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Tag: treatment

  • LASSA FEVER: symptoms, prevention, treatment

    LASSA FEVER: symptoms, prevention, treatment

    According to Dr. Ejike Orji, a virologist and immediate past chairman of the Guild of Medical Directors, Abuja, Lassa fever is asymptomatic   and the process of detecting the virus is complicated. The incubation period is about 6 to 21 days.

    “The virus is very acute and can affect all the organs of the body.  Carriers might be complaining of fever, muscle pain, fatigue and occasionally muscle swelling. They could also complain that their eyes are red and that is because of itching since Lassa causes haemorrhagic fever”.

    Speaking further, Dr Orji said because of the haemorrhagic nature of the virus, it can also affect the gastrointestinal tracts so much so that an affected person might present with cases of nausea and vomiting which may be bloody. He added that apart from a bloody diarrhoea which an infected person is likely to come up with, there might also be some forms of stomach pains and even constipation.  There could also be  evidence of hepatitis.

    Also, Lassa fever can affect the cardiovascular system as it might lead to hypertension or hypotension, causing the blood pressure to be high or low and the victim would have abnormal high range.  Another grim picture of the virus is that the brain is not spared.  Lassa fever can affect the brain or the nervous system and it might mimic meningitis.

    “The respiratory system is also at risk as an infected person can also come down with cough, chest pain and difficulty in breathing”, Dr Orji added.

     

    Treatment

    Being a haemorrhagic fever which is viral in nature, the Lassa virus is diagnosed by doing a laboratory test in a test centre.

    Dr.  Orji said the first step in the treatment of a carrier of the virus is admitting and isolating the person, while also ensuring that the patient’s body fluid and excreta are properly disposed in order to prevent the spread.

    “For people to have a chance of survival, there must be early and aggressive treatment with a drug called ribavirin and of course the normal treatment you give to patients. There is also a drug we call interferon which can boost the immune system.

    “The normal treatment for people who have such viral infection is you must make sure you test the person and ensure the patient has enough (intravenous) fluids.  Also if the person has bled so much, there might be need for some level of transfusion.”

     

    Prevention

    Being a viral infection, which can be easily spread, medical practitioners have always harped on prevention as the best form of treatment.  Preventive measures in this regard refer to making efforts to control the rat population around the house, while also ensuring that no food is exposed to rodents since the urine and body fluid of rodents are the key things which cause Lassa fever transmission.

    “Some people eat rats; those people should be discouraged because transmission could happen when it is being prepared. It is just like we told people not to eat bats and bush meat during the Ebola period so people must make sure that they prevent contacts with rats and then they should cover their food very well”.

    For those who also like to gulp down canned drinks without running a careful check, there could also be a grim picture as using a tissue paper to clean the opening  is not enough to safeguard against the virus. For it to be safe for drinking, there would be need to use soap and water, the medic added.

    “I always tell people not to drink directly from a canned drink.  It can be dangerous because you don’t know whether rodents have urinated on them in the process of storage.  It is important that we use soap and water to clean the openings of those things before they are served to people”, Dr Orji submitted.

    He added that another  way of treating the virus is to get a person who has survived it since the anti-body can be used to treat someone that has the disease.

    Dr Lazarus Eze
    Dr Lazarus Eze

    Also commenting on the issue, Dr Lazurus Eze, an Abuja-based public health physician,   canvassed for government to ensure a safer environment by ensuring a timely and regular waste disposal  and management in order to curb the spread of the virus.

    For him, Lassa fever can be prevented by keeping a clean environment and practising good personal hygiene. He harped on the need for individuals to ensure proper refuse disposal and avoid dumping of refuse in drainages and indiscriminately.

    “Lassa Fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by multimammates rats (Mastomy natalensis). The rats may transmit the virus to our uncooked food. Government at all levels should provide leadership and coordinate efforts to prevent further spread of Lassa fever. Health education at the community level, behavioural change, communication and proper waste management are effective primary prevention measures,” he asserted.

    Furthering, Dr Eze called on government at all levels to provide leadership and coordinate efforts to prevent further spread of Lassa fever.

