GOOD HEALTH DETERMINED BY GENETICS, LIFESTYLE - DOCTOR

Dr Casey Nwachukwu of Wuse General Hospital, said the health of every individual depended highly on genetics and supported by his lifestyle.

Nwachukwu explained in Abuja on Sunday that a lifestyle of clean eating and physical fitness was required to support the genetics in ensuring good health.

To Reduce the risk of Food Poisoning, There's a Mobile App for That

USDA product helps consumers track expiration dates

There are apps for maps, restaurants and calorie-counting. Now, there's even one from the U.S. government for reducing your risk of food-borne illness.

The FoodKeeper -- free from the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- is available for Apple and Android devices. It enables users to set up automatic notifications when foods and beverages are nearing the end of their recommended storage dates.

Showing how foods and beverages should be stored in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry, the app helps people select storage methods that extend the life of more than 400 items. These include baby food, dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, seafood and produce, according to the USDA.

10 FACTS ABOUT SCHISTOSOMIASIS DISEASE

Schistosomiasis disease, also known as bilharzia, snail fever, and Katayama fever, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the Schistosoma type. It is transmitted by contact with contaminated fresh water (lakes and ponds, rivers, dams) inhabited by snails carrying the parasite. Swimming, bathing, fishing and even domestic chores such as laundry and herding livestock can put people at risk of contracting the disease.

The disease is especially common among children in developing countries as they are more likely to play in contaminated water. Other high risk groups include farmers, fishermen, and people using unclean water during daily living.

6 Early Warning Signs Of Ovarian Cancer Diseases

Often referred to as the “silent killer,” Ovarian cancer is universally feared as it presents very few symptoms.  By the time it’s noticeable, it’s usually too late, with only 20% of cases being detected early enough to treat.

Thankfully, the disease isn’t invisible.  Here are six early warning signs to watch out for.

1. A Swollen Stomach
Ovarian cancer causes internal inflammation, which can become visible.  Of course, there are many reasons for a swollen stomach, such as Burger King, being a couch potato, or receiving a visit from the stork.  Only be concerned if you’re ballooning for no reason.

No Antibiotics for Colds, Sore Throats

Two doctor groups are reminding physicians to use antibiotics sparingly this cold and flu season.

The American College of Physicians and the CDC urged doctors not to dole out antibiotics for colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus infections that aren't complicated, according to guidance published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"Reducing overuse of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in adults is a clinical priority and a high-value-care way to improve quality of care, lower healthcare costs, and slow or prevent the continued rise in antibiotic resistance," Wayne Riley, MD, MPH, president of ACP, said in a statement.

FG Blames Govs as Lassa Fever Hits 17 States

The Federal Government has blamed poor response from state governments for the spread of Lassa fever from 10 to 17 states in the country.

The Federal Government accused some states of hiding some suspected cases in their states while some others failed to take proactive measures to follow up patients.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said this in Abuja during the emergency National Council on Health meeting on Lassa fever outbreak on Tuesday.

Adewole, identified Ebonyi State as one of those that did not inform the Federal Government about some cases.

Lassa Fever Killed a 65 year Old Woman in Delta State

Asaba -The outbreak of Lassa fever which has been ravaging some parts of the country, has claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman who was diagnosed with the illness in Delta State.

The victim, who was first admitted at St Joseph Hospital, Asaba and later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, in the city, gave up the ghost after doctors battled in vain to save her.

The woman whose identity was unknown at press time, reportedly hailed from Ifiogwari village, Ayamelunu, in Anambra State.

Lassa fever: Resident Doctors Demands Improved Rapid Response

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on government to improve existing response mechanism to ensure rapid response in cases of disease outbreaks in the country.

Dr Muhammad Askira, President of the association, made the call at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja on the recent outbreak of Lassa fever.

Askira said the disease had so far claimed 43 lives in 10 states and the FCT Abuja.

He decried the emergency response arrangement set up by the government to tackle outbreak of any epidemic of this nature.

