"Burn The Excess Off"- Lady Gaga

From Dailymail

See 28-year-old pop star deep in her exercise. She posted this picture on her instagram.
'Starting my day off feeling strong, gotta sweat out the whiskey from last night's jam session', she posted.

Keep on with your exercise regime. It pays!!!

Lady Gaga spotted drinking her favorite liquor at the Fashion Media Awards, 2013

Medical Students, Nursing Students, Pharmacy Students and Other Allied Health Students Laments!

I spoke to some of my colleagues working in Federal Teaching Hospitals across the country and the reply is deafening: Despair, hopeless situation!!

This JOHESU is turning to be a waste of time and human resources. I really don't like going into the web of reasons for the strike by health workers. It can be very depressing. But what is certain is that this over 60-day old stike should come to an end.

The Brighter Side Of Avocado Pear.

Avocado Pear is quite unique of all fruits. It has a unique shape, taste and could be incorporated into the diet of lovers of avocado. There is more to Avocado Pear than meets the eye.

National Immunization Programme.

Heard two mothers talking seriously about the potency of vaccines given to their babies.
Some regions in Nigeria still frown at this fundamental life-saving campaign.
Do you still harbour fears or concerns as to the potency or the effectiveness of vaccines for its use as prophylaxis for vaccine preventable disease?!

Then feel free to ask any questions on DQB, by sending in your comments and we will answer it in 24-hours.
Immunization programme has saved millions of lives, yours should not be an exception!!!

Madonna University Resumes From Holiday Today!

The weather was so clement today. This saw thousands of students resuming for another semester of academic work, after a long holiday. This year, students at the citadel of learning seem to be happy resuming (a big shift from previous resumption days).

Bags upon bags were hurled onto waiting buses that would convey the students to their respective hostels. Madonna University runs a system that see all students staying on campus.
Some medical students are particularly happy to be back to the college of medicine. John, a 400-medical students simply puts it as, "I miss my books".

Welcome to all madonna university students and especially to all medical students. Have an fruitful, eventful semester!!!

Harmattan and Your Health - By Dr Emmanuel Toochukwu

The climate, of all the environmental factors, is the most important, affecting health indirectly through its influence on plants,
animals, insects and microbes, and directly by taxing the body’s physiological reserves. It controls the growth and distribution of
microbes and insects that may transmit them or may act as pests. Thus wealth, nutrition, education and development, and their
interaction with health, depend to a large extent on climate. Harmattan according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000, may have originated from the Arabic word: HARAM, which literally means; the evil thing.
This origin may not be unconnected with the adverse effect of this weather especially in the Sahara. The Harmattan is a dry and
dusty wind blowing northeast and west off the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between November and March(normally) . It is
considered a 'Natural Hazard'. On its passage over the desert it picks up fine dust particles to neighbouring countries, including
Nigeria. The effect caused by the dust and sand stirred by these winds is known as the Harmattan Haze, and costs airlines millions
in cancelled and diverted flights each year.
The Harmattan, despite its adverse health effects, is not without some health benefits to man. For example, the low temperature
associated with
it is unfavourable for breeding of mosquitoes thus reducing the incidence of malaria.
The eyes are directly exposed to the harsh weather especially the dust particles carried by the wind. Thus itching, foreign body
sensation and redness
may be common especially in individuals with allergic eye disease. Proper eye hygiene in form of washing with clean water, reduce
exposure to dust and protective spectacles, are advocated. The respiratory system, because of its direct communication with the
atmosphere, is heavily and badly affected. The respiratory tract has got a defensive mechanism that stops harmful particles in the
air from getting to the lungs. This defense may however be overwhelmed by the concentration of the pollutants in the atmosphere,
depending on the health status of a person
or owing to a small sized particles that escape entrapment. The resultant effect is damage to the system predisposing to infection.
Excessive sneezing, cough and catarrh are some of the symptoms common to most people. The Harmattan period is not the best of
weathers for people with pre existing chronic chest infection. Worthy of mention
is Asthma, a chronic (long- term) disease that makes it hard to breathe due inflammatory congestion in the lower respiratory tract.
These groups of patients should pay special attention to their health, taking all possible and practicable measures to reduce exposure
to the dusty atmosphere in addition to having their inhaler with them all the time. The epidemic of meningococcal meningitis usually
experience between February to May in the ‘meningitis belt’, northern Nigeria inclusive, is an aftermath of Harmattan. The dry, cold
and dusty wind associated with Harmattan also triggers sickle cell crises in affected individuals. Sickle cell anaemia to recall is a
genetic
disease in which the red blood cells become sickle under a condition of low oxygen tension leading to blockage of small blood vessels.
The reduced blood supply to the tissues results in pain especially from the bones. The blood oxygen is usually reduced in extremes
of temperatures, cold in this case. ‘Sicklers’ as patients are often referred to, should be vigilant and keep warm as much as possible
to prevent crises. Because of the dusty atmosphere, there is need to imbibe healthy food preservation culture especially food
hawkers such as fruits and soya sellers to prevent food born diseases. Fruits and vegetables should be properly washed before
eating. Our drinking water containers should also be properly covered. The Harmattan is a natural hazard that we have to contain
with. That not withstanding, man’s alteration of his natural environment, help fuel these natural hazards with attendant health
consequences. Desert encroachment by human activities in form of deforestation must be discouraged by the relevant authorities. It
is not enough to observe ceremonial tree planting campaigns yearly without devising a means of nurturing them. Alternative means
of fuel such as coal would go a long way in reducing the societal demand for fire wood for cooking. Environmental sanitation and
enacting and enforcing laws to regulate environmental pollution from industrial bye products
are all measures that will minimize the adverse health effect of this natural hazard. Indeed, there is no weather that would fully be
accepted by all humans no matter how favourable it is. God in his wisdom alternate weathers to suit all His creatures and not only
man. Our challenge is to live to adapt to the not too favourable weather by adopting personal and collective measures to maximize
the health benefits accrued to it and minimize the opposite.
...I wish you a Healthy and Safe Harmattan period!.

