IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH—5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY

Ways to Improve Your Health

WHO wants to be sick? At the very least, an illness is an inconvenience and an expense. You not only feel bad, but when you are sick, you may not be able to go to work or school, earn any money, or look after your family. You may even need someone to look after you, and you may have to pay for expensive medicines and treatment.

Well has it been said that “Prevention is better than cure.” Some illnesses cannot be avoided. Still, there is much you can do to slow down or even prevent the onset of illness. Consider five things that you can do today to get on the road to better health.

1 PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE

According to the Mayo Clinic, “one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness” is to wash your hands. One of the easiest ways to catch a cold or influenza is to rub your nose or your eyes when your hands have been contaminated by germs. Your best defense against such contamination is to wash your hands regularly. Good hygiene can also prevent the spread of more serious conditions, such as pneumonia and diarrheal diseases, which every year cause the death of over two million children under the age of five. Even the spread of deadly Ebola can be minimized by the simple habit of washing hands.

There are certain times when hand washing is particularly important to protect your own health and that of others. You should wash your hands:

After using the toilet.

After changing diapers or helping a child to use the toilet.

Before and after treating a wound or a cut.

Before and after being with someone who is sick.

Before preparing, serving, or eating food.

After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.

After touching an animal or animal waste.

After handling garbage.

And do not take it for granted that you are cleaning your hands properly. Studies have shown that a large percentage of those who use public toilets do not wash their hands afterward or do not wash them correctly. How should you wash your hands?

Wet your hands in clean running water and apply soap.

Rub your hands together to make a lather, not forgetting to clean your nails, your thumbs, the backs of your hands, and between your fingers.

Keep rubbing for at least 20 seconds.

Rinse in clean running water.

Dry with a clean cloth or a paper towel.

Such measures are simple but can avert illness and save lives.

2 USE A SAFE WATER SUPPLY

Obtaining sufficient clean water for one’s family is a regular chore in some countries. Yet, access to clean water can become a concern in any part of the world when a main supply that is usually good to drink becomes contaminated as a result of a flood, a storm, a pipe break, or some other issue. If water does not come from a safe source or is not stored correctly, it can cause parasite infestation, as well as cholera, life-threatening diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis, and other infections. Unsafe drinking water is one of the causes of an estimated 1.7 billion cases of diarrheal disease every year.

Cholera is most often contracted when a person drinks water or eats food that is contaminated with fecal matter from infected people. What steps can you take to protect yourself, even in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, from this and other types of water contamination?

Ensure that all your drinking water—including the water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing food and dishes, or cooking—comes from a safe source, such as an adequately treated public supply or sealed bottles from a reputable firm.

If there is any possibility that your piped supply has been contaminated, boil your water before use or treat it with an appropriate chemical product.

When using chemicals, such as chlorine or water-purifying tablets, follow the maker’s directions carefully.

Use quality water filters, if available and affordable.

If no water-treatment products are available, add household bleach, eight drops per gallon of water (two drops per liter), mix well, and then let the water stand for 30 minutes before using it.

Always store treated water in clean, covered containers to protect it from possible recontamination.

Ensure that any vessel used to take water from your stored supply, such as a ladle, is clean.

Handle water containers with clean hands, and do not dip your hands or fingers into water used for drinking.

3 WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

Good health is impossible without good nutrition, and for good nutrition you need a healthy, balanced diet. You may need to consider your intake of salt, fats, and sugar, and you should watch your portion sizes. Include fruits and vegetables in your diet, and vary what you eat. Reading the packaging will help you to select whole-grain foods when buying bread, cereals, pasta, or rice. These are richer in nutrients and fiber than the alternatives made from refined grain. As for proteins, eat small and lean portions of meat and poultry and try to eat fish a couple of times a week, if possible. In some lands it is also possible to find protein-rich foods from vegetable sources.

If you eat too many sugars and solid fats, you risk becoming overweight. To minimize this risk, drink water instead of sweet beverages. Eat more fruit instead of sugary desserts. Limit your intake of solid fats from such items as sausages, meat, butter, cakes, cheese, and cookies. And instead of using solid fats for cooking, you may want to use healthier oils.

