What women need to know about fibroids

The plight of women and the need to share this piece has been raised again as Nigeria loses another gem. Fibroid is a growth or tumor affecting the uterus. They are benign ( not malignant). Symptoms of this condition includes pain or some discomfort during sex, heavy menstrual bleed, abdominal pain or even constipation of frequent urination. Sometimes they are also removed when a women is struggling to conceive.Therefore, fibroid removal is a popular operation with several surgical and non - surgical treatment options.

It could be removed through open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Laparascopic surgery simply put is key hole surgery. It uses little  incisions and gives smaller scars. It also allows for faster healing less stay in the hospital and is becoming increasingly popular. While open surgery is the popular and traditional means of surgery. This surgery is still used for example in cases where the fibroid is too large and kehole surgery can not be done.

Women need to make sure they explore all the options available before surgery to make informed decisions. Your choice surgery should suit you as a woman, complement other responsibilities such as working, caring for the home other responsibilities you might have. Fibroid surgeries are commonly done in recognized hospitals in Nigeria and successfully at that. Yet, it doesn't stop there. Success of any surgery goes beyond just the operation and the period after the surgery is very crucial.


After any surgery be sure to observe your body closely . There are certain critical signs that could indicate danger. 

1. If you begin to feel dizzy or wuzzy after discharge then see your doctor immediately.

2.  If you feel undue pain in area of the surgery (significantly more than you were initially experiencing) look for your doctor.

3. If you start to bleed (fresh blood) from the surgery site.

4. For surgeries such as fibroid if you notice you cannot pass stool after a couple of days and your tummy begins to extend see your doctor.

5. If you develop a significant fever with or without surgery see your doctor.

 Good practice after a fibroid surgery should include limited avoid lifting heavy objects for some time after surgery. 

Be sure to keep your appointments and contact your doctor if you notice anything unusual problems. This post was generated to answer a few queries after a famous Nigerian actress passed on. I wouldn't go abroad for a fibroid surgery , would you?

Four hours fast before bed time can prevent heart burn

Eating early at night say at least four hours before bedtime reduces the risk of heartburn symptoms up to seven times says New York times Health. Four hours fast before bed time causes a reduction in gastric activity and improved emptying of stomach contents which are factors increasing the risk of GERD (heartburn). Sufferers are encouraged to stay off smoking, alcohol, lying on your back which increases these symptoms. Stress also contributes to symptoms of GERD, follow up on 9/11 survivors Health  have shown that these group tend to suffer more of these symptoms than the ordinary population. Nausea, feeling of fullness in the stomach, pain in the upper abdomen, problems with swallowing and persistent hiccups are some of the symptoms of this condition. In summary, night time heartburn can be helped by staying away from food at least four hours before night. Share other helpful tips

Seven Ways To Protect Your Health In An Emergency

·        Reach for the exit of a building to an open space when threatened with an emergency

·     Stay away from building, cars or the trajectory of objects to avoid been trapped under collapsing buildings or been hit by an object.

·        Don’t go back for your belongings not your laptop, phone, car keys until the situation is calm.

·        Use the stairs don’t get yourself trapped in a lift from power cuts

·     Smoke is the greatest cause of death in a fire. If there is a thick blanket of smoke block the exit, don’t just walk into it crawl under it until you are safe.

·    When you are out and safe please remember to call the police and emergency services to help trapped victims.

·    Don’t get carried away trying to ping

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Hurricane Irene, Libya's crisis, September 11 and similarities with the UN bomb blast

I can imagine what Barack Obama in his book "Dreams of my Father- A story of Race and Inheritance" experienced when he put pen on paper to describing September 11, 2001 as the dawn of a fractured. He continues as planes like specters vanishing into stell and glass figures of the streets covered with ash, anguish and fear. by Barack Obama in Dreams of my Father. These events now part of America’s history transformed into troubling times for an average Nigerian.  Survivors put words to circumstances surrounding this unique situation have made much to knowledge around the theme what to do in an emergency. Many of the survivors reiterate lessons very much like those medical experts have previously told.

