Exclusive breast feeding the best for your child -Dr Asibong

Children who are breast fed exclusively for six months tend to outpace their mates who are not, experts and nursing mothers testified on Thursday at a breastfeeding forum. 

Experts quoting the WHO said six months of exclusive breastfeeding would fortify an infant’s immunity, sharpen their cognition, and improve mother-child affection.

 Nursing mothers who practice exclusive breastfeeding, and those who claimed to have suckled none but breastmilk for the first six months pointed to their children’s bright academic records and to their own unique wellness. “Children whom we breastfeed for six months are very different, like my first daughter ,” said Sylvia Bassey a nursing mother with a charming toddler, “She is very smart and some say she acts like a 5 year old, whereas she is only 3.” Yet for all it’s benefits the practice is only slowly gaining acceptance in Cross River State.

 Statistics quoted by Inyang Asibong, the Health Commissioner, show Cross River at 42 per cent compliace in 2015, (up from 36.1 per cent the previous year). Dr Asibong said the rates where unacceptable, but assured that the health ministry and development partners were working to achieve “80 per cent or thereabout” in 2016. 

 In a passionate speech to open the meeting, which had mothers, mothers-in-law, and husbands attend from the Akampka-Bakassi axis, Asibong made a plea in both English and vernacular for mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding and for husbands and relatives to support to them. “Breastfeeding is a natural and excellent way to ensure that babies receive adequate nutrition necessary for normal growth and development of anychild with a good start in life,” she said. Although she acknowleged the campaign faces misconceptions which may hinder mass adoption: that it consumes time, leads to saggy breasts, causes mothers to eat too much making them overweight, makes children unable to adapt to regular food at the end of six months; she dismissed such concerns stating “these are just myths.” But several mothers spoke about pressure from overbearing mothers-in-law who insist that their grand children ought to consume ‘normal food’ along side breastmilk in the first six months. Others said their husbands simply objected to the practice.

 Asibong broke into a wide grin when her own husband, a consultant family physician, walked in during her presentation, and thanked him and all other husbands who attended, for the show of support. Exclusively breastfeeding for two years, another old myth, was also cast aside. Citing the WHO, Betta Edu, who heads the Primary Health Care Agency, said breast milk could only meet the child’s nutritional needs for the first six months, adding that regular food should be introduced thereafter. Boladale Akinkolapo, a senior physician with the Society for Family Health (SFH) which organised the programme alongside the ministry of health, said babies should be allowed to suckle whenever they wanted to. However, schooling or career mothers can express breast milk into a clean sterilised cup, which would be fed to the child by a relative or a creche worker using a clean spoon if the mother is indisposed, she added. She said that it was now considered unhealthy to use feeding bottles or pacifiers because they can harbour germs. 

 SFH says it will continue the campaign in health centres and rural communities using trained Interpersonal Communicators (IPCs) and mass media.

Things you need to know about fibroid

What Is a Fibroid?

Fibroids are known as non-cancerous growths found in or on the muscular wall of the womb.

These growths vary in sizes. Some fibroids can be as small as a pea, while others can be as large as a 7 or 8 month old foetus.

In other words, some women that have fibroids that size would be believed to be pregnant, when they are not.

Fibroids are given different names depending on where they grow inside a woman.

Types of Fibroids

Fibroids that grow on the inside of the womb is called Submucosal fibroids.
Fibroids that grows on the wall of the womb is called Intramural fibroids.
Fibroids that grows on the outside of the womb is called Subserol fibroids.
Studies have shown that fibroids affect up to 20 percent of women above the age of 30. And women below the age of 20 hardly experience the problem of fibroid.

Fibroids seem to run in some families, but there is no research evidence that is currently available to prove that fibroid is genetic.

What Are The Symptoms?

Fibroids has one major symptom and that happens when a woman has heavy periods.

The heavy periods is caused by the growth of fibroids inside the womb and this disrupts the normal function of the menstrual flow.

Most women who have fibroids, experience no pain at all, whereas, others do. Usually, this pain is a slight pain caused because of the pressure exerted by the fibroid, which causes a dragging sensation in the abdomen.

In most cases, however, fibroids patient may not notice it, if the fibroid growth does not exert any pressure on the neighbouring organs.

And for these people, they can live with the fibroid for many years without problem.

Still in other cases, fibroids have caused infertility in women, and have been responsible for many miscarriages that happen among women. If a woman has fibroid, it may be difficult to maintain the growth of a baby till childbirth happens.

