What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is part of the herpes family group of viruses and it is a highly infectious disease. It is usually transmitted through contact with people who have the disease or through droplets; unaffected people who come in contact with the droplets containing the organism can become infected. It forms a rash on the body.

The Itori general hospital was built by former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel to provide quality healthcare to residents of the Ewekoro area and adjoining communities. The hospital which was strategically located along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway was expected to serve more than 50 communities in the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun state.

Years after, the hospital has become abandoned and dilapidated. PUNCH HealthWise investigation revealed that the hospital which is supposed to be a facility helping to care for patients with emergency health issues is in poor condition and lacks needed facilities and health workers.

Medical experts have stressed the importance of early detection of kidney disease, noting that it is crucial in preventing associated complications of the health condition and helps to save lives.

They noted that late detection of kidney issues often results in the progression of kidney disease to chronic kidney disease, urging Nigerians to embrace regular health checks to enable them to detect health issues early. 

The ability to pass urine whenever you want to without even being conscious of the processes leading to it is one of the true mysteries of nature. It seems quite routine that we drink water or some other kind of liquid and after about half an hour, we are feeling the urge to pass urine and we just believe that it’s the way things should be.

That to them is not a huge thing to be achieved in nature but when you come across people who are not able to engage in this activity on their own, be they little children or elderly men and women, you will have no choice but to appreciate the miracle of God’s creation.

The World Health Organisation has released a first-of-its-kind global report on sodium intake reduction. The report showed that the world was off-track to achieve its global target of reducing sodium intake by 30 per cent by 2025.

The report released on Thursday said that sodium, an essential nutrient, increased the risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death when eaten in excess. According to it, the main source of sodium is table salt (sodium chloride), but it is also contained in other condiments such as sodium glutamate.

Nephrologists have urged Nigerians to embrace healthy eating, noting that it remained crucial to preventing kidney failure. Nephrologists are medical experts in the care of kidneys. According to the kidney care experts, wrong lifestyle choices, especially concerning diet could lead to kidney failure.

The experts noted that while most foods and drinks are safe for the kidneys, too much salt increases the workload on the kidneys in controlling hypertension and can be harmful to the kidneys. They also stressed that harmful substances from certain herbs and concoctions are bad for the kidney, urging Nigerians to be careful with the way they consume herbal products and the way they take unprescribed over-the-counter medications.

Handwashing, also hand hygiene, is the act of cleaning the hands with soap and water or handwash to remove viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.  Handwashing will also remove dirt, grease and other unwanted substances that got stuck in our hands. It is very crucial in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and it is one of the surest ways to prevent sicknesses and ensure that we stay healthy.

For example, when we blow our nose, cough, or sneeze into our hands, our hands become contaminated with germs and when they are not immediately washed and we use these

The science of getting pregnant and having healthy babies is such a complex process that those who get pregnant and bear live healthy babies with ease are indeed lucky. Being in good health, with balanced and synchronised hormones, minerals and vitamins, organs, and systems, is essential to achieving pregnancy, carrying the pregnancy to term, and giving birth to live and normal babies.

Obese women experience impaired fertility in both natural and assisted conception cycles. A person is obese if their BMI (Body Mass Index) exceeds or exceeds thirty kilograms per meter (kg/m2 ). There are degrees of obesity: class 1 (30.0–34.9 kg/m2), class 2 (35.0–39.9 kg/m2) and class 3 (more than or equal to 40 kg/m2).

Patent medicine stores in Nigeria are only authorised to sell over-the-counter drugs. Investigations by PUNCH HealthWise, however, revealed that many of the stores in Lagos and Ogun communities not only sell prescription medicines but are also dealing in spurious and expired drugs. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE who visited about 15 patent medicine stores in Lagos and Ogun communities report

If only Akintola Sulaiman had known that the medicine combination he was given by the owner of a patent store in the Oke-Ira neighborhood of Ogba, Lagos State, would cause him to lose his sight, he would have gone to a medical facility to seek treatment from a competent health expert. 

A professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Solomon Avidime, says women experiencing irregular ovulation should go to the hospital for proper evaluation by maternal health experts. According to Prof. Avidime, irregular ovulation could lead to infertility if not properly treated.

The gynaecologist disclosed this in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise.  He urged women with the condition to avoid self-medication and seek help. Prof. Avidime identified polycystic ovarian syndrome — a hormonal disorder, premature ovarian failure, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and excessive weight gain as some of the health conditions that are associated with irregular ovulation.