Healthy Weight Loss

GUEST BLOGGER - DEBBY SOETAN (Fitness Guru)

From an early age we start to become highly judgemental of our bodies and begin to notice what we may call imperfections. Haven been in that position myself, I am familiar with what it’s like to look in the mirror and spot areas of my body I would like to be trimmer, slimmer and leaner. Sometimes one even pulls the skin back on the “flawed” body part to present an illusion of how a firmer body will look like.

In most cases Africans are mainly concerned with the outer appearance when it comes to weight loss. People wanting to lose weight can often get fixated on the final target weight. However many are unaware of the huge health benefits that they gain from smaller amounts of weight loss achieved along the way.
The following significant improvements to health are realized with just 10% loss of your current bodyweight:

1. 10% reduction in total cholesterol
2. 40-50% reduction in cancer-related deaths
3. Over 50% reduction in developing diabetes


And that is only the tip of the iceberg. The benefits that a healthy and fit lifestyle can have are amazing. The aim of this column is to educate and inspire Africans to live a healthier life, and more importantly maintain it through exercise.

Tip of the Week: Did you know that it is estimated that a 150-pound person who walks 2.5 miles in an hour will burn approximately 210 calories? Walking can also help reduce stress and improve muscle tone.
Be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, preferably trainers. Also ensure you warm up before you start this is very important so as to allow your muscles to relax before exercise. Start by walking at a very gentle pace for about 5-10 minutes. The second half of the warm up process involves stretching. There are different types of stretches that can be done, such as abs and glute walking stretch, thigh walking stretch, calves walking stretches, etc.

Improvise. You don’t have to set time out of your day just for walking. We Africans tend to drive everywhere we go even for short journeys. Try substituting those short drives for a walk instead.

More information on walking can be found on the website walking.about.com.

Signs of Depression

Most of us suffer from some form of depression at times in our life. Life isn’t always easy and it isn’t always fun, it is normal to feel depressed once in a while. It’s when the feelings of despair and deep darkness take hold and won’t let go that you may be suffering from clinical depression.

This is more than just the blues, it’s a feeling that affects every facet of your life, making it impossible to enjoy your life and function well in society. You lose interest in things that used to captivate you, such as hobbies and friends, you feel tired and listless all the time and just getting through the day may seem like an insurmountable task. Many people that suffer from clinical depression don’t feel sadness, they feel empty and lifeless, apathetic. They may have a completely bleak outlook on life and have no interest in anything including eating and sleeping. They may suffer from self loathing and engage in harsh criticism of themselves. There are a whole host of negative feelings that come with clinical depression, even the possibility of suicidal tendencies.

If you are suffering from what you believe is clinical depression, you need to get help from a professional that understands the symptoms, the feelings, and what steps to take in what progression in order to help you escape from the depression and regain control of your normal life.

Focus: Sierra Leone - Free Healthcare

On Independence Day (27th april), the country with one of the worst death rates in the world among women in childbirth launched free healthcare for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and for the under-5s. It should save thousands of lives

Tony Blair's Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) has been working with the Sierra Leone government since October 2008. The AGI has set up sub-committees on infrastructure, communications, finance, drugs and logistics, human resources and monitoring and evaluation and provided strategic advice and support to the chief medical officer and senior health officials.

DfID has given $8.8 million for new drugs, as well as other help. Weekly meetings have brought together government and donors and aid agencies so that everybody has been in the loop and performed their own specific tasks

Outside help has been important, but the greatest credit of all goes to ministers and staff who have been working 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

There have been some major issues. The health minister was sacked last year for corruption. Junior doctors went on strike recently, worried about the impact the reforms would have on their lives. Health workers have been given large pay rises, from three-fold to six-fold, to compensate for the money they will lose when they can no longer charge fees. And there are still considerable worries over the shortages of staff – 50% of the healthcare staff Sierra Leone trains leave for Ghana, the UK or somewhere else where life is not so hard.

But the whole country is excited at the move and the expectation is that the community will help keep things on track. There is a toll-free number for people to call if doctors try to levy charges where there shouldn't be any, or try to charge men extra to make up for lost revenue from women, or if healthcare staff don't turn up for work or the drugs inexplicably run out. There is a real determination to make it work. This is not about political reputations in Sierra Leone or the UK. The lives of thousands of women and small children are at stake.