Miscarriages happen in women with fibroids because, these fibroid growth most times are so enlarged in the womb that it distorts the normal space that the baby occupies for growth.

Furthermore, because of this distortion, a fertilized egg will have problem with implantation on the walls or lining of the uterus because a fibroid is there already. When implantation fails to happen, miscarriage may result.

Other possible symptoms of fibroids can happen if the fibroid presses or exerts pressure on organs such as the bladder or bowel. In this situation because these organs are always “under pressure”, the sufferer will now experience frequent urination, constipation or even backache.

Some women may experience lower abdominal swelling, making it look as if they are in their early stage of pregnancy, whereas they’re not.

Causes and Side Effects of Fibroid

What exactly is responsible for the growth of Fibroids in the body?

Currently doctors and scientists DO NOT know the exact causes of Uterine Fibroids. However, researches and clinical experiences point to just two factors that may be responsible.

1. Hereditary Factors

Experiences has shown in many clinical cases that fibroids run in families. Though this study do not have any research or scientific proof to back it up.

2. The Estrogen And Progesterone Hormones

There are two hormones that is responsible in stimulating the development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy.

These two hormones are called Estrogen and Progesterone. It appears these two hormones promote the growth of Fibroid in women when the presence of these hormones are more than normal in the body.

In other words there is an Estrogen Dominance in the body of victims because fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscles do.

Effects of Estrogen Dominance In The Body

When there is too much Estrogen in the body, beside the cause of Fibroids, it brings along with it the following health problems.

The formation of small cysts (tumor) inside the breasts
Risk of Cancer growth in the breast and other areas of the body
Hair loss
Acne
Infertility
Weight gain
Hormonal Imbalance

Avail your self the opportunity of regular check ups to avoid carrying fibroid for a long time.

7 ways a woman can actually maintain good hygiene -Roseline Okon

To some Ladies out there; Research has shown that some ladies don't actually know how to take care of themselves so we "women forum of anuc/immaculate heart" decided to take it upon ourselves to enlighten our young girls our there. 

 It's goes thus.
1.waking up in d morning, take a glass of water, after brushing, if u av cucumber take some but if u don't av forget it. 

2. As a lady u ought to bath twice daily, brush your teeth twice day "morning and night" clean your ears every morning.

3. Wash your hands every time you return from school,market,work or where ever you went to.
4. Never sleep with make up or bra.

5. Clean your nails every weekend, do not carry weavon for more then 2weeks and braid for more than 3weeks.

6. Shave atlease Onces in every 2weeks depending on how the hair grows in there .

7. when menstruating please bath thrice and change your pad and panties, use soft and easy going deodorant, when bathing, take your time and wash every single part of your body starting from the back of your ears, your face, your neck, your armpit,and never wash your private part with soap it may result to uncomfortable health conditions,Get down to your toes and wash in between then take your time to scrub your whole body.

Note

 Be guided some ladies are fond of soaking their panties for ages it's extremely bad. 

Live on personal hygiene so you can always feel free and comfortable with yourself feeling fresh at all time.

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

 We are women and we are unique and special.

How To Take Care of Your Vagaina

 It is important to know the dos and don’ts when it comes to vaginal care... in order to prevent
infection, odour and irritation.

 1. WASH D VAGINA AT LEAST TWICE DAILY:

 If you work out, sweat excessively, or are involved in some other sweat-inducing activity,
then wash after each activity. Make sure you change your undergarments at least daily and
wash them in hot water to kill any stubborn bacteria. This will help to get rid of sweat and
bacteria may have been trapped, leaving you feeling and smelling better.

 2. DO NOT DOUCHE:
Don’t use antiseptic soaps or body scrubs to wash your vagina. These products make the
vagina unfavourable for good bacteria and impact on vagina health causing candida super-
infection (the one popularly called “toilet infection”).

3. ALWAYS EAT PLAIN:,
Unflavoured yogurt regularly or take probiotics.These have live active bacteria that contribute
to the healthy ecological balance of the vagina.

 4. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR VAGINA DRY:
Except you are having sexual intercourse.Keeping moisture and sweat down there is a
recipe for bad odour and poor vagina health.


 5. ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR TAMPONS OR PADS REGULARLY IF YOU USE THEM DURING YOUR PERIODS:


 The longer they stay, the faster the bacteria on them will breed, causing potential infections.
You shall also avoid pads or tampons with deodorants, sprays or other chemicals.

