What are the health benefits of drinking wine.....

Wine consumption at moderate level said to be beneficial to health. Moderation depends on many factors such as person's size, sex, body stature, and the person's general health statue. Medical news today has it that women absorb alcohol more rapidly than men because of their lower body water content and different level of stomach enzymes. Therefore moderate wine consumption will be lower in women than men. Wine especially the red variety has been associated with longer life span, protection against cancer, improved mental health and for heart health. A study published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry concluded that both white and red wines provide cardio-protective qualities. Resveratol and procyanidins are among the compounds in red win found to be good for the health, according to research. BENEFITS OF WINE>> 1 Anti-ageing properties Researchers from Havard Medical school reported that red wines has anti-aging properties. According to the research, Resveratol, a chemical compound present in red wine is responsible for this. Procyanidins, a compound also found in red wine, is good for the blood vessels and is possible one of the factors contributing towards long span of the people, according to researchers from Havard Research Institute, University of London. The researchers also found that the level of procynanidins are not the same in all wines. Wines from the Southeast (France and Sardinia), where it is still produced in the traditional way tends to have higher levels of the compound. In some cases, the levels of the compound are ten times as high as wines from else where. 2 Prevention of breast cancer Although regular consumption of most alcoholic drinks increase the risk of breast cancer,researchers from Cedar-Sinia Medical Center in Los Angeles found that consumption of red wine reduces the risk of breast cancer. The scientist explained that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes reduce estrogen levels while raising the testosterone in pre menopausal women which result in lower risk of developing breast cancer. The author emphasized that it it is not just the red wine that has beneficial compounds, but it's raw material(red grapes). 3 Reducing depression Drinking a glass of wine every day may be good for mental health, report The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. According to research publisblished in the Journal BMC Medicine, carried out by several universities in Spain, drinking wine may reduce the risk of depression. The researchers found that men and women who drank two to seven glasses of wine each week were less likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who abstained. However, further findings suggest that wine consumption exceeding seven glasses a week could increase the risk of depression. 4 Preventing colon cancer Scientist from the university of Leicester, UK reported at the 2nd International Scientific conference on Resveratol and Health that regular moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the rate of bowel tumora by approximately 50%. People who drink three or more glasses of red wine a week are less likely to get the abnormal colon growths that can lead to cancer, according to a new study. The study was done by Joseph Anderson, MD, and colleagues at New York's Stony Brook University. It was presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's annual scientific meeting in Las Vegas. they suggest that a compound found in grapes and red wine(the antioxidant resveratrol) may cut the odds of getting abnormal colon growths that can become cancerous. 5 Preventing dementia A team from Loyela university medical center found that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of developing dementia. Dementia is used to describe various symptoms of cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness. According to researchers in the Journal of Neuro- psychiatric diseases and treatment, moderate red wine drinkers had 23% lower risk of developing dementia compared to who really or never consumed the alcoholic beverage. Resveratol found in wineis a naturally occurring anti-oxidant that decreases the sickness of blood platelets and helps the blood vessels remain open and flexible. However, researchers advised that if you don't drink, you shouldn't start. Sources: Medical new today Webmd

Nigeria: Death Toll Rises,as Meningitis spreads to 16 States, 90 LGAs,

According to the Federal Government, not few than 328 persons had died from the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) that has affected 16 states and 90 Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to the statement, the affected states include Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. This inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The causative agent is bacteria or viruses, but could also be a result of injury, cancer, or certain drugs. Knowing the specific cause is however important because the treatment differs depending on the cause. The health ministry also pointed out that the current outbreak of the disease known as known Neisseria Meningitides type C started in Zamfara State on November 2016. According to the ministry spokesperson, “Nigeria is currently experiencing an outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) that has spread across the country and mostly affecting states in the upper parts of the country which fall within the African Meningitis Belt. Other Countries that are facing similar outbreaks at the moment include our West-African Neighbours like Niger, Chad, Cameroun, Togo, and Burkina Faso. The larger African Meningitis Belt consists of 26 Countries that stretch from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau in the west coast to eastern countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia However people are advised to remain calm as Meningitis is both preventable and curable, even though the number of people and locations affected may continue to increase, according to the ministry, the actual rate of increase had begun to decline in some states indicating that the end of the epidemic is in sight. Source:This day Nigeria

Fred Odemwingie Okhomina: There is a need to subject political office holders to psychiatric test.

