Finding a natural remedy for your stretch marks

 Stretch marks are often noticed  due to over stretching of the tissue of the body as in fat people, pregnant mothers etc.

 Stretch marks are lines developed on the layer of the skin. Anyone can develop stretch marks  although  some studies suggested that it affects women more than men. Some stretch marks are natural and are not associated to any health problem. However some people found it uncomfortable and irritating. The parts of the body that are affected by stretch marks includes, the breast, thigh, stomach. Buttocks. Dr Macrene Alexaides-Armenakas a dermatologist, noted that stretch marks are often associated with the rapid growth spurts (muscle or weight related) and high hormonal levels that occur during pregnancy (about 90% of women will get them sometime after their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy), puberty and bodybuilding. According to medicalnewstoday, they form in the demis or the middle layer of the skin when the connective tissues are stretched beyond the limits  of its elasticity. A study published in ncbi  also pointed out that stretch marks (striae)are indented streaks that often affect the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, back, breast, axillae and groin. The study further stressed that stretch marks  are classified according to the appearance or epidemiology, thus they are classified as 

Striae atrophilians (thinned skin)

Striae gravidarum (following pregnancy)

Striae rubrae(red)

Striae albae (white)

Striae nigra (black)

Striae caerulea (dark blue)

Striae are form of demal scarring associated with stretching of dermis. 

Causes of stretch marks

Genetic factors : Some studies have associated stretch marks with genetic factors

Medical condition  such as Marfan syndrome

Pregnancy Studies have shown that pregnancy stretch marks are common in younger women than older women.  Steretch marks occur during pregnancy as a result of stretched skin and a surge in hormones that weakens the skin fibre.  A study also reported that striae (stretch marks) are more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers.

 According to research, there is no parmanent cure for stretch marks but some home remedies can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and could help them fade more quickly. 

Remedy for stretch marks

Creams such that containes retinioc acid  a compound related to vitamin A may help to fade away the stretch marks by increasing collagen production. An article in Jama dermatology noted that application of tretinoin (Retinoic acid)i the clinical appearance of early, active stretch marks. The processes that are responsible for the clinical improvement remain unknown.

Sugar is used as a natural exfoliant for skin. Exfoliating the skin encourages the growth of new skin cells, which may help reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. Mixture of sugar and almond oil or virgin coconut oil can help remove the stretch marks. 

Bitter almond oil  One study shows that women who massage into the skin on their bellies during pregnancy had fewer stretch marks than those who just ust oil without massage.

Aloe vera gel can be used to effectively treat all kinds of skin conditions. A research published in pubmed showed that that Aloe vera and sweet almond oil creams are more effective in decreasing itching and erythema and preventing the spread of striae on the surface of abdomen. Stretch marks can also be treated medically using laser therapy, microdermabrasion, microneedling and other form of medical treatment that may help to reduce the severity of the mark.

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Sources: www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/stretch marks

                 www.webmd.com/what are stretch 

                 marks

                 www.healthline.com/how to get rid of                   your stretch marks 

 

What purpose does public hair serve??!

Having ones public hair is a   personal   choice through sometimes it may be influence by some factor such as what your sexual partner wants.

 Some have their views that not shaving the private hair will make the  area  not  attractive  but  according  to  study  , shaving the public may expose the person to some risk from rashes, infections ,injuries  etc. . Public hair is one of the signs that show that one is mamature.

Andrew  Thompson an author, also stressed on that when he wrote that public  hair is the only way out of  ours fore- fathers announce to  mate that they are well matured sexually.

 Women shave their public hair because they believe their genitals look attractive after shaving and look more appealing to sexual partner. Researchers noted that public hair serves some benefits which is mostly regarded by Osterberg  EC and co in their study  as a  modification to sexual transmitted infection, and also lessens friction during sex. 

Experts at Avat gynecology pointed out that public hair serves as a barricade to the virginal blocking some bacteria and Infectious from entering the virginal. It also helps to regulate the temperature around the public area.

Public hair is hair that grows around the genital. According   to sherry  ross  MP, an Ob-gyntnat providence  saint  John’s  health center, public hair can act as a gatekeeper for  prevention dirt from entering the virginal. She also noted that it can also protect against friction from sex. Healthline also agrees that public hair serves a similar function to eyelashes or nose hair. That is, it traps dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms. Public hair can limit the amount of sweat around the public area which can be a medium for some bacterial such as streptococcus. 

Some clinician  associate freshly shaved public area and genitals to  vulnerability  to herp infection due to the microscopic wounds  begin exposed to public hair removal  naturally irritates and inflames the hair follicles left behind leaving microscopic open wounds.