    “Health education at the community level, behavioural change, communication and proper waste management are effective primary prevention measures”, Dr Eze said.

     

    Measures for health care workers

    Both medical practitioners also harped on the need for health workers treating the virus to be careful by observing universal precautionary methods and treating every fever with suspicion.

    “We know that in Nigeria, a lot of illnesses are due to Malaria, but now we have had Ebola and now we have Lassa so any health care personnel should manage feverish conditions with a lot of suspicion and maintain all universal precautions in terms of protecting themselves and then the other thing is making sure the patient is properly isolated, said Dr Orji.

    Dr Eze on his own part urged that personal protective equipment must be provided for health workers who are expected to observe universal precautions and best practices.

     

    Lassa fever and garri consumption

    Speaking on the likelihood of being infected with the virus through garri, fruits and other uncooked food items, Prof Oyewole Tomori, a former regional virologist for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and president of the Nigeria Academy of Science, confirmed that any food eaten raw or uncooked and contaminated with urine, blood, etc of a Lassa virus infected rodents can be a source of infection.

    “Our food can get contaminated and if you eat without cooking, the possibility of getting infected is high. Once you cook the food items, you destroy the virus, so people smoking garri and all those kind of things are at risk. If the rodents urinate on the fruits and you pick up banana or carrot and you just start chewing it without washing, that could be dangerous, so it boils down to hygiene and cleanliness”.

  • More support needed for asthma treatment

    Chairman Oluwakemi Memorial Foundation, Ms. Oyindamola Jaiyesimi, has called on the Federal Government to increase support and awareness on asthma and position it as a national priority disease.

    Jaiyesimi said this in an interview with The Nation at the Second annual “Beat the Wheeze” Asthma Awareness Walk organised by the foundation in Lagos.

    The walk was filled with fun and exciting activities. The pre-walk warm up was led by Wellness Coach, Maje Ayida, free function tests were performed by the Chest Clinic GRA while Dr David Adesanya educated on Lifestyle & Asthma. Participants took part in a raffle draw with fantastic prizes from Thespian Family Theatre & Productions, Yudala, Francoise Gifts, Perfectseal Ltd, Sock Box and many more!

  • Aloe vera, vitamins, others good for ulcer treatment

    A traditional medicine practitioner, Dr Leye Popoola has recommended regular consumption of aloe vera, vitamin C, E and K, Zinc, L. Glutamine and essential fatty acids to ward off ulcer.

    According to him, the supplements are useful for healing ulcer – a wound in the lining of the stomach or intestine.

    Herbs, such as calamus roots and alfalfa, he said, can also be used.

    He said people suffering from ulcer also need to make some changes in their lifestyles, such as avoiding coffee, caffeinated drinks and smoking.

    They should also drink between three and four litres of water daily as well as eat at intervals of six to eight times every day.

    “This category of people should also avoid taking alcohol and drink only water,” he said.

    Popoola said those suffering from ulcer should eat dark green vegetables regularly. “This contains Vitamin K, which is needed in healing and may be deficient in people who have digestive problems.Drinking freshly made cabbage juice can also be helpful to an ulcer patient. They should not eat heavy meal; rather they should eat small meals at a time,” he said.

    The traditional medicine practitioner advised against eating fried foods and taking tea as well as denatured drinks. “They must chew their food thoroughly to ease digestion. Stress and painkillers should be avoided. Ulcer patients need good sleep, especially at night,” Popoola said.

    He said peptic ulcer affects the parts of the stomach muscles, adding that the surrounding tissues are usually swollen and irritated. “Ulcer can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, but are most common in the stomach and duodenal, which is a part of the small intestine that is closest to the stomach.

    Symptoms of ulcer, he said, are chronic burning/gnawing stomach pain. This, he said, usually occurs 40 to 60 minutes after eating or at night. “However, the pain may be mild or severe. It may cause low back pain in some patients and headaches in others. Patients may also experience choking sensation and there is possibility of nausea and vomiting,” he said.

    The main cause of peptic ulcer, he said, are infections, especially helicobacter pylori bacteria combined with stomach acids.

