We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of hundreds of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.
Saturday, November 13, 2021
This is what a 52-year-old man's lungs look like after 30 years of smoking!!
Friday, August 27, 2021
CHUKWUMA CHINAZA ADAOBI RECEIVES BEST RESEARCH AWARD 2021
Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi, Founder of Medicine Communication and Research Portals, and a distinguished Research Scholar, is from Akwaeze in Anambra state, Nigeria. She received the Best Research Award for her contribution and Honorable Achievement in Innovative Research from the International Research Awards for New Science Inventions (NESIN 2021 Awards). The award recognizes her exemplary work in her research and publications.
Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori and Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi |
NESIN
recognized Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi research findings to be published in the
Journal of Applied Nursing Research by Elsevier (Volume 535, August 2021). The
manuscript — Nurses' perception of the impact of hospital information systems
on patient care: A nurse-led intervention — is a result of her scheme
investigation. She worked closely with the Original Scientific Publishing team
in California with Dr. Nancy Maynes and Mr. Miracle Atianashie as her mentors.
Professor Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, and Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi |
According to Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi,
HIS is becoming a vital part of nursing care. It is unclear what system
characteristics contribute to nursing acceptance. Nursing care is a major
component of the health services because it is one of the determinants of
quality health services. Nurses’ perception of the impact of hospital
information systems on patient care is thought to be the determinant of quality
nursing care. HIS awareness, assessments, and education are needed to improve
healthcare outcomes in the hospital, optimally, to increase safety and decrease
inaccurate record keeping.
Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori, Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi, and Atianashie Miracle A. |
NESIN, an International Research
Organization, invites researchers involved in graduate education and research
endeavors that accentuate progress. NESIN’s merit-based award platform, the
Science Father (SF), publishes an outline of research to support excellence in
various fields of science and technology. The awards recognize researchers and
their organizations globally to encourage and honor significant contributions
and achievements in their field of expertise. Nominees are judged on their
latest publications, quality of research, novelty, past accomplishments,
research excellence, and outstanding academic achievements.
The award was further endorsed and
congratulated by Professor Daniels Obeng-Ofori, Vice Chancellor of Catholic
University College of Ghana, and Professor Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, Vice
Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University Ghana.
Sunday, July 4, 2021
Diagnosis and Treatment of Migraine Headache
Diagnosis
If you have migraines or a family history of migraines, a doctor trained in treating headaches (neurologist) will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination.
If your condition is unusual, complex or suddenly becomes severe, tests to rule out other causes for your pain might include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI scan uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain and blood vessels. MRI scans help doctors diagnose tumors, strokes, bleeding in the brain, infections, and other brain and nervous system (neurological) conditions.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the brain. This helps doctors diagnose tumors, infections, brain damage, bleeding in the brain and other possible medical problems that may be causing headaches.
Treatment
Migraine treatment is aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future attacks.
Many medications have been designed to treat migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:
- Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms.
- Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often daily, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.
Your treatment choices depend on the frequency and severity of your headaches, whether you have nausea and vomiting with your headaches, how disabling your headaches are, and other medical conditions you have.
Medications for relief
Medications used to relieve migraine pain work best when taken at the first sign of an oncoming migraine — as soon as signs and symptoms of a migraine begin. Medications that can be used to treat it include:
Pain relievers. These over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers include aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). When taken too long, these might cause medication-overuse headaches, and possibly ulcers and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
Migraine relief medications that combine caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen (Excedrin Migraine) may be helpful, but usually only against mild migraine pain.
- Triptans. Prescription drugs such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra) and rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) are used to treat migraine because they block pain pathways in the brain. Taken as pills, shots or nasal sprays, they can relieve many symptoms of migraine. They might not be safe for those at risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal). Available as a nasal spray or injection, this drug is most effective when taken shortly after the start of migraine symptoms for migraines that tend to last longer than 24 hours. Side effects can include worsening of migraine-related vomiting and nausea.
People with coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or kidney or liver disease should avoid dihydroergotamine.
