LOW BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPOTENSION)

Low blood pressure or hypotension is an abnormal medical condition in which an individual's blood pressure is abnormally lower than 90/60mmHg. A sudden drop in blood pressure can be very dangerous because the body can't bring blood pressure back to normal or can't do it fast enough and this can restrict the amount of blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs which can cause unsteadiness, dizziness or fainting.

Main indicator:
Increased vascular elasticity with or without reduced vascular resistance
Other factor:
Increased coronary artery elasticity

Types of low blood pressure

1.  Low blood pressure on standing up (orthostatic hypotension) This is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up from a sitting position or from lying down, such persons may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision and even fainting, this happens because enough blood did not return to the brain immediately after standing up. Orthostatic can occurs for reasons such as dehydration, prolonged bed rest, pregnancy, diabetes, heart problem, excessive heat etc
2. Low blood pressure after eating (postprandial hypotension) This sudden drop in blood pressure after eating affects mostly older adults who are likely to have high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease
3. Low blood pressure from faulty brain signals (neurally mediated hypotension) This disorder causes a blood pressure drop after standing for a long period, it occurs because of miscommunication between the heart and the brain, young adults and children are mostly at risk
4. Low blood pressure due to nervous system damage: It is a rare disorder that causes progressive damage to the autonomic nervous system

Symptoms of low blood pressure

Patients who experience associated side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness and excessive thirst need to be further investigated, these symptoms are a results of hypoperfusion of vital organs, which can lead to organ damage in the long run. In more serious cases patients may faint, it can also confine one to bed and sudden drop in blood pressure can be life threatening.

Causes of low blood pressure

Hypotension can be caused by a change in either the cardiac output or pulmonary vascular resistance, this can be the result of drugs or combination of drugs

1. Severe dehydration
2. Reaction to alcohol or medication
3. High blood pressure
4. Low blood temperature
5. Heart muscle disease
6. Loss of bloodblood
7. Lack of nutrients in diet

Low blood pressure table

Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure in the arteries during the active and resting phases of each heart beat. 

Systolic pressure:- this is the top number in the BP reading, it is the amount of pressure the heart generate when pumping blood through the arteries to the rest of the body

Diastolic pressure:- it is the bottom number in the blood pressure reading, it refers to the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

Treatment

1. Chilly pepper
2. Alligator pepper
3. Salty food (confirm with your doctor)
4. Enough sleep
5. Water
6. Acupuncture therapy
7. Acupuncture therapy

Healthy tips

1. Get adequate sleep
2. Increase your water intake
3. Reduce stress
4. Practice breathing techniques
5. Do regular exercise to promote blood flow

Caution

1. Avoid prolong standing
2. Avoid alcoholic beverages
3. Avoid heavy lifting

Low blood pressure can deprive your body of enough oxygen to carry out it's normal functions leading to damage to your heart and brain.







It is health that is real wealth

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure normally referred to as hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which the force of the blood against the arteries is consistently abnormally high and If blood pressure rises and stays high overtime it can damage the body in many ways and may eventually cause health problems. Hypertension is considered a major public health problem, it is known as the silent killer because it does not usually come with symptoms but the warning signs are:

1. Headache
2. Sweating
3. Shortness of breath
4. Rapid pulse
5. Dizziness
6. Nausea
7. Vomiting
8. Palpitation
9. Blurred and double vision 
10. Feeling of pulsation in the neck or head

To diagnose your blood pressure, you need a device called sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor, the test is better done in the morning as you step down from the bed and must be repeated throughout the day for accuracy, in order to make a correct diagnosis. Sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor comes in different shapes, types and sizes. It's periodic usage tells how much pressure it takes to move the flow of blood through the arteries, it help determine; your state of health and enable you to take charge of your health situations.

Basic guidelines for blood pressure numbers are:

Normal -  120/80mmHg

Pre hypertension -  120-139/80-89

Stage 1-  140-159/90-99

Stage 2 -  160/100
Study the table below: under (know your blood pressure)

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. It is the narrowing of the arteries that makes blood circulation through the vessels difficult, as a result blood pressure becomes elevated.

Whether blood pressure is high, low or normal depends on several factors suchlike:

1. The output from the heart
2. The resistance to blood flow of the blood vessels
3. The volume of blood
4. Blood distribution to various organs

All of these factors can be affected by the activities of the nervous system and certain hormones. 

Types of hypertension

1. Primary hypertension

This is a high blood pressure for which there is a no known cause, but result in hardening of the arteries, risk factors have been identified as; smoking, stress, obesity, drug abuse, excessive use of stimulants and high sodium intake. 

2. Secondary hypertension

This is high blood pressure that arises due to underlying health problem, such as hormonal abnormality, constricted blood vessels or have lost elasticity from a build up of fatty plaque on the inside wall of the vessel. 