It is therefore not surprising the amount of knowledge now parading the globe on such information. Much of this information are now relevant in Libya -Colonel Gadaffi's crisis, Egypt – Hussein Mubarak, recent riots in the UK. What you do or don’t do is crucial enough in determining the severity of injury suffered, whether you get out the situation and could even determine whether you live or die. Libya -Colonel Gadaffi's crisis, Eygpt – Hussein Mubarak, recent riots in the UK are all guided and managed with knowledge on what to do in an emergence. Read more about Abuja UN bomb blast here

Safety At Work - Everyone's Resposibility

Off to work and driving

HEALTH ON HEELS

The popular notion that high heels defines a powerful, sophisticated and ambitious woman could be wrong. In the past, Egyptian butchers and Kings wore high heeled shoes. Catherine de media was one of the famous women who sold the success of high heels when she used same in complementing her short stature to boost her appearance as finance to the powerful Duke of Orleans.

High heels were abolished at a time not because of its negative health effects but to reduce the divide it created between the rich and poor and promote a sense of equality. Surprisingly , manufacturers had claimed that it reduces backaches and made walking less tiring.

Now, it is been found that high heels take a negative toll on women. The effects of high heeled shoes on women coupled with the normal stress of work  can be overbearing.
Some of the facts against high- heeled shoes include:

• changes the normal curvature of the back
• increases compressive forces on the lumbar spine. 

Women who wear high heels complain more of:

• leg pain and low back pain.

To prevent back pain and muscle problems :

• leave your heels for occasions better still those with less standing and less demanding physically.
• Wear flat shoes to work 
• Take a change of shoes if you must wear heels to work.

POWER NAPS IMPROVE WORK PRODUCTIVITY

Power nap isn't  new on the block. Winston Churchill who coined the term "power naps" claims that everyone must sleep some time between lunch and dinner. Margaret Thatcher snoozed around 2.30pm to 3.30pm everyday, George Bush did same around 3pm each day, other nappers include Eleanor Roosevelt and Albert Einstein  .
Whats new is that its gathered so much momentum that power naps machines now exist, outfits  provide services for workers to nap during breaks and  the  U.S National Transportation Safety Board recently suggested naps on the clock.
Some of the points favoring power naps include

• Power naps keep workers alert especially when safety is of key interest 
• improves mood and psycho-motor performance
• improves your heart health after a stressful event 
• prevent workers from staring blankly and achieving nothing after several hours at work
• Employers are beginning to embrace the idea of napping.

When power naps are planned and performed properly they are very beneficial. 

• Power naps simply put is voluntarily sleeping. 
• should last about 20mins
• is best done between 12 noon to 4pm
• remember don't sleep too long

Power nap is not catching 20mins sleep several times in one day that might cost you your job 

Workplace accidents in Lagos state: Lawma cleaner meets her death at work

Scene of accident involving Lagos state cleaner Martha Kpemeka. Terrified onlookers watch as the 62 year old breathes meets her death at the work. Lots of people have a story whats yours?
 Sorry oh but what is the retirement age again? 

Compensation is not enough

When the Compensation Act in December 2010 covering diseases and conditions arising from the place of work   it was not borne from to justify or tolerate handing out monetary compensations to our citizens without address the source of hazards and tackling it.

Lagos is a cleaner place, yes we all agree. We also agree that our city is not the first to embrace a clean environment strategy but there has to be a way to protect the health and well being of our cleaners who make the cities an enviable place.  Deaths of cleaners and environmental staff have become common place on our National dailies. GM LAWMA when asked responded that the 200,000 Naira was paid to the family and the bills of the burial. Is compensation enough and is that the way forward? 

Sitting DOs

Picture of a guitarist and sources of health hazards

Guitarists and repetitive strain injury

Guitarists get engrossed puckering away during performances. One hand movement is quickly followed by another in a deliberate rhythm to produce desired sound. Plucking movements are repetitive and performers are unaware of  their postures when sitting. Guitarist can suffer repetitive strain injury, back problems, vessel compression and abnormal muscle movements.

These problems are largely preventable yet many suffer from them. These problems are caused by result of repetitive movements, prolonged use of muscles, poor posture, exerting too much force and carrying heavy guitars especially electric guitars. Prevention lies in

• Maintaining an upright position, no slouching
• Using seats with backrests to support  your back
• Allow yourself rest in between practice times
• if you feel pain, strained or discomfort in any part of your body then its time to change position and take a rest.
• In cases where you feel undue pain or if pain persists consult your doctor

Improve performance on the microphone: Vocal health

Singing is one those prominent professions within entertainment industry today. Nigeria has produced reputable artists King Sunny Ade, Onyeka Onwenu, Sade Adu and  younger artists 2 Face, D Banj, Omawunmi and so many others are upcoming. Singing is not without it own hazards one which affects the vocal fords and quality of your voice. If you loose your voice what happens to your career. Voice strain and injury to the vocal folds are some of the hazards of singing.
Sound is normally produced by the vocal folds alongside supporting muscles and cartilages (collectively called Larynx) which can suffer strain from excessive use and hitting high notes. To improve your vocal health

• Take up to eight - ten glasses off water each day if your saliva is still dry then take more.