In one 2017 study, people who reported grooming their pubic hair were more likely to also report having had an STI at some potheir lifetime, compared to non-groomers. Dr Gunter, gynaecologist and the author of The Vagina Bible, waxing or shaving  the public hair may do more harm than good.Marc Gloshofr , a dermatology   and the American  Academy of Dermatology  stressed that public hair prevents frictions during intenon-groomers.

Public hair may also keep the genitals warm, which is an important factor in sexual arousal. However it is good to always keep it low. 

Leave your comment below.

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Sources:  The guardian.com/public hair

Www.menshealth.com

www bmc womenshealth

                    Healthline/purpose of public hair

                   Vanguard news/warning:do not remove your public hair

How can the rising incidence of meth be cut down??

 Methamphetamine (mkpuru mmiri) as it is called on the street is  the trending hard drug especially among the youths in some parts of Nigeria that is causing havoc, rendering the users useless and causing premature death.

Methamphetamine is a powerful addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.It is beleved  that the ability of this hard drug to release dopamine (pleasure) hormone is the reason  it’s high intake among the youth.

 A department of NDLEA once causioned about the devastating effect of the hard called mkpuru mmiri or crytal chunk as the street name. An article in dailyPost dated November 18, 2021, stated that according to the River state command of the  National  Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), methamphetamine known as “ice” or “mkpuru mmiri” in the local parlance is spreading fast in the state.  The NDLEA spokesman , Emmanuel  Ogbu Mgbade,  stressed  that the hard drug was being imported from the neighboring states such as Abia and Imo where the clandestine laboratories for the production of  methamphetamine have being discovered.

 In another news, dated 18th, Oct, 2019, DailyTrust recorded that the Anambra state command of NDLEA busted a methamphetamine manufacturing laboratory where methamphetamine was being produced. According to the state’s spokesman, the drug is capable of rendering people around the environment useless with serious health issues. Despite the effort to curb the raising use of this hard among the youths, the intake of these hard drug is still on the increase. 

Many workshops and seminars have been organized to sensitize the youth on the dangers of this trending hard drug.

Prof. Theresa Obiekezie, Anambra state commissioner  for youth Empowerment and Creative Economy in a workshop organized for the youths, pointed out that the rise in the abuse of the methamphetamine (mkpuru mmiri) has led  to death among the youths, resulted in the vandalism of public properties and has sparked various degrees  of violence among the youth. . Some punishments have being giving to the handiers as we have seen but still was not able to stop the growing incidence of this drug.

 The question is why is the use of methamphetamine  among the youths on the increase despite the dangerous effect of this hard drug? The Chief executive of a Lagos pharmaceutical company has the answer when responded to enactafrica according to him, the growing incidence of methamphetamine is mainly due to the depressed economic reality faced by the youths in Nigeria.

What shall be done to cut down the rising incidence of this hard drug because it has done more harm to the youths with nothing good to show.

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Sources: operanews/avoid mkpuru mmiri-Anambra commissioner issues a warning to the youth.

Http://dailypost.ng/use of methamphetamine spreading fast in River State.

THE EMERGENCE OF Crystal meth (MKPURUMMIRI)

 Methampethamime (mkpurummiri ) has become rampant especially among the youths in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria. This hard drug is not only limited to the youths of the South-Eastern part of Nigeria but others in different parts of the country.

  According to Enactafrica, United Nation Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) in 2018 estimated 89000 Nigerians to be taking methamphetamine.

It is now the trending story of the youths  and it is mostly known as mkpuru mmiri on the street but also has other street names such as “ice” . “Crystal meth” amongst others. 

 Mkpurummiri is a very addictive substance which has sent many youths to early grave while rendering others useless due to mental illness. Methamphetamine is a psycho-stimulant drug taken by the youth due to its euphoric effects on the body.

 It is taken for the pleasurable effects on the body of the user not regarding the fact that the drug kills an individual slowly. It affects the brain and triggers the release of dopamine (pleasure hormone). 

According to National Institute of Health, Methamphetamineine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system . 

A medical source pointed out that meth(mkpurummiri) ) is dangerous not only because it is composed of toxic substance but it severely dehydrate the body.

In 2019 NDLEA raised an alarm following the discovery of a laboratory in Anambra state where this hard drug(methamphetamine) was produced and sold.

 NDLEA Special Enforcement team commander Sunday Ziranyay reportedly said that Meth was a serious threat and that Nigeria risked turning into a narco-state.

 Despite the health implication/risks associated with this hard drug, its daily consumption is on the increase especially among the youths in the eastern part of the country. 

Also NDLEA commander in Imo state Mr. Nse Inam while recalling the achievement of the organization, lamented  increasing abuse of methamphetamine popularly known as mkpuru mmiri in Imo state by more than 10 percent.  