Too much salt, or sodium, in the diet can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. If this is your problem, use the information on food packaging to keep your sodium intake low. Instead of salt, use herbs and spices to flavor your meals.

How much you eat can be as important as whatyou eat. So, while enjoying your food, do not keep eating after you are no longer hungry.

An issue tied to nutrition is the risk of food poisoning. Any food can poison you if it is not prepared and stored properly. Every year, 1 out of every 6 Americans falls sick from food poisoning. Most recover without lasting ill effects, but some die from it. What can you do to minimize the risk?

Vegetables grow in soil that may have been treated with manure, so wash these items carefully before preparing them.

Wash your hands, cutting board, utensils, dishes, and countertops with hot, soapy water before preparing each item.

To avoid cross-contamination, never put food on a surface or plate that was previously in contact with raw eggs, poultry, meat, or fish, without first washing that surface.

Cook until the food reaches the right temperature, and promptly refrigerate any perishable items that are not going to be eaten immediately.

Discard perishable items left at room temperature for more than two hours or one hour if air temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32°C).

4 STAY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Regardless of your age, you need regular physical activity to stay in good shape. Many people today do not exercise enough. Why is exercise important? Staying physically active can help you to:

Sleep well.

Stay mobile.

Maintain strong bones and muscles.

Maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Lower your risk of suffering from depression.

Lower your risk of premature death.

If you do not stay physically active, you are more likely to:

Suffer from heart disease.

Suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Develop high blood pressure.

Develop high cholesterol.

Suffer a stroke.

The kind of physical activity that is right for you depends on your age and your health, so it would be wise to consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program. According to various recommendations, children and adolescents should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day. Adults should get 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week.

Choose an activity that is fun. You might consider basketball, tennis, soccer, brisk walking, cycling, gardening, chopping wood, swimming, canoeing, jogging, or other aerobic exercise. How can you tell whether an activity is moderate or vigorous? A general guide would be that moderate activity makes you sweat, but more vigorous exercise makes it hard for you to hold a conversation while doing it.

5 GET ENOUGH SLEEP

The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person. Most newborns sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, toddlers about 14 hours, and preschoolers about 11 or 12. School-age children generally need at least 10 hours of sleep, adolescents perhaps 9 or 10, and adults from 7 to 8.

Getting the right amount of rest should not be considered optional. According to experts, sufficient sleep is important for:

Growth and development in children and teenagers.

Learning and retention of new information.

Maintaining the right balance of hormones that impact metabolism and weight.

Cardiovascular health.

Disease prevention.

Insufficient sleep has been linked to obesity, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and tragic accidents. Surely these give us good reason to want to get enough rest.

So, what can you do if you realize that you have a problem getting enough sleep?

Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Make your bedroom quiet, dark, relaxing, and neither too warm nor too cold.

Do not watch TV or use gadgets while in bed.

Make your bed as comfortable as possible.

Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.

If after applying these suggestions you still suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders—such as excessive daytime sleepiness or gasping for breath while sleeping—you may want to consult a qualified health-care professional.

SAFEGUARD YOUR HEALTH!

Your health is affected by realities over which you have no control—such as economic conditions, the availability of resources, and so on. In all likelihood, however, it should be within your means to adopt at least some of the suggestions given in the foregoing article. As a wise man of ancient times put it, “the shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself''.

Read More

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH—5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY

Ways to Improve Your Health

WHO wants to be sick? At the very least, an illness is an inconvenience and an expense. You not only feel bad, but when you are sick, you may not be able to go to work or school, earn any money, or look after your family. You may even need someone to look after you, and you may have to pay for expensive medicines and treatment.

Well has it been said that “Prevention is better than cure.” Some illnesses cannot be avoided. Still, there is much you can do to slow down or even prevent the onset of illness. Consider five things that you can do today to get on the road to better health.

