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
Safety like charity, begins at home
“The day is near at hand when the doctor will no longer be engaged to patch up the sick man, but to prevent him from getting sick. He will VISIT FAMILIES, EXAMINE THE PREMISES, inspect factories and shops and give instruction to his patients how to keep from getting sick…….”- 1908 article.
A very accurate prediction I must say as health and wellness continues to evolve.
Safety in our homes is an extremely important issue since preventable injuries and deaths continue to rise in homes and communities. To make a significant impact, we need to be aware of the hazards around us and change our behaviour. One little change at a time could lead to great results.
It is frightening to learn that in some countries, up to 70 per cent of all unintentional-injury deaths occur in the home or community. In plain language you are more likely to be injured at home than anywhere else. Each year thousands of people are off work for more than a week as a result of a fall at home, and this has a big effect on businesses and organisations.
The leading causes of unintentional injury in the home and community include:
1. Poisoning
2. Falls
3. Choking
4. Drowning
5. Fires/flames
WATCH THESE AREAS
• Kitchen and cooking areas
o A no-go area for children. Everyone working in the accident and emergency department of a hospital will tell you that on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons when most people do their weekly cooking, many children suffer from severe burns.
o Appropriate way of using the burners on a stove. Avoid handles of cooking pots facing your work area. The gas cylinder should be in a very well-ventilated area outdoors
o Care of spills. Clean them as soon as they occur to avoid slips.
• Electrical Appliances
o All appliances switched off after use and plug removed from socket
o Avoid touching of an electrical appliance with wet hands
o Electrical cords should be out of the way to avoid tripping people.
• Bathroom
o Children should never be left alone in a bathroom
o The use of mats in a bath especially for children and the elderly
o The elderly (above 65 years but could be younger depending on the health status) should use showers with support bars and stools instead of bathtubs.
• Other areas
o Avoid making a mess since they can cause one to trip sometimes with grave consequences. Children should be taught to pick up their toys after use.
o Adults should avoid drinking from bottles since children copy this habit and may harm themselves in the process. In our setting many children tend to drink kerosene stored in “soft” drink bottles. We then worsen the condition by forcing them to drink palm oil and inducing vomiting and often getting this concoction into their lungs. Who really “instituted” this criminal sentence?
o All medications, chemicals, small substances etc should be kept out of the reach of children
OTHER GENERAL STEPS TO AVOIDING HAZARDS
1. Look around for anything that may cause an accident. Make use of the different senses, sight, smell, hearing, touch. May not be a smart idea to try taste.
2. Decide who is most at risk. This helps you to make appropriate changes
3. Take preventive measures. After reading this piece make the changes necessary. Do not wait to “learn from experience” it may not always be wise to learn from the best teacher.
4. Keep a record of what you have changed
5. Continually check your living space – please do not think that making a one–time attempt is all that you need. Do this every day or every week.
COMMON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME
1. Poorly organised and cluttered walkway
2. Inadequate or unsuitable lighting
3. Moving or handling a load incorrectly – remember that waist or back pain?
4. Rushing around with careless abandon. Most of the time we end up losing time.
5. Tiredness. We commit errors when tired. Do not try to cheat nature, get some rest.
6. Lack of balance or appropriate mobility.
7. Poor eyesight and/or inappropriate corrective lenses.
8. Medication that may lead to dizziness. The elderly for instance who are on several medication have an increased risk of falling.
ECONOMIC COSTS OF ACCIDENTS AT HOME
The cost of home accidents is high in terms of the number of lives lost and resulting permanent disabilities. Several working days are lost, which translates into lost productivity. Huge sums of money may be lost seeking medical care and the quality of life is also poor.
The benefits of prevention of injuries at home are clear and quantifiable in terms of health and economic costs:
• Potential to save lives
• Improved quality of life
• Reduction in cost of hospital care
• Improved productivity through people’s contribution to the economy.
With all these benefits that we can chalk from keeping our home safe, one wonders why very little is heard about bringing safety home. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a nationwide drive.
Let us all pledge to “reduce the number of accidental deaths and injuries in our homes.” A home should be a place where we are absolutely SAFE.
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 (HE&W Group)
(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 – “Whatever you practice GROWS STRONGER! What are you practicing?”
References:
1. www.nsc.org (national safety council)
2. www.homesafety.co.nz
3. www.injuryobservatory.net
4. www.webmd.com
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials
Timeless advice on nutrition
Hopefully over the next few minutes we can learn basic steps to prevent being victims of what we eat. Disclaimer: I am not a dietician, and for detailed information do consult a registered dietician.
Did it ever occur to you that you have been spending good money to buy food that may actually be killing you? Years ago, I read a book titled “The Seven Deadly Sins” and the author listed gluttony as one of them.
My conclusion from that book is that food will not only destroy your body, but it may also cause you to do other things that may even affect your salvation.
