Back Pain - Bachache

Back pain

Details

Back pain is pain felt in the back, especially the lower back. Episodes of back pain may be acute, sub-acute, or chronic depending on the duration. The pain may be characterized as a dull ache, shooting or piercing pain, or burning sensation. The pain may radiate into the arms and hands as well as the legs or feet, and may include paresthesia (tingling with no apparent cause), weakness or numbness in the legs and arms.

Causes

• Muscle or ligament strain
• Bulging or ruptured disks
• Arthritis
• Skeletal irregularities
• Osteosporosis

Symptoms

• Weight loss
• Elevated body temperature (fever)
• Numbness around the anus
• Numbness around the buttocks
• Inflammation (swelling) on the back
• A recent injury, blow or trauma to your back
• Urinary incontinence
• Pain down the legs
• Pain reaches below the knees
• Difficulty urinating - passing urine is hard
• Numbness around genitals

Remedies

1. Icen Pack : Applying an ice pack to the painful area within 24 hours of an injury
2. Take a hot bath : If more than 24 hours have passed since the injury occurred, ice will not help reduce pain or inflammation. So try soaking in a tub of hot water  and place on the back for 20 minutes or more.
3. Get some sleep : Getting sufficient rest at night is important when your back muscles are strained.
4. Other remedies : Put your arm behind your back, swim, lift with your knees bent, ginger root.

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Malaria

Details

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals by parasitic protozoans (a group of single-celled microorganisms) belonging to the Plasmodium type. malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches.

Causes

Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The parasite can be spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

Symptoms

• High fever
• Profuse sweating
• Headache
• Nausea
• Coma
• Bloody stools
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anemia
• Muscle pain
• Seizures

Remedies

1. Lime and Lemon: The benefits of lemon tea for weight loss are well known. Lime and lemon also play a vital role to reduce the quartan type of malarial fever. Take 4 to 5 drops of lime, add the juice of one lemon and dissolve it in one glass of water. The mixture needs to be consumed before the onset of fever.
2. Ginger: Cut the ginger into small pieces and add 2-3 teaspoons of raisins. Boil this decoction in a glass of water until it gets reduced to half the amount. Consume the decoction after it cools down.
3. Warm water: Drink warm water frequently during the day to cleanse the bowels system and to keep the body hydrated, which helps in proper functioning of the body.
4. Cinnamon: Cinnamon is valuable remedy for treating malaria. One teaspoon of powdered cinnamon should be boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder and a teaspoon of honey. This needs to be taken everyday which is a beneficial medicine for malaria.
5. Other recommendations: If the above remedies are not working, the malaria was already in a severe stage, consult for extra medical treatment if symptoms persist.

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Allergies: Season, environment and-or immune changes

Details

Allergies, also known as allergic diseases,  are a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to something in the environment that usually causes little problem in most people.

Causes

• Airborne allergens
• Certain foods
• Insert stings
• Medications
• Latex or other substances you touch

Symptoms

• Skin rash
• Headache
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Swelling
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Remedies

1. Peppermint tea: Place 1/2 ounce dried peppermint leaves in a 1-quart jar. Fill two-thirds of the jar with boiling water, and steep for fives minutes (you can inhale the steam for added benefit). Let cool, strain, sweeten if desired, and drink.
2. Honey: Consume a teaspoon or more of raw, unprocessed local honey from as close to where you actually live as possible. Do this one or more times a day.
3. Refreshing citrus drink: Squeeze the juice from the lemon and oranges and chill for several hours. Stir in the honey, add some ice cubes, and drink daily.
4. Red onion water: Thinly slice the lemon and add it to the water. Allow it to infuse for 8-12 hours before drinking 1-2 times daily.

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Motion sickness

Motion sickness

Details

Motion sickness which is also known as kinetosis and travel sickness, is a common condition in which there is a disagreement between visually perceived movement and the vestibular system's sense of movement.

Causes

Motion sickness is caused by the mixed signals sent to the brain by the eyes and the inner ear (semicircular canals). If you cannot see the motion your body's feeling, or conversely, if you cannot feel the motion your eyes see, then it is likely that the brain will get mixed signals and the person will develop some aspect or symptom of motion sickness.

Symptoms

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Sense of feeling unwell

Treatments

1. Lemon : Mix the juice from one lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Add one tablespoon of honey and mix it well. Sip it slowly before and during your journey
2. Ginger: Mix one teaspoon each of ginger juice and lemon juice and drink it before traveling.
3. Other remedies : Apple Cider Vinegar, Peppermint, Green Apple, Crackers.

