Female Genital Mutilation: 13 Percent Of Victims In Nigeria Cut By Health Workers

A Session Of FGM Awareness Seminar

13 percent of women – about one out of every ten – who have been genitally mutilated (Female Genital Mutilation) in Nigeria were cut by medical professionals, Eugene Kongnyuy, Acting Country Representative, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), said in a recent interview.

Despite the increasing campaigns against the barbaric act, many medical professionals have been engaging in the act, thus causing a setback to the eradication process of the practice. This new trend is being referred to as the “Medicalization of FGM.” 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision, is the cutting or removal of some or all the external female genitalia, especially the areas near to the clitoris.

In respect to this harmful trend, health professionals across the sector gathered in Abuja on Wednesday, in an advocacy meeting, on the need to curb the ‘medicalization’ of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.

The meeting was organised by the University of Ibadan Center for Reproductive Health, in collaboration with UN Population Fund and Federal Ministry of Health.

The theme for the meeting was “curbing medicalisation of FGM and sanctions for erring medical personnel in Nigeria”. 

Speaking at the meeting, the minister of health, Isaac Adewole, said the medicalisation of FGM was one of the major bottlenecks of the achievements of the fight to end the negative traditional practice in the country.

The minister, represented by Kayode Afolabi, director, Family Health in the ministry, said the medicalisation of FGM is getting rampant because people believe that once the FGM is done by a medical professional, it is acceptable. “FGM is being hospitalized,” he said.

“The impression they are giving the people is that once it is done by a nurse, doctors, then it is acceptable.”

He said it is a big problem that needs to be tackled. He urged stakeholders to commit time and resources to curb the art of FGM from being medicalised.

He also challenged all partners to take the message to their various networks to enhance awareness on the issue.

Mr Kongnyuy commended the federal Ministry of Health for leading the cause in the fight to eliminate FGM in Nigeria. He said the magnitude of FGM in Nigeria is shocking because Nigeria constitutes at least 10 percent of the burden of FGM globally.

UNICEF estimated, in 2016, that 200 million women living today in 30 countries – 27 African countries of which Nigeria is one have undergone the procedure.

Mr Kongnyuy said out of 200 million women with FGM, Nigeria accounts for 20 million women and 25 percent of women in Nigeria have been genitally mutilated. Out of this, 13 percent of such cases were carried out by medical professionals.

He said talking about statistics seems to make it insignificant, but thinking about those behind the statistics makes it very important.

“These are women who are suffering from short or long-term effects of FGM, who are suffering the physical, physiological and sexual effects of FGM in terms of mutilations who have haemorrhage, they have infertility, they have infections, and they have pains, because of FGM”. He expressed shock that most of the mutilations were done by health professionals.

“Looking at statistics of those behind FGM, I was also shocked to realise that 12.7 percent of FGM is actually done by health professionals in Nigeria.

“That to me is unacceptable. There is no justification, there is no medical reason and no medical benefit for FGM. We have to look at the impact of what we are doing, that is, the short and long-term effect of FGM on the female population,” he added.

Oladosu Ojengbede, the director, University of Ibadan Centre for Reproductive Health, outrightly condemned the practice.

He said the involvement of medical professionals has made success of eradicating the menace more challenging.

This, he said, has also encouraged the traditional practitioners to continue in their trade, believing they are being cheated out of their professions.

He also noted that the culture of silence is having a negative effect on sanctioning erring medical personnel who administer FGM.

Mr Ojengbede explained that five states, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Imo and Ebonyi top the chat on the prevalence of FGM in Nigeria.

“This is unacceptable. Why cut at all? We need to put a surveillance system in place at the community level and health care level. Prosecution is also difficult as only 11 states have laws banning FGM.

The professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics said the non-domestication of the laws across states of the federation has made it more difficult to sanction erring personnel.

He, therefore, advocates for multi-sectoral efforts to end FGM in Nigeria especially in the five states with the high burden of the problem.

