Monday Health Burst

MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING IN CHILDREN

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The impact of breast feeding on the growth of a child cannot be overstated. Breastfeeding is responsible for intimacy and bonding between mother and child. This intimacy and bond created during breastfeeding, can provide long lasting physical and psychological benefits. Research has shown that there is a connection between the breastfeeding experience of a child and the cognitive development later in life.

An assessment carried out by Bernard et al (2013), on the cognitive and motor development in 2 and 3 year old children showed that improved problem solving abilities in children were associated with prolonged duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Another study showed that there was a reduced risk of cognitive impairment among children when breastfed immediately after birth (Diepeveen et al., 2017).

According to WebMD, breastfeeding has a deep and lasting effect on the behaviour, mental health, thought and understanding in children. For instance, babies who are breastfed are likely to have stronger critical thinking and reasoning skills, better memory, early language ability, and enhanced motor skills.

Breastfeeding is encouraged to be practiced by every mother as its benefits extend to almost every area of a child’s growth, that is, physical, emotional, social and psychological growth.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#Breastfeeding #UNFPA #WHO #ChildHealth #PsychologicalBenefitsofBreastfeeding #MondayHealthBurst

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON BREASTFEEDING:A PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR BREAST CANCER

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Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, especially if a woman breastfeeds for more than one year.

According to Amy Van Deusen, a large-scale analysis of nearly 150,000 women published in ‘The Lancelot’ in 2002 discovered that among women who breastfed, for every 12 months of breastfeeding (either with one child or spread over multiple children), the risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3 percent compared to women who didn’t breastfeed at all.

Then a study published in 2014 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women of African ancestry have a high risk of developing the aggressive and hard – to- treat forms of breast cancer called estrogen receptor-negative and triple-negative, and the risk actually goes up when a woman gives birth, but breastfeeding negates this risk.

There are several reasons why breastfeeding protects health;

*Producing milk 24/7 limits breast cells ability to malfunction.

*Most women have fewer menstrual cycles when they are breastfeeding (added to the 9 missed periods during pregnancy) resulting in lower estrogen levels.

*Many women tend to eat more nutritious foods and follow healthier lifestyles (limit smoking and alcohol use) while breastfeeding.

Women are therefore encouraged to breastfeed their children for up to 1 year at least especially if the family has a record of breast cancer.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

 

#Breastfeeding

#AprotectiveFactorforBreastCancer

#who #unfpa #MondayHealthBurst

 

                                                                             

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Monday Health Burst on Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding to Babies

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Breastfeeding is the act of feeding an infant breast milk from the breast. Exclusive and continued breastfeeding could help prevent 13% of death globally among children under five years old.

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and encourages continuing breastfeeding even after solid foods are introduced until the age of two. It is also recommended, that Children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.

The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding cannot be understated as it includes;

Brain development: A US study showed that toddlers and preschoolers who had been exclusively breastfeed for at least three months had brains with twenty to thirty percent more white matter which connects different regions of the brain and transmits signals between them than those who had no breast milk. Therefore, Infants who are breastfed exclusively are more likely to have higher intelligence quotient (IQ) than formula fed babies.

Life long benefits: Children who were breastfed are less likely to suffer from diseases such as leukaemia and lymphoma and tend to have better eyesight, and straighter teeth than those who had formula milk.
Breastfeeding also helps to lower baby’s risk of becoming obese or developing type 1 or type 2 diabetes as adult.

Exclusive breastfeeding is known to considerably decrease infant mortality on account of common childhood illness. It is one of the ways to minimize the chances of a baby getting diarrhoea, allergies, pneumonia and suffering from malnutrition.

Sadly, three in five babies are not breastfed in the first hour of life and two out of three infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended six months.

More awareness should be created on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
Support from family members and friends is vital in encouraging mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#Breastfeeding #who #unfpa #unicef
#EducateandSupport
#BuildingBackBetter
# MondayHealthBurst

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MHB Viral Hepatitis

Viral Hepatitis – Overview

#ViralHepatitis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Monday Health Burst, PMTCT, Viral Hepatitis, WHO /

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents leading to a range of health problems which could result in fatality. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E and they all cause liver disease. However, they differ in significant ways such as modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution and prevention methods.