Complications of high blood pressure

1. Heart failure
2. Stroke
3. Obesity
4. Diabetes
5. Hyperthyroidism
6. Coronary heart disease
7. Kidney disorders
8. Poor kidney function resulting in retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body
9. Arteriosclerosis I.e hardening of the artery walls 

The main indicator for high blood pressure  

Increased vascular resistance with or without reduced vascular elasticity

Other factors:

1. Increased blood viscosity
2. Increased cholesterol crystals
3. Increased blood fat
4. Increased liver fat
5. Increase in low density lipoprotein
6. Increase in total cholesterol

Know your blood pressure
Blood pressure is represented as a pair of numbers and measured in millimeters of mercury mmHg with systolic number above the diastolic number, the combined blood pressure reading is expressed as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is the units used to measure blood pressure)

Systolic - refers to blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood into the blood vessels

Diastolic - refers to blood pressure when the heart is at rest between the beats

Knowing your blood pressure number is important it helps you put your blood pressure in check and this may help prevent damage to your body organs.

Stability

Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time, it lowers as you sleep and rises when you wake up, it also rises when you are excited, nervous, or active. if your numbers stay above normal most of the time, you are at risk of health problems, the risk grows as blood pressure numbers rises. 

Controlling your blood pressure

As we get older, our arteries get harder and lose their elasticity, this is not good, because arteries need to be elastic and flexible to efficiently deliver blood. 

People with high blood pressure can take steps to control it and reduce their risk for related health problems.

Treatment

1. Following a healthy lifestyle
2. Dietary change
3. Exercise
4. Living a stress free life
5. Herbal therapytherapy
6. Eat a low sodium diet
7. Water therapy
8. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
9. IncreaseIncrease your potassium intake
10. Acupuncture 

Food that controls high blood pressure

1. Cucumber
2. Celery
3. Banana
4. Parsley
5. Watermelon
6. Seeds and nuts
7. Broccoli
8. Papaya
9. Cayenne
10. Grapes
11. Onion
12. Beetroot

Herbs and supplements

1. Garlic and honey
2. Turmeric
3. Ginger
4. Omega 3 fatty acids
5. Flaxseeds
6. Cordyceps
7. Calcium techniques

Healthy tips

1. Get adequate sleep
2. Take lots water
3. Reduce stress
4. Daily walk (exercise)
5. Coughing exercise
6. Breathing techniques

PAIN

When everything is functioning properly, the body stays in a state of balance and homeostasis, but when the body is not working right; aches, pains and discomfort takes over the body and a sensation of distress is transmitted to the nerves which inturn sends signals to the brain and body that something is not working right. Pain can make one incapable of performing daily activities in personal and professional areas, making one incapacitated and unproductive.

Pain is a general symptom in medical conditions and can be classified into two categories depending on the severity

Types of pain

1. Acute pain
2. Chronic pain  

Acute pain
Acute pain occurs when there is tissue damage it is also a sign of any physical damage or sickness in the body, in most cases it does not last a longer than 3 months when the initial injury has healed, it can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of tissue damag, it is also the result of the body doing everything it can to protect and heal an injured area. If acute pain is not treated it may become chronic pain and can affect happy and healthy life.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain is pain that persist after the original injury has healed sometimes there maybe no experience of injury yet a person experiencing chronic pain will still feel discomfort that ranges from mild to excruciating pain, the result of chronic pain is stiffness, limited motion and overall reduction in quality of life.
All of these falls under both acute and chronic pain:

1. Visceral pain - pain arising from internal organs
2. Neuropathic pain - pain caused by damage to nerves in the nervous system, often described as burning, shooting or stabbing
3. Somatic pain - pain felt due to stimuli such as burning or crushing
4. Nociceptive pain - pain more likely to be spontaneous like electric shock or burning
5. Hyperalgesia pain - increased pain from a stimulus that normally provoke pain.

Causes of pain

1. Nerve damage
2. Tissue damage
3. Muscle damage
4. Illness
5. Injuries
6. Aging
7. Surgery
8. Burns and cuts
9. Poor posture
10. Overweight
11. Wearing uncomfortable shoes
12. Sleeping on bad mattress
13. Some diseases 
14. Pinched nerves
15. Lifting heavy weight etc.

Pain affects a lot of people for many reasons, it can also obstruct a persons quality of life and general functioning, in the condition of musculoskeletal twinge one may not find relief easily especially if the pain increase day after day due to lack of effective treatment. 

Muscle pain is commonly caused due to muscle inflexibility, muscle tremor, muscle fault, disturbances of bones, muscle spasticity, wear and tear of the tissues from time to time, this unbearable pain makes one feeble and irritating.

