Monkeypox Hits Four Nigerian States

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 59 suspected and 15 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been recorded in the country.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the NCDC, spoke on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) in Texas, United States, had on July 16 reported a case of monkeypox in a resident who recently returned from Nigeria.

According to the DCHHS, the individual, whose name was withheld, is a resident of Dallas, Texas who travelled from Nigeria, and arrived at Love Field airport on July 9.

Speaking with NAN on the development, Ihekweazu said an outbreak would be declared when there is a large cluster of monkeypox cases.

He said: “The federal government was notified of the situation in Texas, through the International Health Regulations (IHR), who reported a case of monkeypox disease diagnosed in a patient who had recently visited Nigeria.

“Since the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country in September 2017, the agency has continued to receive reports and responses to sporadic cases of the disease from states across the country.

 “We have been working closely with state health ministries to strengthen monkeypox disease surveillance and response in the country.

“We work with enhanced monkeypox surveillance project where we have been training health workers across states to rapidly detect and manage cases.

“Our initial focus is on the states with the highest number of cases – Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Lagos.

“We will continue working with all states to strengthen monkeypox prevention, detection and control in Nigeria.”

Ihekweazu advised Nigerians that “if you feel ill or have a sudden rash, please visit a hospital for diagnosis and management”.

Monkeypox is caused by a virus closely related to that which causes smallpox and cowpox, although not as deadly as smallpox.

It is spread via large respiratory droplets from someone showing symptoms of the disease, and can also be transmitted by direct contact with bodily fluids or lesion material. People who are asymptomatic cannot spread the virus.

  

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How To Predict Ovulation (2)

... Continued from Tuesday

4. Fertility Monitor

While an ovulation predictor kit can identify when ovulation is expected to occur (giving you 24 hours for possible conception), a fertility monitor can identify your five most fertile days. The monitor measures LH and estrogen levels to identify your two peak fertile days, plus the one to five fertile days leading up to them. Some versions of the monitor store information from your previous six cycles to customize your fertility reading. Be aware, though, that because monitors give you more advanced information, they’re pricier than ovulation kits.

Ovulation Symptoms

What does ovulation feel like? It can differ from woman to woman, but there are several common ovulation symptoms you may sense. Before and during ovulation, hormonal shifts can affect the entire body, prompting ovulation symptoms. These can be a powerful way to know when you’re ovulating. Many women will experience those ovulation symptoms for up to five days before ovulation as well as the day of, Pollio says, and they may last for a day after ovulation.

But if you don’t notice any signs you’re ovulating, don’t worry—it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. “Most women have no clue,” Moore says. If you can learn to recognize the common signs of ovulation listed below, it could help you predict when ovulation is likely to occur.

1. Cervical Mucus Changes

As you near ovulation, your body produces more estrogen, causing cervical mucus to become stretchy and clear, like egg white, which helps sperm swim to the egg that’s released during ovulation. Cervical mucus changes happen in most women, Moore says, but you have to know what you’re looking for. The amount of cervical mucus and what it looks and feels like varies from woman to woman. To test it for ovulation, insert a clean finger into your vagina, remove some of the mucus and then stretch out the secretion between your thumb and finger. If it’s sticky and stretchy or very wet and slippery, that’s a good sign you’re in a fertile phase.

2. Heightened Sense of Smell

For some women, a more sensitive sense of smell in the latter half of a normal menstruation cycle can be a sign of ovulation. In this fertile phase, your body is primed to be more attracted to the male pheromone androstenone.

3. Breast Soreness or Tenderness

Tender breasts or sore nipples can be another sign of ovulation, thanks to the rush of hormones entering your body right before and after ovulation.

4. Mild Pelvic or Lower Abdominal Pain

A lot of women wonder, can you feel ovulation? And for some, the answer is actually yes—typically as a mild ache or pain in the lower abdomen, usually on one side or the other (not the same side each time). This ovulation pain, called Mittelschmerz, can last anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours. You might also experience light vaginal bleeding, discharge or nausea along with the ache or pain, which is usually mild and short lived.

There’s no need to worry about ovulation pain that goes away with an OTC, anti-inflammatory medication (such as Motrin), Moore says. But if ovulation pain is persistent or severe, see a doctor to rule out conditions such as endometriosis or an ovarian cyst. Moore suggests monitoring and recording your ovulation symptoms every month to get a sense of what is normal for your body, so you can more easily spot any abnormal ovulation signs and symptoms. “When in doubt, check it out,” she adds.