Viral hepatitis B and C leads to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach and in 2019, approximately 290 000 people died from hepatitis C.

Viral Hepatitis types are contacted through ingestion of contaminated food or water, unsafe contact with infected body fluids, receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, Mother-child transmission, sexual contact etc. Symptoms may be mild or severe at the onset of the infection.

Some types of hepatitis are preventable through vaccination while there is currently no effective vaccine against hepatitis C. Hepatitis if not treated with caution at the early stage will progress to cirrhosis and other chronic conditions of the liver.

WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030.

 

 

#hepatitis #who #liverdiseases #livercirrhosis #mondayhealthburst #cfhi #unfpa #unicef

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST – HIV/AIDS Common Myths and Facts

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On today’s Monday Health Burst, find out some HIV/AIDS common myths and facts. This topic is of great importance to the ending of AIDS because false myths arise due to lack of facts or having inaccurate information.

Myth 1: HIV can be cured.

Fact: There’s no cure yet for HIV, but antiretroviral treatment

Myth 2: I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive.

Fact: HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, saliva, or urine

Myth 3: Mosquitoes spread HIV.

Fact: Several studies show that mosquitoes do not spread HIV, even in areas with lots of mosquitoes and cases of HIV.

Myth 4: I don’t need to worry about getting HIV. Drugs will keep me well.

Fact: Antiretroviral drugs (ART) improve the lives of many people who have HIV and help them live longer. But many of these drugs are expensive and have serious side effects. Prevention is cheaper and easier than managing a lifelong condition and the problems it brings.

Myth 5: I am HIV-positive. My life is over.

Fact: ART allows people with HIV or AIDS live longer, normal, and productive lives when taken correctly and in time. One may live as long as s/he would have without the virus.

Myth 6: Now that I have HIV, I can’t have kids.

Fact: When pregnant, a doctor will prescribe HIV drugs to protect the mother and baby. The baby may also be given medication after birth. This will help protect the baby from being infected with the virus.

Myth 7: HIV is a spiritual curse.

Fact: HIV is not a spiritual curse, it is a disease contracted via unprotected sex, sharing of infected sharp objects, blood transfusion, exchange.

Join us next week on #MondayHealthBurst as we shall be discussing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY – PREDIABETES

Diabetes, Health, Healthy Dieting, Monday Health Burst, Prediabetes /

PREDIABETES – YOUR CHANCE TO PREVENT TYPE 2 DIABETES

According to Centre for Disease Control (CDC), prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, yet not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If one has prediabetes, it shows that the cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin. Hence, the pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond and eventually will not be able to keep up. The blood sugar then rises, setting the stage for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Studies have shown that 1 in 3 American adults have prediabetes. In Nigeria, the prevalence of prediabetes is also high with hypertension emerging as the possible driving force. Though the exact cause of prediabetes is unknown, family history, genetics, lack of regular physical activity and being overweight with excess fat around the abdomen appear to be important factors. Other factors include ever having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds and having polycystic ovary syndrome.

Often times, one could be with prediabetes for years with no clear symptoms, so it often goes undetected until serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes show up. However, some people experience increased thirst, frequent urination, excess hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, and darkened skin on certain parts of the body (neck, armpits, elbows, knees and knuckles).

To reverse prediabetes, keep an active lifestyle by getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity, avoid refined carbohydrates, cut back on sugar, eat healthy foods, drink less alcohol, get sufficient sleep, reduce food portion size. More so, periodic screening is key to detecting and reversing prediabetes. Simple Blood Sugar Test done in time could stop prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

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HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG ABUSE

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition (DMS-4) defines drug abuse as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.” Drug abuse also known as substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals to create pleasurable effects on the brain. Drugs most often used include alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, and opioids.

