A Compilation of Hospitals Where Tinubu Has Lowered the Expenses Associated with Kidney Dialysis.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has decreased the cost of kidney dialysis in federal hospitals throughout Nigeria. As stated in a release on Monday, August 18, by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, the price of kidney dialysis has been lowered from N50,000 to ₦12,000 to alleviate the financial strain on Nigerians afflicted with kidney disease, a condition that frequently necessitates multiple treatment sessions each week. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sanctioned a significant subsidy to mitigate the expenses associated with kidney dialysis for Nigerians. This initiative has resulted in a reduction of the cost per dialysis session from ₦50,000 to merely ₦12,000, providing relief to thousands of individuals grappling with kidney-related ailments," Bwala remarked. The statement further indicated that the revised pricing is currently operational in ten prominent federal medical centers and teaching hospitals across all six geopolitical zones, which include: 1) Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos 2) Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja 3) University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan 4) Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri 5) University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri 6) Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta 7) Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos 8) Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare 9) University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin 10) University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar Bwala also mentioned, "Additional federal medical centers and teaching hospitals will be incorporated before the year's end to enhance access nationwide." He also "recalled that last year, President Tinubu approved complimentary cesarean sections (C-sections) for expectant mothers in federal hospitals, a decisive measure aimed at improving maternal healthcare and decreasing preventable maternal fatalities."

Oshiomole Now Frequently Hitting The Gym After Passing of Kyari

Mr. Oshiomole

Mr. Adams Oshiomole is now using the gym exercising equipment more frequently. 

Nigerians started seeing the videos of Mr. Adams frequent exercise a day after the burial of the late Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

It has shown that Mr. Oshiomole is informing Nigerians that he is in a good and healthy state despite the rumors that have being going round, as people asking about the whereabouts of the former governor of Edo State.

As seen in the video below, the All Progressives Congress leader is well and healthy sweating it out in the gym.

Malaysia Health Ministry Ban Two Water Bottled Brand From The Market

Contaminated water brand

Reports from the Health Ministry says two water bottled brands has being removed from the shelves after several samples were found contaminated with bacteria commonly found in faeces, soil and sewage.

Health Ministry said that the Starfresh and Waterfuns brands were found to contain pseudomonas aeruginosa, which contravenes the Food Act 1983 and the Food Act Regulations 1985.

The products recalled were the 500ml and 1500ml bottles with expiry dates of May 11 2021 and May 13 2021.

The Ministry also told the company to recall its products and the company's license was suspended on Friday June 28 2019.

The company also said it would voluntarily recall other brands it produced, namely Iceberg, Sukahati, Rofina, Dixy Green and Dixy Blue.

"The Ministry would like to advise those who have purchased the bottled water with the brands and expiry dates not to consume them," said its director general Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement on Monday July 1 2019.

Meanwhile, on Saturday June 29 2019, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) noted that the import of all bottled drinking and mineral water from the manufacturer was not permitted with immediate effect, following the detecting of the pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria for the second time.

A Young African Girl Run Mad Yesterday In Cyberjaya Malaysia, This Isn't April Fools Prank

Yesterday Monday the 1st of April,a young African girl was seen on the street of Cyberjaya in Malaysia.

According to an eye-witness, who gave a briefing about the incident, she told us that the young girl is from Uganda and she is a student of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) in Cyberjaya Malaysia.

Another person who knows her very and identify her as his fellow student of the said University, also gave an account of her that he actually spoke to her a night before yesterday that she ran mad. The guy who also don't want his name mentioned, told us the girl is a very brilliant writer. He said she recently had some emotional issues, which might have led her into taking some dangerous substance which her mental capability couldn't comprehend it, as it may have been the cause of her running naked.

Another student equally identify her as a Ugandan, and he said ''I know her personally. I have informed her church people about that which happen, they are trying to help her.''

We want to use this medium to appeal with boys/girls of this days, please whatever the situation that troubles you, kindly share it with someone and abstain from taking solace with hard substance as a form of solution.

Tomato Paste Production Resumes In Kano, As Dangote Urges Nigerian Government To Enforce Importation Ban

Fresh Tomato Plant In Kano

It's being four years since the suspension of production at Kano factory, the Dangote Tomato Processing Plant has resumed operation with a call on the Nigerian government to enforce importation ban on the commodity.

During the official reopening of the plant in Kano on Wednesday, the Managing Director of the factory, Abdulkarim Kaita, lamented that despite the ban on the tomato paste importation, the commodity was still being smuggled into the country.

According to Kaita, such practice is a snag on the local tomato farmers and industries as a whole, adding that most of the imported tomato pastes are mostly substandard, mixed with additives.

