The uncomfortable vaginal rash

by Irvine Syazyombo

Vaginal rash means a red , itchy and painful rash around the vaginal area. The area may have blisters, sores or retain the normal colour but develop bumps.

Medical pundits say a discharge,  burning with urination, itching or pain may be the other symptoms.

The experts say rashes  in the vaginal area may either be caused by non infectious or infectious causes.

“Some of the non infectious causes of a vaginal rash include: allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, eczema, lichen simplex chronicus, psoriasis, use of soaps, douches and other products that contain chemicals and yeast infections,” writes Kathy Love of Home Remedies Online magazine.

She says vaginal rash is often a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. Kathy Love lists the contagious diseases as crabs (pubic lice) ,scabies, genital herpes, granuloma inguinale, human papilloma virus, Molluscum contagiosum and syphilis.

Much as vaginal rash indicates an underlying infection, pundits list symptoms that may be there as abdominal discharge, appearance of rash on the hands and feet, burning sensation in the vagina or vulva, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, foul odor, itching and irritation in the genital area, pain while urinating or during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain and ulcerations on the vulva.

“Sometimes vaginal rashes can be accompanied by conditions that can have serious or life threatening complications. Seek immediate medical care if you have a high fever or severe abdominal or pelvic pain,” says healthgrades ,an online medical journal.

The pundits also say vaginal rash can be treated by tropical creams and ointments, oral antibiotics and suppositories.

Kathy Love suggests other remedies apart from the conventional medication.

“Ice: Most rashes on the skin can be relieved with the help of ice. Apply an ice pack on the affected area for at least 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day. Garlic: The antibacterial and antifungal properties present in this spice make it an excellent remedy for most bacterial and yeast infections. You may either sprinkle some raw garlic over your food or apply garlic oil to the affected area,” she says.

She also advises the application of a soaked and chilled tea bag, baking soda and Aloe Vera on the affected area.

What is most important is that women who have vaginal rash should see a doctor as soon as possible. To coin a phrase, a stitch in time saves nine.

How to prevent colon cancer

by Irvine Syazyombo

When cell growth is normal, that is fine. But if it goes out of control, that is cancer. When this uncontrolled growth  begins with cells in the large,intestine that is colon cancer.

According to some science journals, most colon cancer originates from small noncancerous tumors that form on the inner walls of the large intestine.

Journals say some of the small tumors may grow into malignant colon cancer if they are not removed medically and that colon cancer  causes more complications by invading health tissue near the tumor.

“After malignant tumors form, the cancerous cells may travel through the blood and lymph systems, spreading to other parts of the body,” says one journal.

Reliable science journals also say Colon cancer , like any other cancer, is also caused by damage to the genes involved in cell division.

“Cancer occurs when a cell's gene mutations make the cell unable to correct DNA damage and unable to commit suicide,” says the journal.

However,doctors say there are ways in which one can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

“Medical experts don’t agree on the role of diet in preventing colorectal cancer, but often recommend a diet low in animal fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, such as coronary artery disease and diabetes. This diet also may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer,” says another journal.

The journal says researchers have been examining the role of Aspirin, calcium, vitamin D, selenium and other medicines in preventing colorectal cancer.

It says some studies suggest that people may reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco.

“The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is by having regular colorectal cancer screening from age 50,” the journal further says.

Risks of colon cancer could be reduced. It is up to each individual to be concerned and prevent the disease.

The silent killer

 by Irvine Syazyombo

Some diseases like malaria have signs and symptoms which health personnel notice  as soon as a patient reaches hospital.

However , high blood pressure is different. Initially you do not have any symptoms and with time it kills you.

“Many people assume you will get a headache or some other kind of signal when blood pressure is high. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Often, the first sign of unknown or untreated high blood pressure is a stroke, a heart attack, or kidney disease,” Kathy Berra  , clinical director of the Stanford Heart Network at Stanford University School of Medicine told Bewell, a Stanford University online journal.

She says serious complications leading to stroke cause permanent and significant disability.

Doctors say it kills through stroke, heart disease, damaging of blood vessels, kidneys and other organs.

“For a variety of reasons, your blood may begin to push too hard against the blood vessels. This is high blood pressure,” says health online journal, WebMD.

According to Bewell the disease does not only increase with age but also affects all ages regardless of sex, ethnicity or race.

WebMD also says avoiding overeating and having nutritious food low in fat, salt and sugar  prevents high blood pressure.

The journal also advises people to limit salt and alcohol intake, as well as avoiding smoking altogether.

