The Tellrhodes Blog

Healthy living Good health habits can allow you to avoid illness and improve your quality of life. The following steps will help you feel better and live better. Get regular exercise and control your weight. Don't smoke. Do NOT drink a lot of alcohol. Avoid alcohol completely if you have a history of alcoholism. Use the medicines your health care provider gives you as directed. Eat a balanced and healthy diet. Take care of your teeth. Manage high blood pressure. Follow good safety practices. EXERCISE Exercise is a key factor in staying healthy. Exercise strengthens the bones, heart, and lungs, tones muscles, improves vitality, relieves depression, and helps you sleep better. Talk to your provider before starting an exercise program if you have health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes. This can help ensure that your exercise is safe and that you get the most of out of it. SMOKING Cigarette smoking is the main preventable cause of dea...

FOOD AND NUTRITION The effective management of food intake and nutrition are both key to good health. Smart nutrition and food choices can help prevent disease. Eating the right foods can help your body cope more successfully with an ongoing illness. Understanding good nutrition and paying attention to what you eat can help you maintain or improve your health. The effective management of food intake and nutrition are both key to good health. Smart nutrition and food choices can help prevent disease. Eating the right foods can help your body cope more successfully with an ongoing illness. Understanding good nutrition and paying attention to what you eat can help you maintain or improve your health. What Is Good Nutrition? Food and nutrition are the way that we get fuel, providing energy for our bodies. We need to replace nutrients in our bodies with a new supply every day. Water is an important component of nutrition. Fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are all required. Mai...

HEART ATTACK A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked, most often by a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries). The interrupted blood flow can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle. A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, can be fatal, but treatment has improved dramatically over the years. It's crucial to call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack. Symptoms Common heart attack signs and symptoms include: Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain Shortness of breath Cold sweat Fatigue Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness Heart attack symptoms vary Not all people who have heart attacks have the same symptoms or have the same severity of symptoms. Some people have...

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE OR INFECTION. What Is a Sexually Transmitted Infection? The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to any illness that is passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. An STD may also be referred to as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or venereal disease (VD). This does not mean that sex is the only way that STDs can be transmitted. Depending on the STD, infection may also be transmitted through: shared needles breastfeeding non-sexual skin-to-skin contact shared bedding or towels TYPES Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections A large number of infections can be transmitted sexually. Some STDs carry obvious symptoms. Common STD symptoms include: rashes pain during sex or urination abnormal discharge sores, bumps, or blisters However, many people with STDs have no symptoms. Some STDs often lie dormant for years.  asymptomatic STDs are so common that many people with STDs have no idea t...

TRAMADOL AND ITS HEALTH EFFECTS. Tramadol is an opioid,  opioids are potent painkillers that are also used for recreational purposes because they give users a feeling of pleasure that can be habit-forming. Research and statistics suggest that since tramadol is an opioid (with partial action on brain receptors), the risk of dependence exists with long-term consumption. What are some signs of tramadol abuse? Tramadol is a prescription painkiller and most individuals who get addicted to it are the ones who consume it for relief of chronic pain syndromes. However, with frequent use, most people unintentionally develop addiction. You can also assess your addiction or dependence status by analyzing these signs: Consumption of tramadol in doses that are higher than the recommended dosage Increasing the dosage without physician's approval An inability to decrease the dose or stop the consumption altogether Development of withdrawal symptoms with the non-availability of drug W...

Marijuana. Marijuana , also known as cannabis, among other names,  is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant intended for medical or recreational use.  The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); one of 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids .Cannabis can be used by smoking, vaporizing, within food, or as an extract. Your Body on Marijuana When you smoke pot, THC and other chemicals travel from your bloodstream to your brain. THC causes the feel-good "high." Here are some of the other effects you'll feel: Trouble thinking and remembering Bloodshot eyes Dry mouth (cotton mouth) Increased appetite (the "munchies") Fast heart rate Slowed coordination Marijuana Smoke: What's in It? Marijuana smoke contains about 60 chemicals called cannabinoids. The best-known of these is THC, which also leads to the signs that someone has been smoking pot: the memory loss and random thoughts,...

CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUG ABUSE IN AFRICA (CADAA) BY  HIFAD, AFRICA 2018. Drugs abuse Whаt іѕ a drug? A drug is a substance uѕеd fоr mеdісаl рurроѕеѕ thаt changes thе ѕtаtе оr funсtіоn оf the bоdу. Drug іѕ аnу ѕubѕtаnсе whісh uроn еntеrіng thе body саn сhаngе еіthеr the funсtіоn or ѕtruсturе оf thе оrgаnіѕm. On the оthеr hаnd, drug abuse іѕ a ѕіtuаtіоn whеre a drug is tаkеn mоrе thаn іt is prescribed. It could bе seen аѕ thе uѕе оf іllісіt drugѕ, оr the abuse оf рrеѕсrірtіоn or over-the-counter drugѕ.    Drug аbuѕе саn bе further dеfіnеd as thе dеlіbеrаtе uѕе оf chemical ѕubѕtаnсеѕ fоr reasons other thаn іntеndеd mеdісаl purposes and whісh rеѕultѕ іn рhуѕісаl, mental emotional оr ѕосіаl іmраіrmеnt of thе uѕеr. Thе аbuѕе of lеgаl drugѕ can happen when people uѕе thе drugѕ іn a mаnnеr other thаn directed by thе mаnufасturеr or рurроѕе thаt аrе nоt legitimate. Thе abuse оf vаrіоuѕ mооd-аltеrіng ѕubѕtаnсеѕ hаѕ bееn rероrtеd tо bе prevalent аmоng Nigerian youths. Sоmе ...

HEALTH WITH HIFAD MENINGITIS Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. 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. The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. Other causes may include: cancer chemical irritation fungi drug allergies Viral and bacterial meningitis are contagious. They can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing , or close contact. Symptoms Early meningitis symptoms may mimic the flu (influenza). Symptoms may develop over several hours or over a few days. Possible signs and symptoms in anyone older than the age of 2 include: Sudden high fever Stiff neck Severe headache that seems different than normal Headache with nau...

HEALTH INITIATIVES FOR FIGHT AGAINST DISEASE, AFRICA. RISK FACTORS FOR  ADDICTION Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (for example, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (such as gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continuation of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health. People who have developed an addiction may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others. People of all backgrounds and beliefs can experience addiction. It can be hard to understand why some people are more prone to it than others. Regardless of your upbringing or moral code, many factors can raise your risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and other drugs. Your genetics, environment, medical history, and age all play a role. Certain types of drugs, and methods of using them, are also more addictive th...

Welcome back to abother edition of Health with HIFAD What Is a Migraine? Migraines are intense, sometimes debilitating headaches. The most common types of migraine are those with aura (classical migraines) and those without aura (common migraines). Migraines can begin in childhood or may not occur until early adulthood. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are three times more likely than men to have migraines. Family history is one of the most common risk factors for having migraines. What Are the Symptoms and Phases of a Migraine? Migraine symptoms may begin one to two days before the headache itself. This is known as the migraine’s prodrome stage. Symptoms include: *.food cravings *.depression *.fatigue or low energy *.frequent yawning *.hyperactivity *.irritability *.neck stiffness Some — but not all — people may also experience an aura after the prodrome stage. An aura causes visual, motor, and/or speech disturbances, such as: *.difficulty speaking clearly *.feeling a prickling ...

Welcome to another awesome episode of health with hifad get your notepad ready cause its time to take lessons!!! HiFAD FIRST AID SERIES ... First Aid for Unconsciousness What Is Unconsciousness? Unconsciousness is when a person suddenly becomes unable to respond to stimuli and appears to be asleep. A person may be unconscious for a few seconds (fainting) or for longer periods of time. People who become unconscious don’t respond to loud sounds or shaking. They may even stop breathing or their pulse may become faint. This calls for immediate emergency attention. The sooner the person receives emergency first aid, the better their outlook will be. What Causes Unconsciousness? Unconsciousness can be brought on by a major illness or injury, or complications from drug use or alcohol abuse. Common causes of unconsciousness include: *a car accident *severe blood loss *a blow to the chest or head *a drug overdose *alcohol poisoning A person may become temporarily unconscious (faint) when ...

Another informative episode of Health with Hifad.... HiFAD health habits.... How much exercise is enough? You don’t need to join a fancy gym or buy expensive home equipment to build a good fitness program. Daily activities that count as physical activity include:cleaning your house, walking to and from work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator gardening and shopping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages healthy adults to complete at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. Moderate aerobic activity includes many forms of exercise, such as brisk walking, using an elliptical machine, or swimming laps. Alternately, you can complete one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, such as running or cycling. It’s best to spread your exercise out throughout the week. Aim to get 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity on most days. The CDC also recommends doing strength training, such as weightlifting or yoga, a...

Welcome to our weekly health section With HIFAD where we discuss different health topics and also answer questions .. HiFADS Mental health series         * We all need this               * Start managing stress now.. * Read this more than once, and if you are battling with stress,  keep reading this till you are better * Don't be quick to use drugs to ease your stress                                                                            STRESS            We all know what it's like to feel stressed, but it's not easy to pin down exactly what stress means. When we say things like "this is stressful" or "I'm stressed", we might be talking about: •     Situations  or  events...