Health & Wellness

Stress is a feeling of being under abnormal pressure. This pressure can come from different aspects of your day-to-day life; such as an increased workload, a transitional period, an argument you have with your family or new and existing financial worries. Stress is part of being human, and you may find it has a cumulative effect, with each stressor building on top of one another. Stress can also help motivate you to get things done.

Reasons for Stress

When we “feel stressed” our brains and bodies trigger a series of adaptations to deal with threat. We are preparing to react to danger by fighting, running, or hiding. This biological system is higher effective for coping with certain threats, such as tiger stalking you in the jungle. You don’t negotiate with tigers. You don’t innovate. If you want to survive, you will like heck, or hope you have got a big sharp stick handy.

Here are Tips to Manage Stress;

1. Listen to Music

If you are feeling overwhelmed by a stressful situation, try taking a break and listening to relaxing music. Playing calm music has a positive effect on the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and can reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.

2. Talk it Out with a Friend

When you are feeling stressed, take a break to call a friend and talk about your problems. Good relationships with friends and loved ones are important to any healthy lifestyle; especially when you are under a lot of stress. A reassuring voice, even for a minute, can put everything in perspective.

3. Eat Right

Stress levels and a proper diet are closely related. When we are overwhelmed, we often forgot to eat well and resort to using sugary, and fatty snack foods. Try to avoid sugary snacks and plan ahead. Fruits and vegetables are always good, and fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the symptoms of stress. A tuna sandwich really is brain food.

4. Laugh it Off

Laughter releases endorphins that improve mood and decrease levels of the stress-causing hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Laughing tricks your nervous system into making you happy.

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Hemophilia is usually an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. This can lead to spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery. Blood contains many proteins called clotting factors that can help to stop bleeding. People with hemophilia have low levels of either factor VIII (8) or factor IX (9). The severity of haemophilia that a person has is determined by the amount of factor in the blood. The lower the amount of the factor, the more likely is that bleeding will occur which can lead to serious health problems.

Causes of Hemophilia

Hemophilia is caused by a mutation or change, in one of the genes, that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot. This change or mutation can prevent the clotting protein from working properly or to be missing altogether. These genes are located on the X chromosomes (XX). Males inherit the X chromosome from their mothers and the Y chromosomes from their fathers. Females inherit one X chromosome from each parent.

Hemophilia can result in:

Bleeding within joints that can lead to chronic joint disease and pain.

Bleeding in the head and sometimes in the brain which can cause long term problems, such as seizures and paralysis

Death can occur if the bleeding cannot be stopped or if it occurs in a vital organ such as the brain.

Common signs of hemophilia include:

• Bleeding into the joints. This can cause swelling and pain or tightness in the joints; it often affects the knees, elbows, and ankles

• Secondly, bleeding into the skin (which is bruising) or muscle and soft tissue causing a build-up of blood in the area called a hematoma.

• Bleeding of the mouth and gums, and bleeding that is hard to stop after losing a tooth.

• After circumcision (surgery performed on male babies to remove the hood of skin, called the foreskin, covering the head of the penis) can also cause bleeding.

• Bleeding after having shots, such as vaccinations.

• Another is bleeding in the head of an infant after a difficult delivery.

• Blood in the urine or stool.

• Frequent and hard-to-stop nosebleeds. 

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Theme: Our Planet, Our Health

World Health Day is celebrated on 7th April of every year as it marks the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.

WHO works to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. According to WHO, more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. Hence, as we celebrate the world Health Day, it is important that we maintain good practices to keep our planet safe.

Two (2) simple things you can do to help protect the planet earth include;

Plant a tree

Trees offer many health and environmental benefits. Not only do they give off the oxygen that we need to breathe but they also help improve our air quality by filtering harmful dust and pollutant such as ozone, carbon monoxide etc from the air we breathe. They provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals. Well placed trees can also help reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which reduces erosion and flooding. So, plant a tree today and protect our planet!

Volunteer for clean-ups and educating members of your community on importance of clean environment.

Litter, in addition to being eyesore, can damage our environment’s ecosystem by attracting a variety of insects and rodents, as well as carrying diseases. This can be dangerous to animals or children who may pick up rubbish, trip on it, or consume it. This garbage, particularly cigarette butts and flammable objects, has the potential to spark fires. Food waste can contaminate local waterways, endangering wildlife and making our water unsuitable to drink.

By volunteering to help keep the environment clean and educating people on the importance of clean environment, you will be doing great in protecting our planet!

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“In vitro” is the Latin term for “in glass”. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of an egg being fertilized by sperm outside the woman’s body in a laboratory.