10 Steps To A Successful Breastfeeding.

In 1992, the WHO and UNICEF came up with a Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). The fulcrum of this initiative is to encourage women to always breastfeed there babies optimally, even up to 2-years of age. YES!!! You heard me right. This initiative is for both the health facility and the nursing mother.
 Here are the 10 Steps;

1) Health Facility should have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.

2) Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.

3) Inform all pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding.

4) Help the mothers to initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of delivery or within 6-hours for babies who were delivered by caeserean section.

5) Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation.

6) Give Newborn infant no food or drink other than the breastmilk, unless otherwise said by the doctor.

7) Practice rooming-in to allow mother and child be together for 24-hours of the day.

8) Encourage mother to feed on demand.

9) Do not give artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.

10) Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support group and refer mothers to join them on discharge from the clinic.

Obey these 10 steps religiously and see your baby grow optimally.
For any questions, you can always reach me!

WHO: Ozone Cannot Cure Ebola!!

Some people want to bring back the dark days, when every other substance can cure Ebola. Some have said salt have the potency to completely destroy Ebola. Others can swear that the cure lies in the sand of the earth. The latest is Ozone!!!

FRSC Fire Alert!!!

Carrying Containers of Fuel on a Journey? Who does that in this time and age?!!
Let heed their warning ooo!!!

Election Year: What I Expect To Happen!!

Politicians are trotting the length and breadth of our dear country, massively campaigning for the vote and trust of Nigerians. Promises are flying up and down. Our dear President is billed to be in Lagos to seek the trust and vote of the resident of the region. The news portals are awash with so much that we forget what was said the previous day. But I believe it is simple. Action should match words.

Muslim Cleric Rapes 22-year old Girl, Shaves her Pubic Hair

Imam Rabiu Abdulquadri

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a Muslim cleric, Rabiu Abdulquadri, for raping a 22-year-old girl named Elizabeth after which he shaved her pubic hair and collected her nails in order to prepare a favour charm for her in his house in Abule-Ojo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State.

It was gathered that the Muslim cleric often referred to as Imam had approached Elizabeth at about 8:30 PM on Sunday, December 28, 2014 on her way back from work at a roundabout in the Ofada area of the state, claiming he saw a vision about her.

Abdulquadri popularly known as Alfa Cisse, was said to have ordered her to join an on-going prayer in his mosque before he could reveal the vision.

Punch reported that Elizabeth, who claimed she succumbed to Alfa Cisse’s bidding unconsciously, said he took her to his apartment after she dropped her luggage at home.

During the night, Abdulquadri allegedly asked her to pull off her clothes which she eventually did before he shaved strands of hair from her head, armpit and private parts and subsequently raped her.

He dismissed her later and asked her to return the following day and pick the favour charm.

The victim who narrated the incident on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 said, “He and some clerics prayed for me. In the night, he woke me up, collected my nails, hairs and slept with me not minding my menstrual discharge. He said he would use them to prepare a charm for me to get favour.

“I did not realise what I was doing until the next day when I returned home and my sister scolded me for not sleeping at home. That was when it occurred to me that I had been used.

“He even demanded more hairs when I got there the following day. Since then, I have been feeling weak and I can’t sleep in the night.”

The victim’s uncle, Mr. Oluwaseun Idowu, said he had spent a lot of money on the victim, whose health condition deteriorated after the incident.

Idowu said he eventually located the Imam’s house after which policemen from the Owode Police Division arrested him and took him to the station where he admitted shaving the victim’s hairs but denied raping her.

Confirming the incdent, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said, “The suspect was paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, today (Wednesday).

He will be charged to court soon!!!

Hydrocephalus: Do Not Be Callous Please

On that day, I was making my way to the clinic from home in a haste, for I was already way too late for the clinical review. Just at the junction right before the taxi would make a right turn to bring me onto the hospital grounds, I saw this distinctive massive head on a child not more than 5years.

