The Nation Newspaper

Tag: prevent

  • How to prevent, treat arthritis, by naturopath

     There are over 1.5 million cases of arthritis in Nigeria, according to a report by the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI). OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on how to treat and prevent the disease. 

    Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is where two bones meet. It helps move parts of the body that are connected. Literally, it means inflammation of one or more joints.

    According to Dr Godwin Ihesie, arthritis, also called joint inflammation, is accompanied by joint pain. A joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.

    Ihesia, a naturopath, said when four or more joints are involved, the arthritis is referred to as polyarthritis. When two or three joints are involved, it is referred to as oligoarthritis. But when it is one joint, it is referred to as monoarthritis. Some of the most commonly impacted joints are located in the lower back, hips, knees, feet, neck, fingers and thumb base.

    Referring to the research by the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI), Ihesie, who is also the Managing Director, Ihesie Natural Health Services, Ajuwon, Iju Hills, Ogun State, said: ‘’Arthritis is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages, sexes and races can have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have one type of arthritis with more than 1.5 million cases of the disease per year in Nigeria. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.’’

    To identify arthritis, and nip it in the bud, Ihesie said the main symptoms of the disease are joint pains and stiffness, which  worsen with age. He added that the most common arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    “Osteoarthritis causes cartilage – the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint – to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that first targets the lining of joints (synovium). Uric acid crystals, infections or underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus, can cause other arthritis. Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life,” she added.

    On how to recognise arthritis, the naturopath said the most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the arthritis one has, the signs and symptoms may include:  pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and decreased range of motion. He noted that risk factors for arthritis include: family history, age, sex, previous joint injury and obesity.

    Shedding light on the factors, he said some  arthritis run in families, adding that one might develop the disease if one’s parents or siblings had it.

    ‘’Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis. The risk of many arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, increases with age. Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.

    Those who injured their joints, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to develop arthritis in that joint. While excess weight puts stress on joints, particularly the knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.

    “Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay for years, but may progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. These may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-ray. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints,” Ihesie added.

    What can be done about arthritis?

    According to Ihesie, many things can be done to preserve joint function, mobility and quality of life. Learning about the disease and treatment options, making time for physical activity and maintaining an healthy weight are essential.

    “Doctors traditionally treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers. However, some medications cause side effects, and a natural approach to pain relief is becoming more popular,” he said.

    Ihesie said the first step in preventing or treating arthritis is improvement of one’s diets. He listed foods such as: Omega-3 foods, good for lowering inflammation, wild-cat fish, and salmon, as the first choice. Others  include grass-fed beef, flaxseeds and walnuts.

    “Foods high in sulphur are good as they contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) that reduce joint inflammation and help rebuild the tissues. MSM has been proven to lower pain and function impairment. Its sources include onions, garlic, cabbage, and asparagus which are available in superstores. Bone broth is one of the best natural sources of collagen, which contains amino acids proline and glycine that help rebuild connective tissue and have many more benefits.

    ‘’Also, bone broth supplies chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, antioxidants that help lower inflammation, arthritis and joint pain.

    “High-antioxidant foods, especially fruits and vegetables – colorful fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, fibre, magnesium, potassium, digestive enzymes and anti-inflammatory compounds. Some of the best sources include leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, such as Broccoli, Brussels, sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, berries, melon, papaya, avocado and pineapple. Foods high in fibre helps control one’s appetite, and it is beneficial for digestive health and lowers the risk for various other diseases and complications. The best high-fibre foods include vegetables, fruit, ancient grains, soaked legumes/beans and nuts and seeds like flaxseeds, and walnuts,” he added.

    He continued: “To help keep inflammation levels low, avoid these foods: excess sugar, hydrogenated oils (soybean oil, cottonseed oil, even canola oil), refined conventional grains, such as gluten, flour products and wheat products; and if you have an autoimmune disease, then also nightshade vegetables like potatoes, eggplant and tomatoes.”

    Ihesie said being active is also helpful.

    “People with arthritis tend to be less active than those without it, due to the pain they feel when exercising and moving stiff body parts. However, physical activity is important for joint health and in the long run, can actually help treat arthritis. Exercise is beneficial for strengthening the muscles around the affected joint, which provides added support and less strain.

    “Chiropractic adjustments and treatments for arthritis can really be helpful, as it includes manipulation (sometimes called osteopathic manipulation) in the neck or lower back, spinal manipulation, massage therapy, training in biofeedback and relaxation therapies to help control pain. Similarly, acupuncture is helpful for reducing arthritis, especially osteoarthritis pain,” he added.