5. Light Spotting or Discharge

Brown discharge or spotting during ovulation is normal, if not that common. This ovulation symptom can occur when the follicle that surrounds and protects the developing oocyte, or egg, matures, grows and then ruptures, resulting in a small amount of bleeding. As blood gets older, it turns brown, which is why the vaginal discharge may range from red to dark brown. It’s not a cause for concern unless the spotting persists, in which case you should see a physician to check for signs of infection and the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy if you’ve been sexually active.

6. Libido Changes

Some women notice that their sex drive increases during ovulation, which might be Mother Nature’s way of ensuring we keep the species alive and well! But, as Moore says, “sex drive can be influenced by just about anything, including whether you had a glass of wine or are just in the mood.”

7. Changes in the Cervix

During ovulation, your cervix may become higher, softer and more open. You can check your cervix, along with your mucus, for ovulation symptoms, but it can take time to learn the differences you’re feeling for and is often more difficult than watching for the other signs of ovulation mentioned above. If you’d like to try and get more comfortable checking for cervical changes as a sign of ovulation, Moore recommends standing in whatever position you use to insert a tampon (for example, next to the toilet with one foot up on the closed seat) and using your finger to feel inside. In many women with a regular cycle, right before ovulation the cervix will be softer, like touching your lips, but after ovulation it will feel harder, more like touching the tip of your nose. An OB can also check for cervical changes using a speculum and help give you more guidance on how to do it at.

  

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How To Predict Ovulation

What Is Ovulation?

Let’s get down to brass tacks: What happens when you ovulate? You probably learned way back in health class that ovulation is the phase in your menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary, setting the stage for fertilization. Every woman is born with millions of immature eggs that wait to be released, normally one at a time, every month. During ovulation the egg travels down the fallopian tube, where it may meet up with a sperm and become fertilized. For most healthy women, ovulation generally happens once a month, a few weeks after menstruation begins.

When Do You Ovulate?

Now that we’ve reviewed what ovulation is, you’re probably wondering when ovulation occurs. You may have heard that ovulation typically happens on day 15 of your menstrual cycle, but it’s not the same for everyone.

If you’re like most women of childbearing age, your menstrual cycle lasts between 28 and 32 days, and ovulation usually hits between days 10 and 19 of that cycle—about 12 to 16 days before your next period. “In healthy women, ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of your period,” says Donnica L. Moore, MD, president of Sapphire Women’s Health Group in Chester, New Jersey. So if your cycle is 35 days, ovulation will happen on day 21 of that cycle—but if your cycle is 21 days, ovulation will happen on day seven.

The timing of ovulation can vary from cycle to cycle and from woman to woman, adds Shannon M. Clark, MD, associate professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in Galveston, Texas, which is why it’s a good idea to get familiar with your body’s menstrual calendar for at least three months or so, to help you better estimate your own ovulation cycle.

For some women, ovulation doesn’t always take place, or it can be irregular. In general, if you’re pregnant, have gone through menopause or you take birth control pills consistently and on time, you won’t ovulate. Certain diseases or disorders (such as polycystic ovary syndrome or premature ovarian failure, among other conditions) and certain medications (including some antidepressants, anti-nausea medications and chemotherapy) may cause a woman to stop ovulating for periods of time. Also, other lifestyle factors—such as stress or being significantly underweight or overweight (measured by body fat percentage)—may affect menstruation and ovulation.

If you’re dealing with irregular menstrual cycles or ones that are particularly short (fewer than 21 days) or long (more than 35 days), Clark recommends you get evaluated by a physician to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing those irregular cycles. It’s true that tracking ovulation with irregular cycles can be more difficult, but keep in mind that ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of menstruation, so even with irregular periods, you could still conceive at some point in your cycle.

If you’re planning to breastfeed exclusively (meaning baby won’t get any other source of nutrition), be aware that you likely won’t ovulate during that time. But there are always exceptions, so you can’t depend on breastfeeding as a means of birth control. Once baby is introduced to other foods or the occasional bottle, ovulation is likely to resume. Plan your birth control accordingly, unless you want to give baby a possible surprise—a new brother or sister!

How long does ovulation last?

Once the mature egg is released from the surface of the ovary, it can potentially be fertilized for 24 hours, explains Patricia Pollio, MD, director of OB-GYN at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York.

But you don’t have to have sex on the exact day of ovulation in order to get pregnant! In reality, there’s a six-day “fertile window” in your cycle—the five days leading up to ovulation and the day you ovulate, Moore says. Of those six days, you’re most fertile during the two to three days prior to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.

Beyond 24 hours after ovulation, the egg is no longer viable and you typically can’t get pregnant until your next menstrual cycle. (If you’re not trying to conceive, though, you should still use birth control at all times as a precaution.)

