Frontpage News (3254)
WHO examining hearing loss, tinnitus linked to COVID-19 vaccines
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The World Health Organisation says it is examining reports of hearing loss and other auditory issues following COVID-19 vaccinations. The WHO said it was notified about sudden hearing problems, particularly tinnitus or ringing of the ears that may be associated with COVID-19 vaccines.
The global health body disclosed this in a newsletter posted on its website on Tuesday. The world health body reported 164 cases of hearing loss and 367 cases of tinnitus globally among people who had received a COVID-19 vaccine, usually within a day of the shot.
Stop giving babies paracetamol after immunisation –Physician
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A Public Health Physician at the Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaira, Kaduna State, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, has warned mothers to stop giving their babies paracetamol after immunisation.
This, the physician says, has become imperative because aside from paracetamol masking the reaction of the vaccine, it could damage the liver of babies, which he noted has not fully developed.
Why women with endometriosis should freeze their eggs early –Gynaecologist
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A Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Expert, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, has urged women with endometriosis to consider freezing their eggs at an early age to prevent infertility later in life. Ajayi, who is also the chief executive officer of Nordica Fertility Centre Lagos, said endometriosis has been found to affect the quality of sperm.
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. The wrongly grown tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the intestines and often come with pain and menstrual irregularities.
Bed-sharing with babies can cause sudden death – Paediatrician
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A Consultant Paediatrician, Nephrology Division, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina State, Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege, has warned that babies who share beds with parents might be at risk of sudden death, noting that a condusive sleeping environment is critical for their survival.
According to the child health expert, healthy sleep is important to the wellbeing of an individual, especially in infancy and early childhood when a greater part of the day is spent sleeping. Dr. Alege told PUNCH Healthwise during an interview that as important as the duration of sleep is, so also is the sleeping position, sleeping space and environment.
FG lifts ban on face masks, plans to remove COVID-19 restrictions
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The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has said the use of face masks in public places is now optional, while the decision on the final relaxation of measures will be taken after Easter. Head of the Technical Secretariat, who also doubles as the Secretary of the PSC on COVID-19, Dr. Muktar Muhammed, disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja.
The PSC also announced that it would stop demanding proof of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers. “We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly. Last week, we suspended the limit placed on public gatherings, curfews and other social measures.
Eating two avocados weekly lowers risk of heart disease, stroke -Study
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A new study conducted in the United States has confirmed that eating two or more avocados weekly reduces the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease and stroke. The research work, which took 30 years, was on Wednesday published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
The team of researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, said it was the first and largest study to support the positive association between higher avocado consumption and lower cardiovascular events.
NMA mourns female doctor killed in Abuja-Kaduna train attack
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The Nigerian Medical Association has expressed sadness over the death of Dr. Chinelo Nwando Megafu, who was killed during an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday. Dr. Megafu was reported to have died hours after she made a post on Twitter, announcing that she had been shot on the train.
The association in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, noted that its president, Professor Innocent Ujah, described Megafu’s death as “tragic, horrific and preventable”.
Sex lubricants branded ‘fertility friendly’ harmful to sperm -Researchers
Site AdminA study carried out by researchers from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, has revealed that some lubricants dubbed ‘fertility friendly’ pose serious danger to sperm and can adversely affect conception. They warned that it can reduce motility, which is the ability of the sperm to swim in the right direction.
The over 10 months study was recently published in the peer-reviewed, International Journal of Gynaecology & Obstetrics. The researchers said they compared the effectiveness of five different lubricants namely Optilube, Pre-Seed, Yes Baby, olive oil and egg white on sperm motility.
‘Drinking two to three cups of coffee daily can lower risk of heart disease’
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Three different studies carried out by a team of researchers have suggested that drinking two to three cups of coffee daily can lower the risk of heart disease and prolong life. Findings from the studies are expected to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 71st Annual Scientific Session. The 3-day programme will be held in Washington, DC, from April 2.
In a report published on EurekAlert, a science-based website managed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the researchers said their analyses provided reassurance that coffee may actually be heart protective.
Individuals bitten by snake must identify the species -Physician
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A Public Health expert, Professor Tanimola Akande, says identifying the type or species of the snake that had bitten a person will help to decide on a specific course of treatment. He noted that providing such information will help in determining the anti-snake venom to be used, especially if the bite was from a venomous snake.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, Prof. Akande, who is a former National Chairman, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, said after a snake bite, a victim need to wash the area with soap and water, and to keep the place still and lower than the heart.
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A Consultant Rheumatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Hakeem Olaosebikan, said people with lupus can live long and lessen the burden of the disease by following their prescribed treatment plans.
Dr. Olaosebikan also said 80 to 90 per cent of persons with the condition can live a normal life if they do not skip their medications, attend regular basic follow-up visits and lessen lupus flares. According to Mayo Clinic, lupus is a disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease).
UN appoints Nigerian as Secretary of Global Youth Consortium against FGM
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A Nigerian and founder of Value Female Network, Dr. Costly Aderibigbe has been elected as the Executive Secretary of Global Youth Consortium against Female Genital Mutilation under the joint programme of the United Nations Population Fund and United Nations Children Fund.
The position, which is the apex seat of the consortium, was keenly contested by Aderibigbe and a Senegalese, Hyaceinthe Coly. Following her election, Coly would now act as deputy to Aderibigbe.
Male contraceptive found to be 99% effective set for human trials
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A team of researchers from Minnesota, United States, said they have successfully developed a non-hormonal male contraceptive that can be safely used to prevent pregnancies. According to the scientists, the birth control pill for men was found to be 99 per cent effective in preventing pregnancies when it was tested on mice.
Though the contraceptive was yet to be tested on humans, the team said they hope to start human clinical trials by the second half of the year. According to Sky News, the finding, which was described as a breakthrough research, was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society on Wednesday.
Patient shocked to wake up with four kidneys after transplant
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Stuart Middleton, a 46-year old, living in Scotland, United Kingdom, has expressed shock after discovering that he now carries four kidneys after undergoing two major operations.
According to him, “I was shocked and surprised when I found out. I had no idea they had left the old kidneys inside me too,” Stuart, who had thought that the failed ones would be removed, told BBC in an interview. According to the BBC, Stuart had suffered migraines and stomach pain for ten years before he discovered he had Berger’s disease.
