Lassa Fever Kills 15 In Ondo State, Nigeria

Information reaching Nigeria Natural Health Online has it that no fewer than 15 persons have been confirmed killed by the deadly Lassa fever in Ondo State, Nigeria between January and February 2019. It was also revealed that the disease had infected 102 persons in the state within the period under review.

The Ondo State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association disclosed this to journalists in Akure, the state capital.

According to him,  Owo, Ose, Akoko North, Akure South and Akure North local government areas are the areas in the state where the cases were recorded.

He said, “As of Thursday February 21, 2019, 102 people have been positive to Lassa fever,  82 people in January and 20 people so far in February. About 15 people have died in January as a result of the fever but no death has been recorded so far in February.

“Most people that died either reported late or were already subjected to alternative treatment and doing self-medication before they eventually came to hospital. Their kidneys and livers had been affected as a result of the delay.”

Oke, who works at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, urged residents of the state to report early to the medical centre if they experienced upsurge of temperature in their bodies.

He, however, noted that the FMC had the highest success rate out of the three centres for Lassa fever treatment in Nigeria.

“We have contact tracing mechanism whereby we can place on surveillance for 21 days those that may have contact with an infected person.

“We continue to monitor their temperature if it is above 37.8 and ask them quick for treatment,” he stated.

The medical doctor added that the state government had put in place measures to curtail the fever and that the government had declared a state of emergency  in the health sector.

Oke explained that Ondo NMA, alongside the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other stakeholders, had engaged in series of sensitisation programmes for the people of the state in a bid to prevent spread of the disease in the state.

He said, “Since the outbreak of Lassa fever, we have been moving round all the health facilities to sensitise our people on the need to maintain universal caution and also to be vigilant.”

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Why We Need To Invest In Our Own Herbal Brands

By Jennifer Abraham
African traditional health systems existed before the advent of the colonialists. Even though some of it was muddled with mystery and other unprofessional and unhygienic practices, it managed to keep the people alive until the introduction of modern medicine. 

There were balms for aches and pains, brews for fever, treatment for ulcers and other ailments. Incidentally, it appears that our local medicines that we now treat with suspicion are being sold to us in exotic packages as modern alternative cures.

Our Traditional Medicine Practitioners, TMPs, are criticised for selling one-drug-for-all-ailments packages but then, the imported ones on the shelves these days also claim the same attributes. Instead of running down our own, we need to engage science to repackage them and give them contemporary appeal. The Chinese, the Indians and the South Africans are examples of nations that have made good effort to develop and promote their herbal medicines and it is rewarding them economically. 

Recently, I came across some herbal brands that have just been introduced into the Nigerian market from the Americas. I found them very expensive and could not help wondering whether our own moringa, neem and other medicinal plants had not been compounded into that cure-all package that many middle-aged persons with chronic ailments are tripping over. I listened to a video advert of the product and it was clearly described as a supplement and not a drug. Perhaps, what our local entrepreneurs need to do next is to dub our own brands as supplements and not drugs.

The moringa tree, for example, is one of our tree resources that are brimming with potential. Proceeds from a 2010 forum on moringa development, convened by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, unearthed that every part of the tree is an economic resource with diverse applications. We simply need to package them well and sell to the world just as they are selling theirs to us.

The acceptance and use of plants and roots for cure and control of ailments has suffered a chequered fate. From the ancient times when they were the only remedies known to man, to the time when they were treated with suspicion and considered as fetish, to contemporary times when man is revisiting herbal remedies because some germs have developed strains that are resistant to modern antibiotics.

Besides, the dangerous side effects of some orthodox drugs now cause doctors to question the benefits of prescribing them at all. This has created a window of opportunity for herbal medicinal packages to gain re-acceptance.

Today, traditional medicine is universally accepted as an alternative source of medicare. The World Health Organisation recognises traditional medicine as ‘including diverse health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plants, animals and or mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises applied singularly or in combination to maintain well-being, as well as to treat, diagnose or prevent illness’.

A good case for indigenous medicines is that, considering the prevalence of mosquitoes, if Africans did not have their own remedies for malaria before the advent of the Europeans, the first white people who came to Africa would not have met any living soul.

The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency data has it that over 85 per cent of people in sub-Saharan Africa and about 80 per cent of Nigerians patronise traditional medicine. 

