Pope Francis Approves The Use Of Birth Control In Colombia

The Zika virus which hit Colombia the worst has threatened the very basis of Catholic faith. The Catholic church is always pro-life 100%, but Pope Francis, leader of the faith, shocked a lot of Catholics, Thursday, when he welcomed the option of permitting birth control to aid in the prevention of pregnancy in areas affected by the Zika vrus. 

While flying back to the Vatican after his visit to Mexico, the pope explained in a press conference:

“Avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil. In certain cases … it was clear.”

While those who argued against his decision gave their reasons, the Pope made reference to the case of Pope Paul VI who permitted nuns in Africa to “use contraceptives in cases of rape”.

Read Also: ‘It’s Disgraceful To Question My Faith’ -Trump Reacts To Pope Francis

The Pope’s veering from the church’s absolute rejection of birth control will cause a lot of controversy during the proceeding days.

Colombia is an active Catholic-country, as well as being the second-worst country in the World suffering from the Zika virus. The Pope’s words in the country comes with lots of consequences.

Archbishop of Tunja, Monsignor Luis Augusto Castro said in a press conference, Friday,

“These are decisions for each woman to make, but we don’t believe that the solution is so simple.
We must kill Zika, not children.”

Still, while the Pope’s words might upset some individuals or countries against birth-control, Colombia is an active-contraceptive user though over eighty percent of its population are Catholics.

A recent national study states that:

Birth control use among Colombian women between the ages of 15 and 49 varies between 56 and 61 percent depending on the region.

But women in relationships or who are sexually active are much more likely to use contraception, with rates of roughly 80 percent.

Director of the master’s program in sexual and reproductive health at the Universidad El Bosque, Elsa Marino clarified:

The promotion of family planning and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections are priorities for the health sector.

Although the church continues to have influence, the use of traditional methods (coitus interruptus, abstinence and others) has decreased while more modern methods have become more popular. Not all parts of the country are equal, however.

In the Vaupés department, for example, only 47 percent of couples use contraception. But Zika has pushed the government to be even more proactive.

The Colombian government has established the necessity of condom use in sexual relations as a way to prevent transmission of the virus and to prevent pregnancy.

It remains to be seen if the Pope’s new shift in thinking will seep into the general Catholic teachings and they will embrace birth control.

Read Also: Catholic Abortion Law Causes Miscarriages For Several Mothers

The Vatican’s age-old decision of “No birth-control” has been altered by Zika virus.

 

His pronouncement to accept birth control was made regarding the Zika outbreak for the country of Colombia, so far. Though their are other Catholic-countries in South-America also plagued by the disease.

It is left to be known if other Countries with the Catholic faith will follow soon. The Catholic church does not even induce labor to facilitate miscarriage. As long as their is a fetal heartbeat, no Catholic doctor is allowed to abort or control a child’s existence despite it being a risk to the mother’s life.

Thought/Verdict

Ordinarily, staunch Catholics will never accept birth-control but with the Pope of the Vatican, the most revered man in the Catholic faith giving birth control his ‘Okay’, some will not be as staunch as they used to be.

Hit the comment section if you support or oppose the Pope’s new shift in perspective.

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Panic hit Ogun State As Lassa Fever Victim Dies

 

Panic hit Ogun state on Saturday, February 13, following the death of a 28-year-old lady confirmed to be a victim of the first case of lassa fever in the state.

The deceased, simply identified as Eze was said to have been admitted into the isolation unit of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu and had spent nine days before she gave up the ghost.

Confirming the sad development during a press conference in Abeokuta on Sunday evening, the Ogun State Commissioner of Health, Babatunde Ipaye, disclosed that the deceased had travelled back to the State from a burial ceremony in Ebonyi State on the 15th of January after she was admitted into two private hospitals in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government where the lassa fever virus was detected in her system.

The government however did its best to save the victim before she finally passed on.

Ipaye said: “Ogun state government under the leadership of Sen Ibikunle Amosun announces regrettably the death of the first case of Lassa fever in Ogun state today.
“We have contacted the family and gotten necessary consents and approvals to bury the remains according to WHO guidelines and the national protocol.

“Eze was admitted into the isolation unit of OSUTH, which was specifically equipped, strafed and funded by the state government to manage confirmed cases of Lassa in the course of this national epidermic.

” Upon confirmation at a private hospitals in Ota, Eze was received the best medical attentions from varying numbers of medical specialists, well trained nurses, volunteer medical officers and several well kitted support staff. The patient has received a nine day course of ribavirine, potent antibiotics, appropriate blood transfusions and necessary psychosocial support.

“We were only waiting to celebrate the completion of medication today and take a blood sample to confirm cure, when unexpected complication set in yesterday, Saturday 13, February, 2016.”

Meanwhile, another victim has been identified in the state and she too is undergoing monitoring presently at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital (OSUTH), Sagamu,Ogun state.

“Like the first case, she also travelled into Abeokuta from Kogi State. As a responsible government we have taken full responsibility for her care and she has been on medication with ribavirin for three days now.

“We have been in contact with her family members and presently have mounted active surveillance on the 60 primary contacts of this patient,” Ipaye said.

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VIDEO: How To Cure Premature Ejaculation

 

Typical treatments for premature ejaculation include behavior methods, topical anesthetics, dental drugs, and counseling. Remember it could have a while to seek out the remedy or mix of remedies that may meet your needs.

Behavior techniques

Sometimes, treatment for premature ejaculation may include using easy measures, like masturbating an hour or so before the sexual intercourse, so you’re able to delay ejaculation during sexual activity. Your physician also might recommend avoiding sex for some time and also emphasizing different forms of sex play so that pressure is taken off your sexual meetings.

