Chioma Umeha

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

Ephraim began to cough at 18 months old. Later his feet also started to swell. His mother, Theresa, took him to a health centre where he underwent chest X-ray. The health attendants did not find any sign of Tuberculosis (TB) and sent him home with drugs that could only cure common cold. However, when he did not get better, his mother was referred to Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba Lagos for comprehensive diagnosis. This time, Ephraim’s X-ray indicated that he had TB. Since there was no bed space at NIMR, he began treatment in one of the government hospitals in Badagry, Lagos. He stayed there for two months before being transferred to a facility close to their residence. Despite completing six months of treatment, his condition did not improve. Worried, his mother went back to NIMR where Ephraim was diagnosed with MDR-TB after doctors tested a sputum sample. He began treatment, which included a combination of daily injections and pills. For six months, T

Six journalists were on weekend won the maiden Excellence Awards by Malaria No More for their commitment to malaria reporting within the past year. The winners include, Mrs. Appolonia Adeyemi, Health Editor, New Telegraph (print category), Ms. Linda Nengi Finecountry, AIT Rivers (television category), Mrs. Tosin Odusola, Health Reporter, Eko FM/Radio Lagos (Radio Category) and Haruna Godwin, This Day (runner up, print category) were announced during the event. The winners all received 100,000 Naira cash prizes while the runner up in print category received 50,000 Naira. The awards which held at Zen Garden, Ikeja GRA, Lagos was attended by journalists from nine media houses, Corporate Affairs Manager, Total Nigeria Plc and Dr. Mike Okolo from Pan Atlantic University. The criteria for being a recipient of the prize for malaria reporting are detailed, accurate and consistent articles on malaria with human angled stories. Presenting the certificates were Mr. Albert Mabuyak

FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC held its 10th annual nutrition seminar tagged “Physical Growth and Brain Development of the Nigerian Child: The Challenge of Our Time” on Friday, August 21, 2015 in Lagos. Key speakers at the seminar were renowned Professor of Pediatrics and President Pediatrics Association of Nigeria Prof Adebiyi Olowu; and Dr Anne Schaafsma, Senior Scientist, Global Nutrition Development, Friesland Campina Innovation Centre, The Netherlands. The speakers presented research papers on the importance of nutrition for the optimum brain development of a child. According to them, brain development and mental health of a child is essential and it should never be neAglected. The first five years of development of a child is crucial and represents the period the child significantly needs essential nutrients that support overall brain development, especially Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). From left, the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Mr. Rahul Co

Adaora Ogbaru is a middle-aged woman, married with three children. She has never had any health complications since she survived a surgery from fibroid. Suddenly, Ada as she is fondly known among acquaintances began to show signs of cough and wheezing. Her problem became worsened after what she thought was simple symptoms of cough was diagnosed as Tuberculosis (TB). However, the hospital authorities could not admit her to receive the treatment as there was no bed space. She was placed on the first-line drugs to treat the disease for eight months even as health workers were assigned to administer the drugs on her at home. Ada defaulted from going through the treatment. She preferred to go behind the doors taking traditional medicines. According to her, she did not want people to know that she had TB. Her case further got more complicated after she was back to the hospital and was diagnosed of multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB). Ada is simply an example of thousands of Nigeri

Nordica fertility center Lagos emerged 21st in Cybermetrics Laboratory survey conducted recently after Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro Abeokuta, emerged the sixth best hospital in Africa and 2091 in the world. Dr. Abayomi Ajayi An online report weekend, said that in the “World Hospitals’ ranking on the Web” conducted by Cybermetrics Laboratory, Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro Abeokuta, emerged the sixth best hospital in Africa and 2091 in the world. Nordica Fertility Centre Lagos came 21st in Africa and 6167th in the world. Bridge Clinic, Saint Nicholas Hospital, and Abuja Clinics also made the first 100 best hospitals in Africa with positions 43, 89 and 93 respectively. Nordica Fertility Centre is a reputable and leading Assisted Conception Centre with top class medical facilities in Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, with the founder as Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, a consultant Obsterician and Gynaecologist, who is also the Managing Director of the clinic that specialises in In-Vitro Fertili