Pain pathway and degree of pain

Pain is a vital function of the nervous system in providing the body with a warning of potential or actual injury. 
It messages travel from the nerve endings of injury site  which is the receptor pain signal to the spinal cord, the spinal cord then send the messages through the brainstem to the brain. 
Any pain or ache in any part of the body could be a result of an ailment existing in another part of the body this is known as reffered pain, this could mean that the pain or wound we sometimes pass as normal or just nothing can be serious health issues.

Knowing your body is as important as knowing your abc, do not ignore any sign your body tries to give you through pain.
The degree of pain vary from mild to moderate to severe to very severe.

Pain you must not ignore

1. Sudden head or neck pain
2. Muscle cramp or muscle pull
3. Sharp back and ankle pain 
4. Fatigue
5. Extreme levels of hunger
6. Feeling light headed
7. Relentless shin pain

Pains to watch out for to avoid any serious health issues

1. Heart - Pain in the chest area, around the heart and reffered pain shooting down the left arm or in the upper middle portion of the back, these are the symptoms of heart disease
2. Lung and diaphragm - Pain in one side of the neck or upper shoulder area is caused by issues with lungs and diaphragm
3. Liver and gall bladder - Pain in the neck or upper shoulder areas and in the right side of the body below the nipple are caused by both the liver and the gall bladder
4. Stomach and pancreas - Pain in the upper part of the naval of the right side of the stomach and the lower part of the thoracic  may mean serious organ issues
5. Small intestine - Pain in the abdominal area near the belly button indicates small intestine issues
6. Colon and appendix - Appendicitis and problems with the colon often show themselves with referred pain in this specific areas of the abdomen
7. Kidneys - Kidney problem cover a large area of the body that includes the lower back, abdomen, pelvis and other portions of the legs
8. Bladder - Serious bladder problems can be traced if you experience pain on the lower pelvis, on the front or back side
9. Ovary - Ovarian cysts can cause sharp, stabbing pain usually on one side of the abdomen

Treatment

Body pain can be treated without the use of drugs but in most cases we want immediate relief from the pain so we tend to go for over the counter drugs which we brand as analgesics or pain relievers, and they come in various forms. These medicines may offer quick relief from pain, but they also come with their side effects such as; insomnia, stomach agony, ulcers, nausea, fast heart beats, difficulty in swallowing, and difficulty breathing, while its constant usage can cause liver and kidney damage and increase blood pressure, according to WHO.

Pain is treated depending on the cause of the pain and this include:

• Herbs and spices e.g clove, turmeric, ginger
• Food and fruits e.g pineapple, apple
• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Acupressure
• Relaxation technique
• Electrical stimulation (TIENS) 
• Hot and cold water bags
• Massaging
• Physical exercise

Pain! Pain!! Pain!!!

Pain is the worst guest a body could have

Uninvited guest that tend to stay longest

And also demand the most attention

It disregards whatever your plan for the day is

You cannot even excuse yourself for a minute

It reaps through every muscle and burns through your bones

It teases you and laugh in your face

It dares you to pray it away, medicate it away, wish it away

But the one good thing pain does is;

It reveals to you who you really are

It reveals to you the state of your health

It helps you to tidy up the loose screws

Though not invited, it is the best scanner to your health 

Before it stops you

FEMALE MENOPAUSE

Menopause is a period of natural cessation of monthly menstruation, which is a natural part of woman's life cycle, at this point the woman stops ovulating, indicating the end of fertility. The average age of unset for women to experience menopause is 51, but the most common age range is between ages 48-55. Some women starts at age 40 and some continue to have menstrual period into their 50s, some women experience premature menopause, this occur in women younger than 40 years and may be caused by premature ovarian failure or cancer; this is why every premature menopause should be well investigated to rule out complications, lifestyle can also accelerate ovary decline resulting in earlier menopause.

Every woman will experience menopause because of a complex series of hormonal changes her body goes through monthly and due to decreased production of estrogen and progesterone hormone which a woman experience because of age and decline of ovary function.

Symptoms

Menopause symptoms vary from one woman to another even in the same family, which means each individual will need to manage her own menopause

1. Hot flashes
2. Mood swings
3. Night sweats
4. Heart palpitations
5. Insomnia
6. Fatigue
7. Anxiety
8. Depression
9. Poor concentration
10. Vaginal dryness
11. Premature aging
12. Irregular period
13. Low libido
14. Oedema
15. Weakened fingernails
16. Itchy skin
17. Lapse memory
18. Achy joints and muscles
19. Headaches
20. Incontinence
21. Digestive issues
22. Dizziness
23. Bloating
24. Tingling of extremities
25. Ringing ears
26. Osteoporosis
27. Heavy menses
28. Nervousness
29. Tender breast
30. Irritability