The Chief executive of a Lagos pharmaceutical company while responding to enactafrica, pointed out that the growing incidence of methamphetamine is mainly due to the depressed economic reality faced by the youths in Nigeria.

According to an article in  Aelicious, the introduction of mpuru mmiri has done more harm to our youths with nothing good to show. It also pointed out the high rate of kidnapping cultism armed robbery money rituals raping madness and other ugly stories since the existence of mpuru mmiri. 

9jainform shared the same view when it estimated the number of madness in the streets will be tripled in the next three years if nothing is done to curb the growing rate of consumption of mkpuru mmiri among the youths.

Commissioner of youth empowerment and creative economy, Prof. Theresa Obiekezie, at a workshop organized for the youth stressed on the increasing incidence of methamphetamine abuse and pointed out that it has destroyed many youths, led to vandalization of public properties, ignited various degrees of violence among the youth.

 Mkpurummiri  can be taken in various form, it can eaten or snorted up the nose and still, it can be mixed with a liquid and injected into the body with a needle. Crystal meth can also be smoked in a small glass pipe. 

Because mkpuru mmiri is a stimulant, it deprives the users of quality sleep needed for healthy living. Longer use of the drug can lead to fatality or death of an individual

Follow us on chipelez.blogspot.com for more health tips and related information

Sources:Akeliciou.net/mkpurummiri

Nimedhealth.com.ng/mkpurmmiri/all you need to know including the side effect

Madniaja.com/mkpuru mmiri

Opera news/mkpuru mmiri

        EnactAfrica.net

WATER THERAPY:BEST MEDICINE FOR YOU..

Generally, water is needed for survival. Water is very essential like other nutrients in our body it is used by the body cells to help regulate the body temperature and maintain other body functions. Drinking water is of course generally good for our health.

Water is a great source of life and it is a necessary element for every cell and function in our body. There is no life without water. There have been scientific studies on the effects of drinking water for years.

It is often advised that one must drink at least eight to ten glasses of water every day to flush out all the toxins and to help it to function properly.
Japanese traditional medicine recommends drinking water right after waking up early morning.

Mayo Clinic reports that a recent study found the need of water consumption for men and women to be different. Water therapy is a hydrotherapy technique that provides several health benefits.

 This technique involves the consumption of up to one-and-a-half liter of water upon waking up, on an empty stomach.

Water therapy is popular in several Asian branches of medicine – from ayurveda to traditional Japanese medicine. . For decades the Japanese have been drinking water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

According to Japanese water therapy practitioners, following the morning water regimen can ward off problems as diverse as acne and obesity.

 As soon as you wake up, before you even brush your teeth, drink water. 

The Japanese version of the water therapy suggests drinking 4 glasses (of 160 ml each) of warm or room temperature water, while some practitioners of ayurveda recommend as much as 1.2 liters.

STEPS TO FOLLOW IN CARRYING OUT THIS THERAPY.

 As soon as you wake up in the morning, drink four to six glasses of water, each of 160-200 milliliters (at room temperature), on an empty stomach.

 After brushing your teeth, avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 45 minutes, after which you can continue with your daily routine.


 After every meal, do not eat or drink anything for at least two hours.

 Elderly people, those who are suffering from any serious health condition or even those who have just started out should begin the therapy with one glass of water every day and gradually increase the number of glasses.

The Japanese water theory claims to cure diseases and give you a fit and healthy life. The therapy recommends that you make the above tips a part of your daily routine.

 

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Sources: https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/this-japanese-water-therapy-is-the-key-to-losing-weight-and-staying-healthy
http://thegreencreator.com/japanese-water-therapy/
https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/general-health/health-benefits-of-morning-water-therapy.
https://everydayhealth/functions of water

How do you deal with lonleliness

Loneliness is a universal human emotion that is both complex and unique to each individual. Loneliness, according to experts is not necessarily about being alone, rather it is feeling alone and isolated.

While some definitions of loneliness describes it as a state of solitude on being along, other have it as actually a state of mind.
Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone and unwanted.

According to Dr. Rebecca Band, people can feel lonely for different reasons – even if they are surrounded by lots of people. Loneliness refers to dissatisfaction with one’s personal relationships.

A write up in Medical News Today stated that loneliness is a universal human experience that can affect us as badly as any physical ailment.
Also, according to Fanny Howe, an American writer, loneliness is an uninvited and uncreated companion that “slips in beside you” without notice.

Loneliness is the absence of imperative social relations and lack of affection in current social relationship.
Studies indicate that roughly 205 of the general population suffer from chronic loneliness at any given time.