Since the first successful birth took place in 1978, the procedure has offered hope to couples around the world who have found themselves facing infertility.

However before going deep into the advantages of IVF, lets take a look at the kind of patients, on whom IVF can be used to treat the problem of infertility.

• Women who have damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. Fallopian tubes refer to the pair of tubes through which eggs pass through to the uterus from the ovaries.
• Males who are suffering from infertility due to decreased sperm count.
• Any individual who has genetic disorder.

Many patients who would otherwise be unable to have children are able to conceive kudos to IVF. The ultimate goal of In Vitro Fertilization is to achieve a successful pregnancy and the delivery of a healthy baby.

Here are some of the benefits of IVF

1. Have a Child Using Their Own Eggs

IVF provides women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes with the best option for artificially conceiving a child using their own eggs.

2. Women with Low Ovarian Reserve

IVF improves the chances of conceiving in older patients. In general, some fertility clinics practice natural IVF, with an emphasis on egg quality rather than quantity.

3. Aids Males in Overcoming Infertility

Males who are infertile due to a low sperm count will have a much better chance of conceiving through In Vitro Fertilization.

4. Assist Women who have suffered from Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature Ovarian Failure or Menopause in women can be treated with IVF using donor eggs, which has a high success rate.

5. Ensured Track Record

In 1978, the first ‘In Vitro Fertilization baby,’ Lousie Brown, was born through natural IVF. It’s been 40 years since then, and technology has advanced with refined techniques, allowing for safer and more successful treatments.

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Garcinia kola (Kola nut) is a cultural principal in many West African countries, also valued for its central nervous system stimulant properties. Every market, bus stop, as well as corner shop in West Africa has small piles of kola nuts for sale. It is a significant crop for farmers in rural areas.

Kola nut health benefits have been documented for thousands of years. Kola nut is said to sweeten stale water, treat fatigue, and alleviate hunger pangs.

The majority of the kola nut’s benefits are related to its high caffeine content, which boosts energy and decreases hunger.

But have you heard about the disadvantages of bitter kola? Of course, the product has many health benefits, but abusing it can lead to problems.

Here are some of the side effects of Garcinia kola

• Bitter kola has been linked to mouth cancer. Chewing kola nuts, according to studies, can cause mouth or gastrointestinal cancer.

• Bitter kola contains a lot of caffeine, which is why eating too much of it can be dangerous. As a result, you should be cautious about the number of nuts you consume. The product is especially dangerous for people who have heart problems.

• Glaucoma can be caused by bitter kola. An excessive amount of bitter kola nuts can be harmful. However, eating a small amount of nuts can help prevent glaucoma.

• Bitter kola is not good for people who have diabetes. It is another of the bitter kola side effects caused by the presence of caffeine in the product. Caffeine can cause an incorrect sugar level in your body, so use caution when using this product.

• Bitter kola can aggravate diarrhea. When you consume an excessive amount of nuts while suffering from diarrhea, it can aggravate the situation. Don’t underestimate the dangers that can result from kola abuse.

• Bitter kola slows blood clotting. If consumed in large quantities, the product can cause blood clotting issues. If the person is bleeding, the bitter kola can aggravate the situation. It’s also a good idea to avoid bitter kola after surgery.

• Anxiety can also be caused by bitter kola. If you suffer from stress and anxiety, it is best to avoid using this product. The nuts contain a number of ingredients that can lead to an unstable mental state.

Bitter kola has benefits and drawbacks, and its impact on your body is solely determined by how you consume it. Doctors recommend no more than two nuts per day. To avoid health issues, consume the product at a moderate level.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Garcinia kola

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Bitter kola, botanically known as Garcinia kola, is a popular plant from the evergreen kola tree that has long been valued for its medicinal properties in Central and also Western Africa.

When chewed, it has a sharp, bitter flavor that fades into a slight sweetness as you chew it.

However, it is an important cultural symbol for many ethnic groups in Nigeria. However, it is distributed to guests at weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies, as well as used in medicine. The ceremonial breaking of the kola nut is essential for making people feel welcome in a village as well as gathering. Bitter kola is known as “Akiilu” in Igbo, “Orogbo” in Yoruba, and “Miji-goro” in Hausa.

Bitter kola has numerous health benefits, some of which are listed below:

1. It strengthens the immune system

Bitter kola provides the immune system with all of the necessary supports to protect against toxins and also to provide an effective immune response to foreign particles.

This high level of antioxidants found in bitter kola not only helps the body fight bacteria and other illnesses, but it also helps the body increase its immunity levels, and when the body’s immunity level is increased, it becomes strong enough to fight any pathogen.

