What you should know about lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is when you are having a feeling of faintness, dizziness, or you are close to passing out. It can occur alongside vertigo, which affects balance and makes you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning. Although lightheadedness and vertigo can feel similar, they have different causes.
Experiencing some episodes of lightheadedness is normal. In most cases, these episodes will pass quickly, especially if a person sits or lies down to rest.

Causes of lightheadedness 

✔️The most common cause of lightheadedness is orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up.
✔️Positional changes, especially quick ones, divert blood flow temporarily from the brain to the body. It is more likely that this will result in lightheadedness when you are dehydrated or ill.

The feeling usually passes quickly, especially if a person sits down again.

Other common causes of lightheadedness include:
✔️allergies
✔️illnesses, such as the cold or flu
✔️altitude sickness
✔️hyperventilating
✔️anxiety
✔️stress
✔️dehydration
✔️prolonged exposure to hot weather
✔️low blood sugar
✔️alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
✔️certain medications

Sometimes, lightheadedness may have a more severe underlying cause, such as:

✔️arrhythmia
✔️heart attack
✔️stroke
✔️shock
✔️inner ear disorders
✔️internal bleeding
✔️blood loss
✔️neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
✔️anemia
✔️conditions that affect blood flow
✔️head injuries
✔️eating disorders

If lightheadedness is due to a more serious underlying condition, a you will be experience additional symptoms.

Home remedies

If you are is prone to experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness, you can use the following tips to reduce you risk of falling or fainting:
✔️Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down.
✔️Drinking lots of water, especially in hot weather or during exercise.
✔️Eating or drinking something sugary or with simple carbohydrates when feeling faint.
✔️Lying or sitting down until the episode passes.
✔️Getting enough sleep.
✔️Avoiding caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.
✔️Limiting salt intake.
✔️if you thinks that their medication may be causing lightheadedness should speak to your care giver.

Treatment for lightheadedness 

While lightheadedness does not usually require medical care, your care giver may sometimes recommend one of the following treatments, depending on the underlying cause:

➡️medications
➡️physical therapy
➡️psychotherapy
➡️compression stockings to keep blood from pooling in the legs

Medications could include:

▶️diuretics
▶️anti-anxiety medications
▶️antinausea medications
▶️medications for migraines
If your care giver recommends physical therapy for lightheadedness, a physical therapist is likely to teach you exercises to improve your balance.

In people who have lightheadedness due to anxiety, a care giver may recommend psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you manage this condition. A therapist may provide other coping mechanisms to reduce your stress levels.

However, it is essential to seek emergency medical attention for lightheadedness or dizziness when one or more of the following symptoms accompany it:
➡️weakness on one side of the body
➡️facial drooping or numbness
➡️slurred speech
➡️chest pain
➡️pain in the arm, neck, or jaw
➡️sudden severe headache
➡️fainting
➡️numbness or inability to move the arms or legs
➡️vision changes, such as double vision
➡️a rapid or irregular heartbeat
➡️seizures
➡️vomiting
➡️You should also report to hospital immediately if lightheadedness occurs following a head injury.

Summary 

Lightheadedness is a common experience, and it usually resolves very quickly with no lasting effects. People who frequently experience lightheadedness can usually manage the symptoms at home.
In some cases, lightheadedness may occur as a result of an underlying medical cause, in which case a person is likely to experience additional symptoms.
Anyone who has concerns about lightheadedness should speak to a health professional.

Thanks and stay blessed.

Resources: MNT

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Posted by Queen Teephar November 25, 2018

Peptic Ulcer - What You Should Know

When I mention Ulcer, I am sure this 'Medical Term' won't be sounding strange to your ears. An average adult knows what Ulcer is and can even describe its most common symptom (pain in the abdomen or chest burn).

But do you know that Ulcers can develop anywhere in the body? Yes! Don't be surprised.

This is because Ulcer is a medical term to describe any form of sore.

This leads me to properly tell you that there are other Ulcers that could be located at other places (e.g. the Foot, Cornea of the Eyes, Skin, Mouth, Gums etc) in the body and one of these is the 'Peptic Ulcer' which most people only know as 'Ulcer'.

'Peptic Ulcer' is called Peptic because the Ulcer is caused by acid.

That established, I would have you know that 'Peptic Ulcer' mostly occur in either of these two places; the Stomach (Gastric Ulcer) or the Duodenum (Duodenal Ulcer).

So what causes 'Peptic Ulcer'?

You may have wondered for so long what actually caused the several Ulcer pain attacks that you have had in times past or you have a friend or family relative that has a Peptic Ulcer.

Well here is where I get to tell you the cause of this common yet unknown enemy😡.

The popular belief is that Peptic Ulcers are caused by Not eating early, eating spicy/hot foods, drinking acidic fruits etc.

Medicine once thought these were the causes too because coincidentally many patients had Ulcer pain complaints after these few things highlighted above. But medicine began to look into other possibilities because when even after eating on time, not eating spicy foods etc, these people still had these complaints.

Due to research we now know that Peptic Ulcers develop due to the action of a bacteria known as Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori for short)

This bacteria gets into the Stomach via dirty hands, foods, faecal contents etc. This could even be from childhood but most people don't feel any symptoms till they are older.

H. Pylori, when it gets into the Stomach starts to bore/work its way into the mucous layers of the Stomach (This mucous layer protects the Stomach from its own acid content (HCl) and other digestive juices).

Note: Certain cells in the Stomach have the responsibility of producing an acid (Hydrochloric Acid) that helps in digestion of food, kills bacteria from foods we eat etc.

