Residents of Port Harcourt have been advised to stop drinking garri soaked in cold water for now, because rats that carry the highly contagious Lassa fever virus also like exposed dry garri.
Dr. Furo Green, the Chairman of Rivers State branch of Nigerian Medical Association, NBA, gave this medical advice, while speaking on the Lassa Fever scourge in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.

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Dr Furo Green said the call became necessary as rats that cause Lassa fever are mostly in contact with garri. “Because you are not sure which garri has been infected by rats, its advisable to stay away. When you want to sip garri, you only pour cold water, add sugar and milk as the case may be.
“When you do that you only succeed in gulping a life virus that can cause Lassa fever. The virus is empowered easily to attack you. Rather, garri should be consumed in the traditional way prepare it well boiled hot water or pour the garri in a pot of boiling hot water and steer it.”
Dr. Green also advised members of the public to store food in closed containers to keep rats at bay. “When you buy foodstuffs like garri, you should pour it into a container that is covered to avoid the garri from being contaminated infected rats”.
He warned members of the public to keep personal hygiene of washing hands, keeping our environment clean of leftover food and other measures.
Since the outbreak of Lassa fever disease, three people have died in Rivers state, claiming the life of a medical doctor with the state-owned Braithwaite Memorial Specialised Hospital (BMHS), Livy Ijamala, on Wednesday January 13 night.
The medical doctor was said to have contracted the fever from a pregnant woman that conducted an emergency Cesarean Section unknown to him that she was infected.
The death of Ijamala brought to three, the number of persons who have died from the disease in the state, as a nursing mother and her two-week-old baby died earlier from the virus.

Health

The trend of wearing heavy make-ups among Nigerian ladies has been discouraged by a medical personnel.
A Dermatologist, Dr Idi Martins, has warned against excessive use of make-up, saying that it exposes the skin to considerable amounts of germs and harmful toxins, Vanguard reports.

Martins told the told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that excessive use of make-up could cause skin irritation, allergies and even skin cancer because of the chemical content. He said that that make-up could have severe adverse effects on the skin and other parts of the body, including the eyes.

“The chemicals found in lipsticks, eye pencils, mascara, kajal, among others, could cause serious health problems.” He advised that women who apply make-up should clean their faces before going to bed, to remove all traces of chemicals from the skin.
“It is very imperative to use suitable face washes, cleansers, toners and scrubs to wash off the make-up on the skin daily, especially at night, to avert any skin irritation or disease,’’ Martins said.

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Similarly, Mrs Pamela Adebowale, a beautician and make-up dealer, said that the wrong application of make-up could result in skin irritation. Adebowale, stressed the need for women to know their skin type in order to know the appropriate type of make-up to apply, particularly on the face.

“You have to know your skin type to enable you to know the appropriate make-up to use for the best effect.’’ She said wrong application of make-up, rather than enhance beauty, could mar it.

Health

Nowadays in Japan is especially popular to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. In addition, scientific tests have proven its value.

Below in this article we are presenting you a description of use of water for our readers. This water treatment has been found successful for old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses.

Japanese medical society claims that this cure is 100% efficient for the many diseases.

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Methods of treatment:

When you wake up in the morning, before you brush your teeth, you should drink 4 glasses of 160ml of water (total 640 ml). After that wash your teeth, but you should not eat or drink anything in the next 45 minutes. After 45 minutes you can normally eat and drink. Then, after the breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for the next two hours.

If you are old and sick and unable to drink 4 glasses of water on an empty stomach, you can begin with drinking water as much as you can, and each and every day increase the amount until you reach the required 640ml.

This method is effective and will cure different diseases. On the other hand, healthy people will enjoy the energy that is given to them from the water.

How many days are required for this treatment?

For gastritis – 10 days

For constipation – 10 days

Diabetes – 30 days

High blood pressure – 30 days

TB – 90 days

Health

You may not be a fan of difficult exercises, but the ″Plank″ exercise will significantly reduce the excess fat from your belly and will strengthen the depth and external muscles of your back, arms and legs, buttocks, and trunk muscles.

In this exercise, make sure you have a holding in the top position of push-ups. The muscles work in a similar way as in the push-ups-deeply strengthened and become more resilient.

The most important thing when doing this exercise is to keep the correct position. When you lift 

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the elbows and will rely on its toes, make sure the upper of your body to be a flat line.

Distribute the weight evenly on elbows and legs which will make tense muscles on the buttocks to get extra balance. When master the proper position, the only thing you have to do is beat yourself in this 2weeks challenge.

You should start with 20 seconds on the first day, then you can gradually increase in the following days.

Health

Guava is believed to have originated from Central America where it is being called sand plum. The fruit is round or oval in shape; the epicarp is light green or light yellow in colour and the flesh varies from white to pink. This fruit contains seeds that are edible.