Fred Odemwingie Okhomina is among the first generation of psychiatric doctors in Nigeria. Okhomina who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, while speaking to the news men in an interview on his academic achievement and what motivated him, corruption in Nigeria, stated that there is a need to subject political office holders to psychiatric test. According to him, it was his mentor, Dr Adeoye Lambo, that advised him to go into it. How do you feel being 80? I feel like a baby in the cradle. I have looked forward to be an old man in my life time but my only joy is that I attained this age with a lot of accomplishments. My life has touched so many people and I believe I am paying back human debt because I would not have been what I am without the grace of a few people. What were the major signs in Benin when you were born in the 30s? I will say I was too young to know what was happening. I was told that in 1937 when I was born, my late elder brother, Engineer Aiwerioba, was going to Government College Ibadan. I knew my parents came from a village not too far from Benin, I knew Benin wasn't as developed as it is now. But in 1944 when I started going to primary school and in 1950 when I went to St Peter's Anglican Primary School, we were told that pupils in schools were doing better than those in government schools which was the fact. That was when Edo College admitted 25 students every year and 14 came from St Peter's which means St Peters had good teachers. One of my very good classmates is Prof. Sunday Iyahen who remained my classmate for many years through secondary school and at the University of Ibadan where I did medicine and he did mathematics. What is the secret of your good health given the backdrop that many others of your age are in bad health? I didn't have it too rosy; I mean my father wasn't a rich man. He was a farmer and became a contractor later. It was not easy in my early life, so I did a lot of farming at a site where Edo Textile Mills is now located in Benin. There, I used to plant okro for my father and mother. While I was in primary school, I did a lot of menial jobs to pay school fees and we will get up very early in morning to go and fetch water; so throughout primary school, it was hectic and that is what gave me a bit of courage that the future will be great What gave you the inspiration to study medicine at the University of Ibadan ? I didn't know what medicine was in primary school but I knew people went to hospital. I had a hand injury in 1946 and I was taken to the General Hospital, now Central Hospital Benin, for treatment. I admired people who wore white overall and doctors were like small gods; even nurses, we called them doctors and they would approach you and you treat them with respect. When I went into secondary school in the 1950s, I had the opportunity to be nursed, mothered and cared for by Mrs Esther Ogbe who now runs an orphanage in Benin and she always said I was very caring. And she told me that was the only way I could get the benefit of God. So she encouraged me to do medicine while studing at the Government College, Ugheli in 1956. We were about 32 who wanted to do medicine but only two of us went through, myself and Dr Obiora of Eko Hospital, Lagos. What impact did your growing up had in your life? When you are growing up and people take you as a messenger and you think you are being maltreated, it made me a stronger person. It equipped me for the life to come. I have never grumbled for anything I was asked to do, no matter what it was. I molded the blocks for my house in 1958/64. So, doing what is right gives me joy. I thank my father who always told me that when you work hard, you will never starve and that the sky is you limit, and I have seen it that the sky is my limit. What motivated you to study psychiatry in the university? I had a mentor in the late Prof. Adeoye Lambo who was the Deputy Director General of the World Health Organisation. He encouraged me to do psychiatry and this was aided by the fact that I got a scholarship. By the time I did psychiatry, it was only me in my class. What is the state of research on psychiatry today in the country? We haven't really done much in the field of psychiatry because there is this need for people to grab money. The study of psychiatry depends on human touch and this is even with the revolving-door syndrome. A patient is brought in today and you treat him and he gets better, he fails to take his drugs; in two or three months, he is back in hospital; we call it revolving-door syndrome. It discourages a doctor and it is really made worse if there is a family history of mental illness. It is an open task especially when you realize that about 25 percent of psychiatry cases are family lineage. Do you regret studying this branch of medicine? Yes. You have to do a lot of research. First, you take the pain to go into family history, study the genes and, if you think there is no family history in the management of a psychiatric patient, you are joking. When I took over Uselu Psychiatric Hospital in 1972 as the Medical Director, I discovered that the hospital was standing on its own. So what I did, with the help of the late Senator Olu Akpata, was to open different departments in the hospital so that the mentally ill patient could meet with those who had physical illness and it worked. Except you were told you were there for a particular sickness, you wouldn't know why you were there; you could be treated for malaria, typhoid or pneumonia. Are you in support of Nigerian political office holders undergoing psychiatric test? I buy the idea. I can't see why somebody should steal 1.3 billion government USDollars, that is a sign of madness. And many European leaders have said that there is something basically wrong with the black man. Why will somebody steal the money meant for road construction, school, for building hospitals and pocket it? Money they will not even finish in five generations! So I buy the idea. This idea came up when Hitler came to power in 1937 and he wanted to make sure that people who were going to rule were not greedy. The act of stealing money is greed and it is a form of mental illness. If these people were stealing the money to educate the children of poor citizens, we wouldn't mind; even then it is still stealing. Chieftaincy title I was palace doctor to Oba Akenzua and he gave me several parcels of land which have been encroached upon. He wanted to make me a chief but I refused because I don't really like chieftaincy title. At 80, what are your happiest and saddest moments in life? I am always happy when I receive tributes from those whose school fees I have paid. When I read one of those tributes last night I was surprised. Without people being nice to me I wouldn't have been what I am; so, if I am nice to you I am paying back human debt. My regret, however, is that sometimes you want more from those you have invested so much in and they turn around to show ingratitude. During this birthday period that people were coming to show gratitude, I discovered that those that I invested more on were not forthcoming to say 'thank you'. Source: VanguardNigeria.