Five harms of FGM

1. Can lead to excessive bleeding and death of mother during child birth.
2. Can cause damage to the woman’s vagina making her lack sexual sensation during sex

3. High risk of contracting infections

4. Causes menstrual pain as the normal passage for blood flow could have been narrowed

5. Cervical evaluation during labour may be impeded and labour prolonged or obstructed.

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Honey: Natures Power Against A Variety Of Ailments

Honey contains a treasure chest of hidden nutritional and medicinal value for centuries. The sweet golden liquid from the beehive is a popular kitchen staple loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties that has been used since the early days of Egyptian tombs. Honey’s scientific super powers contribute to its vastly touted health benefits for the whole body. The healthy natural sweetener offers many nutritional benefits depending on its variety. Raw honey is the unpasteurized version of commonly used honey and only differs in its filtration, which helps extend its shelf life. 

A tablespoon of raw honey contains 64 calories, is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free, says the National Honey Board. Its composition is roughly 80 percent carbohydrates, 18 percent water, and two percent vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Typically, honey is sweet but can be cruel to infants. Spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria — found in dirt and dust, which can contaminate honey — may lead to infant botulism and produce a toxin inside the body that can cause muscle weakness and breathing problems. 

Honey’s anti-inflammatory effects and ability to soothe coughs has led to the belief it can also reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Although there are no clinical studies proving its efficacy, Dr. Matthew Brennecke, a board certified naturopathic doctor practicing at the Rocky Mountain Wellness Center in Fort Collins, Colo., told Medical Daily in an email, "A common theory is that honey acts like a natural vaccine." It contains small amounts of pollen, which if the body is exposed to small amounts of it, it can trigger an immune response that produces antibodies to the pollen.

Honey is an excellent source of all-natural energy at just 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon. This natural unprocessed sugar — fructose and glucose — directly enter the bloodstream and can deliver a quick boost of energy. The rise in blood sugar acts as a short-term energy source for your workout, especially in longer endurance exercises. Brennecke said there is a benefit in adding honey to your workout.

The sweet nectar is loaded in antioxidants that may help prevent cellular damage and loss within the brain. A 2011 study published in Menopause found a daily spoonful of Malaysian honey may boost postmenopausal women’s memory, which can provide an alternative therapy for the hormone-related intellectual decline. After four months of taking 20 grams of honey a day, the women were more likely to have better short-term memory than their counterparts who took hormone pills.

Honey can be the all-natural cure when it comes to pesky colds. A persistent cough that won’t go away can easily be remedied with two teaspoons of honey, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Pediatrics. Children between the ages of 1 and 5 with nighttime cough due to colds coughed less frequently when they received two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed. 

Honey can be a health aid for sleepless nights. Similar to sugar, honey can cause a rise in insulin and release serotonin — a neurotransmitter that improves mood and happiness. “The body converts serotonin into melatonin, a chemical compound that regulates the length and the quality of sleep,” Rene Ficek, registered dietitian and lead dietitian nutritionist at Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating in Chicago, Ill., told Medical Daily. 

Honey also contains several amino acids, including tryptophan that is commonly associated with turkey. Honey’s steady rise in insulin, according to Brennecke, causes the tryptophan in honey to enter the brain, where it’s then converted into serotonin and then into melatonin, which is a sleep aid. This hormone is responsible for regulating sleep and wake cycles. 

Honey can bring temporary relief to the scalp by targeting dandruff. A 2001 study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found applying honey diluted with 10 percent warm water to problem areas and leaving it on for three hours before rinsing led to itch relief and no scaling within a week. Skin lesions healed within two weeks and patients even showed an improvement in hair loss. The patients did not relapse even after six months of use.

Honey is a natural antibiotic that can act both internally and externally. It can be used as a conventional treatment for wounds and burns by disinfecting wounds and sores from major species of bacteria such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A study published in the British Journal of Surgery found all but one of patients who suffered from wounds and leg ulcers showed remarkable improvement after applying a topical application of honey.