In an interview with Tim Adams, John Cacioppo noted that loneliness is contagious, heritable, affects one in four people and increases the chances of early death by 20%

CAUSE OF LONELINESS

According to research by Dr . John Cacioppo and his team, loneliness is strongly connected to genetics. Other contributing factors include situational variables, such as physical isolation, moving to new location, and divorce.

The death of someone significant in a person’s life can also lead to feeling of loneliness.
According to Guy Winch, loneliness is determined by quality of our relationship and not their objective quantity, and not just by whether we happen to be living with a spouse.

Human beings are social species which require safe and social surrounding to survive and impairment of these social relations can lead to loneliness, according to a study in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research.

Loneliness can occur when people grieve the loss of someone closely attached to them. Various studies report that 865 of widows experience loneliness, however it decreases with increasing number of children and support system.

Children who are abused tend to have feeling of loneliness, according to a study conducted by Dhal et al, two third of the children are reported high level of loneliness and one third reported lower level of loneliness.

Weiss et al, reported that emotional loneliness is defined by the absence of an attachment figure while social isolation is characterized by absence of social network.
The reasons for feeling of loneliness is change in your life that make s you feel different about your relationship.

WHAT CAN LONELINESS LEAD TO -

Many studies have pointed out that loneliness can lead to various psychiatric disorders and various physical disorders.
Numerous study have linked excessive feeling of loneliness to health issues such as difficult breathing, feeling of isolation, brain fog, stress, and obsessive behaviors.

HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH LONELINESS -

   John Cacioppo, director of the University of Chicago’s center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience, changing your mindset – a psychological strategy called “social cognitive retraining” – can be employed to combact loneliness or even to head it off before it becomes a problem. Researchers found loneliness can be passed from parents to child.

According to a researcher and assistant Professor at Harvard Business School, Ashley Whillan, sharing stories with people around about the change to being somewhere new might help normalize the feeling of making life changes hard, thereby promoting wellbeing.

According to Cacioppo, employing different relaxation techniques while alone can help you deal with and overcome the feeling. He also highlighted four steps that should be followed in dealing with loneliness which are Exend yourself, Action plan, Selection, Expect the best.For further reading on the steps in dealing with loneliness:Human nature and Need for Social connection by John Cacioppo.

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Sources: Psychologytoday.com/squeaky - wheel
Verywellmind.com/loneliness
Lifehack.org/10 things when you feel lonely
Businessinsider.con/how to deal with loneliness

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Breastfeeding your baby is a personal decision which is very important for the growing child. The breast secretes colostrums for the first few days, which is high in protein and is believed to give the baby temporary immunity to infectious diseases.

Colostrums helps the newborn’s digestive tract develop.

According to WHO (World Health Organisation) Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both the mother and the child as it contains all the nutrients the infant needs in the first six months of life.

American Academic of Pediatrics strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Continued breastfeeding is recommended for at for another one year. Experts have it that breastfeed exclusively(6 months, without fomular) helps the child to fight diseases like diarrhea, ear infection, respiratory infections e t c. Studies have linked exclusive breastfeeding with higher IQ.


WHAT ARE THE OTHER BENEFITS OF BREAST MILK

Breast milk contains antibodies that help your body fight off virus and bacteria. Breast feeding lowers your baby’s risk of have asthma and allergies, according to WedMD.

Scientists think that immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) helps in preventing allergies reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to a baby’s intestinal tract.

It is very cheap, it is readily available, it is the normal body temperature, it help the uterus/womb to go back to it’s normal position after birth and is easily digested than infant fomular

There is no risk of contamination.

Breastfeeding promotes an emotional connection between the mother and child.
Researchers have documented a link between lack of breastfeeding and a later development of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative Colitis. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off virus and bacteria

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeed as a way to help reduce your child’s risk of becoming overweight or Obese. According to the research also, breastfeeding plays on role in preventing SIDS (Sudden infant death death syndrme)

Another study by the National institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that the children who are breast have 20% lower risk of dying between the ages of 28 and 1 year than children who were’nt breastfed

Various researchers have found a connection between breastfeeding and cognitive development.

WHO Recommends that the infant should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life inn order to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk and with no other liquids or solids given with the exception of rehydration solution, or drop/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines. Thereafter, inclusion of complementary foods.