Globally, some 35 million people are estimated to suffer from drug use disorder according to the latest World Drug Report, released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The report also estimates the number of opioid users at 53 million, up 56 per cent from previous estimates, and that opioids are responsible for two-thirds of the 585,000 people who died as a result of drug use in 2017. According to a survey led by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Center for Research and Information on Substance Abuse, over the past year alone, nearly 15% of the adult population in Nigeria (around 14.3 million people) reported a “considerable level” of use of psychoactive drug substances—it’s a rate much higher than the 2016 global average of 5.6% among adults. It showed the highest levels of drug use were recorded among people aged between 25 to 39, with cannabis being the most widely used drug.

Addiction to any substance, whether legal or illegal, can in some cases lead to serious health conditions. The effects of drug abuse according to Medical News Today 2018 publication, depend on the type of drug, any other substances that a person is using, and their health history. Abusing a drug, or misusing prescription medication, can produce other short-term effects, such as changes in appetite, sleeplessness or insomnia, increased heart rate, slurred speech etc. On the other hand, experts have linked chronic drug use with the following health conditions:

  • Cardiovascular disease: Stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, can damage the heart and blood vessels. The long-term use of these drugs can lead to coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and heart attack.
  • Respiratory problems: Drugs that people smoke or inhale can damage the respiratory system and lead to chronic respiratory infections and diseases.
  • Kidney damage: The kidneys filter excess minerals and waste products from the blood. Heroin, ketamine and synthetic cannabinoids can cause kidney damage or kidney failure.
  • Liver disease: Chronic drug and alcohol use can damage the liver cells, leading to inflammation, scarring, and even liver failure.
  • Overdose: Taking too much of a drug or taking multiple drugs together can result in an overdose.

Drug addiction is treatable and starts with detox under medical supervision. Family and friends can begin the healing process through group therapy, counselling, and talking to others in peer support groups or meetings and drug addiction forums.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

6 Comments / Anxiety Disorder, Health, Health Communication, Mental Health, Monday Health Burst /

ANXIETY DISORDER – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. The excessive anxiety can make you avoid work, school, and other social situations that might trigger or worsen the symptoms.

Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses that lead to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension and worry. These disorders alter how a person processes emotions and behave, also causing physical symptoms. Mild anxiety might be vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety may seriously affect day-to-day living.

The causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood. Researchers are yet to know exactly what brings on anxiety disorders. A complex mix of things play a role in who does and does not get one. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety. Inherited treats can also be a factor. Some causes of anxiety disorders are:

  • Genetics – Anxiety disorders can run in families.
  • Brain chemistry – Research suggests anxiety disorders may be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions.
  • Environmental stress – This refers to stressful events you have seen or lived through. Life events often linked to anxiety disorders include childhood abuse and neglect, a death of a loved one, being attacked or witnessing violence.
  • Drug withdrawal or misuse – Certain drugs may be used to hide or decrease certain anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder often goes hand in hand with alcohol and substance use.
  • Medical conditions – Some heart, lung, and thyroid conditions can cause symptoms similar to anxiety disorders or make anxiety symptoms worse. It is important to get a full physical exam to rule out other medical conditions when talking to your doctor about anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by a variety of symptoms. One of the most common is excessive and intrusive worrying that disrupts daily functioning, other signs include agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tense muscles and trouble sleeping. Anxiety disorder can be debilitating, but they can be managed with proper help from a medical professional. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step.

Once one is diagnosed with anxiety disorder, it is important to explore treatment options with a doctor. For some people, medical treatment is not necessary. Lifestyle changes may be enough to cope with the symptoms. Treatment for anxiety disorder falls into two categories: psychotherapy and medication. Meeting with a therapist or psychologist can help learn tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs.

Medications typically used to treat anxiety disorder include antidepressants and sedatives. They work to balance brain chemistry, prevent episodes of anxiety, and ward off the most severe symptoms of the disorder.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more interesting episodes.