The stop-squeeze technique

 

Your physician might advise you as well as your spouse in using a system known as the pause-squeeze technique. This procedure operates the following:

1. Start sex as usual, including arousal of the organ, until you believe nearly prepared to climax.
2. Have your partner squeeze the end of your dick, in the place where the head (glans) joins the base, and keep the squeeze for some seconds, before the urge to ejaculate passes.
3. Subsequent to the press is released, wait for approximately 30 seconds, and then return to foreplay. You might see that squeezing the penis causes it to become less erect, but when sexual arousal is restarted, it soon recovers complete erection.
4. In the event, you again believe you are going to ejaculate, have your partner repeat the squeezing procedure.

By repeating this as often as needed, it is possible to get to the stage of entering your partner without ejaculating. After having a couple of training sessions, the sensation of understanding the best way to delay ejaculation may become a custom that no longer needs the pause-squeeze technique.

Topical anesthetics

 

Anesthetic creams and aerosols that have a numbing agent, like lidocaine or prilocaine, are occasionally used in the treatment of rapid ejaculation. The products are placed on the member a small amount of time before sexual activity to cut back sense and, therefore, aid delay climax. A lidocaine spray for premature ejaculation can be obtained over the counter.

Even though topical anesthetic agents are powerful and well-born, they’ve possible negative effects. Say some guys recorded short-term lack of susceptibility and reduced sexual satisfaction. Sometimes, female companions even have noted these results. In rare instances, lidocaine or prilocaine can cause an allergy.

Oral Drugs

Several drugs might postpone climax. Although not one of the drugs is expressly accepted by the FDA to take care of premature ejaculation, some are useful with this function, including anti-depressants, pain killers, and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. These drugs might be approved for both on demand or daily usage, and could be recommended alone or together with other remedies.

Anti-depressants. A complication of particular antideph3essants is postponed climax. Because of this, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil) or Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), are acquainted with assist delay climax. If SSRIs do not enhance the time of your ejaculation, your physician might prescribe the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine (Anafranil). Undesirable adverse effects of anti-depressants can include vomiting, dry mouth, sleepiness and reduced libido.

Pain reliever. Tramadol (Ultram) is a drug widely used in the treatment of pain. Also, it has unwanted effects that delay climax. It could be recommended when SSRIs have not been successful. Negative effects can sometimes include vomiting, headache, and vertigo.

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. Some medicines used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, including Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca) or Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), also can assist premature ejaculation. Adverse effects can sometimes include a headache, facial flushing, temporarily visible changes and nasal blockage.

Counseling

This strategy, also called talk therapy, involves talking with a mental health provider about your relationships and encounters. These periods can allow you to reduce performance anxiety to find better methods of handling pressure. Counseling is probably to aid if it is found together with medicine treatment.

 

  By jamaicadiasporane

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Huge multiple fibroids removed from a woman at a hospital in Akwa Ibom

 

A doctor named Tony Umana shared the photos on Facebook. According to him:

"The giant multiple fibroids were surgically removed yesterday at GH Etim Ekpo a typical rural hospital with absolute poor facilities and neglect from a-35 five year old married lady after spending years in a prayer house with false assurances that she was carrying a baby. We need help urgently to continue this missionary work"

2 years ago I was in Minnesota on a vacation and I happened to go on a tour at the CAPITOL. It was an interesting experience. I also met some good people and made new friends. Today the Governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton, has issued a proclamation to recognize me. I am very honored and humbled. I want to use this opportunity to say a big Thank You to to GOD almighty for ALL he has done for me , the State of Minnesota and Governor Mark Dayton. #kingsonly #RichAndFamous #winning #GodOverEverything #StayGrinding #Minnesota #Usa #minnesota

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Nursing student survives disease in Ekiti

 

The hospital also presented certificates of excellence in service to members of the medical team that looked after the patient.

 

The student nurse who tested positive to  Lassa Fever in Ekiti state, has recovered and has been discharged from the hospital where she was being monitored. Punch reports that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the  Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Dr. Lawrence Ayodele, said the 19 year old student responded well to treatment.

Ayodele also said “This student nurse was rushed into this hospital with high fever, bleeding from orifices. We wanted to reject her because we don’t have the medical kits to undertake treatment here. But because we heeded the Minister’s directive not to transport Lassa fever patients, we immediately swung into action.

“Today, we have recorded a success story. The lady has tested negative to the virus and she has been discharged. We were able to achieve this feat because of the determination of our nurses and doctors.”

The CMD also called on the minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole to reward the team that took care of the patient, saying “For anybody to lay down his life in spite of the poor facilities to treat the infection here, he deserves to be compensated, even if it is just presidential handshake.”

The hospital also presented certificates of excellence in service to members of the medical team that looked after the patient.

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Zika virus: its effects, how it is spread, and the possible threat to pregnant women

The disease is believed to have infected 1.5 million people since its outbreak in Brazil and dramatic spread around the world

Scientists are warning people living in tropical climates, and especially pregnant women, about a new and alarming virus that once only affected subtropical forests in Africa. Called Zika, public health officials in the US believe it could be an emerging health threat.

What is Zika?

Until recently, Zika was a rare tropical disease associated with mild symptoms. It takes its name from the Zika forest in Uganda where it was first identified by scientists in the 1940s. It is spread by mosquitoes and so is called an “arbovirus”, in the same family as West Nile and dengue fever.

Only a handful of Zika cases had ever been documented before 2013. But scientists began sounding the alarm after multiple outbreaks were discovered in Pacific islands and south-east Asia. Since then, Zika has spread to Brazil, where scientists estimate as many as 1.5 million people could be infected. 

The large-scale outbreak in Brazil led virologists to link the virus to a birth defect called microcephaly, the medical term for abnormally small heads, for the first time. The World Health Organization said no deaths attributable to Zika have been reported. Still, little is known about the virus, which has spread across the world in just over a couple of years. There is little published research on the disease, and it is clinically difficult to diagnose. 