WHO: Ethics guidance to protect rights of TB patients

World health governing body, WHO has recently lunched New tuberculosis (TB) ethics guidance aimed at helping to ensure that countries implementing the End TB Strategy adhere to sound ethical standards to protect the rights of all those affected. According to the body, TB is among the world’s top infectious disease killer, claims 5 000 lives each day. The heaviest burden is carried by communities which already face socio-economic challenges: migrants, refugees, prisoners, ethnic minorities, miners and others working and living in risk-prone settings, and marginalized women, children and older people. Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General pointed out that TB strikes some of the world’s poorest people hardest and stated that WHO is determined to overcome the stigma, discrimination, and other barriers that prevent so many of these people from obtaining the services they so badly need. Poverty, malnutrition, poor housing and sanitation, compounded by other risk factors such as HIV, tobacco, alcohol use and diabetes, can put people at heightened risk of TB and make it harder for them to access care. The Organization noted that More than a third (4.3 million) of people with TB go undiagnosed or unreported, some receive no care at all and others access care of questionable quality. 1 The new guidance addresses issues such as, the isolation of contagious patients, the rights of TB patients in prison, discriminatory policies against migrants affected by TB, among others. It emphasizes five key ethical obligations for governments, health workers, care providers, nongovernmental organizations, researchers and other stakeholders to: 2 provide patients with the social support they need to fulfill their responsibilities refrain from isolating TB patients before exhausting all options to enable treatment adherence and only under very specific conditions 3 enable “key populations” to access same standard of care offered to other citizens 4 ensure all health workers operate in a safe environment 5 rapidly share evidence from research to inform national and global TB policy updates. Source: World Health Organization.

Unicef: 2 million people face hunger in Borne Nigeria

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), An estimated quarter of a million children in Borno state, North-East Nigeria, are faced with shortage of food and are risk with death. This is believed to be caused by humanitarian crisis caused by the Boko Haram emergency. This is disclosed by Walton Beckley, a nutrition specialist with the world body, at the commencement of a training for health workers in the three states of the Northeast on nutrition management aimed at saving 450,000 malnourished children in the IDP camps from dying of malnutrition in 2017. According to Beckley, the exercise was aimed at curbing the rate of malnutrition posed by the Boko Haram crisis in the Northeast. It is likely that one out of five children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Borno will die if they are not reached with treatment. The UN children’s agency urges all partners to join the humanitarian response and donors to urgently provide resources. "Some 134 children on average will die every day from causes linked to acute malnutrition if the response is not scaled up quickly," said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, who visited Borno state recently. "We need all partners and donors to step forward to prevent any more children from dying. No one can take on a crisis of this scale alone." Fontaine said "there are 2 million people we are still not able to reach in Borno state, which means that the true scope of this crisis has yet to be revealed to the world". The reported also indicated that UNICEF is working with partners to screen and treat children for malnutrition and improve access to water and sanitation. UNICEF’s humanitarian response also includes providing medical care, immunization, education and psychological support to the children affected by the violence. Sources: Unicef.org Dailytrust

Why does my hair turn grey at early age????

