A Syndrome called TEXT NECK

Weeks ago, in a public transport, on my way to the mall, I saw a teenage boy looking downwards at his smartphone which was held resting on his thigh.

Few minutes into the journey, he was rubbing and slightly rotating his neck left and right looking confused, one could tell from his facial expression he was wondering why he was experiencing a discomfort. Little did he know it was associated with the use of his smartphone.

Technology today is causing a pandemic of poor posture and neck strain starting from a young age.
Recently, I discovered a bad habit associated with the use of smartphone and laptop which unfortunately takes a toll on a person’s health.

Text neck is a Modern age term coined to describe repeated stress injury and pain in the neck resulting from excessive watching or texting on hand held devices over a sustained period of time. It is a cause for increasing concern especially with children and young adults given their greater propensity to mobile phone usage.

The term ‘Text Neck’ was coined by Dr. DL Fishman, a US chiropractor. This condition is a growing lifestyle and health condition with the constant growth in mobile user population all over the world. Apart from neck pain, it can also cause shoulder pain, upper back pain, headaches and increased thoracic kyphosis (a deformity in the normal position of the spinal bones associated with the neck and chest region).
In case you are wondering, yes, the way we handle our smartphones can cause severe pain. That constant headache you are having could be connected.

Symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome

The most common presentation of Text Neck is neck pain, stiffness and soreness. The main symptoms include;
1) Stiff neck: Soreness and difficulty in moving the neck is usually present when trying to move the neck after long usages.
2) Pain: Can be localized to one spot or may be diffused over an area, usually lower part of the neck. Can be described as dull aching or can also be sharp or stabbing in extreme cases.
3) Radiating pain: This can often be radiation of pain into the shoulders and arms.
4) Muscular weakness: Shoulders muscles namely, trapezius, rhomboids and shoulder external rotators are often weak
5) Headache

Others include;Early onset arthritis, Spinal degeneration, Disc compression, Muscle weakness and (but not limited to) Loss of lung capacity.

How does this happen?

Flexing the head forward to use a smartphone affects the spine directly. Tilting the head forward to 15 degrees places about 9.08 kg of force on the neck which is almost equivalent to 9bags of 1kg semolina placed at the back of the neck.

This increases to 18.16kg at 30 degrees, 22.25kg at 45 degrees and 27.24kg at 60 degrees.

Damage caused by untreated text neck can be similar to occupational overuse syndrome or repetitive stress/strain injury.

How to self diagnose TEXT NECK

Source; relaxtherapieswirral.com

What can be done to treat text neck?

Prevention is essential as the following suggestions should be kept in mind while using smartphones or other hand held devices:
1) Avoid excessive usage and take frequent breaks.
2) Avoid prolonged static postures.
3) Position the device such that it reduces stresses both on the head/neck and the upper extremities.
4) Avoid high repetitions of movements such as prolonged typing or swiping.
5) Avoid holding large or heavy devices in one hand for long duration.

In acute cases, pain relief is the main goal. It can be achieved by
Regular neck movements: rotations and side bending
Stretches
Ice/heat packs
Massage
In extreme chronic cases or persistent pain, consult a cerified physician.

If you are a victim of text neck syndrome, do ensure you start taking measures to rehabilitate yourself when it comes to handling your smartphone.
The next time you see someone guilty of holding his/her phone in a bad posture, endeavour to share with him/her this information.

Let us beat text neck syndrome together.

Comments, suggestions, questions, are welcome.

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Do have a lovely weekend

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The Relationship between Beer Consumers and Pot Belly

There is a correlation between the consumption of alcohol and pot belly. Not just in men but women too. Several questions tend to pop on this issue such as;

1) What causes pot belly?

2) Women consume alcohol, why don’t they share that pot belly feature like men?

3) Is pot belly really a sign of Good living?

What causes pot belly?

Alcoholic drinks, such as beer, increases the risk of belly fat because the liver prioritizes burning alcohol before digesting fat.

This allows more fat to store in the body in a process known as fat sparing. Beer and other alcoholic drinks tend to increase appetite, so extra calories can be consumed through meals often paired with beer, such as pepper soup with lots of meat and fish.

Beer has empty calories; it doesn’t contain the fiber, vitamins or minerals a person needs to feel satisfied, which also leads to excess calorie consumption and fat gain.