2. It has anti-malaria properties.

Chemical constituents in bitter kola have been shown in studies to have anti-malarial properties. Therefore, this is why traditional healers have long prescribed it to treat malaria infections.

Bitter kola stem, bark, and seeds are also used to treat acute fever, respiratory tract inflammation, and throat infections.

3. It is also useful in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Bitter kola has also been identified as a potent antibiotic that, due to its antibacterial, detoxification, and cleansing properties, may be useful in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Despite the fact that this may appear difficult due to the complexity of the diseases, studies have shown that the seed and leaf of bitter kola have antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Streptococcus pyrogens.

4. It fights glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes increased pressure within the eyeball, hence, resulting in a gradual loss of sight and, if left untreated, permanent blindness.

However, bitter kola, on the other hand, has been discovered to be an amazing cure for the disease.

5. It aids in the treatment of food poisoning.

It has anti-poisonous properties, and also aids in the prevention of bacterial infection caused by food poisoning. When the bark and seed are consumed together, they aid in the detoxification of the human system, particularly in cases of food poisoning.

6. It improves fertility.

Bitter kola is sometimes consumed by infertile women in order to improve fertility.

7. It aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels.

It is useful for more than just treating malaria. Therefore, it can also be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes in terms of keeping their blood glucose levels stable.

According to research, the plant’s seeds are also capable of lowering high blood glucose levels.

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Emotional baggage is a metaphor for your unprocessed negative emotions from past experiences. If you don’t deal with your emotional baggage, it can have a negative impact on your current experiences, such as your relationship, friendships, family relationships, career, and so on.

Do you have emotional baggage? Hello and welcome to the club!

Here are five different types of emotional baggage you may have and how to get rid of it:

1. Guilt

Guilt is a feeling of worry or unhappiness caused by doing something wrong, such as causing harm to another person.

You may be carrying guilt from a previous relationship, perhaps because you cheated on a partner in the past and are now feeling guilty and carrying that guilt into a new relationship.

To get rid of guilt, it is best to confront its source. What is the source of your guilt? Don’t pass judgment on yourself for whatever you’re feeling guilty about. Don’t judge yourself or tell yourself what you should or should not have done. Instead, concentrate on forgiving yourself and learning from your mistakes. You may reach out to anyone involved in your guilt to apologize if you believe it is necessary.

2. Regret

Regret is a sadness caused by something sad, wrong, or a mistake that you have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better.

Perhaps you have regret for not accompanying friends on a memorable vacation, and you carry that regret with you so that you are constantly concerned about missing out.

To get rid of regret, you must change your way of thinking. Regrets indicate that you are living in the past, but the past exists only in our minds. We are only human, and we all make decisions, some of which are better than others. Living in the past will do you more harm than good, so learn from your mistakes and move on.

3. Fear

Fear is an unpleasant emotion or thought that you have when you are nervous or concerned about something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or may happen.

Perhaps you were stung by a jellyfish in the past and now avoid swimming in the ocean.

Getting rid of fears frequently entails confronting them. For example, if you are afraid of swimming in the ocean, all you need is a new, positive experience in the ocean.

Exposure is by far the most effective method for dealing with phobias, anxiety disorders, and everyday fears of any kind. Surround yourself with a support system to be with you during these frightening experiences, as this will make you feel more at ease confronting your fears.

4. Self-Criticism

Your inner critic may pass judgment on you based on your appearance, weight, work, and so on. Perhaps you had an eating disorder in the past that had a negative impact on your life, and you still associate certain foods with it.

We all have an inner critic, and this voice can often motivate and push us forward. However, you must set boundaries so that you do not judge yourself. You can quiet this voice inside your head by practicing self-care techniques such as meditation.

5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental health condition caused by either experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. PTSD symptoms include, but are not limited to, flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and severe anxiety.

To overcome PTSD, professional therapy options such as cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, or stress inoculation training are required. These treatments can alleviate your symptoms, help you cope with your condition better, and even help you regain your self-esteem.

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The importance of hair treatment can not be overstated. Maintaining a healthy hair begins with how you take care of your hair everyday. Hair treatment is important for both men and women. Hair can be an important element for the appearance of women and men.

Internal and External Hair Treatment

We can treat our hair internally by Reducing stress, eating a balance diet. We can treat our hair externally by avoiding harsh shampoos, avoid painful hairdos. Overbrushing the hair, can lead to hair loss and hair damage. Apply natural hair pomade to the scalp to avoid dryness.

The Importance of Hair Treatment

Hair treatment prevent premature hair loss, as proper maintenance can provide longevity and prevent hair loss. This will promote healthy hair, because unhealthy hair can have frizzy and splits ends. Hair treatment helps to boost self confidence.