    These bacteria can live in the lining of the stomach and small intestine to cause damage to people’s bodies, he added.

    He said stress also triggers the disease because it increases the volume of stomach acids production.

    People, he said, should avoid drugs, such as steroids, especially those taken for arthritis as they increase certain acids production in the body.

    “Taking aspirin and inflammatory drugs for a long period may increase stomach acidity and, as such ends in ulcer,” he said.

    Popoola advised people with family history of ulcer to watch what they eat because they have higher chances of having it.

  • NACA calls for increased funding of HIV/AIDS treatment 

    National Agency for the Control of AIDS Director-General Prof. John Idoko has called for increased funding and support to combat HIV transmission.

    Three million Nigerians are estimated to be living with HIV; with  750,000 on treatment.

    He said in line with new World Health Organisation (WHO)’s guidelines, which recommend test and treatment, about 2.25 million will be placed on treatment.

    To meet this, Idoko said the country would need about $2.9 million for 2016.

    The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September had set 2030 target to eliminate HIV/AIDS globally, while Nigeria has set 2020 target to eliminate Mother- to-Child transmission of the virus.

    Idoko, who briefed the media on the occasion, said: “Nigeria’s AIDS response has gained a steady momentum in the past four years. We have managed to turn the tide. New infections have reduced by 35 per cent and we now need new commitment to ending AIDS by 2030″.

    This new commitment, he explained, demands that Nigeria take over the funding for AIDS treatment, especially now that funding from international partners are dwindling.

    Prof. Idoko did not, however, rule out private sector funding for the scourge as it’s been done in some countries.

    He said: “Actually that is where we will want to go and those of you, who are conversant with PCSR, which was launched about two year ago, we emphasised that mobilisation must happened at every level-from the federal government, to state government, to local government and to the private sector.”

    He also said national health insurance could be another way, to ensure that funding was made available for the treatment of AIDS in the country.

    Speaking on the UN AIDS elimination 2030 target, Idoko said the there was still much to be done.

    He, however, explained that the 2030 date “does not mean that there will be no HIV/AIDS, it means that HIV will no longer be an epidemic.”

    NACA boss further revealed that what the set date meant to achieve was to ensure that treatment of the virus will be like treating malaria.

    Also, National Secretary, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said lives, hope of survival and treatment access should not be determined by foreign aid, which is already reducing.

    Adding: “Government needs to own up the interventions, put money on treatment, prevention, care and support to ensure access to HIV/AIDS,” malaria etc.

    He, therefore, appealed to government at all levels to increase funding and budgetary provision for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, which are some of the major factors responsible for the country high maternal and child death.

  • Alert on better treatment of pneumonia, diarrhoea

    Mothers have been alerted to better ways of treating pneumonia and diarrhoea. The treatable diseases, account for the death of over 400,000 children under the age of five yearly. They can be treated with Amoxicillin Dispersable tablet (Amoxicillin DT) and Zinc- Lo ORS.

    The Pharmaceutical Society of Ngeria (PSN) said it influenced the  inclusion of Amoxicillin Dispersible tablets and Zinc-Lo ORS in the basic package of health services/Essential Medicine List, to be funded by the one percent Consolidated Revenue of the Government.

    According to its President, Olumide Akintayo, the move is in consonance with the WHO/UNICEF new guidelines on first line treatment for childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea.

    Akintayo said PSN in collaboration with Partnership for Advocacy for Child Health (PACFaH) embarked on a three-year programme on child and family health, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and coordinated by an indigenous firm-Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC) to domesticate this WHO/UNICEF new guidelines.

    He said the flag off of the new guideline is slated for November 12-World Pneumonia Day. “A National Policy Dialogue is being organised, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health on that day, as the new guidelines have been successful both at the pilot states-Kaduna and Kano,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the 88th Annual National Conference of the Society holds in Abuja from Monday November 9th – Saturday November 14th 2015.

    “We expect a massive turnout as pharmacists all over the States of the federation will witness change of baton of the leadership of PSN which will take place at the AGM holding on Friday, November 13,” said Mr Akintayo.