Congratulations to Sierra Leone.

Drink your way into wellness : Recipes

Its summer time and at this time of the year freshly squeezed juices and smoothies are very popular. it wouldnt be a bad idea to drink your way to wellness whilst feeling refereshed and hydrated. So, here are a few healthy recipes. You dont have to go to a smoothie shop to buy this. you can do it at home yourself. all you need is a fine blender and you are good to go.



♥ The Cholesterol Buster ♥

A juice made from Apple cucumber and celery is known to fight cancer and reduce cholesterol. It also improves any sort of stomach upset and headache. This juice is a must have once you have crossed your 30's. If you have this juice every other day, then you will not have to worry about your cholesterol level any more.


♥
Super Breath

This juice is specifically for people who want to improve their skin complexion. The ingredients are Apple, Carrot and Tomato. For better effect use Green apples. This juice also had an added advantage of eliminating bad breath. This is due to the Apple, Tomato combination.


♥
Super Cooler

A combination of Bitter gourd milk and Apple is used when one generates lots of internal body heat. This juice will instantly cool down your internal body heat and make you more comfortable. It also fights bad breath just like our previous recipe.


♥
Super Skin

It is a very well know fact that orange and cucumber are the most vital things to have if one is concerned about the skin. A combination of these two combined with ginger will act as a supper supplement for your skin. Its combined effect will improve the skin texture and moisture content in the skin. It is also a body heat reducing drink.


♥
The Wild Thing

Apple, Pineapple and Watermelon blends together to form a wonderful mouth watering juice which is excellent for your kidney and bladder. It also helps with dispelling excess salts from your body.


♥
The Sugar Fighter

This is a simple but very useful and easy to digest juice. It regulates the sugar content in our body. The juice is made of Pear and banana. Pear is good for an ulcer, constipation, and urination and also works for congestion, fever alleviation, and cough. Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt. Banana contains tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.


♥
Anti Oxidant

A juice made by mixing mango, pear, carrot and apple will act as an anti oxidant. It clears the body heat, counteracts toxicity and decrease blood pressure. Apple is a well known anti oxidant. The addition of mango makes this juice a very tasty drink.


♥
Purple Pine

Purple pine is made from pineapple and grapes. A black grape is usually used. The drink is high in iron and pineapple acts as a Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive agent. It is a good drink to have after your lunch or dinner. Grape juice is known to be good for heart.


♥The Vitamin Juice♥

This is an extremely healthy drink with loads and loads of vitamin content. It is made from Honeydew, black grapes, watermelon and milk (even try using a milk alternative like soy or rice milk). If you have kids at home, they will love this. Other than Vitamin C, it also has Vitamin B2. It also increases the cell activity and strengthens body immunity.

Fancy glowing skin? : Part 2

"you are what you eat” applies to overall health and nutrition and how the skin looks and feels. The skin is the largest organ in the body and should benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. the list continues from part 1 just incase you missed it.



Vitamin E
Best bets:
green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oils, almonds, hazelnuts

Also found in:
peanuts, red bell peppers, olives, brown rice, apples, whole grains, wheat germ, sweet potatoes, legumes (beans, lentils, split peas)

Essential for:
antioxidant properties; reducing risk of disease; fighting free-radical damage; potential to help slow aging

Sodium (salt)
Essential for:
regulating fluids and blood pressure

Note: Nearly everyone gets enough salt. Large amounts of sodium are found in highly processed foods (fast food, canned products, frozen dinners). These foods should be eaten infrequently, because an excess of sodium causes fluid retention and swelling and may contribute to other health problems.

Zinc
Best bets:
meat, seafood, liver, eggs, milk, whole grains, wheat germ, fermented soybean paste (miso)
Also found in: apricots, peaches, onions, seafood (oysters), cocoa

Essential for:
healing and overall skin health; working with vitamin A to maintain and repair skin; providing strength, elasticity and firmness to skin; promoting tissue growth; playing a role in many vital functions in the body

When lacking, can cause: reduced resistance to infection

Macro Nutrients
Carbohydrates
Best bets:
whole-grain carbohydrates (breads, barley, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, couscous, oatmeal)

Essential for:
energy, fiber and B vitamins

Protein
Best bets:
meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, nuts, tofu

Essential for:
energy and repair of body tissues and cells

Note:
Excess protein is stored in the body as fat.