- Lasmiditan (Reyvow). This newer oral tablet is approved for the treatment of migraine with or without aura. In drug trials, lasmiditan significantly improved headache pain. Lasmiditan can have a sedative effect and cause dizziness, so people taking it are advised not to drive or operate machinery for at least eight hours.
- Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy). This oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist is approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. It's the first drug of this type approved for migraine treatment. In drug trials, ubrogepant was more effective than placebo in relieving pain and other migraine symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound two hours after taking it. Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea and excessive sleepiness. Ubrogepant should not be taken with strong CYP3A4 inhibitor drugs.
- CGRP antagonists. Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) are oral CGRP antagonists recently approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. In drug trials, drugs from this class were more effective than placebo in relieving pain and other migraine symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound two hours after taking it. Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea and excessive sleepiness. Ubrogepant and rimegepant should not be taken with strong CYP3A4 inhibitor drugs.
- Opioid medications. For people who can't take other migraine medications, narcotic opioid medications might help. Because they can be highly addictive, these are usually used only if no other treatments are effective.
- Anti-nausea drugs. These can help if your migraine with aura is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Anti-nausea drugs include chlorpromazine, metoclopramide (Reglan) or prochlorperazine (Compro). These are usually taken with pain medications.
Some of these medications are not safe to take during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, don't use any of these medications without first talking with your doctor.
Preventive medications
Medications can help prevent frequent migraines. Your doctor might recommend preventive medications if you have frequent, long-lasting or severe headaches that don't respond well to treatment.
Preventive medication is aimed at reducing how often you get a migraine, how severe the attacks are and how long they last. Options include:
- Blood pressure-lowering medications. These include beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran XL, others) and metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor). Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (Verelan) can be helpful in preventing migraines with aura.
- Antidepressants. A tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline) can prevent migraines. Because of the side effects of amitriptyline, such as sleepiness, other antidepressants might be prescribed instead.
- Anti-seizure drugs. Valproate and topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR, others) might help if you have less frequent migraines, but can cause side effects such as dizziness, weight changes, nausea and more. These medications are not recommended for pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant.
- Botox injections. Injections of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) about every 12 weeks help prevent migraines in some adults.
- CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Erenumab-aooe (Aimovig), fremanezumab-vfrm (Ajovy), galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality), and eptinezumab-jjmr (Vyepti) are newer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat migraines. They're given monthly or quarterly by injection. The most common side effect is a reaction at the injection site.
Ask your doctor if these medications are right for you. Some of these medications are not safe to take during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, don't use any of these medications without first talking with your doctor.
Risk factors and Complications of Migraine Headache
Several factors make you more prone to having migraines, including:
·
Family history. If you have a family member
with migraines, then you have a good chance of developing them too.
·
Age. Migraines can begin at any
age, though the first often occurs during adolescence. Migraines tend to peak
during your 30s, and gradually become less severe and less frequent in the
following decades.
·
Sex. Women are three times more
likely than men to have migraines.
·
Hormonal changes. For women who have
migraines, headaches might begin just before or shortly after onset of
menstruation. They might also change during pregnancy or menopause. Migraines
generally improve after menopause.
Complications
Taking
painkillers too often can trigger serious medication-overuse headaches. The
risk seems to be highest with aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine combinations.
Overuse headaches may also occur if you take aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin IB, others) for more than 14 days a month or triptans, sumatriptan
(Imitrex, Tosymra) or rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) for more than nine days
a month.
Medication-overuse
headaches occur when medications stop relieving pain and begin to cause
headaches. You then use more pain medication, which continues the cycle.
Causes of Migraine Headache
Though migraine causes aren't fully understood, genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role.
Changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the
trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway, might be involved. So, might imbalances
in brain chemicals — including serotonin, which helps regulate pain in your
nervous system.
Researchers are studying the role of serotonin in migraines.
Other neurotransmitters play a role in the pain of migraine, including
calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).
Migraine triggers
There are a number of migraine triggers, including:
- Hormonal
changes in women. Fluctuations in estrogen, such as
before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy and menopause, seem to
trigger headaches in many women.
Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives, also can
worsen migraines. Some women, however, find that their migraines occur less
often when taking these medications.