Most times this bacteria gets under the mucous membranes and is protected by it so that antibiotics and antibodies cannot get to it this accounts for why it can stay for so long and keep causing damage.

Note that antibodies are the body soldiers that help fight invading micro organisms. Antibiotics are more like their synthetic form.

So let's get this, what H. Pylori does is like eating up a place that is covered by a sheet of protection from an acid, and once this protective sheet is eaten off, others surfaces underneath the sheath is directly open to the acid

The exposure to the acid leads to:

Symptoms of peptic ulcer 

-Pain in the upper part of the belly.

-Chest burns

-Belching

-Feeling of fullness

-Nausea

-Vomiting

Another factor that leads to ulceration of the Stomach lining is long term use of Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) e.g. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen etc.

READ ALSO: What you should know about Aspirin

NSAIDS are a class of analgesics that work very effectively in reducing pain and inflammation but sadly one of their side effects is Ulcer formation due to many mechanisms which I may  not delve into because of complexity. These side effects become so pronounced when they are used for so long.

This is why I pity those who ignorantly combine drugs (painkillers for example) most times they don't know that they may be taking the same drug in different formats or names.

Another identified cause of Ulcer is the  Zolinger Ellison Syndrome (ZES)

In this syndrome there is a growth (tumor) in the Duodenum (beginning part of the intestine) or pancreas. These tumors known as Gastrinomas secrete Gastrin which causes the stomach to produce a lot acid this in turn increases the chances of developing an Ulcer.

The post is becoming very long, why don't you join me in my next post as I talk about

- How to treat/manage Peptic Ulcer;

- The myths and facts about Peptic Ulcer;

- Frequently asked Questions about Peptic Ulcers.

Meanwhile, I hope you have learnt something new from the few things I have shared.

You don't have to live with that Ulcer pain forever. I look forward to seeing you in my next post.

I would always remind you to stay consciously healthy.

I care about you and your health.

Stay healthy

Feel free to make your comments and share the posts to educate someone else.

Have a great day.

Written By: Odunoye O.S ( RN) 

For JustAskNurse

Posted by Queen Teephar November 03, 2018

Signs and symptoms of infertility - men and women

It is not uncommon for people to experience signs of infertility. This may be stressful, as many people show no direct symptoms of infertility until they try to conceive.
Infertility affects both men and women. According to the Office on Women's Health , about a third of issues with infertility comes from women, and another third starts with men. The final third may be due to a combination of both, other factors, or unknown causes.
In this article, learn about signs of infertility in both men and women, as well as when to see a doctor.

Signs of infertility in women

In women, signs of infertility may include:

o Not getting pregnant
The primary sign of infertility is not getting pregnant after trying for a certain length of time.
A doctor may diagnose infertility if a woman has not become pregnant after 1 year of trying.
If the woman is over the age of 35 years old, she may be infertile if she has not become pregnant after 6 months of trying.
o Obesity
A 2018 study found that obesity might negatively affect reproductive health.
Women with obesity have a lower probability of conceiving and are at a higher risk for issues during pregnancy than those without weight issues.
o Pain during sex
Pain during sex, or dyspareunia, can be a sign of an underlying health problem that may influence a woman's fertility. Examples of such health issues include infections, endometriosis, and fibroids .
o Heavy, long, or painful periods
Heavy periods may indicate an underlying condition affecting fertility.
Some women experience a few days of light flow, while others regularly experience heavy periods and painful cramps.
Women who experience very heavy, painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis, a condition where tissues usually found in the womb are present elsewhere in the body.
o Endometriosis is a risk factor for infertility.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

• chronic pelvic pain (not only during menstruation)
• pain during sex
• back pain
• fatigue
• nausea
• irregular periods and spotting
• bowel problems or pain with bowel moveme
• Dark or pale menstrual blood
If menstrual blood is regularly paler than usual, this may be a cause for concern. Menstrual blood is usually bright red at the beginning of a person's period and may get darker over the following days.
Passing very dark, old blood at the beginning of a period can also be a sign of endometriosis. If a person is experiencing other symptoms, they may wish to speak to your care giver.

o Irregular menstrual cycle
The length of a menstrual cycle varies between individuals and over time. However, many people have a regular cycle, meaning that the time between each period is roughly the same.
Having an irregular cycle, including missing periods, can contribute to infertility, as it means a woman may not be regularly ovulating.
Ovulation is when the ovary releases an egg.
Irregular ovulation can be due to many issues, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, being underweight, and thyroid issues.
o Hormone changes
Signs of hormonal changes can be nonspecific, and a person may not notice them or know the underlying cause. A doctor can test for some hormonal issues.
Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause:

• unexplained weight gain
• severe acne
• cold feet and hands
• reduced sex drive or loss of sexual desire
• nipple discharge
• facial hair in females
• thinning hair on the top of the head
• Underlying medical conditions
Other contributing factors that may affect fertility in women include:

o damage to the fallopian tubes or ovaries
o premature menopause
o endometriosis
o cancer and cancer treatments

Signs of infertility in men

Signs of infertility in men can include the following:
▪ Hormonal imbalances
A doctor can test for infertility in men.
A variety of hormonal imbalances can affect a man's fertility.
Testosterone is a key hormone for male fertility, so problems with the testes that produce this hormone may lead to infertility.
Two hormones signal to the testes to make sperm and testosterone: luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
The pituitary gland produces these hormones, so any problems with this gland may also influence infertility.
▪ Erectile dysfunction
Hormonal changes, psychological factors, or physical issues may make it difficult to get or keep an erection.
If this becomes a regular occurrence, it may interfere with sexual intercourse or be a sign of an underlying issue.
▪ Problems with ejaculation or ejaculate
Having difficulty ejaculating or noticing changes in the ejaculate, such as a drop in volume, may also be a sign of an underlying issue related to a man's fertility.
▪ Changes in testicles
Healthy testicles are an important aspect of male fertility. Small or firm testicles that feel "tight" may be another sign of hormone issues.
On the other hand, swollen, painful, or tender testicles may be a sign of an underlying issue, such as an infection, that can also impact sperm quality and male fertility.
▪ Obesity
Research from 2015 noted that many studies link obesity in men with infertility.
Obesity can increase the risk for other conditions that may impact a man's fertility such as sperm quality and sexual dysfunction.