  • Hope Waddell alumni decry shabby treatment

    Old students of the Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar, Cross River State, have decried the school’s neglect by the state government.

    National Secretary of the Hope Waddell Old Students Association (HWOSA), Mr David Edem in a letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Sports development, made available to The Nation, said the exclusion of the over 120-year old secondary school from activities to mark the 55th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, was in bad taste.

    The letter reads: “We observe with great displeasure and indignation the non-invitation of Hope Waddell Training Institution to participate in the recent march past parade in commemoration of our nation’s 55th independence anniversary celebrations in Calabar.

    “We wish to respectfully demand to know how the criteria applied or adopted for the invitation of schools to participate in the celebrations of Independence Day anniversary leaving out the oldest comprehensive secondary school east of the Niger, founded about 120 years ago.

    The group also demanded an apology for the exclusion.

    “Consequently, we strongly condemn the inexcusable exclusion of Hope Waddell Training Institution Calabar from any public participatory programmes for schools in Cross River State. This is totally unacceptable to us as it remains condemnable by all reasonable men of good will and respectability.

    “However, the absence of any concise, responsible and acceptable excuse for this unpardonable action, we accordingly demand for an unreserved apology from the organizers of the said event,” the group said.

     

  • Free treatment, drugs for 4,000 rural dwellers as O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation storms Rivers community

    Free treatment, drugs for 4,000 rural dwellers as O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation storms Rivers community

    When in 2001 High Chief O. B Lulu-Briggs caught the vision to help the poor in villages and communities to address their health care challenges,  he knew he was  like the biblical David. His vision is supported by his wife Dr. Sienye, who is a pastor.

    Many personalities of the region’s origin could be adjudged wealthier than the High Chief, but their occasional ‘charity’ outside their immediate family, is often associated with their intended political gains from the communities; but for the High Chief, he transverses the length and breath of communities and villages with his milk of kindness expecting nothing in return.

    Communities always crave to host the foundation’s medical team. The free Medical Mission held four times annually, – once in a quarter features all aspect of medical intervention, including eye care, dental, physiotherapy, Paediatrics, blood sugar investigation as well as free surgery.

    Many of the patients have lived with the diseases for a period for their inability to carry the high cost of accessing care in public and private healthcare facility with their slim income. The facilities are sometimes not also found in the community or anywhere close to them.

    An estimated number of over 500,000 persons, including children, have benefited in the 25 missions conducted by the foundation since inception.

    The free medical mission train has visited many communities in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, and some in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in 14 years.

    The five-day long event always witnesses high turn-out of healthcare seekers.  Each outreach records between 2,500 and 4,000 beneficiaries.

    The demand for the foundation’s gesture is apparently increasing, more communities and villages desire to play host to them, the wok is expanding, heart of the giver is getting larger, eager to do more, he feels he is not doing enough whenever he remembers that some intended beneficiaries are always shut off because of time, especially those needing operation.

    Surgeries are not usually carried out on the Fifth day, being the last day. The reason being that there is usually no time to watch and monitor their recovery process before the team leaves the community, so they will have to continue to live with their pains till God knows when.

    High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs is the sole funder of all the Foundation’s programs from inception. Annually, hundreds of millions of Naira is used to carry out intervention programmes of the foundation, including the quarterly free medical mission in rural areas.

    The need for partnership to reach out to more beneficiaries in communities at this time cannot be overemphasized.

    The Foundation is calling for partners like passion to assist deliver this noble course to the suffering rural poor.

    It must not necessarily come in form of cash donations but volunteering of services by individuals, groups’, organizations, provision of medical equipment, consumables, including drugs by pharmaceutical companies, health facilities by government among others, would go long way in providing the suffering rural dwellers formidable shoulder to lean on. The Executive Director of the foundation, Sienye O. B. Lulu-Briggs said at Omudioga outreach recently.

    Moved with passion on the way crowd trooped out on the fourth day to access the free treatment  at Omudioga recently, Mrs. O.B. Lulu-Briggs said: “The work is much, but I have satisfaction up to an extent that as much as we can do, we are doing. We are aware that this programme lasts for five days, there are so many people that will not be attended to and I am not happy about that.