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Obesity Raises Risk Of Higher Cancer Rates In Younger People - Study

Scientists have said that obesity, which has become a global public health concern, is now fueling certain types of cancers among young adults. These are the results of a new study published in the journal; ‘The Lancet Public Health.’ 

According to the study, which was released to coincide with World Cancer Day, February 4, the study found that rates of certain cancers linked to obesity, including multiple myeloma, colorectal, uterine, gallbladder, kidney and pancreatic cancers, increased among adults aged 25 to 49. 

Lead author of the study and a scientist with the American Cancer Society, Ahmedin Jemal, said: “Primary care physicians should regularly assess body weight,” with a view to determine those at risk so as to counsel them appropriately.

“Only a third of obese patients actually get a diagnosis of and counseling for obesity,” he added. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Globally, about one in six deaths is due to cancer. The number of global cancer deaths is projected to increase by 45 per cent between 2008 and 2030 and approximately 70 per cent of deaths from cancer oc-cur in low- and-middleincome countries.

In Nigeria, about 100,000 new cancer cases were recorded, according to estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO) annually and an estimated 80,000 die from the medical condition in Nigeria because ‘most of the cancer patients report late, when it’s late to help them, except for palliative measures only. Previous studies have shown that about 30 per cent of cancer deaths could be avoided by a change of lifestyle and through the adoption of more healthy behaviours.

The team in the current research studied the incidence of 30 of the most common cancers, including 12 that are obesity related, from 1995 to 2014 in people ages 25 to 84 in more than 14.6 million cases. Using five-year age cohorts, they found that for six of the 12 obesity-related cancers, the risk for disease increased in adults 25 to 49, with the magnitude of the increase’s steeper with younger age. 

For example, compared with people born in 1950, those born in 1985 had a risk of multiple myeloma 59 per cent higher, and a risk of pancreatic cancer more than twice as high at comparable ages.

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Persistent Sore Throat May Be Sign Of Cancer - Study

Experts have alerted that patients with persistent sore throat, combined with shortness of breath, trouble swallowing or earache, should consider cancer as the cause. Their findings are published in the ‘British Journal of General Practice’. Based on the study, the researchers recommended that patients with persistent hoarseness or an unexplained neck lump should be investigated for throat or laryngeal cancer. 

While throat cancer refers to cancer of the voice box, vocal cords, and other parts of the throat, such as the tonsils and the oropharynx, laryngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the larynx.

 The use of tobacco products and drinking too much alcohol can affect the risk of laryngeal cancer. The larynx is part of the throat found at the entrance of the windpipe that helps you breathe and speak. The researchers said the study also provided the best evidence to date to support the current recommendation to refer older patients with persistent hoarseness.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that 8.8 million cancer deaths are recorded globally yearly out of which an estimated 80,000 are Nigerians. About 100,000 new cancer cases are also recorded in the country. 

The research, led by the University of Exeter, looked at patient records from more than 600 general practitioner (GP) practices and studied 806 patients diagnosed with cancer of the larynx and 3,559 control patients. Lead author Dr. Elizabeth Shephard said it was the first real look at all the symptoms that might be important for laryngeal cancer.

“The significance of the study really is that we’ve found that hoarseness is important for laryngeal cancer, but significantly the risk of having laryngeal cancer greatly increases when it’s combined with a recurrent sore throat,” she said. One of the study authors, Prof Willie Hamilton said their research was important because it “has shown the potential severity of some symptom combinations previously thought to be low risk.”

He however pointed out that they were not talking about just any sore throat – “the sore throat has to be significant enough to go to the GP. We’re all used to sore throats, but the sore throats that are reported to GPs are already unusual because it’s gone outside the patient’s norms.” And it is the combination of persistent symptoms – sore throat, hoarseness and breathing or swallowing problems – that could be a warning sign, he said. Shephard said, “It’s vital for selecting the right patients for referral. If we get people earlier we can then diagnose the cancer at an earlier stage and they will have access to the right treatment.”