Other risk factors may also contribute to infertility in both men and women. These include:
▪ age
▪ smoking tobacco or marijuana
▪ drinking alcohol
▪ history of sexually transmitted infections
▪ stress
▪ poor diet

When to see an healthcare giver
Anyone experiencing signs of infertility and who has been trying to conceive for more than a year (or 6 months if older than 35 years of age) may want to speak to a care provider for a thorough diagnosis.
Sometimes there may be simple ways to make lifestyle adjustments to improve fertility, while other underlying causes may require treatment.
Even after an infertility diagnosis, there may still be ways to conceive that people can discuss with their care provider.


Resources: healthline

Posted by Queen Teephar October 27, 2018

For men- what you should know about erectile dysfunction

Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease down the road.

What is erectile dysfunction 

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.
Erectile dysfunction is also defined as difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient enough to have sex.

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction 

Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent:
➡️Trouble getting an erection
➡️Trouble keeping an erection
➡️Reduced sexual desire

Causes of erectile dysfunction 

There are many possible causes for erectile dysfunction and they can include both psychological and physical disorders. Some common causes are:
➡️cardiovascular disease
➡️diabetes
➡️hypertension
➡️hyperlipidemia
➡️damage from cancer or surgery
➡️injuries
➡️obesity or being overweight
➡️increased age
➡️stress
➡️anxiety
➡️relationship problems
➡️drug use
➡️alcohol use
➡️smoking

Treatment of erectile dysfunction 

Oral medications 

The following medications stimulate blood flow to your penis to help treat erectile dysfunction:
➡️alprostadil (Caverject)
➡️avanafil (Stendra)
➡️sildenafil (Viagra)
➡️tadalafil (Cialis)
➡️testosterone (Androderm)
➡️vardenafil (Levitra

Psychological counseling

If your erectile dysfunction is caused by stress, anxiety or depression — or the condition is creating stress and relationship tension, your care giver might suggest that you, or you and your partner, visit a psychologist or counselor.

Lifestyle changes and diet

Healthy lifestyle habits may prevent erectile dysfunction, and in some situations reverse the condition:
➡️Regular exercise.
➡️Maintain a low blood pressure.
➡️Eat a balanced/nutritious diet.
➡️Maintain a healthy weight.
➡️Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
➡️Reduce your stress.

Prevention of erectile dysfunction 

The best way to prevent erectile dysfunction is to make healthy lifestyle choices and to manage any existing health conditions. For example:
➡️Work with your healthcare provider to manage diabetes, heart disease or other chronic health conditions.
➡️See your care giver for regular checkups and medical screening tests.
➡️Stop smoking
➡️Limit or avoid alcohol
➡️Don't use illegal drugs.
➡️Exercise regularly.
➡️Take steps to reduce stress.
➡️Get help for anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns

Resources
Healthline
Mayoclinic


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Posted by Queen Teephar October 13, 2018

For Men - What do you know about prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affect the prostate gland.

Prostate is a small gland in males that sits below the bladder near the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the passage in the penis through which semen and urine pass.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It produces most of the fluid that makes up semen which sperm. The prostate needs the male hormone testosterone for growth and development.

What is prostate cancer? 

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate. These abnormal cells can continue to multiply in an uncontrolled way and sometimes spread outside the prostate into nearby or distant parts of the body.

Risk factors of prostate cancer

The following are the factors that can increase your chances of getting prostate cancer:

⭕Age: Your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age.

⭕Race: For reasons, studies have shown that black men has greater risk of prostate cancer than men from other races. In black men, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.

⭕Family history: If men in your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be increased. Also, if you have a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) or a very strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher.

⭕Obesity: being overweight gives you a higher chance of prostate cancer which is more likely to be advanced and more difficult to treat.

⭕Genetics: Genes are found in every cell of the body. They control the way the cells in the body grow and behave. Every person has a set of many thousands of genes inherited from both parents. Some genes that can increase the risk of prostate cancer can be inherited from parents. Although prostate cancer can't be inherited, a man can only inherit the genes that can increase the risk.

⭕Diet: There is some evidence to suggest that eating a lot of processed meat or food that is high in fat can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

⭕Lifestyle: There is evidence to show that environment and lifestyle can affect the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

⭕️Painful urination

⭕️Decreased Urine outflow

⭕️Blood in semen/urine

⭕️Pain at the lower back/hip/upper thigh

⭕️Bone pain

⭕️Erectile dysfunction

Prevention of prostate cancer

The following can help reduce the chances of having prostate cancer:

⭕️Healthy diet: Avoid high-fat foods and instead focus on choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and nutrients that can contribute to your health.

Whether you can prevent prostate cancer through diet has yet to be conclusively proved. But eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health.

⭕️EXERCISE: Exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight and improves your mood. There is some evidence that men who don't exercise have higher risk while men who exercise may have a lower risk of prostate cancer.