- Drinks. These
include alcohol, especially wine, and too much caffeine, such as coffee.
- Stress. Stress
at work or home can cause migraines.
- Sensory
stimuli. Bright or flashing lights can induce
migraines, as can loud sounds. Strong smells — such as perfume, paint thinner,
secondhand smoke and others — trigger migraines in some people.
- Sleep
changes. Missing sleep or getting too much sleep
can trigger migraines in some people.
- Physical
factors. Intense physical exertion, including
sexual activity, might provoke migraines.
- Weather
changes. A change of weather or barometric
pressure can prompt a migraine.
- Medications. Oral
contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, can aggravate
migraines.
- Foods. Aged
cheeses and salty and processed foods might trigger migraines. So might
skipping meals.
- Food
additives. These include the sweetener aspartame
and the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in many foods.
Symptoms of Migraine Headache
Introduction
A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.
For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with the headache. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg and difficulty speaking.
Medications can help prevent some migraines and make them less painful. The right medicines, combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes, might help.
Migraines, which affect children and teenagers as well as adults, can progress through four stages: prodrome, aura, attack and post-drome. Not everyone who has migraines goes through all stages.
Prodrome
One or two days before a migraine, you might notice subtle changes that warn of an upcoming migraine, including:
- Constipation
- Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
- Food cravings
- Neck stiffness
- Increased urination
- Fluid retention
- Frequent yawning
Aura
For some people, an aura might occur before or during migraines. Auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. They're usually visual but can also include other disturbances. Each symptom usually begins gradually, builds up over several minutes and can last up to 60 minutes.
Examples of migraine auras include:
- Visual phenomena, such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light
- Vision loss
- Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg
- Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body
- Difficulty speaking
Attack
A migraine usually lasts from 4 to 72 hours if untreated. How often migraines occur varies from person to person. Migraines might occur rarely or strike several times a month.
During a migraine, you might have:
- Pain usually on one side of your head, but often on both sides
- Pain that throbs or pulses
- Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch
- Nausea and vomiting
Post-drome
After a migraine attack, you might feel drained, confused and washed out for up to a day. Some people report feeling elated. Sudden head movement might bring on the pain again briefly.
When to see a doctor
Migraines are often undiagnosed and untreated. If you regularly have signs and symptoms of migraine, keep a record of your attacks and how you treated them. Then make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your headaches.
Even if you have a history of headaches, see your doctor if the pattern changes or your headaches suddenly feel different.
See your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any of the following signs and symptoms, which could indicate a more serious medical problem:
- An abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, numbness or weakness in any part of the body, which could be a sign of a stroke
- Headache after a head injury
- A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
- New headache pain after age 50
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
HEART FAILURE
- There are various definitions of heart failure, however. They all centre around the inability of the heart to meet oxygen and nutrient requirements of the body.
- Heart failure/circulatory failure/pump
failure can be defined as "The heart's inability to pump blood, oxygen,
and nutrients to the body in proportion to its metabolic needs."
- It can also be regarded as a general term that refers to the inability of the cardiovascular system to perform the functions of delivery of nutrients to and removal of wastes from the cell.
- Heart failure is not a disease but a syndrome resulting from a variety of pathophysiological disruptions that place increased demands on the heart.
Types of Heart Failure
There are basically two types of heart failure
- Left ventricular failure
- Right sided heart failure or congestive cardiac failure.
Left Heart Failure: This is
the failure of the left ventricle to pump blood from the left side of the heart
to the aorta.
Congestive Cardiac Failure: This is a condition of stasis of blood in the venous system due to the inability of the right ventricle to function normally, or as a result of the failure of the right ventricle to pump blood into pulmonary artery.
Causes of Left Heart Failure (LHF)
- Coronary artery occlusion (myocardial infarction)
- Valvular defects
- Arrhythmias
- Pericarditis
- Hypertension
- Septicaemia
- Anaemia
- Pregnancy with underlying heart disease
- Rheumatic fever
- Pulmonary heart disease secondary to disorders of lungs such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Obesity
- Transfusion and infusion overloading
- Prolonged dietary deficiency e.g. Beriberi
- Paget's disease.
