Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and as of March 2021, it accounted for 22.7% of all new cancer cases among women in Nigeria according to a publication by ASCO.  Just like many other types of cancer, early detection is very important and the need for regular screening cannot be overemphasized. As we join people across the world to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we've listed some of the symptoms you should watch out for below. Lump in the breasts This has been penned down as one of the earliest signs of breast cancer. A breast lump surrounded by skin that is dimpled or pimpled like an orange and is also irregularly shaped could be a sign of breast cancer. A self-test coupled with a consultation with a Doctor would confirm this. Pain in the breast and armpit Although pain in the breast and [...]

The human eye is one of the most important organs of the body, many indeed refer to it as the light of the body and they couldn’t be any more apt with that description.   While factors like age and eye defects/diseases could result in a decline in eye health over time, studies show that nutrients available in some foods may help protect your eyes and improve your eyesight.   Here are 6 of such foods you can find in local markets and stores around you.  Carrots Carrots are vegetables that are high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is said to be an important nutrient for eye health, as lack of it can lead to the formation of cataracts and macular degeneration, which can cause blindness in the eye. Fish By consuming fish, you allow omega 3-fatty acids into your body, as fishes are one of the sources for this. The omega-3 [...]

Recently and more prevalently on social media, there’s been an increase in the mention of mental health and its general implication on individuals and society at large. This is due to the rise in the number of mental health cases worldwide and people’s willingness to open up about their personal mental health struggles. Undoubtedly, the state of your mental health can affect your entire well-being- positively if it’s in a good place and negatively if it’s in a bad state; this is why we’ve compiled five tips to help you boost your mental health and live a good life. Avoid self-criticism It is often said that we are our own biggest critics. This is fine, however, it can take its toll on your mental health. Excessive self-criticism can lead to feelings of self-doubt, hopelessness, and in the long run-a mental breakdown. Spend time with the people you love Find those [...]

The heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system of the body responsible for pumping blood throughout the body and also supplying us with oxygen and nutrients. This means that every drop of blood we have in our bodies has passed through our hearts. We can therefore see how important the heart is, in order for us to live and stay healthy. The heart should be protected at all costs. Below are some measures to take to reduce the risk of having heart disease. Limit your sugar and salt intake Consuming large amounts of sugar and salt in our foods does us more harm than good. Although from a surface perspective, it makes your meals tastier; however, internally and in the long run, it can increase your blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It has been argued about which does more damage-sugar or salt, [...]

According to the World Health Organization in 2021, more than 700,000 people commit suicide yearly. In our society, we have seen a number of cases of seemingly happy, financially stable, and healthy individuals taking their own lives. Although we may not always be able to tell when a person is depressed and when they start having suicidal thoughts, there are some telltale signs that have been observed and associated with suicide over the years. 1. Self-harm This occurs when a person hurts themselves as a way of dealing with painful memories or situations. Though these individuals often do this privately, the marks can be observed on their bodies. Self-harm could be a step for a person before considering suicide. These individuals should be given professional assistance as soon as this is detected. 2. Withdrawing from others This is another common sign for individuals who commit suicide, especially for individuals who [...]

Immunity-Boosting Foods For The Cold or Flu Season It’s that time of the year again. Cases of cold and flu are on the rise and if you haven’t caught it yet, you probably know one or two people who have. While we advice that you continue to observe the usual COVID-19 safety protocol, especially when you’re in crowded areas; there’s no better way to protect yourself than to boost your immune system. This can be done by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating foods rich in nutrients that boost your immunity. To give you a better idea, we have compiled a list of foods that would help boost your immune system and reduce your chances of catching a cold or flu.   Citrus Fruits These include oranges, lemons, grape fruits and limes. They are rich in Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. They also contain plant compounds that have [...]

According to the WHO, only about 41% of infants aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed and over 820,000 children could be saved yearly if all children aged 0-23months were optimally breastfed.  Breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children and the organization aims to increase the worldwide rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50% by 2025. Benefits of Breastfeeding To the child: Breastfeeding contains all the nutritional requirements in the first six months of life in all the right proportions and also changes according to the baby’s needs, especially in the first month of life. Colostrum which is the first milk contains high protein, low sugar, Immunoglobin A as well as other antibodies that helps the baby’s digestive tract develop and also help to protect the infant from common childhood illnesses. Breastfeeding has also been linked to higher intelligence quotient in some studies and also [...]