For most of these people, it is the only known source of healthcare delivery; IT IS AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE. In many parts of Africa, the number of traditional health practitioners far outnumbers that of allopathic doctors. To buttress the reach of TMPs, statistics show that we may have a ratio of one medical doctor per 20,000 persons as opposed to 1: 200 for TMPs. 

The National Demographic and Health Survey Report (NDS, 1999) indicates that 63 per cent of births in the country are handled by traditional practitioners.

A local birth attendant once told me she had herbal remedies for women with delayed labour problems. According to her, the plant can save some women from having to undergo caesarian sections. 

A good percentage of modern drugs is plant derived and the World Health Organisation estimates that there are about 21,000 plant species with medicinal value and a good percentage of these are believed to be available in Nigeria with our vast biodiversity and bio-resources.

This is therefore an area of cache waiting to be unearthed by discerning entrepreneurs, especially because many Nigerians now spend huge sums on imported herbal brands from America, Europe and Asia. Interestingly, some of those formulations are prepared with herbs sourced from Nigeria!

Cultivation of medicinal crops as a deliberate and focused business venture is a viable foray. A specialised area of agriculture and forestry would yield good returns not only for supply to local herbal medicine manufacturers, but also for export. This is one more area where entrepreneurs can tap into to create new wealth and generate employment.

All the present-day herbal medicine manufacturer need do is to shed the old garb of mysticism, seek information, embrace contemporary best practice rules and adopt attractive packaging. These done and we too can sell our herbal preparations to the rest of the world.

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The Fundamentals Of Keto Diets (2)

(Being the concluding part of the article featured last week) 

Micronutrients on a Keto Diet

Conversely to macronutrients, micronutrients must be obtained in the diet in small quantities, but are essential to health. Vitamins and minerals are examples of micronutrients.

When following a ketogenic diet, it is important to be mindful of micronutrient intake because:

• Reducing carbohydrate intake can lower consumption of micronutrient-rich foods (i.e. fruits and vegetables)
• In the initial 28 days of following a ketogenic diet, the balance of some micronutrients (such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) can become disturbed due to an increase in their excretion.
• The body resolves this issue naturally after adapting to the diet

Sodium is the principal cation in extracellular fluid. Its functions are related to blood volume maintenance, water balance, and cell membrane potential. Sodium is also essential for acid-base balance and nerve conduction. 

The level of sodium can fall at the start of a ketogenic diet.
Adding extra sodium to meals (like adding salt or consuming bouillon/ bone broth) can reduce the chances of feeling the common side effects associated with low sodium (like cramps).

Potassium is the principal cation in the intracellular fluid. Its primary functions are related to maintaining cell membrane potential and electrical activity in cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. As with sodium, levels of potassium fall at the initiation of a ketogenic diet due to increased excretion. When starting a ketogenic diet, include sources of potassium like nuts, dark green vegetables, and avocados.

Magnesium is an essential element in biological systems, especially for nerve, muscle, and immune function. Levels of magnesium also fall at the initiation of a ketogenic diet due to increased excretion. When starting a ketogenic diet, include sources of magnesium like oily fish, dark green vegetables, and seeds.

Calcium has a role in muscle contraction and is important for cardiovascular and bone health. Calcium deficiency is less common during a ketogenic diet, as staples of the diet such as fish, cheese, and leafy greens are rich sources of the mineral.

Considerations When Starting a Keto Diet

As with any new diet or way of life, it's important to look at the lifestyle change from all angles.

Who Should Avoid a Keto Diet?

Based on certain risk factors, following a ketogenic diet may not be suggested for people with the following medical considerations:

• Pregnancy
• Kidney failure
• Impaired liver function
• Impaired fat digestion (gallbladder disease, gastric bypass, pancreatitis)
• Genetic defects in metabolism (CPTI/II deficiency, beta-oxidation defects, fatty acyl dehydrogenase deficiency).