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Menstrual cramps are uncomfortable part of life for many women on a monthly basis.

When women are menstruating, it’s normal to feel pain in their abdomen, lower back, and thighs. During the period, the womb’s muscles contract and relax to help shed the built-up lining. Cramping is caused by muscles working hard. Women and girls may also experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, or diarrhea.

Doctors aren’t sure why some women have painful menstruation while others don’t. However, some factors that are linked to more intense pain include:

1. Having a lot of blood flow
2. Having your first child
3. Being under the age of 20, or just starting your period
4. Having an excess of or sensitivity to prostaglandins, a hormone that affects your womb

Other factors include womb growth, endometriosis (abnormal uterine tissue growth), as well as birth control use.

Dealing with menstrual cramps on a monthly basis can be both frustrating and painful. Fortunately, there are numerous remedies that may assist you in relieving menstrual cramps. It is important to note that these techniques will not always work, particularly for chronic conditions, but they can provide relief for mild to moderate menstrual pain.

Here are some suggestions to help relieve menstrual cramps:

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Bloating can be uncomfortable and intensify menstrual cramps. Drinking water during your period can help reduce bloating and ease some of the pain it causes. Drinking hot water can also improve blood circulation and relax your muscles. This can help to lessen cramps caused by uterine contractions.

2. Drink Herbal Teas

Herbal teas contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that can reduce uterine muscle spasms that cause cramping. Menstrual cramps can be relieved naturally by drinking chamomile, fennel, or ginger tea. Herbal teas may also provide stress relief and aid in the treatment of insomnia.

3. Therapeutic Heat

This entails holding a hot water bag/bottle to your abdomen or sitting in a hot water bath. The heat relaxes the uterine muscles, increasing blood flow. If you must work, you can wear a waist bag containing a portable water bag or bottle filled with hot water to help ease pain as you complete your daily task.

4. Massage

Massages increase blood flow, which reduces pain. Try taking warm water while getting a belly massage for a double effect. You can also incorporate essential oils into your massages, such as lavender oil, which is known to relieve pain and stress. Peppermint oil is another excellent option. Before applying essential oils to your skin, make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil such as coconut oil.

5. Experiencing an Orgasm

While no clinical studies have been conducted on the direct effect of orgasms on menstrual cramps, science suggests that it may be beneficial.

Vaginal orgasms involve your entire body, including your spinal cord, which causes neurotransmitters to be released. A vaginal orgasm can cause the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins and oxytocin in your brain. Endorphins have the ability to reduce pain perception.

6. Avoid Specific Foods

It is best to avoid foods that cause bloating and water retention during menstruation. Foods such as fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and salty foods are examples. Reducing or eliminating these foods can help relieve cramps and tension.

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Sleep, like eating, drinking, and breathing, is vital to our health. It enables our bodies to heal themselves, as well as our brains. Sleep deprivation has been linked to physical issues like a weakened immune system; as well as mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

The link between sleep and overall physical health has been well established by studies in literature. A good sleep allows both the body and the brain to recover; so that when you wake up in the morning, you feel refreshed and alert.

Sleep deprivation not only makes you tired; but it also puts you at risk for a variety of diseases and health problems; such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Sleep deprivation can also jeopardize your physical well-being.

Why you may not see the effect now

It’s difficult to determine the dangers of not getting enough sleep. Medical problems take time to develop and are associated with a number of risk factors. What we do know is that sleeping less than eight hours per night on a consistent basis appears to increase the chance of acquiring a variety of medical issues.

Insufficient sleep has been linked to weight gain. One study indicated that those who slept less than six hours per night on a regular basis were much more likely to be overweight, whereas those who slept an average of eight hours per night had the lowest relative body fat of the study group.

Diabetes

People who reported sleeping less than five hours per night had a significantly higher chance of having or developing type 2 diabetes; according to studies by Taveras et al. (2008) and Knutson et al. (2006). Fortunately, Knutson et al. (2004) had earlier also shown that getting more sleep helps improve blood sugar level and; lessen the consequences of type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease and hypertension

According to a recent study, even a small reduction in sleep (six to seven hours per night) was linked to a significantly higher risk of coronary artery calcification, which is a predictor of future myocardial infarction (heart attack) and mortality from heart disease (King et al., 2008).

There is also mounting evidence that obstructive sleep apnea is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, and irregular heartbeat (Kasasbeh et al., 2006).

Immune function

The immune system’s interaction with sleep has been thoroughly studied. Infections impact the amount and timing of sleep, and sleep loss increases the levels of several inflammatory mediators.8 While scientists are only beginning to comprehend these connections, preliminary research suggests that sleep deprivation may reduce the ability to resist infection.

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