Disease Information

According to the American Heart Association, High blood pressure (HBP) is the single most important and preventable risk factor for stroke. With the increase in stroke cases today many times due to hypertension, it’s important to know the relationship between hypertension and stroke. Although stroke can be caused by other disease conditions like heart attacks, atrial fibrillation etc., the focus here is on hypertension. High blood pressure also called Hypertension is a disease condition in which the blood exerts a higher than normal pressure on the walls of the blood vessels as it is pumped by the heart throughout the body. High blood pressure is now a common disease condition of the elderly and even younger adults. There are two major types of High blood pressure Primary hypertension: this type is not associated with any known cause. It is thought to be linked to genetics or family history. Secondary Hypertension: this type is caused by other disease conditions that affect the heart, kidney or other organs. There are several factors that predispose individuals to hypertension, some are modifiable and others are  not. The modifiable factors are those factors which can be changed or adjusted by the individual. They include: Unhealthy diets: this could be due to over consumption of animal fat (unsaturated and trans fats) e.g. beef fat, pork fat, butter etc. This increases the level of cholesterol in the blood. Accumulation of cholesterol increases the risk of hypertension. Lack of regular exercise: Lack of regular exercise can result to a person being overweight or obese. Obesity is a risk factor for several disease conditions including hypertension. High consumption of salts Consumption of foods with low potassium content Smoking Excessive alcohol consumption Stroke is a disease condition which occurs as a result of complete obstruction or inadequate supply of oxygen rich blood to a particular section of the brain. It is preventable but can result in death, long term physical disability, memory loss etc. Stroke is more common in age 55 and above and in men than in women. HOW DOES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE LEAD TO STROKE? When very high blood pressure is not kept under control by use of medications and lifestyle modifications, it results to hypertensive crisis which can lead to a stroke. Hypertensive crisis is a condition in which there is a severely elevated blood pressure of above 180/120 mmHg. It could be hypertensive urgency or hypertensive emergency. Hypertensive emergency can lead to organ damage, stroke, heart attack and other health problems. The accumulation of fatty substances known as plaques in the walls of the blood vessels, (a disease condition known as Atherosclerosis) causes narrowing of the vessels. This increases the pressure with which blood passes through these blood vessels, thus resulting in high blood pressure. If a blood vessel that supplies blood to a part of the brain is affected i.e. narrowed or completely blocked, that part of the brain is deprived of oxygen rich blood. This can result in brain cells lacking oxygen and nutrients required to carry out normal brain functions. The brain cells die off and may result to complete shutdown leading to an  ischemic stroke. It’s also noteworthy that when a very high pressure is exerted on the walls of the blood vessels, the blood vessels become weakened, may rupture and bleed leading to hemorrhagic stroke. HOW BLOOD PRESSURE CAN BE CONTROLLED TO PREVENT STROKE? Take all blood pressure (BP) medications according to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take any other medicine without telling your pharmacist. Regular blood pressure checks: This helps you to know whether your blood pressure is high or within normal. You can easily check your blood pressure without the help of another person or yourself by means of a digital BP apparatus or by going to the nearest pharmacy. The other measures are lifestyle changes and they have proved to be very effective in addition to medications for persons with hypertension. They include: Adopt a healthy diet plan: This includes reduction in animal fat consumption, reduction in salt intake, increasing fruits and vegetables in your diet to provide the required vitamins and nutrients, increasing the consumption of fiber rich foods example oats, beans etc. Regular exercise: This can be done for most days of the week and helps you to maintain a healthy body weight. Quit smoking Reducing stress as much as possible Although high blood pressure cannot be treated, it can successfully be kept under control for a long time by using medications and a healthy lifestyle. So many people do not seek medical care early or comply with medical advice and that is responsible for many preventable deaths. Sticking to your Pharmacist’s advice is a sure way to prevent stroke due to hypertension. Obika Chinwendu  (B.Pharm UPH)

