The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bacteria

  • Food and water poisoning: Cholera and other bacteria

    You may be forgiven to think that cholera no longer exists. In my teen years, cholera was a scourge in Nigeria so much that a very popular Juju musician ensured as part of his campaign to prevent the illness from spreading, sang an indelible memorial songs to cholera. Folks who lived through the 1970s and 1980’s will recall some of these songs.

    Cholera is a state of acute diarrhoea caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Like all food and water poisoning, the disease of cholera develops from contamination of our food and water. About 140,000 people die of cholera yearly, world-wide.

    I had earlier explained last week’s, what is meant by incubation. In the case of cholera, the period is about 12 hours to five days. Few infection, if any, kills faster than cholera by reason that cholera drains the individual of water and nutrients within hours of its onset and death could set in speedily. Cholera kills faster than the deadly and fearful Ebola.  It affects both adult and children and like most illnesses, children are often most severely affected.

    What are the symptoms of cholera? It should be noted that not everyone who contracted the bacteria will progress to illness. Some may just feel ill in a mild way. In minority of cases, the symptom can be very severe and sudden: the principal symptom is watery diarrhoea— frequently going to move the bowel. Nothing stays in the gut. The songs which I mentioned above, made mention of frequent watery stools and bullet –like vomiting that shoots out of mouth. While vomiting may occur, the principal problem is diarrhoea.

    Treatment:  Thank goodness that cholera can easily be treated once recognised. The key is to rehydrate the sufferer. Therefore, everyone should be aware of and know how to prepare oral rehydration therapy (ORT). All nursing mothers should also take note of how to prepare ORT (or ORS). For cholera patients, the World Health Organisation/UNICEF ORS standard sachet is to have one sachet of ORS dissolved in one litre of clean water. The water could be boiled water that is allowed to cool down and the ORS poured in. Alternatively, ORS can be prepared by adding five cubes of sugar (five level of teaspoon) plus one level spoon of salt into one litre of water. Adult patients suffering from cholera may require up to 6 L of ORS to treat moderate dehydration on the first day.

    Other patients that are severely dehydrated will require intravenous fluid being given rapidly. For children, breast feeding should be continued and antibiotics be given to both adult and children.

    I cannot overemphasise the importance of accessing skilled medical treatment as soon as possible irrespective of ORS or not

    Prevention

    Again, as in the case of all food and water poisoning, prevention steps are very important in dealing with cholera and all forms of food poisoning.

    Cooked food that is stored anywhere, such as rice stored in the fridge, should be reheated thoroughly before eating. As in typhoid, clean your hands well after defeacating. Consuming only clean water and well-cooked food is the key to preventing cholera. Boil the water if necessary. Infected food handlers should be excluded from making or handling food until he or she is clinically cleared of the infection.

    However, like most things that is wrong with Nigeria, enforcement of basic rules and laws by designated responsible persons in private and public domains is clearly the weak point in any effort to deal with and reduce food poisoning illnesses.

    Vaccination: Cholera can be prevented by vaccination. There are three types of vaccines. All three require two doses for full protection.

    Other Bacteria Poisoning Our Food:

    In general, our food and water should not contain hostile bacteria, parasites and viruses. Any time we consume such germs, we will fall ill. Other bacteria that commonly affects our health through our food and water are E.coli and listeria. No matter the bacteria, the important thing we should be aware of is to maintain  personal food hygiene, wash and clean our vegetables, reheat cooked food that had been stored and avoid street-vendor foods. We should also take note that the mere fact that a food chain  on the high street, is popular does not give it a clean slate. We should exercise discretion in our food choices.

  • Food and water poisoning: Cholera and other bacteria

    Food and water poisoning: Cholera and other bacteria

    You may be forgiven to think that cholera no longer exists. In my teen years, cholera was a scourge in Nigeria so much that a very popular Juju musician ensured as part of his campaign to prevent the illness from spreading, sang an indelible memorial songs to cholera. Folks who lived through the 1970s and 1980’s will recall some of these songs.

    Cholera is a state of acute diarrhoea caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Like all food and water poisoning, the disease of cholera develops from contamination of our food and water. About 140,000 people die of cholera yearly, world-wide.

    I had earlier explained last week’s, what is meant by incubation. In the case of cholera, the period is about 12 hours to five days. Few infection, if any, kills faster than cholera by reason that cholera drains the individual of water and nutrients within hours of its onset and death could set in speedily. Cholera kills faster than the deadly and fearful Ebola.  It affects both adult and children and like most illnesses, children are often most severely affected.

    What are the symptoms of cholera? It should be noted that not everyone who contracted the bacteria will progress to illness. Some may just feel ill in a mild way. In minority of cases, the symptom can be very severe and sudden: the principal symptom is watery diarrhoea— frequently going to move the bowel. Nothing stays in the gut. The songs which I mentioned above, made mention of frequent watery stools and bullet –like vomiting that shoots out of mouth. While vomiting may occur, the principal problem is diarrhoea.

    Treatment:  Thank goodness that cholera can easily be treated once recognised. The key is to rehydrate the sufferer. Therefore, everyone should be aware of and know how to prepare oral rehydration therapy (ORT). All nursing mothers should also take note of how to prepare ORT (or ORS). For cholera patients, the World Health Organisation/UNICEF ORS standard sachet is to have one sachet of ORS dissolved in one litre of clean water. The water could be boiled water that is allowed to cool down and the ORS poured in. Alternatively, ORS can be prepared by adding five cubes of sugar (five level of teaspoon) plus one level spoon of salt into one litre of water. Adult patients suffering from cholera may require up to 6 L of ORS to treat moderate dehydration on the first day.