- Arteriovenous fistulas
- Environmental emotional stress
- Syphilitic heart disease
Causes of congestive Heart Failure
- Congestive cardiac failure often occur as a complication of left ventricular failure
- As for the previously listed causes of LHF, Asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis are other possible causes.
Management
The goals of management in congestive heart failure are to minimize, eradicate or prevent those factors which precipitate and or perpetuate the disease process, and strengthen the heart so that it can cope with its burden more effectively, to reduce venous congestion, to decrease sodium and water retention.
Chemotherapy:
The underlying cause of heart failure
must be treated accordingly with the appropriate chemotherapy.
However, the following are beneficial
in the management of cardiac failure.
- Diuretics
- Cardiac glycosides
- Mild hypnotics
- Expectorants
- Electrolyte supplement - mixture of potassium chloride
- Bronchodilators e.g. Aminophylline
1.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
APHRODISIAC
An aphrodisiac is something that has the ability to boost your libido and stimulate your sexual desire, performance, and pleasure.
Many believe that eating libido foods can get you in the mood for some love-making. Historically, aphrodisiac foods have been revered by many cultures as a way to invigorate sexuality. Ancient Greece and Peru, as well as the Venetians and Aztecs, used certain foods for aphrodisiac purposes. So do aphrodisiacs really work? Research indicates that aphrodisiac foods are not just an old wives’ tale––they can actually help you get turned on and perform better in bed!
History of Aphrodisiacs
The introduction of the drug sildenafil (Viagra) help generate greater interest in the use of aphrodisiacs, but their use actually dates back thousands of years. Throughout human history, people have turned to foods and other natural substances to help increase desire and even fertility.
Types of Aphrodisiacs
· Natural supplements containing ingredients such as Ambrien, Yohimbine, horny goat weed, and ginseng
· Food such as oysters and dark chocolate
· Herbs including cloves and sage
· Psychoactive substances such as alcohol and marijuana
· Synthetic substances such as MDMA (ecstasy), phenethylamines (amphetamines and methamphetamines), and synthetic testosterone.
· Spicy substances, such as hot chili peppers, are sometimes considered aphrodisiacs to induce feelings of arousal because they increase body temperature.4
Reproductive organs of certain animals, such as eggs or animal testicles, are sometimes believed to increase sexual potency or performance.
Foods that evoke the senses, including sights, smell, and taste, are often supposed to have aphrodisiac properties. By arousing the senses, such substances are thought to help people feel more sexually aroused.
Categories of Aphrodisiac
· Libido: Low desire is the most prevalent sexual problem for middle-aged women, affecting nearly 70% of women during midlife.5 However, low libido is something that can affect men and women of all ages. Supplements are often marketed to increase libido, although the effectiveness of these substances remains questionable.
· Potency: Aphrodisiacs are often also purported to increase sexual potency and performance. Some substances are marketed to improve stamina, lubrication, and endurance.
· Sexual Pleasure: Finally, some aphrodisiacs are marketed as being able to improve overall sexual pleasure. Such products are thought to make sex more enjoyable. Even people who enjoy a healthy sex life may find the lure of more enjoyable sex a good reason to try an aphrodisiac.
Others Ways to Improve Your Sex Life
If you want to improve your sex life, there are some things that you can do that can help:
· Eat a healthy diet. Research has shown that following a diet that emphasizes lean meat, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains can improve hormone levels, blood flow, and nerve functioning.
· Get regular exercise. Studies have shown that physical activity has a beneficial impact on sexual health. Even small bursts of activity can help with overall sexual functioning.
· Control your stress levels. Stress can have a serious impact on libido, so it is important to find ways to manage stress levels effectively. Good self-care and techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and visualization can be helpful for lowering stress.
Don’t forget that you should always talk to your doctor if you are thinking about trying a substance or supplement to address a sexual problem, incorporating certain foods into your diet can be a safe (and delicious) way to have fun with aphrodisiacs.
Potential Pitfalls
If you are interested in trying an aphrodisiac, there are some potential pitfalls you should watch for and precautions you should take.
