Frontpage News (3249)
Only 10% of Nigerians donate blood voluntarily – Haematologist
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A Professor of Haematology, Musa Muhibi, says Nigeria requires a minimum of 1.8 million units of blood annually to meet the blood transfusion need of its citizens. He made this known at the seventh inaugural lecture series of the Edo State University, Uzairue, noting that the rate of blood donation in Nigeria was low.
Prof. Muhibi, who is the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, noted that only 10 per cent of the population donated blood voluntarily. He said the majority of blood donations came from the families of patients, some of whom were not adequately screened for infections and other health conditions.
Teeth whitening with charcoal may cause mouth ulcer, decay- Experts warn
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Dental experts have warned Nigerians against brushing their teeth with charcoal, noting that it is a harmful practice that can cause permanent damage. Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, they explained that the abrasive nature of charcoal could potentially damage teeth enamel and lead to sensitivity, decay, and other health-related problems.
According to them, persistent use of charcoal does not whiten the teeth and only leaves behind stains, especially on the gums. The dentists said over the years, there have been misconceptions about the use of charcoal as a home remedy to remove stains and whiten yellow teeth.
Swinging or lifting a toddler by the arm has been described by medical experts as a risky move that can lead to elbow dislocation or severe injuries. The experts explained that babies’ bones are fragile and that lifting them either with one hand or with both hands can exert undue pressure on the elbow.
According to them, lifting a child off the floor with one hand in such a way that the body weight rests on that particular arm; pulling a baby by the hands to a sitting position from a lying down position, or even grabbing a child by one arm to prevent a fall, are all dangerous.
People exposed to aeroplane noise risk depression, cancer — Study
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A new United State study has found that people exposed to even moderate levels of aircraft noise were less likely to receive the minimum recommended amount of sleep each night.
The researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health said sleeping less than seven hours each night predisposes an individual to the risk of depression and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
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.
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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