⭕️HEALTHY WEIGHT: If your current weight is healthy, work to maintain it by exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, add more exercise and reduce the number of calories you eat each day.

Complications of prostate cancer

Complications of prostate cancer include the following:

⭕️Metastasizes: Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs, such as your bladder, or travel through your bloodstream or lymphatic system to your bones or other organs. Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones can cause pain and broken bones. Once prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body, it may still respond to treatment and may be controlled, but not likely to be cured.

⭕️Incontinence: Both prostate cancer and its treatment can cause urinary incontinence. Treatment for incontinence depends on the type you have, how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve over time. Treatment options may include medications, Catheterization and Surgery.

⭕️Erectile dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction can result from prostate cancer or its treatment, including surgery, radiation or hormone treatments. Medications, vacuum devices that assist in achieving erection and surgery are available to treat erectile dysfunction.

Treatment of  prostate cancer

Your prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing, how much it has spread and your overall health, as well as the benefits and the potential side effects of the treatment.

Immediate treatment may not be necessary

For men diagnosed with very early-stage prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary right away. Some men may never need treatment. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance.

In active surveillance, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and possibly biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer. If tests show your cancer is progressing, you may opt for a prostate cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation.

Active surveillance may be an option for cancer that isn't causing symptoms, is expected to grow very slowly and is confined to a small area of the prostate. Active surveillance may also be considered for a man who has another serious health condition or an advanced age that makes cancer treatment more difficult. Active surveillance carries a risk that the cancer may grow and spread between checkups, making it less likely to be cured.

⭕Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Prostate cancer radiation therapy can be delivered in two ways:

Radiation that comes from outside of your body (external beam radiation). During external beam radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around your body, directing high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to your prostate cancer. You typically undergo external beam radiation treatments five days a week for several weeks.

Radiation placed inside your body (brachytherapy). Brachytherapy involves placing many rice-sized radioactive seeds in your prostate tissue.

The radioactive seeds deliver a low dose of radiation over a long period of time. Your doctor implants the radioactive seeds in your prostate using a needle guided by ultrasound images. The implanted seeds eventually stop giving off radiation and don't need to be removed.

Side effects of radiation therapy can include painful urination, frequent urination and urgent urination, as well as rectal symptoms, such as loose stools or pain when passing stools. Erectile dysfunction can also occur.

⭕️Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is treatment to stop your body from producing the male hormone testosterone. Prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to help them grow. Cutting off the supply of hormones may cause cancer cells to die or to grow more slowly.

Hormone therapy options include:

✔️Medications that stop your body from producing testosterone.

Medications known as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists prevent the testicles from receiving messages to make testosterone.

Drugs typically used in this type of hormone therapy include leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard), goserelin (Zoladex), triptorelin (Trelstar) and histrelin (Vantas). Other drugs sometimes used include ketoconazole and abiraterone (Zytiga).

✔️Medications that block testosterone from reaching cancer cells.

Medications known as anti-androgens prevent testosterone from reaching your cancer cells. Examples include bicalutamide (Casodex), flutamide, and nilutamide (Nilandron). The drug enzalutamide (Xtandi) may be an option when other hormone therapies are no longer effective.

Hormone therapy is used in men with advanced prostate cancer to shrink the cancer and slow the growth of tumors. In men with early-stage prostate cancer, hormone therapy may be used to shrink tumors before radiation therapy. This can make it more likely that radiation therapy will be successful.

Side effects of hormone therapy may include erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, loss of bone mass, reduced sex drive and weight gain.

⭕Surgery

Surgery for prostate cancer involves removing the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), some surrounding tissue and a few lymph nodes. Ways the radical prostatectomy procedure can be performed include:

✔Making an incision in your abdomen: During retropubic surgery, the prostate gland is taken out through an incision in your lower abdomen. Compared with other types of prostate surgery, retropubic prostate surgery may carry a lower risk of nerve damage, which can lead to problems with bladder control and erections.

✔️Making an incision between your anus and scrotum: Perineal surgery involves making an incision between your anus and scrotum in order to access your prostate. The perineal approach to surgery may allow for quicker recovery times, but this technique makes removing the nearby lymph nodes and avoiding nerve damage more difficult.

✔Laparoscopic prostatectomy: During a laparoscopic radical
prostatectomy, the doctor performs surgery through small incisions in the abdomen with the assistance of a tiny camera (laparoscope). This procedure requires great skill on the part of the surgeon, and it carries an increased risk that nearby structures may be accidentally cut. For this reason, this type of surgery is not commonly performed for prostate cancer in the U.S. anymore.

⭕️Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein in your arm, in pill form or both.

Chemotherapy may be a treatment option for men with prostate cancer that has spread to distant areas of their bodies. Chemotherapy may also be an option for cancers that don't respond to hormone therapy.


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Posted by Queen Teephar September 23, 2018

Compulsive Sexual Behavior - What Is It?

Compulsive sexual behavior is sometimes called hypersexuality, hypersexual disorder, nymphomania or sexual addiction. 

It's an obsession with sexual thoughts, urges or behaviors that may cause you distress or that negatively affects your health, job, relationships or other parts of your life.

Compulsive sexual behavior may involve a commonly enjoyable sexual experience (for example, self-stimulation) that becomes an obsession and becomes disruptive or harmful to you or others.