Fats (essential fatty acids linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid)
Best bets:
vegetable oils, poultry fat, soy oils, nuts and seeds

Essential for:
maintaining healthy, hydrated skin

When lacking:
dry, scaly and flaky skin; hair loss

Water
Best bets:
water, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cooked grain products

Essential for:
proper hydration of cells; regulating body temperature; carrying nutrients to cells and wastes away from cells

when lacking, can cause: dehydration

Note:
Check your urine color to see if you're getting enough water.
Light yellow good
Clear maybe too much
Dark yellow/orange not enough

If you have special nutrition needs, discuss them with your physician.
Before making any changes to your diet, first consult your physician.
If you need a facial or want to read more about having healthy skin or if you have any problems with your skin.

Fancy glowing skin? : Part 1

"you are what you eat” applies to overall health and nutrition and how the skin looks and feels. The skin is the largest organ in the body and should benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. New research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.
Eating well and drinking plenty of water will help your skin, as well as the rest of your body, stay healthy. But can certain nutrients help prevent skin problems, such as dryness or loss of elasticity? And how much is too much?


Vitamin A
Best bets:
sweet potatoes, tomato sauce, liver, eggs, milk

Also found in:
orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as mangoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, tomatoes, asparagus; green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli

Essential for:
antioxidant properties, which help reduce the risk for certain diseases, including cancer, and help fight and prevent infection; growth and repair of cells, tissues and skin; relieving allergy symptoms.

When lacking, can cause: dryness, itching and loss of skin elasticity

B Complex Vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, B-6, B-12 and biotin)
Best bets:
whole grains and whole-grain cereals; enriched and fortified grain and cereal products

Also found in:
rice, wheat germ, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, fish, eggs, almonds, liver, yeast, low-fat dairy products

Essential for:relieving dryness and itchiness; easing stress
When lacking, can cause:
dry, flaky, sensitive skin; eye disorders

Riboflavin (B2)
Best bets:
whole grain and enriched breads and cereals; milk and other dairy products; meat and organ meats; eggs; nuts; green leafy vegetables


Niacin
Best bets:
whole-grain, enriched and fortified breads and cereals; poultry, fish, beef, peanut butter, legumes, enriched and fortified grains and grain products

Note:
Too much niacin, typically as a result of supplements, can cause flushed skin, rashes and liver damage.

B-6 (pyridoxine)
Best bets: organ meats, chicken, pork, fish, whole grains, nuts, legumes
B-12 (cobalamin)

Found in:
fish, milk and milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fortified breakfast cereals

Note:
Certain people may be at risk for B12 deficiency and should speak to a physician or dietitian before using a supplement. They include adults over 55, those with pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal disorders, and vegans (vegetarian who eats plant products only).

Biotin
Best bets:
eggs, liver, yeast breads, cereals

Vitamin C
Best bets:
citrus fruits, berries, red bell peppers, broccoli

Also found in:
potatoes, garlic, onions, dark green and green leafy vegetables (spinach, parsley), apples, cabbage, tomatoes, sprouts, melons

Essential for:
antioxidant properties; antihistamine effects; fighting skin infections and healing wounds; producing collagen and elastin for firm skin; healthy gums and firm capillaries

When lacking, can cause: scurvy; loose teeth and swollen gums; excess bleeding; wounds that won't heal

Halitosis - Bad breathe

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. this condition is very embarrasing for affected individuals. Bad breath should not be ignored and treatment should begin before it leads to oral infections.

There are many causes of halitosis and one commonly known cause is lack of oral hygiene. The regular and frequent cleaning of the teeth and mouth is very important to prevent and avoid this problem and other oral infections.halitosis is common problem caused by an excessive growth of bacteria. This often happens due to poor oral hygiene, poor tongue cleaning, gum disease, build up of plaque,dehydration in the mouth, smoking, bad diet or other causes. Effective oral hygiene such as proper teeth and tongue brushing is considered to be effective in preventing bad breath
brushing after each meal (or twice a day) is needed to prevent this.Also, regular flossing does help a lot.