Sources: Who.int
Babycenter.com
WedMD.com

Science shows 5 skills that determine success

How wealthy your background may determine how successful you will be in life, science have found out some of the skills to will determine the success of a person. According to new research published in PNAS, the official journal of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, researchers from the University College London followed 8,119 men and women to determine which life skills most directly contributed to their health and success. However they found that wealth, and happy upbringing did not necessarily determine how healthy and successful they were in life, but instead they identified some personality traits. According to the research, Emotional Stability is one of the skills one has to possess. To be successful in life, start with your own mental health, the researchers pointed out. "Our ability to stay 'in check' with our emotions is one of the most powerful life skills we have," explains Joshua Klapow, PhD, a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. According to him, Emotional stability is like a regulator on our life skill set. " It allows us to experience life but to come back to a middle ground." Researchers at the Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus found that those who were more in control of their emotions could handle typical work stressors better, leading to further opportunities and success at work and less stress overall. 2 Determination According to a research conducted by the U.K.'s University of Kent on the top skills employers look for when searching for new employees. Determination was among the top 10. Individuals with determination often gets to their required destination no matter the obstacles. Determination also boosts health. According to Dr. Klapow, "Determination is critical for health and well-being as the majority of our health and well-being goals require daily prolonged effort. 3 Self - Control According to a study, those who continued to exhibit the highest amount of self-control through their lives were less likely to develop health problems, have a substance addiction, have low income, or commit a crime. "As we learn to look at the world as a series of events and situations that we can exert control over, we feel mastery and predictability. That allows us to remain calm, to be determined, and to take action," says Dr. Klapow. According to him, it is not a matter of having false beliefs that we can control everything in our lives, but rather looking at situations and challenges and believing that our own actions can have an impact. 4 Optimism The University College London study, led by psychology professor Andrew Steptoe and his colleague Jane Wardle, showed that optimism, when combined with at least some of the other life skills, had profound impacts on our ability to take better care of our health and find success later in life. A study in Clinical Psychology Review researched the impact of optimism alone on health and success and revealed that optimistic people are more resilient to life's stressors, allowing them to move past negative aspects of their jobs and everyday lives more easily. 5 Conscientiousness This implies a desire to do a task well. Conscientious people are efficient and organized. A study in Frontiers of Psychology found that high conscientiousness more consistently determined one's life satisfaction, income, and success than the other life skills examined, including emotional stability and cognitive ability. Conscientiousness is a reliable predictor of academic grades, job performance, marital stability, and physical health. University of Illinois psychologist Brent Roberts told businessinsider.com According to Harvard Medical School, you can heighten your conscientiousness by hanging around conscientious people who can encourage positive behaviors. Further Reading: http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/ife-skills-for-health-wealth-and-success/

Mercury poisoning: What are the possibly effect??

Mercury is a toxic metal which is widely dispersed in nature. Human activities like coal burning and gold mining are currently the main sources mercury being released to the environment.

In the Journal of Natural Medicine Dr. Nan Fuchs states, “Mercury is considered one of the most toxic substances on earth. Mercury poisoning is as a result of exposure to the toxic metal.Mercury poisoning can equally occur as a result of being exposed to water - soluble forms of mercury (like methylmercury), inhaling mercury vapour, or by ingesting any form of mercury. According to Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people in the US get exposure to mercury is by consuming fishes containing this health hazardous heavy metal. According to the World Health organization, dental fillings are a larger source of mercury exposure to humans than all other sources combined. Mercury research indicates that mercury spreads through the body within 2 weeks according to the International Academy of Oral Medicine. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. The scientists, based at the Harvard T.H.

Chan School of Public Health, suspect that prenatal exposure to methylmercury, known to have toxic effects on the developing brain and nervous system, may limit the ability of nervous system tissues to grow and develop. Numerous studies show that high exposure to mercury changes and poisons the nervous system, which can result from irritability, fatigue, behavioral changes, tremors, headache, hearing and cognitive loss, hallucination, and even death. "Mercury exposure can also negatively affect the cardio - vascular system, causing high blood pressure in humans and animals." Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary stressed that dental mercury damages brain neurons. Cognitive function improves with aerobic exercise, but not for people exposed to high levels of mercury before birth, according to research funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health. “…mercury can adversely affect the immune, urinary, cardiac, respiratory and digestive systems, " the International Academy of Oral Medicine pointed out. Sources: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Hindawi Science daily

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Sources:

 www.healthline.com/understanding Mercury poisoning.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/Mercury: symptoms and early signs 