Symptoms of compulsive sexual behavior

Compulsive sexual behavior symptoms vary in type and severity. Some indications that you may be struggling with compulsive sexual behavior include:

👉🏻 Your sexual impulses are intense and feel as if they're beyond your control

👉🏻 Even though you feel driven to do certain sexual behaviors, you may or may not find the activity a source of pleasure or satisfaction

👉🏻 You use compulsive sexual behavior as an escape from other problems, such as loneliness, depression, anxiety or stress

👉🏻 You continue to engage in sexual behaviors that have serious consequences, such as the potential for getting or giving someone else a sexually transmitted infection, the loss of important relationships, trouble at work, or legal problems

👉🏻 You have trouble establishing and maintaining emotional closeness, even if you're married or in a committed relationship.

Causes of compulsive sexual behavior

Although the causes of compulsive sexual behavior are unclear, they may include:

√ An imbalance of natural brain chemicals. Certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine help regulate your mood. High levels may be related to compulsive sexual behavior.

√ Conditions that affect the brain. Certain diseases or health problems may cause damage to parts of the brain that affect sexual behavior.

√ Early exposure to sex that reconfigure the brain pleasure part..

Author: Arowosegbe Olanrewaju, RN

Email: hephzibaharoo@gmail.com.

WhatsApp: +2347065236277

Posted by Blog-Admin September 22, 2018

Vaginismus - What Do You Know About It?

It do happen that some women can't enjoy sex as they ought to. When her man is given the impression that it is painful, he may be turned off completely which may lead to issues in the relationship.

If you happen to be a victim in the past or presently, you are no more alone. The first step you can take is knowing what it is. When you do, the problem is halve solved.

What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus is a painful, involuntary spasm of the muscles that surround the entrance to the vagina, interfering with sexual intercourse.

When penetration is attempted, the woman's pelvic floor muscles tighten and virtually close the vaginal entrance, making it painful. This spasm also may hinder doctor's attempt to carry out vaginal examination.

What are the cause?

Vaginismus usually occurs in women who fear that penetration will be painful. In short, it is psychological.

A traumatic experience with painful penetration, such as rape or a history of sexual abuse as a child, may predispose a woman to vaginismus.

Chronic vaginitis may result in painful intercourse and lead to vaginismus.

Sufferers may also be particularly sensitive to the stretching sensation that occurs during penetration, which may trigger a spasm when intercourse is first attempted.

In some women, a contributing factor may be underlying guilt or fear associated with the sexual act due to a restrictive upbringing or inadequate sex education.

How is it diagnosed?

Doctor will examine the woman to ensure that she does not have any anatomical abnormalities of the vagina. And other STDs infections.

How can it be treated?

Any medical problem contributing to vaginismus is treated appropriately.

If the cause is psychological, a sex therapist may be consulted.

In some cases, a dilator of various size may be given to the woman to practice with until she no longer feels the pain.

What to do?

If you ever experience this, talk to your doctor straight away.

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Posted by Blog-Admin September 14, 2018

Know Your Blood Type, Food And Disease Associated

Did you know that there are diets that are compatible with your blood type? Findings revealed that some/a particular blood group(s) are prone to having some disease conditions.

A Naturopath, Dr. D'Adamo, on Blood Type Diet has answers to how diet and blood types are related.

Dr. D'Adamo claimed that the foods react chemically with your blood type. If you follow a diet designed for your blood type, your body will digest food more efficiently. You'll lose weight , have more energy, and help prevent disease.

What Do Blood Contains?

Blood is comprised of many vital components, including plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets.

In addition, the blood contains antigens. These substances trigger the body's immune system to attack foreign invaders, such as bacteria. Antigens can also attack "foreign" blood types that have different antigens.

Blood types are classified as A, B, AB, and O and are further grouped by the presence or absence of the Rh factor antigen, making them Rh positive, or Rh negative.

For example, O+ blood does not have A or B antibodies on the surface of the cells, but it is positive for the presence of Rh factor. In contrast, O- blood does not have A or B antibodies or Rh factor. For this reason, type O- blood is considered a universal red cell donor type.

Why Do you Need To Eat To Your Blood Type?

Dr. D'Adamo explains that when the blood comes in contact with certain foods, a chemical reaction happens, specifically with a protein called lectin.

Lectins, which are found in food, have a direct effect on the blood and the digestive tract. The protein binds to cells within the body, causing them to clump together and, potentially, to cause hormonal disruptions. This is effect on the body is similar to a foreign substance being present.

Blood Types And Diets

Type O blood: A high-protein diet heavy on lean meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables, and light on grains, beans, and dairy. D'Adamo also recommends various supplements to help with tummy troubles and other issues he says people with type O tend to have.

Type A blood: A meat-free diet based on fruits and vegetables , beans and legumes, and whole grains -- ideally, organic and fresh, because D'Adamo says people with type A blood have a sensitive immune system.

Type B blood: Avoid corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Chicken is also problematic, D'Adamo says. He encourages eating green vegetables, eggs, certain meats, and low-fat dairy.

Type AB blood: Foods to focus on include tofu, seafood, dairy, and green vegetables. He says people with type AB blood tend to have low stomach acid. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoked or cured meats.

Blood Types And Susceptibility To Disease

Research has found that individuals of certain blood types may be at a higher risk for certain diseases; studies have found that people with;

Blood type O have a lower risk for heart disease, but a higher risk for developing stomach ulcers.

Blood type A have higher risks of microbial infections, but Type A women experience a higher rate of fertility. 

Blood type AB and B blood have a much higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Resources:

Blood Type Diet

WebMD

MedicalNewsToday

Posted by Blog-Admin September 12, 2018

Suicide - Know More About It [Happy World Suicide Prevention Day]

Suicide, or ending one's own life is a tragic event with strong emotional repercussions for its survivors and for families of its victims. 