What is microcephaly?

Microcephaly is a serious and uncommon birth defect that doctors believe is caused by below-normal brain development in Utero.  Microcephaly causes lifelong physical and developmental problems for babies born with it. Problems can be wide-ranging, from seizures, to difficulty walking and learning, to hearing loss and vision difficulties. 

In the United States, microcephaly affects between two and 12 babies for every 10,000 live births. It is usually associated with women who have certain infections while pregnant, such as toxoplasmosis, or use alcohol during pregnancy.

How did microcephaly come to be linked with Zika?

In Brazil, as thousands became infected with Zika, the rate of microcephaly increased exponentially. In 2013 and 2014, the country documented 167 and 147 cases of microcephaly respectively. But by 2015 as Zika spread, Brazilian officials registered 2,782 cases before the end of the year, according to the New York Times. That’s a 1,792% increase year on year. Virologists who studied Zika in Brazil said they have “a lot of indirect evidence” that connects the virus to microcephaly. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said there is no direct link yet between the virus and the birth defect. Nevertheless, the CDC warned pregnant women to avoid travel to countries where Zika is present, and unofficially some Brazilian health authorities have warned women against getting pregnant.

How do you get Zika?

Zika is spread by the Aedes genus of mosquito, which transmits the disease when it bites a person infected with Zika, then bites another host. The two most common mosquitoes to transmit the disease are the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. 

Both are invasive species with worldwide distributions, including in the American south and south-west. It is believed that Aedes albopictus, also called the Asian tiger mosquito, was imported to the United States in the mid-1980s in used tires from Asia.

What are Zika’s symptoms?

Usually, Zika’s symptoms include fever, red and bumpy rash, joint pain and pink eye. Hospitalization rates are low and the World Health Organization said no deaths have been reported from Zika. 

However, a “high rate” of patients with Zika have no symptoms at all, according to the WHO. This is concerning to virologists, who believe that Zika could easily establish a foothold in the southern United States and other areas with tropical climates because people may not know they are infected.

Is Zika in the United States?

Yes. Most recently, officials in Harris County, Texas, found a middle-aged woman contracted the disease in El Salvador before returning to Texas. Three more cases were reported in Florida, two in Illinois and one in Hawaii. 

In Puerto Rico, an American territory, locally transmitted cases have been reported, meaning that at least some mosquitoes on the island became infected with the virus.

Why is it spreading so quickly?

Virologists studying the spread of subtropical diseases say it’s unclear why the virus, which was recently rare, spread around the world in just a couple of years. Most believe increased international travel is at least partly responsible, but others theorize that increasingly warm global temperatures resulting from climate change could play a role.

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CDC says in full outbreak mode in response to Zika

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. disease detectives have moved into full outbreak mode over the Zika virus, assembling a team of hundreds of experts to try to better understand its impact as it spreads in the Americas.

On Sunday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dedicated an emergency operations center staffed around the clock to address Zika, a mosquito-borne virus linked to severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Brazil, agency officials told Reuters. 

The CDC has set up such command centers to handle the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the Haiti cholera epidemic that began in 2010. This time, the team includes many more experts on pregnancy given the unusual impact of Zika. 

"We always involve OB-GYNS and pediatricians. In this response, this team is actually much larger and is in many ways the focal point of the activities," Tracee Treadwell, who is helping to lead the CDC's Zika response, said in an interview.

The World Health Organization on Thursday said it would consider next week whether to declare Zika an international health emergency, and estimated that as many as 4 million people could be affected by the virus as it spreads in Latin America and the Caribbean to North America in the coming months.

The U.S. public health agency has been working with the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the WHO since early November to understand the sudden increase in cases of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that appears linked to Zika. Brazil said this week about 3,700 cases of microcephaly are being studied for signs of Zika.

"It's an extraordinarily complicated situation. There appears to be an association, but we just don't have enough data yet," Treadwell said.

The agency grew more confident of a link between microcephaly and Zika in the middle of January, after it conducted its own tests on tissue samples from two stillborn babies and two babies who died shortly after birth. 

All four of the microcephaly cases from Brazil were positive for Zika. A genetic analysis showed the virus from the tissue samples matched the strain circulating in Brazil. The test results prompted the CDC's travel warning on Jan. 15, which advised pregnant women to avoid affected countries. 

The agency is working with Brazil's government to set up a rigorous study of Zika's association with microcephaly and is already collaborating on research into a link with Guillain-Barre, a rare disorder in which a person's immune system attacks nerve cells. 

All Zika communications go through CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and Dr. Lyle Peterson, who is heading the U.S. response.     The CDC has received "a lot of requests for assistance in many other countries" beyond Brazil, said Treadwell, one of two deputies reporting to Peterson. "We're in the throes of working on what sorts of assistance can we provide."

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Tiffany Wu)

Culled from Yahoo

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Man Dies From Burns Suffered in Moldova Restaurant Blast

Moldovan authorities say a man has died of injuries he suffered after a bottle of gas exploded at a restaurant last week, injuring 20 people. The Health Ministry said a 63-year-old man died Sunday from extensive burns that he sustained in the blast during lunchtime hours on Jan. 9 at the La Soacra restaurant in downtown Chisinau. 

Twenty people were hospitalized in Moldova, and three were later transported to neighboring Romania for treatment. Police arrested the two restaurant managers, who are charged with violating work safety regulations and causing serious bodily harm because of imprudence. 

Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 15 minutes. It spread over a surface of 55 square meters (590 square feet).

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Baby born in Hawaii with brain damage confirmed to have Zika infection

(Reuters) - A baby born with brain damage at a hospital in Oahu, Hawaii, has been confirmed to have been infected by the Zika virus, that state's department of health said, in what appears to be the first U.S. case of the mosquito-borne virus.