3 Stages of menopause

1. Peri menopause stage - is the period when the body begins to transit into menopause, it begins several years before menopause as the ovaries gradually make less estrogen, during the period, a woman may experience menopausal symptoms even though she still menstruate, peri menopause last up till menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs.
2. Menopause - A woman enters menopause 1-2 years after cessation of her last mentrual period, at this stage the ovaries have stoped releasing eggs and making most of their estrogen
3. Post menopause - These are the years after menopause, during this period, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes ease for most women but some health risk are related because of the decline in estrogen production, such as:

• Osteoporosis - decreased estrogen is associated with the bones no longer retaining much calcium, bones becomes weak and can be easily fractured
• Heart diseases - decreased estrogen is also associated in an increase risk of heart disease, the level of bad cholesterol is raised, and palpitation occurs often.
• Headaches - when hormone levels flunctuate, blood vessels expand and contract sparodically and this can result in headaches
• Urinary incontinence - many women experience lose of bladder control because of decline in estrogen and frequent visits to the bathroom, especially at night.
• Vagina changes - lack of estrogen make the skin of vagina thinner causing vagina dryness, itching, burning and it can also cause pain during intercourse
• Weight gain - many women gain weight during menopausal transition and after menopause because of slow metabolism
• Alzheimer's - most menopausal women experience lapses in memory from time to time, though mostly attributed to normal aging but sometimes they can be a sign of Alzheimer's             
• Wrinkles - the body decline in making of collagen during menopause making skin elasticity to drop thereby causing sagging and wrinkles
• Breast changes - changes in breast and soreness could be because of decline in estrogen production apart from the fact that these may also happen during pregnancy or a signal that period is about to start      
• Weakened vision - menopause is the common cause of vision loss in both male and female, it is at this midlife stage that most people over age 40 visit the opthalmologist, the following are the common eye diseases associated with menopause: 

a. Cataracts

b. Glaucoma

c. Dry eyes

d. Age related macular degeneration

Treatment

Menopause is not a disease that has a definite cure or treatment, but changes in lifestyle will help relieve many of the symptoms, herbal treatment, supplements and acupuncture are all helpful in decreasing hot flashes and treatment.
1. Hot flashes:

All women experience hot flashes during menopause but in different degrees, making it the most common symptom, hot flashes can occur anytime and several times of the day and at night. During a hot flash the body's temperature rises and the rush of the heat is accompanied by palpitations, sweating and dizziness, sometimes after the hot flash you may feel cold allover, all these will last from about 3 seconds to a few minutes.To prevent hot flashes, avoid all triggers.
Hot flashes triggers are:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Stress
• Spicy foods
• Hot weather
• Smoking

2. Acupuncture

3. Supplements, foods and herbs

• Essential fatty acids
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Holy basil
• Turmeric
• Vitamin 
• Coenzyme Q10
• Iron
• Flaxseeds
• Aloe vera gel
• Water
• Fruits and vegetables

4. Regular exercise
5. Reduced stress
6. Enough sleep
7. Discuss with your immediate family, you need their understanding, love and affection

Be calm
Be patient
Live your life fully throughout menopause

MALE MENOPAUSE

The male menopause is real though men do not go through a well defined period reffered to as menopause, it is the most important health change that many men go through, but it is not recognised by many as important health problem that should be given much attention. The male menopause is all about a drop in testosterone production in men, it is an age related changes in male hormone levels which is also known as testosterone deficiency or an androgen deficiency, factors such as disease, stress, diet, obesity, and general health problem, change the signals that the pituitary gland sends to the testes, causing the production of testosterone to drop.

Testosterone is an hormone produced in the testes, it is responsible for mental and physical energy, sex drive and regulates key evolutionary features in men. Male menopause is different from female menopause because it does not involve a complete shut down of the male reproductive organs as it is in women, however sexual complications will arise as a result of lowered hormone levels. Low levels of testosterone associated with male menopause have also been linked to osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and brittle.

Signs and symptoms
Male menopause can cause physical, sexual, emotional and psychological problems, theses includes:

1. Low energy
2. Depression
3. Lower self confidence
4. Decreases motivation
5. Poor concentration
6. Insomnia
7. Fatigue
8. Night sweat
9. Decreases mental clarity
10. Increased body fat
11. Abdominal fat
12. Physical weakness
13. Development of breasts
14. Decreased bone density
15. Erectile dysfunction
16. Reduced libido
17. Infertility
18. Swollen or tender breast
19. Decrease in testicle size
20. Loss of body hair
21. Hot flashes

It is normal to experience a decline in testosterone levels as you get older.
Your testosterone levels are low as a child but increases as you sexually mature, but as you age; your testosterone levels begin to drop. It is believed medically that testosterone level drops at average of one percent per year after men turns 30, while in some men it drops earlier causing drastic decline in testosterone levels.

