Thursday 31 July 2014

What you should know about Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever


What is Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever?

Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and non-human primates (monkey, gorillas and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976. The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the democratic republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized. The virus is one of a family of RNA viruses called Filoviridae. There are five identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Four of the five have caused disease in humans :Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory coast and Ebola-Bundibudgyo. The fifth, Ebola-Reston, has caused disease in non-human primates but not in humans.

Where is Ebola virus found in nature?
The exact origin, locations and natural habitat(known as "Natural reservoir") of Ebola Virus remain unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is Zoonotic (Animal borne) with four of the subtypes occurring in an animal host native to Africa.


How is Ebola Virus spread?

Infection with Ebola virus are acute. There is no carrier state because the natural reservoir of the virus is unknown. The manner in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak has not been determined. However researchers have hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.

After the first case patient in an outbreak setting is infected, the virus can be transmitted in several ways. People can be exposed to Ebola virus from direct contact with the blood and/or secretions of an infected person. Thus, the virus is often spread through families and friends because they come in close contact with such secretions when caring for infected persons. People can also be exposed to Ebola Virus through contact with objects such as needles that have been contaminated with infected secretions.

All Ebola virus species have displayed the ability to be spread through airborne particles (aerosols). Nasocomial transmission refers to the spread of a disease within a health-care setting such as a clinic or hospital. It occurs frequently during Ebola HF outbreaks. In African health care facilities, patient are often cared for without the use of a mask, gown or gloves. Exposure to the virus has occurred when health care workers treated individuals with Ebola HF without wearing these types of protective clothing.

What are the symptoms of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever? 

The incubation period of Ebola HF ranges from 2-21days. The onset of illness is abrupt and is characterized by fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat and weakness, followed by diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pin. A rash, red eyes, hiccups and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients.

How is Ebola Hemorrhagic fever treated?

There is no standard treatment for Ebola Hf. Patient receive supportive therapy. This consists of balancing the patient's fluid and electrolytes, maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure and treating them for any complicating infections.

CDC

Friday 25 July 2014

Exercises That Will Transform Your Body



Looking for some effective ways to transform your body? There are a few great exercises that will help you to reach your fitness goal. These exercises are easy but effective in strengthening your body along with burning unwanted calories. However, sticking to these exercises is not enough to transform your body, you should also eat healthy and get enough sleep regularly. Don’t waste your precious time doing other workouts, here are seven exercises that will help you transform your body in no time. 

 
     Jumping rope

When was the last time you jumped rope? Perhaps in your childhood. Jumping rope is a cheap and easily portable exercise that you can do almost anywhere. This workout burns more calories per minute than any other workout. Get jumping for a perfect exercise and plenty of fun. One of the best things about jumping rope is that you can do it with your kids. Moreover, jumping rope is a fantastic way to fit in a highly effective cardio session when you are on the go. Simply toss your jumping rope in your carry-on and you don’t need to look for the nearest gym. So, who said jumping rope is only for kids?
 
     Squat

The squat is a compound, full-body exercise that works more than one muscle group. This powerful exercise helps tone your glutes, strengthen your body and burn a lot of calories. To boost your calorie expenditure and raise your heart rate, you can try to do jump squats. Or stay in a squat hold with dumbbells in the hands to increase the resistance as well as feel the burn. Doing squats regularly is one of the best ways to transform your body as well as improve your physical health. If you sit all day at work or at home, you are at higher risk of serious disease. Why not do several squats whilst waiting for your dinner to cook, the kettle to boil, or your PC to boot up? Sometimes multitasking is a great thing!


    Pushups

Unfortunately, many people avoid doing pushups since this exercise is a bit harder to perform, but it can do wonders for your body. There are plenty of different pushups that work the different muscles in the shoulders and arms. Try to vary your pushup style to lower your risk of becoming bored with exercise. Not only do pushups work the upper body, but also work the core. Do pushups a few days a week to help sculpt the arms and overall transform the body. Plus, pushups are good for your heart and cardiovascular health and this exercise helps to improve your posture. Just make sure you do them correctly – learn to do pushups with your back straight to reduce back pain and avoid straining your back.

Lunges
To tone the muscles in your legs try doing lunges. Lunges give you such amazing results because they isolate every leg individually, helping transform your body. To add some cardio and boost the intensity, do some jump lunges. I suggest you to do 3 sets of 10 lunges a day for the best results. Since lunges are a very effective workout for strengthening, sculpting and building a few muscle groups, why not do them every day? Even if you have a super busy schedule, you can still find time to do several lunges. Stop making excuses and start exercising to transform your body today.

Swimming

The great news for all lovers of swimming and for those who are trying to transform their bodies – swimming is a super effective workout that will bring you astonishing results. Swimming helps strengthen your core and work different muscle groups. Swimming boasts numerous health benefits. It helps to reduce your blood pressure, strengthen your heart and improve your aerobic capacity. Plus, swimming is a wonderful way for your family to get moving and have plenty of fun together. Though, this exercise is not as portable as jumping rope.