Ebola Drug Under Trial.

I had to ask around from competent sources and sweep the Internet for this information, though not exhaustive, is a work in progress. The Ebola drugs you are soon going to read here may not be exhaustive, as more pharmaceutical companies work hard to get the vaccine/cure for Ebola.

An Ankle Sprain From Soccer.

I love to watch a football match. It could be so refreshing especially when I am the winning team.
This was my usual mood, a couple of weeks ago, when a player with jersey number 03 fell to the ground after a tackle by an opponent. That was obviously a foul kick, but player number 03 was still whining in pains on the green pitch. I prayed he does not suffer an ankle fracture; it was an ankle sprain.

Story: It Took 12 Doctors To Solve The Mystery of My Tingling Fingers!

My fingertips started tingling like they were waking from a deep sleep. The sensation, a slight pins and needles feeling, wasn’t painful but persistent enough that I knew it meant something.

I didn’t have a doctor so I picked one off my insurance provider’s website and went to see her. She spent five minutes with me before referring me to a neurologist, who gave me 15 minutes of his time and attention.

The neurologist ordered some expensive tests and sent me on my way. A few days later, when he had the test results, he called me at home to deliver the news. No small talk, no comforting, and no questions. He led with a bold declaration, “multiple sclerosis,” and added that if I wanted to talk about it I could come see him.

He gave me life-changing news as if it were nothing. My body; however, knew otherwise. The tingling, once subtle and contained, quickly gained volume and size until it was a full-body, full-throttle experience.

I wanted to learn more so I went to his office. He called me Jody and I called him Doctor. He wore a crisp lab coat, while I tried not to cry. To him there wasn’t much to talk about. I only had one choice to make and that was the choice between four similar drug protocols.

‘More of an Art Than a Science’

I went home, cried, panicked, talked to friends, and cried some more. Eventually, days later, I started to remember things I once knew. I remembered that people often seek second opinions and that a white coat doesn’t make a man infallible.

In medicine, like the rest of life, mistakes are not impossible. Studies show that as many as 20 percent of all diagnoses are, in fact, misdiagnoses. And multiple sclerosis presents specific challenges. The disease manifests in dozens of different ways and there is no definitive test. Experts I later spoke to told me that MS is a clinical diagnosis — meaning the doctor must spend time examining and interviewing the patient — and more of an art than a science.

At first I thought my only choice was to take one of the drug options presented to me. I started researching the drugs and what I learned scared me. The odds of them helping — about one in three — were smaller than the odds of them hurting. The list of potential and unwanted effects included headaches, nausea, and liver failure.

Terrified, I found another doctor for a second, third, and then a fourth opinion. By the end of my journey I had seen 12 different doctors. As I went from one to another and another, touring the American medical landscape, I was told I had nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, Lyme disease, and depression. It didn’t seem possible that I had all these things at once.

The tingling never grew worse and no new symptoms appeared. I let go of my panic bit by bit. I collected information in pieces, a little here and a little there. I was on a treasure hunt, gathering the clues that would explain the tingling, rule out MS, and give me back my perfect health.

Navigating the Doctor-Patient Divide

As I learned about the human body, I also learned about doctors. Some, it seemed, preferred to talk about test results than talk to or about me. Others, like the first neurologist, didn’t mention non-prescription options.

Fortunately though, every conversation was different. During some of these conversations, the rigid doctor-patient divide fell away and I felt a human connection. In the best conversations, there were two adults in the room who respected on another. One, the doctor, had a wealth of knowledge about bodies in general and the other, me, had a wealth of information about one specific body: mine.

In these conversations, each of us could ask and answer questions, confident that the other had something valuable to contribute. Together, we could start to see a more complete picture of what was happening to create the tingling sensation.

I traveled the country talking to doctors and ultimately, I found two who were nearby and whom I could trust. One is an osteopath who is well-versed in systems thinking and the other is a physician who also trained in ayurvedic medicine, a holistic system of healing.

With each of these doctors, I was able to relax and learn. Together, we devised a plan which included an elimination diet. I’d been tested and was told I didn’t have celiac disease but when I avoided gluten for several weeks and reintroduced it, my body responded poorly. I have what’s officially and awkwardly called non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The tingling, which the first doctor believed to be a sign of MS, is a fairly common symptom of gluten sensitivity.

I stopped eating grain-based protein and my doctors coached me to breathe more, stress less, and exercise differently. I changed my diet and my lifestyle, and I healed.

I wouldn’t suggest my path through a dozen doctors is the right one for anyone but me. It was a very long year. At the same time, the relationship you have with your doctor is so critical to healing. I believe that each of us on the patient side of the divide can decide what type of relationship we want and we can work on finding it.

I like to think that everyone can heal but I don’t know if that’s true. I know; however, that I started to heal in small and powerful ways when I started engaging in the conversation with my doctors and making choices that worked better for my body.

Jody Berger is the author of Misdiagnosed: One Woman’s Tour of—And Escape From—Healthcareland.