Category: Health

{No matter how busy you think your schedule is, you should still hold sleep in high regard. Getting enough sleep has too many benefits that are important for your development and growth that cannot be exhausted if I were to start talking about them. However for the purpose of this post, I’ll take a look at the following four.}

{{1. It improves the brain }}

The brain is like a computer, when you overwork it, it can get exhausted and function less effectively, that is why it’s of heavy importance that you give it enough rest. The more rest your brain gets, the more relaxed it is, and the better it functions. Haven’t you noticed that sometimes, when you feel really confused about something, and sleep it over, you often wake up refreshed, and more concentrated?

{{2. Makes your body function optimally}}

To be productive, you need your brain to be well rested and the rest of your body to function optimally. There’s no way this would be possible if you don’t give your body time to rest and recover from stress it had to go through all day. When you give your body sleep, it stays healthier, and that way, you become more productive.

{{3. Helps the body regain lost nutrients }}

As you burn energy to do anything, you burn important nutrients that are necessary to keep you in good shape, and even if you continue to eat healthy without getting rest, your body will suffer. In order to stay healthy, regain lost nutrients, and allow your body recover from the day’s stress, you must get adequate sleep every night— at least, 7 hours.

{{4. It promotes hair growth }}

Stress is the primary cause of hair loss or poor hair growth, as the case may be, so if you want to get more hair on your body, simply get enough sleep and rest.

{The male organ is home to diverse bacteria; the skin of the penis plays host to a community of bacteria. Experts would say that the human body is an ecosystem, and a lot has to be done to take care of the body.}

Some men are quite lackadaisical when it comes to taking care of their man part, and that in itself is being unfair to themselves and their partner.

Below are certain things every man should know about taking care of their organ:

{{1. Public hair should be well groomed }}

The hairs surrounding the male organ should be well shaven; this would reduce the moisture and as well as increase the cleanliness level. Also, when well shaven, it enhances better self-examination as well as increase the sensitivity levels during sex.

2. The male organ could be said to be quite tender, so there is no need for vigorous washing or scrubbing; just simply wash with warm water. In the case of uncircumcised men, shift the foreskin aside and wash with warm water without soap and let the area dry afterwards.

3. Do not wash the male organ with powerful soaps or disinfectants, non-cleanser soap or mild soap is more appropriate.

{{4. The frequency of washing is also important }}

Too frequent or infrequent washing of the male genital do sometimes have an adverse effect; it sometimes causes balanitis — an inflammation of the penis.

5. The use of talc and deodorants should also be avoided; they could get under the foreskin and cause an irritation.

6. The base of the penis and the testicles should also be cleaned carefully because sweat and hair can combine to give it a pungent odour, mostly because they are enclosed in underwear for majority of the day.

{{7. The underwear }}

This is another area where most men fail; the care of the organ cannot be done without the care of the underwear. The underwear accumulates sweat and bacteria, so it should be changed frequently. A lot of men wear underwear repeatedly without washing them – that isn’t good for your skin health.

If you deem your organ important fellas, you ought to take proper care of it.

{Every man wants to be a superman in the bedroom but what we don’t know is that there are certain foods that can help turn up the heat in the bedroom and trust me when I say you need to know these foods.}

Some certain foods can enhance your experience in bed and below are 5 super foods that would make you a super man in bed

{{1. Avocados:}}

What does the avocado remind you of in a man’s body? The Aztecs referred to the avocado as a testicle because of its shape and I guess that’s what you thought of too. If you want to be a superman in the bedroom and impress your partner, then you should add the avocado to your diet because they are rich in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat and this makes them very good for your heart and arteries. You know you need a good blood flow to perform better down there and the avocado would definitely help do that as it keeps the heart beating strong and also help keep blood flowing to all the right places (you definitely know what I mean).

{{2. Strawberries:}}

According to a study by researchers in the University of California, B vitamins helps boost sperm count in men and strawberries are rich in B vitamins. This isn’t the only reason why you should take strawberries as strawberries are full of libido-boosting methylxanthines. Another reason to take a strawberry today.

