silent, but deadly killer

    Hypertension: Taming a silent, but deadly killer

    To sensitise the world to the necessity of individuals to be conscious of the threats posed by hypertension, which can result in stroke, World Hypertension Day was set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO). CHINAKA OKORO writes that Nigerians need to imbibe the habit of measuring their blood pressure regularly and controlling it in order to live longer and happier lives

    Mr Nnodi Akpauche fell while working on his farm, leaving his left arm and lips twisted. It was Madam Enyidiya that discovered him and alerted his kinsmen who went to the farm to bring him home. His wife, Amarachi, revealed that Akpauche always complained of acute headaches and dizziness.

     He died two weeks after the fatal fall. His kinsmen blamed the gods and ancestors for Akpauche’s travails. Contrary to his clansmen’s warped notion that his condition was caused by angry gods, what Akpauche suffered from was hypertension.

    Worried about the horrid development, the World Health Organisation (WHO), on May 14 2005, in collaboration with the World Hypertension League (WHL), an umbrella organisation of national hypertension societies and leagues with 85 countries as its members, initiated World Hypertension Day (WHD). Since 2006, the world has been observing World Hypertension Day to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical complications. The theme for this year’s event is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, and Live Longer.” This theme brings to the fore the necessity of individuals to be conscious of the threats posed by hypertension, which easily results in stroke when not properly monitored and controlled.

    Medical experts have said that “high blood pressure occurs when one’s blood pushes with too much force on the walls of one’s blood vessels. Untreated, it can cause serious health problems.” They also noted that “people with very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can experience symptoms, including severe headaches, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting blurred vision or other vision changes, anxiety, confusion, buzzing in the ears, nosebleeds and abnormal heart rhythm.”

     It is essential, they say, to seek medical care immediately if one is experiencing any of these symptoms. Some of the objectives of hypertension programmes are controlling or lowering blood pressure in order to prevent chronic kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

    Taming a silent killer

    High blood pressure has been described as a silent killer; as symptoms may not appear clearly, even as experts have noted that the ailment is also regarded as a leading cause of premature death worldwide. High blood pressure is measured using two numbers: The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in one’s arteries when one’s heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in one’s arteries when one’s heart rests between beats. Systole is described as the part of the cardiac cycle during which some chambers of the heart contract after refilling with blood.

     A person is considered to have high blood pressure when systolic blood pressure (the first number up) is over 140 mmHg, the diastolic (the second number down) is over 90 mmHg, or if both are higher than these evaluations.

    High blood pressure and stroke

    Authorities in health matters have maintained that “high blood pressure can lead to stroke in different ways. It can lead to blood clots in the brain and can damage the tiny blood vessels deep inside the brain. It can also result in stroke due to bleeding in the brain.” Hypertension, specialists insist, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood out to the body and causes the hardening of the arteries, stroke, kidney disease and heart failure.

     Health experts have recommended that anyone down with hypertension should eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid sitting down for a long time, such person should be more physically active, which can include walking, running, swimming, dancing or activities that build strength, such as lifting weights, lose weight if one is overweight or obese, take one’s medicines as prescribed by one’s health care professional. Hypertension can also burst or block arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, thereby causing a stroke.

    WHO’s statistics on hypertension

    Hypertension is a condition which generally has no symptoms and if left untreated, can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Risk factors include older age, overweight or obesity, lack of physical activity, high salt/sodium intake, and high alcohol intake. Hypertension, WHO says, affects around one in six adults and is the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death and responsible for around two million deaths yearly.

     Information gleaned from the WHO website revealed that “an estimated 46 per cent of adults who are down with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. Less than half of adults (42 per cent) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated. Approximately one in five adults (21 per cent) with hypertension has it under control. Again, WHO noted that an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 years worldwide have hypertension. It also said that hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide, even as it added that one of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33 per cent between 2010 and 2030.

     On the prevalence of the deadly ailment, the world health body said: “Globally, one in four people over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime resulting from unmanaged hypertension.” It noted that each year, over 16 per cent of all strokes occur in people between 15 and 49 years of age, even as it added that each year, over 62 per cent of all strokes occur in people under 70 years.

    National programme against hypertension

    Hypertension is an important public-health challenge worldwide. Prevention, detection, treatment, and control of this condition should receive high priority from governments. According to information from the Study.com website, hypertension treatment aims to lower high blood pressure and protect important organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys from damage.

     Writing on Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria (HTN) Programme: Rationale and Design for a Type 2 Hybrid, Effectiveness, and Implementation…Abigail S. Baldridge and others noted that “hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease in Nigeria and contributes to a large non-communicable disease burden. “It is aimed at implementing and evaluating a large-scale hypertension treatment and control programme…” Continuing, they noted that “hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Nigeria, found in 86.4 per cent of cardiovascular disease patients, and is prevalent in an estimated 29 to 38 per cent of adult Nigerians.”

    Read Also: Experts recommend 10,000 steps daily to prevent diabetes, hypertension

    However, the Joint National Committee for Hypertension has initiated some programmes to help individuals that are down with hypertension to receive some form of succour. For instance, since 1977, the joint national committee (JNC) on detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure has recognised the high impact of elevated BPs and published guidelines on the diagnosis, prevention and management of hypertension. A recent systematic review reported an increase from 8.2 per cent in 1990 to 32.5 per cent in 2020. A previous publication from a study discovered that the prevalence of hypertension was 38 per cent.