Abdominal cramps,  bloating, fever, abdominal pains, frequent, loose or watery stools, blood and/or mucus in the stools. The above are all possible signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur in adults as well as toddlers and children. It is a one of the foremost causes of childhood deaths especially in developing countries. The World Health Organisation estimated that 80% of deaths due to diarrhoea occur in the earliest years of life (first two years of life). In developing countries, children less than 3 years of age experience about three episodes of diarrhea each year. Also, in many countries diarrhea and other water/food borne diseases are note-worthy causes of death among older children and adults. From the above evidence we can now see that when diarrhea occurs it should not be taken for granted. It can occur as a result of the following 1. Type and/or quality of food ingested 2. Certain infectious disease states such as amebiasis and cholera. 3. Reaction to certain medications such as weight loss drugs, 4. Intolerance or allergies to foods such as sugar, laxative abuse, radiation therapy and exercise such as running. That begs the question, seeing how life-threatening a case of diarrhea is, what can one do when it occurs in the middle of the night when you cannot visit a health care facility or where there is no healthcare professional? It’s important to note that treatment of diarrhea depends on the cause. Common home remedies for Adults include; – Drinking plenty of fluids (3 Liters of Oral Rehydration Solution) prevent dehydration – Avoid milk and fatty foods – Follow the “BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) if available at home. – If diarrhea is accompanied by nausea, the person should suck on ice chips until the nausea stops. – Avoid exercises After the diarrhea subsides it is recommended that alcoholic beverages and spicy foods be avoided for two additional days. For toddlers and children; Diarrhea in toddlers and children pose great risk for dehydration, therefore they should be offered an oral rehydrating solution (ORS) soon (usually after 2-3 stools) Babies should be given breast milk more often. The BRAT diet should also be encouraged. In the case of an emergency, a home-made ORS can be made by dissolving 6 level teaspoons of sugar and ½ level teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 Liter of clean or purified water. Be cautious to mix the correct amounts. Too much sugar or salt can be harmful to the child. In addition making the solution more diluted is not harmful. Do well to see the doctor as soon as you can especially if symptoms continue. #Healthynaija Greatman Adiela Owhor (B.Pharm UPH)  

Many times we hear sad stories of people who suddenly slumped and where rushed to the hospital only to die on the way or shortly on getting to the hospital. Perhaps it was later said that the cause of that was an heart attack, one of the common symptoms usually ignored by such people is angina. It’s no news that our emergency services aren’t as top notch as it should so whether such patients should die remains another issue. Angina is a chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen or oxygen rich blood. It could feel like a pressure or tightening in the chest. It sometimes happens when an individual undergoes some physical exertion and might stop when such a person rests. However there is a need to still see a physician for routine examination. Angina itself is not a disease but usually  a symptom of an underlying heart problem. An example is coronary heart disease that occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked or narrowed. There are different types of angina with different levels of severity and the major risk factors for angina and heart disease include: 1.Smoking 2. Diabetes 3. High cholesterol levels 4. Obesity, 5. Unhealthy diet (especially one with high levels of saturated fat) 6. Physical inactivity etc. There are other possible reasons for chest pain such as gastro-esophageal reflux disease. It is therefore important to report all chest pains to the physician so that diagnosis can be done where necessary and treatment given to prevent worsening of the problem. #Healthynaija

