Health Essentials
Fibroid… Threat to female reproductive health
“It is not my time of the month, what is wrong with me,” was the question Setriakor (not her real name) asked herself as she looks at her blood stained dress.
As the days went, the flow was heavier with thick dark clots, for which her usual pad could not sustain. She later resorted to the use of diapers. That also failed to absorb the amount of blood and clots ‘gushing out.’
She dares not laugh, cough or do any strenuous activity, lest her dress will be soiled, wherever she finds herself.
Setriakor, a 36-year old Scripter, looked pale and found it difficult to work for a number of weeks.
She decided to visit a local Chemist to explain her ordeal. In the end, a blood tonic was prescribed for her with the hope to replenish the lost blood.
He also advised her to visit the hospital to see a doctor.
Her visit to the health facility the following week ended up with the gynaecologist who performed a scan on her. The results of the scan revealed she had multiple fibroids.
Suddenly, all the stories she had heard about fibroid began racing through her mind. It took a lot of counselling from the gynaecologist to calm her down.
This is the challenge most young and adult women go through with some either losing their uterus or life in the process due to delay in seeking medical attention.
Fibroid, is non-cancerous growth that develops in or around the womb or uterus. The growth or growths are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue. They vary in size.
Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms.
Women who do have symptoms of fibroid are likely to experience heavy or painful periods, abdominal pains, lower back pain, frequent urge to urinate, constipation and pain or discomfort during sex.
Women who are diagnosed of fibroid often undergo hysterectomy in order to have it removed.
Most women of African-Carribean origin tend to develop fibroids more frequently and are common with around one in three women.
Types
The Chief Executive Officer of Ladybits Health and Wellness Clinic, Dr Victoria Partey-Newman in an interview with The Spectator said there were four types of fibroids which can occur in women.
The types, she said, were intramural, subserosal, submucosal and pendunculated fibroids.
She explained that intramural fibroids occur in the wall of the uterus. This type of fibroid grows quite large.
Subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus and may press on other organs of the pelvic area.
Submucosal fibroids grow beneath the lining of the uterus and grow into the uterine cavity which is the central part of the uterus.
“Submucosal fibroids can make it harder for one’s uterus to support conception and maintain pregnancy,” Dr Partey-Newman stated.
According to her, submucosal fibroids are most likely to cause painful cramping as well as bleeding between periods.
Pedunculated fibroids are mushroom-like and grows at the end of small stalks within or outside of the uterus. When the stalk of a pedunculated fibroid become twisted, it can cause intense pain.
The uterine fibroids, however, are the most common tumour in women and very prevalent in infertility issues.
Infertility
Dr Partey-Newman said fibroids could be the sole cause of infertility in two to three per cent of women but the exact cause is unknown. It has often been linked to the hormone oestrogen.
Oestrogen is the female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries.
Dr Partey-Newman said fibroids most often develop between the start of puberty and menopause, adding that the risk increases with age.
According to her, having a family member with fibroids could increase one’s risk of having it but said “you should not discount the symptoms simply because you do not have a family member with fibroids.”
She said fibroids cannot be prevented but can reduce risk by maintaining a healthy body weight and have a regular pelvic examinations.
Treatment
Dr Partey-Newman said surgery was not the only option for the treatment of fibroids.
They can be treated with medication.
Currently, Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) are the most effective medical therapies with the most evidence to support the reduction of fibroid volume in menstrual bleeding.
Another way to treat fibroid was uterine fibroid embolisation which is done by cutting off blood supply to the fibroids. That causes them to shrink.
Dr Partey-Newman, however, said “if symptoms do not improve with medication or nonsurgical treatment, or if the gynaecologist suspects fibroids may be causing infertility, surgery may be the next treatment option.
“The goal of surgery may be to relieve pain, reduce menstrual blood flow, or improve fertility.”
Advice
She said since fibroids could reoccur after surgery, it was important for women to quickly get married and start making babies, especially those who have had their fibroids removed.
“In our society, where men are the ones that propose mostly, it somehow makes it difficult for women to marry early and start giving birth.
That contributes in making the fibroids recur again.
She advised women to visit the hospital when they notice changes in their reproductive cycle and urged them to adhere to doctor’s advice when diagnosed of the disease.
She cautioned that women diagnosed of fibroids must avoid herbal concoctions which could affect their kidneys in the long term.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Health Essentials
At Easter should Spiritual Wellness be the only form of Wellness?
Many of us have already packed our Easter season with so much work and back-to-back programmes we hardly have time to breathe.
The little time we can squeeze out is used to stuff ourselves with food and drinks, but for this season and beyond we may be able to spend five minutes even on extremely busy days to make a difference in our lives so that we can have time to sing, dance and worship God as we remember his unparalleled sacrifice to us.
My-in-laws who reside on the mountain are busy trekking up and dragging their friends and colleagues with them. Any idea why the Kwahus revel in Easter? Has it always been that way or is it a conscious effort to show Ghana and the world what they have?
We all wish our favourite exercises will give us the same benefits as all other exercises but the truth is that some exercises are “more equal than others” just as happens in every aspect of life.
This does not mean if you are unable to perform the most effective exercises, you should exert yourself and cause injury to your body. Remember, Cobba’s First Law of Exercising is “DO NO HARM”.
These exercises may just help you stay afloat this Easter:
• Squats
• Plank
• Push-Ups
• Walking & Dancing
Squats
Every single rep (repetition) in this exercise is worth the effort.
Squats target the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals, which in simple language refers to the thigh muscles and buttocks.