Women also consume beers, why don’t they share that pot belly feature like men?

Storage of fat in the body is influenced by sex, age, lifestyle and genetics.

In men, fat is stored in the belly, while in women, fat is deposited around the hips, buttocks and thighs.

This does not mean women cannot gain a beer belly, it’s just less likely than men when consuming too many calories.

A decline in hormone levels with age, in both men and women, also increases the likelihood of storing belly fat.

Is pot belly really a sign of Good living?

The belly region is where several vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, stomach are located.

Unlike subcutaneous fat (which is found just under the skin) visceral fat is found between organs. The visceral fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and insulin resistance which are basically causes of Hypertension and Diabetes.

A waistline of 35 inches or more is a high risk for women, while 40 inches or more is a health hazard for men, according to The American Council on Exercise.

The answer is no. Pot belly is not a sign of good living, infact, it is should be seen as an emergency.

Tips of the day

1) Excessive alcohol intake is detrimental to health, if you must drink, drink responsibly.

2) If your waistline is above 35inches for women and 40inches for men, ensure you burn the fat. This can be done via exercise, avoidance of alcohol and fattening foods. You may also consult a dietitian.

Share this information with friends and family.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more enlightening information.

Source: livestrong 

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MEASLES (RUBEOLA)

    MEASLES (RUBEOLA)

 Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that is transmitted through air droplets of other humans. Although it affects both adults and children, it is more common in children. Despite the availability of vaccination and the vast reduction in the number of casualties, according to the WHO, about 7 million people were affected by measles and about 90,000 deaths were recorded. It has severe complications e.g. encephalitis, acute immunosuppression predisposing the patient to pneumonia.
  A picture of a child suffering from measles.


 RISK FACTORS

   -Immunodeficiency states e.g. HIV/AIDS, leukemia, steroid therapy

          -Travel to measles-endemic areas or contact with travellers to endemic areas.

          -Lack of immunization

Severe measles infection can occur in the presence of:

-Malnutrition

-Pregnancy

-Immunodeficiency

-Vitamin A deficiency

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

These typically present about 7-14 days after exposure to the causative organism. High-grade fever >40 degrees Celsius lasting 4-7 days is usually experienced first. Patients also experience malaise, loss of appetite and classically, a triad of cough, coryza (runny nose) and conjunctivitis. ‘Koplik’s spots’- tiny, white spots- may also appear in the mouth and last 3-5 days followed by rashes on the face, neck and behind the ears. Measles, when uncomplicated, usually last 7-10 days before resolution. Immunocompetent individuals develop lifelong immunity after exposure.

DIAGNOSIS

This is usually made clinically, however, laboratory confirmation is needed for epidemiology purposes. Tests that can be done include:

–Serologic testing for measles-specific IgM or IgG titers

-Isolation of the virus (viral culture)

-Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) evaluation

TREATMENT

Treatment mainly is supportive and involves:

          – Adequate (re)hydration and replacement of electrolytes lost to diarrhea or vomiting

          -Vitamin A supplementation

Sources: Medscape, CDC, WHO

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MENINGITIS -- KEEPING YOURSELF SAFE DURING THE MENINGITIS OUTBREAK

You must have heard or read a thing or two about the meningitis outbreak on-going in the country now. If you have, here’s further information on how to keep safe, along with your team. If you haven’t, here’s another chance.

Meningitis outbreaks are not new, especially in Nigeria. However, they have been limited to particular regions, referred to as the Meningitis Belt. This belt covers majorly the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria and involves the following states: Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Kano,

In this outbreak, even though cases are more concentrated in these states, there have been more instances of sporadic cases in other parts than usual like Lagos, Osun, Cross Rivers and Plateau.

Another difference this outbreak has from the others is the strain of the causative organism, which is Neisseria Meningitides, a bacterium. Usually, the strain seen is the type A, for which vaccines were developed, but the strain affecting victims is the type C of the bacteria. Nigerians have not been previously vaccinated against this. So, combating this outbreak has been like starting the battle with meningitis for the first time.

You still don’t know what meningitis is?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected. Now infection can be of bacterial or viral origin. These are the most common causes as well as the most contagious. 

Less common causes of meningitis are: cancer, chemical irritation, fungi, and drug allergies.