    Other patients that are severely dehydrated will require intravenous fluid being given rapidly. For children, breast feeding should be continued and antibiotics be given to both adult and children.

    I cannot overemphasise the importance of accessing skilled medical treatment as soon as possible irrespective of ORS or not

    Prevention

    Again, as in the case of all food and water poisoning, prevention steps are very important in dealing with cholera and all forms of food poisoning.

    Cooked food that is stored anywhere, such as rice stored in the fridge, should be reheated thoroughly before eating. As in typhoid, clean your hands well after defeacating. Consuming only clean water and well-cooked food is the key to preventing cholera. Boil the water if necessary. Infected food handlers should be excluded from making or handling food until he or she is clinically cleared of the infection.

    However, like most things that is wrong with Nigeria, enforcement of basic rules and laws by designated responsible persons in private and public domains is clearly the weak point in any effort to deal with and reduce food poisoning illnesses.

    Vaccination: Cholera can be prevented by vaccination. There are three types of vaccines. All three require two doses for full protection.

    Other Bacteria Poisoning Our Food:

    In general, our food and water should not contain hostile bacteria, parasites and viruses. Any time we consume such germs, we will fall ill. Other bacteria that commonly affects our health through our food and water are E.coli and listeria. No matter the bacteria, the important thing we should be aware of is to maintain  personal food hygiene, wash and clean our vegetables, reheat cooked food that had been stored and avoid street-vendor foods. We should also take note that the mere fact that a food chain  on the high street, is popular does not give it a clean slate. We should exercise discretion in our food choices.

  • 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.

  • ‘Smelly feet can be prevented’

    ‘Smelly feet can be prevented’

    Foot odour is a common problem caused by excessive perspiration and bacteria growth. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on how to treat it.

    Do you know that excessive perspiration and bacteria infection can cause offensive foot odour? Do you also know that the feet are a veritable breeding ground for bacteria? The bacteria that grow on the soles of the feet actually produce gases similar to those released by bacteria used in producing cheese; hence the name ‘cheesy feet’, otherwise called smelly foot or foot odour.

    According to a Podiatrist, Dr Bodunde Oluwa, the most fastidiously clean people can suffer from foot odour because each foot has 250,000 sweat glands and produces about a cup (500 ml) of sweat daily.

    Dr Oluwa said: “Most of us have suffered from foot perspiration and odour from time to time, yet for some people, sweaty feet are a persistent problem, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. A sweaty foot is a problem known as Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, and has a lot to do with how the sweat glands in this part of the body work. With 250,000 sweat glands, feet tend to sweat more than other parts of the body. But with a daily hygiene routine, few people should suffer from the embarrassment that it may cause.

    He continued: “There are more sweat glands per inch in our feet than anywhere else in the body and their function is to keep the skin moist and supple. They secrete all the time, not just in response to heat or exercise as elsewhere in the body.”

    Dr Oluwa said sweaty feet can be caused by stress on the foot. “This may be due to a structural problem, or because the foot is under strain or tired, for example, when standing all day. Hot weather can make matters worse. Although sweaty feet are both dry and wet season problem; it can also be an inherited condition. Some bacterial or fungal infections may need medical attention. Mostly, it is treatable.

    “In adolescents, sweaty feet are probably caused by over-active sweat glands, triggered by changing hormonal levels in the body. As the sweat glands on the soles of the feet (and the palms of the hand) respond mostly to emotion, mental or emotional stress is a common cause. Yet, there are a range of simple treatments available to address it. Simple hygiene is usually effective in dealing with sweaty feet. Careful consideration of footwear and socks is essential. Well-fitting shoes made of leather, which allow your feet to ‘breathe,’ are best.

    “As a lot of sweat is absorbed by insoles or the uppers of shoes, don’t wear the same pair every day, and allow them to dry out before wearing them again. Detachable insoles are also a good idea. Socks that absorb moisture well, such as wool, cotton, or wool/cotton mixture, will also help. Always wash your socks before using them again,” he said.

    Other recommendations according to Dr Oluwa, are the use of the bathtub or a small foot basin to wash the feet in hot water. He also said care must be taken for one not to scald oneself, emphasising the use of antibacterial soap and its lather getting in between the little tootsies.

    He said: “At this point if the antibacterial soap isn’t doing the trick rubbing alcohol should kill the germs. Pour it over the entire foot and if you have a small towel you can work it into the space between the little piggies. This can dry out the skin too much so you might want to use a nice foot lotion afterwards. Some also like to soak their feet in cold tea for a half hour.

    He continued: “Dry feet are the best way to put off the stench from building up. After you bathe, dry your feet with a hair dryer if you feel that the towel isn’t sufficient. Wear sandals or flip flops around the house or outdoors. Let your shoes air out after wearing them. You can also throw away old socks and replace the disposable absorbent shoe liners. Cotton socks are healthier than synthetic ones. In fact, white cotton socks without dye in them are considered the best for your feet.

    “Change your socks at least once a day. Think about how germs live. Don’t put dirty socks back on. When you come home from a day at work if you don’t shower right then you can change your shoes and socks.”

    Dr Oluwa said if the odour persists, it may mean has some foot disease. “If you suspect that, you should seek proper medical attention. Left unattended a diseased foot can fester,” he said.