Many people have their own views on what goes into their mouth; some think starvation is the answer to all their woes while others feel excluding “evil” foods such as fats and carbohydrates will bring the glory they have been praying for.
If you imagine that there are as many super diet plans as there are eligible voters in Sikaman, then that summarises the whole story – all of them have shortfalls. Are you aware that just as there is interval training for exercising, there is also Intermittent fasting (interval fasting I guess)?
Yes, our guts need some rest to perform optimally. Could the ever-elusive ideal diet simply be the good old balanced diet? That may actually hold the key to our health. We probably need to make modifications in other areas to achieve our goal.
I like the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet; not only can it help you to control your blood pressure, but it can also help you maintain a good weight and generally keep you healthy.
It does not exclude any food group. The Mediterranean Diet is also a masterpiece that has proven itself over the years. We are what we eat and its not surprising as memory related challenges see a surge,
The Mind Diet (a cross of DASH and Mediterranean diets) has evolved to help us maintain the best brain health possible.
Consider these steps to a healthier you:
1. Do Not skip breakfast
a. Most overweight people skip breakfast in an attempt to cut down on calories but eventually end up eating more in the course of the day because they feel hungrier. Avoiding this all-important meal also means you have less energy to perform your activities for the day.
b. If your breakfast contains protein and fibre, then it is likely to last you till lunch time.
c. This is no call to avoid lunch and supper, you need these too and if you require a snack in between some fruit, is an ideal choice.
d. I do know proponents of skipping breakfast make some interesting points but get your body and brain working even if it means something really small. Hungry children in school? Imagine the outcome.
2. All food groups are important
a. No food group is outright evil. It is the type and quantity that causes havoc. Just as you need proteins so do you need good fats and safe carbohydrates. A professional may guide you to omit one food group briefly but do not do this on your own.
3. Watch your portion sizes-small plates may be useful
a. Do not heap your plate with food; this is not your last meal and hopefully there will be other times to eat again. If you can simply not trust yourself with small portion sizes, then kindly use smaller plates. Your brain could be tricked into believing once it is heaped, then it must be a lot.
4. Eating is no sprint
a. There is a little disconnect between your brain and stomach. It takes 15 to 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that you are full so to avoid overeating take it easy and chew your food properly.
5. Hunger or thirst?
a. Sometimes we confuse thirst with hunger. Whenever you feel hungry, drink a glass of cool clean water before you tackle the food. Do not hesitate to drink some water during your meal as well as after. Digestion is great in a medium of water and you invariably eat less when you have water in your stomach taking up some of the priceless space.
b. Water is no weight loss pill, but it keeps you healthy and may help you to eat less.
6. All or none
a. This is my favourite, and I believe you may also find it useful. Eating appropriately does not mean avoiding everything you like (except your doctor and registered dietitian advice), you could have a little of your favourite meal occasionally (even if it is outright unhealthy). This ensures that you do not develop “withdrawal symptoms” and rather end up throwing caution to the wind and binging on this meal.
You may have guessed that I am a big proponent of the DASH diet, so I will share a few tips with you. It is not much different from what my health-conscious readers have been eating.
1. Cut the SALT
a. Most of us are aware that we need to reduce salt to the barest minimum. Certainly, you do not add salt to cooked food but what about “hidden” salt in smoked, cured or pickled food. What about salted snacks. Start reading food labels and in the absence of one let your tongue be the judge.
2. Get your GRAINS
a. Brown rice, whole wheat bread and unsalted popcorn belong to this group.
3. FRUITS are a must
a. Fruits are packed with potassium and magnesium, which help to lower blood pressure. They are also loaded with vitamins that are essential to our wellbeing. Spice up your breakfast, add some fruit.
4. Make VEGETABLES your delight
a. These low-calorie products packed with goodness should always find their way onto your plate. They contain no fat but have a lot of fibre, vitamins and minerals. The more varied your vegetables are the better. Try out different coloured vegetables.
5. FISH and LEAN MEAT are allowed
a. Skinless chicken is great and so is fish. You must have heard about Omega-3 in fish. You had better take off the skin of the chicken before you cook it.
6. Do NOT gloss over NUTS & LEGUMES
a. Dried beans and peas belong to this group. These are also rich in proteins, magnesium and fibre.
7. Minimise FATS & OILS
a. Use oil sparingly even if it’s healthy such as Olive Oil. Heating oil as we cook denatures the product making all oils similar after their interaction with fire.
b. Sprinkle olive oil on salads. Its in its raw form and great
c. Avocado has great fat too
8. SWEETS are NOT a NO go area
a. Yes, you may even have an occasional sweet, but it should be only a small piece, and the watch word here is OCCASSIONAL.
Congratulations! You have completed your course in dietetics, and I wish you all the best as you embark on a lifestyle modification to improve your health and that of your family.
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 (HE&W Group)
(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 – “The most EFFICIENT way to reach your REALISTIC health GOALS is to make SMALL HEALTHY choices DAILY.”
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
