Fashions That Can be Hazardous to Your Health

We've all heard various fashion rumors throughout the years. Some may have been invented by parents who did not care for "new" fashions that were not up to their standards. Some may have been invented by teens who did not buy in to the latest fashion craze, and some may truly be urban myths. Want to know the low-down on some of these fashion tales? Read on…

1) Thongs can cause infections- This one is true, but it’s not just thongs that can cause vaginal infections. Wearing very tight jeans or too-tight underwear of any kind may lead to infection in women, due to the close proximity of the anus to the vagina, not to be too graphic. This proximity allows bacteria to spread, especially when tight clothing is added to the mix.

2) Carrying a heavy purse can cause back problems- Perhaps not back problems, but certainly back pain. Why? Because people tend to carry heavy bags on one side, rarely switching sides. This can cause back strain over time. Does it cause permanent damage? Not likely.

3) Skinny jeans can cause nerve problems- This one is actually true. When nerves in the groin become compressed as a result of wearing too-tight jeans, pain, tingling, or burning can result, and may even be permanent. This condition is called meralgia paresthetica, a fancy term for a pinched nerve.

4) Underwire bras can cause cancer- This one is not true, but they can cause discomfort, as can any bras that don’t fit properly. Many women attribute back pain to their bra, when it is likely weak back muscles supporting large breasts that are the issue.

5) High heels can cause back problems- This one is true, and high heels can also damage your feet. High heels are hard on your arches, and make you tip forward on your back, affecting correct walking posture. Over time, incorrect posture can lead to back pain.


There’s often a small kernel of truth in even the most outlandish claims.

Reduce Your Risk of Salmonella from Eggs

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious and economical foods. A bacterium, Salmonella Enteritidis, can be on both the outside and inside of eggs that appear to be normal, and if the eggs are eaten raw or undercooked, the bacterium can cause illness.

What can I do to reduce my risk of getting Salmonella Enteritidis from eggs?

Eggs, like meat, poultry, milk, and other foods, are safe when handled properly. Shell eggs are safest when stored in the refrigerator, individually and thoroughly cooked, and promptly consumed. The larger the number of Salmonella present in the egg, the more likely it is to cause illness. Keeping eggs adequately refrigerated prevents any Salmonella present in the eggs from growing to higher numbers, so eggs should be kept refrigerated until they are used.

Cooking reduces the number of bacteria present in an egg; however, an egg with a runny yolk still poses a greater risk than a completely cooked egg. Undercooked egg whites and yolks have been associated with outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. Both should be consumed promptly and not be kept warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

What are the specific actions I can take to reduce my risk of a Salmonella Enteritidis infection?

1.Keep eggs refrigerated at ≤ 45° F (≤7° C) at all times.
2.Discard cracked or dirty eggs.
3.Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.
4.Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking.
5.Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
6.Refrigerate unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly.
7.Avoid eating raw eggs.
8.Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.
9.Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially by young children, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems or debilitating illness.

Who is most at risk for getting Salmonella Enteritidis?

The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems may have a more severe illness. In these patients, the infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

How do I know if I have Salmonella Enteritidis?

A person infected with the Salmonella Enteritidis bacterium usually has fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea beginning 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated food or beverage. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without antibiotic treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and the person may be ill enough to require hospitalization. See a doctor as soon as possible if the above symptoms are suspected.

Source :CDC

Health risks of Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery procedures are on the rise amongst Nigerians living in Nigeria and in the diaspora. Women are not alone when it comes to surgical enhancements, Men seek such procedures too although they are more common among women. With the advent of plastic surgery, more and more females are going under the knife to get drop dead gorgeous looks and whats more surprising is younger girls follow this trend too. There are a number of side effects of plastic surgery, even in the hands of a qualified professional. Just incase you are considering having one here are some side effects. Hopefully when you are done reading this you just might change your mind.

Reaction to Anesthesia: One of the side effects of plastic surgery is a negative reaction to anesthesia.Some individuals may take longer time waking up than expected while individuals with pre-existing conditions could have severe reactions on vital organs like the heart leading to death.

Infection:Individuals who undergo plastic surgery open themselves up to the possibility of getting infections because of unsanitary conditions in the operating room to contaminations after the procedure.Some infections slow down the healing process, others have been known to cause death

Sutures: Sutures if not closed properly can loosen and cause massive bleeding (internally and externally) and in worst case scenario, haemorrhages. In addition to causing bleeding, loose sutures need to be re-stitched which would need another surgery, possibly with permanent scars in the end.

Nerve Damage: Another side effect of plastic surgery is nerve damage or loss of feeling in the area of the body the procedure was performed on.