There are many reasons why a person starts to grow grey hair at early age. Hair goes grey when the color-producing cells stop producing pigment, says Jeffrey Benabio, MD, a dermatologist at kaiser permanente in San Diego. The color of the hair is maintained and controlled by the pigment called melanin. These pigments are produced by a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. When these cells producing the pigment are damaged, they stop producing and grey hair start growing. Although scientist argue that the age at which greying starts is actually determine by person's gene,many external factors are believed to influence the growth of grey hair such as stress, lifestyle, hormonal imbalance. Dr. Sadhana Deshmukh cites hormonal imbalance such as those related thyroid malfunction, insufficient diet, anemia, regular use of hair color products and styling equipment like the dryer as the common cause of early greying of hair. Also a vitamin B-12 deficiency or problem with your pituitary or thyriod gland can cause premature grey that can be reversible if the problem is corrected, according to Beenbio. He also pointed out that naturally occuring hydrogen perioxide can also build up in the hair , thereby bleaching the color. In 2009, scientists in Europe found another contributing factor. They found that hair follicles produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Dr Sooual Shah, a trichologist, says that mental stress can produce a lot of physical stress or tension on the scalp as well. Dr.Roopal Kundu at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine is of the opinion that stress is directly associated with hair fall than graying of the hair. In 2011, the 2012 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, Robert Lefkowitz, led a research group that discovered the mechanism that could explain why stress causes graying. Stress causes a release of numerous neurotransmitters involved in our fight or flight response. Long term production of these neurotransmitters, however, can cause DNA damage. This damage was shown by this group to promote aging, graying of hair, and other conditions. Other causes of hair greying may include habits like smoking, old age, and genetic factors Sources: Todayifoundout HealthSite WebMD

Activities that kill concentration>>>

Sometimes our ability to get focus and remain focus on the tasks can be affected by some factors. Lack of concentration can be viewed as a general problem not withstanding the age. Lack of concentration can be said to mean the inability to focus one's mind on something. Lack of concentration can cause many things such as relationships, it can affect your education, and almost everything else. Lack of concentration in many people can be caused by tiredness and emotional stress. Many times, you see people saying such thing like they cannot finish what they start doing, whenever they try to concentrate, they will see themselves thinking about another thing and things like that. Some factors have been said to cause lack of concentration such as -: Inadequate Sleep>>>>A body that does not get enough sleep continues to remain tired and getting concentration will be hard. One of the downsides o not getting enough sleep is that it impairs attention and short-term memory, according to Webmd. Poor sleepers experience more problems with daytime functioning than good sleepers, according to a research published in Journal of Psychosomatic Research in November 2000. Also another research suggests that sleep helps learning and memory in two distinct ways. First, a sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention optimally and therefore cannot learn efficiently. Second, sleep itself has a role in the consolidation of memory, which is essential for learning new information. Stress>>>High level of stress can affect one's ability to concentrate. Stress affects many memory functions and cognitive functioning of the brain. Employees suffering from high stress levels have lower engagement, are less productive and have higher absenteeism levels than those not working under excessive pressure, according to research from professional services firm Towers Watson. The effects of stress on memory include interference with a person's capacity to encode memory and the ability to retrieve information, according to Wikipedia. Cell phone>>>Florida State University researchers have found that mobile phone notification alone are enough to distract us from the task at hand, even if we try to ignore them. A new study also suggest that the heavy internet and mobile users are most likely to loss concentration and forget important information, even when they are not using the technology. In a latest research, it is revealed that ringing tune of your cell phone could prove disastrous to the brain as it affects the level o concentration and makes one more stupid. It further states that using a silent mode in mobile phones is the best option. Negative Thought>>>> According to Rick Hanson, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist, founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, and New York Times best-selling author, humans are evolutionarily wired with a negativity bias. Our minds naturally focus on the bad and discard the good. When negative thoughts hit your brain, it’s tempting to struggle with them and try to shove a more positive thought in there, says Erika Krull. This affects one's day in many ways including limiting one's ability to focus. When the mind is wrapped up with many things such as what is not going on well with you, family problems, the level of concentration will be hampered. Engaging in multiple tasks at a time>>>>>>We all multitask to some degree some of the time. According to study discussed in Business Insider, only two percent of people are multitaskers. This means that others are less productive when faced with multitasks. One study found that subjects given three tasks to perform made three times as many errors as those given only two tasks. According to Dr. Clifford Nass, the author of The Man Who Lied to His Laptop, the more you multitask, the less you’re able to learn, concentrate, or be nice to people. He believes multitasking stunts emotional intelligence and makes us less creative, and studies support this. Multitasking hinders creative thinking and problem solving ability, making it less likely you’ll come up with good solutions. Sources: Daily mail WebMD