    “Though happy that we have over 3000 people treated, including over 30 surgery cases, but we do not carry out surgeries on the last day even when they are identified, because we like to monitor them and then refer them to a hospital in case they would need further follow up.

    “The fact that there are many that were not treated, operated upon, is very painful part for me, and that is actually the part that makes me to plan ahead for yet another mission, because I know that the work isn’t done yet.”

    Omudioga, a community in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State, is located between Omarelu and Elele in Emuoha. It was carved out of Emuoha from Ikwerre Local Government Area 24 years ago. Residents are predominantly farmers. The community is rich in land mass with good soil rich for agricultural purposes and mineral deposit.

    The Executive Director, while expressing her plan on how to expand the scope of the mission to accommodate more beneficiaries, called  for partnership with other interested organisations.

    “There is room for more supports from organisations and institutions as they work with us in critical role of bringing health care delivery and social development to the door steps of rural dwellers.

    “We are certain that charity and philanthropic organizations who are willing to create a strong collaboration with other organization in their specialized field of operation, will have a comparative advantage of resources to expand their reach, in far communities and in full service.

    “The O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation is willing at all times to join hands and resources with government institutions, private individuals, corporate organizations and likeminded philanthropic organizations in executing programmes that will positively impact the health care and social landscape of rural  dwellers.

    “This synergy has brought to the fore the twin pillars of healthcare delivery and spiritual wellbeing of rural dwellers as a pinnacle upon which our free medical mission is predicated.”

    Close to 4000 persons were treated with over 30 surgeries carried out in both adults and infants during the outreach.

    The Executive Director wished more grounds had been covered by the foundation within its 14 years of existence.

    “This is the 25th outreach of the foundation, I don’t know whether we can cover all communities in the Niger Delta region in this life’s time. We have been in four states, we are yet to cover communities in Rivers state, because in each Local Government, we don’t have just towns and villages but communities.” She expressed.

    Some of the beneficiaries, could not hold back their gratitude to the foundation, especially fathers whose sons successfully went through surgery section in the program.

    They testified of the gesture before the crowd. Ajunwata Uchenna Emelayo,  a native of Imo state who is resident in the community said, “My son was diagnosed of double hernia on his scrotum but the surgery was not carried out for some obvious reasons.

    “Some years later the problem started, I spent N85, 000 to remove the first one at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), a Federal Government health facility, it was not easy for me and family then because the case sapped our lean finance.

    “Last year again, the second one began to trouble him.  Each time the pains starts he will be restless, refuse food, and would not go to school. This has been a great source of worry and fear to me because I have been thinking of how to raise another N85, 000 or even more to go for another operation.

    “When I heard about the coming of this team on a free medical mission, I decided to take advantage of this rear opportunity God has provided to us, and my son was operated on at no cost.

    Also testifying, another man whose seven-year old son was operated of hernia said the surgery was delayed for five years for lack of money and expressed gratitude to God for Lulu-Briggs Foundation for coming to his rescue.

    “I thank God Almighty for this signs and wonders He has brought to my home, I also thank the Foundation for her care and love for humanity especially the rural poor/neglected of the society.

    “This my son has been suffering from this hernia for the five years now. We’ve been to several hospitals both public and private, but the bill is too high for me to afford, I have gone as far as Bayelsa looking for where it could be affordable all to no avail, till I got tired.

    “In June I traced the foundation to  Minama in Asari-Toru LGA where they were holding the mission , but I was asked to come down to this place( Omudioga), I came back and waited for them and today, my son is free from this 5-year old pain free of charge. I pray that God reward this Philanthropist of our time with longer life, so he will continue to do this good work.”

    Also a middle aged Gabriel Amadi who was also operated of his long standing hernia problem at the event, testimonies and good wishes were as usual the order of the day, as the community and her members thanked their benefactor and prayed for God’s continued blessings, good health and long life.

    Also the Founder of the Royal House of Grace, Apostle Zilly Aggrey who partnered the Foundation in evangelising the community while the program lasted blessed the High Chief for considering the forgotten community of Omudioga for the program.