Tooth decay and many other infections can also be the reason for halitosis. If you are taking care of your oral cavity properly but still have halitosis then you must consult a doctor to find out what the real causes are and get treatment for this embarrassing condition. Dentists can tell you how to maintain the health of your gums, teeth and other parts of the mouth. If there are no oral infections then be sure to visit a doctor.

There can be many medical causes of halitosis.There are some medicines as well which can cause halitosis as a side effect. Doctors are helpful in dealing with this because they know that it can be a symptom of a health condition other than oral hygiene, and they can surely help you get rid of it.

Men: your biological clock is ticking too :D

MEN who put their career before having a family should be aware that the ticking of the biological clock is as important for fertility in men as it is in women.
American scientists have discovered that genetic damage to sperm routinely starts to cause infertility in men as young as 35. The strongest biological evidence yet for a significant drop in male fertility in the late thirties is a warning to the increasing number of grey-haired fathers who are leaving it later to have children.

The popular worry that career women risk losing the chance to have children has long been supported by infertility research focusing on how the quality of women’s eggs deteriorates with age. Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle have now provided the first firm molecular explanation for why childless career men should worry too. The chances of having a baby are reduced if the man is in his late thirties or forties.

The study examined the sperm of 60 volunteers aged between 22 and 60. All the men had healthy sperm counts.

they found that, whatever the sperm count, its genetic quality was closely related to age, with a cut-off point for serious damage of about 35.

Men in the older group had higher concentrations of sperm with broken strands of DNA, more acute levels of such genetic damage and their immune systems were much less efficient at getting rid of faulty sperm. The sperm of the older men were also less vigorous swimmers.

the findings cast new light on the often overlooked problem of male infertility.
apparently about a third of all infertility is male factor. “Male-factor" infertility is more prevalent than people think. It’s not generally in the public’s mind that male sperm quality does indeed go down with age, from, as we now see, the age of 35.”

Men concerned about their fertility should avoid activities such as smoking that may damage the DNA of their sperm. there’s nothing anyone can do about getting older so men who want to retain their own best capacity to father children should try to minimise contact with toxic agents and maintain a healthy lifestyle.


The findings do not suggest that most men who wait until after 35 to try for children will have problems, particularly if the man’s partner is in her twenties or early thirties. But the study does alert fertility doctors to another potential problem when older couples have difficulty in conceiving

Reference: the sunday times

Whats new : A contraceptive and STD protectant in one?

A researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia is exploring ways to use quinones — a common organic compound — to react with enzymes in human semen. The technique could not only immobilize sperm but also disrupt the disease-causing mechanism of microbes that cause sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia.

Source: newscientist.com, time.com

Whats new: Fighting Aids

HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was. Today's challenges lie in studying the molecular mechanisms of HIV/AIDS and in making interventions practical — even where money is tight.

Natural immunity
A tiny fraction of people with untreated HIV never seem to progress to AIDS. These people also tend to carry a gene variant called HLA-B57. Last month, Boston researchers showed that this genetic trait works by helping prime the body's T cells to recognize viral mutations more easily. Figuring out natural immunity could be a step toward a vaccine.

Saving baby
For mother-to-child HIV transmission to be halted, an infant's first antiretroviral dose should come within hours after birth. That's hard for women who deliver far from a clinic. One new solution: a small polyethylene pouch, not unlike a ketchup packet. After giving birth, mom simply pours the contents into her newborn's mouth.

Source: Time.com
Photo credit : Duke university

Africans need sunscreen too (Men included)

There has been an ongoing myth for decades that dark skin doesn't burn, and so doesn’t need sunscreen. The truth is that all complexions can burn. Dark skin has more melanin than white skin and what melanin does is it provides some protection from the sun's UV rays - but you can’t depend on that alone. The extra melanin doesn't protect against the UV damage that accelerates aging or causes cancer. The best thing to do is to begin each day by applying a sunscreen or moisturizer with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 to 30 and reapplying often while in direct sunlight.