Askira said that such outbreaks do not require ad hoc arrangements or committees; rather, there should be an existing strategy to cushion.

Lagos State Experiences first case of Lassa fever in LUTH

There's report reaching us that the 1st case #LassaFever in Lagos has been confirmed in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital #LUTH today

It is reported that the case, which was diagnosed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, involves a 25-year-old student from the Ahmadu Bello University.

This was disseminated by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the teaching hospital; "The first confirmed case of Lassa fever now in the Accident & Emergency unit. Patient isolated, containment area being devised, ribavirin available. No need to panic. But limit movement to A&E if not necessary. Our trained staff on ground. More info soon."

The patient is said to have been admitted first at a private hospital in Ojokoro area of Lagos State.

According to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, the patient is responding to treatment.

Please #ProtectYourself

Press Briefing on the Outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria by the Honourable Minister of Health.

Press Briefing on the Outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria by the Honourable Minister of Health - Prof. Isaac F. Adewole

I wish to begin this press briefing by wishing the citizens of Nigeria a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and to allay their fears on the current epidemic outbreaks of a Haemorrhagic Fever now confirmed by our laboratories to be Lassa Fever Viral Disease.

The public is hereby assured that the government and its partners, and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end.

It is important that I notify the nation through you, that in the last 6 weeks Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever (LF) outbreak which has so far affected 10 states. The States affected include Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo States. 

The total number so far reported is 81 and 35 deaths, with a mortality rate of 43.2%. Our laboratories have confirmed 17 cases, indicative of a new roundtrip of Lassa fever outbreak.

The first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November, 2015. This was followed by cases reported by Kano State, and subsequently the other states mentioned above.

CAUSES AND TREATMENTS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER. . .

Scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most scientists agree that there is no single cause. Rather, many factors likely act together to produce the illness or increase risk.

These factors include:

GENETICS

Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Some research has suggested that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others.

Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of bipolar disorder.

BRAIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONING

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Mrs. Aisha Ganza, a lovely beautiful woman was being cheated on by her husband, Bashir Ganza (Mr.), right from the very first eve of their wedding.

Ten years down their matrimony, Aisha had become someone else entirely - not her usual graceful self - left by the tortures endured from her husband's maltreatment - several girlfriends - "Alarm" calling atm, "Customer service" calling 8pm at the dining table.

Aisha, not able to withstand it anymore, kills Bashir, embalms his corpse, and keeps him on their bed in the bedroom. Later on she gets another young lovely married guy, takes him hostage in that same bedroom, threatening Bahir wasn't going to cheat on her a second. She obviously was seeing the new guy as deceased Bashir.

Shingles may lead to Stroke and Heart attack

Herpes zoster can cause shingles, a painful condition with serious complications

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is linked to increased rates of acute cardiovascular events such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, or heart attack, according to research published in PLOS Medicine.

Herpes zoster is a common virus, affecting a million Americans each year, with potentially serious consequences.

The virus causes both chicken pox and shingles. Following chickenpox, the virus remains inactive, or dormant, within the body.

If it becomes active again, which can be after many years, it can cause shingles, a painful, blistering skin rash that can be complicated by prolonged, severe, disabling pain - a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Shingles can appear at any age but particularly in people over 60, those who had chickenpox before the age of 1 year, or individuals with a weakened immune system.

Putin's unusual walk: KGB or Parkinson's?

Is Putin's odd gait due to disease or military training?

Each Christmas, The BMJ release a series of papers showcasing research of a more left-field bent than their normal fare. Today, we take a look at one of these intriguing and original studies.

Despite the Christmas topics being slightly unusual, the research is still peer-reviewed and based on detailed work.

Science owes a huge debt to serendipity; the discovery of penicillin springs to mind, as does Viagra, which was initially designed to treat angina.

Important scientific discoveries can appear from the most unlikely of corners. Because of this, all rigorous research has a certain inbuilt validity.