  • Fadama builds N42m centres to prevent loss

    The Niger State Fadama Project Coordinator, Aliyu UsmanKutigi, an engineer, said the state coordination office has constructed six aggregation centres to prevent post food harvest loss for N42 million.

    Speaking in Minna during a workshop on Probity and Accountability for Desk Officers and Facilitators of Fadama in the state, Kutigi said the aggregation centres which were constructed at Badeggi, Katcha, Kutigi, Izom, Sabon Ramu and Sabon Ushe  will enable farmers store farm produce with minimal farm produce getting spoilt.

    The Fadama Project Coordinator said the workshop would enable the participants contribute their quota to the state and Federal Government crusade against corruption.

    “Fadama 111 AF aims to train its staff so that it will in no small measure eradicate or reduce corruption in agricultural sector which is the backbone of the nation’s economy,” he said.

    He stressed the need to imbibe the culture of attitudinal change in all administrations.

    The Lead Resource Person,  Hon Danladi Umar Abdulhameed in his presentation, said corruption cuts across all sectors as everybody or group in the society is to blame.

    He recommended reward for the hardworking and honesty and punishment of perpetrators of corrupt practices.

    He added that government needed to strenghten agriculture, education, health and other critical sectors in order to chase poverty, hunger, ignorance and diseases out of the country.

  • Engineers to sensitise on safety, prevent disasters

    Engineers to sensitise on safety, prevent disasters

    The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISE) has embarked on efforts aimed at preventing disasters and improving safety awareness on fire, flooding and building collapse.

    According to its Chairman, Abiodun Oyedepo, the move became necessary after safety concerns were raised in several quarters on fire, flooding and building collapse.

    As part of NISE’s efforts towards sensitising the public on preventive measures, Oyedepo said NISE leadership had been paying visiting various organisations and agencies, such as Chevron, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (Retail), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, among others.

    At the places visited, Oyedepo said their responses were warm, with people expressing appreciation that Nigerian engineers had risen from their slumber.

    To this end, the NISE has slated its first conference, with the theme: “Assuring public safety in Nigeria: The roles of engineers”.

    The conference will hold from  November 7 to 10, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

    “We are building a foundation for others to build on and are setting up chapters in more states of the federation, with the first one recently being inaugurated in Awka, Anambra State,” Oyedepo said.

    The Chairman of the NISE Conference Planning Committee, Seun Faluyi, said institution would work with regulatory agencies on capacity development programmes to address building collapse. He lamented that regulatory bodies were not sufficiently staffed.

    “Engineers know what to do if you want to prevent flooding even where there is plenty of rainfall. Where you design buildings and factor in safety during the construction, collapses can be prevented,” Faluyi said, adding that the assurance of safety is higher when qualified engineers are actively involved.

    The Conference Planning Committee Secretary, Kayode Fowode, said the NISE was sensitising the public on the need for housing construction supervisors in every state to take proper measures during construction to prevent building collapse. He said there would also be training courses for registered builders to identify problems during construction and address them promptly.

    A member of the committee, Oluwafemi Ogunseitan, asserted that for the entire value chain, from design to construction on site, NISE would support other regulatory bodies, adding that it would ensure robust safety checks through capacity building and necessary standards. He said the institution was not formed to compete with other safety bodies and agencies but to collaborate with all, to improve safety, as an engineering body.

    The NISE, a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), was inaugurated in January, last year. NISE is made up of engineers who are registered with the NSE and active in safety practice. Membership of NISE is open to engineers; persons involved in safety jobs are also welcome as associate members.

  • ‘Restructuring ‘II prevent disintegration’

    ‘Restructuring ‘II prevent disintegration’

    National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and Afenifere chieftain Dr. Amos Akingba spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE in Lagos on why prominent Yoruba leaders are organising a summit in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, today, to drum support for resturcturing.

    What is the motive behind the Yoruba Summit at Ibadan?

