Excuse Me, What Have I Done to Deserve This?

– An open letter

I have been loyal to you since you were in the womb and served you dutifully until now. I never asked you for a holiday. I have worked every day. Even if I have offended you, I do not deserve the treatment you are meting out to me.

For many months now, you have been loading me with salt. I keep absorbing water to help me cope with the high salt bombardment. Now, I have absorbed so much water that your blood pressure is much higher than it should be. This has created enmity between me and your heart who is forced to overwork. It keeps blaming me for its misfortune and, in return, strokes me.

As if that is not enough, you refuse to exercise thereby starving me of oxygen supply. This has compromised my fitness. Instead of providing me with enough oxygen, you decided to pump me with lots of herbal concoctions and supplements which make me sicker. Some of them clog together and form stones in me, pinching me and making me uncomfortable. How I wish you could see my tears!!!

You have so damaged me that I can no longer do my duty as security guard. Imagine ordinary proteins run through me to your urine. I can barely stop them. They mock me as they pass through. Why? What have I done? Is it a sin for me to occupy a vital position in your body?

To make matters worse, when you felt a little of my pain, instead of getting help from your doctor and pharmacist, you bombarded me with deadly pain killers and strong antibiotics. Now, I am just too weak to go on. Why? Why? Why? What have I done to deserve all these?

Signed

The Kidney,

Your frustrated servant.

The kidneys are very vital organs that help us to regulate our body fluid (mainly electrolytes and water). These two bean-shaped organs perform two major functions –

  1. maintain electrolyte and water balance between the blood and urine by filtering the blood before sending it back to the heart
  2. remove wastes from the body through urine

Obviously, the kidneys work with the heart and are both involved in controlling our blood pressure.

It is therefore particularly important that we protect our kidneys. Unfortunately, some people indulge in some habits that may damage these indispensable organs. Among factors that may damage the kidneys are certain drugs, especially when used inappropriately. Our major interest in this article is to look at how one might be harming one’s kidneys with drugs.

Drugs that may harm our kidneys include:

Pain killers: 

You may damage your kidneys if you take high doses of some over-the-counter pain relievers known as NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen or if you take them longer than you should. Sometimes, regular doses may pose a threat to your kidneys if combined with certain medications or if your kidney is already compromised. Many times, damage to the kidney by pain relievers are aftermath of self-medication. Please discuss with your pharmacist or doctor before taking pain relievers.

Antibiotics:

 Indiscriminate use of antibiotics may damage your kidneys. Please do not use antibiotics if not prescribed by your doctor and dispensed by your pharmacist.

Illicit or hard drugs:  Many street or hard drugs like heroin and cocaine can damage the kidneys.

Alcohol: Heavy drinking may damage your kidneys.

Herbal medicines or nutritional supplements: A number of herbal medicines or nutritional supplements have been implicated in kidney damage especially in people at risk of kidney damage. Some research works have shown that a good number of herbal medicines or supplements including ginseng and ginger have the potential to cause kidney damage in people at risk of kidney disease or damage. There are many such herbals so please discuss with your doctor and pharmacist if you are at risk of kidney disease or have kidney disease before taking herbal supplements or medicines. Those at risk of kidney disease include hypertensives and diabetics.

Please note that all drugs you take pass through your kidneys. Therefore, misusing or abusing medicines can hurt your kidney, Your pharmacist is a trained drug expert who, along with your doctor and other healthcare professionals work together to safeguard your health. Discuss your medications with him/her. Let them know the combinations of medicines (and herbs) you are using at all times to ensure it is safe for you.

KEY POINTS

All drugs, herbal medicines and nutritional supplements pass through the kidneys and may cause harm if taken inappropriately.

Indiscriminate use of painkillers, antibiotics or other drugs may damage your kidney.

Do not take ‘’prescription only” medicines without prescription from your doctor.

Always take your prescription to a registered pharmacy and discuss with the pharmacist.

Discuss with your pharmacist or doctor before taking herbal medicine or nutritional supplement if you have any underlying medical condition.

Disclaimer : This write-up is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s advice. Please consult your doctor appropriately.

Your health is in your hands!

Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think!  If you have any health concerns or need a medication, you can also call or chat with us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:

08094289951

08094289944

Or by touching the red circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.

Stay safe!!