1 PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE

According to the Mayo Clinic, “one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness” is to wash your hands. One of the easiest ways to catch a cold or influenza is to rub your nose or your eyes when your hands have been contaminated by germs. Your best defense against such contamination is to wash your hands regularly. Good hygiene can also prevent the spread of more serious conditions, such as pneumonia and diarrheal diseases, which every year cause the death of over two million children under the age of five. Even the spread of deadly Ebola can be minimized by the simple habit of washing hands.

There are certain times when hand washing is particularly important to protect your own health and that of others. You should wash your hands:

After using the toilet.

After changing diapers or helping a child to use the toilet.

Before and after treating a wound or a cut.

Before and after being with someone who is sick.

Before preparing, serving, or eating food.

After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.

After touching an animal or animal waste.

After handling garbage.

And do not take it for granted that you are cleaning your hands properly. Studies have shown that a large percentage of those who use public toilets do not wash their hands afterward or do not wash them correctly. How should you wash your hands?

Wet your hands in clean running water and apply soap.

Rub your hands together to make a lather, not forgetting to clean your nails, your thumbs, the backs of your hands, and between your fingers.

Keep rubbing for at least 20 seconds.

Rinse in clean running water.

Dry with a clean cloth or a paper towel.

Such measures are simple but can avert illness and save lives.

2 USE A SAFE WATER SUPPLY

Obtaining sufficient clean water for one’s family is a regular chore in some countries. Yet, access to clean water can become a concern in any part of the world when a main supply that is usually good to drink becomes contaminated as a result of a flood, a storm, a pipe break, or some other issue. If water does not come from a safe source or is not stored correctly, it can cause parasite infestation, as well as cholera, life-threatening diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis, and other infections. Unsafe drinking water is one of the causes of an estimated 1.7 billion cases of diarrheal disease every year.

Cholera is most often contracted when a person drinks water or eats food that is contaminated with fecal matter from infected people. What steps can you take to protect yourself, even in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, from this and other types of water contamination?

Ensure that all your drinking water—including the water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing food and dishes, or cooking—comes from a safe source, such as an adequately treated public supply or sealed bottles from a reputable firm.

If there is any possibility that your piped supply has been contaminated, boil your water before use or treat it with an appropriate chemical product.

When using chemicals, such as chlorine or water-purifying tablets, follow the maker’s directions carefully.

Use quality water filters, if available and affordable.

If no water-treatment products are available, add household bleach, eight drops per gallon of water (two drops per liter), mix well, and then let the water stand for 30 minutes before using it.

Always store treated water in clean, covered containers to protect it from possible recontamination.

Ensure that any vessel used to take water from your stored supply, such as a ladle, is clean.

Handle water containers with clean hands, and do not dip your hands or fingers into water used for drinking.

3 WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

Good health is impossible without good nutrition, and for good nutrition you need a healthy, balanced diet. You may need to consider your intake of salt, fats, and sugar, and you should watch your portion sizes. Include fruits and vegetables in your diet, and vary what you eat. Reading the packaging will help you to select whole-grain foods when buying bread, cereals, pasta, or rice. These are richer in nutrients and fiber than the alternatives made from refined grain. As for proteins, eat small and lean portions of meat and poultry and try to eat fish a couple of times a week, if possible. In some lands it is also possible to find protein-rich foods from vegetable sources.

If you eat too many sugars and solid fats, you risk becoming overweight. To minimize this risk, drink water instead of sweet beverages. Eat more fruit instead of sugary desserts. Limit your intake of solid fats from such items as sausages, meat, butter, cakes, cheese, and cookies. And instead of using solid fats for cooking, you may want to use healthier oils.

Too much salt, or sodium, in the diet can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. If this is your problem, use the information on food packaging to keep your sodium intake low. Instead of salt, use herbs and spices to flavor your meals.

How much you eat can be as important as whatyou eat. So, while enjoying your food, do not keep eating after you are no longer hungry.

An issue tied to nutrition is the risk of food poisoning. Any food can poison you if it is not prepared and stored properly. Every year, 1 out of every 6 Americans falls sick from food poisoning. Most recover without lasting ill effects, but some die from it. What can you do to minimize the risk?