    The Yoruba Summit is designed to bring together various self-determination groups, to address the degrading situation the Yoruba people found themselves under in the Nigerian unitary constitution. The constitution of the country is not feasible for a multi-ethnic society that we are in Nigeria. We have been advocating in our different groups the need to restructure Nigeria on the basis of truth, justice and progress. The more we agitate for these objectives, the more we express the need to have the issue quickly addressed. And so, we decided that the various groups in Yoruba should meet at summit. The delegates will come from all over the Yoruba lands and others who believe in our cause. The objective is to meet and to audit the situation of the Yoruba in Nigeria and to look at the way forward within the Nigerian state. It would also take appropriate action to redress all the imbalances that have not made the country to forge ahead. That is the objective, motive, philosophy, ideology etc behind the Yoruba submits. We want to allow our people to assess where we are and to see whether it is conducive to progress. We want to say this to them and listen to them and look at how to adjust our situation within Nigeria.

    Can you shed light on the elements of restructuring that you are clamouring for?

    We will be looking at how the restructuring requirement and constitutional arrangement which is much more comprehensive during the constitutional conference that was put together by former President Goodluck Jonathan. In the conference, it was decided then how best Nigerians can live together. But, the succeeding administration of President Muhammadu Buhari adamantly refused to put in place and implement the report of that conference. The conference can be regarded as the constituents of all the stakeholders in Nigeria. Now the best thing to do is for this administration that succeeded the previous Jonathan administration to prepare a referendum through which Nigerians assess the recommendation of the conference. The main element in that reports has been categorised into different definitional options, some call it devolution, and some call it true federalism and all sorts of names. And regardless of the definitional thing, Nigeria can always prosper in a federal structure. This has been the practice, until 1966, when the military struck and stole our government with the barrel of the guns. Nigeria went into the civil war and the military designed various constitutions and that of the 1999, which they lied to us by saying, we Nigerians gave ourselves this constitution, that is falsehood. We never went to referendum, never elected or selected the constituent members to decide. So, who decided on the so– called 1999 Constitution? In fact, since 1962, Nigeria ceased to have the peoples’ constitution. All we are now saying is that, since we have leaders elected by the people, the civilians can get rid of the military constitution and return it to the 1963 Constitution. Any amendment necessary from that can be taken up. The Yoruba people are saying let us use the 1963 and any other document that can assist us including the reports from previous conference reports, work on them to give the country the best. We should work on them and come out with what we think is the best for Nigeria, but the serving political power said no. They said they won’t do it even though they promised in their manifesto that they would do it. As we are here, Nigeria is not working that is the bottom line. Nothing works better in Nigeria now. Education is gone, health is gone, electricity is gone, waters and other infrastructures are gone. The human behavior is degrading, corruption is rampant, the judiciary has been corrupted. Legislators have become legis-looters, irresponsibility rules our lives, and these are the things we say must be redressed. We are not saying that Nigeria should split. We are saying that it should be reworked so that it can benefit everybody regardless of religion, ethnic and geographic centre. But, the oppressors want to keep oppressing, but in this role they have herculean task, because the oppressed have become uncontrollable under their poverty inflicted society. And all sorts of proposals are now being put on the table that appear to question the ethno-centric relationship of Nigeria. It unfortunate, as they say, if you make peaceful change impossible, you make a violent one inevitable. Those of us who are agitating for restructuring are doing that to make the system work better for everybody. We don’t want anybody to go away, but if you refuse, it will only delay for a while because there is no amount of force under the planet earth that can stop the people, who have decided to move. You can slow down their movement but, you cannot stop them.

    Some have said the restructuring will work against Nigerian unity…

    If you say Nigeria is not negotiable and the term and condition of our unity cannot be worked in line to our requirement, the question you ask should be is Nigeria working? Nigeria is not working in all the areas of our lives; we have been corrupted by the oppressors in our midst. Everybody is cutting corners., This is not the Nigeria ways we used to know. When we were younger, and everybody, including market women, politicians and bureaucrats are cheating Nigeria, some of them are being abetted by international organizations and countries. Nigeria is decaying, both in domestic and external relations. Those who say our unity is not negotiable are living in fool’s paradise. Nobody is asking for the unity to be negotiated, but we are asking that we should negotiate the terms to make the unity stronger and more prosperous for all citizens of this country.

    Government is saying that Nigerians should channel their grievances through the Council of State and the National Assembly…

    Both organs are not part and parcel of what we should use. They are product of military constitution, which is unitary constitution. The Nigerians people are the one who should do the articles of memorandum and association. They will hand it over to the government to implement just like what management does. The management does not own the company; they are paid to run the company. The government does not own Nigeria; Nigerians own the government and where they believe that they are not getting good results, they go back to the drawing board to rework it. So, it is healthy to say those who want restructuring wants to divide Nigeria. It is like those of us who want restructuring do not want to keep Nigeria alive, that is not true. What we are saying is that the foundation of the super structure must be solid. We never had one after the First Republic, we only had military dictatorship and the military itself is ethnically filled. It is not democratic, it not truthful to Nigerians. The structure is defected; trillions of naira spent on food importation yearly can be produced in Nigeria. We cannot guarantee electricity; we have four refineries none of them is working. We export crude oil and import refines crude oil. Nobody is benefitting from Nigeria. Both the oppressors and the oppressed are in trouble.