· Talk to your doctor first: Don’t rely on aphrodisiacs to fix problems that might have a medical basis. Sexual problems can often be a sign of an underlying medical or mental health condition, so it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms, including ones related to sex. People are sometimes hesitant to bring up such issues to their doctor out of embarrassment, but its something important that you should mention.
· Be cautious of potential side effects and interactions: Also, don’t assume that just because something is “natural” that it is safe, harmless, or without side effects. Even natural substances can have adverse effects or may interact with other medications or supplements that you are taking.
· Remember that sexual desire and behavior aren’t one-dimensional: Physical factors do play an important role, but there are also important interpersonal and psychological factors at work. How you feel about yourself, your partner, and your relationship can all have an influence on how often you desire and engage in sexual activity.
If you are experiencing problems with sexual functioning, including low libido or physical issues that make sex difficult or impossible, talk to your doctor. Such problems are often treatable, or they may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.
Examples of Foods and Natural Supplements to Boost Sexual Life
· Raw Oysters
Raw oysters are one of the most well-known libido foods. Cleopatra loved oysters, as did Casanova. Even in romantic Venetian times, virgins were seduced by sliding an oyster from a man’s mouth into a woman’s. Oysters also contain dopamine which can increase your sense of desire.
· Dark Chocolate
This sexy superfood contains phenylethylamine, an organic compound that triggers a sense of happiness and excitement. The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study that found that women who enjoy a piece of chocolate on a daily basis have a more active sex life than those who don’t. In addition to being one of the most romantic desserts, chocolate is a food that you can play within the bedroom. You can easily make chocolate cream at home using raw cacao powder, cocoa butter, and a little coconut oil. Eat it as a treat or invite your partner to lick it off your body!
· Watermelon
Some say eating watermelon can offer similar effects as taking performance-enhancement drugs.
· Bananas
The vitamin B, riboflavin, and potassium in bananas can also make you feel energized and ramp up your testosterone levels making you feel ready for a romp in the sheets.
· Chili Peppers
Eating chilis can also activate endorphins in your brain and increase your heart rate which may get your sexual juices flowing.
· Celery
After munching on some celery, the odor of androstenone and androstenol travel into a man’s mouth and through his nose, creating a pheromone scent that boosts arousal.
· Vanilla
Research shows that the smell of vanilla can stimulate arousal in men and increase sexual satisfaction.
· Avocados
Avocados have high amounts of vitamin E which can elevate your energy levels and boost your performance in bed.
· Goji berries
Eating goji berries can increase testosterone levels, stimulating libido for both men and women.
They may even be able to treat metabolic syndrome which is a precursor to erectile dysfunction. These bright red berries are recommended by nutritionists to help people look and feel younger and improve stamina, mood, and well-being which can give you more sexual confidence.
· Maca
According to Organic Authority, “the maca plant is used by the Peruvian culture to increase strength, stamina, energy, fertility, and libido.”
The sweet root vegetable has been shown to boost libido and assist with erectile dysfunction in animal studies. Humans have also experienced increased sexual desire after eating foods or supplements containing maca.
· Pomegranates
The pomegranate fruit is a superfood packed with tons of antioxidants. Eating pomegranates can help generate blood flow throughout your body, including the penis and clitoris. As a result, many people experience increased genital sensitivity. Studies suggest that drinking pomegranate juice might even help with erectile dysfunction.
· Honey
This ooey-gooey, sticky-sweet food has many sexy qualities. Because honey is created through the pollination process, it symbolizes procreation and fertility.
Honey consists of boron which regulates testosterone and estrogen levels. It also contains nitric oxide, a gas released from the blood during arousal. In ancient Greece, honey was prescribed to increase sexual vigor. Similar to dark chocolate, honey can be played with during sex.
· Ginseng
Ginseng is a root herb used for tons of therapeutic remedies in both foods and supplements.
According to Medical News Today, it can “boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and manage sexual dysfunction in men.” Some believe it can boost your libido and sexual performance by stimulating the central nervous system and increasing energy levels.
· Red Wine
It might seem obvious, but red wine is considered to be one of the best and most powerful aphrodisiacs. It contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that decreases inflammation and stimulates blood flow throughout the body.
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