The Hawaii State Department of Health said in a written statement that the mother was believed to have had a Zika infection while living in Brazil in May 2015 and that the baby was likely infected in the womb.

"We are saddened by the events that have affected this mother and her newborn," Dr. Sarah Park, Hawaii state epidemiologist, said in the statement.  On Friday U.S. health officials issued a travel warning for 14 countries and territories in the Caribbean and Latin America where infection with Zika is a risk.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in particular cautioned pregnant women not to travel to those areas as Zika has been linked to serious birth defects. (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html). The travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

It also includes advice that women who are trying to become pregnant should consult with their doctor before traveling to those areas. In the Hawaii case, a doctor recognized the possibility of a Zika infection in the newborn baby and alerted state officials, the health department said. The infection was confirmed by a laboratory test conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Hawaii health department said it sent a medical advisory about the infection to doctors across the state but emphasized that neither the mother nor baby were infectious. Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses and are common in Texas, Florida and elsewhere in the United States.

The virus is usually a mild illness with fever, rash and joint pain. There is no preventive vaccine or treatment, according to the CDC.

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The Breakfast Foods to Eat for Weight Loss

I’ve always been a breakfast eater. It gives me a much-needed energy boost—along with a cup of coffee, of course—and it helps me from being so famished at lunch that I end up overeating.  

But eating a morning meal is also a healthy habit if you’re watching your weight. Here’s why: research shows that regular breakfast eaters tend to be leaner and dieters are more successful at losing weight—and keeping it off—when they eat breakfast. What’s more, people who typically eat breakfast also get more fiber (more on why this is important later), calcium, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, zinc and iron—and less fat and dietary cholesterol. Perhaps it’s because they often eat cereal, which is fortified with vitamins and minerals, and fruit, which is naturally nutrient-rich.

But that doesn’t mean you have to eat cereal to stay—or get—trim. Instead, mix up your morning meal and try one—or a few—of these 5 breakfast foods that help you lose weight.

1. Raspberries

A cup of raspberries delivers a whopping 8 grams of fiber (that’s more than double what’s in a cup of strawberries and about the same amount in a cup of some types of beans). What’s so great about all that fiber? Recent research in the Journal of Nutrition suggests eating more fiber as a way to prevent weight gain or even encourage weight loss. Over the course of the two-year study, the researchers found that boosting fiber by 8 grams for every 1,000 calories resulted in about 4 ½ pounds of weight lost.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal can help you lose weight in two ways. First, it’s packed with fiber and it keeps you feeling fuller longer. Second, a recent study in the Journal of Nutrition reported that eating a breakfast made with “slow-release” carbohydrates—such as oatmeal or bran cereal—3 hours before you exercise may help you burn more fat. How? Eating “slow-release” carbohydrates doesn’t spike blood sugar as high as eating refined carbohydrates (think: white toast). In turn, insulin levels don’t spike as high. Because insulin plays a role in signaling your body to store fat, having lower blood sugar levels may help you burn fat.

3. Yogurt

A report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and out of Harvard revealed which foods are correlated with weight change, including the top 5 foods that promote weight loss. Yogurt was one of them! Another reason to eat yogurt: the protein in it may give you an extra edge if you’re looking to get leaner. When researchers fed two groups of mice a high-fat diet for 11 weeks, the mice that got water spiked with whey protein (a type of protein found naturally in yogurt and other dairy) packed on 42 percent less weight and nearly a third less body fat than the mice who just drank plain water, despite the fact that they ate roughly the same number of calories. The whey eaters also gained 7 percent more lean body mass (e.g., muscle mass). Save calories—and unnecessary sugar—by choosing plain yogurt. If you need a little extra sweetness, try fresh fruit (maybe raspberries?).

4. Peanut Butter

Nuts were also among the top 5 foods that Harvard researchers said promote weight loss. I love to slather a tablespoon or two of peanut butter onto whole-wheat toast (ahem, a “slow-release” carbohydrate), but you could also add nuts to your oatmeal (another “slow-release” carb).

5. Eggs

Eggs deliver protein, which can help hold you over until lunch. Compared to carbohydrates and fat, protein keeps you satisfied longer. Plus, in one study, dieters who ate eggs for breakfast felt fuller longer and lost more than twice as much weight as those who got the same amount of calories from a bagel for breakfast.

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If You Want To Lose Weight, Change The Time You Eat Your Evening Meal, Doctors Advise

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Eating earlier in the evening could be the key to losing weight, experts have suggested.

Even changing meal times by as little as an hour can have a huge impact on levels of body fat, cholesterol and blood sugar, University of Surrey tests showed. The research - carried out for the BBC show Trust Me I’m A Doctor - used 16 volunteers - half of whom ate their evening meal 90 minutes earlier and their breakfast 90 minutes later.

Dr Jonathan Johnston of the University of Surrey believes that the impact on the body is to do with the time spent ‘fasting’ - i.e not consuming food. Dr Johnston also found that if his volunteers ate a heavy meal late in the evening, it takes far longer for the body’s blood sugar levels to return to normal.

Dr Johnston said: ‘Your body isn’t expecting you to be eating at that time of the day.

‘It is expecting you to be fasting and so what you find is that during that time when people eat a meal the spike of things like sugar and fat… is higher if you eat at night and that spike takes a bit longer to get back down to background level.

‘So if you eat most of your calories certainly during the early part of the day, and fewer calories in the late afternoon and the evening that will actually help your metabolism and potentially help you to lose weight and maintain weight loss as well.’

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New Studies Reveal That Certain Teas Pose Dangerous Health Risks

It may sound alarmist, but if you love tea you're going to want to read this.