    Some have argued that the 2014 national conference reports can douse tension. What is your position?

    The 2014 conference report cannot solve all Nigeria’s problem but it can make lots of impact. The report will point a way out and methods on how to solve the problems. I was a member of that conference and we produce a document that will stand the test of time. You cannot trample on it. It is already in public domain. The document looked at all the issues that can make the country work. The Nigeria constitution says the country is a secular state, which means it must not promote religious matter, yet government send people to Hajj and Israel pilgrimages with tax payers’ money, contrary to the constitution. We keep lying to ourselves and if we keep lying, there is no way we can make progress. We keep saying that we are one people, one nation. We are multi ethnic group and never one nation, just like the world is full of people.

    What is your reaction to the lopsided appointment in the federal apparatus?

    It is most unfair; you cannot discriminate against somebody just on the basis of his ethnicity or religion which is not his fault. And you think he is going to be submissive or loyal. We have federal character enshrined in the constitution and a commission to supervise it. Recruitment into public office, is supposed to be federally characterized. And there should be no ethnic group that must have undue advantage over others. But, when we continue to see the dominance of one group and another, the people will agitate, this brews discount and disloyalty.

    How united is the Yoruba race?

    Yoruba is not isolated from the Nigerian malaise, but by and large, the Yoruba are still very conscious of its good nature, Omoluabi, which is Afenifere. Omoluabi wants things to be good for you and good for him. They believe that everybody should be well accommodated within the society. That has been the foundation of the Yoruba civilisation. The Yoruba accommodate people and there is no community in Yoruba settlement that you cannot find other ethnic groups living harmoniously among Yoruba. That cannot be said of other ethnic groups. When different people come to us, we see them as one.  Most Yoruba are now feeling uncomfortable because of the way they are being treated when they find themselves living among other ethnic groups outside their domains. They are not happy about the act of ingratitude towards them. Looking back to when this country was created, they have been marginalized and when you marginalize any component of the country, you are causing trouble for the system. It is time this attitude change, everybody must be encouraged. Individual will come and go but the community will remain, if we do not build the community, we shortchange ourselves, them thing will not get better. If you are in the water and it is drying up, you will dry up with the water, there is no alternative to that. And when the water dries up, you are gone. So, you must make sure that the water is replenished. All that the Yoruba are saying and those who believe us is, let us make room for our individualism to blossom within our collective existence. There is no individual that is an Island, it is combination of the individuals that make a country, we can do better than what we are doing.

    If Nigeria is restructured, will it aid the cause of the Southwest integration?  

    It will. When we went the 2014 National Conference, the Yoruba went there to say the 36 federating units have doubled and too expensive. They say bureaucracy is taking away our wealth and that the best for Nigeria will be when the six geo-political zones proposed by Dr. Alex Ekweme is adopted. The zones should have three in the north and three in the south. During the conference, it was made known to us that six regions would not be good for some states. For instance, Ebonyi people say they don’t want to be part of Enugu, there are some in the Northwest who say they want to leave the region and Lagos said they don’t want to go to Ibadan. That was when the proposal to balance the composition in terms of the state came up. The Northwest said they want two more to the seven they had. It was then that we decided that let every region has nine states and that was how we became 54 states. The Yoruba pointed out to them, if there are complaint those 36 states is too expensive, what is the rationale for 54 states? They now suggested to us that the Southwest should create nine states in their region and when it works other regions can copy from the Southwest. So, the recommendation was that there will be 54 states and each of the regions will have nine states each. They agreed also that we should write our own constitution, whether state constitution or regional constitution in line with the dictate of the conference proposals. The world is looking forward to the southwest regional integration. And so, regional integration is the best way to go.

  • ‘Multinationals failing to prevent third party bribery, corruption’

    ‘Multinationals failing to prevent third party bribery, corruption’

    A report by global law firm, Hogan Lovells, has identified the use of third parties as the second biggest bribery and corruption risk in most countries. The report which focused on countries in Europe, Asia and the United States showed that nearly half (49 per cent) of multinationals are fail to carry out basic bribery and corruption checks on third party contractors before start working with them.