All stages of life have their cchallenges, but at about the age of 40 to 55 years men begin to experience midlife changes, it is a normal development stage for men because of the psychological and physiological changes involved. It is at this time a man question is health and sexual ability which may have finally caught up with his bad habits and lifestyles, these reality of life are the unavoidable consequences of ageing, some men handle it well while others don't, it can be a frightening midlife crisis which it's transition from one phase of life to another can cause some negative effects in some men.

• Some men cope poorly by using drugs
• Some by engaging in alcohol
• Some men try cooping by seeking company of younger women

But it can be a liberating and exciting time if you choose the right way to deal with the situation by exploring life experiences with joy, peace and satisfaction with families, friends, nature and God.

Treatments

Some men can easily manage the symptoms while some may have to see the doctor to rule out the chances of diabetes, heart related diseases, erectile dysfunction and other complications due to nerves damaged.

How to increase testosterone

1. Deal with your cholesterol
2. Get enough sleep and rest
3. Take vitamins and minerals
4. Avoid foods that spike blood sugar
5. Get sun, or take vitamin D supplement
6. Lift weight
7. Take zinc supplements

A more holistic approach is one that include:

1. Change of diet 
2. Water
3. Regular exercise
4. Reduction in stress levels
5. Change in perspectives
6. Overall healthier attitude  
7. Acupuncture treatment

These lifestyle habits can benefit all men and can help improve the overall health of men experiencing menopause already.

Friendly foods

1. Flaxseeds - help balance hormone and remove hot flashes as well as mood disturbance
2. Tomatoes - rich in lycopene, carotenoids and red carotene, it protect against prostate cancer
3. Omega 3 fatty acids - stabilize mood swings, and help improve memory and concentration.
4. Zinc rich foods - helps the body deactivate aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen
5. Vitamin C rich foods - lower level of vitamin C is a midlife risk, makes testosterone level to drop.

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a common disease but not well understood. It is a joint disease featuring inflammation on one or more joints, it is related to people of all ages, sexes and races but occurs more as people grow older. There are over 100 types of arthritis and the primary symptoms are pain, swelling in and around the joints, warmth, redness of the overlying skin, stiffness, deformity and diminished range of joint motion. 

Arthritis have the tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons and also have the potential to affect some internal organs and can be life threatening, it can cause irreversible damage to the joints if left untreated, arthritis affects the body's movables such as, joints at the knees, wrist, elbows, fingers, toes, hips and shoulders.        

• When a single joint is involved it is called mono-arthritis 
• When 2 or 3 joints are involved it is called oligo-arthritis 
• When 4 or more joints are involved it is called poly-arthritis

Symptoms

1. Pain
2. Gland swelling
3. Fatigue
4. Weight loss
5. Fever
6. Limited function of joints
7. Chronic inflammation of joints
8. Feeling unwell
9. Symptoms from abnormalities of organs like; lungs, heart, eyes and kidneys

Causes

This depend on the form of arthritis 

1. Osteoarthritis - injury
2. Gout - metabolic abnormalities
3. Infection - bacteria and viral diseases
4. Misdirected immune system - autoimmunity disorder

Arthritis can lead to permanent damage and loss of joints function making movement difficult or impossible, therby result in decreased quality of life, tenderness of the inflamed joints can be with pain or without pain. Arthritis affecting hands and arms can make it difficult to perform daily tasks.

Arthritis of weight bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up right, in some cases joints may become twisted and deformed. 

Risk factor

1. Excess weight
2. Family history
3. Injury
4. Age

It can be prevented by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding injury.

• When large joints such as the knee joint is affected, there can be loss of cartilage with limitation of motion from the damaged joints 
• When small joints such as the fingers are affected, there can be bone growth and loss of hand grip and strength of the hand. 

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, they damaged joints in different ways. 

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It happens when the cushioning surface of the end of bones wear away causing bone to rub against bone, leading to pain swelling and stiffness. this is a common degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage, joints lining, ligament and and underlying bone of a joint, it is caused by a reduction in the normal amount of cartilage tissues through wear and tear throughout life. The breakdown of these tissues eventually lead to pain and joint stiffness, the joints mostly affected by osteoarthritis are those that are heavily use such as hips, knees, hands, spine, thumb and big two joint. 

Rheumatoid arthritis

This occurs when the body's inner system attacks the tissues of the body, mainly connective tissues, leading to joint inflammation, pain and degeneration of the joint tissues, it affects joints systematically on both sides equally, it may initially begin in a couple of joints only and most frequently attack the wrists, hands, elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles.

Do not overlook these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

1. Tingling and numbness
2. Breathing issues
3. Abnormal spot on finger tips
4. Infection
5. Bruising
6. Bone fracture
7. Dry eyes

Rheumatoid arthritis can go beyond swollen joints. Because many of the arthritis are rheumatic diseases, it can affect various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. 