The paper covered below is entitled '"Gunslinger's gait': a new cause of unilaterally reduced arm swing". The work was carried out by Prof. Bas Bloem and his pan-European team of self-declared, unabashed movement disorder enthusiasts.

HIV/AIDS AND OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS

The reason people are advised to go for early check-up, and even after testing positive to HIV, are asked to begin treatments (antiretroviral therapy) as soon as possible is to shut the doors on "opportunistic infections".

Opportunistic infections in this context are like scavengers, who only prey on weakened or about-to-die preys.

Opportunistic infections are infections caused either by bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoan pathogens that take advantage of a host with a weakened immune system (caused by HIV infection) or an altered microbiota (such as a disrupted gut flora).

Antiretroviral therapy is all about managing HIV infection, and preventing the body from opportunistic infections, which in the end, leads to AIDS.

Most life-threatening opportunistic infections occur when the person’s CD4 count is very low (below 200 cells/mm).

HOW HIV/AIDS KILLS. . .

                                     

The HIV/AIDS is a very deadly disease, this is a known fact, but there remains something that's still unknown to quite a good number of people, and that is how HIV/AIDS kill.

Have you ever wondered how HIV/AIDS kill?

Okay, let me go over this again, with a little addition. . .

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. Infection with this virus results in progressive deterioration of the immune system, leading to "immune deficiency."

The immune system is considered deficient when it can no longer fulfill its role of fighting infection and disease.

To make you understand this better. . .

In our bodies, there are many harmful micro-organisms, germs, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. When our immune system is working well (not deficient), it helps to fight these germs. But when the immune system is weakened by HIV (or by some medications), these germs can get out of control and cause health problems.

STOP LYING TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!

Ahan! What h a p p e n!!! People can lie!

"Doctor, I quitted smoking a long time." [Yet he smells all over like tobacco itself].

"I took the medicines just as you directed doctor" [Even after missing last night's regimen].

"I am well now, I feel great" [Just to waive the next shot of injection].

When patients get sick, they expect their doctor to make them well. They demand the best care, the latest drugs and the most advanced treatments available. They seek nothing less than a total recovery. Sadly enough, it’s often the patients themselves who sabotage their own medical outcomes.

Let me hint you on an open secret. . .

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS

For nearly 30 years, HIV/AIDS have been shrouded in myths and misconceptions. In some cases, these mistaken ideas have prompted the very behaviors that cause more people to become HIV-positive.

Although unanswered questions about HIV remain, researchers have learned a great deal. Here are the top ten myths about HIV, along with the facts to dispute them.

Myth No. 1: You can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive.

This is NOT true. HIV is NOT spread through bodily contacts with infected people. You cannot catch HIV by:

·          Breathing the same air as someone who is HIV-positive

·          Touching a toilet seat or doorknob handle after an HIV-positive person

·          Drinking from a water fountain

CAN I GET HIV FROM USING OTHER KINDS OF DRUGS?

The answer to this is NO, and at the same time, YES.

NO, because no drug in itself can cause HIV/AIDS.

YES, but not directly.

As earlier stated, no drug in itself can cause HIV/AIDS, but some drugs indirectly predispose an individual to greater risks.

Let's take a look at some of these drugs. . .

There are many drugs that people use or abuse occasionally.

The most common one is alcohol (in beer, wine, or liquor).

Others include:

Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, Amphetamines, Ketamine and Ecstasy.

These drugs do not only increases someone's risk of getting HIV, they can also cause special problems/complications for people who are already HIV infected.

HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE HIV/AIDS?

Usually, the key pointers as to whether someone is down with a particular disease are its signs and symptoms. But in this case, you cannot rely on symptoms to tell whether you have HIV. 

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested.

At the same time, it is VERY important to know the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS so as to be health conscious and alert.

HIV/AIDS; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of HIV vary, depending on the individual and what stage of the disease the individual is in. There are THREE stages, and they are:

●     The early stage (a.k.a acute infection or seroconversion)

●     The Clinical Latency stage

●     The late stage (progression to AIDS)