As the world celebrates World Suicide Prevention Day, we bring to you vital facts about suicide and how to be of help. 

    

A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. People who take their lives don't want to die, they just want to stop been hurt.

Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.

HAPPY WORLD SUICIDE DAY FROM JUSTASKNURSE!

WHAT IS SUICIDE?

Suicide is the act of killing yourself, most often as a result of depression or other mental illness. The effects of suicide go beyond the person who acts to take his or her life, it can have a lasting effect on family, friends, and communities.

RISK FACTORS OF SUICIDE

▶Previous history of suicide attempt

▶Depression and other mental health disorders

▶Substance abuse disorder

▶Family history of a mental illness or substance abuse disorder

▶Family history of suicide

▶Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse

▶Having guns or other harmful instruments at home

▶Being in prison or jail

▶Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as a family member, peer, or media figure

▶Serious medical illness

▶Being between the ages of 15 and 24 years or over age 60

▶Recent death of a loved one, isolation and loneliness

▶Physical illness, disability, or unbearable pain

▶Major life changes, such as retirement or loss of independence

▶Loss of sense of purpose

Level of Suicide Risk

✔Low – Some suicidal thoughts. No suicide plan. Says he or she won't attempt suicide.

✔Moderate – Suicidal thoughts. Vague plan that isn't very lethal. Says he or she won't attempt suicide.

✔High – Suicidal thoughts. Specific plan that is highly lethal. Says he or she won't attempt suicide.

✔Severe – Suicidal thoughts. Specific plan that is highly lethal. Says he or she will attempt suicide.

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE 

The listed below behaviours may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.

◼Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves

◼Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live

◼Planning or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills, or newly acquiring potentially lethal items (e.g., firearms, ropes)

◼Talking about great guilt or shame

◼Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions

◼Feeling unbearable pain, both physical or emotional

◼Talking about being a burden to others

◼Using alcohol or drugs more often

◼Acting anxious or agitated

◼Withdrawing from family and friends

◼Changing eating and/or sleeping habits

◼Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

◼Taking risks that could lead to death, such as reckless driving

◼Talking or thinking about death often

◼Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy

◼Giving away important possessions

◼Saying goodbye to friends and family

◼Putting affairs in order, making a will

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SUCIDE

✴ Myth: People who talk about suicide won't really do it.

Fact: Almost everyone who attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Don’t ignore even indirect references to death or suicide. Statements like "You'll be sorry when I'm gone," "I can't see any way out,"no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

✴Myth: Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy.

Fact: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

✴Myth: If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.

Fact: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

✴Myth: People who die by suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.

Fact: Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

✴Myth: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.

Fact: You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Source: SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

PREVENTION OF SUCIDE

Tip 1: Speak up if you’re worried

If you spot the warning signs of suicide in someone you care about, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to say anything. What if you’re wrong? What if the person gets angry? 

In such situations, it's natural to feel uncomfortable or afraid. But anyone who talks about suicide or shows other warning signs needs immediate help, the sooner the better.

Talking to a friend or family member about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult for anyone. But if you're unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask. 

You can't make a person suicidal by showing that you care. In fact, giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express his or her feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings, and may prevent a suicide attempt.

Ways to start a conversation about suicide:

✴"I have been feeling concerned about you lately."

✴"Recently, I have noticed some differences in you and wondered how you are doing."

✴"I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately."

Questions you can ask:

✴"When did you begin feeling like this?"

✴"Did something happen that made you start feeling this way?"

✴"How can I best support you right now?"

✴"Have you thought about getting help?"

What you can say that helps:

✴"You are not alone in this. I’m here for you."

✴"You may not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change."

✴"I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help."

✴"When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold off for just one more day, hour, minute—whatever you can manage."

✴When talking to a suicidal person

DO'S AND DON'TS WHILE TALKING WITH A SUICIDAL SUSPECT

DO'S :

✴Be yourself. Let the person know you care, that he /she is not alone. The right words are often unimportant. If you are concerned, your voice and manner will show it.

✴Listen. Let the suicidal person unload despair, vent anger. No matter how negative the conversation may be, the fact that it exists is a positive sign of suicide.

✴Be sympathetic, non- judgmental, patient, calm, and accepting.

✴Offer hope. Reassure the person that help is available and that the suicidal feelings are temporary. Let the person know that his or her life is important to you.

✴Take the person seriously. If the person says things like, “I’ m so depressed, I can’t go on” ask the question: “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” You are not putting ideas in their head, you are showing that you are concerned, that you take them seriously, and that it’s OK for them to share their pain with you .

DON'Ts:

✴Argue with the suicidal person: Avoid saying things like: " You have so much to live for, " "Your suicide will hurt your family ," or “ Look on the bright side."

✴Act shocked: lecture on the value of life,  or say that suicide is wrong.

✴Promise confidentiality: Refuse to be sworn in confidentiality. A life is at stake and you may need to speak to a mental health professional in order to keep the suicidal person safe. If you promise to keep your discussions secret, you may have to break your word.

✴Offer ways to fix their problems , or give advice, or make them feel like they have to justify their suicidal feelings. It is not about how bad the problem is, but how badly it's hurting your friend or loved one.

✴Blame yourself: You can’t “fix” someone’s depression. Your loved one’s happiness, or lack thereof, is not your responsibility (Metanoia.org).

Tip 2: Respond quickly in a crisis

If a friend or family member tells you that he or she is thinking about death or suicide, it's important to evaluate the immediate danger the person is in. 