Mr. Kaita, however, noted that the enforcement of the ban would consequently boost local production and help the federal government save billions of naira from the cost of importation of such commodities that could be produced locally.

''Our major challenge is the importation of tomato paste. The federal government has banned the importation of tomato paste but the federal government did not enforce the ban, that is why we still see the commodity making its way into our markets. This means it is being smuggled into the country.

''Therefore, I call on the federal government to enforce the ban and ensure that the product is not smuggled into the country anymore. This would save the government billions of naira and improve local industries like ours, as well as improve the income of local farmers.

''That is why we called on the government to enforce the bank on the importation of tomato paste and its smuggling like it did on rice, ''he stressed.

The MD noted that the Dangote tomato industry, located in Kura Local Government area of Kano state was established to help local farmers reduce losses incurred from rots as a result of lack of modern preservation techniques.

Mr. Kaita also revealed that at the beginning, the factory was producing 1,200 tons of fresh tomato per day, equivalent to 40 trucks, but due to the scarcity of the commodity, it would now be operating on at least 100 tons per day.

He expressed optimism that the factory would improve on its production, just as it reached an agreement with the local tomato farmers on the price of tomato that is pegged at market price.

HEALTH - Chicken Feet And Its Health Benefits To Human Body

We all eat chicken, but most people tend to avoid one of the most influential part of the chicken, which has lot's of positive contributions to our human body.

White Chicken

Most people have never even thought about eating the feet of a chicken in connection with what discovery has found about it.

Although, after reading this brief article, we are sure that you will never throw away chicken feet again. The chicken feet may look unappealing, but they actually taste great and also provide numerous health benefits.

SOME BENEFITS OF EATING CHICKEN FEET

• It quickens the healing of the wounds in human body
• It strengthens immune system 
• It elevates the strength of the joints and fragile bones 
• It helps in making the teeth gums healthier 
• It assists in maintaining the health of the nails
• It lowers the blood pressure
• It helps to maintain the balancing of hormones 
• It overcomes digestive issues
• It helps in making you look younger than before
• It has the ability to rejuvenate the skin
• It can also reduce human stress condition
• It has collagen which is much needed in our body

In a study that has been conducted by the Faculty of Veterinary Science Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan, has revealed that the chicken claw contains a high amount of collagen. 

The levels of collagen that can be found in feet of a chicken are just the same that can be seen in green leafy vegetables and fruits. Collagen is one of the certain substances that are needed in order to maintain the elasticity of the skin.

Chicken Feet

Collagen is beneficial for maintaining a healthy skin and it also forms elastic skin because it supports a faster transformation of dead skin into a new one. Collagen also assists the body in absorbing calcium and proteins which makes the body healthier. It has the ability to elevate the production of red blood cells due to its ability in making the structure of blood vessels stronger. Collagen also aids the body in losing weight by raising the body's metabolism of fat.

Additionally, it can also make the structure of the bone a lot stronger, as well as to prevent diseases of bone fragility. One of the health benefits of eating chicken feet is to maintain the health of the joints and lower the risk of having brittle bones. Joint issues and brittle bones commonly happen in the older people. It happens because the body doesn't have enough ability to absorb calcium properly.

Therefore, consuming chicken feet while you are young will make a great difference sooner. Chicken feet are composed of skin, tendons and bone. It is packed with protein, calcium, cartilage and even collagen that can be effortlessly absorbed by the body. 

Nutrition is extremely important in order to make the structure of the bone stronger, as well as to prevent bone loss in elderly.

PARENTING - Constipation In Children

Going to the toilet to poo may not be the easiest task for some kids. Our specialist consultant paediatrician Dr. Cheah Cheong Wooi who volunteer to give us some insights on constipation and what parents can do to prevent it.

Constipation is a common and uncomfortable toilet issue faced by many young children. It is described as difficult in defecation which persists for longer than two weeks and is often associated with hard stool and pain when defecating. Studies have shown that up to one third of children between the ages of 6 to 12 years experience constipation in any given year, making constipation one of the most common problems paediatricians deal with.

The common stages in life when a child might get constipation include the time when a child goes through a change in diet and when a child enters a new environment (for example, going to school for the first time). Adding to that, consultant paediatrician Dr. Cheah Cheong Wooi says, "60 to 80 percent of cases of older kids who come to see me complaining about stomach pain or discomfort, have constipation. I normally see such cases in two age groups: at about 1-2 years old and at kindergarten age (5-6 years old)."