{{3. Amonds:}}

If you want to be a superman in bed then you should consider adding almonds to your diet. Almonds aid fertility, increase passion and also act as a stimulant (you definitely know what I mean). This isn’t all you get from almonds as they are also rich in trace minerals which are important for sexual health and reproduction.

{{4. Oysters}}

If you are not a fan of oysters then I need you should have a rethink today if you plan being a superman in the bedroom. Oysters are one of the best known aphrodisiac and they are one of the best sources of libido-boosting zinc.

{{5. Citrus }}

Citrus is another food you should consider adding to your diet if you want to be a hero in the bedroom because it is super-rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid and these all help a man’s reproductive health.

Have a fantastic experience with your partner in the bedroom.

{More details have been uncovered of an association between Zika virus infection in the womb and a condition known as arthrogryposis, which causes joint deformities at birth, particularly in the arms and legs.}

Microcephaly (a rare birth defect where a baby is born with an abnormally small head) and other severe fetal brain defects are the main features of congenital Zika virus syndrome. However, little is still known about other potential health problems that Zika virus infection during pregnancy may cause.

Until recently there were no reports of an association between congenital viral infection and arthrogryposis. After the outbreak of microcephaly in Brazil associated with Zika virus, two reports suggested an association, but they did not describe the deformities in detail.

So a research team based in Recife, the Brazilian city at the centre of the Zika epidemic, decided to investigate the possible causes of the joint deformities.

They studied detailed brain and joint images of seven children with arthrogryposis and a diagnosis of congenital infection, presumably caused by Zika virus. All children tested negative for the five other main infectious causes of microcephaly — toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, syphilis, and HIV.

All children showed signs of brain calcification, a condition in which calcium builds up in the brain. The theory is that the Zika virus destroys brain cells, and forms lesions similar to “scars” on which calcium is deposited.

All the children underwent high definition scanning of the joints and surrounding tissues, but there was no evidence of joint abnormalities.

This led the researchers to say that the arthrogryposis “did not result from abnormalities of the joints themselves, but was likely to be of neurogenic origin” — a process involving motor neurones (cells that control the contraction or relaxation of muscles) — leading to fixed postures in the womb and consequently deformities.

They point out that further research is needed with a larger number of cases to study the neurological abnormalities behind arthrogryposis, but suggest that children should receive orthopaedic follow-up … “because they could develop musculoskeletal deformities secondary to neurological impairment.”

Based on these observations, the researchers conclude that “congenital Zika syndrome should be added to the differential diagnosis of congenital infections and arthrogryposis.”

Because this is an observational study, no firm conclusions can be drawn about the effect of the Zika virus on arthrogryposis. Nevertheless, the authors suggest that this condition might be related to the way motor neurons carry signals to the unborn baby’s muscles, or to problems with arteries and veins (vascular disorders).

{Cancer cells kill blood vessel cells so that they can slip through the vascular wall, form metastases.
}
Many cancers only become a mortal danger if they form metastases elsewhere in the body. Now researchers have discovered that cancer cells kill blood vessel cells so that they can slip through the vascular wall and form metastases.

Many cancers only become a mortal danger if they form metastases elsewhere in the body. Such secondary tumours are formed when individual cells break away from the main tumour and travel through the bloodstream to distant areas of the body. To do so, they have to pass through the walls of small blood vessels. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim and Goethe University Frankfurt have now shown that tumour cells kill specific cells in the vascular wall. This enables them to leave the vessels and establish metastases, a process facilitated by a molecule called DR6.

The most common cause of cancer deaths is not the primary tumour itself but metastases that subsequently form. Most tumour cells spread via the bloodstream. To do so, individual tumour cells have to enter blood vessels and leave the bloodstream again at remote locations.