Potential Side Effects

When starting a ketogenic diet there can be a period of 2 - 3 days where blood glucose levels are low, but ketone production has not reached a sufficient rate to provide enough fuel for the brain.
This can result in a series of symptoms, known as the keto flu, which include:

• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue 
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Exogenous ketone supplements, such as HVMN Ketone^, and medium-chain triglycerides can be used to reduce symptoms of keto flu. They provide the brain with a source of energy without carbohydrate consumption. These supplements increase the levels of ketones in the blood artificially. Exogenous ketones do not increase the body’s ketone production (of endogenous ketones) and can actually inhibit the release of fatty acids from adipocytes.
It can be initially tricky to adjust food intake to ensure adequate nutrition when following a ketogenic diet. Also, some people find the diet isn’t sustainable due to individual differences in metabolic state or lifestyle. If the diet does not provide the correct balance of macro and micronutrients, some individuals develop other symptoms beyond the keto flu after the adaptation period. These include:

• Constipation
• Bad breath
• Difficulty in maintaining physical performance
• Hair loss
• Gallstones
• Elevated blood triglycerides or cholesterol

To treat these symptoms, ensure the diet provides enough calories and micronutrients. Many people reduce fruit and vegetable consumption on a ketogenic diet (due to carbohydrate content). This means it is easy to become deficient in vitamins and to under-consume fiber.

The ketogenic diet can alter the way that the kidneys excrete electrolytes (such as sodium), so electrolyte supplementation can reduce the side effects of an electrolyte imbalance. A silver lining here is the loss of excess water weight (and thus weight loss) with the decrease in stored water.

Possible Clinical Applications for Ketosis

Some of the earliest reports of the ketogenic diet describe its use in a clinical setting.
In the early 20th century, ketogenic diets helped treat drug-resistant epilepsy. Doctors also prescribed ketogenic diets to treat type 1 diabetes (different than type 2 diabetes, in which people have insulin resistance or don’t respond to insulin) before the invention of insulin.
As analytical techniques progressed, scientists learned that ketones themselves might be a crucial part of the success of the ketogenic diet to treat disease. From this finding stemmed a field of research to examine the potential benefits of ketosis in a range of disease states:

• Weight loss
• Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• Neurological disease: epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, migraine, concussive disease, and traumatic brain injury
• Cancer
• Inflammatory diseases

While the ketogenic diet is not yet a first-line treatment recommended by doctors for any of these diseases, it’s a relatively easy and tolerable step that patients with these conditions can take to improve their health. Emerging research suggests there may be beneficial effects of ketosis for some people, and further studies are required to confirm how best to use the diet in these clinical settings.

Should You Start a Keto Diet?

We've provided an in-depth look at the keto diet, hopefully giving you all the tools you need to make the best decision for your health. Think about your goals, your lifestyle and how feasible keto is for you (and consult a healthcare professional). While many people have found success on keto for weight loss or performance—everyone is different.

Not seeing results from the keto diet?

You’re not alone. Many think they’re in ketosis but aren’t–the newness of the diet leads to misinformation online. HVMN provides the latest science around meal-timing, supplements and macronutrient composition. Subscribe and be first to know the newest techniques for keto diet results. 

This article is from HVMN, an organization that researches and presents articles discussing health, nutrition and diet, among other topics related to human optimization.

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Maintaining Youthful Skin In Your 20's: Vital Things To Note

Story From Penelope Andersan

If we start taking care of our skin early, youthful glowing skin is easier to get than you'd think. There are many effective preventative measures from lifestyle choices to injectables that anyone can (and should) adopt.

As we get older, youthful glowing skin can be seen as a luxury wasted on the young, but if we start taking care of our skin early, it's easier to get than you'd think. The critical period after adolescent acne and before signs of aging show up is the best time to start taking steps to preserve the glowing skin of youth.

We spoke to Beverly Hills dermatologist Jeanette Black, MD to find out the most effective steps 20-somethings can take to preserve their skin in the long run. It turns out there are many effective preventative measures from lifestyle choices to injectables that anyone can (and should) adopt.

It's Never Too Early for Prevention

Until recently, the focus of anti-aging treatments has been on treating signs of aging once they have appeared, but millennials are leading the charge in a more preventative approach to their health and skin care. Dr. Black says that prevention can start as early as childhood by parents applying sunscreen to prevent sun damage and the habit should carry on into teenage years and adulthood.

“I always counsel young parents to apply sunscreen on their children regularly and it is also important to teach older children and young adults about the benefits of wearing daily sunscreen," she says. This is the best preventative measure anyone can take to combat the signs of aging and it is never too early to start.

”Protecting skin against UV exposure is not only useful for preventing signs of aging, it is also important to avoid skin cancer," says Dr. Black. She recommends applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on a daily basis to all exposed skin, but particularly on areas prone to sun exposure like the face, neck and chest.

Lightweight gel and cream formulas specifically made for daily use can be beneficial for those who feel that regular sunscreen can be too heavy. With all the options in the market today, there is something for everyone and “the best sunscreen is the one that you will actually wear," says Dr. Black.

