Features
Managing excruciating pain during ovulation and menstruation
This is a subject area I am not well vexed in because I am not a gynaecologist, neither am I a medical expert or a trained nurse who deals in issues related to women’s health. I am only a simple and common journalist, but with curious and inquisitive mindset who always wants to probe into issues involving all spheres of national life. It can be politics, education, agriculture, sports, corruption, graft, family planning, mining, forestry, oil and gas extraction among other subject areas of the economy, that need to be highlighted for the benefit of the entire citizenry. Therefore, the medical experts, should pardon me if I am not able to delve deep into the subject area, I have chosen to write on.
RESEARCH INTO
UNFAMILIAR AREAS
Many of my readers and patrons will ask me this vital question; You have admitted that you are not familiar with the subject area you have chosen to write on, why then, do you have to waste your time and energy to thread on that path? They, may be rightly so in asking me that question, but as a trained journalist, you have to muddy through the waters and research into unfamiliar areas and present the facts as they should in your write-ups.
My interest in this very topic, “Pains during ovulation and menstruation” was premised on the ground that I recently visited a male friend of mine, (the location of which I will not disclose in this article) whose wife was experiencing severe and excruciating pain in the abdomen at the time of my visit. Realising the condition of the woman and being so inquisitive, I decided to engage my friend (her husband) in a short conversation about what was going on with regards to pain by the lady. It was in our conversation that he told me point blank that, it was a regular monthly feature for her during her ovulation and menstruation. I felt bad for both of them. I lost my wife so many years back and even when she was alive, I did not witness such a situation from her.
BAD AND PAINFUL EXPERIENCE
The bad experience I witnessed from my friend wife’s condition, compelled me to delve into that subject area by doing a bit of research work to establish the causes of pains during ovulation and menstruation among women and probably the antidote.
To the lay man or woman on the street, menstruation or what is commonly referred to as period, is the bleeding that occurs after ovulation, if you don’t get pregnant. During menstruation, blood mucus and tissue flow out of the cervix and vagina each month. Ovulation, on the other hand is when the egg is released from your ovaries to be fertilized. In an average, 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of next menstrual period.
LUTEAL PHASE OF MENSTRUATION
The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle starts when the eggs have been released during ovulation, so around 14 days before your period starts, the eggs leaves behind its shell which starts to produce progesterone to hold the lining of the uterus mature. In the medical world, menstruation happens when an egg that is released from your ovary is not fertilized, so the uterus sheds its lining. In view of this, you cannot technically menstruate without ovulating. However, you can still bleed and experience your period without ovulating.
Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and continues up to the first day of your next period. You are most fertile at the time of ovulation which usually occurs 12 to 14 days before your next period starts. A girl can get pregnant during her period. This might happen when a girl has bleeding that she thinks is a period, but it is bleeding from ovulation. A woman’s ovulation cycles can vary so it is statistically possible, she can become pregnant while on her period. While pregnancy is less likely in the earlier days of her period, the chances increase in the later days.
ONE-SIDED PAIN IN LOWER ABDOMEN
Some women get one-sided pain in their lower abdomen when they ovulate. It happens about 14 days before your period, when an ovary releases an egg as part of the menstrual cycle. Once ovulation occurs, your eggs travel through your fallopian tube and it is in your tube that your eggs meet the sperm for fertilization. If conception occurs, the fertilized egg travels down your uterus.
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel the lining. Hormone-like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps. Having painful period is a condition called dysmenorrhea. It is the most commonly reported menstrual disorder.
More than half of menstruating women report pain. While painful periods themselves may not be linked to fertility issues, some of the causes behind the pain are associated with infertility. Some of these conditions can get worse over time which is why getting diagnosed and treated early is important.
CONDITIONS THAT
CAUSE PAIN
Conditions that cause abdominal pain during menstruation and also impact negatively on fertility include endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory diseases. It appears that not all women experience pain during menstrual periods, some may have theirs easy and smooth sailing while that of others can be unbearable.
Like I stated earlier, I am not an expert in that field and therefore, I cannot say much about the subject but at least my little research on the subject will be of interest to my readers and patrons, especially women, more importantly the adolescent girls who may not understand the causes of this painful menstruation.
TEACHING OF HEALTH SCIENCE IN BASIC SCHOOLS
I will advocate the infusion of this particular subject area in the curricula from the Junior to Senior high schools, so that the female child is kept abreast of issues relating to the emergence of pregnancy from infancy to adulthood in order to avoid lifestyles that will inhibit their future and progression.
We need to intensify the teaching of health-related issues in our educational institutions especially at the lower level as it is done in the case of health and applied science in our tertiary institutions because children in their formative years, can pick up easily on what they are taught as they progress to the higher level in their education.
We have to use textbooks or open discussions to create awareness about menarche. Social support includes, providing moral support to girls and spreading knowledge to other sectors of the population so that menstruating girls are not treated as outcasts. Giving the multiple challenges women and adolescent girls face, it is evident that promoting menstrual hygiene management is not only a sanitation matter. It is also an important step towards safeguarding the dignity, bodily integrity and overall life opportunities of women and girls.
MENSTRUAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Menstrual health management is a critical component of reproductive health and an important entry point for adolescent sexual reproductive health programming. Factual information on mental health management and puberty is part of the school curriculum and the capacities of teachers are built to teach these issues with comfort.
There is the need for us as a country to intensify and highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene on May 28 each year, a day designated as Menstrual Hygiene Day which is celebrated across the world.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
ataani2000@yahoo.com 0277753946/0248933366
By Charles Neequaye
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
