VAGINAL INFECTIONS AND THEIR REMEDY

Vaginal discharge, a common affliction of the feminine gender may be caused by bacterial or fungal infection, vitamin B deficiency, and irritation from excessive douching. Vaginitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the vagina and it is characterized by a burning and itching sensation. Infectious vaginitis has also been associated to Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans, causative organisms of Trichomoniasis and Candidiasis. Factors such as poor hygiene, the use of tight, nylon and non-porous clothing, pregnancy, and the use of antibiotics which disturb the body’s natural balance, oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices can produce vaginitis. Atrophic vaginitis is found in postmenopausal women and women whose ovaries have been surgically removed.

Candidiasis or moniliasis is a fungal vaginal infection caused by a yeast, Candida albicans. Symptoms include; production of creamy discharge and intense itching. It can be detected through the use of high vaginal swab (HVS) analysis in the medical laboratory.

Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include intense itching and inflammation, eroding of the vaginal walls. It can be detected through the use of high vaginal swab (HVS) analysis in the medical laboratory.

Treatment of candidiasis include the following; eat plain yoghurt that contains live yoghurt cultures as they can fight infection and prevent inflammation, wear clean and dry cotton pants, avoid corticosteroid or oral contraceptives since they affect the balance of micro-organisms, do not use sweet smelling douches, the use of anti-fungal drugs such as nystatin, griseofulvin, gynotryvogen, itraconazole and fluconazole are very useful. The use of intravaginal pessary 500mg once at night or 200mg at night for three days. Clotrimazole 100mg should be given daily for 12 days. Trichomoniasis can also be treated with asingle dose of metronidazole 400mg every 12 hours for seven days. Other therapies include the use of betadine pessaries, acetarsol pessaries, and metronidazole suppositories respectively.

Candidiasis and trichomoniasis can be effectively treated and averted if genital hygiene and other guidelines are strictly adhered to. The dignity of womanhood is the ability to practice and maintain healthy sexual hygiene.

OBESITY – THE FITNESS FACTOR

Obesity is a situation whereby there is an accumulation of fat in body tissues. An obese individual is said to be suffering from obesity.

Adipose tissues contribute largely to the development of obesity in humans. Adipose tissues are composed of cells called adipocytes. These adipocytes can multiplied rapidly when there is increased and excess food intake usually carbohydrates and fatty foods.

The causes of obesity include the following; consumption of refined and processed food products, fatty foods, foods possessing high quantity of sugar (sweetened foods) and so on.

When these foods are consumed in large quantities the body utilizes the calories it requires while remaining calories are stored in adipose tissues. For instance, excess carbohydrates and sugar are converted into fats which are stored in the adipose tissues. The cumulative effect of this accumulation of body fat results in obesity.

The commonest yardstick used to measure obesity is the body Mass Index (BMI). The body mass index is calculated by dividing the body weight (kg) of the individual by the square of the height (m). A body index value less than 18.5 denotes underweight, a body mass index values of 18.5 – 24.5 denotes moderate weight, a body mass index values of 24.5 – 24.9 denotes overweight while a body mass index of over 24.9 denotes gross overweight.

The effects of obesity cannot be overemphasized or neglected. It results to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction. Studies have shown that most obese persons usually suffer from the above-mentioned diseases. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease results from arteriosclerosis and the formation of atheromatus deposit in blood vessels while diabetes mellitus could be as result of insufficient insulin to convert excess serum glucose into glycogen.

The management and treatment of obesity include the following; dietary discipline, avoid indiscriminate consumption of processed and sweetened foods, fatty foods, avoid practicing sedentary lifestyle and engaging in exercises to burn excess calories.

Obesity can be prevented if the above-mentioned dietary habits are obeyed. To stay healthy and fit you must avoid being obese. There is this maxim that says “the wider your waist line, the closer your death line”. Hence, be wise and remain healthy.