Together with scientists at the universities of Cologne and Heidelberg, the Research Group led by Stefan Offermanns, Director of the Department of Pharmacology at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research and professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, has now succeeded in clarifying the underlying mechanism. The researchers, working with cell cultures, first observed how individual tumour cells kill specific cells in the vascular wall, called endothelial cells. This process, known as necroptosis, enabled cancer cells to overcome an endothelial cell layer in the laboratory. “We were then able to show in studies on mice that the same process occurs in living organisms,” says Boris Strilic, first author of the study.

The scientists also found that endothelial cells themselves give the signal for their own death: To do this, the vascular wall cells have a receptor molecule called Death Receptor 6 (DR6) on their surface. “When a cancer cell comes into contact with it, a protein on the cell’s surface, known as APP, activates DR6. This marks the start of the cancer cells’ attack on the vascular wall, which culminates in the necroptosis of wall cells,” Strilic explains.

{{Death Receptor in the cell membrane}}

The Max Planck researchers then showed that less necroptosis of endothelial cells and less metastasis occur in genetically modified animals in which Death Receptor 6 is disabled. “This effect was also found after a blockade of DR6 or the cancer-cell protein APP, thus confirming our previous observations,” Strilic says.

It is still not entirely clear whether the cancer cells migrate directly through the resulting gap in the vascular wall or whether there is an indirect effect: “We have evidence that many more molecules are released when the vascular wall cell dies and that they render the surrounding area more permeable to cancer cells,” says Offermanns.

“This mechanism could be a promising starting point for treatments to prevent the formation of metastases,” says Offermanns. First, however, it must be determined whether a blockade of DR6 triggers unwanted side effects. It must also be determined to what extent the observations can be transferred to humans.

{How did you sleep last night? Did you sleep on your back, side or stomach?}

It’s time you start taking the way you sleep really important because according to a study published in The Journal of Neuroscience, sleeping on your side rather than your back or stomach is important for the health of your brain.

According to the researchers, sleeping on your side helps the brain to discard waste products, thereby reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.

The research was carried out by Dr Helene Benveniste, Principal investigator and a Professor in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Radiology at the Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

Dr Benveniste carried out the research by using rodents. The rodents slept in three positions – lateral (side), prone (down) and supine (up) – as they were used to examine the glymphatic pathway (where cerebrospinal fluid filters through the brain and exchanges with interstitial fluid to clear waste).

The findings revealed that the glymphatic transport was the most efficient in the lateral position compared to any other.

It is important you adjust your sleeping position as sleeping wrongly can accelerate memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease due to the brain waste not being correctly eliminated.

{You would agree with me that having white teeth improves confidence and it could also help your chances of getting a partner. A study by Match.com claims 71 percent of women say that they judge a man based on his teeth.}

So how do you whiten your teeth? Below are 4 easy ways to whiten your teeth

{{1. Rinse with water after eating oranges:}}

Oranges are important as it is a very good source for vitamin C but you shouldn’t forget to rinse your mouth after taking oranges because they contain acid that erodes tooth enamel and can make the teeth stain more easily.

{{2. Stay away from energy drinks }}

I understand you love energy drinks but the acid these energy drinks contain have the same eroding effects as eating oranges so staying away from them would definitely help your teeth. If you have to take them, you are advised to use a straw as it helps protect your teeth.

{{3. Change your tooth brush:}}

Changing your toothbrush could just be all you need to have white teeth. We are advised by dentists to change our toothbrush every 3 months or as soon as you see the majority of the bristles begin to bend and look worn down.

{{4. Eat raw fruits and veggies:}}

Eating fruits and vegetables like nuts, apples, carrots etc help keep your teeth clean by removing surface stains and plaque that leads to cavities.

{Wearing heels add class and style to one’s looks, and going a couple of months without them might make you feel awkward, but it’s worth the wait.}

It might not pose much of a health risk to wear heels during the first trimester of pregnancy, but as time goes on, it might become dangerous.

These are some dangers you might likely face.