How to Predict Ovulation

Whether you’re trying to conceive or merely want to get to know your body’s signs of ovulation, these indicators, including at-home and OTC tests, can help you learn how to tell if you’re ovulating (or about to).

1. Basal Body Temperature Monitoring

Sometimes referred to as BBT, your basal body temperature is the temperature of your body at rest. At the beginning of your cycle, basal body temperature remains fairly consistent and averages between 97.2 and 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit. As you get closer to ovulation, there’s a slight dip in basal body temperature followed by a sharp increase, typically of about 0.4 to 1.0 degrees, just after ovulation. One way to know if you’re ovulating is to track your basal body temperature over a series of months. Take your temperature with a digital thermometer designed for basal body (you can get one online or at the drugstore) as soon as you wake up, even before you get out of bed, and jot down the reading every morning. Keep in mind that from day to day, your BBT can fluctuate by half a degree or more, so don’t be fooled by a little blip—look for a sustained rise to confirm that you’ve ovulated. After several months the info will give you a good sense of when you usually ovulate so you can plan babymaking accordingly.

Another simple and inexpensive way to track ovulation is to record the days your period begins and ends for several months. If you have normal menstrual cycles—between 25 and 35 days—you’re likely to be ovulating regularly, with ovulation occurring about 14 days before menstruation. Make sure to write down whenever you experience potential signs of ovulation: Typical ovulation symptoms could include cramps, an increase in cervical mucus, breast tenderness, fluid retention, and appetite or mood changes.

3. Ovulation Kit

OTC ovulation predictor kits measure your levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which can be detected in your urine. These kits work because ovulation typically hits about 10 to 12 hours after LH peaks—on day 14 to 15 of the menstrual cycle if your cycle is 28 days long. Your LH concentration should stay elevated for 14 to 27 hours to allow for full maturation of the egg.

Here’s how the ovulation kit works: Pee on the stick and wait for a line to appear. If the color of the line matches the shade shown on the instructions, ovulation is imminent—within 24 to 48 hours. If it’s too close to call, retest within the next 12 hours. Most kits come with a five-day supply of sticks, to be used in as many days, but check their expiration date: Most of them have a shelf life of only two years. While the majority of ovulation predictor tests can be used any time of day, many of them suggest testing first thing in the morning. For best results, test around the same time each day, and cut back your liquid intake for four hours beforehand, so your pee will be more concentrated and your LH easier to detect.

The real trick to finding success with an ovulation predictor kit is knowing when to start using it. If your cycle is regular, the charting you’ve been doing can help you identify that optimum window. If your cycles are irregular, your best bet is to pay attention to ovulation symptoms. Even if you’ve confirmed that ovulation is happening (through tests or other signs), try to wait to have sex until you notice an increase in cervical mucus, which will heighten the chances of conceiving… to be continued on Wednesday

  

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The Amazing Health Benefits Of Soy Beans (2)

  

  … Continued from Friday

 

8. Improves heart health 

soybeans are a good source of healthy unsaturated fats (with 2 grams MUFA and 5.06 grams PUFA) that can help you lower your cholesterol in the body. People suffering from high LDL cholesterol are prone to experiencing conditions like coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. These conditions have a bad repo as they can lead to stroke and heart attack. According to health experts, there are certain fatty acids necessary for a healthy cardiovascular system. Two of those are found in soybean called linolenic acid and linoleic acid, popularly known as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids boost anti-inflammatory effects and play a crucial role in brain and eye health. Consuming soybean can help boost your cardiovascular system by reducing the bad cholesterol levels along with taking care of your brain and vision.  

9. Possesses anti-cancer properties

Most people don’t know, but the high levels of antioxidants in soybean could help prevent the onset of numerous cancers. According to a study conducted at Purdue University, the antioxidants found in soybean can help kill numerous cancer cells and remove free radicals from the body. Antioxidants are responsible for neutralizing free radicals, which, if not looked after, can cause healthy cells to turn into deadly tumors and cancer cells. Free radicals are perilous by-products of cellular metabolism, which need to be neutralized. Apart from preventing the development of cancer-causing cells in the first place, soybean can also help reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. A study conducted by the American Institute of Cancer Research found that women with breast cancer experienced reduced fatigue and fewer menopausal symptoms after the consumption of soy derivatives. 

10. Aids healthy weight management

 

One of the biggest reasons why soybean is a celebrated food across the globe is that it can help you lose weight. High protein content in soybean allows for the development of leaner muscle. And also, protein helps you stay fuller, preventing you from munching unhealthy snacks during odd hours. Further, it helps regulate insulin levels, thereby curbing obesity in a healthy manner. Several studies have found that soybean incorporates anti-obesity effects. 

