Health
Tackling Constipation Naturally
Constipation is defined as infrequent or uncomfortable bowel movements, in other words it simply means difficulty in passing feaces.
Constipation occurs when the transit time of slows it moves through the large intestine. During this process the intestine reclaims usual amount of water from waste and as a result the stool becomes hard and drug hence making it difficult and uncomfortable to pass.
Some perfectly healthy people have as many as two or three bowel movements a day, while others have as few likely indicated by a sudden decline in the frequency of bowel movements, coupled with drier, harder stool.
As stated earlier, the most common symptoms of constipation are less frequent bowel movement; harder, drier stools that are difficult to pass; a feeling that the rectum has not been thoroughly emptied after a bowel movement; abdominal and rectal pain; nausea; lack of appetite and straining during a bowel movement which in turn can cause heamorrhoids and a temporary rise in blood pressure.
Medically explained constipation arises when the pelvic floor and muscles of the arms contract rather than relax while straining during defecation. Other conditions that can contribute to constipation include underactive thyroid gland, Parkinson’s disease, high blood levels of calcium, an inactive colon nerve or spinal cord injuries, and changes in the level of neurotransmitters according to Dr. Ronald Hoffman and Barry Fox.
Fortunately, Dr. Denis Burkitt, a British surgeon who had spent most of his time working in Africa discovered that many of the local people hardly suffer from constipation because of their diet.
Foremost natimpath, Dr. James Duke has touted fibre as a solution to curing constipation. I am not just talking about prune juice. Every whole grain item and every fibre-rich fruit and vegetable helps prevent and relieve constipation”.
Dr. Duke cautions against throwing away the remains of fruits after they are juiced or blended.
In the light of this, the best way to treat constipation is to prevent it from occurring in the first place by eating a high fibre diet, drinking plenty of fluids and getting an adequate amount of exercise.
Dr. Ronald Hoffman and Barry Fox had harped on the effect of prebiotic and probiotic substances in solving constipation. For instance probiotics are living microorganisms that, when consumed indifferent amounts, produce health benefits beyond simple nutritional assistance.
Probiotics are usually found in cultured diary products such as yoghurt. Both prebiotics and probiotics can help lower cholesterol and blood fats, ease lactose intolerance, strengthen the immune system, and otherwise health.
Aloe vera is also very effective against constipation. So also is flax seed. Taking one to three tablespoons of whole or crushed flaxseed two or three times a day for chronic constipation can bring results.
One warned to be careful while ingesting flax seed. It’s recommended that one drinks plenty of water at least eight full glasses a day to keep that bulk moving through your digestive system.
Two United States scientists who unraveled the human micro RNA have won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024.
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the coveted prize for their work on microRNA as their discoveries help explain how complex life emerged on earth and how the human body is made up of a wide variety of different tissues.
MicroRNAs influence how genes – the instructions for life – are controlled inside organisms, including humans.
Every cell in the human body contains the same raw genetic information, locked in our DNA.
However, despite starting with the identical genetic information, the cells of the human body are wildly different in form and function.
The electrical impulses of nerve cells are distinct from the rhythmic beating of heart cells. The metabolic powerhouse that is a liver cell is distinct to a kidney cell, which filters urea out of the blood.
The light-sensing abilities of cells in the retina are different in skillset to white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infection.
So much variety can arise from the same starting material because of gene expression.
The US scientists were the first to discover microRNAs and how they exerted control on how genes are expressed differently in different tissues.
The medicine and physiology prize winners are selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute.
They said: “Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans.
“It is now known that the human genome codes for over 1,000 microRNAs.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has begun acting to curb effects of antibiotic pollution.
The new guidance on wastewater and solid waste management for antibiotic manufacturing sheds light on this important but neglected challenge ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) taking place on 26 September 2024.
The emergence and spread of AMR caused by antibiotic pollution could undermine the effectiveness of antibiotics globally, including the medicines produced at the manufacturing sites responsible for the pollution.
Despite high antibiotic pollution levels being widely documented, the issue is largely unregulated and quality assurance criteria typically do not address environmental emissions. In addition, once distributed, there is a lack of information provided to consumers on how to dispose of antibiotics when they are not used, for example, when they expire or when a course is finished but there is still antibiotic left over.
“Pharmaceutical waste from antibiotic manufacturing can facilitate the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria, which can spread globally and threaten our health. Controlling pollution from antibiotic production contributes to keeping these life-saving medicines effective for everyone,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for AMR ad interim.
Globally, there is a lack of accessible information on the environmental damage caused by manufacturing of medicines.
“The guidance provides an independent and impartial scientific basis for regulators, procurers, inspectors, and industry themselves to include robust antibiotic pollution control in their standards,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, WHO. “Critically, the strong focus on transparency will equip buyers, investors and the general public to make decisions that account for manufacturers’ efforts to control antibiotic pollution.”
In a concerted effort to curb brain drain, the Kebbi State Government has harmonised medical doctors’ salaries to be at par with their colleagues in the federal government’s tertiary health facilities.
Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Musa Inusa-Isma’il, disclosed this at the handing over of ambulances to the state-owned health facilities at the Ministry of Health in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.
Inusa Isma’il, according to a statement by Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said the essence of the harmonisation was to retain the existing medical doctors and attract more to the services of the state.
According to him, the doctors across the state had already started enjoying the new salaries from August 2024.
He said the release of the vehicles was in fulfilment of Governor Nasir Idris’ promise to uplift health care services in the state.
“His Excellency said I should inform you, the beneficiaries of this gesture, that the vehicle should be strictly used for the intended purpose. It should not be used for anything else.
“If there is no referral case, each of the vehicles must be parked at the hospital by 6 pm. The governor said you should warn your drivers against reckless driving as well as violating the instructions.
“We should also do everything possible to reciprocate the gesture by working according to the terms and conditions attached,” he advised.
The benefiting health facilities included Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi; State Teaching Hospital, Kalgo; General Hospital, Argungu; General Hospital, Yauri; General Hospital, Zuru; and General Hospital, Bunza.
In his speech, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Shehu Koko, recalled that the ambulances were handed over to the ministry last Friday by the governor for the onward handover to the benefiting hospitals.
He observed that the ambulances would go a long way in improving the referral system in the state, adding that delays in reaching the secondary and tertiary facilities would be eliminated.
The permanent secretary attributed the high rate of maternal mortality in the country to delays in getting to the health facilities for proper medical care.
“We believe with the provision of these ambulances, part of the gaps we have in our referral system will be addressed, whereby patients who require secondary healthcare could be easily transported to secondary and tertiary health centres, where they can get such help,” he said.
In a goodwill message, Commissioner for Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed expressed gratitude to the governor for the support he has given to the ministry to excel.
While advising the beneficiaries to use the vehicles judiciously, the commissioner advised that services and maintenance of the vehicles must be prompt to derive the maximum benefits from the vehicles.
The commissioner also highlighted some achievements recorded by the government in the last year, including beautification of the state capital, completion of a multimillion-naira ultramodern state secretariat, road construction, construction and renovation of classrooms and upgrading of some health facilities, among others.