What we are talking about here though is the bacterial meningitis as that’s the cause of this outbreak.

The common culprits are Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is typically found in the respiratory tract, sinuses, and nasal cavity and can cause what’s called “pneumococcal meningitis”, Haemophilus influenza, which can cause not only meningitis but infection of the blood, inflammation of the windpipe, cellulitis, and infectious arthritis, Listeria monocytogenes, which is a foodborne bacteria and the guilty one in this instance, Neisseria meningitidis, which is spread through saliva and other respiratory fluids and causes what’s called “meningococcal meningitis”

Learn to recognise the symptoms.

These symptoms develop suddenly. They may include: altered mental status, nausea, vomiting, a sensitivity to light, irritability, a headache, a fever, a stiff neck.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms. Bacterial meningitis can be deadly. There’s no way to know if you have bacterial or viral meningitis just by judging how you feel. Your doctor will need to perform tests to determine which type you have. Scary complications that can arise from a meningococcal infection are seizures, hearing loss, brain damage, hydrocephalus, a subdural effusion, or a buildup of fluid between the brain and the skull.

How is Meningitis treated?

Bacterial meningitis requires immediate hospitalization. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and death. Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics. There’s no specific antibiotic for bacterial meningitis. It depends on the bacteria involved.

How contagious is meningitis? Very.

What puts you at risk for meningitis?

Meningitis is easily spread when people live in close quarters. Small spaces increase chances of exposure. These kinds of places are boarding schools, daycare centres, co-working spaces, barracks, and college dormitories.

Any immune deficiency makes you more vulnerable to infections that cause meningitis. This can be as a result of auto-immune disorders, chemotherapy, and organ or bone transplants, HIV or AIDS.

All ages are at risk for meningitis. However, certain age groups have a higher risk. Children under the age of 5 are at increased risk of viral meningitis. Infants are at higher risk of bacterial meningitis. This outbreak however has affected mostly the age group 5-14 years.

How to prevent?

Carriers can infect other people through activities like: open-mouthed kissing, sharing food or utensils, coughing, sneezing. Avoid close proximity with carriers

 Avoid sharing any items that may contain saliva as well

Get vaccinated!

Due to the severity of the sepsis that results, ICU care is required for many of the patients to survive. This level of care is not readily available in all areas of Nigeria especially in the regions where the outbreak is most prevalent.

Air ambulances would be very useful for transferring patients with meningococcal sepsis for ICU care in centres in cities where ICU care is readily available, in Nigeria and Africa, saving countless lives in the process.

Reference: WHO Meningitis Factsheet

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Methods of Vision Screening of Employees

Two techniques for screening vision may be used:

1. Modified clinical technique (MCT);
2. Instrument screeners.

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Smart Contact Lenses

Sony is developing a smart contact lens which can record videos and play them back. Each contact lens can be controlled by the user’s deliberate blinks and it features autofocus, exposure adjustment and zooming capacities. 

It also features piezoelectric sensors which convert the movement of the eye into energy to power the lens.
The image capture and storage technology are embedded in the lens around the iris. Inbuilt storage allows the user to access these recordings and images easily within the lens. The design of the smart lens was revealed in Sony's patent.

Google and Samsung are also developing their version of the smart contact lenses which could also feature night vision and thermal imaging.

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What is MCT Oil

If you like following health journals or you read a lot of articles on how to improve your health then you may have already encountered MCT oil. But do you really know what it is?

What is MCT oil?

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which consist of medium-chain fatty acids. This basically means that in terms of chemical structure, its fats that make up the strings of carbon and hydrogen are only “medium” in length. Short-chain fats have less than six carbons in its strings, while long-chain fats have 13 to 21 – medium-chain fatty acids are right smack in the middle with 6 to 12 carbons in its strings.

There are three separate fatty acids that are identified as MCT. You have C6:0 or Caproic Acid, C8:0 or Caprylic Acid, and C10:0 or Capric Acid – all of these you can find in coconut oil.

Caproic Acid; while there’s not enough of it in coconut oil, is known for quickly converting into ketones (the result of the body burning fat for energy) and not turning into stored fat. C6 tastes bad and usually causes an upset stomach.