{{1. RISK OF BACK PAIN}}

During pregnancy, the ligaments in the lower back and legs are loosened. Wearing heels could put undue pressure on the pelvic and joints, which could cause back pains.

{{2. CRAMPS}}

When you wear heels for a long time, the calf muscles are in a contracted position which could lead to muscle cramps, especially during pregnancy.

{{3. EDEMA}}

Edema is a swelling that happens around the foot during pregnancy. This is usually as a result of accumulation of fluids. Wearing heels would further aggravate the swelling on the feet.

{{4. LOSS OF BALANCE
}}

Due to excess body weight and hormonal changes, the strength of your ankles might not provide enough support and balance for you to don heels.

{{5. MISCARRIAGE RISK}}

Wearing heels during the third semester is not advisable at all. The risk of miscarriage is high during this period. You might find it hard to balance at this time and you must have gained additional weight also. Twist and turns and the risk of falling down could aggravate the risk of miscarriage.

{{6. COMFORT}}

The main thing you should be after during pregnancy is your comfort, and high heels won’t offer you that, it would further stress you instead. Your added weight, loss of balance, plus the fact that wearing heels messes with your body alignment should be enough reason to forgo the fashion of heels at this time.

Wearing heels might be fashionable, but its risks during pregnancy are just too much.

{Midwives at Muyumbu health center of Muyumbu sector of Rwamagana district, Eastern Province share with mothers worries of inadequate space for maternity antenatal and post-natal services. }

The maternity, three meters in width has two small beds accommodating only two mothers which both parties say results into poor service delivery.

“Both the waiting room and maternity are too small. Each has the capacity of accommodating one pregnant woman but more than two women are simultaneously assisted in such rooms,” said Mujawamariya Thaciane, a mother who got assisted at the health center when giving birth.

Umwanankabandi Louise, another mother, attests that giving birth at Muyumbu health center only come in as a last option.

“No person with adequate means can give birth at the health center since it is too small,”she said.

Musabyemariya Neza Liliane, a nurse at Muyumbu health center said that available room doesn’t match the number of patients received at the center.

“This region received many migrants which increased the number of people seeking health services here. The facility was not modified,” she said.

The nurse in charge of maternity services, Nyirabagenzi Domina said the building should be expanded to enhance good service delivery as overpopulation in the small room can result into infections.

The mayor of Rwamagana district, Mbonyumuvunyi Radjab has told IGIHE that he was not aware of the issue.

“I didn’t know the matter. To who did nurses report the issue? May be they may have reported the case to other district officials not me,” he said.

{There are certain things you do everyday that could be damaging your brain gradually.}

{{1. NOT EATING IN THE MORNING}}

Not eating in the morning isn’t good for the brain because it deprives your brain of nutrients it needs.

{{2. WORKING WHILE YOU ARE SICK}}

When you are sick, it is advisable you get enough rest because the brain overwork itself if you work while you are sick.

{{3.NOT USING YOUR BRAIN}}

Lack of use makes the brain dull. When you don’t put your brain to use by thinking, you can gradually become dumber.

{{4. SMOKING}}

Smoking isn’t good for the brain because according to a study by McGill University, smoking causes thinning of the cortex over time.

{{5. NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER}}

Not drinking enough water isn’t good for the brain because dehydration causes cells in the brain to shrink.

{{6. OVEREATING}}

Eating too much isn’t good for the brain. When you eat too much, you confuse the brain and this could cause an imbalance in insulin production. The imbalance in insulin production can cause hardening of arteries which leads to a decrease in mental function over time.

{{7. INADEQUATE SLEEP}}

You should ensure you get adequate sleep regularly because a lack of sleep slows down the brain.

{{8. STRESS}}

Stress isn’t good for the brain. When you are stressed, cortisol is produced which can kill the brain cells if produced in excess.

{{9. EXCESS SUGAR}}

Excess sugar consumption isn’t good for the brain as it weakens your memory and learning capabilities.