Vegetables grow in soil that may have been treated with manure, so wash these items carefully before preparing them.

Wash your hands, cutting board, utensils, dishes, and countertops with hot, soapy water before preparing each item.

To avoid cross-contamination, never put food on a surface or plate that was previously in contact with raw eggs, poultry, meat, or fish, without first washing that surface.

Cook until the food reaches the right temperature, and promptly refrigerate any perishable items that are not going to be eaten immediately.

Discard perishable items left at room temperature for more than two hours or one hour if air temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32°C).

4 STAY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Regardless of your age, you need regular physical activity to stay in good shape. Many people today do not exercise enough. Why is exercise important? Staying physically active can help you to:

Sleep well.

Stay mobile.

Maintain strong bones and muscles.

Maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Lower your risk of suffering from depression.

Lower your risk of premature death.

If you do not stay physically active, you are more likely to:

Suffer from heart disease.

Suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Develop high blood pressure.

Develop high cholesterol.

Suffer a stroke.

The kind of physical activity that is right for you depends on your age and your health, so it would be wise to consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program. According to various recommendations, children and adolescents should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day. Adults should get 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week.

Choose an activity that is fun. You might consider basketball, tennis, soccer, brisk walking, cycling, gardening, chopping wood, swimming, canoeing, jogging, or other aerobic exercise. How can you tell whether an activity is moderate or vigorous? A general guide would be that moderate activity makes you sweat, but more vigorous exercise makes it hard for you to hold a conversation while doing it.

5 GET ENOUGH SLEEP

The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person. Most newborns sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, toddlers about 14 hours, and preschoolers about 11 or 12. School-age children generally need at least 10 hours of sleep, adolescents perhaps 9 or 10, and adults from 7 to 8.

Getting the right amount of rest should not be considered optional. According to experts, sufficient sleep is important for:

Growth and development in children and teenagers.

Learning and retention of new information.

Maintaining the right balance of hormones that impact metabolism and weight.

Cardiovascular health.

Disease prevention.

Insufficient sleep has been linked to obesity, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and tragic accidents. Surely these give us good reason to want to get enough rest.

So, what can you do if you realize that you have a problem getting enough sleep?

Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Make your bedroom quiet, dark, relaxing, and neither too warm nor too cold.

Do not watch TV or use gadgets while in bed.

Make your bed as comfortable as possible.

Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.

If after applying these suggestions you still suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders—such as excessive daytime sleepiness or gasping for breath while sleeping—you may want to consult a qualified health-care professional.

SAFEGUARD YOUR HEALTH!

Your health is affected by realities over which you have no control—such as economic conditions, the availability of resources, and so on. In all likelihood, however, it should be within your means to adopt at least some of the suggestions given in the foregoing article. As a wise man of ancient times put it, “the shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself''.

Read More

The Human Body’s Ability to Repair Wounds

AMONG the numerous mechanisms that make human life possible is the body’s ability to heal wounds and regenerate damaged tissue. The process begins as soon as an injury occurs.

Consider: The healing process is made possible by a cascade of complex cellular functions:
~>Platelets adhere to tissues around a wound, forming a blood clot and sealing damaged blood vessels.
~>Inflammation protects against infection and removes any “debris” caused by the injury.
~>Within days, the body begins to replace injured tissue, make the wound contract, and repair damaged blood vessels.
~>Finally, scar tissue remodels and strengthens the damaged area.

Inspired by blood clotting, researchers are developing plastics that can “heal” damage to themselves. Such regenerating materials are equipped with tiny parallel tubes containing two chemicals that “bleed” when any damage occurs. As the two chemicals mix, they form a gel that spreads across the damaged areas, closing cracks and holes. As the gel solidifies, it forms a tough substance that restores the material’s original strength. One researcher admits that this synthetic healing process currently under development is “reminiscent” of what already exists in nature.

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Over-the-counter cough syrup not for babies — Expert

A consultant internal disease pharmacist, Solomon Nwanfuru, talks about cough and its treatments with MOTUNRAYO JOEL

What is a cough?

A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airways of fluids, mucus, or other material also known as tussis.