    It was further discovered that 47 per cent of respondents fail to carry out desktop due diligence; 44 per cent don’t ask third parties to complete a questionnaire, and the same proportion fail to conduct face-to-face interviews with third parties.

    Titled: “Steering the Course: Navigating third party bribery and corruption risk,” the report found that the use of third parties is on the rise with 82 per cent of survey respondents noting an increase in the past three years and 78 per cent anticipating an increase in the coming year.

    The results of the 2016 report follow interviews with 604 chief compliance officers, heads of legal, based in the UK, U.S., Asia, France and Germany, at many of the world’s largest multinational companies in four sectors – energy, minerals and resources; life sciences and healthcare; transport (including automotive and aviation); and technology, media and telecommunications, with a minimum of 2,000 employees and at least £250m turnover, and operated in four sectors: life sciences and pharmaceuticals (124); energy, minerals and resources (138); transport, including aviation and automotive (152); and technology, media and telecoms (190), Crispin Rapinet, Global Head of Investigations, White Collar and Fraud at Hogan Lovells, said: “As companies expand overseas, there are good reasons to engage third parties – local know-how, connections to potential customers, and familiarity with the bureaucratic hurdles.

    “But it’s a fine line to balance the commercial advantages against the risk that third parties pose to your organisation, when they are acting in your name.

    “If you don’t have the right checks in place your company can be held liable if your third party bribes for your benefit. Regulators and enforcement agencies are sharpening their focus and corporates are increasingly facing enforcement actions such as criminal exposure for individuals and the company, and reputational damage.

    The report said the UK is the weakest region on risk assessment with 50 per cent failing to regularly risk assessing all third parties. On the other hand, the U.S. was strong on several measures, for example in ensuring that third parties undertake training (61 per cent), and in conducting face-to-face interviews.

  • How to prevent pneumonia, meningitis, by experts

    Experts have urged Nigerians to practise good hygiene to avoid contracting pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases.

    The specialists, who consist of the best from West African, spoke  at this year’s West African Vaccine Summit in Lagos.

    It had as theme Ready for life.

    The professionals agreed that though there were vaccines by Pfizer to treat the diseases, if one rested, drank plenty of water and juices to keep the body hydrated, increased the intake of Vitamin A and C, washed hands to prevent germs spread, and covered the mouth while sneezing or coughing, the chances of knocking off the diseases were high.

    According to a Professor of Medicine at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife, Gregory  Erhabor, the West African region  has a plethora of meningitis and pneumonia.

    Erhabor said: “In 2008, an estimated 177,000 under five children died from pneumonia in Nigeria alone. The African Meningitis Belt—extending from Senegal in the West to Ethiopia in the East—has the highest annual incidence of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) worldwide, with superimposed frequent epidemics occurring every eight to 12 years. The diseases are a contagious and life-threatening infection. And is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in many parts of the world like Western Europe and North USA among children aged two months to 12 years, following introduction of universal immunisation against H.influenzae type b and S.pneumoniae.

    ‘’It occurs most frequently in infants, young children, and teenagers. And can be difficult to diagnose. It can progress very quickly and be fatal within a few hours, with up to 20 percent of patients dying despite rapid treatment.  Hence it is good to maintain a clean environment because N. meningitidis is spread by airborne droplet infection or direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva, e.g., through coughing, kissing or sharing a glass or eating /drinking utensil.  And children’s immunity should not be compromised.”

    Dr Adejumoke Ayede of the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, said the number one risk factor is age due to lack of serum bactericidal antibodies.

    Others are defects in host defence. He explained that patients with deficiency of  components, weak immune system, such as long-term therapy with corticosteroids in patients with nephrotic syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic inflammatory disease that has protean, hepatic failure or respiratory tract infections, such as the flu, may suffer from the disease.

    Ayede, a  Consultant Paediatrican/Senior Lecturer, said there were environmental factors, such as crowded living areas – dormitories, barracks, day care; climatic conditions,such as low humidity, smoking, and contact with patients.

    ‘’And the two most common manifestations of IMD are:  Meningitis affecting about 50 percent of patients or Septicaemia, affecting between five percent and 20 percent of patients. Less common manifestations of IMD are pneumonia, occurring in up to 15 percent of patients, respiratory tract infections, otitis media, and focal infections (e.g., conjunctivitis, urethritis, arthritis, or pericarditis).

