If you sang to "leke leke" to give a white finger, then you just have to read this!

I’m sure most 80’s/90’s babies can remember playground songs like ‘janglover “, “who’s in the garden” “tinko tinko” and the likes. But there was this particular one that sounded like a myth but usually end up happening - “leke leke gimme white finger”.
I mean I’ll literally be flapping my wrist chasing white birds all around just so a white line can show across my fingernail. And God forbid I don’t get my “white finger”, I’ll literally cry myself to bed and start all over a...gain the next day. The surprising thing was that, I always do get a “white finger” within 2 days of chasing “leke leke”...
... so you can imagine how disappointed I was when I finally found out that it was not “leke leke “ that gave me the white finger.

White lines on nails most commonly appear as random white lines or streaks. They are caused by minor trauma to the nail. As the nail grows, eventually these lines will reach the end of the nail, where they can be clipped off. When fungal infections of the nail first appear, they sometimes look like random white lines. With time, they will spread, become more irregular in shape and develop a yellowish tinge.

Most white lines on nails are harmless and should be of no concern. However, if you have similar lines on many nails or a pair of lines that runs all the way across the nail, these could be an indication of a more serious underlying condition such as vitamin deficiencies, poor nutrition, liver or kidney disease, poisoning, major infection.
If you have these types of white lines or if your lines don't go away as your nails grow, seek advice from your healthcare provider.

Pharm G B. IDAMKUE

CANCER - EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES

Cells are the building blocks of your body. Normally, your body forms new cells as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes, new cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor.
Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues.

Cancer cells are caused by gene mutations. A number of forces can cause gene mutations, such as smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and a lack of exercise.

Symptoms vary widely or they may not occur at all. Some patients have abnormal bumps, unexplained fevers, blood in your urine, or a change to your usual bowel habits, night sweats or unintentional weight loss. It's important to be aware of any unexplained changes to your body.

The 5-year survival rates are 49.0%, 15.3%, and 2.8%, and the 10-year survival rates are 37.8%, 10.3%, and 1.6% for patients with localized disease, disease with regional involvement, and disease with distant spread, respectively.-Essential Concepts in Molecular Pathology, 2010

According to World Health Organisation one-third of cancers can be prevented. Another third can be effectively cured with early detection. There are four major ways to lower the risk of developing some cancers.
  Early Detection: Some types of cancers can be found before they start. E.g Breast, colon and cervical cancer can be caught at their earliest and most treatable stages.
  Diet : Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Limit foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Avoid processed meat and limit consumption of red meat.

  Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Being physically active contributes to a healthy lifestyle which can reduce your risk of developing cancer.
  One in three of all cancers is related to smoking. Cut out the cigarettes and reduce the risk of cancer. Also endeavour to avoid second-hand smoke; it increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease in non smokers.







Kindly contact me for list of cancer screening centres close to you.
May our lives not be cut short by diseases beyond our means in Jesus name. Happy New Week!

Pharm G B. IDAMKUE

COLD, FLU OR MALARIA SYMPTOMS...Know the difference!

It is important to know the difference between cold, flu (influenza) and malaria symptoms.

Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. This is followed by runny nose and congestion,cough develops by the fourth and fifth days. Children are more likely to have a fever, which is very uncommon in Adults.

With cold symptoms, there is watery nasal secretions for the first few days, which later becomes thicker and darker. Dark mucus is natural and does not usually mean you have developed a bacterial infection.

Several hundred different viruses may cause your cold symptoms.

Cold symptoms usually last for about a week. During the first three days that you have cold symptoms, you are contagious. This means you can pass the cold to others, so you should either stay home or go around with a lot of tissue or handkerchief and try to wash your hands frequently.

If cold symptoms do not seem to be improving after a week, you may have a bacterial infection, which means you may need antibiotics.

Flu is a super contagious virus that can make you feel miserable. It’s symptom is usually more severe than the sneezes and nasal congestion you get from common cold.

With flu,all symptoms come at once instead of over time. Symptoms includes that of common cold, fever, headache, muscle ache, tiredness and nausea or vomiting. Most symptoms last for 5days or sometimes a week. You can still feel drained for weeks even after the symptoms are gone.

Most people recover with no problem but some get problems like pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinus and ear infection. Asthma patients get sicker.

The symptoms of Malaria are often similar to those of flu(influenza). In Malaria the symptoms are persistent until the underlying parasite is eliminated. This can be for periods longer than a month.

It’s no fun for adults to deal with all these symptoms, it’s even tougher for children and babies and they are also more likely to get other health related issues.

Kindly talk to your healthcare provider about vaccines, prevention and treatment of these illnesses.

Happy Holidays!

Pharm G B. IDAMKUE

Reference:

1. link Accessed on the 17th of June, 2018

2. link Accessed on the 17th of June, 2018

3. link Accessed on the 16th of June, 2018