ASTHMA

Details

Asthma is a common long term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm.

Risk factors/Causes

• Allergies
• Smoke and tobacco
• Environmental factors, like air pollution
• Obesity
• Stress, tension and depression
• Genetics
• Heartburn
• Exercise
• Foods like fish, soy-bean, eggs, peanuts, etc
• Premature birth
• Lung infection during childhood

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Chronic coughing
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing

Home remedies

1. Honey: Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with hot water: 2 – 3 times daily
2. Mustard oil: Mix some mustard oil with camphor. Use it to massage your chest until relieves from the asthmatic attack.
3. Ginger: Make a juice with equal quantities of ginger, pomegranate, and honey. Take it 2-3 time daily.
4. Eucalyptus oil: Add some few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a cup of boiling water and take its steam as it will help in opening up the nasal passages and air passages, so that air can pass through easily.
5. One can also make use of fruits and lemons, onions, fishes, warm soup, warm milk, fennel seeds.

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The different phases of the menstrual cycle

By: TATJANA MARKS

WHAT IS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The menstrual cycle is a monthly cycle in which a woman’s uterus prepares for a fertilized egg to settle. The uterus is also called the womb and is the part of a woman’s body in which babies grow. Most women start experiencing their menstrual cycle between the ages of 10 and 15 until they are in their 40s or 50s. The menstrual cycle has four phases and lasts around 28 days.

THE MENSTRUAL PHASE

The first phase is called the menstrual phase and is usually called the period. The period is the part of the cycle during which women experience blood flow out of their vagina. It usually lasts about three to seven days. Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is therefore the first day of bleeding a woman experiences during one of her cycles.

THE FOLLICULAR PHASE

The second phase is called the follicular phase and is the part of the cycle during which the female body prepares for pregnancy. The follicular phase includes the menstrual phase, so for a 28-day cycle, it would last from day 1 to day 13. Women have eggs inside their bodies which can grow into babies if they are fertilized by sperm. During each cycle, one egg becomes ready to be fertilized.

THE OVULATION PHASE

The third phase is the ovulation phase. This stage of the cycle is only around one day long and happens around halfway through the cycle, so for a 28-day cycle, it would happen on day 14 (14 days after the first blood flow). During this stage, the egg has finished being prepared and is ready to be fertilized. Women are most likely to become pregnant if they have sex before or during the ovulation phase. Sperm can survive inside the female body for up to a week, so if a woman has sex a few days before the egg is ready to be fertilized, the sperm can ‘wait’ inside her body for this to happen.

Because the length of a menstrual cycle varies between women, the time when they are most likely to become pregnant also varies between them. If on average you have a period every 28 days, you ovulate around day 14 and you have the highest chance of becoming pregnant if you have sex between days 11 and 14. If you have a short cycle of around 24 days between two periods, ovulation happens around day 10 and you are most likely to become pregnant if you have sex between days 7 and 10. If you have a longer cycle of around 35 days, ovulation happens around day 21 and you are most fertile between days 18 and 21. It is important to remember that these are just probabilities. You are not guaranteed to become pregnant if you have sex during these periods and you may also become pregnant if you have sex outside these periods, it is just less likely.

THE LUTEAL PHASE

The final stage is called the luteal phase. It lasts from day 15 to day 28. What happens during this stage depends on whether the egg was fertilized by a sperm. If it was fertilized, the egg moves into the uterus and eventually turns into a baby. If it was not fertilized, the lining of the uterus is shed through the vaginal opening, the period starts, and a new menstrual cycle begins.

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LADIES HEALTH

ADVICES TO LADIES

To maintain a healthy vagina you must know what to do to avoid infection and it is equally important to educate your sexual partner on some of them to also help you help the vagina.

Here are some few things you can do or avoid.

1. FINGERING

During foreplay or romance, as part of it some people insert their finger or fingers into the vagina. The question is, how many people wash their hands before sexual intercourse? Some people do not even keep their nails clean so it gathers a lot of germs and during the fingering, these germs are deposited in the vagina, thereby, leading to infection. Same thing apply to autopleasure acts or masturbation.

2. ANAL SEX

I am not here to tell anybody to have anal sex or not to but I simply want to draw the attention of those who engage in anal sex with the opposite sex that it is dangerous to have anal sex and continue having penovaginal sex. If this is done, the penis will pick bacteria from the anus and deliver them to the vagina even if you are using a condom....which will lead to infection.