Create a Skincare Routine That Works for You

Your twenties is the best time to get in the habit of taking care of your skin by developing a regular skincare routine. But don't feel pressure to go overboard. According to Dr. Black, it's best to keep things simple. “In general, it is important to understand what ingredients you are using in your skin care products and what potential benefits and risks come with them," she says.

"Young patients might experience acne or begin to develop sensitivities or allergic reactions to certain ingredients.” It’s important to learn how active ingredients in skin care work for you at an early age, so you can adapt as your skin ages and develops different needs. An ideal, and simple, skin care routine for a 20-something is cleanser, toner, eye cream, a moisturizing cream at night, and an SPF moisturizer in the morning. If you have specific skin complaints, you can add in targeted serums, but Dr. Black stresses that keeping things simple is key for young skin and can help develop good habits.

One ingredient to consider adding your routine if you want extra fire power is a retinol or retinoid. Many acne treatments contain these ingredients and people tend to pick them up during their teenage years, but stop using them as their skin improves with age. Consistent use helps in skin cell turnover and the release of dead skin cells, both of which offer great cosmetic benefits. Retinoids have been shown to help prevent signs of aging, improve skin texture, and yes, control breakouts. Look for a serum or cream that contains retinol or a retinoid and gradually add it to your routine (they can sometimes cause irritation if introduced too fast).

Preventative Injectables

Botox® (botulinum toxin) is not only used to treat visible signs of aging, it can also be helpful as a preventative treatment for patients in their 20's. “Botulinum toxin injections are used to minimize excessive facial movements that lead to etched-in fine lines in the skin," says Dr. Black. "Depending on the patient’s facial muscles and anatomy, botulinum toxin treatments may be initiated at a range of different ages. Patients with strong muscle movements may seek treatment years before someone with less dynamic muscle movements.”

If you're considering treatment, ask a dermatologist to check your skin and muscle movements and advise if any particular areas should be treated preventatively. “Many patients in their 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s tell me how much they wish they had access to preventative cosmetic botulinum toxins when they were younger and first started noticing lines on their skin," says Dr. Black.

As the popularity of preventative injectables grows, the desired result from these treatments is different for younger patients. It is not about reversing visible lines but about preventing their appearance in the first place. There are other non-invasive treatments that can help preserve youthful looking skin as well. "In-office resurfacing with chemical peels and laser treatments can help to restore damaged skin," says Dr. Black. These non-invasive procedures can help control the natural aging process, especially when done regularly over time.

Pay Attention To Your Skin

There is a tendency to be complacent when your skin looks great, like in your 20's, before signs of aging start to appear. But Dr. Black says we should pay attention to our skin as an indicator of what is going on inside our bodies too.

“Our skin is the 'check engine' light for our bodies and healthy skin is beautiful skin," she says. "Our skin has innate regenerative healing abilities, but it is only as healthy as we are. Healthy diets and avoiding tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption can help our skin to look its best. Regular exercise can keep our circulation optimal and that is important for our skin as well.

Our skin also needs to have a healthy supply of nutrients.” Any steps you’re taking (or not) to look after yourself physically and mentally can also show in your skin. Regular detoxes may be helpful when looking to maintain youthful skin. Cutting out caffeine, soy and refined sugar can help give your skin a break and allow it to recover naturally if you've noticed inflammation or breakouts. Including other common foods can be added to your diet to take care of your skin from the inside out:

• Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids which can reduce signs of aging skin.
• Dark chocolate contains antioxidant flavonoids that fight free radicals and as a result can help to protect skin from sun damage.
• Lentils are rich in iron and protein, both of which are vital for maintaining glowing and youthful looking skin.
• Chia seeds contain protein, fiber and high levels of Omega 3, all of which are necessary for healthy skin.
• Almonds have high levels of flavonoids and vitamin E which can both act as antioxidants.

Know Your History

"Be aware of your family history of skin cancers and other skin issues," says Dr. Black. "Knowing your risks can be important. For instance, many patients choose to screen for skin cancers more frequently if there is significant family history. These kinds of risks could additionally make the use of certain products like sunscreen even more necessary.”

Ask your family about any skin conditions you could be genetically predisposed to. It is important to always discuss possible conditions with your dermatologist as they may impact suggested treatment plans. If you take good care of your skin from an early age, there is nothing to say you will not be able to protect yourself from any of these conditions by working closely with a dermatologist and following a good skin care routine.