Healthcare for the elderly is special. Some specific needs make their care difficult compared to middle aged adults. Here are a few of such reasons 1. It has been observed that more than half of persons aged 65 and above have some medical problems. These range from heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Arthritis etc. Most of these diseases have no absolute cure but require proper management to sustain the individual’s life. 2. The complexity of caring for the healthcare needs of elderly individuals is due to the fact that they usually have more than one of these diseases. Treatment of one of the diseases with a particular drug could adversely affect the patient due to the other present disease conditions. 3. The gradual reduction in function of important organs such as the kidney and the liver also play a role in the complex nature of their healthcare needs. The major result of these conditions is a gradual decline in their quality of life and a tendency to go into depression This happens especially since many of them no longer work or might have their children far away. The health of the older population requires special attention based on knowledge by specialized caregivers and family members. First of all, Family members must seek to fully understand the implication of these conditions on the patients activity level, diet and psychology. 2. Adequately trained medical personnel must be contacted for information on any action that needs to be taken as pertains their health. 3. Regular check ups cannot be over emphasized in order to monitor effectiveness of treatment and prevent the progression of such diseases. 4. Caregivers and family members need to encourage and remind them to comply fully with drug dosage regimen. 5. Lifestyle modification involving dietary changes, mild physical activity routine and cessation of smoking or alcohol consumption need to be monitored closely. 6. Most importantly caregivers and family members must support them spiritually, emotionally and financially in other not to make them feel miserable due to their dependence on others. There is a popular belief that old people are always sick but it has been proved that making the right lifestyle choices early in life can greatly reduce the incidence of such diseases in old age. Such lifestyle choices include; – A healthy diet with adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables and water – A regular exercise routine – Routine medical check up for early detection and treatment of illnesses – Responsible use of medications (to prevent damage to organs like the liver and kidneys) – Personal Hygiene Your Health is in your hands! Always make the best choices for your all round health. Olusanya Oluwatomi (B.Pharm UPH)

Although Rheumatoid arthritis is quite popular, it is actually not the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, but unlike Rheumatoid arthritis; it is not an autoimmune condition. There are two major forms of Osteoarthritis Primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis There is no exact known cause, but there have been some identified risk factors associated with it. These include: Older age, although some young adults can develop the condition. Obesity (the heavy weight puts pressure on the joints, thereby increasing the stress placed on the joints) Female gender Heredity Secondary osteoarthritis This is as a result of another medical condition leading to it. These include; 1. Infection (joint infection, sexually transmitted diseases e.g. chlamydia and/or food poisoning). 2. Severe injury to the joint 3. Birth defects which involve bones and or joints (scoliosis, hip dysplasia etc.) 4. Weakness of the muscles which surround and support the joints (This leads to increased work on the joints, causing a wear and tear of the joints) 5. Underlying conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease etc.) Symptoms: 1. Increased pain and joint stiffness after not moving your joints for a while. N.B. this differs from rheumatoid arthritis in the sense that the joint stiffness disappears after a short while, unlike the latter which lasts for a longer time. 2. Joint swelling 3. Grating, rubbing feeling when you move the joint 4. Decreased mobility of the joint Diagnosis If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you can visit the doctor (GP) for a definitive diagnosis. Below are commonly what your GP will test and examine you for: -Joint pain that increases the longer you move your joint -Stiffness in the joint that doesn’t last long (usually less than 30 mins), or in some cases no stiffness, just pain Joint swelling, tenderness -X-rays -Blood test, to rule out other conditions, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis Treatment There is also no exact cure for the condition, but there are good treatments that can help prevent the degeneration of the joints. They are: Life style changes: Exercise to strengthen your muscles, weight loss Pain medication Proper treatment of any underlying disease or birth defects that can affect the joints as well as infections. Physiotherapy treatments (please see an actual physiotherapist. (Do not google physiotherapy treatments and exercises) The physiotherapist knows better and will tailor the treatment according to your individual need. #Healthynaija Dr. Onyedumekwu Thelma, M.D.