What does the color of my Urine says about me>>>>>>

Urine is a clear, transparent fluid produced by the kidneys as a waste product. The yellow color comes rom chemical byproduct that results when the kidneys do their job of processing waste, according to Koushik Shaw, MD, a Urologist and the founder of Austin Urology Institute in Texas. He further explains that the yellow color of urine reflects good balance between over and under-hydration. Changes in the color of your urine is often caused by medication, certain foods or food dyes, according to Mayo Clinic. Some o these foods are able to alter the color of the urine because the compound in the fruit that them their color is excreted in the urine. However, where these color does not clear by the next day, it should be a sign that something is wrong, says shaw. For instance, when the color of your urine is red, it maybe that you have eaten fruits such as blackberries but when the red color lingers the next day, it could be a sign of bladder or kidney tumor. Urine color can equally be altered due to the rapid breakdown of red blood cells. For instance, As the red blood cells breakdown, the urine appears brownish in color. WHAT ARE COLORS AND WHAT DO THEY MEAN. Green>>>>When you pass a green urine, it is probably due to dyes in the food or medication that you have taken, but it could still be a sign o Urinary Tract infection. According to expert, blue color of urine can indicate that there is too much calcium in your bone. Orange or brown color>>>>>This could means the person is dehydrated or probably have taken high doses of B12 vitamin. When it is accompanies with abdominal pains, rashes, or sizure, it is possible you have a genetic condition, says Shaw. Cloud white color>>>>This could be a sign of kidney stone or really bad infection. Sources: WebMD Mayo Clinic

Tired at all times: What are the causes?

Tiredness is feeling exhausted at all times. It can be viewed as loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical and mental work. Every body feels tired at some point. It may be caused by our busy life schedule. The worries and strains of daily life can be exhausting – even positive events, such as moving house or getting married. Emotional shock, such as bad news, bereavement or the break-up of a relationship, can make you feel drained. Most of the time, fatigue is linked with mood and the accumulation of lots of little stresses in life,” says Dr Shah, a GP in south London. Tiredness can negatively impact performance at work, or have an adverse effect on family life and social relationships. It is normal for one to get tired but some times it could be severe, indicating that something is wrong or is not well with the person. In some cases, medical attention is needed. Tiredness in extreme cases could be caused by psychological problem or physical illnesses. Excess exhaustion could be a sign of a more serious medical condition that needs to be treated, according to expert. Dr Shah says she routinely takes a blood test from patients complaining of tiredness to rule out a medical cause, such as anemia or an under-active thyroid gland. According to her, There’s more chance of a medical reason for tiredness if there are other symptoms as well, such as heavy periods, weight loss, a change in bowel habits, hair loss, extreme thirst and so on. Apart from medical issues, one key reason why tiredness sets in is anxiety which can cause insomnia and, in turn, lead to persistent fatigue. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that nearly a third of the population are severely sleep-deprived, often because of job and money worries. Tiredness can often be attributed to lifestyle factors, such as drinking too much alcohol, or having a bad diet. Sources: Nhs.uk Medicalnewstoday

Is "URINE THERAPY" good for you?