 6. DO NOT DOUCH: that means do not clean your vagina by inserting your fingers or soap or
anything else. THE VAGINA IS SELF CLEANING,IT DOES NOT NEED YOUR HELP, LEAVE IT ALONE. Douching can change the acidity and bacterial makeup of the vagina, causing
infections, which may spread to the uterus,fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It has been
associated with bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and
adverse events in pregnancy. Ladies, there’s no need to douche or apply products internally. You
can keep your vagina healthy by simply washing of the vulva (outside) with water during your
daily shower or bath. Even if you had sex, or just finished your pees, there is NO need to wash
inside, you are damaging yourself.

 7. DO NOT USE MADURA STICK OR TUMABWE OR HERBS TO TIGHTEN YOUR VAGINA:

Your vagina is a muscle, no amount of sticks or stones or herbs will tighten it. The best you can
do to a muscle to work it, please try kegel exercise. You can do this exercise anywhere at
any time. Do you know why you think your vagina is tighter after using the sticks or herbs
etc? It is because they suck out the moisture from inside and make your vagina to swell,
therefore becoming smaller and you think you are tight. You are not, you are simply swollen
and having sex while swollen will increase your chances of bruising, infection and other health
consequences.

STOP INSERTING THINGS IN YOUR VAGINA, LEAVE IT ALONE.
 
Please read and share!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Proper Funding of Medical Education Will Help Health Tourism- Arogudande

:
The President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Rasheed Arogundade has advised President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to accord funding priority to the medical colleges across the nation.
This he argued would address the challenge of frequent visits to foreign nations for medical attention by wealthy Nigerians.
The Professor of Radiology, who gave the advice while delivering his inaugural lecture at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, said the focus of government has always been on the hospitals while neglecting the institutions that produce the human resources for the health sector.
Arogundade, who expressed his fulfilment for reaching the peak of his career, also revealed that many medical graduates from Nigeria are usually challenged abroad when confronted with modern facilities, which he said are unavailable for their training in their home country.
The lecturer, whose lecture was entitled; 'The Detective in a Radiologist,' linked the dearth of facilities to the raging problem of wrong diagnosis being faced in the country's health sector, adding that Nigerians are as brilliant as their counterparts anywhere in the world but are hindered by the poor equipment available.
He said; "Well, the solution to the myriad of challenges facing us as a nation should be that government should pump a lot of money into education and medical education in particular.
They currently don't allocate enough funding to the education sector and that is why the equipment we are supposed to be using to teach are not there. Most of our students who go abroad are usually as if they are starting afresh because they were more concerned with theories here without adequate practical experience. "

HIV flushed out by cancer drug

HIV can be flushed out of its hiding places in the body using a cancer drug, researchers show.
The cornerstone of treatment, anti-retroviral therapy, kills the virus in the bloodstream but leaves "HIV reservoirs" untouched.
The study, published in PLoS Pathogens, showed the drug was "highly potent" at reactivating hidden HIV.
Experts said the findings were interesting, but it was important to know if the drug was safe in patients.
The power of the HIV reservoir was shown with the case of the Mississippi baby.
She was given antiretroviral drugs at birth. Despite appearing to be free of HIV for nearly two years after stopping treatment, she was found to be harbouring the virus.
'Kick and kill'
A strategy known as "kick and kill" is thought to be key to curing HIV - the kick would wake up the dormant HIV allowing the drugs to kill it.
The team at the UC Davis School of Medicine investigated PEP005 - one of the ingredients in a treatment to prevent cancer in sun-damaged skin.
They tested the drug in cells grown in the laboratory and in parts of the immune system taken from 13 people with HIV.
The report said "PEP005 is highly potent in reactivating latent HIV" and that the chemical represents "a new group of lead compounds for combating HIV".
One of the researchers, Dr Satya Dandekar, said: "We are excited to have identified an outstanding candidate for HIV reactivation and eradication that is already approved and is being used in patients.
"This molecule has great potential to advance into translational and clinical studies."
However, the drug has still not been tested in people who are HIV-positive.
Prof Sharon Lewin, from the University of Melbourne, said the results were "interesting" and marked an "important advance in finding new compounds that can activate latent HIV".
She told the BBC: "This study adds another family of drugs to test to potentially eliminate long-lived forms of HIV although much more work needs to be done to see if this works in patients.
"Although PEP005 is part of an FDA approved drug, it will first take some time to work out if it is safe to use in the setting of HIV."

Source : BBC

Impact Of Masturbation on Fertility

Masturbation is the Sexual Stimulation, especially of one’s own genitals (self masturbation), often to the point of Orgasm. Self stimulation usually with a hand or both hands, by oneself or sometimes with a partner.