HEALTHY CAKE RECIPES

Written by Funmi Adeolu

Nothing spoils a mouthful of a moist and delicious chocolate cake than the “Ugh, what did I just eat?” feeling. And no matter how much you tell yourself that it’s fine to indulge now and then, you still can’t shake that guilty feeling that follows every piece of cake…sigh. So, wouldn’t it be great to have delicious dessert options that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve fallen off the healthy eating wagon? Look no further. We have put together these three tasty, guilt-free cake recipes to satisfy your sweet
tooth and your conscience. Prepare to indulge without the regret!

CHOLESTEROL FREE VANILLA CAKE

READY IN: 35 mins
Serves 6-8 people

INGREDIENTS
2 and half cups of all purpose flour
2/3cups of vegetable oil (substitute for butter)
5eggwhites (substitute for 2whole eggs)
1cup of sugar or honey.
2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
1table spoon of baking powder
1teaspoon of distilled of apple cider vinegar.
half cup of buttermilk (preferably low fat)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F  or 160°C. Grease the bottom of two eight-inch pans and dust with flour (you may also use a parchment paper). Combine all your dry ingredients(flour, sugar and baking powder and mix till they are all incorporated (please note that if you are using honey instead of sugar, you will add it to your wet ingredients).

Pour your egg whites into a large bowl and whisk for about 3-5minutes or till it starts getting foamy. Add your vegetable oil and your vanilla extract and whisk slowly (if you are using a mixer, set it on medium low). Add your other wet ingredients and mix everything slowly till it’s well combined.
Then start adding your dry ingredients little by little, make sure the little you added is well incorporated before you add another. (pls do not overmix). Mix for about two minutes till your batter is smooth. Then distribute equally into the greased cake pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes in pan. Cool completely before frosting. You can use Greek yogurt for your frosting.

Cholesterol per serving (cake only) = 0.8mg-2.2mg, compared to a regular vanilla cake which has 150mg-160mg cholesterol per serving.

DIABETES FRIENDLY CARROT CAKE

Servings: 20
 Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40minutes
Total: 1 hour

 
INGREDIENTS

3large egg whites, at room temperature
½ cup plain non-fat yogurt
3 tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
1/3 cup of an artificial sweetener (xylitol or erythritol)
2 teaspooons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups of almond flour (you can always get in a supermarket)
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt(optional)
1 teaspoon grinded cinnamon
½ teaspoon grinded nutmeg
1 cup grated carrots (four large carrots)
¼ cup dark raisins

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400°F or 180°C. Grease two 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray or olive oil, Dust with flour and tap out excess.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, yogurt, oil, and vanilla.
Into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Gradually add to the egg mixture while stirring until incorporated.
Stir in the carrots and raisins into the cake batter.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the edges and center of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert onto a rack to cool.
When ready to serve, transfer cake to a serving tray or plate.
you can always frost with unsweetened yoghurt and grated carrots.

This cake has 100-107cal per serving.

SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE PEAR CAKE

INGREDIENTS
2 and half cups of flour
2 large ripe bananas
half cup of honey
1tablespoon of vanilla extract
1tablespoon of baking powder
half tablespoon of baking soda

half a cup of Greek yoghurt
1cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large pear.
1 tablespoon of vinegar
a quarter cup of olive oil.
2 large eggs or 5egg whites.

DIRECTIONS
Blend the bananas, greek yogurt, honey, vanilla extract and oil. (if you don’t have a blender, you can always marsh the bananas with a fork and mix it with the yoghurt, honey, vanilla and oil).
Pour the blended mixture into a large bowl.
Add the eggs and mix in.
Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda, into another bowl and mix until incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients till you get a smooth chocolate cake batter.
Dice your pear into the mixture and stir with a spoon until well combined.
Pour the cake batter into the greased pan. Sprinkle additional diced pear on top of the cake if desired.
Bake for 27-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Kindly note than even though these recipes are relatively healthy, too much consumption isn’t healthy. You can take a slice up to three times in a week.

Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! If you have any questions or concerns about your health or need any medications , please contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:

08094289951 Sola

08094289947 Josephine

08094289944 Gbenga

Or chat with us by touching the green circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.

Do not forget to protect yourself when you go out. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person. 

THE CONTAGIOUS COUGH

by Queenette Obinna

The title of this article may sound like a scary movie or something horrific but trust me, this article itself isn’t horrific but the cough is contagious. I’m sure we all know the proper way to cough by now (coughing into your elbows, like doing the DAB dance step).