 

Next to water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world, which is generally a good thing: Besides being tasty and soothing-or energizing, depending on what you're going for-a seemingly endless body of research has linked it with a huge number of mental and physical health benefits. Most recently, for example, studies have shown that tea is associated with a lower risk of depression, ovarian cancer, Parkinson's disease and dementia. Given its array of perks, it would seem that the more tea you drink, the better, but new research sheds light on serious risks that may come with sipping certain varieties. Tea can contain or absorb various toxic compounds, depending on lots of things–including its soil, environment, and harvesting, storage and brewing methods. A number of studies have found excessive levels of toxic elements in many different types. Check out the potential dangers below, and learn how to minimize or avoid them–and still have your cup of tea!

Know the Potential Risks

Heavy Metals: In a 2013 study from the Journal of Toxicology, researchers tested 30 teas and found that all had high amounts of lead-which can cause heart, kidney and reproductive problems. Around 73% of teas brewed for three minutes, and 83% percent of those brewed for 15 minutes, had potentially unsafe amounts, and 20 percent of teas brewed for 15 minutes contained unsafe aluminum levels. A 2015 study discovered that teas with added citric acid had elevated aluminum, cadmium and lead, and lemon tea bags produced levels 10 to 70 times higher. 

Fluoride: According to research published in 2013, fluoride levels in economy teas exceeded daily recommended levels and had three times the amount of more expensive varieties. "The higher priced teas were observed to have lower fluoride concentrations," says study co-author Laura Chan, PhD, a professor at the University of Derby in the UK, probably due to differences in the parts of the plant that are harvested and the techniques used to do so. Consuming too much fluoride can damage teeth, bones and joints, and we absorb even more of it when fasting. 

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: A November 2015 study from the journal Food Chemistry analyzed 44 samples of herbal teas intended for babies and pregnant and breastfeeding women. They found that 38 of them–86 percent!–tested positive for pyrrolizidine alkaloids, toxins produced by some flowering plants that can cause liver damage. This finding has particular importance for pregnant and lactating women because they can pass the compounds along to the fetus or baby, who is more vulnerable to the toxic effects of pyrrolizidine alkaloids because of their low body weights.

How to Stay Safe and Keep Sipping

1. Keep brew time under three minutes, and "avoid tea from regions that are more contaminated," like China, India and Sri Lanka, says Gerry Schwarfenberg, MD, of the University of Alberta, Edmonton in Canada, one of the researchers in the 2013 heavy metals study. "Tea from China has high levels of lead and aluminum, likely from contaminated soil due to coal fired power plants." Consider opting for white tea–its "leaves are young and have less time to absorb heavy metals," and serve in glass instead of china, which could have lead in the glaze. You can minimize the effect of heavy metals through adequate intake of essential minerals and vitamin D.

2. Go for tea leaves over bag tea or lemons teas. Powder-based "lemon tea in bags is usually of worse quality than tea leaves" and has "higher amounts of noxious metal than tea infusions made from whole leaves," says Magdalena Jeszka-Skowron, PhD, of the Poznan University of Technology in Poland, who is one of the authors of the lemon tea study. Brew bag tea for less time than leaves to get less noxious metals, and hold off on adding lemon to your tea until it's done brewing and you've removed the leaves or bag. Otherwise, "when you add lemon to the tea, its pH becomes lower and more noxious metals are extracted to the tea." 

3. To reduce fluoride exposure, again–limit brewing time, and stick to the pricier blends if you drink more than four cups of tea daily. "If anyone wishes to reduce their fluoride intake, consuming pure blends such as Assam, Ceylon, Oolong or Darjeeling would be a way to achieve this," says Chan. And to minimize the amount you absorb, don't drink on an empty stomach.

4. Mix it up–don't stick to one brand or product. "Instead, mix different suppliers and products," says Till Beuerle, PhD, of the Braunschweig University of Technology, an author of the study on pyrrolizidine alkaloids. For instance, don't drink just one peppermint tea from a single brand, but different types of tea from different companies. As for teas with elevated levels of the plant-based toxin, the "biggest problems for the moment are rooibos, and to a lesser extend peppermint, chamomile and other herbal teas like fennel and mixtures thereof, but black teas have also been found positive, while almost no positive samples occurred so far in pure fruit teas."

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Health workers flee from suspected Lassa fever patient

 

Health workers at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, took to their heels when a patient who was suspected to have been down with Lassa fever was brought to the Medical Emergency Unit of the hospital on Wednesday.

According to an attendant at the unit, the middle aged security officer was rushed to the hospital by his colleagues on Wednesday morning after he began bleeding through the nose. It was gathered that one of the nurses at the unit with the doctor on duty eventually came to the patient’s aid and later directed that a series of tests be conducted on him before he was admitted into the ward. 

A medic at the unit said that they were taking precautions to ensure that they were wearing protective garment before attending to sick patients to prevent any cross-infection should it be Lassa fever. The doctor and a senior nurse at the unit also advised the attendants not to panic when patients with symptoms of fever were brought to the hospital. 

She said, “These bleeding could have been as a result of tuberculosis as he complained that he had been coughing a lot lately.”

However, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, in a telephone conversation with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, said that any health worker or doctor found to have rejected sick patients over unfound claims would be sanctioned.

Adewole said that such a reaction from health workers who should know better might frustrate ongoing efforts to detect and treat suspected cases of Lassa fever. He insisted that sick patients or those with symptoms of Lassa fever should be taken to LASUTH, as doctors and nurses at the tertiary institution had been trained on how to quickly attend to such infectious diseases. 

Adewole said,“ It is an unprofessional behaviour and if we investigate this, we would sanction such health workers. If there is a suspected case of fever, please go to LASUTH, it is a tertiary hospital and they have adequate health professionals to handle many cases. No one should turn a patient away on the basis of a fever.”