Saliva test could predict how long a person lives

According to scientists. a saliva test could predict how long we have got left to live. Researchers found that levels of a particular antibody falls the nearer a person gets to death. Antibodies are large Y-shaped proteins used by the body to identify and fight infection. They are secreted by white blood cells. After a research which took them over 19 years, they found that the levels of secretory immunoglobin A (IgA) fell the nearer the person got to death. The researchers claimed that the chemical appears to be a marker of mortality risk, and is much less invasive than blood sampling. The research was published in the journal PLOS One. Dr Anna Phillips, from the University of Birmingham, said: ‘There are a number of factors that can affect how well we produce antibodies and maintain their levels. ‘There are some that we have no control over, such as age, heritability or illness, but our general state of health can also affect their levels; stress, diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking can all influence those levels.’ ‘Quite how saliva samples could be used in check-ups remains to be seen, as we need to better understand what secretion rate would be considered cause for concern - what we call the protective level. 'We could certainly say that, if found to be extremely low, it would be a useful early indicator of risk.’ Other methods of predicting how long a person has to live have been developed based on questionaires. An online test called the UK Longevity Explorer has been developed which can determine whether someone will live for the next five years. The test could be used as way of looking at overall health by professionals as part of a general check-up. The test was developed by Swedish scientists. Source: Mailonline

Today's healthy tips for looking younger

Most people are scared of getting old but old age is inevitable. However, your activities determine how young or how old you look.

All you need to do is examine your everyday habits, not only do these habits determine how you look but also how healthy you are.

Our tips may help you to avoid while engaging in some activities for a desired result.

 1 Stop Smoking

Why smoking? Smoking can change your appearance by altering your teeth, hair, and skin. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health showed that smokers who quit at 35 approximately add eight years to their life, compared with people who continue to smoke. Smoking affects the blood vessels, which deliver oxygen and nutrients to the entire body. When the skin is deprived of these essential nutrients, changes begin to develop, even at an early age. Studies suggest that smokers are more susceptible to the development of age spots.

 2 Regular Exercise

Many studies had shown that engaging in regular exercise helps to prevent age - related diseases and prolong life span. A new study from McMaster University in Canada found that exercise may reverse skin aging. According to Dr. Fusco, exercise improves healthy circulation, which allows skin to look its best.

3 Taking a balance diet

A diet brimming with veggies perks up your complexion, shows a study in PLOS One. When you want hair that looks healthy, you’ve got to start at the basics, and that means eating an adequate amount of protein to maintain normal hair production, says Kevin Pinski, MD, a dermatologist at Pinski Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Chicago.

 

4   Good body weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for health. In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure, it can also lower the risk of many different cancers. Through exercise, you can maintain you body weight.

 5 Avoid those things that stains your teeth

White teeth are seen as a sign of good health and youthfulness, says Emanuel Layliev, a dentist at the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.

Astudy conducted by tooth care company Oral B, found that a whiter, brighter smile can make you look at least five years younger. Avoid tooth discoloration. 

 6 Get adequate sleep 

during deep sleep, the body produces greater quantities of estrogen and progesterone," says Dr. Pinski. These boost your skin’s natural repair mechanisms, so you look more radiant when you wake up. "The hormones also help prevent acne," he says. 

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Sources: health.com/tips for healthy look

 Onhealth.com/healthy tips

  Harvad school of public health.

WHO: Nigeria recieves 500,000 Doses of Meningitis C Vaccine

According to WHO, Nigeria has received 500,000 doses of meningitis C containing vaccine to combat the epidemic in the country. According to the report, the doses were sent by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, an organisation that coordinates the provision of vaccine during outbreak emergencies. This was revealed by Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, the WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday. He said the vaccines, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have been administered in Zamfara and Katsina States where the disease was most endemic. Alemu noted that an additional 820,000 doses of the meningitis C conjugate vaccine donated by the UK government to WHO was currently being sent to Nigeria, adding that in the last week, the ICG also sent 341,000 doses of the Meningitis C-containing vaccine to Niger Republic. According to him, this was because over 1,300 suspected cases of the disease had been found in the region particularly in districts that border with Nigeria and in the Niamey region of the country. He stated that a vaccination campaign was underway in Nigeria to contain an outbreak of Meningitis C, a strain of meningitis that first emerged in the country in 2013 and was initially limited to a few areas in Kebbi and Sokoto states, while recalling that in 2013, the outbreak was initially limited to a few areas in Kebbi and Sokoto States. However, he pointed out that in 2015, more than 2,500 cases of the disease have been reported across 3 states in the country. He noted that the WHO's Country Office in Nigeria, including a number of field offices, have been supporting the government since the meningitis outbreak began adding that Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with support from WHO, the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC), UNICEF and other partners were leading the response to the on-going outbreak. He said apart from the use of vaccinations to prevent the transmission of meningitis, 20,000 vials of antibiotics have been sent by the ICG to treat those with the disease in Nigeria, stating that most vaccines currently being used for Meningitis C outbreaks in Africa were polysaccharide vaccines, which were in short supply, as they were being phased out in other parts of the world. Read more: The Guardian