This could go out of control and the person becomes masturbatory, indulging in excessively self-absorbed or self-indulgent. This act can take place on one self or between a male and female, or same sex.
It has become necessary for me to touch on some aspects of masturbation, in response to several enquiries and probing questions I have received from our numerous readers.

Masturbation does not necessarily lead to infertility, depending on your particular situation.
It also has no effect on your health as most people think, but each individual must assess the reason why they are masturbating, and unless it is for medical reasons, during the need to produce a Semen sample for processing to treat infertility.

People who masturbate excessively are in the harm of making it habit, which can be psychological and would require your visiting and confiding in a counselor or specialist.
Masturbation is not different from normal intercourse in that an orgasm causes ejaculation whether it is the result of masturbation or sexual relation.

When fertility is a concern, masturbation should not be practiced around the time of the wife’s fertile period.  This can lead to a decrease in Sperm reserve in an individual with a low or low – normal count and thus reduce semen quality at the time that the highest quality is needed when the wife is ovulating. This act invariably, does not have a long-term injurious effect on the testes.
When a man masturbates he has an orgasm and ejaculate, and when a couple is trying to get pregnant he may need to limit the masturbation and conserve the Sperm stores for the fertilization of the egg.

During masturbation
Every time a man masturbates to completion, he has an orgasm and ejaculate.  This lowers the sperm count available to fertilize the egg.   The male body needs to produce more sperm in order to refill the sperm reservoir, and this takes time for a man who is in a habit of frequent daily masturbation, the store will consistently be lower than a man that does not masturbate.  It is better to keep the sperm for proper use during intercourse; when the man allows the sperms to build up in the Semen rather than constantly depleting these stores, this can result in increased fertility.

In females
Female masturbation can also play a role in infertility.  When a female orgasm takes place, the cervix dips down to touch the end of the vagina; and this increases fertility. If the female reaches orgasm during intercourse, before the male, the acid in the vagina may enter the cervix and decrease the amount of sperm remaining viable for fertilization of the egg.

To maintain a high sperm count, the male should endeavour to wear loose under garments, refrain from over indulging in alcohol and quit smoking.  This is important because the higher the sperm count the higher the chances that one of the sperm will make it to the egg to fertilise it before it absorbs into the lining of the uterus.
There are many methods available in clinics to ascertain the sperm levels in each ejaculate.

Increasing sperm count

There are various ways of increasing the amount of sperm and mobility; and some natural ways are most effective.  The most important of these include eating a healthy diet.
Maintaining a healthy diet and taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement can help increase the overall health of the body and thus the sperm.  Recent studies have shown that zinc supplement, with folic acid can increase the quality of sperm produced; this also being in line with the beneficial effect of folic acid on the foetus.

There is a great difference in fertility when a healthy sperm and high sperm count are maintained.
Increased costs of fertility treatment, has given use to the need to seek alternative ways, which include maintaining, healthy natural diet; to increase sperm quality and quantity.
Masturbating less often, and eating a healthy diet rich in Zinc and folic acid are great steps towards achieving parenthood without external intervention.

The act of masturbation, can be viewed from various angles, and individual cases considered; as to whether it is beneficial to you or not.
A young or growing adult is inquisitive and exploratory about many things in life, and this includes their bodies.  This is one of the main reasons why most people engage in this act; deriving sexual pleasure.
Whether it is beneficial to you or not, outside the discussion above depends entirely on you.  When you begin to get worried that it is becoming an obsession, is a pointer to the fact that you have reached a point where you know that it is not normal for you and you need help.

Even though this act does not cause blindness, insanity, hairy palms, hair loss, acne or cancer of any kind, as some earlier claimed, some studies have actually shown that it greatly reduces a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer.
Enthusiastic masturbation can be tiring, though, and overly frequent activity of this nature can lead to physical exhaustion.  If you however find yourself growing obsessed with masturbation to a point where it is interfering with work or personal relationships, it is time to cut back and speak to a professional, to identify underlying issues that may be the cause.

Religious views
Some religions find sexuality as a gift from God; that finds fulfillment in marital relationship; and the misuse of the gift of sex as a sin.  Therefore, because the act of masturbation is self directed, and by its nature is incapable of expressing love and concern to another person, it is viewed as a distortion of the purpose of use and therefore desire of the flesh.