The minister said that a man died of Lassa fever at the National Hospital, Abuja on Wednesday.

Adewole said that the patient who came from Plateau State died shortly after he was admitted to the hospital. He said, “The man came in from Plateau State because he was ill. The healthcare team at the private hospital failed to suspect Lassa fever.” 

The minister, however, had directed that all those who had contact with the deceased should be traced.

Adewole noted that no case of Lassa fever had been confirmed in Sokoto and Gombe states; hence the reason the Federal Government would be delisting them from the list of affected states while it would add Ondo State.

He said,“We are removing Gombe and Sokoto states because none of the cases were confirmed but we are adding Ondo State. So, we still have 10 states that have been affected.”

Adewole, who had visited Minna, the Niger State capital, one of the affected states earlier in the day, said that the outbreak had been brought under control. The minister, who also visited one of the affected communities during the Lassa fever surveillance and nationwide fact-finding visit, told the state Governor, Abubakar Bello, that despite the high rate of fatality in the last few months, efforts by all stakeholders in the country had brought the scourge under control. 

“A nationwide alert system is on to track the disease. Except for the case in Plateau, no person-to-person or hospital-acquired infection has been recorded. So far, things are under control but the state and local governments should put an alert system in place to enable us to track new cases whenever they happen,” Adewole noted.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Health must be notified of any strange death.

The minister blamed the current Lassa fever outbreak on the failure of notification system in the country. He cited the case of Niger State where it took months after the outbreak before his ministry was notified. The Niger State governor, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, called for the inclusion of traditional healers in disease control programmes, saying they were the first healthcare givers that rural dwellers consult. 

Meanwhile, a male patient who was receiving treatment for Lassa fever at the isolation ward of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, was said to be in a critical condition on Wednesday. A medical personnel at the hospital expressed fears that he had a low chance of survival, having reported late for treatment.

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THE BODY SHOP: 5 UNPOPULAR VAGINA FACTS

Your vagina is pretty impressive. You know that already. This amazing part gives pleasure, annoying pain, and another tiny human. It’s , in short, awe-inspiring. That’s why it’s necessary to keep tabs on everything going on below your belt. Here’s a primer:

 

 

The vagina can handle an intense workout. Alyssa Dweck says the muscular tone of the vagina is strong. On a related note, kegels are seriously effective at strengthening the surrounding pelvic floor muscles for more intense orgasms. Isn’t this a good reason to exercise?

 

Your diet may affect the smell of your virgina. While there hasn’t been much research on the topic though, but anecdotal evidence suggests that “your scent can vary during ovulation and even when you eat something pungent like garlic”.

 

 

Your clitoris has more nerve endings than anywhere else on the body, says Dweck. No wonder it’s the control center of your orgasm!

 

It allows for varying forms of pleasure. You can actually have four kinds of orgasms (clitoral, vaginal, blended, and multiple). And that’s quite a turnt down there!

 

 

There’s no such thing as a “normal” vagina. From the vulva to the labia, they come in all shapes and sizes, so don’t fret about being perfect diggy down down.

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HEALTHPLUS PHARMACY….COMING CLOSER TO WHERE YOU LIVE!

We are pleased to inform you that HealthPlus Pharmacy is now open @ Festival Mall Festac, Ilupeju Bypass, Addo Road Ajah and Delta Mall. We are also opening soon at Marina, Oba Akran Road, Olowora Isheri, Ilupeju Town Planning Way and Akure.

Do pop in for your supplies of medicines, nutritional supplements, monitors & diagnostics, mother & baby products, de-stressing massage oils, toiletries and more. Our Pharmacists are on hand to offer you our FREE pharmacy services & health checks. You can also ASK YOUR PHARMACIST on 09091770117

BRANCHES:

Lekki: Lekki Phase 1, SPAR Lekki, The Palms Lekki, Alternative Route Oniru, Ikota VGC Victoria Island: Adetokunbo Ademola, Ajose AdeogunIkoyi: Alexander Road Lagos Island: Kakawa Ikeja:GRA Ikeja,  Ikeja City Mall, Allen Ave,  Int’l Airport, MMA2 Oregun:Zaheed MallIlupeju: Ilupeju Bypass Ajah: Addo Road  Festac: Festival Mall Magodo/Ikosi:CMD Road Yaba:e-CenterSurulere:AdeniranOgunsanya Mall Apapa:Apapa Mall Ogun:Magboro, IbaraAbuja:CeddiPlaza, Grand Towers Mall, Silverbird Mall Enugu: Polo ParkIbadan: Cocoa Mall, The Palms Mall Kano: Ado Bayero Mall Port Harcourt:Port Harcourt Mall, Vineyard PlazaIlorin:Kwara Mall Delta: Delta Mall

Customer Care Line: 08172005332, 0700 HEALTHPLUS (0700 4325847587) customercare@healthplus.com.ng www.healthplus.com.ng

DELIVERY SERVICES AVAILABLE

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PAINKILLERS ARE DRUGS, NOT SWEETS!

Painkillers

The way some people pop painkillers seem to suggest that the drugs are candies with another name! It is such that many people don’t even consider the fact that they need to see a doctor or, at least, a pharmacist, to complain about whatever pain they may be feeling.

Consequently, by the time many people finally think of seeking medical help, they are almost ready for the morgue.

Perhaps after sleeping pills, the next commonest drug of abuse is pain relief medication. People take pain medications for the relief of pain in various parts of the body and also for various health challenges. Many people are even unaware that certain pain medications are better suited for certain ailments and are therefore better prescribed by a competent professional, who will also monitor the effects, especially when such drugs are to be used for extended period, as in the treatment of chronic pain conditions like arthritis, cancer, etc.