Below are common skin problems caused by sun exposure and tips on how to rescue your skin from the damage.

For Darkened Facial Skin

Changes in the skin’s pigmentation occur as we age and are very prominent in African skin. Exposure to both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light stimulates the production of melanin which most likely accounts for darkening of the skin. There are 4 commonly occurring types of darkening.

• Localized areas on the face and neck
• More generalized areas on the face and neck
• Dark under eye circles
• Uneven skin tone

A way to treat the problem is to adopt the daily regimen of applying a SPF 15 or 30 sunscreen. For those who are experiencing pigmentary changes, a SPF 30 combined with a glycolic acid cream or lotion are recommended. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are a great solution for Africans with this problem. It is recommended to undergo glycolic peels and, for sensitive skin, gentler salicylic peels.( consult your dermatologist)

For Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation are dark spots or splotches from UV-ray exposure .it needs to be treated with a prescription for 2% hydroquinone or 4% if severe( again consult your dermatologist), which is faster-acting and more effective than the over-the-counter variety. But make sure you don't use a hydroquinone fader longer than four months, because a rare condition of permanently darkened skin tone could happen. If this occurs, take a break for a month or two and then resume treatment. The widely held idea among black women that tanning will solve hyperpigmentation, by enabling the darker areas to blend in, is purely a myth.

For Dark Freckles (yes black people get freckles too)

Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPNs) is another pigmentary problem caused by the sun. These are benign cutaneous condition common among blacks. It is usually characterized by small, brown or black bumps that are sometimes mistaken for moles. A combination of heredity, aging and exposure to the sun are factors in the development of DPNs.

they are not dangerous and can easily be removed in a clinic. Since there is no cream that has the ability to remove DPNs, treatment involves either excising the lesions with as special surgical instrument, called a gradle scissor, or burning them with an electric needle. These procedures are well generally tolerated and healing generally occurs within one week. Side effects of removal may include light or dark skin discolorations which usually fade rapidly.

Reference: on request

Breast health : The wrong bra

Wearing the wrong bra can damage womens breasts according to health experts. if your bra selection is wrong it may lead to the fragile ligaments being stretched.

During exercise, your boobs move up and down, in and out, and from side to side. It is said that boobs move approximately 21 cm during exercise. Most of the bras are designed in such a way that it limits just vertical movement. For many women, wrong bra causes breast pain. Wrong bra makes women feel discomfort.

This is because they don’t buy right sized bra. There are many sports bra that do up at the back. Traditional bras are really good in supporting women. Some women who want their boobs to look big opt for wrong bras which doesn’t fit according to their breast size. You should always select a bra according to your breast size.

Many women are unaware that they are wearing the wrong bra. Changing shape and size of their breasts will change their bra size over their life time, mainly after menopause. The same case also happens during breastfeeding.

The selection of bra plays a very important role in breast health. One of the most precious assets a woman has is properly formed and shaped breasts. If you select a bra which is not your cup size, the shape of your boobs will be distorted and will finally lead to sagging. It is not recommended to wear tight fit bras as it will lead you to have scar around your breasts. It seriously affects your skin. While buying bra, measure your breast size. A perfect bra will give a good shape to your breast and it will not damage your breast.

Detecting Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death in african women today. early detection is one of the reasons why some cancer victims have a greater chance of survival.Its also been found that self-examination increases the survival rate of breast cancer.

below are some tips on how to do a self-examination of your breast to spot the first signs and symptoms of breast cancer. What you are trying to lookout for are lumps, knots, thickening or swellings which indicate a growing cancer cell inside the breast.

Tip #1:

Lie down on your back and put a pillow under your left shoulder. This will put you in an elevated position after. Raise and place your left hand under your head. Your left breast should be stretched and flattened a bit in this position. Using your right hand, examine your left breast for lumps in a circular motion from the rim of your breast area to the nipple, including the armpit area. Repeat this procedure by reversing the position to the right side of your breasts.

Tip #2:

Examine your breasts by facing a mirror. You can either leave your hands relaxed on the sides or raise them up. Look closely at your breasts for any changes such as the texture, color and orientation. In addition, observe if there is any skin irritation, retraction of nipples, dimpling or bulge and swelling or soreness.