3. Quest to make the vagina TIGHT

Some guys complain bitterly about the vagina of their sexual partners. They complain that it's too big and they no more feel any sensation during intercourse. Some ladies are therefore pushed to find a quick solution and in the process some use herbs or other substances in the vagina with the hope of making the vagina tight. Some of the substances cause infection or sepsis. Some of the herbs can cause the vagina to get tighter to the extent that penetration is no more possible. This will require treatment.

4. DOUCHING

Some parents, when bathing for their baby girls put warm water in a milk tin or dip a towel in the warm water and pour the water through a hole made beneath the tin or squeeze the water out of the towel into the vagina of the baby. This is so WRONG as it can damage the hymen.
Some parents also insert ginger or pepper or both into the vagina of adolescents as a form of punishment. This is so WRONG as it can lead to infection.
Some people are use to bathing by adding dettol or other detergents to the water and they put this solution inside the vagina with the help of sponge or towel or just the hand with soap to clean the vagina. This is so WRONG as it will change the normal flora in the vagina, leading to infection.

5. USE OF WATER CLOSET

Some people have the habit of not sitting on the seat of the WC when using it so they end up urinating on the seat. The possibility of picking infection when using it in that condition is high. Don't let your pant be at the thigh level when using the WC especially the public ones as the inner of the pant may rub the surface of the WC. Where the water is not running and people have used but have not flushed and you don't have any choice but to also use it, use enough toilet roll to cover before using the WC to avoid any splashes on the vulva.

6. WASHING AND DRYING

Develop the habit of disinfecting your panties frequently, depending on the number of pants you have. Keep exclusive panties to wear whenever you are menstruating and don't mix those panties with your regular panties. Pay particular attention to those panties when washing. Ensure that the panties are made of cotton and are dried in the sun or well ironed to kill germs.

7. CHANGE OF SANITARY PADS

Some people try to economize the use of their sanitary pads so during the period they tend to still wear the pad because there is little or no blood. This is so WRONG as it can lead to infection.

NB: If there is any bad scent from the vagina or there is a discharge coming from the vagina then it might be an infection which you have to have it treated.
Help save the vagina by ensuring that you get the message to as many friends as possible. Help save the vagina by getting the message to your sexual partner or sisters.
Your Good Health is My priority.

Male Infertility: Causes and Treatment Options

There are various causes of male infertility which ranges from testicular disease, hormone deficiencies to structural problems (acquired or births defects) to the male reproductive organs.
Environmental exposures to certain chemical agents , cancer treatments, the use of 'recreational' substances ( for example: alcohol, illegal drugs, performance/anabolic steroids which. Includes certain herbal preparations capable of altering hormonal balance in the body could/ have to potential of causing male infertility.
Medications used in the treatment of epilepsy, depression and hypertension
The common causes of male-factor infertility are:

* Infections : like mumps are known to cause damage and blockages to the male reproductive systems. Prompt treatment is of importance using curative herbal remedy to avoid complex process that can leads to surgery.

* Hormonal Imbalances: Evidence suggests that thyroid problems also can lead to low levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which are hormones necessary for the production of sperm. Effective herbal medicine could also be used in certain circumstances to aid LH and FSH production.

* Sexual Dysfunction: Associated with psychological issues, age ( more of ejaculatory problems:premature and delayed ejaculation) ,medical conditions
NB: Retrograde ejaculation is when semen is released backwards that is into the bladder, which is usually associated with nerve damage, following surgery to the prostate or lower back surgery, some congenial birth defects and diseases including diabetes and multiple sclerosis and medications used in the treatment of depression and high blood pressure.

* Sperm Quantity and Quality
Poor sperm count, motility and morphology
In cases where there's evidence of infections like sexually transmitted diseases , prompt treatment is of great importance using natural herbal formula which would likely increase chances of conception.
Blockages and Other Anatomical Problems in the male reproductive system
Any blockage in the passage of sperm from the testis would lead to azoospermia, whereby there is no sperm in semen or ejaculate.
Blockages could be the result of birth defects (congenital absence of. As deferens), or sometimes due to complication of infection causing scarring or post- surgical (vasectomy ).

* Varicocele
A varicocele cause by weakness in the valves of the veins. These valves assist in ensuring one-way flow ( unidirectional flow) in the veins, when these valves becomes weak, the veins becomes abnormally swollen (varicose) vein that diminishes or blocks blood flow around the testes.
They eventually cause an increase in scrotal temperature which is not ideal; hence they have been controversially linked to poor sperm production and quality.