Healthy Ways to Consume soybean 

Traditionally, people soak a handful of soybeans in water overnight and eat it before they go to the gym or exercise. However, there are plenty of delicious and tasty ways to include soybeans in your daily diet. With that said, we are going to tell you how to make:

Soya Kebabs

 

Ingredients: 

§  Soya granules (soaked in water) – 2 cups

§  Vinegar – 1 Teaspoon  

§  Brown Bread – 2 crumbled 

§  Garlic paste – 2 teaspoons 

§  Powdered black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon 

§  Chopped onions – 1/4 cup 

§  Chopped green chilly – 2 teaspoons 

§  Chili powder – 1 teaspoon

§  Vegetable oil or any cooking oil of your preference 

§  Salt to taste   

Directions:

§  Take a bowl and mash all the ingredients together (except cooking oil) and give desired shapes with your hands

§  Heat the pan and grease with oil  

§  Put the kebabs and cook on both sides till golden brown, brushing with oil if needed.

§  Garnish with lemon slices and serve hot 

Summary

There are plenty of health benefits of soybean, and if consumed in a planned manner, it can help your body reach new heights, whether it is properly functioning, weight loss, etc. From controlling the cholesterol levels to maintaining diabetes, soybean is a rich source of protein and antioxidants that will help you in keeping your overall well-being. 

 

  

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Food Poisoning Can Be Passed Through Sex - New Study

FOOD poisoning can be passed through sex, doctors have discovered.

Usually it's assumed the nasty illness - causing sickness and diarrhoea - is a result of eating something dodgy.

1

Food poisoning can be passed through sex, doctors have said after studying an outbreak in men who have sex with menCredit: Getty - Contributor

But researchers in Oklahoma have for the first time discovered a new mode of spread, making it a possible STI. 

The study looked at campylobacter, one of the many common bugs that leads to food poisoning.

Campylobacter infections usually happen when someone eats chicken that has not been cooked thoroughly, or the juices that come from it.

It can also occur when people drink water or milk that has been contaminated by infected animals.

Researchers looked at whether sexual contact could be behind an outbreak of campylobacter infections in men who have sex with other men in northern Europe.

It showed the illness was 14 times higher in men who were sexually active with other men compared to the control group.

The results are relevant to people of any sexual orientation whose sex may involve “fecal-oral contact”, said lead author Dr Katrin Kuhn.

This is when infectious particles from faeces are ingested through the mouth.

Some STIs are passed this way, including herpes and gonorrhoea.

Dr Kuhn said: "This research is important for public health messaging and for physicians as they talk to their patients about risks associated with sexual contact.”

Two other food poisoning bacteria, salmonella and shigella, were used as comparisons in the study.

Salmonella is spread primarily through infected foods and has a high infectious dose, meaning people have to consume a lot of it to become ill.

For comparison, shigella can be transmitted through food or sexual contact with a low infectious dose, making it easier to transmit.

Dr Kuhn, an infectious disease scientist at the OU Hudson College of Public Health, said: "That's an additional reason why we believe Campylobacter can be transmitted through sexual contact like shigella is - because people can become infected when only small amounts of the bacteria are present.”

How to avoid food poisoning

·         Wash your hands before and after handling food, after touching the bin, using the toilet, blowing your nose or touching animals, including pets

·         Wash worktops, knives and utensils before and after preparing food

·         Wash dishcloths and towels regularly and make sure they are dry before using them again

·         Use a separate chopping board to prepare raw food, such as meat and fish

·         Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods, such as salad, fruit and bread

·         Always cover raw meat and store it on the bottom shelf of the fridge

·         Make sure poultry, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs are cooked until steaming hot, with no pink meat inside. Do not wash raw meat

·         Keep your fridge temperature below 5C  and don't overfill it

·         If you have cooked food that you're not going to eat straight away, cool it as quickly as possible and put it in the fridge or freezer

·         Do not eat food that's past its use-by date, even if it looks and smells OK

Source: NHS 

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The Amazing Health Benefits Of Soy Beans (1)

Soybean or soya bean is a species of legumes that has become one of the most widely consumed foods in the world for its many health benefits. soybeans are native to East Asia and are highly grown in India as well as Africa. People who follow a strict vegetarian diet often use soybean to replace meat for protein. Along with having a high protein content, soybeans are also rich in saturated fats, fiber, antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, and phytoestrogens, among other essential nutrients required by the body. In recent times, soybeans have grown to popularity due to their derivatives such as tofu, soy milk, and textured vegetable protein. This variety of soy products has created a new massive market altogether, primarily benefiting the vegan population. Foods containing soy have also been shown to have several health benefits. For example, the health benefits of soybean for menopausal women include lowered risk of osteoporosis, protection from coronary heart disease, and fewer hot flushes. According to experts, including soybean in your daily diet can help you maintain a healthy body as well as overall well-being. 