    He prayed, “Generations unborn will speak of this day for what you have done in Omudioga. We declare to you, like father Abraham, it shall be the God of O.B. Lulu-Briggs; anywhere they go to, it shall be said, of this day there was a man who lived and this is why we had those testimonies from those children.

    “The oil of God upon your life shall not cease; Omudioga community blesses you that it will be well with you, your children and children’s children. Generations after another shall call you blessed in Jesus name…Amen.”

    The joy of the community at the gesture was unimaginable. In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Monarch, Eze E, C. Onyeka, an Octogenarian by Ezekiel Wosamma, said it was the first time the community was experiencing such milk of kindness.

    “Today, the people of Omudioga celebrates free medical mission programme, the first of it’s kind since the inception of Omudioga 24 years ago.” The Monarch said.

    Shortly after the event, leader of the surgical team, Dr. Etuk Akpan, explained to newsmen the cases handled in the community.

    “What we do here is out-patient services, with day-case surgery, in which patients who under-go surgery are discharged to go home after a few hours, or at most the following day.

    “Because of this, we carry out cases like lymphoma, hernia, hydroceles both in adult and children. We carried out over 30 surgeries must were children.

    “Common surgical cases we found in Omudioga are lymps,  swellings, hernia and hydroceles, none of these is caused by lifestyle, type of food or anything they have done, but just an atomical disorder.”

    The Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, expressed  gratitude to the High Chief for bringing health care delivery closer to the rural poor at no cost.

    Represented by the permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr, Somiari Isaac Heart, Banigo described Lulu-Briggs as a philanthropist of great repute and promised government continued collaboration by obliging the Foundation the health facilities across the state to continue to bringing succour to health challenges of community dwellers.

  • ‘Regular checks, prompt treatment ‘ll stop blindness’

    ‘Regular checks, prompt treatment ‘ll stop blindness’

    The statistics of those who go blind from avoidable causes is scary. Some have lost their sight to ignorance. Ophthalmologists, however, believe they are misinformed about eye care. They think the situation can be corrected if people visit their eye doctors for regular checks. WALE ADEPOJU writes   

    Mr Adelani Adebesin (not real name) lost his sight to glaucoma. He was an insurance officer bubbling with life when it happened.

    He thought it was the handiwork of his enemies and forces beyond his control. But, investigation by ophthalmologists, who attended to him after the loss showed it was caused by glaucoma.

    Glaucoma is a disease, according to experts, is a ‘silent thief of the eye’.

    Unknowingly, many Nigerians are living with this problem.

    Another pitiable story was that of Mrs Chioma Onu, who lost her vision to cataract. She had complained to her husband that her vision was failing. Her eyes were  blurry gradually. But she kept to herself afterwards, thinking that it will soon go away. When it didn’t, she applied some local preparation on it. But unknown to her, the condition was at an advanced stage. Family members and friends urged her to seek the help of a doctor, but by then, it was a little too late. She lost her sight to cataract, a condition described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the major cause of blindness.

    Like Mr Adebesin, many people who lost their sight to glaucoma, do not know they have the condition.

    And many of them delay their treatment by wishing their problems away.

    Glaucoma is one of many causes of blindness. The others are cataract, which is the leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), corneal opacities, diabetic retinopathy, childhood blindness, trachoma and onchocerciasis.

    Ophthalmologists, however, believe that people can prevent sudden loss of sight by having regular eye checks.

    The National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey in Nigeria conducted between 2005 and 2007 says 84 per cent of blindness was due to avoidable causes.

    A consultant ophthalmologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, said: “It is people’s rights to have good vision. It is also their right to have functional vision”.

    The awareness, she said, is increasing and, as such, people are  realising that their eye problems are not caused by fetish means or witchcraft.

    She urged people to seek treatment from the real care eye givers, which leaders are, the ophthalmologists.

    “They should make sure they see them. But when there are no ophthalmologists around they should go to their health centres, where their concerns can be addressed.