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It has been revealed that chronic pain relief drugs — also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — can wreak havoc on the body, sometimes with debilitating effects. Scientists argue that, just like other drugs, chronic pain medications are not to be trifled with, even when they appear harmless and ‘gentle’ to the stomach.

Risk of erectile dysfunction 

According to a new study published in the journal Spine, men who are taking prescription pain pills in high doses and over long periods of time are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction — characterised by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual performance.

That was the bombshell delivered by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon, USA. The lead researcher, Dr. Richard Deyo, notes that opioids — medications that relieve pain – are known to cause changes in testosterone levels, leading to erectile dysfunction. The researchers had examined 11,000 men who were taking prescription opioids for chronic back pain.

They conclude that men who took high-doses of certain prescription painkillers for longer than four months were 50 per cent more likely to require medication to treat erectile dysfunction than men who were not taking painkillers.

Hormone imbalance and baldness

Another study published in the Pain Physician Journal and led by Professor/Academic Director of Pain Management, Albany Medical College, Department of Anesthesiology, Albany, New York City, Dr. Howard Smith, enthuses that in the past few decades, the use of opioids as a long-term treatment for chronic pain has increased dramatically. However, he says, this comes at a price, especially for men, in terms of hormone imbalance, with symptoms like reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, hot flashes, and depression.

The scientists also note that the symptoms may include reduced facial and body hair, anaemia, decreased muscle mass, weight gain, infertility, osteopenia (unusually low bone mineral density) or osteoporosis (weak bones).

Another study by Finnish scientists who examined more than 1,100 men between 50 and 70 years of age found that erectile dysfunction was much higher among painkiller users than among non-users. The study is published in the May issue of the Journal of Urology.

Deyo and his team say their findings add to a wealth of evidence indicating that long-term opioid treatment for chronic pain should be avoided when possible. “Patients who take opioids for extended periods often develop a tolerance to the medicine and can even experience greater sensitivity to pain over time,” Deyo says.

Ageing and pain

Yet, humans may not be in charge of their pain, it turns out, as researchers at Harvard Medical School say as we age, pain and pain control become an important issue, because many of the conditions that cause pain disproportionately affect people starting at about age 65.

They note that several of the conditions that can prolong or amplify pain, such as insomnia, become more common with age. “As age makes our mental and physical health more tenuous, our ability to weather the slings and arrows of pain diminishes too.

“All of this puts a premium on effective pain treatment in older people. But there’s a catch, because the most effective painkillers available have side effects that occur more often and more severely in older people.”

General practitioner, Dr. Tomi Abegunde, says in addition to these revelations, the categories of people that may be affected are those taking pain relief drugs for long-term chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, cancers, arthritis, etc.

Others are those who take drugs that aid the production of urine, anti-allergies, muscle relaxants, drugs that suppress abnormal rhythms of the heart, drugs used to treat duodenal ulcers and prevent their return, etc.

Abegunde notes that the pain relief drugs usually prescribed for these conditions not only affect and oftentimes suppress the central nervous system, they can also cause serious damage to the blood vessels, resulting in permanent erectile dysfunction.

However, he warns that if you notice this symptom, don’t just discontinue the drug; see your doctor immediately.

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WHEN YOU’RE ILL, EAT WELL FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY

 

No one prays to fall ill, but we do take ill, nevertheless. And it happens that when we are ill and the physician prescribes drugs, it is almost always that we must eat first before we take most drugs.

Family doctor, Femi Awoniyi, says more than ever, when we’re ill, the body needs more calories in order to function optimally. This is because the body must now work harder than normal when you are sick to enable it to fight infection, especially when you come down with fever, which is usually attended by higher body temperatures.

“All these put pressure on the body’s defence mechanism,” Awoniyi explains.

Indeed, experts warn that if your diet is lousy, you’ll get sick more often than someone who eats a healthier diet. They say viruses and bacterial infections will hit you harder and keep you out for longer.

Worse still, they say, eating poorly while you are sick will only make you sicker. “Only good nutrition allows our bodies to respond to bacterial invasion quickly and efficiently. And in order to function well, the cells of our immune system need plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids,” experts say.

“So, for the body to fight infections effectively, it needs to maintain higher energy levels, hence the need to fuel it with good nutrition right from the outset,” Awoniyi adds.

In essence, food plays a big role in our healing process whenever we are ill. But then, experts say while you need to eat immune-boosting foods at all times and especially when you’re ill, certain foods are no-go areas if your recovery must be fast and total. What are these foods?

What to eat, what to avoid

Depending on what ails you, if you’ve come down with stomach upset, Awoniyi counsels against eating spicy foods such as hot peppers or extremely hot and spicy foods, because they can be rough on the stomach and cause more pain and discomfort. In fact, spicy foods when you are sick can send you to the bathroom more frequently, thus weakening you the more physically.

If you come down with mouth sores, dry mouth, or if you have trouble swallowing, then you should avoid foods that require a lot of chewing. This is because in general, sickness virtually takes away your appetite; and when you have to eat food that requires extensive chewing before you can swallow, then you may be too tired to do it. That’s why many people avoid foods such as eba, fufu, pounded yam, amala, etc., when they are ill.

Awoniyi says diminished appetite has negative effects on recovery when you are ill. That’s why your illness may take longer to heal because your body’s defense mechanism is now using its meagre reservoir to counter the illness. So, eat soft foods, especially fruit and vegetables, fish, rice and soup, etc.

Carbohydrate-rich foods such as beans, oats, wheat, potatoes, and yams; in addition to fruit such as apples, bananas, berries, orange, etc.; are also encouraged.

Awoniyi warns that if you have cold and you desire to take fruit juice, you should ask someone to make the juice for you at home if you’re too weak to do it yourself.