• Drink more of decaffeinated and non alcoholic drinks
• Avoid forcefully  clearing your throat.
• use of  Uh-huh or grunting or forcefully clearing your throat  is not helpful
• Avoid first hand or second hand cigarette smoking
• Speak slowly try not to squeeze in a few other words when out of one natural breath cycle.
• Enhance your voice at public speaking events with a microphone
• Stay away from fatty, spicy foods, alcohol should be minimized to 2 beers if at all
• Try as much as possible to face the person you are talking to and mouth your words.
• Avoid yelling, shouting instead clap to draw attention
• Use a soft voice rather than whispering
• Spend less time on the phone
• Strain, pain or croaking voice are signs of vocal cord injury. If you notice this then try to rest your voice alongside your body. Should complaints last longer than 2 weeks then see your doctor

Deafness in the music industry

Noise is an unwanted sound but in the music industry its the commodity of trade. Noise is constantly produced in the music industry and musicians get exposed to  noise when recording, at concerts, clubs, discos and performances. We know for certain that music bands (rock) produce as much as 105 - 111db of sound. Safe noise levels should not exceed 85db and it takes 16hours for the ear to revert to normal after  exposure to loud sounds.  Continuous exposure would compromise hearing function and the ear might not get up to 16 hours to fully recover before another bout. Noise causes hearing impairment and could lead deafness. Hearing ability is a prerequisite to function as an artist in the music industry, you need to hear yourself out to get paid. Do all you can to stay in and protect your hearing ability.

Poor work condition in Nigerian Entertainment industry exposed: Richard Mofe Damijo explains Sam Loco Efe dies from occupational stress

Working hours in the entertainment industry in Nigeria is deplorable. Richard Mofe Damijo, revealed that the work conditions in the Nigerian film industry are unacceptable. RMD explained that they could go long hours acting without food or rest and blames stress from poor work conditions as the cause of death of Sam Loco Efe.

Occupational stress is ubiquitous to all organizations. Stress is associated with  hypertension, diabetes , heart attacks and compromised immune status etc.

Proper hand hygiene

What do you carry?

It is clear that the door way to different worlds is in  your hands .  Its a hand shake which opens and seals transactions in the business world. Writing with your hands authorizes money in and out in the financial world.  A hug establishes our connection with our loved ones. Hands on your computer, slamming your fist to raise an objection in the law court, marking lesson notes, hands on the microphone, dispensing drugs. I bet  that whatever profession you practice even those who ping make use of their hands. It is crucial to know how to care for your hand to prevent you don't carry problems from work home or even endanger your lives.

• learn not to eat while working because you are  likely to pick up food with your bare hands without washing. This would prevent you from eating organisms you  obtained from shaking hands with colleagues at work, on the bus or open your car and whilst working or whatever means.
• If you must eat something whilst your work then learn have a snack and make sure your hands make contact with only the packaging
• Washing before and after every meal is mandatory
• Designate a particular place away from your workstation to have  lunch  (especially if you work with chemicals) to prevent food poisoning.
• Everyone knows to wash immediately after toileting
• You must find a way to wash your hands before you get off work to prevent sharing germs at work with family.

What do you carry in your hands?

How to know when to stop .....

Picture of golfer at work. Sport men or women who are golfers are prone to injuries or tears involving muscles attached at the elbow joint. Golfers elbow results from overuse, sprain of muscles attaching at the inner part of the elbow joint.  Pain worsened by play is an indication to stop and seek help 

Prevention of HIV, blood borne diseases in the film industry

Blood borne infections include HCV, HBV and other diseases indicated here incled Herpes virus, Human papilloma virus, Hepatitis A and sexually transmitted diseases.

Employers are to protect the health of their workers as far as reasonably possible  by training employees on hazards exposed to, simulating some of these scenes with acting and production techniques, ensuring sharps proper disposal of waste, provide hepatitis vaccinations, procedures for handling biological waste, gloves etc.

Actors, actresses, clean up staff should report all such incidences into an incident log book and to the employer. Then  immediately wash infected material off the body using soap and under running water.The employer owes the employee a duty to get source blood tested after consenting,  medical evaluation and follow up at no cost to the employee. An employee can also claim compensation if infected from an occupational incident.