Chioma Umeha

Why single elevated blood-pressure reading isn’t worrisome Medical experts have observed that it is not all body alerts are risky to health. The human body is constantly changing in response to an array of factors: stress, medications, what you eat, how you sleep. This is definitely true of blood pressure, particularly the top number in the blood-pressure measurement, the systolic blood pressure. In fact, there is a phenomenon called ‘white coat hypertension,’ in which blood pressure goes up when the measurement is taken at the doctor’s office because you’re nervous about having it checked. A friend of mine was recently in the hospital, hooked up to a display that checked his blood pressure every 15 minutes, with tremendous variation. It nearly drove him crazy. When to worry about blood pressure If you get a high reading several times in a month, talk to your doctor; untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke. Extremely elevated blood pressure (syst

… Organise forum for stakeholders The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has reiterated pleas for an adjustment tax of 20 percent to be immediately imposed on imported finished pharmaceutical products as it applies to other sectors where Nigeria has capacity as allowed by the Common External Tariff (CET). Also, under the National List within the CET, the group proposed that input into pharmaceutical manufacturing (raw materials, excipients and packaging) should be allowed to be imported at zero per cent by bonafide pharmaceutical manufacturers. Chairman of PMG-MAN, Mr. Okey Akpa made the call on Tuesday, while announcing the 4th Pharma Manufacturers EXPO 2015 which will be taking place at The Haven, Oba Akinjobi Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos from September 7 to 9. Over 120 exhibitors are expected from France, Germany, India and other countries to the EXPO with the theme: Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry and Internationa

…Says service will be free for Lagosians Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday commissioned 20 Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances, saying it was in fulfillment of his administration’s commitment to bring quality healthcare service closer to the people particularly during emergency situations. The Governor who spoke at the Lagos State House, Ikeja, said that the commissioning of the ambulances, which will be deployed free of charge for Lagosians, was part of his pledge to run a government that will leave no one behind. “In my inaugural address I pledged my total commitment to run a government that will leave no one behind; a government that will implement programmes that make life simpler, easier and happier for our people, Today we are launching the free ambulance service as a demonstration to that pledge”, he said. He said the acquisition of the new ambulances was also in consonance with his administration’s mantra to

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has emphasized the importance of investment in nutrition for optimal growth of Nigerian workforce. Speaking weekend, in Lagos, Managing Director / CEO of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon at a Paediatric Nutrition Symposium held for healthcare professionals in Lagos to address the importance and relevance of protein in child health and nutrition, said “ we believe adequate investment in Protein is a very important core business to engage in, and is lifelong dividend both to individuals and country at large. “ This symposium has been put today for healthcare professionals with information on the latest science and developments in early childhood nutrition through publications, workshops, scientific conferences and digital media for the growth of the workforce of this nation”. He continued: “We need to continually educate health workers on science-based nutrition because science is dynamic” Professor James Renner, Executive Board Member of the Nestl

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned two persons in Federal High Court, Port Harcourt for producing and selling fake products. One of the accused, Tochukwu Michael was arrested by NAFDAC Officials at No. 6, Ekulumiri Abosi Awada, Anambra State for producing and selling Maxiquine Triple Action Syrup for children. He was accused of a five-count charge of producing and been in possession of fake and unregistered Maxiquine Triple Action syrup for children. The offence contravene Section 1 (a) of the counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act cap C34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3 (1) (a) of the same Act. The offence is also contrary to section 1 of the food, Drugs and related products Registration (etc) Cap F 33 LFN 2004 and punishable under section 6 (1) of the same acct. The second accused; Onyekachukwu Bartholomew Okafor of No. 2 Road, Ebemma Ogbot-Hill, Aba, Abia

An Abuja-based physician, Dr Okezie Emenike, has said that shortness of breath experienced by some people could be an indication of allergic asthma. He told the News of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja weekend, that allergic asthma was the type caused by allergy, which is also known as allergy induced- asthma. According to him, allergy asthma occurs when a patient’s immune system overreacts to the presence of some harmful substance known as an allergen. He said that allergic asthma was the most common type of asthma, which often times runs in the family with the history of asthma and other allergies, such as hay fever. He said that some people may develop breathing problems whenever they inhale allergens that usually occur when the airways swell as part of an allergic reaction. Emenike, however, attributed pollen, pet dander as well as dust as factors that could predispose one to allergic asthma. He also mentioned that shellfish, eggs, peanuts, fish and milk could trigger the develo

An Abuja-based Gynaecologist, Dr. Adaora Ukoh, has revealed that untreated sexually transmitted infections could result in endometritis, a major cause of infertility. Ukoh said this during an interview with the an online news agency in Abuja. She described endometritis as an inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus, which is usually caused by infection. According to her, endometritis is often associated with inflammation of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, as well as the pelvic which commonly occurred after childbirth. She further said that endometritis could be divided into two categories. She gave the two groups as pregnancy-related and unrelated endometritis. Ukoh, however, identified pelvic inflammatory diseases that were sexually transmitted such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea as factors that contribute to the development of endometritis. The consultant added that womb infection in early pregnancy; prolonged labour and placement of intrauterine device as causative fact

The Executive Secretary, West African College of Nursing, Mrs Henrietta Okedo, has called for concerted efforts to manage the natural and man-made disasters witnessed on a daily basis in the country. Okedo made the call at a certificate course for Nurses. It was organised by the college in Lagos, with the theme: “Disaster Nursing: Emergency Preparedness.” “With the fast changing global trends in technology and development, and its attendant effect on the lives of the masses, the health workers need to be constantly trained. “We wake up every day without knowing what the day holds in stock for us. “In Nigeria, no week passes without news of bomb blast in one area or the other. “It is, therefore, necessary for all stakeholders in the healthcare sectors to come together and find ways of managing disaster situations,” she said. Cross-section of participants at the 2013 world disasters risk reduction day held in Abuja recently She added that the country is yet to be pre

Cognitive decline leaves one in four individuals over the age of 65 with increasing memory loss and various levels of functional impairment. A recently published study from the Archives of Ophthalmology (Volume 130, page 895) adds a new dimension: Older people with visual impairment, particularly those with cataracts or moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy, are more likely to experience cognitive dysfunction. The research analyzed 1,179 patients, ages 60 to 80, who participated in the Singapore Malay Eye Study. While other studies have linked reduced visual acuity to poor cognitive function, this population-based trial was one of the first to investigate specific vision-threatening eye diseases that may be associated with cognitive impairment. The researchers were unable to uncover any data showing a relationship between glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cognitive dysfunction. That was not the case, however, with visual impairment due to cataract and

Meanwhile, Prof. Folahan Adekola of the Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, has warned that dying of hair increases risk of cancer. Adekola also said this  during the week, as reported by an online medium.  He revealed that hair dye formulations contain chemicals known as Yombo-fitta and Yombo-tumtum, which he said are freely sold in Nigerian markets for people to dye their grey hair and look younger. According to him, these same dyes are also used to dye clothing materials.  The expert explained that research had revealed the presence of highly toxic metals such as lead and arsenic and other carcinogenic compound in the dyes. Adekola pointed out that given the widespread use of hair dye products; even a small increase in risk may have a considerable public health impact. “The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that hairdressers and barbers are at increased risks of bladder cancer due to exposure to these chemicals,” he added. The