DETECTING CONSTIPATION IS TRICKY

Among older children who no longer wear diapers (going to the toilet on their own), it can be difficult to detect the problem. Dr. Cheah explains, "I have to be very specific when asking questions during a check-up. Most times, parents assume everything is going fine because they see the kids going to the toilet every day. But on many occasions, although the child does go to the toilet, they don't evacuate completely. Children who are constipated are likely to pass out small hard lumps of separate stool (like pellets) and they don't fully evacuate because they have to strain to get it out, it can be very painful. When I see them, I ask them when they last went to poo and how much of it was released."

As for the symptoms, Dr. Cheah says that most times, kids who are constipated do not cry. They would only complain occasionally about abdominal pain. "One of the tell-tale signs is when the child is looking angsty and uneasy. Those who have had chronic constipation would have stomach discomfort."

FREQUENCY AND CONSISTENCY GO HAND IN HAND

Less than three bowel movements a week may be a sign of constipation, but there's more to it. According to Dr. Cheah, frequency and consistency of stool go hand in hand when it comes to identifying constipation. "Constipation is multifactorial. If a child has bowel movements three times a week but the texture and consistency of poo are normal, it isn't a problem. But if a child poos every day but is letting out hard pellet-like stools which are hard to pass out, I would still treat them for constipation."

Besides asking about bowel habits, Dr. Cheah refers to the commonly used Bristol stool chart. "I would ask the child to point out what his or her stool looks like. Normal stool should look like type 4 of the stool chart (a smooth sausage, soft in texture). Type 3 (sausage shape with cracks on its surface) or type 5 (soft blobs with clear-cut edges that can be passed easily) may be normal too, but it depends." If parents are unsure or concerned, they can bring their child to a paediatrician for further checks.

Parents can play a role in identifying constipation in their kids too. For this, they have got to keep track of their kid's stool. Dr. Cheah elaborates, "Parents can keep a stool diary to document the frequency and consistency of poo. For the bigger kids, parents can ask their kids to describe their poo instead."

Color doesn't matter as much as people think. "Stool can be brown, green or yellow and that's perfectly normal, color of excrement is dependent on the child's diet. However, if a child's stool is dark colored and has mucous or blood, you have to bring him or her to see a doctor.         

EASING CONSTIPATION

Dr. Cheah reveals that a common misconception is that constipation is only treated by medicine to soften the stool. While those medications do help sometimes, a change in diet and nutrition is more effective in long term prevention of constipation and its recurrence. According to Dr. Cheah, we can help our kids prevent constipation by:

• Giving them a balanced diet
• Pre-and probiotic supplementation
• Proper potty training

He stresses the importance of potty training and has concerns that the process is often delayed or not done properly due to parents' and caregivers' increasingly busy schedule. "Parents need to realize that children who start well tend to have better outcomes. The best time to train is when the child is ready," Dr. Cheah said.

Having the right potty is important when training, a proper potty gets the child to squat. "The ideal position which allows young children to poo comfortably is the squatting position. Train your children to squat so that they build the muscles that help them poo (at least until a certain age when they can push well). Once they are well trained, parents can promote them to the adult toilet bowl. Timing for toilet trips depends on the child, but you usually get bowel movements after food."

On the topic of diet, it's all about achieving that balance. A healthy plate normally consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and dairy. Include pre-and probiotic supplementation as this helps build a healthy digestive system in children by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Sufficient fibre and adequate water intake are also required to form healthy stool. "By the age of one, a child needs three meals a day, given in a healthy portion according to their age. If a child is getting healthy balanced meals and are additionally given some fruits as snacks, they almost never come back again complaining of constipation," Dr. Cheah reassures.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• Constipation is very common among children
• Parents can use a stool diary to keep track of their children's poo. The diary also documents stool frequency and consistency
• Prevention is the most effective way of managing constipation. The best ways are: helping your kids achieve a balanced diet, pre- and probiotic supplementation and proper potty training.

PARENTING - 5 Useful Tips To Raise Well-Adjusted Kids

On this topics we contacted our contributing specialist by name Katyana Azman, child Psychologist. She pen down the following as some few tips to be uphold by parents.

1) Start Them Young:- According to Katyana Azman, a child's brain at birth is made up of 100 billion interconnected neurons, which are cells that transmit information from our sensory organs (eyes, nose) to the brain.

Each neural connection represents an opportunity to learn. However, the body begins to remove unused neural connections when the child turns three. Therefore, one's capacity to learn effectively decreases with time.

The best time to start teaching our children new things and concepts, therefore, is when they are between one to five years old.

2) Lead By Example:- Young children come into this world without knowing the rules, and they learn by observing the actions of the people around them. Therefore, we need to display the kind of behavior we want our children to have.

3) Set Boundaries:- Our children need some rules to follow, as they have not yet learned how to police their own actions. Furthermore, they need a reason to commit to a certain pattern of behavior. Hence, we as parents need to set down some ground rules, a reward system for good behavior and a punishment system for those moments when our children go out of hand.