Nigeria: WHO commends speedy handling of Meningitis Outbreak

According to a report, the World Health Organization has commended Nigeria for it's rapid response in tackling the meningitis epidemic in some parts of the country. Alemu Wondi, the Country Representative of the organisation in Nigeria, made the commendation during his courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar III. "We are here to see how to contribute to shorten the period of the outbreak in the state and other parts of Nigeria. "Nigeria has also made crucial efforts to eradicate polio, although the country is yet to be certified polio free. "Routine immunisation is the backbone of disease control and more should be done to ensure its utilisation," he said. Mr. Wondi promised to continue to support Nigeria to improve its health indices. Mr. Abubakar, while responding to this, lauded WHO for its support to Nigeria, while also commending Mondi for being a proactive leader. The sultan in his statement, reinstated his commitment to ensuring efficient delivery of health services to Nigerians. According to him, Health is Wealth we will do everything humanly possible to boost health delivery in the country. "We will sustain our partnership with WHO and other development partners in this direction," he said. Earlier on, Mr. Wondi, visited the Commissioner for Health, Balarabe Kakale to tell him their mission which is to assess the situation, brainstorm and extend our support on the ways forward. "We must commend the state government for investing huge human and material resources to combat the menace, " he said Source: allAfrica

Meningitis: Death toll increases as Zamfara records high number of deaths and infected patients

Nigeria - The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Abdullahi Muhammad Shinkafi has revealed that about 346 death have occured and 3, 145 infected since the outbreak of meningitis in Zamfara State. This was disclosed during a phone-in programme organised by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Gusau. According to Shinkafi, who is also the chairman of state Committee on Monitoring, Prevention and Control, those infected with the fatal disease are receiving treatment in various centers. He also added that the government had already established two emergency operations centres in each local government with a view to helping their communities to kick out the epidemic. Source: blueprint.ng

Meningitis: Death Toll on the increase

Meningitis, since the recent out-break in Nigeria, has been tormenting people especially from the Northern part of the country. The death resulted from the invasion of the fatal disease is said to be on the increase and so far 438 death have been recorded, according to one of the officials. In the statement released by the center,John Oladejo, the incident manager of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, stated that 3,959 suspected cases have been reported as part of the current outbreak, of which 181 cases have been laboratory-confirmed. "A total of 438 deaths (11 per cent of all cases) have been reported from 106 LGAs in 19 states in the country and outbreak response and control activities are ongoing in the State to curtail the outbreak", he added. according to the report, Mass Immunisation has Commence in Zamfara and people have been turning out in large numbers for a mass vaccination exercise against the disease. NCDC has stated that the campaign, which targets 300,000 persons aged 2 - 29 years, started on Thursday in the eight most affected local government areas in Zamfara State, and will continue until Sunday. The statement also stated that the team of experts is tasked with planning, coordinating and implementing an effective vaccination campaign in collaboration with the recently commissioned Meningitis Emergency Operations Centre at NCDC. According to Nigerian Health Ministry, the same outbreak has been reported in neighboring countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Togo and Burkina Faso. Source: Premium Times

Lead Poisoning - who is at risk?

Lead is a toxicant that affect multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children, according to World Health Organization. Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found beneath the Earth crust. Human activities such as mining, burning fossil fuels, and manufacturing have caused it to become widespread, according to Mayo Clinic. Lead poisoning is a serious condition and can lead to death. It occurs when lead is build up in the body. Lead can be found in some paints, batteries, solder, pipes, pottery, canned foods, some toys and some cosmetics. Lead can also contaminates the soil and water. Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine has it that lead can damage almost every system in the human body and it can also cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Aaron Reuben, a graduate student in clinical psychology at Duke University pointed out that lead can be toxic to many parts of the body but in particular can accumulate in blood stream and pass through blood brain barrier reach the brain. Lead can develop many symptoms which may include abdominal cramp, irritability, high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, memory loss and anemia in adult. While in children, the symptoms may include behavioral problems, impaired brain function, growth delay and others. At high levels, lead can damage the kidneys both in children and adult, but very high levels can cause seizure, unconsciousness and death, according to Mayo Clinic. Even small amount of lead can cause serios health problem. WHO IS AT RISK Children are most vulnerable to lead poisoning because the are more likely to put objects containing lead and lead contaminated objects in their mouth, which can lead to mental and physical impairment. It is particularly harmful to the developing brain of the fetus and the young children. It also affect their nervous system as it is still developing. According to research, work exposure has been identified as the major cause of lead poisoning in adult. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines childhood lead poisoning as a whole - blood lead concentration equal to or greater than 10 micrograms/dc. Sources: healthline.com NPR pulic health Mayo Clinic