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Benefits And Side Effects Of Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein and low-carbohydrate diet that is used in medicine primarily to treat difficult-to-control (refractory) epilepsy in children. The diet forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Normally, the carbohydrates contained in food are converted into glucose and then transported around the body. Glucose is particularly important in fuelling brain function.

However, if little carbohydrate remains in the diet, the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies. The ketone bodies pass into the brain and replace glucose as a source of energy. 

An elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood, a state known as ketosis, leads to a reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures, but many people have adopted the extreme diet for a quick weight loss.

Ketones replace carbohydrates as the body’s main source of energy, which means that they run almost entirely on stored fat. They are also produced when the total calorie intake is low. When you run short of stored energy, your body will burn stored fat instead and the result will be weight loss. This process is referred to as being in the ‘state of ketosis’. This state is also achieved during fasting.

The classical ketogenic diet has a ratio of four grammes of fat to one gramme of combined carbohydrates and protein. So, basically, it is 85-90 per cent fat, which isn’t a palatable or exciting diet, as you can imagine, due to the massive restriction in the types and quantities of foods that contain carbohydrates, including loaves of bread and cereals, fruits, some vegetables and dairy products. The individual needs to be under the supervision of a doctor and dietitian and be monitored for side effects, particularly if he is on medication.”

Components of the keto diet

The keto diet limits carbohydrates to just 20-50g a day. A single slice of bread typically has 15g of carbohydrates. So you can imagine how restrictive this form of eating can be. An example of components of Keto diets are:

• Proteins: beef, lamb, poultry, pork, fish and seafood, eggs and tofu (if you are vegetarian).
• Above-ground vegetables: spinach, rocket, kale, broccoli, mushrooms, celery and cabbage.
• Fats: coconut oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, oil-based salad dressings and macadamia oil.
• High-fat dairy: cheese, high-fat cream and butter.
• Nuts and seeds: macadamias, walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, flax seeds and nut butter.
• Certain fruits: avocados, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, lemons and limes.
• Sweeteners: low-carb sweeteners.
• Drinks: almond milk, coffee, tea, water and sparkling mineral water.
• Herbs and spices: salt, pepper, coriander, rosemary, basil and garlic powder.

Side effects of keto diet

The most common side effect of the diet is constipation due to the cutting out vital sources of fibre in the diet. Lack of fibre can also increase the risk of bowel cancer and heart disease in the long term. This can be prevented by drinking lots of water, eating plenty of the high-fibre ‘allowed’ vegetables and taking a fibre supplement.

Other possible side effects of long-term adherence to the diet include: raised cholesterol levels, renal stones, poor growth (in children) and reductions in bone density, altered immune function, altered liver function, nutrient deficiencies.

Benefits of keto diets

While little research has been done specifically around the diet’s long-term effects, some studies suggest there are health benefits in following such a strict low-carbohydrate diet, such as its ability to improve Type 2 Diabetes and shrink some forms of brain cancer.

This diet is used in medical nutrition therapy as a short-term test diet for specific medical conditions, such as epilepsy and should only be used medically under the supervision of experts.

While the ketogenic diet may be an appropriate short-term solution under strict supervision for some and will result in weight loss, it could lead to serious health complications over time. If you are looking for a sustainable weight-loss solution, visiting your doctor should be your first port of call. He will measure your blood pressure, blood lipids and blood glucose, and potentially look at kidney function and liver function.

The doctor will also refer you to a dietitian.” The doctor and dietitian will then assess the current state of health, weigh up the positives and negatives of different weight-loss regimes and recommend the appropriate one.

Contraindications to keto diet

There are controversies and myths about a keto diet, but for most people, it appears to be safe. There are, however, groups of people that often require special consideration. They include those that take medication for diabetes, e.g. insulin, those that take medication for high blood pressure and those that are breastfeeding.