What are the different types of cough?

Broadly speaking, there are two main types of cough; cough which produces excess mucus or phlegm and cough which produces no mucus or phlegm. Based on these two main types of cough, there are four types of cough: chesty, mucus, tickly and wet.

When one has a chesty cough, one feels tightness in one’s chest as if someone is squeezing it hard.  Chesty cough is caused by a build-up of phlegm in the lungs and result in chest congestion. Chest congestion is a common symptom of respiratory tract infections. Sometimes, irritants such as dust, bacteria or viruses can enter one’s lungs and cause an infection. This can result in inflammation of the airways and result in extra phlegm (or mucus) in one’s lungs. The cough mechanism kicks in to try to get rid of it.

Another type of cough is mucus cough. When a wet mucus cough sits on one’s chest, one feels heavy as though something is weighing down on one’s chest. When one gets a cold, more mucus is produced to trap the viruses or bacteria. This mucus can gather in the respiratory system and a cough reflex is triggered to help remove it. Tickly cough can be quite irritating. It makes one feel uncomfortable and can bother one while talking as if someone is tickling one’s throat with a feather.

One feels it in one’s throat rather than in the chest as opposed to the chesty and mucus coughs. The last is dry cough. When one experiences a hacking dry cough, it can be intense and painful. Sometimes, you even want to avoid coughing, because you are afraid it will hurt. A dry cough can be felt in one’s throat rather than in the chest as opposed to the chesty and mucus cough.

What type of cough medicine do you recommend for adults?

A doctor’s recommendation depends on the type of cough. Mucus cough should be treated with an expectorant. However, if the mucus has a flour smell, the person would need to take anti-bacteria medication.  It means the cough is infected and may have originated from dirty environment, contaminated food or poor hygiene. A tickly cough should be treated with demulcent cough syrup that will smoothen the pathway. If a person has a painful cough, he or she needs a cough syrup produced with demoline and codeine. Every type of cough has a different therapy regiment.

Is it safe to take a decongestant if one has high blood pressure?

Decongestants have the tendency to make one’s blood pressure and heart rate rise and it prevents one’s blood pressure medication from working properly. If your blood pressure increases due to decongestant intake, avoid using cough and cold medicine that contains it.

For a child who has persistent cough even after taking antibiotics and cough syrup, what should be the remedy?

If the child does not have tuberculosis, it could be that the child has low immunity. The cough treatment should be backed up with anti-bacterial drugs such as penicillin or cephalaxin, because it has effect in upper respiratory pathway which is the alimentary canal. If it is a condition where both cough syrup and antibacterial are used but the cough still persists, a general blocker will then be used. A steroid could be prescribed because it blocks the paths responsible for the cough, however steroids should not be taken for three to five days.

What is your view on nasal spray for congestion?

Nasal spray is fine, but it should not be used for multiplicity or more frequently.  It has the tendency to cause rebound cough that could block the nasal pathway. If someone has a nasal condition, the person’s condition could be built with good nutrition and multivitamins. Nasal spray should be used only on doctor’s prescription.

What are the benefits of honey as a remedy for cough treatment?

Honey bred with artificial support is different from honey made from the wild (produced by wild bees). The undiluted, natural honey contains materials that work effectively. Artificial honey contains sugar whereas honey from the wild is healthier and good for body system.

What should be the first measure administered to a child having cough or cold?

I do not advise mothers to buy over-the-counter cough syrup, because the syrups are expectorant. And the child cannot cough out the mucus thus its clinical outcome of administering the syrup is defeated.  Rather, they should visit a community pharmacist who will recommend a better therapy.

For children under one year, what should be the ready?

The mother should ensure that exclusive breastfeeding is given to the child. Breast milk contains healthier materials that will boost the child’s immune system.  I also advise mothers to give their children naturally blended food. This is for children above six months.

What cough medicine should one take for a fever and aches?

First, is the person coughing or having pains when the person coughs? It all depends on the type of pain. The primary remedy is paracetamol, and then the person’s mucus sample should be taken to a laboratory for test. In this part of the world, once a person has cold and body aches, antimalarial is prescribed. However, the antimalarial should also be administered based on the person’s body nature. This is because some people react to certain drugs.