Find below some of the health benefits of guava:

1. Helps relieve stress

Guava contains magnesium which helps to relax the tensed muscles and nerves in the body. This fruit helps relieve stress and also doubles as an energy booster.

2. Important in pregnancy

The folic acid contained in guava is usually recommended for pregnant women as it helps in the development of the baby’s nervous system. Folic acid which is also known as vitamin B9 is good for the unborn child and mother as it protects the baby from neurological disorders.

3. Aids digestion

Guava contains an appreciable amount of dietary fibre when compared to other fruits. Taking one guava is equivalent to about twelve percent of the recommended daily intake of fibre.

This assists in digestion as it would prevent constipation by aiding bowel movements. The seeds also double as laxatives when it is being chewed or swallowed.

4. It boosts immunity

Vitamin C helps to improve the immune system and protect the body against infections. Guava is very high in vitamin C as it contains four times the amount of vitamin C found in oranges.

5. Healthy for diabetic patients

Since guava contains high fibre content and low glycaemic index, it could be eaten to inhibit the development of diabetes and to regulate the sugar levels. The low glycaemic index prevents the increase in sugar levels in the body.

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6. Assists in weight loss

For those who are interested in shedding weight, guava is the right fruit to be eaten. This fruit helps in losing weight by regulating the metabolism of the body system. It could also make a filling snack as it satisfies the appetite easily.

7. A remedy for cold and cough

As a result of the high amounts of vitamin C and iron contained in guavas and fruits generally, they could be taken to prevent cold and viral infections.

The juice obtained from the raw and immature guava helps in relieving cold and cough. It also helps in keeping the respiratory tract, lungs and throat clean by disinfecting it and eliminating mucus.

8. Enhances freshness of the skin

Guavas contain vitamin K which helps to remove dark circles and promote an even tone. Guava helps in making the skin glow; it helps the skin to regain its freshness and radiance. It also helps to tighten the facial muscles.

Mixing guava flesh with egg yolk would result into a scrub that could be applied on the face. This would help get rid of the dead cells in the skin and lighten the complexion at the same time.

9. Prevention of wrinkles

Guavas contain vitamins A and C; it also contains antioxidants like lycopene and carotene which helps protect the skin from wrinkles. Thus, taking guava regularly would slow down the ageing process and keep fine lines away.

10. It promotes good vision

As a result of the vitamin A contained in guavas, it is able to improve eyesight. In addition to this, it can prevent you from going blind as it prevents the degradation of eyesight. Even though the vitamin A content in guavas may not be as high as that of carrots, it can, however, help slow down the appearance of cataracts.

11. A home remedy for a toothache

The juice extracted from guava leaves could be used to treat toothaches, swollen gums and oral ulcers. Guava leaves are effective as they have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help fight infection and kill germs at the same time.

Health

EVERYBODY HAS A DUTY TO MAKE THEIR SKIN LOOK THE BEST IT CAN BE.

Moisturize regularly, try to avoid germs and all that are things we’ve heard from our junior school days. However, there are still cases of acne, spots and other times when the skin just looks all tired and old. Your skin can be smooth and clear by simply eating fruits that are readily available at your beck and call.

HERE ARE A FEW YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY TRY OUT.

1. APPLE

Apples are the richest source of malic acid, a “fruit acid” extracted from apples. This malic acid promotes healthier, firmer and youthful looking skin by renewing skin cells without damaging the skin layer.

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2. PINEAPPLE

Like apples, pineapples come with bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme which has special benefits for skin, as it gently exfoliates the skin. Constant use of pineapples will help clear off dead skin and reveal beautiful glowing skin.

3. PAWPAW

Pawpaw contains papain which is an enzyme that has antibacterial activities. It can also remove dead, damaged skin. Pawpaw extracts are widely used in the skin care industry in the form of facial peels, soaps, cleansers and lotions

4. LEMONS

Lemons are responsible for skin cleansing, lightening, smoothening and even softening. Like pawpaw, it has enzymes that replace dead skin cells. Lemons safely whiten and lighten skin and promote even skin tone by reducing acne marks and blemishes.

5. TOMATOES

Tomatoes are natural skin smoothers. They can reduce pore sizes and heal pimples. Mash some fresh tomatoes, apply and leave for a while and wash off shortly after.

6. AVOCADOS

Avocados contain biotin, also known as vitamin B7 which promotes cell regeneration and growth, resulting in faster-growing hair and nails, as well as glowing skin.

7. BANANAS

Bananas contain high levels of potassium, which helps moisturizes and hydrates the skin, making it look fuller, more supple and youthful.