4) Communicate:- Throughout the entire process, we have to understand that our children have feelings too, and we should encourage them to express these feelings. We should also talk to our children at their level, so that they will feel comfortable expressing themselves to us.

Furthermore, by encouraging them to do this, we are helping our children develop communication skills that will be useful for the rest of their lives.

5) Make Them Earn Things, But Make It Fun As Well:- Handing our children everything may breed a sense of entitlement in them. On the other hand, if we make them put an effort into earning rewards, we can inculcate in them an ability to appreciate hard, honest work. They will also develop the ability to focus on a goal and plan to achieve this goal, skill that will certainly come in handy later in life.

However, make the process of earning rewards a fun one. Don't overtax them beyond their abilities or stress them out. Instead, offer encouragement and advice to them as a source of motivation. Praise them if they succeed and encourage them to ask for our help if they falter.

Also, don't rush in and take over the moment our child stumbles a little. Let them try to solve problems on their own first. This will help them develop skills to become independent and self reliant in the future.

HEALTH MATTERS - Is It A Migraine Or Something More Serious?

A severe headache may be a sign of subarachnoid haemorrhage, which is bleeding in the brain and a medical emergency. Here's how to tell if it's just a 'regular' headache or something more serious according to our specialist Pank Jit Sin.

We all get headaches at some point in our lives. Sometimes the pain is severe and it is termed as a migraine. Migraines are a type of headache which occur as a result of changes in the brain. The pain is often severe, only on one side of the head and is paired with sensitivity to light, sounds and smells.

Certain symptoms are also associated with migraine. These include eye pain (at the back of the eyeball), nausea, vomiting and of course, severe pain commonly described as pounding. As migraine sufferers know, the pain can be debilitating and can last for hours to days.

Now, migraines aren't life threatening or uncommon, but there's a more pernicious condition called subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) or basically bleeding in the brain caused by aneurysm (a localized swelling or ballooning of the wall of the artery) rupture. Most symptoms are identical and hard to discern even by doctors. This writer's friend recently went to the GP for severe migraine and vomiting and was given painkillers and medical leave for four days. He finally went to the emergency department on the fifth day and was subsequently diagnosed with a bleed in the brain.

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE

How then does one differentiate an aneurysm rupture from a normal migraine episode? We spoke with Professor Datin Dr. Chia Yook Chin, family medicine specialist and president of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension, about the difference between a migraine and a possible brain bleed. Dr. Chia had a few tips to share. According to her, the first thing a doctor should do is to take a detailed history of the patient and look at the sex. Migraines are rarer in men than women, of the 38 million people in the US suffering from migraine, 28 million are women.
In the young, migraine is more prevalent in boys than in girls. This pattern shifts at puberty, where the prevalence rises in girls. In fact, girls are more likely to experience their first episode of migraine in the same year their periods begin than at any other time in their lives. After puberty, migraine in women increases until age 40 or so, when it begins to decrease and can come to a complete stop upon menopause.

Secondly, migraines rarely develop suddenly. "If a patient is more than 30-35 years and comes to the clinic with severe migraine, then I have to be on the alert," said Prof. Dr. Chia. Migraines usually develop in the teenage years and appear periodically, sometimes in cyclic fashion in women due to their menstrual cycles.

Another warning sign is the description of symptoms. Most migraine sufferers know in advance when a full-blown episode is coming as there will be warning signs. They may have sudden mood changes, frequent yawning, neck stiffness and changes in vision (aura). In contrast, those experiencing a brain bleed episode often describe their onset of pain as a flash of lightning and subsequently being hit by a car or a hammer. The pain is so severe that movement is disabled.

Symptoms of an SAH, as mentioned earlier, are similar to that of migraine. However, Dr. Chia said the increase in pressure in the brain as a result of bleeding causes the neck of the sufferer to be very stiff. "They can't move their necks," she said. Brain bleeds can also increase pressure in the brain to such an extent that herniation of the brain can occur and could lead to paralysis and heart malfunction.

Those who are fortunate enough to survive an initial brain bleed episode will need to get to the hospital immediately. The doctors will try to ascertain the extent of damage and determine the best course of action. One of the procedures that can be performed is surgical clipping or endovascular coiling, where a catheter is brought close to the location of the abnormal blood vessel and a small thin platinum wire is inserted into the ballooned area. The wire coils up (hence coiling) as it enters the aneurysm and multiple coils are packed inside the dome so that no blood flows into it. With this procedure, a clot then forms in the aneurysm and prevents it from rupturing.

Remember to ask your doctor for a referral or go straight to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if you experience sudden, severe headache with no prior history.