* Immune System Disorders
In rare instances the body recognizes one's sperm as foreign, this could be due to interruption in the normal anatomy of the male reproductive system.
Hypospadias
This is a congenital condition where the opening of the urethra ( external opening on the penis : to let out urine& semen ) is not located at the tip-end of the penis; which make it a challenge for the semen to get properly deposited in the vagina of the female during intercourse.
Herbal remedy with an extensive scientific research, confirmed, together with pure natural nutritional therapy is an ideal solution for the above listed causes either for treatment or prevention.

Methods of birth control

By: TATJANA MARKS

Birth control is how you prevent a pregnancy before it begins. There are lots of different methods. Birth control can work really well and be easy to use. All of the methods in this article help prevent pregnancies, but none are 100% effective. They also do not protect infection from sexually transmitted diseases except for condoms. It is therefore always a good idea to use a condom in addition to the other methods listed here.

CONDOMS

A condom is a thin rubber sheath that is placed over the penis before sex. A condom allows two people to have sex without their genitals touching. It also stops sperm from getting into the vagina. Condoms therefore protect from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

THE PILL

Birth control pills are a kind of medicine with hormones. You take one pill every day. The hormones in the pill stop ovulation. No ovulation means that the female body does not prepare an egg to be fertilised by sperm. The pill is safe and effective.

IUD

An IUD is a tiny device that is put into the woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. The uterus (also called the womb) is an organ in the lower part of a woman’s body that is important for having babies. IUD stands for Intrauterine Device (a device inside your uterus). It is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. IUDs are long-term, reversible and very effective at preventing pregnancy.

BIRTH CONTROL SHOT

The birth control shot is an injection you get from a nurse or doctor once every 3 months. That’s 4 times a year. It’s a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always get it on time.

BIRTH CONTROL IMPLANT

A birth control implant is a tiny rod about the size of a matchstick. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into the woman’s arm and they are protected from pregnancy for up to 4 years.

FEMALE STERILISATION

Female sterilisation is a surgical procedure during which a woman’s fallopian tubes are closed or blocked. The fallopian tubes are needed for an egg to move from the ovaries to the vagina to be fertilised. When they are blocked, no egg can come through and no pregnancy can happen. You still get your period after this procedure, but it permanently protects against pregnancy.

MALE STERILISATION

Male sterilisation is also called a vasectomy. It is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, a doctor cuts or blocks of the small tubes in the man’s scrotum (testicles). This way no sperm can leave the man’s body and cause pregnancy. Vasectomy protects against pregnancy permanently.

NATURAL BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

Natural birth control methods do not rely on technology. One of them is to only have sex during the days of the month that the woman is less fertile and so less likely to get pregnant. Another is for the man to withdraw his penis from the woman’s vagina before orgasm and to ejaculate outside of her. Women who already have a baby who only give their baby breast milk and nothing else are protected from another pregnancy for up to 6 months.
An IUD is a tiny device that is put into the woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. The uterus (also called the womb) is an organ in the lower part of a woman’s body that is important for having babies. IUD stands for Intrauterine Device (a device inside your uterus). It is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. IUDs are long-term, reversible and very effective at preventing pregnancy.

BIRTH CONTROL SHOT

The birth control shot is an injection you get from a nurse or doctor once every 3 months. That’s 4 times a year. It’s a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always get it on time.

BIRTH CONTROL IMPLANT

A birth control implant is a tiny rod about the size of a matchstick. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into the woman’s arm and they are protected from pregnancy for up to 4 years.

FEMALE STERILISATION

Female sterilisation is a surgical procedure during which a woman’s fallopian tubes are closed or blocked. The fallopian tubes are needed for an egg to move from the ovaries to the vagina to be fertilised. When they are blocked, no egg can come through and no pregnancy can happen. You still get your period after this procedure, but it permanently protects against pregnancy.

MALE STERILISATION

Male sterilisation is also called a vasectomy. It is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, a doctor cuts or blocks of the small tubes in the man’s scrotum (testicles). This way no sperm can leave the man’s body and cause pregnancy. Vasectomy protects against pregnancy permanently.

NATURAL BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

Natural birth control methods do not rely on technology. One of them is to only have sex during the days of the month that the woman is less fertile and so less likely to get pregnant. Another is for the man to withdraw his penis from the woman’s vagina before orgasm and to ejaculate outside of her. Women who already have a baby who only give their baby breast milk and nothing else are protected from another pregnancy for up to 6 months.

HOW TO SELECT YOUR BABY'S SEX.

By Bridge Counsellor

Sperm cells are either X or Y.