It is important to learn the right technique and since it exercises large muscle groups, you are able to burn a lot of calories with squats.
In every exercise session, it is important to work large muscles before the smaller ones.
Steps
1. Keep feet shoulder width apart
2. Back should be straight (standing posture)
3. Bend knees and lower your rear till your thighs are horizontal.
4. Return to the standing position
5. Repeat steps 1-4
6. Remember to stretch the muscles used after the exercise.
If you have difficulty following the steps above, place a chair behind you and with your back straight try to sit on it. Do not let your buttocks touch the seat, then return to the standing position and repeat. As your technique improves, you may remove the chair.
As one gets stronger you may even carry some weights while doing squats but as always start with caution. You may do only 3 reps at a time (properly). Gradually, add some more.
When to avoid squats
• Severe knee pain irrespective of cause
• Knee injury even if no longer painful (you will need professional supervision)
• Acute back pain (you will later do back slides which is similar to squats and helps strengthen back muscles)
This exercise benefits almost everyone with a lifestyle disease. Hypertensives (those with high blood pressure) even get a bonus since it causes peripheral pooling of blood and helps to lower the blood pressure over time.
Plank
Arguably, the safest exercise for strengthening abdominal muscles and also has the added benefit of strengthening lower back muscles. Especially for people who sit for long hours (you shouldn’t anyway) this is great news for helping your back.
1. Start by getting into a push-up position
2. Bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms and not on your hands
3. Support your lower body on your toes
4. Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankles just like a plank of wood
5. Engage your core (midsection) by sucking your belly button into your spine
6. Hold this position for the prescribed time. This may vary from 5 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat.
Push-ups (press-ups)
This is probably the first exercise most people try out; well apart from laughter and walking I presume, and everyone is familiar with it.
Go ahead and squeeze a minute a day in there.
Walking & dancing
Before you set out to exercise your muscles remember to walk at least a minute before you start and a minute after you are done.
You may even walk while in one place, what matters is moving your legs and arms and getting your heart to pump.
Use every opportunity during the day to:
• use the stairs instead of the elevator
• walk while you talk on your cell phone
• Walk to a colleague’s desk at the office instead of using the phone or sending someone else.
• Pick your own stuff for cooking instead of sitting and getting people to assist with even the trivial errands
• Dance with your heart whenever you have a chance; during your Christmas programmes, while watching TV and even while you take a shower.
A minute each for Squats, Planks and Push-ups and two minutes of walking every morning, afternoon or evening may just be enough to get you through the season and certainly it will not tamper much with your tight holiday schedule. Do not forget to smile often, breathe deeply to relax, enjoy some sunshine, pray, praise and worship God and you will be on the right path especially if you keep an eye on your finances and learn to unplug several hours each day.
In my opinion, every aspect of Wellness is important at all times and we should try to keep a balance. Neglecting all other aspects (Physical, Social, Mental, Digital, Financial & Spiritual) and focusing only on Spiritual Wellness will mean we will not be able to perform at our very best and certainly our Maker needs the best version of us.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)
*Dr Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “For heart health you need to relax and have fun as well; schedule time for leisure, sing praises to God, laugh often, learn to breathe deeply and maybe get a pet.”
References:
• The Gym Bible
• www.webmd.com
• 30dayfitnesschallenges.com
By Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials
Hijab (Islamic Veil) as an Act of Worship
Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah), the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who guides us to the straight path.
We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, and we testify that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.
May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and all who follow him in righteousness until the Last Day.
Introduction
Dear respected brothers and sisters in Islam, today’s khutbah addresses an essential act of worship that embodies submission, modesty, and obedience to Allah: the “Hijab”.
While the Hijab is an explicit command from Allah, it is also a human right protected under local and international laws.
It is imperative that Muslim women are allowed to observe Hijab freely, especially in public institutions such as universities, banks, ministries, public health institutions, and government agencies.
Definition and Meaning of Hijab
In Islam, Hijab refers to modesty in appearance and behaviour. For women, this includes covering the body, except for the face and hands, in non-revealing clothing (not skin-tight), while for men, it includes covering from the navel to the knees and dressing modestly.
The Hijab extends to lowering the gaze, avoiding indecent speech, and conducting oneself with dignity.
Allah commands:
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their adornment except that which [ordinarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests.”
(Quran 24:31).
Essence of Hijab as an Act of Worship and Modesty
The Hijab is an act of worship rooted in obedience to Allah. It is not a cultural practice but a divine command. Allah says:
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Quran 33:59).
The Hijab is a reflection of one’s faith, modesty, and inner character. It shields the individual from immorality and contributes to the moral fabric of society.
Lowering the Garments and the Gaze
The Hijab also encompasses lowering the gaze and maintaining purity in interactions between genders. Allah says:
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.” (Quran 24:30).
By lowering the gaze, both men and women protect themselves from sin and maintain mutual respect.
Social Menace and Immoralities Due to Lack of Hijab
The absence of Hijab in society has led to numerous social issues, including:
Zina (Adultery and Fornication): Unrestricted interactions and immodesty increase the likelihood of adultery and fornication, which Allah explicitly prohibits:
“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”
(Quran 17:32).
Exploitation and Objectification:
When modesty is neglected, individuals, especially women, are objectified and exploited, resulting in an increase in harassment and sexual abuse, a phenomenon that has plagued many organissations such as Universities, Banks and other public institutions. The introduction of Sexual Harassment Policies with its attendant harsh punishments has done very little in resolving this menace.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