“Drinking the factory-made fruit juice that we have all over the place won’t cut it. This is because average juices are loaded with extra sugar and the sugar can reduce the ability of white blood cells to fight illness. As such, any benefits you might get from the vitamin C are nullified by the sugar that is present in these factory-made juices,” Awoniyi warns.

Again, the physician says when you are sick, one of the worst things you can feed on are the fast foods. He says, “Fast foods and most processed foods are void of nutritional value and they don’t boost the immune system or amplify your health.

“And because they are mostly made from genetically modified foods, they contain immune-suppressing ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, MSG, artificial colours, and much more, hence the need to avoid them.”

In the league of fast foods are fried foods. Awoniyi urges you to stay away from fried foods when you are sick. This is because fried foods have excess fats, and foods high in fat produce inflammation; while inflammation weakens the immune system.

Therefore, when you are ill, eat home-cooked foods that are wholesome, the ingredients of which you can control.

If you’re afflicted with diarrhoea, experts at online portal, webmd.com, counsels intake of soft, bland foods and avoiding greasy foods. They also advise that you drink plenty water or other fluids, since diarrhoea can quickly dehydrate anyone.

If you are constipated, you may need to avoid hard stuff such as eba, fufu, pounded yam, yam, etc. Rather, nutritionists say, eat foods that are high in fibre, especially fruit and vegetable.

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FOODS THAT CAUSE EXCESSIVE MUCOUS

Mucous is necessary in small amounts for helping trap dirt and germs, which are then moved to the back of your throat and swallowed. Sometimes, such as when you have a cold or infection, you may have more mucous than normal or thicker mucous than normal, which makes it more noticeable. Too much mucous can cause health problems from stuffy noses, runny noses to difficulty with breathing. Typically, foods contribute to mucous mainly if they cause an allergic reaction, increase histamine production or increase acid reflux symptoms. Certain beverages and foods can cause excessive mucous in certain people because they have an allergic reaction to the particular food and can also worsen certain medical conditions like asthma, colds, the flu, emphysema, COPD and cystic fibrosis. These foods include:

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Dairy products: They can cause excessive mucous, causing the mucous to be thicker than normal. Dairy foods include milk, yoghurt, cheese and the foods that have these dairy products in themHigh-fat red meat/processed meats: These can also cause excessive mucous to become a problem. This can happen with anyone, but is more of a problem with those who have COPD.

Wheat products, rye and barley: Gluten found in these products can cause excessive mucous. This is especially true for those who have an allergy or intolerance to gluten or if you have cystic fibrosis.

Alcohol: Each person is different, but too much alcohol can sometimes cause excessive mucous and the associated sinus problems.

Sugar: Caffeine and especially soda pop that contains both sugar and caffeine.

Certain fruits/vegetables: Such as bananas, cabbage and potatoes possibly cause excessive mucous, especially bananas.

Others: Caffeine, sugar, salt, non- herbal teas, (especially black tea), all create excess mucous. Soy is one of the most mucous-making plant foods there is. Those who give up meats and dairy and switch to soy products have a greater risk of creating an unhealthy mucous build-up in the body.

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REDUCING RISK OF STROKE AND HEART ATTACK

Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death, while stroke isn’t far behind. Protect your heart and brain with these steps:

• Don’t smoke: One of the best ways to protect yourself against a stroke or heart attack is by not smoking. The benefits of quitting show up after only a few months.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease and diabetes – risk factors for a stroke and heart attack.
• Limit fats and cholesterol: Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Limit saturated fats and avoid trans fats. Instead of butter, margarine and shortening, use monounsaturated oils (olive, canola and peanut) and polyunsaturated oils (corn, safflower, sesame, sunflower and soy).
• Eat fish that have omega-3s: Eat fish that have omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and trout.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: Produce contains nutrients such as potassium, folate and antioxidants that may protect against stroke and heart attack. Eat them daily.
• Limit alcohol use: Small amounts of alcohol may have cardiovascular benefits, but too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Moderate drinking means no more than one drink a day for women and anyone 65 or older and no more than two drinks a day for men younger than 6

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOGHURT (PART 2)

Myth 5: Even people who are lactose-intolerant or allergic to dairy products can eat yoghurt: Because the cultures turn the milk sugar lactose into lactic acid, some people who are lactose intolerant can eat yoghurt without digestive distress. Depending on the amount of lactose present in the end product (which is usually a product of the fermentation time and the activity of the particular cultures used), a person with lactose-intolerance may not be able to eat dairy-based yoghurt. Additionally, anyone with a full-blown allergy to dairy products will still have an immune response to dairy yoghurt and needs to avoid it altogether. Having said that, there are many excellent non-dairy alternatives that still confer the health benefits of eating yoghurt.

Myth 6: The “I-eat-yoghurt-so-I-get-all-the-probiotics-I-need” myth: I regularly hear this myth from people who consider themselves knowledgeable about health and wellness. They (incorrectly) believe that yoghurt is a cure-all for what ails them and can correct any imbalances in their intestines. Because most yoghurt only contains two or three strains of probiotics (out of the 1,000 or so currently known probiotics possible in our food), you’re only going to reap the health benefits of taking these strains. However, there are many benefits from the few different strains found in yoghurt, including easing traveler’s diarrhoea, boosting nutrient absorption, and treating H. pylori infections or food poisoning. H. pylori infections have been linked to ulcers, gastritis, and other health conditions.

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Myth 7: Dairy-based Yoghurts are nutritionally superior to non-dairy-based yoghurts: While the amount of research assessing non-dairy yoghurts is still relatively small in comparison to dairy-yoghurt, there are some good studies showing the health benefits of the dairy-free versions. Non-dairy yoghurt has been linked to reducing cholesterol levels and heart-disease markers, and even demonstrated anti-cancer activity.

Even when yoghurt is portrayed in an accurate way, without embellishment of its healing properties, this delicious food still warrants superfood status.

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