Fluid Buildup: medically referred to as seroma, occur in areas of the body where tissue has been removed. This condition usually disappears after a month. If it goes beyond that point, patients need to go back to their doctors.

Blood Clots: Are side effects on plastic surgery in which blood collects localized areas of the body. Doctors can drain the blood from these areas. Blood clots that occur in sensitive areas like the brain require dramatic treatments that could be dangerous and life-threatening. A major concern about these clots is how fast they break up and dissolve into the blood.There have been cases when undissolved blood clots have dislodged from the wounds and traveled to other parts of the body, causing serious harm in the form of heart attacks, strokes and brain damage.

Pain: A common side effect of plastic surgery is pain in the incision area, especially in procedures like breast implants and face lifts. These procedures require a lot of stretching of the skin.

Vomiting and Nausea: Definitely not so much of a concern when compared to other bigger issues, nausea and vomiting are very common after effects of cosmetic surgeries and can not be taken lightly, especially if you have a weak immune system.Most of the time an individual who has undergone cosmetic surgery feels nauseous due to the effect of the anesthesia that was administered during the procedure. This can be thwarted though if the individual opts for localized anesthesia that does not cause the same side effects as general anesthesia

photo credit : Getty Images

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.

Men get yeast Infections too...

Few men know that they also can get yeast infections. Yeast infections are not gender specific. The cause of yeast infections, an out of balance Candida Albicans fungus level in the body, can affect either men or women, and when out of balance, can produce negative symptomatic consequences in the genitals .
Sexual transmission with a partner who also has a yeast infection is a method of commuting this bacterial malady. To protect yourself from sexual transmission, open communication with sexual partners about the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and infections, as well as the use of barrier protection, such as condoms have been known to reduce infections.

A man with a yeast infection will most likely experience some similar symptoms as those of women, such as genital itching, discomfort, or even discharge. If any of these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention should be sought in order to rule out more serious medical conditions before seeking over the counter remedies.

Other symptoms might not lead the man to think of yeast infections at all when experienced. Severe stomach cramps, uncontrollable or increased passing of gas, and other abdominal discomforts would not signify a genital bacterial infection by first glance. Erectile dysfunction on the other hand may be thought of at first as a sign of serious medical or chronic ailment but might actually be a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics.

The treatment for men with yeast infections are the same as they are for women, however the application methods do vary. Male yeast infection OTC treatments can be found for both men and women. Be sure to read the ingredients and follow the instructions carefully.
Wearing loose fitting clothing around the midsection and avoiding scratching the area as well as following your prescribed treatment schedule can aid recovery from a male yeast infection greatly.

If you are a man and you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, reluctant as you may be, you should contact you physician and schedule an examination as soon as possible.

Chlamydia

What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It's a bacterial infection, which is found in semen and vaginal fluids.

Causes and risk factors

Chlamydia is usually passed from one person to another during vaginal, oral or anal sex, or by sharing sex toys. It can live inside cells of the cervix, urethra, rectum and sometimes in the throat and eyes.
Chlamydia can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.

Symptoms

Chlamydia is often referred to as the 'silent infection', as most men and women don't have any obvious signs or symptoms, or they're so mild they're not noticed.
Symptoms can appear one to three weeks after you've come into contact with chlamydia, or many months later, or not until the infection spreads to other parts of your body.

Women might notice:

Unusual vaginal discharge.
Bleeding between periods or during or after sex.
Pain with sex or when passing urine.
Lower abdominal pain.

Men might notice:
White/cloudy, watery discharge from the tip of the penis.
Pain when passing urine or painful testicles.
If the infection is in the eye or rectum, you may experience discomfort, pain or discharge.

Treatment and recovery

Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics, either as a single dose or longer course for up to two weeks.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you're pregnant, or think you might be, or you're breastfeeding - this might affect the type of antibiotic you're given. The antibiotics used to treat chlamydia interact with the combined oral contraceptive pill and the contraceptive patch, making them less effective, so check this with the doctor or nurse.

To avoid reinfection, any sexual partners should be treated too. Every time you have a new sexual partner you need to be tested. If complications occur, another treatment might be needed.

Without treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and long-term health problems, including infertility.

In women, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to:
Ectopic pregnancy (when a pregnancy develops outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tube).
Blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the egg from ovary to womb).
Long-term pelvic pain.

In men, chlamydia can lead to painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility.
Rarely, chlamydia can lead to inflammation of the joints in both men and women. This is known as reactive arthritis. When this involves the urethra and the eyes, it is known as Reiter's syndrom.