Penelope Andersan is from the Content Partnerships Team of The AEDITION, an online publication created by new, aesthetic enhancement platform AEDIT. AEDIT is a next-generation, go-to source for anyone looking to continue or begin their medial aesthetic journey.

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Are Calories In Red Wine Worth It?

With everything we unapologetically give to our body, moderation is key. The same goes for delicious, red wine. Here is a breakdown of calories in red wine, and why a glass of red isn’t the worst thing to treat yourself with:

First of all, let’s talk about the bad.

How many calories are in red wine?

One glass of red wine has between 100 and 150 calories. The sweeter the wine, the closer it gets to having 150 calories. So stick with dry red wines if you want to keep the calorie count low.

A 750ml bottle of red wine has between 400-600 calories.

Alcohol has a high calorie content (158.8 calories per ounce) and since red wine is part alcohol… well you know where I am going with this.

This detail alone isn’t so bad. In a 1200 calorie per day diet, saving 200 for a glass of red would be doable (I would do it!). However, it’s not the worst part.

Nature Communications published a study showing what happens to mice with ethanol in their system. The mice were given large amounts of red wine over two days and experienced an increase in appetite, as well as a decrease in energy levels and metabolism.

Other studies have also concluded that binge drinking (four glasses of wine in two hours for women and five for men) leads to binge eating, hence why the bar crowd rushes towards pizza at the end of a night out!

Before you swear off the calories in red wine, hear us out. There are a few things you can do to keep your favorite vino in your diet AND stay fit, we promise!

So, first things first…

 Moderate Your Wine Intake.

Those studies suggest that binge eating is more to do with an above 0.08% blood alcohol level.

The lesson: Don’t have an entire bottle of wine after work. Stick to a glass (or two!)

Adjust Your Diet for Calories in Red Wine

As we mentioned above, you can save a little room in your daily calorie consumption for that unwinding glass of red wine. Wine is composed of fruit, sugar, and alcohol, hence why you need to keep track of the calorie count.

The good news? Red wine is also a lower carb alcoholic beverage option. A dry red or white wine only contains 5 grams of carbs. So if you put the bread and pasta aside for the sake of your low carb life, this is good news!

Trick Your Cravings

Be one step ahead of your wine. Know those binge eating feelings may come your way, and take the first step to curbing them. One small high protein snack before you start drinking a glass of wine will go a long way to keeping that hunger feeling at bay. Pick up some mixed nuts, or sprinkle fresh ground pepper on an avocado. A hard-boiled egg works, too —snack up before you drink up!

Combat the Calories in Red Wine

So, you want to have a glass or two of Cabernet Sauvignon after work?

Earn it!

Hit the treadmill, do some cycling, go for a jog, anything to burn the extra red wine calories you want to intake. Calories you burn exercising don’t count in your daily intake. Meaning you, and only you, are in charge of fitting all the wine in you desire.

Prepare the RIGHT Snacks

If you know multiple glasses (bottles) are going to be consumed on your night girl’s night in, make sure the snacks you have on hand are not going to fill you with regret the next morning.

A charcuterie board with some nice cheese, meats, raw veggies, and fruit is a great choice.

It will leave you and your guests satisfied without that awful “OMG I ate 4 slices of pizza” regret in the morning!

These pointers will help you keep your intake in check, and hopefully make your relationship with red wine —and all its calories— a healthy one.

The Real Problem with Calories in Red Wine

It’s super easy to forget about liquid calories. Sure, if there is a mountain of cake in front you, you’re likely to say ‘no thanks’, but a bottle of red wine can have the same effect on your calorie limits. Don’t ignore the liquid. That’s the single biggest tip we can offer!

Being conscious of what goes into your body and when, you will likely start to see your weaknesses and figure out how to fix them. Drinking red wine, or any wine for that matter, is no different. Pay attention to how much you’re consuming, and more importantly, how you plan to work it off.

If you have the willpower to cut alcohol, and therefore calories in red wine, completely from your diet, good on you. We support you and to be honest, we are in awe of you.

But, if you’re like many of us who crave the sultry taste of a glass of red, these tips and tricks should make it possible for you to enjoy your favorite, and live with the added calories too.

When Calories in Red Wine Don’t Matter

Since we’re all humans, trying our best to adult, there are certain situations that call for us to let loose and forget the three digit calorie number associate with our drink.