HEALTH - When Depression Strikes Teenagers

It can be difficult to imagine that those in the carefree days of youth can be hit by such a somber illness. However, the numbers don't lie; a significant number of young people suffer from depression and this figure is on the rise. Our contributing psychiatrist Dr. Gurdeep Grewal, reveals the facts about teenage depression and how to spot the signs.

AJ is a 15-years-old girl who attends a premier private school. She is a bright and enthusiastic student, and active in various non-academic activities in school as well. However, over a span of six months, she has become increasingly moody and easily irritable, with bouts of tears. She locks herself in her room for hours on end. Her grades have been falling. Of late, she has also been playing truant from school and unknown to her parents, has been sneaking out of the house late at night. She has become argumentative with her parents and friends. Her parents found alcohol and marijuana in her room, for which she was severely reprimanded and punished. She was also not eating and sleeping well and had lost a significant amount of weight. One evening, her parents found her in her room, heavily sedated, with a note stating her intention to take her own life. She was rushed to the Emergency Department and resuscitated.

The case vignette above is a common occurrence in emergency departments on a nearly daily basis. Adolescents and young adults attempting suicide is a silent epidemic, one that is on the rise and needs to be addressed urgently. 2018 theme for World Mental Health Day, which was on October 10, is "Young People and Mental Health in A Changing World". On that note, I figured it would be a good idea to examine how depression manifests in teens and young adults, which I must emphasize, is usually very different from adults and can masquerade in a slew of disguises.

Before we go into signs and symptoms, it would be prudent to examine the prevalence of adolescent depression. Local statistics are not available, to my knowledge, but what we do know from data published overseas is that it is on the rise. In a recent study done in the United States, the lifetime prevalence of major depression among adolescents aged 13-18 years old was 11 percent. Now that's pretty large figure. To put it simply, approximately one in 10 teens are at risk of a depressive illness. The study also found that for a severe depressive episode in this age group, the risk is at 2.3 percent. In general, girls are more prone to depressive disorders and this gender disparity tends to be more prominent during the periods of early adolescence and mid-puberty.

WHO IS AT RISK?

One may ask, why are some kids more resilient than others? Why are some more prone to depression than others? Let's examine who is at risk.
Firstly, there is no singular cause; a depressive episode is usually the end result of the interplay between biological and psychological factors. The role of genetics cannot be downplayed. Studies have confirmed the heritability of depression, children whose parents have a history of depression compared to kids whose parents do not have a history of depression. Another important biological factor is the role of hormonal changes that occur during adolescence, the higher rates of depression in girls are postulated to be attributed to this factors.
Finally, the use and abuse of psychoactive substances such as marijuana, alcohol and methamphetamine, to name a few, will also put teens at increased risk of getting a full-blown depressive episode.

Next are the effects of psycho-social stressors. Children who have been exposed to adverse events while growing up are at increased risk. Examples of adverse childhood events are being physically or sexually abused, being neglected by their parents, a victim of bullying (now we have the problem of cyber-bullying to deal with), personal injury and repeated losses and bereavement. Children who have had to live through chronic adversity such as poverty, being orphaned and put in foster care, family discord (violence between parents and divorce, for example) and such are also more susceptible to developing a depressive episode.

While the above examples appear to be rather extreme forms of adversity, I have come to notice that many teens are getting depressed despite not having had any exposure to major trauma. Many are burned out as a result of overemphasis on getting top marks in school compounded by parental pressures and expectations. There is also a lack of balance in the daily routines of many teens, who seem to keep very hectic schedules shuffling between school, tuition and other classes. Then there are the problems associated with social media and cyber-bullying, peer pressures to fit in and the easy availability of drugs that pile on more pressure on these kids and tip them over into depression.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

The signs and symptoms of depression in teens can be easily missed and as such, many only come to seek help rather late, commonly when they express suicidal thoughts or have attempted to self-harm. So hopefully this illness and alert parents to get their teens to see a mental health professional early.

Depression in teens may not always manifest with feelings of sadness all the time. Mood variability is very common, and by this I mean they can switch between being in tears and sad to being very irritable and hostile. This may even escalate to bouts of intense anger and rage. Some have intense feelings of apprehension or anxiety as well, and their mood may lift momentarily when something fun or positive happens but then quickly dip again. A normally well-mannered and respectful teen may display uncharacteristic behavior such as shouting and being argumentative with his or her parents and friends. Hence, prolonged periods of low moods, despair and brooding may not be the primary way that depression presents itself. In addition to changes in mood, sleep disturbances are common. Some may have trouble falling and maintaining sleep, while others may sleep excessively.