Health

These are 13 Must See HIV Symptoms.. Here are some of the signs and symptoms that may come with HIV infection:

1. Fever:

If you have practiced unprotected sex, watch out for fevers as a symptom of HIV. Early after being infected by HIV, you may experience flu like symptoms. This can include a low grade fever that does not respond to medication. You may experience night sweats as a response to the fever. The fever is an inflammatory reaction to the virus entering your blood stream.

SEE HER NAKD PHOTOS (CLICK HERE)

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2. Sore Throat:
Sore throat may be an early indicator of HIV infection. This may be an early symptom as the body reacts to the viral infection. It can also occur later in the disease as the infected individuals immune system becomes compromised. Sore throat may be caused by thrush in the mouth or esophagus, and ulcers. Chronic throat problems should be checked out by your family doctor.

3. Body Pain:

Sore muscles and joint pain are common symptoms of HIV infection that occur in the early flu like phase. This can be caused by the swollen lymph nodes, or from rheumatic illnesses. Rheumatic disease affects the muscles and joints of the body, causing inflammation. This disease can lead to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and vasculitis. Some HIV medications can also cause these symptoms.

4. Cough:
A dry, persistent cough can be a long term symptom of HIV infection. This symptom is not typically cured with medications like antibiotics and cough suppressants. Coughing may be an early symptom as the body reacts to the new virus. It is also a long term symptom caused by the damaged immune system. The cough may develop into pneumonia, which can be a serious symptom with dangerous effects.

CONTINUE TO READ>>>>>>

Health

The question many people have been begging for answers over the years on female orgasm has finally been revealed by a team of scientists.

It’s a question which has intrigued scientists for centuries – why do women have orgasms? But a team of Yale researchers claim to have finally discovered the answer and it’s all to do with ovulation.

They believe that in the past, our female ancestors only released an egg after being stimulated by a male just before or during s*x. This is still the case for numerous species of mammals – including rabbits, ferrets, camels and cats.

Once stimulated, the prehistoric female would have released certain hormones causing her to ovulate and the egg was then fertilised by sperm. But over hundreds of thousands of years their bodies evolved to ovulate by themselves – once a month.

This means a woman’s orgasm – famously simulated by Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally – now has no reproductive function, and this is what has baffled scientists. 

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Professor Gunter Wagner, who specialises in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale, believes that in the past all female mammals ovulated after having an orgasm. It was only later on that some species – such as humans, dogs, cows and rats – evolved to ovulate by themselves during cycles.

Professor Wagner, whose discovery is published in the journal JEZ-Molecular and Developmental Evolution, focused on the hormones released by different female mammals during sex. Most release a surge of the ‘feelgood’ hormones prolactin and oxytocin and in many cases this triggers ovulation.

This led him and his colleagues to believe that in the past, ovulation was always triggered by an orgasm.

Dr Mihaela Pavlicev of the Centre for Prevention of Preterm Birth at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, in the US, who was also involved in the research said: ‘We think the hormonal surge characterises a trait that we know as female orgasm in humans. This insight enabled us to trace the evolution of the trait across species.

‘[Similar] traits in different species are often difficult to identify, as they can change substantially in the course of evolution.’ Other scientists have come up with other controversial explanations as to why women have orgasms when they perform no function.

One of the most obvious is that they simply encourage them to have more s*x, and reproduce, as it is so enjoyable.

Another theory is that they create a stronger bond between the woman and the man, making it more likely they will stay together and have more children.

Finally, some scientists claim it is down to the ‘mate-choice’ hypothesis whereby females chose a mate on the basis of sexual satisfaction. Theoretically, a male which gives them a better orgasm has stronger sperm and will help her to produce more offspring. The Archive of Sexual Behaviour also found in a study that women who pretended to orgasm did so as part of a strategy of mate retention.

The study found women who thought that their partner was likely to cheat on them were more likely to fake it.

Source: Dailymail

Health

– Experts warn against harmful effects of tattoo inks

– President of the United Kingdom Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union condemns cheap Chinese inks

– Says some inks used for tattoos contain agents that increase health hazard

President of the United Kingdom tattoo and piercing industry union, Rick Stevens has kicked against the consumption of the cheap Chinese inks as a way to avert more health hazard to the body.

Stevens said some of these products are not properly checked and this could eventually breed more harms to the body.

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According to a report in the Metro, an online news portal, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) also warned that some tattoo inks may cause allergies, itching and even a risk of cancer on their bodies.

The report suggested that tattoos involve scratching, etching, burning or superficially cutting designs, pictures, or words into the skin as a permanent body modification. In the process of body scarification, scars are formed by cutting or branding the skin by varying methods and sometimes using further sequential aggravating wound-healing methods at timed intervals (like irritation) will cause wound healing to scar more and not scar less. Stevens therefore advised consumers to pick their colours carefully, adding: “Before you decide to get yourself inked, you might want to think about what you are actually putting into your body, Cancer is a group of disease involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.”