Cycling

A cycling workout is a foolproof way to get a great sweat and work your legs. Cycling is a wonderful exercise since you can push yourself at a higher intensity. It strengthens your legs, arms and back, encourages your heart to work more efficiently and aids in weight loss. Cycling is also one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your everyday routine since it’s a great means of transportation. It gets you fit, saves you money, and is good for your health. Bring along your significant other or friend, or cycle solo, and ensure you get the most out of your workout.

Running

There are many benefits of running. It helps to relieve stress, improve your heart health, reduce the risk of depression, burn mega calories and improve your overall health. Running can actually transform the body like nothing else. It builds strong, toned legs and makes them look thinner. I enjoy running, especially early in the morning, and I think it’s one of the best exercises to do every day. I always feel a great sense of accomplishment after my run. If you don’t feel like running, try jogging. Not only does jogging help to burn calories, it also helps to improve your overall health.


So there you have it! The list of the most effective exercises that will definitely help you transform your body. Just make sure you do them on a regular basis to see the best results. What’s your favorite exercise?

womanitely

Friday 11 July 2014

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Watermelon




There's more to watermelon than just its flavor: It boasts some powerful health benefits, too. At 46 calories per cup, watermelon offers 20 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C and 17 percent of your vitamin A, according to the USDA. And that's not all.

"Watermelon contains dietary fiber for digestive health as well as potassium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure capped.

No wonder there's a month-long holiday dedicated to it -- July is National Watermelon Month. Here are some other fun facts to celebrate watermelon's big month:

It has more lycopene than raw tomatoes.
In just one cup, watermelon has 1.5 times the stuff than a large fresh tomato, 6 milligrams compared to 4 milligrams, according to the USDA. That matters because lycopene is thought to act as a super antioxidant, stopping free radicals from damaging your cells and messing with your immune system. Some research even suggests that lycopene, typically found in red fruits and vegetables, may help fight heart disease and several types of cancer. Pro tip: "To retain the most antioxidants in this delicious superfood, store your watermelon at room temperature before slicing"

The juice can relieve muscle soreness.
A Spanish study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that drinking watermelon juice can actually be quite soothing after a grueling workout. Athletes who consumed a little more than 16 ounces an hour before exercise had less muscle soreness and a lower heart rate within a day.

That may be because watermelon contains a natural substance called citrulline that's been tied to improved artery function and lower blood pressure. In fact, its ability to relax the blood vessels led Texas A&M University researchers to say watermelon has Viagra-like effects. But you'll need to look beyond the pink flesh if you really want to load up on citrulline -- it's most concentrated in the rind. If that's not your thing, you can always save it for pickling or preserving later.

It's a fruit and a vegetable.
Talk about an overachiever. Like most fruits, watermelon is the product of a seed-producing plant and has a signature sweet taste. But it can be traced back to the squash, pumpkin and cucumber family known as Cucurbitaceae. Remember how you can eat the rind? The dual nature of watermelon makes it all edible, so there's no excuse to leave any part behind.

It's packed with, well, water.
Now this is a food with some serious hydration power. Watermelon is 91.5 percent water, according to the USDA. That's a big deal seeing as how being dehydrated is bad for your health. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that women with even mild dehydration experienced headaches, poor concentration, fatigue and worse moods. More reason to whip up some watermelon recipes, stat.

There's a yellow variety.
It's hard to believe there's a watermelon that's not pink on the inside, but there's another variety, known as Yellow Crimson, which has a sunny interior and a sweeter, honey-like taste. Thing is, the two are nearly identical on the outside, so unless you're reading the signs at your grocery store or farmers' market, it can be hard to tell which is which. If you want the regular pink watermelon, ask for a Crimson Sweet.

Health.com

Thursday 3 July 2014

Antioxidants in your Food



Antioxidants are nutrients and other substances in foods that can prevent or slow oxidative damage in cells.

Antioxidants also boost immune system by protecting cells and stimulating natural defense systems. Oxidative damage is caused by free radicals. They are unstable molecules that are a result of normal body processes as well as pollution, sun exposure, tobacco smoke and other harmful environment exposures. Unchecked oxidative damage leads to diseases such as heart disease, cancer, cataracts, Alzheimer's disease and many others.

Antioxidants include Vitamin A,C and E the mineral selenium as well as plant pigments (colors), beta-carotene (orange) lutein, (yellow and green), lycopene (red) and anthocyanin (blue, purple). Eating high antioxidant foods will also contribute many other necessary vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that contribute to optimal health and wellbeing.

Foods with low or no antioxidants are highly processed foods like soda, cakes, cookies, most crackers and chips, instant entrees cheese, hot dogs and cold cuts

Antioxidants are found in many foods. These include fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Generally they are plant foods. Unfortunately, the average diet in Nigeria skips the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains and focuses on meat, fried foods, sweets and sugary drinks.

The secret to eating well and insuring a healthy family is to serve delicious nutrient rich foods at every meal and snack, you don't have to be perfect, but wholesome foods needs to be front and center on your plates.

Some quick rules to live by

- Fruit and/ vegetable (think color at every meal and snack)
- Milk or 100% juice for children , 75% of the time
- Half of starch/ bread, grains/ servings need to be whole grain
- Lean sources of protein most of the time
- Sweets as treats ONCE IN A WHILE