Teens who are depressed may also be socially withdrawn. They may seem very demotivated and have little interest in their normal hobbies. Their school performance is frequently affected and this deterioration may indeed make them feel worse about themselves. It is also common for depressed teenagers to exhibit delinquent behaviors such as truancy, getting in trouble with the law and using drugs and alcohol. Depressed teens are also at higher risk of engaging in sexual activity, which in turn puts them at risk of sexually transmitted infections and for the girls pregnancy.

Other symptoms to look out for are changes in appetite and weight. Some may feel burdened by excessive and inappropriate feelings of guilt or shame. As the severity of the depression increases, teens may feel increasingly hopeless and may develop ideas about suicide. Self-harm may occur, many teens resort to cutting themselves or taking an overdose of medications. In severe cases, teens may be actively suicidal and this is considered a medical emergency and needs to be attended to immediately.

GETTING HELP

Once there is a suspicion that your teen is depressed, getting an assessment from a professional mental health provider is imperative. A thorough medical and psychological assessment will allow us to make an accurate diagnosis and also rule out potential medical causes that may explain the mood changes (endocrine disorders, for example). Once an assessment has been done, based on the severity of the depression, therapy can be planned and initiated for the patient. When we treat a teen for depression, it is important to involve the family in the management plan. More often than not, there are issues within the family unit that needs to be examined.

For mild depression, usually counselling and other forms of talk therapy will suffice. For moderate to severe depression, a combination of therapy and medications is recommended. Parents are usually (and rightly) concerned about the use of medications, so let's address this issue right now. Selected antidepressants are FDA-approved for use in teenagers (your treating psychiatrists will advise you on the right medications to consider). Parents usual concerns are of dependence and side effects. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) are usually the first line of medications used and these DO NOT cause addiction or dependence. Yes, there are potential side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches and weight gain associated with SSRI's but these are usually transient and can be managed. Also, for teens, the dosage of medications used is usually very low and are generally well tolerated.

Another concern (which has received a lot of publicity) is the increased risk of suicide thinking and behaviors among teens that are prescribed the medications. Naturally, parents will look up the use of SSRI's for their kids online and will invariably come across this issue. So, to put this to rest, the studies done showed that while there was a slight increase in suicidal in teens (and this only occurs at the early stage of commencement of the medications), none actually completed any suicide act. The benefits of antidepressant use outweigh the risks, indeed, the risks can be mitigated by close monitoring of the patient. The bottom line is that delay in starting treatment is far more dangerous.

The other question I am frequently asked is, "For how long long does my child need to take the medications?"
Firstly, the positive effects of antidepressants may take 4-6 weeks to manifest. Once the teen is fully recovered, it is recommended to continue the medications for 9-12 months. Once a decision is made to discontinue medications, it will have to be done gradually over a few weeks. Hence parents can be reassured that antidepressants are not to be given indefinitely.

Another important thing to highlight is that the use of sedatives and hypnotics (commonly referred to as sleeping pills) such as alprazolam and diazepam should be avoided in teens. These medications are not definitive treatments for depression or anxiety and carry a risk of dependence. They can also adversely affect the child's cognition and subsequently impair school performance.

TAKING THE HOLISTIC APPROACH

Medications are not a fix-all solution. Combining medications with other forms of therapy is the proper approach. Various forms of psychotherapy are beneficial for teenagers who require a neutral and non-judgmental avenue to express their feelings and an opportunity for them to learn better coping skills. Counseling, cognitive behavior therapy, art therapy and interpersonal therapy may all offer benefits. Frequently, family therapy is also required to fix unhealthy family dynamics and facilitate their recovery. For teens who have been through a traumatic experience such as physical or sexual abuse or bullying, specialized forms of therapy such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may also be used.

In conclusion, depression in teenagers is a serious disorder and is on the rise. Let's be vigilant of the warning signs and seek help early with a qualified mental health professional.

HEALTH - Diabetes Management: Tips From A Pharmacist

World Diabetes Day falls on November 14 each year. In conjunction, our contributing writer (Abraham Mathew Saji), who is also a pharmacist provides 10 practical tips on managing diabetes. 

Diabetes, the "sweet killer" which is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, blindness, amputations and stroke, can affect anyone from any age group and walk of life.

When we eat, our food gets converted to glucose of sugar in our bodies. The pancreas release a substance known as insulin which enables the conversion of glucose to energy. In a person with diabetes, the pancreas fails to release insulin resulting in a high content of glucose in the blood. There are many reasons for the pancreas failing to release insulin, such as genetics, environmental and lifestyle, to name a few.

According to the Diabetes Country Profile for Malaysia published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, the prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia grew at an alarming rate.

Diabetic complications are one of the key factors leading to cardiovascular diseases. The same 2016 WHO report indicated that diabetes and cardiovascular diseases put together are responsible for 39 percent of deaths in Malaysia.