    “But with the dry season, this region has recently benefited from the Meningitis Vaccine Project, a major alliance of international health bodies that have developed and are deploying an affordable and effective vaccine against serogroup A meningococcus, is the main cause of the disease in this area. The vaccine is meningococcal conjugate vaccine,” Ayede said.

    Director Corporate Affairs Nigeria and East African Region, Pfizer, Mrs Margret Olele, said the firm was passionate about research and development (R and D), and was working to bring the benefits of vaccines into previously unexplored areas where successes could be recorded, help usher in a new era of vaccine innovation, prevent and treat diseases.

    “Pfizer’s world-class vaccines are produced by more than 500 global scientists with deep expertise in investigating and advancing unique vaccine candidates to deliver the next wave of breakthroughs to meet needs and help save lives. It has made investments in developing world-class vaccine manufacturing expertise, sites, and capabilities,’’ she said.

    She said the drug giant was working in areas, such as hospital-acquired infections.

    ‘’At the same time, we’re  building on our leadership in pneumococcal and meningococcal disease prevention. Our unique Investigational Vaccine-Based Immunotherapy Regimen (VBIR) brings the science of vaccine research out.

    ‘’Pfizer is also developing an experimental PCSK9 vaccine, designed to induce the body to produce its own antibodies. It is seeking to develop a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine to prevent diseases that can have a devastating and lifelong impact on young children. And they are accessible and affordable,” Mrs Olele added.

  • ‘How to prevent arthritis’

    ‘How to prevent arthritis’

    Unknown to many, food plays a vital role in preventing or managing arthritis. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes.

    Nutrition can  help prevent or  manage arthritis, a traditional practitioner, Dr Segun Fahuwa, has said.

    In an interview, he said what one eats or does not is the first step to avoiding the disease.

    Fahuwa, popularly called Mister Guarantee, said eating processed foods, such as baked or prepackaged meals and snacks could aggravate arthritis because they contain trans-fats which preserve them. He added that trans-fats trigger systemic inflammation. To dodge trans-fats, he said, avoid any food which contains partially-hydrogenated oils.

    Sugar is another food that must be shunned. He explained that foods that contain refined sugar, such as pastries, chocolate, candy, soda, and even fruit juices—trigger the release of proteins in the body called cytokines, which cause inflammation. Sugar is labelled in  many ways in food items, he warned, adding that one should watch out for corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, or maltose.

    Meat, especially red meat and fried foods, could be dangerous to one’s health, because they are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, he said. “Meat contains high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that stimulate inflammation, particularly when it is broiled, grilled, roasted, or fried. But it’s not just fried chicken you should avoid, though. Other fried foods, such as dough nuts and French fries, contain trans-fats in addition to AGEs,’’ he said.

    Refined grains, such as white bread, white pasta, and crackers, Fahuwa warned, also cause the glucose level to rise, adding that they must be avoided.

    “Refined grains (as opposed to whole grain products) cause a spike in blood glucose level, which has been shown to increase levels of several inflammation-markers in the body. Another factor to consider is sensitivities before switching to whole grain though, as people with gluten (found in grains) sensitivities may experience joint pain and inflammation from consuming wheat products,”  Fahuwa said.

    He added: “Cheese and high-fat dairy, such as butter, cream cheese, margarine, and mayonnaise are all high in saturated fats and AGE. They’re big inflammation triggers and should be consumed sparingly.”

    Avoiding foods and drinks that trigger inflammation is not just good for your arthritis alone.  Fahuwa said an anti-inflammatory diet could also help prevent other chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

    “Corn, peanut, sunflower, safflower, and soy oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids are healthy in small doses. But excessive omega-6 consumption can trigger inflammatory chemicals. Before you despair that everything tasty seems to be off-limits if you want to practise an anti-inflammatory diet, keep in mind that a few simple swaps can often make the difference between healthy and unhealthy food choices. For example, cook with canola oil instead of corn oil, or swap out white bread for whole grain bread. This is not the case for the types of oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as olive, canola, and flaxseed oils. These varieties are healthy, even in larger amounts,” Fahuwa said.

    He said there are oils that can fight off arthritis. “All oils are a mixture of fatty acids- monounsaturate, polyunsaturated and saturated – and it’s the ratio of these acids that determine whether an oil or fat is healthful or harmful.

    “Healthy oils and fats have a higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids and a lower amount of saturated fatty acids than their less-healthy counterparts,” says Haas.