Celebrations are a completely appropriate time to throw caution to the wine and drink up. Bonus glasses of wine if your Bestie landed her dream job, or is getting married. Extra if it’s your own cause for celebration —Cheers!

When you lose your job, you are allowed to have countless feel better drinks. Sure the next day won’t look pretty, but there will be nowhere to go but up!

Forget counting calories in red wine during a breakup, because tears mean you can consume whatever you want!

Perhaps the most obvious time for not counting those calories in red wine is during a wine tasting. You are there to sniff, sip, and enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor. Calorie worry here would be a crying shame.

The bottom line is, you CAN fit red wine into your life, while maintaining a healthy, active body. It’s all about treating yourself properly, and being aware of your intake.

This article is from IloveWine, an organization that aspires to share insight and experiences with wine lovers of all kinds.

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93 Thousand Nigerians Die Annually From Firewood Smoke - ICEED

International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED) has disclosed that 93,000 Nigerians die annually as a result of smoke inhaled while cooking with firewood, with women and children as the most affected persons. ICEED’s Executive Director in Nigeria, Mr. Ewah Otu Eleri revealed that a 2012 study report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that deaths from firewood smoke is the third highest killer in the country after malaria (225,000) and HIV (192,000). He attributed the ugly trend to lack of access to cooking gas and kerosene.

His words: “It is shocking and regrettable that 56 percent of households in Nigerian urban cities still use firewood to cook. In Ebonyi, only 12 percent of households have access to kerosene while only 6.1 of the entire population of Lagos State use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking. About 30 million households depend solely on wood as a source of fuel for their daily cooking.”

Otu Eleri further stated that in a bid to reduce drastically this alarming number of deaths being recorded annually in the country, ICEED in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) came up with Energy Efficient Woodstoves Project in Nigeria with the aim of providing efficient energy woodstoves to Nigerian households. The aim of the organization is to achieve better respiratory health, create new jobs from stove production, distribution and retailing in the country, empower women by building stove sale networks and support the country to develop sustainable cooking energy policy frameworks.

No doubt, firewood smoke is hazardous to the health of women, and the point must be made that most people especially in the rural areas make use of firewood to cook because they do not have any other alternative. Unfortunately most of them are oblivious of the risk firewood smoke poses to their health. It is important to note that, numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems.

These include increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, nonfatal heart attacks and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Furthermore, although wood smoke conjures up fond memories of sitting by a cozy fire, it is important to know that the components of wood smoke and cigarette smoke are quite similar, and that many components of both are carcinogenic.

Wood smoke contains fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide and various irritant gases such as nitrogen oxides that can scar the lungs. Wood smoke also contains chemicals known or suspected to be carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxin. Also, wood smoke interferes with normal lung development in infants and children. It also increases children’s risk of lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Again, wood smoke exposure can depress the immune system and damage the layer of cells in the lungs that protect and cleanse the airways.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toxic air pollutants are components of wood smoke. Wood smoke can cause cough, headache, eye and throat irritation in otherwise healthy people. For vulnerable populations, such as people with asthma, chronic respiratory disease and those with cardiovascular disease, wood smoke is particularly harmful— even short exposures can prove dangerous. The particles of wood smoke are extremely small and therefore are not filtered out by the nose or the upper respiratory system.

Instead, these small particles end up deep in the lungs where they remain for months, causing structural damage and chemical changes. Wood smoke’s carcinogenic chemicals adhere to these tiny particles, which enter deep into the lungs. Recent studies show that fine particles that go deep into the lungs increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. EPA warns that for people with heart disease, short- term exposures have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmia.

If you have heart disease, these tiny particles may cause you to experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. It, therefore, behooves the government to act decisively to halt the menacing spread and adverse consequences of firewood smoke in the country. Besides the serious health hazards, it also contributes to deforestation and desertification. Nigeria is an oil-producing country and a leading member of OPEC, therefore, making kerosene available in all the nooks and crannies of the country at affordable price should be a difficult task to accomplish.

Perhaps, if the four refineries in the country are functioning at optimum capacity, it would be easier to do, but the oil import dependency is a bulwark against eliminating firewood smoke swiftly. It is evidently clear that firewood smoke is very dangerous but much has not been said about it. It is time to drastically reduce the use of firewood to the barest minimum for the sake of the health of the citizenry and the protection of the environment.

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