How effective are natural cold remedies like zinc, echinacea and vitamin C?

They are antioxidants that are effective in the body. They are immune boosters. They break radicals which then enhances proper blood flow. This guarantees good blood circulating system. There is good evidence that large doses of vitamin C shorten the duration of the common cold by about a day and that symptoms are ameliorated.

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Thyroid problems can cause infertility

Oladapo Ashiru

If you have been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for more than six months, before you embark on invasive medical procedures and spend thousands of naira for assisted reproductive technology, ensure that you rule out any thyroid problem.

Many women do not realise that a good thyroid function is necessary for fertility, the ability to conceive and to maintain a pregnancy.  A low or hyper functioning thyroid gland can prevent you from achieving that much desired pregnancy. While there are many and varied reasons for infertility, suboptimal thyroid function may be that “missing link” especially for those with no specific reproductive problems.

A full thyroid evaluation is essential, and should be done as soon as possible for any woman who wants to get pregnant, especially if she has been trying to get pregnant for more than six months, had two or more miscarriages, has irregular menstrual cycle or a family history of thyroid problems.

Also, in general for both male and female, low libido, erectile dysfunction, lethargy, fatigue and consistent weight gain may also suggest the need for thyroid evaluation.

What does the thyroid gland do?

The thyroid gland is located near the front of the throat, just below the voice box and just above the collar bones. Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of the body’s metabolism, blood calcium levels, energy production, fat metabolism, oxygen utilisation, balance of other hormones and weight maintenance. If the pituitary gland is the headmaster of all endocrine glands that produce all hormones, the thyroid gland is like the deputy headmaster.

Hormones involved with thyroid function include Thyroid Releasing Hormone released from the hypothalamus in the brain, which stimulates the pituitary gland at the base of the brain to release Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which in turn stimulates the thyroid gland to produce Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine.

Much of T4 is converted to T3 (the active form) in the liver.  Thyroid hormones are synthesised from iodine and the amino acid Tyrosine (from protein), and the conversion to the active form is reliant on the trace mineral Selenium.

A healthy thyroid function can be affected by exposure to environmental toxins – electromagnetic radiation, genes, stress, diet and auto-immune disorders.

How does hypothyroidism affect fertility?

Anovulatory cycles

Hypothyroidism can make a woman experience her menstrual cycle without ovulating (she is not releasing any egg). This makes pregnancy impossible.

Luteal phase problems – A person with a short second half of the menstrual cycle who gets a fertilised egg after intercourse will discover that such fertilised egg cannot implant securely and ends up leaving the body at the same time that menstruation would occur (very early miscarriage). This is often mistaken as a regular period.

Other problems associated with hypothyroidism include high prolactin levels; low production of sex hormone binding globulin, estrogen dominance, progesterone deficiency, all of which interfere with proper reproductive hormone balance.

A new study supports the notion that thyroid disorders can cause significant reproductive problems for women. The authors of the report believe that testing for thyroid disease should be considered for women who have fertility problems and repeated early pregnancy loss.

The study co-author and researcher at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, England, Amanda Jefferys , found that 2.3 per cent of women with fertility problems had an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), compared with 1.5 per cent of those in the general population. The condition is also linked with menstrual irregularity, the researchers said.

She said, “Abnormalities in thyroid function can have an adverse effect on reproductive health and result in reduced rates of conception, increased miscarriage risk and adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes,”

We have noticed a strong link between hypo-and hyperthyroidism and infertility as well as their adverse effect on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes for over two decades.

Consequently, routine screening of the general population for thyroid dysfunction at the start of pregnancy, especially when seeking fertility treatment or struggling with miscarriages is highly recommended by experts.

The thyroid produces hormones that play key roles in growth and development. According to the British researchers, changes in thyroid function can have a major effect on reproductive function before, during and after conception.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) affects about 0.5 per cent of women of reproductive age. In children and teens, the condition is associated with a delay in reaching sexual maturity, according to published reports.