Those at the highest risk for suicide in the near future have a specific suicide PLAN, the MEANS to carry out the plan, a TIME SET for doing it, and an INTENTION to do it.

The following questions can help you assess the immediate risk for suicide:

✴Do you have a suicide plan? (PLAN)

✴Do you have what you need to carry out your plan (pills, gun, etc.)? (MEANS)

✴Do you know when you would do it? (TIME SET)

✴Do you intend to take your own life? (INTENTION)

Tip 3: Offer help and support

If a friend or family member is suicidal, the best way to help is by offering an empathetic, listening ear. Let your loved one know that he or she is not alone and that you care.

Don't take responsibility, however, for making your loved one well. You can offer support, but you can't get better for a suicidal person. He or she has to make a personal commitment to recovery.

It takes a lot of courage to help someone who is suicidal. Witnessing a loved one dealing with thoughts about ending his or her own life can stir up many difficult emotions. As you're helping a suicidal person, don't forget to take care of yourself. 

Find someone that you trust like a friend, family member, clergyman, or counselor to talk to about your feelings and get support of your own.

To help a suicidal person:

✴Get professional help. Do everything in your power to get a suicidal person the help he or she needs. Call a crisis line for advice and referrals. Encourage the person to see a mental health professional, help locate a treatment facility, or take them to appreciate facility.

✴Follow-up on treatment. If the care provider prescribes medication, make sure your friend or loved one takes it as directed. Be aware of possible side effects and be sure to notify the physician if the person seems to be getting worse. It often takes time and persistence to find the medication or therapy that’s right for a particular person.

✴Be proactive. Those contemplating suicide often don't believe they can be helped, so you may have to be more proactive at offering assistance.

Saying, “Call me if you need anything” is too vague. Don’t wait for the person to call you or even to return your calls. Drop by, call again, invite the person out.

✴Encourage positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and getting out in the sun or into nature for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is also extremely important as it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

✴Make a safety plan. Help the person develop a set of steps he or she promises to follow during a suicidal crisis. It should identify any triggers that may lead to a suicidal crisis, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships. Also include contact numbers for the person's therapist, as well as friends and family members who will help in an emergency.

✴Remove potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If the person is likely to take an overdose, keep medications locked away or give out only as the person needs them.

✴Continue your support. Even after the immediate suicidal crisis has passed, stay in touch with the person, periodically checking in or dropping by. Your support is vital to ensure your friend or loved one remains on the recovery track.

Written By: Abubakar Bukola, RN

Do you find this article helpful? Endeavor to share and help someone👍👇

Posted by Blog-Admin September 10, 2018

Breast Cancer - Everything You Need To Know

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped improve the screening, diagnosis and advances in the treatment of breast cancer. 

Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths has reduced greatly, which is largely due to a number of factors such as earlier detection, a prompt approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

This is the type of cancer that forms within the cells of the breast.

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, and the second main cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

RISK FACTORS TO BREAST CANCER 

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

▶Being female: Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer.

▶Age: Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.

▶Previous history of breast cancer: If you've had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.

▶Heredity: If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, you have a higher risk of breast cancer. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

▶Radiation exposure: If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.

▶Obesity: Being overweight increases your risk of breast cancer.

▶Early menachy: Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.

▶Late menopause: If you began menopause at an older age, you're more likely to develop breast cancer.

▶Grand primiparous: Women who give birth to their first child after age 35 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

▶have never been pregnant: Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more pregnancies.

▶Hormone therapy: Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.

▶Alcohol: Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER 

▶A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue

▶Bloody discharge from the nipple

▶Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast

▶Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling

▶A newly inverted nipple

▶Peeling, scaling or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin

▶Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange.

STAGES OF BREAST CANCER 

There are different ways of staging breast cancer. One way is from stage 0 to 4, and it is staged according to the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Stage 0: Known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the cells are limited to within a duct and have not invaded surrounding tissues.

Stage 1: At the beginning of this stage, the tumor is up to 2 centimeters (cm) across and it has not affected any lymph nodes.

Stage 2: The tumor is 2 cm across and it has started to spread to nearby nodes.

Stage 3: The tumor is up to 5 cm across and it may have spread to some lymph nodes.

Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant organs, especially the bones, liver, brain, or lungs.

MANAGEMENT OF BREAST CANCER 

The main options include:

◻surgery

◻radiation therapy

◻biological therapy, or targeted drug therapy

◻hormone therapy

◻chemotherapy

Most women undergo surgery for breast cancer and also receive additional treatment before or after surgery, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation.

There are many options for breast cancer treatment, and you may feel overwhelmed as you make complex decisions about your treatment. Consider seeking a second opinion from a breast specialist in a breast center or clinic. Talk to other women who have faced the same decision.

✔Breast cancer surgery

Operations used to treat breast cancer include:

▶Removing the breast cancer (lumpectomy). During lumpectomy, which may be referred to as breast-sparing surgery or wide local excision, the surgeon removes the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue. Lumpectomy is typically reserved for smaller tumors.

▶Removing the entire breast (mastectomy). Mastectomy is surgery to remove all of your breast tissue. Most mastectomy procedures remove all of the breast tissue — the lobules, ducts, fatty tissue and some skin, including the nipple and areola (simple mastectomy).

In a skin-sparing mastectomy, the skin over the breast is left intact to improve reconstruction and appearance. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, the nipple may also be spared.

▶Removing a limited number of lymph nodes (sentinel node biopsy). To determine whether cancer has spread to your lymph nodes, your surgeon will discuss with you the role of removing the lymph nodes that are the first to receive the lymph drainage from your tumor.If no cancer is found in those lymph nodes, the chance of finding cancer in any of the remaining lymph nodes is small and no other nodes need to be removed.