Treatment

The treatment depends on which particular form of arthritis is present, its location, severity, persistence and any underlying background and medical condition of the individual, each treatment program must be customized for individual patient, some treatment programs involves weight reduction and avoiding activities that exert stress on the joints.

1. Dietary change is important
2. Water - helps lubricate the joints
3. Calcium rich food - for bone regeneration
4. Fish - rich in anti inflammatory properties
5. Garlic and Ginger - powerful antioxidant with anti inflammatory effects
6. Cayenne pepper - contains a compound called capsaicin that relieve pain
7. Turmeric - reduce pain and inflammation
8. Massage and light exercise - improve bone function
9. Acupuncture - best treatment for arthritis 

The goal of treatment is to:

1. Reduce pain and inflammation
2. Prevent further damage
3. Strengthen the bones 
4. Repair damage joint tissues
5. Eradicate the symptoms

Caution

1. Check for possible food allergies, it triggers inflammation
2. Do not use iron supplement in your cause of treatment, it is suspected to be involved in pain and swelling
3. Reduce fat and oil intake and avoid fries
4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, meat, salt, monosodium glutamate and all sugary products.
5. Avoid cold food and water

Healthy joints! Healthy body
Keep your joints healthy and enjoy pain free life

TOOTHACHE AND DECAY

Toothache is a pain that occurs in and around a tooth because of irritation or inflammation of the central portion of the tooth called pulp which contains nerve endings that are sensitive to pain. If you have suffered toothache before you will understand the intensity of the pain involved, it can range from mild to very severe pain, it can appear suddenly or slowly developed overtime. Toothache can affect both children and adults and can range from mild to unbearable pain

Some reasons for toothache includes:

1. Dental infection
2. Injury
3. Cracked teeth
4. Loss of tooth
5. Jaw joints problem
6. Tooth extraction
7. A damaged filling
8. Tooth decay etc. 

Symptoms of toothache
Pain in the tooth and mouth is the primary symptom of a toothache, but this pain can present itself in diverse ways:

1. Sharp sudden pain
2. Deep throbbing pain
3. Pain that is localized around a particular tooth
4. Toothache that occurred when pressure is applied
5. Pain that radiate to the jaw or ears
6. Pain that radiate to shoulder, head or neck
7. Swelling, painful gum
8. Fever
9. Increased sensitivity to heat or cold
10. Pain that worsen when chewing
11. Pain that interferes with your sleep
12. Bleeding gums and redness around the gums

Tooth decay is the damage that occurs to the teeth when the bacteria in the mouth turns the sugar and carbohydrate food in the mouth into acids which in turn form a plaque on the surface of the teeth and gum, as the bacteria feeds they make acids, the acid attack the teeth making layers of a sticky substance called plaque, the more layers the more the damage, and as this happens over time the acid destroy tooth enamel causing tooth decay, this may lead to a hole in the tooth if not treated. Tooth decay can cause pain, infection and tooth loss. Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache, children whose teeth are still growing can have tooth decay, this is because the minerals in the teeth are not very strong and are easier for acids to eat away, even babaies can be at risk for tooth decay they are not born with decay causing bacteria in their mouth, but they can get the bacteria from adults who share spoons with them.

Possible causes of tooth decay

1. Poor dental hygiene
2. Improperly nutrition
3. Sugary foods and drinks
4. carbohydrate foods
5. Acidic foods and drinks
6. Tooth grinding
7. Dry mouth
8. Diabetes
9. Smoking

A tooth has 3 layers

1. The hard outer layer called enamel
2. The middle layer called dentrin
3. The center of the tooth called pulp

You have a responsibility to keep your teeth and gum healthy and strong. 

Your mouth is the mirror of your body and the health of your teeth and mouth are linked to your overall health and wellbeing; a healthy mouth indicates a healthy lifestyle. 

Poor dental health will adversely affect speech and self esteem but a sparkling white teeth will give a confident smile. 

Take a good step now to prevent cavity, avoid toothache and gum disease. 

Your teeth is not a tool
Don't treat your teeth like tools, using it as tools can lead to premature wear and tear, causing permanent damage. The teeth is designed for biting an chewing foods, using them otherwise can cause them to chip, sometimes causing toothache.