With that said, in this post, we will be discussing the health benefits of soybean, its nutritional facts, and the best soybean recipe that can be made at the comfort of your home.

Nutrition Value of Soybean

Soybeans are composed of protein and also contain good amounts of fat and carbs. 100 grams of boiled soybeans contain:

§  Calories – 173  

§  Fiber – 6 grams    

§  Carbohydrates – 9.9 grams    

§  Protein – 16.6 grams

§  Fat – 9 grams

Health Benefits of Soybean 

Soybean has been part of the traditional Indian and African diets for centuries. It contains phytonutrients and antioxidants that are linked to numerous health benefits. And don’t forget the protein content, which is in abundance. Here are the potential health benefits of soybeans. 

1. Helps relieve sleep disorders 

One of the primary benefits of soybean is that not many know that soybean can help relieve the symptoms of sleep disorder. According to health professionals, soybeans can help in reducing the occurrence of insomnia along with other sleeping disorders. Since soybean contains magnesium in high amounts, which is linked to increasing the quality, restfulness, and duration of your sleep, it would be beneficial that you add it in your daily diet.  

2. Soybean may help manage diabetes 

Eating soybean is an effective way to manage and prevent diabetes. According to several studies, soybean has the ability to increase the insulin receptors in the body. As a result, it can prevent diabetes from occurring in the first place or can help manage the disease effectively if you are already suffering from it. Further, the carbohydrate content in soybean is incredibly low, which makes it an excellent anti-diabetic food. Eating soybean will keep your blood sugar levels in check and will make sure that it doesn’t spike thanks to the soy isoflavones. Although the mechanism of how it works is still unknown, scientists say that soy isoflavones help improve insulin sensitivity, allowing the cells to absorb more glucose and respond more to insulin. 

3. Help improve blood circulation

As per the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, iron and copper are two essential minerals that are found in abundance in soybean. Both components are vital for the production of red blood cells (RBCs). According to health experts, with an appropriate amount of red blood cells in the body, the essential organ systems, including the extremities of the body, can get proper oxygen and blood flow they need to function efficiently. With the increase in red blood cells, your body experiences a maximized metabolic activity. 

4. Essential for pregnancy

Soybean is rich in folic acid and vitamin B complex that is very essential for pregnant women. Pregnant women are told to consume soy-based organic products as folic acid in soybean helps in the prevention of neural tube defects in infants, ensuring a healthy delivery as well as a healthy baby. Birth defects are normal if the mother-to-be doesn’t take care of the nutrition requirements. Therefore, it is important to consult with your concerned gynecologist and pen down the list of things to eat during pregnancy. Nutrition is not only important to the infant but the mother as well.  

5. Soybean for healthy bones 

Soybeans have high mineral and vitamin content. The impressive levels of zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, and calcium in soybean help in keeping the bones stronger and healthy. All these elements in soy can help in promoting the osteotropic activity, allowing the new bones to grow, making the existing ones stronger, and speed up the bone healing process. Doctors and health experts believe that eating soybean can be a long-term solution for treating problems like osteoporosis, which is a common condition affecting the old age. With that said, you must include soybean in your daily diet to ensure your bones are strong and can evade any diseases. 

6. Aids healthy digestion 

Dietary fiber is present in soybean in high quantities. Dietary fiber is essential for total body functioning and plays a vital role in the digestive system. Fiber helps in bulking up your stool, allowing it to move through the intestines smoothly and exit the body. Fiber helps in stimulating the peristaltic motion in the body, which is the contraction of the muscles in the digestive system that push food through the system. People suffering from constipation are recommended to consume fiber-rich foods as it helps proper bowel movements. Constipation, if not looked into, can lead to some serious conditions like bleeding, pain while clearing the bowel, and even colorectal cancer. Soybean is a fiber-rich food source that also contains oligosaccharides, a carbohydrate that is known to stimulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria, acting as a prebiotic. 

7. Relieve menopausal symptoms

 

Soybean contains isoflavones in abundance, which is a vital component of the female reproductive system. When women reach menopause, they experience a drastic drop in estrogen levels. This can lead to several menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, abdominal cramps, hunger pains, mood swings, etc. Isoflavones bind the estrogen receptors in a way that your body doesn’t feel the change. Including soybean in your daily diet can help in relieving menopausal symptoms… to be continued on Saturday.  

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