Caprylic Acid, a.k.a. Brain Octane is known for having powerful anti-microbial properties that can help the body maintain a healthy gut (which is a must in boosting the immune system), and support mood and mental health. Studies have also proven that Brain Octane is exceptionally effective in curbing cravings and this is why a lot of weight management products on the market these days feature C8 in their list of “super” ingredients.

As for Capric Acid, it’s not as high performing as Caprylic Acid – it’s definitely slower in terms of converting into energy, but it’s more affordable than C8.

Benefits of MCTs

• They are used therapeutically for people with malabsorption problems, like Crohn’s Disease or a missing bladder.
• They may be helpful in treating diabetes and hypertension because they support proper metabolic functioning.
• They will allow you to increase the amount of carbohydrates you can eat while remaining in “ketosis.”

Other Sources of MCTs

1. Palm kernel oil
2. Full milk (from grass-fed cows)
3. Butter
4. Cheddar cheese
5. Full-fat yogurt

How to Incorporate MCTs into Your Diet

• Use MCT oil, an egg yolk, extra virgin olive oil, lime extract, and salt for your homemade mayo to use for sandwiches and salads.
• Use MCT oil for salad dressings.
• Add some to smoothies and other healthy drinks.
• Use MCT oil as replacement for any recipe that asks for coconut oil.

MCT oil can do wonders for your overall wellness. If you wish to manage your weight, have more energy, concentrate better, and lower your risk of developing infectious diseases, MCT oil should definitely figure in your health regimen.

Author Bio: Chelsea Sawyer is a certified health coach. She has been helping many people in changing their behaviors to keep them focused on achieving their health and fitness goals. With great passion for writing, her hobbies include writing and sharing helpful techniques on various health topics. She visits sites like Bulletproof

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Breastfeeding Diet – Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

Eating well while breastfeeding is important for both mother and baby. While there are no clear-cut rules, guidelines or even a strict definition for what is considered a good breastfeeding diet, it still helps to be mindful of what you eat to ensure you and your child are getting sufficient nutrition during these critical years.

Nursing mothers often face the following eating dilemmas:

- It’s easy to miss meals – or more exactly, forget about self-care altogether – when you are caring for a baby.

- It’s hard to sit down for regular, proper meals when you have a baby attached to you most of the time.

- You feel thirsty and hungry all the time. No surprise, because it is estimated that you use 330 calories a day when you are breastfeeding (more than what you can burn if you run or mow the lawn for an hour).

This combination of exhaustion, hunger and time and logistical constraints is dangerous. It can lead to poor food choices and hard-to-break habits that can affect your health and your baby. The following are steps that can help you avoid this scenario:

Develop a meal plan. When you’re stressed, sleepless, having cravings and have limited mobility, reaching out for the nearest chips or glugging down a can of soda can become the easiest “solution.” Get away from this cycle by taking the time to plan your meals and make advanced preparation to enjoy easy but healthy choices and no-fuss, nutritious meals.

Great choices include combinations of the following:

- Fresh, whole fruits and vegetables (lots of the green leafy kind).

- Foods rich in calcium, such as milk, fortified tofu, almonds.

- Protein sources for energy, such as meat and eggs.

- Omega-3 sources, such as salmon and sardines, preferably wild-caught.

- Fiber-rich foods, such as whole wheat bread and rice.

Make “good” the easy choice. Make sure that in times of emergency (such as a late meal or a midday craving), you’ll have access only to good food. Keep water, natural fruit juices, coconut water, lemon water and other thirst-quenchers in the fridge and by your bedside so you stay hydrated all day and night. Make sure you have healthy and nutrient-rich snacks on hand, such as yoghurt, cut fruit, nuts and granola to graze on.

Know what you need to stay away from. For coffee, see if you can switch to decaf or at least limit yourself to two cups a day. For alcohol, a glass of red wine once in a while is often fine. If you are breastfeeding exclusively, be on alert for signs of allergy in your baby that may be due to your diet. If your baby frequently suffers from rashes, runny nose, watery stools and round-the-clock fussiness, take her to a pediatrician immediately.


Author Bio: Chelsea Sawyer is a certified health coach. She has been helping many people in changing their behaviors to keep them focused on achieving their health and fitness goals. With great passion for writing, her hobbies include writing and sharing helpful techniques on various health topics. She visits sites like Similac3Arabia

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