Health

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday told the Senate Committee on Agriculture that the health of many Nigerians is threatened by the daily consumption of items such as pure water and smuggled frozen chicken which he said contained poison that is detrimental to their health.

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Ogbeh who made this disclosure at a one-day public hearing in National Assembly on bills bothering on food security by the committee, said the consumption of poison from some food items everyday arose from wrong habit of  processing and preserving such items.

The bills are Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service Bill 2016, Food Security Bill 2016 and Nigerian Institute of Soil Science Bill 2016

He cited the example of the preparation of food called “moinmoin” in cellophane, otherwise known as nylon, as poisonous because nylon contains a large dosage of dioxins which he said are naturally inactive in leaves when used to package such food.

According to him, the consumption of sachet water commonly known as pure water usually exposed to sun at over 28 degree centigrade, is poisonous and thus resulting in many cases of kidney and liver failure among Nigerians.

Ogbeh also said but for the attitude of over boiling meat by many Nigerians, many of them would have been infected by tuberculosis from consumption of cow meat. “Many of the cows being moved from one place to the other by herdsmen are already infected with tuberculosis but our practice of boiling meat very well here has been the saving grace from people being infected with the deadly disease,” he said.

Health

Have you ever felt at peace when you’re walking by the ocean? A sense of rejuvenation when you stand by a waterfall? How about taking in the view of a breathtaking lake from your window? We can often report feeling a sense of calm when we’re around water and scientists say, this is having a positive effect on our brains.

So what exactly is happening to our brains when we surround ourselves with water? Well, the calming effect is down to a vacation for our brains from over-stimulation. Looking at water and listening to its sound puts our overloaded minds into a relaxed and hypnotic-like state with the benefit of this being a different way that our brain processes thoughts, leading to more calm and creative states and an increase our well-being.

Often referred to as blue space, the impact of the sea, rivers, lakes on our happiness and well-being is being researched much more by neuro-scientists and psychologists. Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist, has discussed and published the different ways bodies of water really can positively affect us and many psychologists have researched how just having blue space in front of you can boost your mental health.

WATER INDUCES MEDITATIVE STATES

When we hear the crashing of waves by the ocean, it can actually put us into a mindful, mediative state. The sound of waves has been found to alter the brain’s wave patterns and invoking a meditative, relaxed state. Even simply observing the movement of water causes our minds to calm. This has numerous benefits for contributing to lowering depression, lowering stress levels, anxiety, and promotes better mental clarity and sleep patterns.

WATER INVOKES INSPIRATION AND CREATIVITY

When we’re near water, our brains switch off from busy mode to relaxed mode. This naturally leads our brains to open up because it’s not focused on the millions of thoughts swirling around that can often lead to stress or anxiety. When your brain is in this relaxed state, it is open more to inspired and creative thoughts. In essence, we are switching our brains off or giving it a rest from the norm causing a better mental environment for insight and introspection.

WATER GIVES US A SENSE OF AWE

Awe is an important factor in the recently popular science of positive psychology. The emotion of awe contributes greatly to our happiness because it not only allows us to be in the present moment but it causes us to think about our place in the world around us invoking a feeling of being humble, feelings of a connection to something beyond ourselves and the pure vastness of nature.

WATER INCREASES THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Exercising is obviously a good way to improve our mental well-being, however going for a run or walk by the ocean will increase these benefits ten fold. Going for a swim in a lake or cycling along a river trail will give you more of a mental boost than working out in a crowded city or gym environment. The idea is that being surrounded by blue space triggers a more positive benefit to exercising, with the intake of negative ions into our systems increasing.

WATER IS A RICH SOURCE OF NEGATIVE IONS

The effects of positive and negative ions on our well-being have been considered a natural influence on how we feel. Positive ions are emitted by electrical appliances such as computers, microwaves and hairdryers that drains us of our natural energy whereas negative ions are generated by waterfalls, oceans waves, and thunderstorms. The rich amount of negative ions in the atmosphere accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen, balance levels of seratonin (the chemical linked to mood and stress), and contributes towards rejuvenating the mind and improving alertness and concentration.

TAKING A NATURAL DIP

Not only does being near water increase your sense of well-being, but being submerged in a natural source of water such as the sea or a lake invigorates your body greatly. The differing temperatures add benefits from both sides – the natural, cold chill can provide a soothing treatment for your nerves and refresh the body both mentally and physically while warmer waters during the summer can help relax muscles and tensions.

So, if you’re looking to clear your head then search for some blue space – whether you’re lucky enough to visit the ocean or just sitting near your local fountain, water has a powerful influence on the brain and can help change your mental clarity, capacity, happiness, and well-being.

Health