    “Unsaturated fats – mono and poly – have unique health benefits. Monounsaturated fats can help lower your blood LDL [bad cholesterol] level and raise HDL [good] cholesterol, which in turn can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Polyunsaturated fats may lower total blood cholesterol, which also helps prevent heart disease,” explained Fahuwa.

    He pointed out that at the other end of the spectrum are saturated fats, such as butter, which are solid at room temperature and are linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels and heart disease. This is a type of fat you should limit in your diet.

    ‘’Squeeze the most health benefits out of your oils by understanding their best uses, which often depend on their smoke point. This is the temperature at which different oils begin to smoke and break down, which destroys the compounds that give them their health benefits.

    “Finer oils with low smoke points are not good for most cooking applications because cooking destroys their nutritive value,” Haas said.

    She advised reserving oils with low smoke points for dishes that don’t involve high heat or for drizzling on soups and vegetables just before serving. ‘’Storing oils properly will keep their taste and beneficial compounds intact. Air, heat and light speed up deterioration, and most should be kept on a cool, dark shelf. Some oils, particularly those high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, go rancid quickly and are best stored in the refrigerator and brought to room temperature before using. If oil has an unpleasant taste or odour, it’s time for a new bottle,” Fahuwa added.

  • How to prevent bird flu spread, by don

    How to prevent bird flu spread, by don

    Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Registrar Prof. Eustace Ayemere Iyayi has urged local authorities to adopt precautionary measures against the spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu.

    He called for improved supervision, investigation and early discovery of all bird flu outbreaks.

    Speaking with The Nation, following the confirmation of the flu in some parts of the country, he called for the prevention of poultry smuggling through the border.

    Iyayi, the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, said NIAS  woud intensify its campaigns for the of those living in high-risk areas.

    He called on operators and animal health authorities to focus on management and supervision and keep a close tab on vulnerable residents.

    Meanwhile, new strain of bird flu has entered the country and has spread to 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with over 3.5 million birds affected.

    To prevent the spread of the disease into their countries, Nigeria’s neighbours have proposed a ban on poultry and poultry products from Nigeria.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this known in Abuja at a  meeting with commissioners for agriculture/livestock, states directors of veterinary services and major stakeholders in the poultry industry.

    He explained that the first outbreak of bird flu was reported in the country in 2006 and spanned  2008, but that it was eradicated through the World Bank-sponsored project and support from the country’s development partners.

    The minister said: “The disease is trans-boundary in nature and also trade-limiting; some of our neighbouring countries have proposed to ban poultry and poultry products from Nigeria. This may undesirably lead to an egg glut in the country.”

    Ogbeh said there were huge and unacceptable losses in the poultry industry and the nation as a whole, urging the commissioners to retrace their steps to provide safe food for Nigerians as well as ensure national self-sufficiency in food production.

    He noted that aside paucity of funds, other challenges that led to the outbreak of the disease were lack of compliance with on-farm quarantine measures and movement restriction; violation of bio-safety measures leading to rapid spread of the disease; and clustering of poultry farmers with limited adherence to hygienic measures.

  • How to prevent depression

    How to prevent depression

    Alarmed by the increase in cases of depression, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a one-year campaign- Depression: let’s talk. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA details the tips to treat the monster in adults (over 60s), women of childbearing age, adolescents and young adults.

    The life changes that come with ageing, childbirth or adolescence can lead to depression. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is an illness characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy. This is accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks. ‘

    The World Health Organisation said depression is an illness that can happen to anybody- of any age, sex, or social status. It causes mental anguish and affects people’s ability to carry out everyday tasks, with sometimes devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends. At worst, depression can lead to suicide. Fortunately, depression can be prevented and treated.

    It said in addition to the above, people with depression normally have several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

    The global health watch said it has noted with concern the high incidence of depression which is common in older people but often overlooked and untreated.

    It noted: “Depression among older people is often associated with physical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic pain; difficult life events, such as losing a partner; and a reduced ability to do things that were possible when younger.”

    Contributing factors and prevention

     Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, psychological trauma) are more likely to develop depression. Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation and depression itself.

    There are interrelationships between depression and physical health. For example, cardiovascular disease can lead to depression and vice versa.

    Prevention programmes have been shown to reduce depression. Effective community approaches to prevent depression include school-based programmes to enhance a pattern of positive thinking in children and adolescents. Interventions for parents of children with behavioural problems may reduce parental depressive symptoms and improve outcomes for their children. Exercise programmes for the elderly can also be effective in depression prevention.