▶Removing several lymph nodes (axillary lymph node dissection). If cancer is found in the sentinel node, your surgeon will discuss with you the role of removing additional lymph nodes in your armpit.

▶Removing both breasts. Some women with cancer in one breast may choose to have their other (healthy) breast removed (contralateral prophylactic mastectomy) if they have a very increased risk of cancer in the other breast because of a genetic predisposition or strong family history.

Some women choose to have breast reconstruction after surgery. Discuss your options and preferences with your surgeon.

Consider a referral to a plastic surgeon before your breast cancer surgery. Your options may include reconstruction with a breast implant (silicone or water-filled) or reconstruction using your own tissue. These operations can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date.

✔Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is typically done using a large machine that aims the energy beams at your body (external beam radiation). But radiation can also be done by placing radioactive material inside your body (brachytherapy).

External beam radiation is commonly used after lumpectomy for early-stage breast cancer. Care giver may also recommend radiation therapy to the chest wall after mastectomy for larger breast cancers or cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes.

✔Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. If your cancer has a high risk of returning or spreading to another part of your body, your care giver may recommend chemotherapy to decrease the chance that the cancer will re-occur. This is known as adjuvant systemic chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is sometimes given before surgery in women with larger breast tumors. The goal is to shrink a tumor to a size that makes it easier to remove with surgery.

Chemotherapy is also used in women whose cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to try to control the cancer and decrease any symptoms the cancer is causing.

✔Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy — perhaps more properly termed hormone-blocking therapy is often used to treat breast cancers that are sensitive to hormones. Care givers sometimes refer to these cancers as estrogen receptor positive (ER positive) and progesterone receptor positive (PR positive) cancers.

Hormone therapy can be used after surgery or other treatments to decrease the chance of your cancer returning. If the cancer has already spread, hormone therapy may shrink and control it.

Treatments that can be used in hormone therapy include:

Medications that block hormones from attaching to cancer cells. Selective estrogen receptor modulator.

◼ (SERM) medications act by blocking estrogen from attaching to the estrogen receptor on the cancer cells, slowing the growth of tumors and killing tumor cells.

SERMs include tamoxifen, raloxifene (Evista) and toremifene (Fareston).

Possible side effects include hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. More-significant risks include blood clots, stroke, uterine cancer and cataracts.

◼ Aromatase inhibitors include anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin).

Side effects include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, joint and muscle pain, as well as an increased risk of bone thinning (osteoporosis).

✔Targeted drugs

Targeted drug treatments attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells. 

Targeted drugs used to treat breast cancer include:

◼Trastuzumab (Herceptin).

◼Pertuzumab (Perjeta)

◼Ado-trastuzumab (Kadcyla)

◼Lapatinib (Tykerb).

COPING AND SUPPORT MECHANISM 

A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. And just when you're trying to cope with the shock and the fears about your future, you're asked to make important decisions about your treatment.

Every woman has her own way of coping with a breast cancer diagnosis. Until you find what works for you, it might try the following:

✔Learn what you need to know about your breast cancer. If you'd like to know more about your breast cancer, ask your care giver for the details of your cancer.  the type, stage and hormone receptor status.

Ask for good sources of up-to-date information on your treatment options. Knowing more about your cancer and your options may help you feel more confident when making treatment decisions. Still, some women may not want to know the details of their cancer. If this is how you feel, let your care provider know that, too.

✔Talk with other breast cancer survivors. You may find it helpful and encouraging to talk to other women with breast cancer. Find out about support groups in your area and online.

✔Find someone to talk about your feelings with. Find a friend or family member who is a good listener, or talk with a clergy member or counselor. Ask your cear provider for a referral to a counselor or other professional who works with cancer survivors.

✔Keep your friends and family close. Your friends and family can provide a crucial support network for you during your cancer treatment.

✔As you begin telling people about your breast cancer diagnosis, you'll likely get many offers for help. Think ahead about things you may want help with, whether it's having someone to talk to if you're feeling low or getting help preparing meals.

✔Maintain intimacy with your partner. In Western cultures, women's breasts are associated with attractiveness, femininity and sexuality. Because of these attitudes, breast cancer may affect your self-image and erode your confidence in intimate relationships. Talk to your partner about your insecurities and your feelings.

PREVENTION OF BREAST CANCER

Making changes in your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Try to:

▶breast cancer screening: Discuss with your doctor when to begin breast cancer screening exams and tests, such as clinical breast exams and mammograms.

▶breast self-exam for breast awareness: Women may choose to become familiar with their breasts by occasionally inspecting their breasts during a breast self-exam for breast awareness. If there is a new change, lumps or other unusual signs in your breasts, talk to your care provider promptly.

Breast awareness can't prevent breast cancer, but it may help you to better understand the normal changes that your breasts undergo and identify any unusual signs and symptoms.

▶Drink alcohol in moderation: if at all. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to less than one drink a day, if you choose to drink.

▶Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you haven't been active lately, ask your doctor whether it's OK and start slowly.

▶Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy: Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your care provider about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

Some women experience bothersome signs and symptoms during menopause and, for these women, the increased risk of breast cancer may be acceptable in order to relieve menopause signs and symptoms. To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.

▶Healthy weight: If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask your care giver about healthy strategies to accomplish this. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.

▶Healthy diet: Women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts may have a reduced risk of breast cancer. 

The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, like olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.

Written By: Abubakar Bukola, RN.

[Nurse Abubakar is an admin on JustAskNurse]

Posted by Blog-Admin September 05, 2018