In adult women, hypothyroidism is linked with menstrual problems and a lack of ovulation in some cases. The researchers in the study also noted that thyroid disease is associated with an increased risk of problems during pregnancy, including miscarriages, preeclampsia, poor fetal growth, premature birth and stillbirth.

The thyroid evaluation can be done in any good laboratory and then interpreted by a doctor or better still an endocrinologist. There are also new techniques using bio-energetic testing to determine whether the thyroid gland is stressed or weak at the pre-clinical state before it becomes pathological.

Finally, a good diet with iodide salt and good multivitamin supplement can provide a protection for the thyroid function.

Post Credit: Punch

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Obesity is on the rise, prevent it

Obesity previously thought to be a western problem is on the rise in Nigeria. When we eat more calories than we do burn, our bodies store this extra energy as fat. This can increase the chances of having high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Obesity is as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.

Body Mass Index is one way to tell whether one has normal weight, overweight, or obese. The BMI is the measure square of the weight (kg) in relation to the height (M). A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is in the normal range. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and someone with a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.

Risk factors

Family: Research shows that obesity tends to run in families, suggesting that genes may contribute to obesity. Families also share diet and lifestyle habits that may affect weight.

Lifestyle: Where people live, play, and work may also strongly affect their weight. Many people drive rather than walk. Many people eat out which may lead to eating more calories.

Culture: A person’s culture may also affect weight: Some cultures have foods with a lot of fat or sugar, making it hard to manage weight. Family events at which people eat large amount of food may make it tough to control portions.

Sleep: Research suggests that lack of sleep has link to overweight and obesity. Recent studies have found that sleeping less may make it harder to lose weight

Medicine: Certain drugs may cause weight gain. Steroids and some drugs to treat depression or other mental health problems may make you burn calories more slowly or feel hungry.

Health risks linked to obesity

Obesity may increase the risk for several health problems. It also may contribute to emotional and social problems. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, arthritis, and certain cancers are some of the diseases linked to excess weight. Obese men are more likely to develop cancer of the colon, rectum, or prostate than other men are. Obese women are more likely to develop cancer of the breast (after menopause), gallbladder, uterus, or cervix than other women are.

Cancer of the oesophagus may also have link to obesity. Other diseases and health problems that have link to excess weight are breathing problems, fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease and gallstones.

Others are pregnancy problems, such as gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), high blood pressure, and increased risk for caesarean section.

Since society values physical beauty and people’s look, obesity may also contribute to emotional suffering.

Treatment: The best way to control your weight may depend on your overall health, and your readiness to change your eating and physical habits.

In some cases, if lifestyle changes do not lead to enough weight loss improve may recommend additional treatment, including weight-loss drugs. In some cases of extreme obesity, doctors may recommend bariatric surgery.

Prevention

Weight Loss:  weight control is a lifelong effort. Starting now with small steps may improve one’s health. A healthy eating plan and regular physical activity can be steps to a healthier life. Think positively, exercise daily, eat healthy, work hard, stay strong, worry less, dance more, love often and be happy.

Health care providers generally agree that people who are obese or overweight may improve their health by losing weight, Try to lose weight if you have two or more of the following: High blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar. Men who have large waist sizes greater than 40 inches and women who have waist sizes greater than 35 inches are at higher risk of diabetes, unhealthy blood fats (high cholesterol and triglycerides), high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Although you cannot change your genes, you can work on changing your eating habits, levels of physical activity, and other factors. Try the ideas below.

Get regular physical activity: Get at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) of moderately aerobic activity each week that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat. Brisk walking, jogging, biking (with a helmet), swimming, and playing tennis or basketball are fun choices that you can do with others for support.

Eat better: Eating healthy foods has vital health benefits, too, including weight loss. To start eating better, try these tips: Eat the rainbow. Make half of what is on your plate fruit and vegetables. Replace refined grains with whole grains, like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice .Get your protein from healthy sources, like seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, beans, unsalted nuts, and seeds. Instead of sugary drinks, choose unsweetened tea, low-fat milk, or water.

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