Frontpage News (3259)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Untold stories of babies who died in their sleep
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After 40 weeks and five days of gestation, Rebecca Obimah gave birth to a bouncing baby girl, who weighed 3.98kg at birth. The delivery of the child wasn’t the Biblical Hebrew women’s kind. Rebecca, who was a 24-year-old first-time mum at the time, was in labour for 48 hours.
This culminated in a second-degree perineal laceration, commonly known as a tear, as well as an episiotomy. Her husband, Omoyemi, was by her side around 1.09 pm on December 31, 2018, when she gave birth to her bundle of joy in a hospital in the Festac Town area of Lagos State.
The recent warning on the alarming rate at which Nigerians use bleaching and other skin-lightening products by the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, Mojisola Adeyeye, is timely. It confirms how deeply and widespread the menace has become in Nigeria and how ignorance of its deadly negative effects is extensive and aiding its spread.
Adeyeye noted that just as the agency would discourage eating unwholesome food, it was also committed to stopping the use of bleaching creams because of their harmful effects on health. She deplored their pervasive use by Nigerians, especially women, despite the dangers associated with them.
The American Lung Association defines an electronic cigarette (aka e-cigar, JUUL or vape pen) as a device that uses a battery to heat up a ‘special liquid’ into an aerosol or vaporiser that users inhale. It is just like tobacco smoking. However, instead of a regular cigarette, an electronic device filled with ‘juice’ is used.
The ‘e-juice’ in the cartridge usually contains nicotine (which is extracted from tobacco), propylene glycol, flavouring and other chemicals. Studies have found that e-cigarettes claiming to be nicotine-free contain trace amounts of nicotine.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is soliciting the cooperation of stakeholders and the general public to rid the country of hazardous pesticides.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in a statement issued to newsmen by its resident media consultant, Mr. Olusayo Akintola, on Sunday in Abuja. According to her, pesticides are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, vector-borne diseases, and crop protection.
Heart diseases in children can start in pregnancy -Paediatric cardiologist
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A Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Omolola Lamina-Alaaya, says what parents do before and during pregnancy can have a significant influence on the child’s heart.
Dr. Lamina-Alaaya says a healthy heart starts in childhood and a bad health habit before and during pregnancy can predispose a child to have cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and heart attacks in adulthood.
Indomie: NAFDAC alive to its responsibility of safeguarding Nigerians –Adeyeye
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says it is alive to its responsibility of safeguarding the health of the public despite its recent caution on Indomie Noodles. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known in a statement issued by its resident media consultant, Mr. Olusayo Akintola.
This followed NAFDAC’s alert on the recall of Indomie instant noodles (Special Chicken flavour) by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities on the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Public health experts have warned against spending too much time on toilet seats, noting that it could lead to debilitating medical conditions due to the pressure exerted on the anus and rectum by the act. According to them, the amount of time spent on a toilet seat should not exceed 10 minutes.
They noted that sitting on toilet seats for too long can cause bowel diseases such as hemorrhoids, appendicitis, polyps, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, and colon cancer.
Study says drastic, sudden weight loss may signal death risk for older adults
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A new study has indicated that weight loss in the elderly may be associated with early death and could be a warning sign for life-limiting conditions like cancer and dementia. The research, which was carried out Monash University, Melbourne, Australia and published in Jama Network Open, noted that as much as people may celebrate weight loss, it is not always healthy.
It, however, also noted that weight gain, on the other hand, was not associated with mortality. According to the lead researcher, Dr. Monira Hussain, a clinical epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow in Public Health and Preventative Medicine, medical professionals have always been concerned when older people with health conditions lose
Snoring increases risk of heart attack, stroke – Expert warns
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A Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, Dr. Olanrewaju Idris, has advised individuals that snore to seek medical intervention, warning that it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other debilitating health challenges.
He said the condition is abnormal and should not be taken for granted. The surgeon pointed out that whether asleep or awake, breathing should not be associated with any sound or noise.
Alcohol consumption while breastfeeding may alter babies’ brain
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Breastfeeding mothers who drink alcohol may be exposing their babies to the risk of impaired brain development, maternal experts have warned. They noted that alcohol does not serve any good to pregnant and nursing mothers, and maintained that no level of alcohol in the breast is considered safe for a baby to suckle.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra, Dr. Stanley Egbogu, said because breastfeeding has many health benefits for babies – including a lower risk of asthma, allergies and infections – new mothers who struggle to stop drinking while
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A medical expert has said that the risk of sudden death during sex is higher for individuals with existing heart conditions and individuals who engage in risky sexual activities. The expert also said certain drugs and alcohol could increase the risk of sudden death during sex.
In an interview with our correspondent, a medical practitioner and health advocate in the Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, said sex and sudden death were two topics often thought of as being unrelated but that in reality they were closely linked.
The popular myth that women cannot get pregnant while menstruating has been debunked by maternal health experts. The gynaecologists said though it was uncommon, it could happen, especially among women that naturally have short menstrual cycle.
Many people have always believed in the popular fertility myth that a woman cannot get pregnant especially when she is on her period. Aside from that, most view engaging in sexual intercourse during the time as a taboo or messy, and would rather not give it a thought.
Contraceptives may increase breast cancer risk in women —Study
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A new study has revealed that women who use contraceptives are at higher risk of breast cancer, regardless of the kind of birth control pills used. According to the study, progestin-only and progestin with estrogen contraceptives are associated with a slight increase in breast cancer risk.
The study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine noted that the risk of breast cancer was similar regardless of whether birth control was progestin and estrogen combined or progestin only.
How mechanics risk lungs, liver damage using mouth to siphon fuel
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The bad habit of siphoning fuel with the mouth is common among Nigerian motor mechanics, though not restricted to them as many Nigerians also indulge in it when using a hose to transfer fuel into the tank of their cars or generators.
Experts are, however, warning that this popular practice is dangerous and could damage vital body organs like the lungs, liver and oesophagus.