    Hypertension awareness campaign in Nigeria

    Writing on Stroke Awareness Campaign in Nigeria in www.michaelfranciscafoundation.org, Michael and Francisca of Michael and Francisca Foundation (MFF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which encourages stroke survivors, stated that a report by the WHO shows that children, including the new-born, are victims of stroke which is an aftermath of hypertension. Reeling off what they called key factors in the prevention and control of hypertension and stroke, Michael and Francisca advised that “high blood pressure should be controlled as hypertension is linked to almost half of all stroke incidents.”

     In addition, the Nigerian Hypertension Society, in its Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension in Nigeria (2020) has noted that “hypertension is the leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life-years worldwide, accounting for 9.4 million deaths annually. With a hypertension prevalence of around 30 per cent, Nigeria, with its large population, contributes a large proportion to the overall burden of hypertension in the region. The number of Nigerians aged 20 years and above with hypertension was estimated at 20.8 million in 2010 and has been projected to rise to 39.1 million by 2030.”

    Hypertension as a life-threatening medical condition

    Medical professionals have posited that “stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and not a result of actions of the gods or spirits.”

     A Neurologist Resident at the Internal Medicine Department, the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (former Federal Medical Centre, Owerri), Dr Madueke Onyedika, stated that misconceptions about hypertension that lead to stroke among the rural dwellers in the primal period resulted in many unjustified deaths of many, adding that stroke is simply a health challenge.

     Dr Onyedika said: “Stroke, in lay terms, is a symptom or sign that shows a dysfunction of the brain as a result of compromise of blood flow to it. The symptoms and signs are protean, not necessarily the weakness on one part of the body, facial deviation nor inability to speak, which are more common or recognisable features of stroke.

     “These symptoms or signs show against the backdrop of a healthy individual leading to it being misconstrued as a ‘spiritual attack’ in our clime by the befuddled witnesses.”

     On his part, Dr Chuks Onyekpere Chigozirim, a Plastic Surgery Resident also of the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri said: “There are a series of misguided beliefs surrounding strokes, especially considering the altered conscious state commonly associated with it. These include superstitious thinking ascribing a supernatural cause to the condition. The fallouts from this are some wrong traditional practices that expose the patients to several complications, including worsening of brain injury, malnutrition and pressure injuries.”

  • Eight facts about depression

    Eight facts about depression

    Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions worldwide. It is a serious medical condition that can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life.

    Read Also: I considered suicide during my depression- Omah Lay

    Here are facts about depression :

    • Depression can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
    • Symptoms of depression include feeling sad or hopeless, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating.
    • Depression can be treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
    • Exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can also help manage symptoms of depression.
    • Depression is not a sign of weakness or a personal failing, and seeking help is a sign of strength.
    • Depression can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
    • Left untreated, depression can lead to more serious health problems and may increase the risk of suicide.
    • With proper treatment and support, most people with depression can recover and lead fulfilling lives.
  • Pomp as BeautybyAD launches new product matte out

    Pomp as BeautybyAD launches new product matte out

    It was pomp and pageantry all the way when a cosmetics brand BeautybyAD launched a new cosmetics product “Matte Out” last Wednesday in Lagos.

    The event, which was tagged “Beauty By AD Presents A Day With Matte-Out/ Official Launch of Shop My Fave (SMF) ” was hosted by TV personality Taymib with celebrities from all walks of life gracing the event. 

    It was every inch a beauty affair as everyone showed up looking resplendent in their beautiful apparels, making all sorts of beauty statements.

    While guests were delighting themselves with refreshments, the Chief Executive Officer, BeautybyAD, Adeola Adeyemi a.k.a Diiadem was straight to the business of the day by introducing the product and many benefits it possesses.

    She said the product is like an Instagram filter that plugs holes in the skin, significantly reducing their appearance.

    Read Also: BeautybyAD marks 6th anniversary, unveils first brand ambassador

    “Now with Matte-out, we mattify the skin, but we don’t take away all the sheen that makes us look fresh and glowy. Matte-Out is a perfecting primer that blurs the texture of the skin while reducing shine and enhancing the longevity of the makeup. The cream-gel texture is lightweight and refreshing, suitable for all skin types . It instantly mattifies the skin and creates the perfect canvas for a smooth makeup application. The appearance of enlarged pores are minimized, and the skin looks more even, with a smoother texture,” Diiadem said in her address.

    “Matte-out controls shine and help your makeup last longer. We were very intentional with the formulation of this product and that’s why we specifically opted for a mattifying primer. In addition to its mattifying properties, our new Matte-Out primer is infused with a skincare ingredient,Vitamin E which preserves the product against oxidation.

    “The Vitamin E in matte-out also has moisturizing properties which makes your skin not to overly dry out after application. As a brand that cares for your skin, we also wanted a primer that would nourish your skin without disrupting your skin barrier.

    “We deliberately chose to use Vitamin E in this product to ensure the safety of your skin, as this ingredient is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This makes the Matte-Out primer an excellent choice for all skin types, including sensitive skin like mine,” she added.

    Speaking further Diiadem remarked that they had waited a long time to perfect work on the product, adding that they were mindful of creating a magnificent product that would be worth its value.

    “As a brand, we wanted to create a product that not only provides value for your money but also takes care of your skin. We took our time to create this beautiful masterpiece, and we are thrilled to finally share it with you. We listened to your needs and feedback, and I can guarantee that this product is worth the wait,” she said.