One of the most common medical conditions known in almost every household is arthritis. If your grandma doesn’t have it, then at least a relative of yours does. However, just because it is popular doesn’t mean it is well understood. The purpose of this article is to help the average person gain some knowledge on this disease. The word arthritis is derived from a combination of two words: arthr- (which means joint) and -itis (which means inflammation). Inflammation is our body’s own way of getting rid of infective agents, and bad or damaged tissues. This can manifest as swelling, heat, pain, redness or paleness of the skin in the affected area. Arthritis is not limited to only old people; it can affect anyone including children. This is commonly referred to as “Juvenile arthritis” There are many types of arthritis, but the two most common types are: Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis. We will start with one of the most common ones known by the average Nigerian, which is rheumatoid arthritis. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS This is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means, instead of your immune system fighting foreign bodies and infections alone, it also fights your own body as well. In fact, it’s like a body guard hired to protect you, is also killing you. In this case the cells affected are the ones in your joints. As the destruction of the cells continue, it leads to damage of the cartilage (the biscuit-like bone) and bones that make up that joint. This causes swelling, pain and stiffness in the joint. We don’t know exactly what makes the immune system act this way. But, it has been identified that some people are at a higher risk of developing this condition than others. They include: 1. Women 2. Those with a family member who has/had arthritis 3. Those that are 40 years and above 4. Those that smoke Symptoms: It can occur in any joint of the body, but the earliest to be affected usually, are the joints of your fingers and toes. After which it can occur in the bigger joints, such as elbow, hip, knee etc. It normally affects the joints on both sides of the body, but in a few cases it affects only the joints on one side of the body. Pain: It is usually a throbbing or aching kind of pain which is worse after waking up in the morning or after a long period of inactivity. Stiffness: Being unable to stretch or bend the joints fully and also a feeling of resistance as you try to move your joints. Swelling: In some cases, the swelling present is firm to the touch. This is due to rheumatoid nodules (a kind of hard tissue) that has developed under the skin around the affected joint/s. Others: Tiredness, fever, poor appetite, losing weight. Diagnosis: If you find yourself experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is advisable you go to a doctor to properly diagnose you. The doctor will carry out a few tests to confirm if it is present or not. Tests may include: Blood test: Specifically, to check for the presence of rheumatoid factor and anti CCP antibodies. You don’t have to bother yourself about what these are, they are not going to kill you. Imaging: X-rays, MRI scans. Assessing your physical ability: either by filling out questionnaires designed to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, or by asking you to do a few exercises or both. Treatment: Let’s say you have a positive diagnosis. It is not the end of the world, although there is no absolute cure at the moment, it can still be properly managed. Early diagnosis and treatment help in reducing further damage of the joints and improve overall quality of life. The most important of which is lifestyle changes (quit smoking), and in addition there are medications, physiotherapy exercises, natural remedies to relieve joint pain and in rare cases surgery to help manage the disease. Dr. Onyedumekwu Thelma, M.D.

Headaches are a regular occurrence for most of us. They present in various forms and severity due to several factors. Sometimes however headaches might be an indication of an underlying health problem that requires medical attention. Generally headaches occur many times due to any of these Stress (probably the most common) A heated argument Side effect of Some medications       4.Certain foods Menstrual Cycle The primary aim of this post is to identify some ways in which headaches present that require seeing a physician and not just managing with regular analgesic drugs. They include; Headaches that present mostly in the morning and improves during the day. Headaches that start few days after trauma to the head because it might be due to an internal injury. Headaches that occurs on one side of the head or are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This could be a migraine. Headaches that cause drowsiness or a feeling of unconsciousness Headaches that dont respond to the regular analgesics and last for upto 2 days. Headaches that are associated with periods of reading might indicate deteriorating eye sight. If you or a loved one experiences any of these do well to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This makes it easier for any underlying problem to be easily addressed. Stay healthy #HealthyNaija Feel free to Leave your questions or comments Timothy Olusanya O. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” type=”1_1″][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””] Today, there are a number of diseases that can lead to lifetime of taking certain drugs. These diseases are called chronic diseases and they appear to be on a rise in this part of the world. One of them is diabetes. It occurs when the glucose in the blood is too high. Glucose is the major source of energy in man and it can be gotten when the body breaks down the food we eat. Diabetes has no cure, it requires life long management. Many people have come up with various drugs that can “cure” diabetes but all of them have failed. There are different types of diabetes 1) Type 1: This type is autoimmune, it is not caused by any external risk factor. It is an Auto immune disease because The immune system itself attacks the cells needed for making insulin. This usually happens in children or young adults. 2) Type 2: This can be caused by many risk factors that will be discussed later. Type 2 diabetes is when the body cannot use insulin properly. It occurs at any age but is seen in older people. Diabetes is preventable and easier to manage if it is detected early enough. There is a pre-diabetes stage, this stage is characterized by high blood sugar level but not to the extent of diabetes. If its detected at this stage, then such person can escape diabetes. There are certain risk factors that lead to type 2 diabetes: a) Age > 45years b) Cardiovascular disease and family history of diabetes c) Obesity d) High density lipoprotein cholesterol < 35mg/dl and triglyceride > 250mg/dl e) Polycystic ovary syndrome f) Hypertension g) Sleep disorders h) Gestational diabetes (Diabetes in Pregnancy) If you or anyone you know possesses any of the above risk factors, then a blood sugar test is necessary. This screening is to ascertain if such a person is are at the pre-diabetes stage. People who are at this stage can reverse the progression to diabetes by modifying their lifestlyes. Those who are not already at this stage also need to pay attention to these points. The preventive process involves: a) Healthy eating: You need to develop the habit of eating good food. Eating fruits and vegetables is very important as well. Its important that you blend your diet adequately and not eat only carbohydrates but spice it up with proteins and vegetables. b) Regular exercise: Many persons who develop diabetes live a sedentary life. They do minimal physical activity and this is not beneficial to their health, Regular exercises ensure that we burn those extra calories so as to keep fit and trim. c) Lose weight: Obesity is a risk factor in the development of diabetes, so of you are obese, you should lose weight. d) If the risk of developing diabetes is very high, your physician may prescribe a medication on a short term basis. e) Cessation of smoking and excessive Alcohol intake. Regular testing is important as it helps to gauge the effectiveness of the above steps. #HealthyNaija Pharm. Chukwuekem Chijioke [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ type=”1_1″ first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””] What is popularly known as Apollo is actually correctly called Conjunctivitis. It’s an inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva which is the thin transparent layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye. TYPES AND CAUSES OF CONJUNCTIVITIS INFECTIOUS CONJUNCTIVITIS It is caused by viral or bacteria infections ALLERGIC AND CHEMICAL CONJUNCTIVITIS This is an Allergic reaction to irritants such as pollen, smoke, chlorine in swimming pools, ingredients of cosmetics or other products that come in contact with the eye such as contact lenses SYMPTOMS OF CONJUNCTIVITIS -A gritty feeling in one or both eyes. -Itching or burning sensation in one or both eyes. -Excessive tearing and discharge from one or both eyes -Redness or pinkness of one or both eyes -Increased sensitivity to light TREATMENT OF CONJUNCTIVITIS Treating conjunctivitis aims to Increase patient comfort. Reduce or lessen the course of the infection or inflammation. Prevent the spread of the infection in contagious forms of conjunctivitis. For Allergic conjunctivitis, The cause of the allergy needs to be removed or avoided. In more severe cases your physician or Pharmacist could recommend some antibiotics particulartly in eye drop form. The selfcare measures below coupled with practicing good hygiene are ways to control the spread of conjunctivitis. Once an infection has been diagnosed, follow these steps: Avoid touching your eyes with your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Change your towel and washcloth daily, and don’t share them with others. Discard eye cosmetics, particularly mascara. Don’t use anyone else’s eye cosmetics or personal eye-care items. Follow your optician’s instructions on proper use of contact lens. N/B: In any case of conjunctivitis always seek the help of your Physician or pharmacist. Don’t self medicate! Reference https://patient.info/doctor/infective-conjunctivitis-pro Opi Ibinabo Derekefa Pharmacist-in-Training at the University of Port Harcourt [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]