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Lime: Naturally Fortified Against A Variety Of Ailments

The health benefits of lime include weight loss, skin care, improved digestion, relief from constipation, eye care, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, urinary disorders, etc. The first fruit that comes to mind in terms of medicinal uses is the reliable lime. This sour citrus fruit can do what many advanced medicines cannot. Lime, bearing the scientific name Citrus Aurantifolia, has been used for ages in the treatment of various ailments.

Lime is consumed throughout the world in the form of sorbet, beverages, refreshing cocktails, pickles, jams, jellies, snacks, candies, sugar boiled confections and in cooking.  The oil extracted from its peel or skin is extensively used in soft drink concentrates, body oils, cosmetic products, hair oils, toothpastes, toilet and beauty soaps, disinfectants, mouth washes, deodorants and innumerable other products. There are many varieties of lime found all over the world, particularly in the tropical and the Mediterranean climates. 

Lime is very well-known as a cure for scurvy, the disease which is caused from a deficiency of vitamin-C. It is characterized by frequent infections that show as normal cold symptoms, cracked lips and lip corners, ulcers on the tongue and in the mouth. You can also spot scurvy from spongy, swollen and bleeding gums. Since its cause is a deficiency of vitamin-C, its remedy is none other than vitamin-C, and lime is full of this essential vitamin.

Lime juice and its natural oils are very beneficial for skin when consumed orally or applied externally. It rejuvenates the skin, keeps it shining, protects it from infections and reduces body odor due to the presence of a large amount of vitamin-C and Flavonoids. Those are both class-1 anti oxidants, and have antibiotic and disinfectant properties. When applied externally on skin, its acids scrub out the dead cells, cures dandruff, rashes, and bruises. It can also be used to create a refreshing bathing experience if its juice or oil is mixed into your bathing water.

Lime has an irresistible scent which causes your mouth to water and this actually aids primary digestion (the digestive saliva floods your mouth even before you taste it). The natural acidity in lime does the rest. While they break down of the macro molecules of the food, the Flavonoids, the compounds found in the fragrant oils extracted from lime, stimulate the digestive system and increase secretion of digestive juices, bile and acids. This flood of flavonoids also stimulate the peristaltic motion.  

Primarily, the ample amount of acids present in lime helps clear the excretory system by washing and cleaning off the tracts, just as some acids are used to clean floors and toilets. The roughage in lime is also helpful in easing constipation, but the most beneficial element is the high acidity. An overdose of lime juice with salt also acts as an excellent purgative without any side effects, thereby providing relief from constipation. 

According to the American Diabetes Association, limes and other citrus fruits are considered a diabetes super food for a number of reasons. Mainly, the high levels of soluble fiber found in limes make it an ideal dietary aid to help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, reducing the occurrence of blood sugar spikes that are a serious risk to diabetic patients. Also, limes and other citrus fruits have a low glycemic index, which means that they will not cause unexpected spikes in glucose levels, in addition to the benefits of soluble fiber’s effect.

That same soluble fiber which can help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels can also lower blood pressure and eliminate the presence of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol). Furthermore, soluble fiber can cut down on inflammation of the blood vessels, which is a known preventative measure against heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. 

One of the many causes of arthritis is an excess of uric acid that builds up in the body. Uric acid is one of the waste products that normal urination will clear out of the body, but unfortunately, when too much builds up, it can make the pain and inflammation from arthritis even worse. The citric acid found in citrus fruits like limes is a solvent in which uric acid can dissolve, increasing the amounts that are eliminated in the urine. Citrus fruits in general have anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used for a number of inflammation issues.

In addition to vitamin-C, lime contains special compounds called Flavonoids (Limonoids such as Limonin Glucoside) which have antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, antibiotic and detoxifying properties that stimulate the healing process of peptic and oral ulcers. The flavonoid-rich oil that is extracted from limes is extensively used in anti-congestive medicines such as balms, vaporizers, and inhalers due to the presence of Kaempferol. Just scratching the peel of a lime and inhaling it gives immediate relief for congestion and nausea.

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