“Don’t smoke tobacco and minimize your exposure to second hand smoke,” the journal says.

The journal counsels people to exercise regularly and avoid stress build up.

“The chemicals your body makes in response to stress make your heart beat harder and faster and your blood vessels tighten. All this makes blood pressure higher,” Miss Barre explains.

Doctors call high blood pressure a silent killer. To avoid being a victim, it is advisable to have blood pressure regularly measured.

The anti-ageing medicine

by Irvine Syazyombo

People want to live youthfully and energetically forever. If there was a place  overseas where humans could fly to buy back their youth, they would  frequent  it excitedly. I wonder how long the queues would be! Ageing would be no more!

However, ageing can be managed. It should not be miserable time at the mouth of the grave. There is medicine at least to delay it.

That medicine is taken through wise and enlightened food choices. Every day, people choose whether to delay their ageing with healthy meals or precipitate it by embracing poor diet and nutrition.

“What you eat makes a huge difference in how you age and how you feel,” online health publication, WebMD quotes dietitian Manuel Villarcorta.

The Polish Academy of Sciences site also says ageing is influenced by lifestyle, including diet and nutrition.

“The best diet to delay age related disease onset is one low in calories and saturated fat and high in whole cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables…such a diet should become a key component of healthy ageing delaying age related diseases and perhaps the ageing process itself,” says the US National Library of Medicine site.

What you eat matters and affects your ageing process. It is either you are poisoning your body and making it age faster , or treating it with the right kind of food.

You poison your body by eating too much salt which could damage your kidneys, eyes and brain through high blood pressure.

Avoid fatty meat and milk as the fat could cause you cardiovascular disease. Lower your sugar consumption because it can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

As you avoid dangers that would not only precipitate ageing but also cause premature  death, bring in a healthy diet, the medicine that is needed to delay ageing.

Carrots, garlic, broccoli, bright coloured fruits like tomatoes , and  strawberries ,blueberries, black currants, black berries and leafy greens help protect cells against destruction by harmful molecules called free radicals.

These foods contain molecules that protect your body cells against functional deterioration, premature ageing and cancerous mutation.

Such chemicals are vitamin E, C, beta carotene and many more.

“Antioxidants like vitamin C can even help keep your skin younger -looking. One study linked eating lots of yellow and green vegetables to fewer wrinkles,” says the WebMD journal.

Whole grains are also essential. They are not only rich in fibre but also reduce chances of type 2 diabetes and keep blood vessels in tip top form.

Fish also have anti ageing protection. They have Omega-3 fatty acids that help protect the heart and reduce chances of developing stroke.

Ageing has medicine. However, you do not need to go to hospital to be treated. The doses are taken right in the comfort of your own home. That happens whenever you eat healthy food.

Causes of your bad breath

by Irvine Syazyombo

If you have talked closely with someone who has bad breath, you know how uncomfortable it is. Unfortunately an odor may also emanate from your mouth.

The problem with bad breath from your mouth is that you cannot know about the odor unless someone who cares tells you. And that could be embarrassing.


Medical science discloses a number of causes that range from oral to respiratory and digestive problems.


Various doctors have mentioned on their sites that the most common cause is food debris trapped in the mouth which becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that cause bad breath.


“Other causes can include poor oral health, improper cleaning of dentures, periodontal disease(gum disease) as well as smoking and tobacco products,” says Dr. Rita Louise.


The medical experts also say bad breath can be a sign of a medical condition of the stomach, lungs and blood stream.

The medical pundits also point out a dry mouth as a cause of morning breath and that alcohol contributes to the reduction in saliva production thereby making the mouth fail to have a natural mouth wash.

The other cause is food type like garlic and alcohol which are smelly in breath.This does not last  as it can be stopped by shunning the kind of food

The doctors say one of the solutions to bad breath is to thoroughly brush teeth and tongue about an hour after every meal.

The sites advise people to clean between teeth also,with a floss. It is a special kind of string that cleans between teeth to remove food particles on which germs thrive to create the odor.

The other piece of medical advice is to do what pundits call a mouth wash. Specific chemicals are used to cleanse your mouth of odor promoting germs.

Health science also advises people to chew sugarless gum to increase saliva flow in the mouth for a salivary mouth wash.

Doctors also advise  people to clean the back of the tongue using a tongue scraper. Nevertheless, if the odor persists after trying all this medical advice ,it is better to see a doctor or dentist.

Bad breadth needs to be taken seriously because it could be a sign of some serious underlying  disease.

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