In conjunction with World Diabetes Day and with an eye on the alarming statistics surrounding diabetes in Malaysia, here are a few simple and easy-to-practice tips from your friendly pharmacist.

1. Avoid Breaking or Splitting Your Pills:- Most of the medications for diabetes are formulated to deliver the active ingredients at a particular rate into your bloodstream. Breaking or splitting the pills can cause the formulated matrix to be disturbed, thereby playing havoc with the rate and extent of the active ingredients released. This can have adverse effects on sugar levels in the blood and in other systems in our body.

2. Avoid Skipping Your Dose of Medications:- Often, people assume that it is acceptable to skip the dose of medication when they don't eat, when they eat a smaller portion or when they are unwell. Our body can produce glucose from other sources beyond the food that we eat. Hence it is very important to take the medication regularly as prescribed.

3. Follow The Instructions Given at The Time of Dispensing:- Mostly in terms of timing of consumption, food and other medications to be avoided. Some medications or food can have serious implication on your blood sugar levels and can also affect blood pressure.

4. Avoid Self-Medication:- Some people may take a myriad of products in a bid to get diabetes-free early. They tend to self-medicate and take a high number of supplements in addition to the medications prescribed. This could lead to "drug-drug interactions" and result in another set of complications or diseases.

5. Follow The Prescribed Dose of Medication:- Some people consume double or a higher dose of the prescribed medication in hopes that it will 'cure' them sooner. The medication in its prescribed dose is optimized for each individual patient depending on various factors. Not following the prescribed dose can complicate the treatment regimen and worsen the condition.

6. Avoid Delaying Treatment:- Some individuals delay the start of diabetic treatment as they believe that the medications could have side effects. Some people also attribute their diabetic condition to their body weight and start a rigorous weight loss program instead of taking prescribed medications. Delaying treatment can cause one's diabetes to progress to the next level, thereby warranting a higher dose or stronger medication.

7. Make Lifestyle Adjustment:- Diabetes is well known as a lifestyle-related disorder, so changing one's lifestyle can play a major role in the treatment. Eating frequent smaller portions of food, managing stress, sleeping well and getting sufficient exercise are some easy-to-adapt changes one can make.

8. Don't be Shy To Ask Questions:- At the time of your medication being dispensed, feel free to ask any and all questions you have in mind. A few examples of such questions are: will I need to take this medication for life? What if I forget to take a dose of this medication? What are the side effects of this medication? Will this medication have any interaction with my other medicines?

9. Cut Down on Your Salt Intake:- We tend to relate diabetes directly to the intake of carbohydrates or sweet food. Since pre-diabetics and diabetics are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications or so-called "diabetes induced hypertension", controlling salt intake is an essential part of management.

10. Reward Yourself:- Rather that getting discouraged upon diagnosis, reward yourself appropriately at every step of progress made during treatment, as diabetes is a chronic disorder and is to be managed progressively.

Some Common Symptoms Of Diabetes
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision
- Increased thirst
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Mood swings
- Poor healing of wounds
- Frequent infections

It is very important to take diabetes in one's stride and incorporate its management, rather than treatment alone, as a routine part of life. The diabetic patient is the most important participant in this management team and holds the master key to the success of the management process and enhancing the quality of life. The management process requires dedicated work with proper planning and commitment. Speak with your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian to see how else you can improve your diabetes care plan.

Dancer Kaffy - Not All Smiley Faces Are Happy, Depression Is Real

Kafayat Shafau-Ameh (Dancer Kaffy)

"Depression is real, too many lives lost. I faced depression, I battled it and I won. You can win, first thing to do is not to let people define your happiness. We all have our races, our paths are different. First to do no mean last man standing ooh. If anyone runs past you, does not better than you or has anything you want and don't have, just wave and say 'I will catch up, see ya later'.

Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Shafau-Ameh, popularly known as Kaffydance, has advised Nigerians not to be under pressure when it comes to defining happiness.

Recounting her experience with depression via a post on Instagram on Thursday, Kaffy advised people not to be in a hurry else they would lose "the ammunition, the instruments" needed to "sustain the greatness and happiness you pursue".

Alongside a video of popular Instagram motivational speaker, Oyemyke where he spoke on focusing on "their hustle", Kaffy wrote: "Please DO NOT BE PRESSURED. A lot is a lie. A lot is a manifestation of what they want to be, A lot is from insecurities, A lot is from depression, Not all smiley faces are happy faces.

"Depression is real, too many lives lost. I faced depression, I battled it and I won. You can win.

