What to know about gastritis

From Hope Abah Emmanuel, Makurdi

Martha said for several months she kept feeling persistent burning pain in her upper abdomen which grew worse whenever she finished eating. She also suffered from nausea and bloating. Initially she felt relieved from the indigestion when she drank water, but with time the pain got worse. She went to the hospital and was diagnosed with gastritis.

According to Dr Obekpa Solomon, a Senior Registrar of the Gastroenterology unit in Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Gastri in medicine means stomach and when ‘tis’ is added, it means inflammation.

‘Drinking cup of tea daily helps protect brain against age-related decline’

Research has suggested that drinking tea could be good for your brain and stave off age-related decline.

Scientists now say regularly consuming a brew could be a simple lifestyle choice that benefits brain health.

Three dozen adults who were all aged 60 or above were asked to take part in a range of cognitive tests for the study.

Who orgasms most and least, and why

Who orgasms most and least, and why

More and more studies are shedding light on the "orgasm gap," which refers to how men orgasm during sex more frequently than women.

But why does this gender gap exist, and what can be done to achieve orgasm equality? After all, about 40% of women experience sexual dysfunction, associated with a chronic difficulty in achieving orgasm. Experts are offering some answers.

"All groups of men -- gay, bisexual, heterosexual -- orgasm more than all groups of women," said David Frederick, assistant professor of psychology at Chapman University, who has studied human sexuality.

Five ways to prevent ageing and to maintain your skin

1.Cleanse tone and moisturise your face morning and night.

2.Use skincare that will suit your skin type (Ask a skin analyst or beauty therapist)

3.Make sure your skincare has antioxidants vitamins carotenoid, flavonoids etc and always use a sun screen day time.

4. Eat lots of greens and orange coloured vegetables fruits etc. well-balanced diet.

5. See your therapist for facials regularly to firm and prevent wrinkles.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Malaria vaccine: Ghana, others to take part in WHO pilot programme

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa announced yesterday that Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi would take part in a WHO-coordinated malaria vaccine implementation programme (MVIP) that will make the world’s first malaria vaccine available in selected areas, beginning in 2018.

A statement from WHO said the injectable vaccine, RTS,S, was developed to protect young children from the most deadly form of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.

Managing low blood pressure

Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition whereby blood pressure drops below the average range - the opposite of hypertension. If left untreated and proper steps are not taken, it can eventually weaken the heart and lead to symptoms such as fatigue and fainting as the heart lacks adequate blood flow.

The wondrous benefits of beetroot you probably never knew

Beetroot is a reddish vegetable that some know by the name red beet. It is extremely rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6, A, C, nitrate and a whole lot more. Incorporating this sweet vegetable into your everyday meals can be very beneficial to your health and we have listed just a very few of the many so that you consider doing so.

Reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack and blood pressure: Because of how rich it is in nitrates, it can significantly reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks and blood pressure. Consuming it regularly leads to a much healthier heart.

How to be happy, and make yourself happy

How to be happy, and make yourself happy

Walk with a little grace and elegance. Scientists say walking tall with swinging arms helps you feel more positive. Even if you’re not feeling happy, a spirited stroll can help you fake it till you make it.

Put on a smile
Want to lift your spirits? Lift the corners of your mouth. When you smile like you mean it, you can change your brain’s chemistry and feel happier.

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Ways you shouldn’t take care of your ears

The ear is an important organ of the human body that is responsible for hearing. It is so sensitive that any act of carelessness could lead to the loss of the sense of hearing. People have different ways of taking care of their ears which could damage rather than care for them.

Dr Abdulazeez Ahmed, a consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Hearing and Balance Disorder specialist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital said the best way to take care of the ear is not to put things that do not belong there, like cotton bud, pen cover, birds feather and other sharp objects, adding that people should also avoid taking bath in ponds and exposing the ears to loud noise.

Dubai hospital to partner Nigerian medical orgs on training, services

Dr Reem Osman, CEO of Saudi German Hospital

The Saudi German Hospital, Dubai (SGHD) is working towards partnering with medical organisations in Nigeria on training and health care services

Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Reem Osman made this known in a telephone interview with Daily Trust.

She said such training and skill enhancement programmes include conducting medical education programs, and training of doctors, nurses and management staff to add value for healthcare system in Nigeria.