    “So, if they need to be referred, they would be referred. But they should not take their eye health for granted because they can lose it,” Prof Adefula-Ositelu said.

    Ophthalmologists, she said, see a lot of patients with irritation, dust and dryness.

    “Now that everybody is using generators, there is also an increase in eye problems because of the fumes. They can get irritation; otherwise, the most common eye disease, these days, is cataract,” she said.

    Why? She said: “This is so because it is more common with ageing. As people grow older, there are changes in the body. The eye also ages as people age.

    “Apart from cataract, there is also glaucoma, which is more serious with black people. Its incidence is increasing in the country. Before parents don’t tell their children about their eye problem. But today, they tell them so that they too could get screened for the condition.”

    She said visual impairment cases are decreasing, but it seems they are actually increasing because “more people are becoming aware of the problem and are seeking help from doctors”.

  • Dandruff treatment

    • Pour, rinse, and barely repeat with vinegar

    Rinsing your hair with vinegar (specifically Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar) may sound like a dreadful idea, but it can be quite an effective way to treat dandruff because it actually addresses the root of the problem (pun very much intended.)Put simply, dandruff is the result of skins cells maturing and dying too fast, building up, and causing irritation. Vinegar will get rid of the unwanted skin that would flake off into dandruff, and it won’t clog up your pores or cause more. An overgrowth of fungus can also cause dandruff, and vinegar acts like a fungicide.  Using it is straightforward, simple, and is probably easier on your hair than some shampoos out there. Just don’t wash with it before a business meeting in a stuffy room-the biggest downfall is that your hair will smell like vinegar until you shower again (but it does go away.)

    • 1/2 cup warm water
    • 1/2 cup ACV or white vinegar
    • A cup

    Directions

    Mix together the warm water and vinegar in a cup. The total amount may be varied to be more or less depending on how much hair you have. Pour the mixture over your hair, scrub it around gently for several minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly with water (only water!) Wait about 8-12 hours before taking a normal shower. Repeat once every week or two weeks, depending on how often you feel you need it.

    Apple cider vinegar for dry scalp

     

    • Source: www.everydayroots.com

  • Herbal treatment for anxiety

    Several herbal remedies have been studied as treatment for anxiety, but more research is needed to understand the risks and benefits. Here’s what we know — and don’t know:

    Kava

    Kava appeared to be a promising treatment for anxiety, but reports of serious liver damage — even with short-term use — caused several European countries to pull it off the market. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings but not banned sales in the United States (US). Avoid using kava until more rigorous safety studies are done, especially if you have liver problems or take medications that affect your liver.

     

    Passionflower

    A few small clinical trials suggest that passionflower might help with anxiety. In many commercial products, passionflower is combined with other herbs, making it difficult to distinguish the unique qualities of each herb. Passionflower is generally considered safe when taken as directed, but some studies noted that it can cause drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.

     

    Valerian

    In some studies, people who used valerian reported less anxiety and stress. In other studies, people reported no benefit. Valerian is generally considered safe at recommended doses, but since long-term safety trials are lacking, don’t take it for more than a few weeks at a time. It can cause some side effects such as headaches and drowsiness.

     

    Chamomile

    Limited data shows that short-term use of chamomile is generally considered safe and can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety. Use of chamomile can cause allergic reactions in some people, who are sensitive to the family of plants that include chamomile. Other members of this family are ragweed, marigolds, daisies and chrysanthemums.

     

     Lavender

    Some evidence suggests that oral lavender or aromatherapy with lavender can reduce anxiety; however, evidence is preliminary and limited. Oral lavender can cause constipation and headache. It also can increase appetite and the sedative effect of other medications and supplements and can cause low blood pressure.

     

    Lemon balm

    Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.

    If you’re considering taking any herbal supplement as treatment for anxiety, talk to your doctor first, especially if you take other medications. The interaction of some herbal supplements and certain medications can cause serious side effects.

    If your anxiety is interfering with daily activities, talk with your doctor. More serious forms of anxiety generally need medical treatment or psychological counselling (psychotherapy) for symptoms to improve.

     

    • Source: www.mayoclinic.org