Urine is a yellow liquid which is produced by human body as a waste product. It contains 95% water, 2.5% urea and 2.5% other minerals such as salt and other compounds.The kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. Urea, one of the content of urine has a toxic effect on the body. Drinking one's urine has been considered unhealthy because of the toxicity of some of it's components. Some argue that urine is a waste that the body has rejected and gotten rid of, and taking it back to the body will be very harmful to the body. However, a doctor in Russia has claimed to use urine therapy to treat people. Also, some credit has being given to urine therapy such as helping to prevent bacterial infection, viral infection, allergy, help in the fight against cancer, acne and other skin problem. Although many testimonies have been given about urine therapy,it has no medical and scientific backup to support it' as such some medical personnel and experts have warned against drinking urine. SOURCES: Medicine.net

What is "URINE THERAPY"

Urine Therapy refers to application of human urine for medical purposes. Urine therapy means using one's urine to prevent, cure illnesses and in most cases it is used to enhance beauty. To most people, "URINE THERAPY" is the Most effective natural remedy and the safest method of treatment with no side effects. It has been in existence for more than a thousand years and it has been used to heal a wide variety of ailments. It is still pavalent in some traditionsThe most effective is the early morning urine(that which is passed in the morning after rising). According to Martha Christy, author of Your Own Perfect Medicine, urine is highly respected by mainstream medical scientists and researchers, even if the general public isn't aware of its benefit. Urine Therapy has been claimed to have proven helpful in a great number of varying illnesses, ranging from a simple cold and a throat-ache, to tuberculosis and asthma, from minor skin problems such as itching to major skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and even skin cancer. Urine Consist primarily of water (95% water) , with 2.5% of which is urea, and 2.5% of which is a mixture of minerals, salts, hormones, and enzymes. Most people have testify that the use of Urine therapy is a very powerful cure for some diseases, However it has no scientific background. many doctors have have equally kicked against drinking urine. Sources:www.urinetherapy.in all-natural.com

Mouth Ulcer?What can you do....

Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. Mouth ulcers are usually harmless, though it makes the victim uncomfortable, making it hard to eat or drink. In some cases, they resolve and go away in few days. Mouth are different from cold sore which are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. Mouth ulcers are also a possible symptom of a viral infection that mainly affects young children. Mouth ulcers don’t usually need to be treatment. The exact cause of most mouth ulcers is unknown. Mouth ulcer can be caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or by sharp teeth. Some cases of complex mouth ulcers are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system; nutritional problems. Pain from a mouth ulcer generally lessens in a few days and the sores usually heal without treatment in about a week or two, However, If an ulcer lasts more than 3 weeks you should always ask your dental team or doctor for advice. If sores are large, painful or persistent, your dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse,or a prescription or non-prescription solution to reduce the pain and irritation. Good dental hygiene can reduce their frequency or the occurrence of mouth ulcer. Also avoid foods that irritate your mouth, including acidic or foods with too much spice on it. Source:webmd Nhs choices

How Can You Reduce The Wringle On Your Face.....

Wrinkle is a fold on the skin. Wrinkle affects the parts of the body that get the most sun exposure, including the face, neck, the backs of the hands, and the tops of the forearms. It typically appears as a result of aging processes. They are part of the aging proccess. Smoking, dehydration, some medications, and environmental and genetic factors are some factors that promotes wrinkle. Facial expression can also affect wrinkle. According to the Mayo Clinic, each time a person uses a facial muscle, a groove forms under the surface of the skin. Some people get bothered when they experience wrinkles on their faces and go miles to eliminate or reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However some remedies can delay or reduce its appearance. The Several ways to minimize the appearance of wrinkles - Retinoids is said to be by far the most proven and effective way of reducing wrinkles among medical treatments. They are derived from vitamin A. According to New Orleans dermatologist Patricia Farris, MD,they're a favorite because the science are so much behind them. They minimize the appearance of wrinkles, bolster skin's thickness and elasticity, slow the breakdown of collagen. Moisturizers may temporarily make wrinkles look less noticeable but they don't make those lines go away permanently. Antioxidants. Products that have antioxidants may provide some sun protection (though you should still wear sunscreen) and mildly improve wrinkles.These include vitamins A, C, and E, as well as beta-carotene. Source:webmd