Any risk associated with blood transfusion?

Blood transfusion can be life-saving, it’s not without risks. When you are getting a transfusion of any kind, it’s very important that you let your nurse know right away if you notice any changes in how you feel, such as itching, shivering, headache, chest or back pain, throat tightness, nausea, dizziness, trouble breathing, or other problems. You should report any that happen.

Transfusion reactions

Blood transfusions sometimes cause transfusion reactions. There are several types of reactions and some are worse than others. Some reactions happen as soon as the transfusion is started, while others take several days or even longer to develop.

Drinking more water associated with numerous dietary benefits – Study

For people who want to control their weight or reduce their intakes of sugar, sodium and saturated fat, tap water may be what the doctor ordered.

A new study that examined the dietary habits of more than 18,300 U.S. adults found the majority of people who increased their consumption of plain water -- tap water or from a cooler, drinking fountain or bottle -- by 1 percent reduced their total daily calorie intake as well as their consumption of saturated fat, sugar, sodium and cholesterol.

‘Ability to smell well linked to social life in older women’

A new study of older U.S. adults conducted by researchers from the Monell Center and collaborating institutions reports that a woman’s social life is associated with how well her sense of smell functions. The study found that older women who do not do well on a smell identification task also tend to have fewer social connections.

The beauty wonders of yoghurt

Yoghurt contains lactic acid that is excellent for dissolving dead skin cells. Apart from giving a natural glow and preventing breakouts too, it reduces the appearance of line and wrinkles also. It is one of the best skin multitaskers.

As a moisturizer: Revive the dull skin on your face with yogurt with a simple face mask that will leave you with soft, supple and glowing skin without breaking the bank. Just ensure you use the thick kind with active cultures for the ultimate beauty benefits.

Tacking oily skin in hot weather

Oily skin is caused by a lot of things, from hormones, genes to puberty too, but it obviously goes to another level when the weather is scorchingly hot. Oily skin can be frustrating especially when wearing makeup and tends to cause breakouts too.

Although you can’t change the type of skin you have, there are few things you can do to tackle it and reduce the greasiness.

Natural tips to counter the heat

Body heat, also known as heat stress, is a common health problem caused by exposure to high temperatures. It occurs when the body is not able to cool itself enough to keep its temperature within the normal range. The body normally cools off by sweating, but sometimes sweating is not sufficient and the temperature keeps rising. 

Factors like very hot and humid weather, spending too much time in the sun, wearing tight clothing, strenuous workouts or physical exercise and certain medical conditions may cause or worsen the problem. Body heat is not a disease but it should not be taken lightly. If left untreated, it can develop into a heatstroke. 

Overcoming sugar cravings

Sugar is a sneaky, addictive substance and the breakup isn’t always as easy as just making the decision to stop. Sugar is a highly addictive substance. Having just a little bit creates a desire for more and sugar addiction can cause health problems, and withdrawal symptoms like headaches and mood swings can make it worse.

Ways to keep your heart healthy – Expert

Choosing a healthy eating plan is one of the ways of keeping your heart healthy .

“The food you eat can decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke,” said Dr Basem Duwederi , Head and Specialist of the Open-Heart Surgery Department at the Saudi German Hospital, Dubai.

He advised people to choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium.

Single high-fat meal can damage the metabolism – Research

Single high-fat meal can damage the metabolism – Research

The global proliferation of overweight and obese people and people with type 2 diabetes is often associated with the consumption of saturated fats. Scientists at the German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum, DDZ) and the Helmholtz Center in Munich (HMGU) have found that even the one-off consumption of a greater amount of palm oil reduces the body’s sensitivity to insulin and causes increased fat deposits as well as changes in the energy metabolism of the liver. The results of the study provide information on the earliest changes in the metabolism of the liver that in the long term lead to fatty liver disease in overweight persons as well as in those with type 2 diabetes.

‘Using many social media sites tied to depression’

Compared with the total time spent on social media, use of multiple platforms is more strongly associated with depression and anxiety among young adults, the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health (CRMTH) found in a national survey.

The analysis, published online and scheduled for the April print issue of the journal Computers in Human Behaviour, showed that people who report using seven to 11 social media platforms had more than three times the risk of depression and anxiety than their peers who use zero to two platforms, even after adjusting for the total time spent on social media overall.