Tip #3:

Examine your breast by contracting your chest muscles. Raise your arm near your forehead and clasp both hands. Then squeeze palms tightly together to make the muscles contract. You must do this while facing the mirror to see if there are any bulges. Another way is to place your palms on the sides of your hips and press them downward. As the muscles contract, check again for bulges.

Tip #4:

Periodically examine your breasts while taking a shower. Raise your one hand overhead, while your other hand carries out examination in a circular motion. Carryout this procedure on both breasts. Why do this in the shower? Because with soap applied on your skin, it can help your hand glide smoothly and feel the lump easily


Reference: cancer reasearch UK

Nature and your organs

Everything our body needs exist in nature. what i find very fascinating is the fact that some fruits and vegetables have similar resemblance to organs in our body. i came across this very useful information and would like to share.


Carrot – A sliced of carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines just like our eye. Science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.


Tomato – A tomato has 4 chambers and is red just like our heart. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.


Grapes – Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.



Walnut – A walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.


Beans – They look exactly like the human kidneys. They actually heal and help kidney function.


Celery, Rhubarb – They and many more just look like our bones. These foods specifically target bone strenght. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium on your diet, the body pulls it from the bones making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.


Avacados, Aubergines, Pears – They target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female. They just look like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats 1 avacado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevent cervical cancers. Also it takes 9 months to grow an avacado from blossom to ripened fruit.


Figs – They are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility and numbers of sperms as well as to overcome male sterility.


Olives – They just look like the ovaries and assist the health and function of the ovaries.


Oranges, Grapefruits and other citrus fruit – They look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.


Potatoes, Sweet potatoes – They look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.


Onions – They look like the body cells. Today’s research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Ladies: is everything okay down south?

A Woman's pH

pH balance is not just from the acid and base titration lectures most of us took in secondary school. The acronym pH actually refers to the body's Potential for Hydrogen, which measures the hydrogen ions that are in the body. . The body's pH is determined by a scale that ranges from 0 to 14; a pH lower than 7 is acidic and a pH higher than 7 is considered basic.

Generally the vaginal PH should be acidic, so you want it lower than a 5. If a woman's pH is high, she most likely has a bacterial infection and needs to see her doctor. if her pH is low, thats indicative of a yeast infection.


Here are some TIPS on keeping you privates healthy.

* use a light non-fragranced soap with warm warm water

* Dont Douch : use water and vinegar instead if you must

* Keep wearing of thongs to the minimal. the thong sits right on your butt. thats like a highway for bacteria. Thongs get so close and tight on your skin that it's almost impossible for the area to breathe (breeding ground for bacterial growth). It's fine to wear thongs once in a while when you have an outfit that requires them. generally, cotton underwear is better.

* wipe from the front to back when you go to the bathroom. that way you dont get bacteria from your butt where you dont want it as that is a MAJOR cause of infection.

* go to bed without underwear. the african weather is hot and humid most times.It helps if your V gets some fresh air every now and then.

Do you Have Bacterial Vaginosis?

When bacterial vaginosis infects a woman, a number of symptoms will manifest themselves. One of the most apparent symptoms of this condition is a fishy smell, an intense odor that is associated with the disease. Since the intensity of this odor is overwhelming, it is likely to affect the woman concerned emotionally as the condition will lower her self-esteem.

But it should be understood by the affected woman that the odor is not necessarily due to bad hygiene, although that is one of the causes for bacterial vaginosis to manifest itself, but rather it is the infection which is causing the bad smell.


As mentioned earlier, this smell can cause serious psychological problems to the woman concerned. Because of the bad smell she may suffer from depression and would refuse to socialize with people. At such times we have to reassure the concerned woman that hers is not an isolated case, as many women suffer from this condition. This is a common symptom with a huge number of women suffering from it annually.

The other symptoms of this condition include itching and a burning sensation in the vaginal and vulva region of the affected woman. Though the burning sensation and itching in themselves do not necessarily indicate the vaginosis, these are usually associated with the condition. Sometimes a detailed medical study may be required to arrive at the conclusion that she is suffering from this condition, though when the horrible smell is present along with itching and burning sensation, it is highly indicative of the infection