Low Sexual Desire: The causes

Low desire is often witnessed among lovers.Sexual desire and responsiveness normally differ between men and women, and assumptions of sexual equivalency may falsely suggest the existence of hypoactive desire disorder. Men are more readily biologically aroused than women, and, for them, desire is tied tightly to physiologic arousal. Among women, sexual desire is typically more psychological and situational, influenced by how they feel about their bodies as well as the quality of relationship with their partner. Moreover, women often do not experience desire until after they are genitally aroused, and arousal may require an extended period of foreplay . According to Maureen Whelihan, a gynecologist serving in Palm Beach County, FL, low desire is by far the most common sexual health issue for women. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, the medical term for a low sex drive, can have many different causes -- physical, emotional, cultural, or a combination of those, Whelihan says. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder could happen because of such problem as hormone problem or health condition such as diabetes, anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders.It can still be as a result of side effect of a medication. Even smoking and alcohol can affect desire. Or it may have to do with the quality of your relationship with a sexual partner. Getting a health professional or a doctor to help you figure out what is going on can help in finding the solution. SOURCE: psychologytoday webmd

Nigeria Aids Agency Warns Against The Claim For HIV Cure

Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umuahia, Aba State, Professor Maduike Ezeibe, had claimed earlier that he had produced a drug that could cure HIV, which he said was produced with "Aluminium Magnesium Silicate" and had been successfully tested on ten persons living with HIV. However, The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Sani Aliyu, has expressed displeasure with the publicity given to the claim of a cure for HIV/AIDS by the Nigerian professor, saying that it was a great disservice to the vulnerable group of HIV patients for the media to disseminate such claims in the absence of scientific evidence. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, on Monday disclosed that the Federal Government had mandated the National Institute for Medical Research and the College of Medicine, Ibadan to do a proper study of claims of HIV cure in the country. Mr. Adewole pointed out that getting a cure would be of public health interest to the country but that any claim would have to be subjected to standard scrutiny. He stated this in a meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, while responding to questions on the position of government on the claims "We are concerned that the publicity given to these claims will stop patients with HIV from taking life-saving antiretrovirals and give them false hope of a cure," the NACA Director General said on the claim in the statement on Monday. Mr. Aliyu then calls on academics to follow legal and scientifically-acceptable methods in conducting their researches and to avoid making premature claims that are capable of derailing the huge progress made in the last two decades in the war against HIV/AIDS. He noted that millions of lives have been saved as a result of modern antiretroviral treatment and people living with HIV can now look forward to a normal healthy future, and encourages people living with HIV to continue to take their medication and to see their doctors if they have any concern or call the NACA helpline (6222) for information. Source: All Africa News

USAID:240,000 Children Die In Nigeria Annually From Diarrhoea

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID,least 240,000 Nigerian children die every year from diarrhoea related illness. one of the commonest diseases during childhood. The Office Director of USAID Nigeria, Nancy Lowenthal, while she was speaking at the launch campaign against diarrhoea organised by the Sustaining Health Outcomes in the Private Sector Plus (SHOPS PLUS) in conjunction with USAID in Makurdi, stated that the disturbing figure of children dying from diarrhoea ranked the country as the second highest in the world. She also pointed that diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria as the leading causes of childhood killer diseases, stressing the need for partners and stakeholders to join hands together in order to end all forms of preventable child and maternal morbidity. Chief of Party, SHOPS Plus Nigeria, Mrs Ayodele Iroko,while giving her address, noted that her organisation,which is a flagship project of USAID, has its aim at increasing the use of priority health services through the strategic expansion of private sector whole health system. Iroko further note that the campaign "Push Diarrhoea Away" would foster zero tolerance for diarrhoea deaths in children under the age of five in all communities in Benue State while also helping the kids to complete their immunisation. Source: Daily Trust

W H O's new guide to cancer early diagnosis...

The World Health Organization given a statistics showing that about 8.8 million people die from cancer each year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, stressing that Many of these cases are diagnosed at late stages, when they are harder to manage effectively. According to Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention, Diagnosing cancer in late stages, and the inability to provide treatment, condemns many people to unnecessary suffering and early death. It then a launched new new guide ahead of World Cancer Day (4 February), with the aim to improving the chances of survival for people living with cancer by ensuring that health services can focus on diagnosing and treating the disease earlier. According to the stated guide, Detecting cancer early can effectively reduce the mortality associated with cancer. In resource-poor settings, cancer is often diagnosed at a late-stage of disease resulting in lower survival and potentially greater morbidity and higher costs of treatment. The three steps to early diagnosis are: 1 Improve public awareness of different cancer symptoms and encourage people to seek care when these arise. 2 Invest in strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics. 3 Ensure people living with cancer can access safe and effective treatment, including pain relief, without incurring prohibitive personal or financial hardship. Source:W H O/Guide to cancer early diagnosis

W H O:80,000 Nigerians die annaully from cancer.