First thing to do is not to let people define your happiness. We all have our races, our paths are different. First to do no mean last man standing ooh. If anyone runs past you, does better than you or has anything you want and don't have, just wave and say 'I will catch up, see ya later'.

"Your process is important, don't be in a hurry. If you do, you would lose the ammunition, the instruments you need to sustain the greatness and happiness you pursue."

Health Guide - Good News For Diabetes

A woman 65 years of age was diabetic for the last 20 plus years and she was taking insulin twice a day.

She used the enclosed homemade medicine for a fortnight and now she is absolutely free of diabetes and taking all her food as normal including sweets.

The doctors have advised her to stop insulin and any other blood sugar controlling drugs.

"Dr. Tony Almeida (Bombay Kidney Specialist Expert) made the extensive experiments with perseverance and patience and discovered a successful treatment for diabetes. Nowadays a lot of people, old men and women in particular suffer a lot due to Diabetes.

INGREDIENTS

1. Wheat - 100gm
2. Barley - 100gm
3. Black Seeds (Kalunji) - 100gm

METHOD OF PREPARATION

Put all the above ingredients in 5 cups of water. Boil it for about 10 minutes and put off the fire. Allow it to cool down by itself, when it has become cold, filter out the seeds and preserve water in in a glass jug or bottle.

HOW TO USE IT

Take one small cup of this water everyday early morning when your stomach is empty, continue this for 7 days. The following week repeat the same but on alternate days, with these 2 weeks of treatment you will wonder to see that you have become normal and can eat normal food without problem.

NOTE:
Since these are all natural ingredients, taking them is not harmful. So, those who may be skeptical about this treatment may still try it without any harm, as you will find out the result for yourself.

TODAY'S REALITY OF LIFE

As humans, right from the time we were born and growing up, we do have certain ambitions about life itself.

Ambitions of what we want to grow up to become and also how we want to live our life, the kind of comfort we seek for ourselves and with our family when we start having them.

We always aim high starting from our early age, but below are some of the reality of life according to our today's living.

How Do We Care For Our Body Organs?

The human body is very sensitive, hence needs a lot of maintenance by simply following simple health advise for it to continue functioning to it fullest, there are certain precaution one must adapt to as for the body organs to function very well.

Although health specialist has advise us that, as one grow older from certain age into another, the human body needed to be taken care of to avoid sudden short down of some functional organs in the body.

                         

        

                            

                                                         

Strong Destructive Tool - Anger

ANGER: According to English dictionary definition of the word "Anger" it's a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility.

Anger is dangerous for human health, it causes sickness, inflict self injuries and in some cases go insane due to anger.

Anger is the strong emotion that you feel when you think that something is not going right in your way. It's a strong emotion that people feel from time to time when someone or something frustrate or annoys them. One of the roots of anger is the Greek word Ankhone for "a strangling," which is a perfect description of the way anger actually feels.

In the context of the Holy Bible, it usually portrays human anger as sinful. Cain's sins would have been turned to good if he had repented and offered an acceptable sacrifice. But by nursing his wrath against a holy God and the righteous Abel, he ends up committing murder ( Gen 4:3-8 ).

As humans, we should be able to control anger, as we all know anger has never and will never yield any good fruit. This short video in play will help us to understand certain destructive mode that is going along with anger, not just being self destructive alone but as well destroying everyone,  everything that is good around you.

Anger is of the devil, he pushes you to do destructive things and thereafter you begin to see the negative result of things you have done due to uncontrollable anger. Anyone who is unable to control or manage it's anger is more seen like an evil person at every point in time, one must cultivate the character of managing and controlling anger state's always.

Every result of anger showcasing is bad, rotten, not good to be emulated, never encouraging and as well always losing positive grounds, in fact anger is a disease or sickness.

Health/Fitness - About Brushing Your Teeth

Health Matters - What Do You Use to Brush Your Teeth?

Everyone of us knows about brushing our teeth, but there is this vital information which I believe most of us do not know or never thought of it for one bit. 

The tooth is a very important sensory organ of our body, it is used for chewing whenever we are eating, the tooth is surrounded by soft connective tissues, which contains blood vessels and nerves that enters the tooth from a hole at the apex of the root.

The outside of the tooth, the enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. The enamel surrounds another layer of the tooth called the dentin, that hard shiny layer that you brush.

Through these little knowledgeable information, you should be guided as to the type of substance you are using when brushing or treating your teeth. 

Using a well certified tooth-paste is very important, although one must be guided with the necessary information to be able to know the kind of details provided by producers of these various type of tooth-paste. 

Some information might be written in languages you are not acquainted with, some will be in diagram, while some will be in signs, it's advisable to always ask questions before making purchase of products you use for treating or caring for your mouth most especially tooth-paste that everyone use in daily basis.