    Sadly, it said older people are at a high risk of suicide, yet depression is treatable, with talking therapies or antidepressant medication or a combination of these.

    Adolescense and young adulthood present many opportunities – for meeting new people, visiting new places and finding a direction in life. These years can also be a time of stress. If you are feeling overwhelmed rather than excited by these challenges. Having a baby is a major life event and can cause worry, tiredness and sadness. Usually these feelings don’t last long, but if they persist you may be suffering from depression.

    It said depression following childbirth is very common. It affects one in six women who have given birth. Depression is an illness characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks.

    “Symptoms of depression after childbirth also include: a feeling of being overwhelmed; persistent crying for no apparent reason; lack of bonding with your baby; and doubt about being able to care for yourself and your baby. Depression after childbirth can be treated with professional help. Talking treatments and medicines can help. Some medicines can be taken safely while breastfeeding. Without treatment, depression following childbirth can last for months or even years. It can affect your health and the development of your baby,” it stated.

    Cheery news is that depression is treatable, with talking therapies or antidepressant medication or a combination of these.

    WHO recommends what you can do if you are feeling down, or think you may be depressed: Talk to someone you trust about your feelings. Most people feel better after talking to someone who cares about them. If you think you are depressed, seek professional help.

    Your local health-care worker or doctor is a good place to start. Remember that with the right help, you can get better.

    Keep up with activities that you have always enjoyed, or find alternatives if previous activities are no longer possible. Stay connected. Keep in contact with family and friends. Eat at regular intervals and get enough sleep. Exercise regularly if you can, even if it’s just a short walk.

    Also avoid or restrict alcohol intake and refrain from using illicit drugs; they can worsen depression. Only take medicine as prescribed by your health-care provider. Exercise regularly, even if it’s just a short walk. Stick to regular eating and sleeping habits. Accept that you might have depression and adjust your expectations. You may not be able to accomplish as much as you do usually. If you feel suicidal, contact someone for help immediately.

  • Akiolu to subjects: Prevent glaucoma

    Akiolu to subjects: Prevent glaucoma

    Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has  called on  Lagos residents to go for glaucoma screening to prevent blindness.

    Oba Akiolu said this when the management of Pfizer Specialties, the country’s arm of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, paid the monarch a courtesy visit.

    Oba Akiolu said he has lived with the condition for over 21 years and was able to manage same because of the right information. “So, as a person living with glaucoma, I can say for anyone not to go blind, if you are being treated for glaucoma, be sure to take your prescribed glaucoma medicine every day. See your eye care professional regularly. You can help protect the vision of family members and friends, who may be at high risk for glaucoma, especially those over age 40 and everyone over 60 years and people with a family history of the disease by sharing information as I am doing.

    “Please encourage them to have a comprehensive dilated eye examination regularly. Remember that lowering eye pressure in the early stages of glaucoma slows progression of the disease and helps save vision,” said Oba Akiolu.

    He said glaucoma is the thief of sight hence, “immediate treatment for early-stage, open-angle glaucoma can delay progression of the disease. “That’s why early diagnosis is very important. Glaucoma treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these. While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve or restore sight already lost from glaucoma,” he said.

    Director, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Specialties Limited Nigeria and East Africa Region (NEAR) Region, Mrs Margaret Olele, said the company was at the palace to explore ways to partner the monarch to ensure that more people have access to routine screening in the state, including glaucoma. “There is no cure for glaucoma. Glaucoma is described as sneak thief of vision. Vision lost from the disease cannot be restored. Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to eye’s optic nerve and gets worse over time. It’s often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life. So, we want to create awareness on that and also provide medical-posts where people, especially the market men and women can go and check for non communicable diseases (NCDs). Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if it is diagnosed and treated early, the disease can be controlled,” said Mrs Olele.

    Explaining how glaucoma comes about, she said: “The increased pressure, called intraocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve, which transmits images to the brain. If damage to the optic nerve from high eye pressure continues, glaucoma will cause permanent loss of vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years. Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from this increased pressure, it is important to see an eye doctor regularly so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs.”

    She reinterated that if one was over age 40 and has a family history of glaucoma, one should have a complete eye examination with an eye doctor every one to two years. If one has health problems such as diabetes or a family history of glaucoma or is at a risk for other eye diseases, one may need to visit an eye doctor more frequently.

    Members of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Glaucoma Support Group Initiative were also there.