The World Health Organisation has released a figure showing 8.8 million people die from cancer that each year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries and about 80,000 Nigerians die from the disease, averaging 240 Nigerians every day or 10 Nigerians every hour. The Nigerian cancer death ratio of 4 in 5 is one of the worst in the whole world. According to the organisation, One problem is that many cancer cases are diagnosed too late. Even in countries with optimal health systems and services, many cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully."Diagnosing cancer in late stages, and the inability to provide treatment, condemns many people to unnecessary suffering and early death," says Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. The health body further stated that challenges are clearly greater in low- and middle-income countries, which have lower abilities to provide access to effective diagnostic services, including imaging, laboratory tests, and pathology – all key to helping detect cancers and plan treatment. Countries also currently have different capacities to refer cancer patients to the appropriate level of care. The organisation then encourages these countries including Nigeria to prioritize basic, high-impact and low-cost cancer diagnosis and treatment services. The Organization also recommends reducing the need for people to pay for care out of their own pockets, which prevents many from seeking help in the first place, adding that Detecting cancer early also greatly reduces cancer’s financial impact: not only is the cost of treatment much less in cancer’s early stages, but people can also continue to work and support their families if they can access effective treatment in time. In 2010, the total annual economic cost of cancer through healthcare expenditure and loss of productivity was estimated at US$ 1.16 trillion. In proffering solutin, World Health Organisation gave a new guidance launched ahead of World Cancer Day (4 February), aims to improve the chances of survival for people living with cancer by ensuring that health services can focus on diagnosing and treating the disease earlier. According to WHO's new Guide to cancer early diagnosis, the three steps to early diagnosis are: Improve public awareness of different cancer symptoms and encourage people to seek care when these arise; invest in strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics, and ensure people living with cancer can access safe and effective treatment, including pain relief, without incurring prohibitive personal or financial hardship. Cancer is now responsible for almost 1 in 6 deaths globally. More than 14 million people develop cancer every year, and this figure is projected to rise to over 21 million by 2030. Sources: WHO's new guidance AllAfrica news

Bird Flu resurface in Kano...

According to Kano State government, over 9,000 birds have been killed by bird flu as the disease was discovered in the state two weeks ago. The Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Shehu Bawa, who made this known last week in Kano, said that the birds were killed in two poultry farms that had been infected with the disease in the state. According to Bawa, only two farms were hit by the disease and the farms had since been depopulated. He further stated that, "We killed 500 birds in the first farm, while 8,500 were killed in the second farm." Bawa said the ministry would work hard to checkmate the spread of the disease by monitoring and disinfecting the affected farm, also continue to sensitise farmers on the need for them to ensure clean environment. He urged Federal Government to pay compensation to farmers who lost their birds in 2015 due to the appearance of the disease, as the affected farmers were yet to receive anything from government. According to the director, The payment will greatly assist in checking the spread of the disease as they (poultry farmers) would promptly report any outbreak of the disease to government since they know they would get compensation. He finally noted that the Federal Government should assist the affected farmers to alleviate their sufferings even if they are not fully compensated Source:allafrica.com

Castor oil for removing dandruff..

Castor oil has some antibacterial and antiviral properties that helps remove dandruff. Ricinoleic acid, one of main constituents of castor oil is a powerful antifungal agent. The oil’s natural antiviral and antimicrobial properties make it a popular treatment for skin problems known as dermatosis and fungal infections. Another ingredient present in the oil is ricin which also have has germicidal and fungicidal properties that protect the scalp from microbial and fungal infections leading to dandruff and other infections of the scalp. Castor oil is an excellent emollient and humectant which helps to lock moisture into the skin and hair to keep it soft and smooth, hence is regarded as excellent hair conditioner. The oil also has other beneficial constituents such as minerals, omega- 6 fatty acids and vitamin E which also are regarded as good moisturizers. The moisturizing properties of nutrients can help in fighting dry flakes and dandruff.