This is more so, when it becomes an addiction since the practice of self pleasure is not viewed as honouring God’s gift of sexuality.
And they admonish that instead of turning to the desires of the flesh, they should turn to the Holy Spirit to manifest his fruits.
Others view this act as a way of allowing sexual behaviour to guard against adultery, pre-marital sex, etc and way of balancing differing libidos between spouses.

In conclusion masturbation has it various arguments for and against, depending on what the purpose is.  But it is important that, once there is a desire to stop this act, quickly make up your mind to do so, make a resolve, and speak to an elderly or mature confidant for encouragement and also seek professional help in a counselor as required.

So its left for you to make a choice. What do you think?
Clue from thisdaylive

Man rescued from death by sex enhancer

There is nothing people cant do just to enhance their sexual pleasure. Please read this.

The men of the Lagos State Fire Service said on Saturday that they rescued a 40-year-old man from death after he used a sex performance enhancer that enlarged his pennies beyond expectation.

The Director, Mr rasak Fadipe, who made the disclosure in Lagos, said the man wore a metal ring on his penis.

The ring, according to him, was to enhance erection and ultimately enhance sexual satisfaction but turned out to swell the organ beyond his expectation.

“His experience turned sour when the penis became so erect and swollen beyond his expectation and could not come down and the ring could not be removed.

“When it became apparent that the condition was threatening his life, he rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja for help.

“The hospital invited the service to rescue the man, when they could not easily remove the ring.

“We successfully removed the metal ring in collaboration with the hospital staff at the emergency unit using our rescue tools,’’ he said.

“The incident happened at about 3.15 p.m. on Friday and it took us about 50 minutes for the operation.

“The man wore the ring to enhance his penis for sexual satisfaction, but it turned out to be a threat to his life,’’ Fadipe said.

(NAN)

Are you in lagos?Tired of rusty and dirty environment to buy your fresh food stufs? CitiMart is calling!

One of the challenges of living in a mega city like Lagos is the difficulty in buying food stuff from clean and comfortable environments. Most people have to grapple with dirty and often times damaged and degraded vegetables and fruits. Meat items are also available in very dirty and unhygienic environments. In addition to the unhygienic state of the environment, in which these food items are sold, one has to also grapple with the challenges of understanding pricing and the measure, in which these items are sold. 

At CitiMart Fresh & Green, we understand your desire to purchase your food items in clean and comfortable environments at prices better than prices offered in the open market. In order to fulfil this desire, we have painstakingly planned and are in the process of opening modern green grocery, meat and fish retail outlets that would meet your desire for comfort, hygiene, good measure and pricing.
Items to be sold in these outlets would be carefully sourced from the best farms around the country and meat items would be inspected and certified by veterinary doctors before slaughter in private and modern abattoirs. We have planned these outlets with you in mind, and for your comfort and peace of mind.
Our first outlet would open in a few weeks on Addo Badore Road (by Sign Board Bus Stop), Ajah Lekki, Lagos. We look forward to meeting you at this outlet and would be greatly pleased if we meet your desires.
CitiMart Fresh & Green, Food Just Got Better!
For inquiries please call 01-2905548 or email
info@citiroseng,com
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The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency Trains Over 100 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs)

LSACA TRAINS OVER 100 TBAs

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has held another sensitization programme for more than 100 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on issues relating to HIV/AIDS, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Universal Safety Precautions (USP).

Delivering a lecture on PMTCT, Mrs. Olaide Oyenuga, a retired Deputy Director, Health Education said transmission could occur during pregnancy if proper care was not taken or during delivery and when breastfeeding the baby . According to her, with the intervention of the informed Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), patients would be better informed to make healthy lifestyle decisions for the sake of their unborn babies.

Mrs. Oyenuga reiterated that it is imperative for a mother to feed her child exclusively with breast milk for at least the first-six months of life or could use infant formula exclusively should she so decide, adding that a child would be more vulnerable with mixed feeding while urging HIV positive mothers to access Anti-Retroviral (ARV) treatment which would reduce the load of the virus in the body and as such would not be able to transmit the virus to the child during breastfeeding.

Condom demonstration session was conducted by Mrs. Olushola Adebambo in which participants were taught and encouraged on the correct and consistent use of condoms.

Similarly, Dr. Dayo Lajide took the TBAs through the cause, symptoms and prevention of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and encouraged them to observe personal hygiene especially with constant hand washing and use of Universal Safety Precautions at all times since there is no known cure for now.

Mrs. Aderonke Ajiboye taught the participants on measures to use in ensuring Universal Safety Precautions at all times during management of infected individuals which included the use of gloves, facemasks, safety box, waste disposal mechanism and cleanliness of their clinics.