Treatment
Treatment for toothache depends on the cause possible, neglecting or delaying appropriate treatment with effective remedies can exacerbate the condition and make treatment lots more expensive.
1. An excellent way to reduce swelling and pain caused by toothache is to rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm salt water, this help decrease any inflammation of the gum.
2. Clove: rich in eugenol, and used in dental products, thanks to it's antimicrobial properties, and potency as a natural pain killer, soak cotton ball in a few drops of clove oil and place on the affected teeth.
3. Garlic: one of the most popular and widely used of all remedies in the treatment of dental disease and oral care. Peel a clove of garlic make into a smooth paste and use the cotton ball to pack and put on affected teeth, leave it there overnight.
4. Hydrogen peroxide: the rinse with hydrogen peroxide help to relief pain, inflammation and heal bleeding gum, dilute before use

Acupuncture points
You can massage these points 30 minutes daily for effective relief and wellbeing, if you do this well enough you may not need other treatments

Treating plague

1. Brush with bicarbonate of soda with a mixture of apple cider vinegar once a week
2. Gargle with coconut oil before brushing
3. Use fluoride, it is nature cavity fighter
4. Eat food that protect your teeth e.g salmon

Teeth friendly food

1. Onion
2. Citrus fruits
3. Nuts and seeds
4. Green tea
5. Fatty fish e.g salmon
6. Chesse

Healthy tips

1. Brush your teeth twice daily
2. Avoid over brushing
3. Floss your teeth always
4. Snacks regularly on onion
5. Avoid tobacco 
6. Avoid high sugar and starchy foods

Show your teeth some love
Healthy teeth! Healthy you
Sparkling teeth! Confident you

MEMORY PROBLEM

Memory problem is a frequent occurrence that can sometimes lead to severe memory loss if not treated, it is a normal part of ageing but it is also a known truth that young and healthy people also experience memory problems. Sometimes it takes us more longer to learn new things, misplace things that we could not remember where it is kept, or we forget valuable informations, the most annoying is while you were still talking you lost track of your next sentence. These may be symptoms of Alzheimer's or another dementia, but it may not be an issue to worry about if it's occurrence is not too frequent.

There are many causes of memory problem and each should be treated according to it's cause

Types of memory problem

1. Dementia - slow decline in memory, problem solving ability and learning ability which can occur several times in a week
2. Alzheimer disease - a brain disease that causes slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills
3. Delirium - this is a sudden change in how well a person's brain is working, it can cause confusion, change in the sleep-wake circle and cause unusual behavior
4. Amnesia - this is memory loss that may be caused by head injury, substance abuse, stroke or a severe emotional event such as motor accident.

Some reasons for memory problem

1. Alzheimer disease
2. Insomnia
3. Ageing
4. Emotional problems
5. Stress
6. Technology overload
7. Alcohol abuse
8. Drug abuse
9. Blood vessel disease
10. Damage to the brain
11. Hormonal changes as in pregnancy and menopausal problems
12. Medical conditions e g mental health, thyroid problem, diabetes etc

The most common of brain problem is alzheimer disease it is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory thinking and reasoning skills, simply means progressive loss of brain cells and other irregularities of the brain. It can be bad because it can lead to making mistakes at work, school and home

Some warning signs and symptoms 

1. Memory problem that disrupt daily life
2. Confusion with time or place
3. Confusion with colours and patterns
4. Trouble understanding visuals 
5. Difficulty completing simple task at home or workplace
6. Misplacing things and loosing the ability to remember
7. Challenges in solving problems

Ageing gracefully

Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia in people older than age 65. They have trouble understanding somethings, sometimes they may forget where they are, or how they got there, get confused about the day of the week but figure it out later, most times they have trouble following a conversation, also make bad decisions once a while.

All of these can be prevented if one start early enough to take care of the brain by boosting it with the right foods and supplements.

Tips to improve memory

1. Read, read and read
2. Keep a notebook to write things down
3. Listen to audio repeatedly
4. Hold on to important visuals to remember
5. Say it loud
6. Do regular selftest by reciting sentences
7. Eat healthy

Some brain boosting nutrients and herbs

1. Ginkgo biloba -  it is a potent brain antioxidant it also improves circulation to the brain
2. Zinc - promotes intelligence development, improve memory and absent minded
3. Omega 3 fatty acids - this is a major components of neuron membranes and can help protect memory
4. Flower essence - it's a mild sedative herb, helps you sleep better, making brain to function better 

Treating memory problems

Treatment for memory loss depends on the cause. In many cases, it may be reversible with treatment, in others memory may improve over time.
For example, memory loss from medications may resolve with a change in medication. 
Nutritional supplements can be useful against memory loss caused by a nutritional deficiency. 
Treating depression may be helpful for memory when depression is a factor. 
In some cases such as following a stroke therapy may help people remember how to do certain tasks such as walking or tying shoes. 
Treatments may also be specific to conditions related to memory loss. For example treating high blood pressure can help reduce risk of more brain damage from memory problem related to high blood pressure

The best way to fight memory problem is to eat right, and exercise the body and brain regularly

ASTHMA

Asthma is a condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breath, when the symptom is triggered it becomes more swollen and the muscles around the airways tightens. It is a long term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs, if asthma is left unmanaged it can be deadly, but a person can always live a productive life with asthma. Asthma is caused by two factors these are: genetic and environmental factors and the risk factors are air pollution and allergens. It is always advisable to identify and avoid allergens that may trigger the cause of attack on individual.