 

 

 

 

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Dementia, Health, Health Communication, Mental Health, Monday Health Burst /

DEMENTIA – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT

Dementia, also called neurocognitive disorder, is a collective term used to describe various symptoms of cognitive decline. Dementia is not a single disease in itself, but a general term to describe the loss of cognitive functioning – thinking, remembering and reasoning and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management and the ability to focus and pay attention. Some people with dementia find it difficult to control their emotions, and their personalities may change.

Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities for living.

The causes of dementia can vary, depending on the types of brain changes that may be taking place. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer is characterized by “plaques” between the dying cells in the brain and “tangles” within the cells (both are due to protein abnormalities). The brain tissue in a person with Alzheimer’s has progressively fewer cells and connection and the total brain size shrink. Other causes of dementia include;

  • Vascular disorders. These conditions affect the blood circulation in the brain.
  • Traumatic brain injuries caused by car accidents, falls, concussions etc.
  • Infections of the central nervous system. These include meningitis, HIV
  • Long-time alcohol or drug use

Symptoms of dementia can vary greatly. Many conditions are progressive, which means that the signs of dementia start out slowly and gradually get worse. Possible symptoms of dementia compiled and published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) include;

  • Recent memory loss- a sign of this might be asking the same question repeatedly
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • Problems communicating – difficulty with language; forgetting simple words or using the wrong ones.
  • Disorientation
  • Problems with abstract thinking
  • Misplacing things
  • Mood changes

Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In the case of most progressive dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, there is no cure and no treatment that slows or stops its progression. But there are drug treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. The same medications used to treat Alzheimer’s are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms of other types of dementias. Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some symptoms of dementia.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more interesting episodes.

 

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

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ENDOMETRIOSIS – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT

Endometriosis, sometimes called “Endo,” is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the uterus or womb. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus and on other areas in the body where it does not belong. It is especially common among women in 30s and 40s and may make it harder to get pregnant. Endometriosis is often found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, tissues that hold the uterus in place or outer surface of the uterus.

The cause of Endometriosis is yet unknown, However, there are several theories associated with the causes of Endometriosis. The widely accepted theory is that the womb lining does not leave the body properly during a period and embeds itself on the organs of the pelvis. This is known as retrograde menstruation. Other factors include

  • Genetic factors -Because endometriosis runs in families, it may be inherited in the genes.
  • Immune system problems -A faulty immune system may fail to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Immune system disorders and certain cancers are more common in women with endometriosis.
  • Hormones -the hormone estrogen appears to promote endometriosis. Research is looking at whether endometriosis is a problem with the body’s hormone system.
  • Surgery -during a surgery to the abdominal area, such as a Cesarean (C-section) or hysterectomy, endometrial tissue could be picked up and moved by mistake. For instance, endometrial tissue has been found in abdominal scars.

Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition. Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person and some women have no symptoms at all. Yet, the most common symptoms include: painful periods or heavy periods which gets worse overtime; pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis or lower back, pain during and after sex, bleeding between periods, difficulty getting pregnant, painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods. Most women with endometriosis get pain in the area between their hips and the tops of their legs. Some women experience this pain all the time.

Other symptoms may include persistent exhaustion and tiredness, discomfort when defecating,  bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in feces, and coughing blood in rare cases when the endometriosis tissue is in the lung. How severe the symptoms are depends on where in the body the abnormal tissue is, rather than the amount of tissue present. A small amount could be more painful than a large amount. It is worthy of note that Endometriosis is rare in women who are in the menopause stage.

There is presently no cure for endometriosis. Endometriosis can be a difficult condition to deal with, both physically and emotionally but treatments are available for the symptoms and problems it causes. The symptoms of endometriosis can often be managed with painkillers and hormone medication, which help prevent the condition interfering with daily activities. Still, there is no known cure for endometriosis. For women who are not interested in getting pregnant, hormonal birth control is generally the first step in treatment. Patches of endometriosis tissue can sometimes be surgically removed to improve symptoms and fertility also. However, Surgery is usually chosen for severe symptoms, when hormones are not providing relief or if there are fertility problems.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more interesting episodes

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