Governor Yari: Outbreak of Meningitis-dont quote me wrong>>

Nigeria - Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, has publicly denied associating the outbreak of the deadly Cerebral Spinal Meningitis, CSM, with God's punishment arising from fornication and other forms of disobedience to God. Rather, the governor said he actually frowned at the scarcity of vaccines to tackle the outbreak of the deadly disease in his state and called for urgent assistance from relevant government agencies. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, The Governor have asked Nigerians to move closer to God and plead for his mercy to avert further infectious diseases and other health crises in the state and Nigeria since God has answers to all challenges. "The governor noted that the situation was unfortunate because the state does not have enough vaccines yet for the Type C Meningitis. "The governor, thereafter, enjoined all Nigerians to embrace prayers, as God who is aware of the outbreak of the ailment surely has antidote for it. "The governor specially appealed to Nigerians to make deliberate effort to be closer to God by shunning sins of fornication and other forms of disobedience so as to receive his divine health and other blessings, as he is closer to those who obey him and distant themselves from sins." he said Source: Vanguard news

Wife others husband to rape 12 year old daughter to raise a child...

UK: According to police in threw United Kingdom, couples conspired to rape their daughter in an attempt to get her pregnant so that they could raise a child. According to the report, the 30-year-old parents of Warwickshire, have been sentenced to prison for raping their 12-year-old daughter until she became pregnant. The two pleaded guilty at the Warwick Crown Court, with the Father banging 18 years jail sentence after being convicted of 2 counts of rape while the mother was handed six years and three months jail sentence after being convicted of child cruelty. According to the criminal complaint, the mother was sterilized before she met her husband. When the two decided to have children, she was told by her doctor that her sterilization could be reversed, so they decided that the father would have sex with her 12-year-old daughter until she got pregnant so that they could raise the child as their own. As the child got pregnant, the mother forced her to tell her doctor that she had sex with a boy she met at school. Eventually, the girl confided and told a teacher that she was raped by her father, and the parents were arrested. Source: Worldwideweirdnews

Gov. Yari: Meningitis Punishment From God

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has described the current outbreak of meningitis in the Nigeria as a deserved punishment from God. According to him, God always has a way of punishing people for turning their back on him. According to the report, the governor pointed this out while addressing the news men breifly after meeting with President Muhammdu Buhari. Zamfara State was reported as the most affected State as 200 person's have so far being reported dead while several others are receiving treatment at various hospitals and clinics. According to Yari, what has being familiar is type A virus which has been tackled by the World Health Organizaton. “However, because people refused to stop their nefarious activities, God now decided to send Type C virus, which has no vaccination. “People have turned away from God and he has promised that ‘if you do anyhow, you see anyhow’ that is just the cause of this outbreak as far as I am concerned. “There is no way fornication will be so rampant and God will not send a disease that cannot be cured.” He dismissed the report that his government is slow to action and said he has arranged for an emergency meeting with the stakeholders to adopted a strategy in dealing with the outbreak. According to Yari, Zamfara got 20,000 doses from the Federal Ministry of Health, which will not be enough for his State. “Our Focus as a state now is to continue treating those who are infected with the disease, but as for vaccination, it has an international dimension. “We have information that Nigeria will get the highest percentage of the 5 million doses available now. Apart from WHO, other International bodies such as the Bill Gates foundation and UNICEF are also currently focusing on how to tackle the outbreak”. Yari asked the people to repent from their evil ways and embraced God so that the emergency of the disease would come to an end. Asked whether leaders also need repentance, Yari tried to defend the leaders by saying they are only doing their best to enlighten the masses and working hard for the good of all. Source: Vanguard Nigeria

Meningitis: Govt Requires $1.1 Billion for Vaccine

Federal Government had said that the sum of $1.1bn is required to purchase vaccine for immunisation of 22 million persons in five states ravaged by meningitis. This was disclosed by Emmanuel Odu, an official of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA). According to Odu, while briefing the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases said that the amount is required to vaccinate people against meningitis inthe affected states which include Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger and Kebbi states. So far, it has resulted in the death of 328 people. He also said that the said doses which are being sourced from an Indian firm, 500,000 doses of the vaccine has been brought and 823,000 are being expected. The National Coordinator of the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu pointed out that the outbreak which started in second week of December in Zamfara State has spread to 16 states. However, the committee has pledged full support according to Senate President, Bukola Sarak, who also showed his appreciation to FG, Ministry of Health, stakeholders and WHO on their efforts in the fight against this deadly disease called meningitis in Nigeria. He also pleaded for corporation by the parties involved to see that meningitis is eradicated in Nigeria. Source: Vanguard Nigeria .