There are two types is asthma

1. Allergic: caused by exposure to an allergen
2. Non allergic: caused by stress, exercise, illnesses like cold and flu, exposure to extreme weather, irritants in the air, some medications and over eating.

Symptoms

1.  Wheezing
2. Chest tightness
3. Shortness of breathe
4. Difficulty breathing
5. Coughing: especially at night, when crying, during exercise and when laughing

Causes

1. Allergens
2. Smoke and tobacco
3. Stress 
4. Tension
5. Depression
6. Lung infection
7. Certain foods
8. Heartburn
9. Exercise
10. Genetic factor

Triggers

1. Pollen from grass, trees and weeds
2. Dust, pets, mold and mites
3. Certain drugs and food addictives
4. Irritants such as smoke, perfumes, strong odour, chemical fumes
5. Exercise
6. Stress
7. Weather conditions: cold, extreme dry, wet or windy weather

Asthma attack can be mild (acute), these may last for few minutes and be resolved spontaneously. It may also be severe (chronic), these may last from hours to days

Pediatric asthma

This is the most common serious chronic disease in infants and children, it may appear as wheezing when breathing in some children. Unmanaged asthma can cause dangerous asthma attack interfering with the child's play, school, sport and sleep.

Common children asthma symptoms

1. Frequent coughing
2. Wheezing sound
3. Shortness of breath
4. Chest congestion or tightness
5. Chest pain
6. Trouble sleeping
7. Trouble breathing

Causes

1. Increased immune system sensitivity
2. Viral infections e.g cough and flu
3. Exposure to air pollutants
4. Allergic to dust and pets fur and molds
5. Weather changes

Occupational asthma
People with this condition usually work around chemical fumes, dust or other irritants in the air and if already diagnosed with asthma from another cause it can be worsened by chemical fumes and other irritants at work.
Note: If chemicals and other irritants at your workplace makes it difficult for you to breath, it is possible you are asthmatic.

Workers at risk

1. Detergent users and manufacturer
2. Painters and Paints manufacturer
3. Drugs manufacturer
4. Famers
5. Plastic workers
6. Metal workers
7. Wood workers 
8. Millers etc.

Exercise induced asthma

Symptoms developed when airways narrow as a result of physical exertion, it is as a result of loss of heat, water or both from the lungs during exercise because of quickly breathing in air that is drier than what is already in the body

Symptoms

1. Tightness in the chest
2. Decreased endurance
3. Shortness of breath
4. Cough
5. Stomach upset
6. Sore throat

If by any chance you start wheezing or coughing during exercise or if physical exertion makes it difficult to breath, it is likely you are asthmatic.

Asthma friendly foods

Healthy diet gives asthma patient antioxidants and nutrients to fight environmental toxins, control inflammation and reduce dietary triggers. Foods rich in Magnesium, Vitamins E, C, and B5, Folate, red-carotenoids and omega 3 (fish) are good for asthmatic patients.

1. Avocado
2. Broccoli
3. Spinach
4. Sunflower seed
5. Ginger
6. Turmeric 
7. Garlic
8. Chia seed
9. Flax seed
10. Tomatoes

Foods bad for asthma

In other to avoid attacks, asthma patients should stay away from foods and other things that is known to/may trigger the attack:

1. All fries
2. White bread
3. Cookies 
4. Chips
5. Burger
6. Spicy foods
7. Milk
8. Pizza

Treatment
Most asthmatics rely on medication and inhalers to manage the symptoms, but turning to conventional medicine alone for cure may not give desired result, in that the cause of the problem still remains while symptoms may have dissapeared. At this junction I will introduce some acupuncture points and herbs to stop inflammation, regulates breathing and possibly prevent further occurrence

Acupuncture points

Applying pressure to this points regularly brings healing and clear up blockages on the channels to enhance overall wellbeing

Herbs for asthma
Turmeric: Fights inflammation
Garlic: An antioxidants, cleanses the chest also serves as antibiotics, antispasmodic, antifungal etc.
Ginger: Also an antioxidant, help fight free radicals

Deep breathing
Take deep breath to control your heart rate and lossen up tension in the chest, inhale with the nose and exhale with the mouth

Coffee
A cup of coffee will improve the airways function, just one cup to avoid hyperventilation

Get away from triggers
Try to get away as soon as possible from what triggers you, and ask for help if need be

Caution

1. Avoid secondhand smoke e.g wood burning, kerosine stove, cigarettes and others
2. Stay away from detergents that may trigger the attack
3. Avoid insecticides, disinfectants, perfumes and other strong odours
4. Make sure to reduce dust mites at home etc. 

Discover the cause of your attack

Get away from triggers
Live healthy, stay healthy