The Egg cell is always X. If X-Sperm cell meets the egg(X) the baby will be a Girl (XX). If Y-Sperm cell meets the egg(X), the baby will be a Boy (XY). The Y-Sperm cells move fast but die fast (its lifespan is about 24hrs). X-Sperm cells move slowly but survive longer (up to 3-4days).
Therefore, if you have intercourse some days before ovulation, most of the Y-Sperm cells would have died leaving mostly X-Sperm cells to fertilized the egg
Here's a simple way to calculate your ovulation period.

1. From the first day you see the blood of your period.
2. Pick up a calendar and count 15 days including the first day of the blood stain.
3. Mark the 15th day with a pen.
4. Mark 3 days before the 15th day, and mark 3 days after the 15th day.
5. You will notice you have 7 days marked. These 7 days are your ovulation/fertile days also known as unsafe period. That is if you have sex on any of these days, then you have 98% chances of being pregnant.
6. Do this every month diligently

For Example;

1. If your period is 16th August, 
2. 15 days after the first day of the blood stain will be on 30th of this August too (2weeks after) counting from 16th.
3. 15th day is on the 30th August
4. 3-days before the 15th day is 27, 28, 29.
5. 3-days after 30th August is 31st, 1st September, 2nd September.
6. 27th August - 2nd September (7 days) is when you are ovulating. It is your fertile period.

**Don't forget that the 4 days is a reminder that sperm stays in the female body for about 4 days. Any sexual contact in between ovulation period will form something ...
If you want a baby girl, have sex between 3 days before ovulation (27- 29th)
Female sperm swim slowly but can stay inside woman body for days without dying off,
For a baby boy on the main ovulation day and 3 days after 30th. (31st, 1st, 2nd)
Male sperm swim very fast but will get weak and die off if no egg found for a while leaving female sperm to finish the job .
________________________________________________________________________________

MAJOR SIGNS THAT YOUR OVULATION HAS BEGAN

You don't need a doctor, just relax. After 2 weeks you may feel the following:

1. Headache.
2. High body temperature.
3. Dizziness (feeling of tiredness and sleepiness).
4. Breast tenderness/ size increases just like when you are menstruating.
5. Increased sex drive.
6. Light cramps or pain on one side of the pelvis.
7. Abdominal bloating.
8. Heightened sense of smell, taste or vision (you eat more).
9. Vagina mucus becomes slippery (if you notice, put it in between fingers...it stretches like thick catarrh or snail mucus...colorless like egg white.

N/B: The instance here is for ladies with 30 days cycle. And someone who saw her period in  August. If yours is 28, then it's 14 days and not 15 days.

What is breast ironing and what are its consequences?

By: AVA MITCHELL

WHAT IS BREAST IRONING?

Breast ironing, also known as breast flattening, is a process that involves pounding or beating a young girl’s breast using hard or hot objects. Breast ironing usually begins with the onset of puberty. It is done to prevent, or reverse breast growth.

The United Nations (UN) describes breast ironing as one of the top five most underreported crimes related to gender-based violence.

WHY IS IT PRACTISED?

Breast ironing can be practised for many different reasons. Often, breast ironing is aimed at slowing physical maturity and puberty, to prevent unwanted attention from men and delay a girl’s sexual activity.

Breast ironing is often practised by mothers. Some mothers may practice breast ironing of their daughters to prevent them from getting married and so they will stay in school for longer.

WHERE IS IT PRACTISED?

Breast ironing is practised in many countries across West and Central Africa, including Togo, Benin, Kenya and Zimbabwe. It is widely practised in Cameroon and an estimated 1 out of 3 girls have been subjected to the practice – this is about 1.3 million.

Worldwide, the United Nations (UN), estimates about 3.8 million teenagers have been affected by breast ironing. It is not only practised in Africa, and some girls from West Africa communities in other countries such as the UK have also been affected.

WHY IS BREAST IRONING HARMFUL?

Breast ironing can have dangerous medical consequences. The practice itself is dangerous and sometimes hot stones and electric irons are used to flatten the breasts. Negative physical effects can include infection, fever and tissue damage. Although no medical studies of its effects have taken place, medical experts warn it could contribute to breast cancer and cysts and interfere with breastfeeding later in life. As well as physical effects, breast ironing can have many damaging psychological effects and can lead to mental health conditions such as depression. Breast ironing puts the person through pain and distress, often against their wishes.

WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT BREAST IRONING?

In Cameroon, no legislation currently exists that condemns breast ironing. However, many non-profit organisations exist to work against breast ironing, which aim to raise awareness of the dangers of this practice. Understanding its dangers is key to ending breast ironing.