Cough is actually a body reflex, it’s a sudden, forceful hacking sound to release air and clear out irritants which don’t belong in your breathing passage but when it becomes persistent, it’s a sign that something is wrong. This article will be addressing cough in respect to Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an air-borne infection caused by a bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which spreads via respiratory droplets. These tiny droplets are released into the air when people who have an active TB infection talk, cough, sneeze, sing (I know right, never knew harm could come from singing) or transmit their saliva through the air.
When it comes to TB, anyone can actually have it. It’s not confined to a particular race, gender, religion, socio-class or age, but people with compromised (weak) immune system are at a higher risk of getting it.

Medications and conditions likely to weaken the immune system include:
 Immunosuppressants
 Diabetes
 HIV/AIDS
 Certain cancers
 Severe kidney disease
 Malnutrition
 Very young or advanced age

The signs and symptoms of TB in the body include:


Cough that lasts for 3 or more weeks
 Coughing of blood
 Chest pain, or pain when breathing or coughing, Fatigue
 Night sweat
 Fever
 Chills
 Unintended weight loss
 Loss of appetite
 Significant hand clubbing

Do take care to note that, TB affects the lungs most often but can also affect other parts of the body outside the lungs such as the kidney, brain, bone, larynx, spine, lymph node. For instance, tuberculosis in the kidney might cause blood in urine or tuberculosis in the spine can cause back pain.
There is no denying that tuberculosis is contagious and can put you at risk of having COVID-19, hence if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms do well to see your doctor or visit the nearest Health Centre to run a test and here’s the catch, TB test is FREE, TUBERCULOSIS is TREATABLE and CURABLE.

If confirmed you have an active TB, it is imperative to keep taking your drugs daily and complete therapy in order to avoid other complications, or the TB progressing to Multi-drug resistant TB or even Extensively-drug resistant TB which are more deadly and difficult to treat.
Right now, you’ll be wondering how TB spread may be prevented. Here are some precautionary measures you can practice:
Good hygiene practices especially when coughing or sneezing
Good ventilation as TB can remain suspended in the air for several hours
with no ventilation
Maintaining a healthy immune system with the use of immune boosters,
eating balanced meals
Vaccination with the BCG Vaccine A.K.A TB Vaccine
Early screening and treatment for active TB
Face masks should be worn when dealing with TB patients

Finally, I hope you’ve been enlightened about Tuberculosis and remember the stronger your immunity, the better your body’s defense. Stick around for our next post on knowing more on how to improve your immune system.

Drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! If you have any questions or concerns about your health or need any medications , please contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:

08094289951 Sola

08094289947 Josephine

08094289944 Gbenga

http://victorydrugs.com.ng

http://victoryvaccineclinic.com

Do not forget to protect yourself when you go out. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person. 

Stay safe!!!

5 Fruits You Should Add to Your Diet in 2020.

5 Fruits You Should Add to Your Diet in 2020.

Written by Pharm.Tope Taiwo

Fruits are generally part of the dietary intake that are essentially rich in minerals, nutrients and antioxidant activities (an antioxidant is a substance that may help to prevent formation of or remove free radicals which may harm the body severely).  Eating fruits daily, therefore, can boost health. Some fruits however are taken for specific health benefits. The work of fruits in the digestion of food (breaking down of food), and the supply of essential nutrients needed by the body cannot be overlooked.

Following the research done by the National Library of Medicine, ( University of Alabama, Birmingham), the percentage of people with atherosclerosis (the damage to vascular vessels that carry blood which may lead to total obstruction) and oxidative stress diseases increase as a result of lower amounts of Carotenoids, Vitamin C, Selenium compared to the people who have those elements in greater proportion. These various antioxidants are majorly derived from fruits and vegetables. From the research, the right intake of fruits on daily basis helped to prevent this damage and the diseases associated with those with lower intake.

Various diseases can be prevented, likewise many disease conditions can be improved upon by daily intake of fruits. Examples of such diseases are hypertension, cancers, diabetes, goiter, bowel diseases and arthritis. Eating fruits in right quantities may also help in delaying aging and promoting healthy skin.

Fruits and essential nutrients

From the research done on cardiovascular assessment for heart diseases and stroke on 469,551 people, it was found out that “the higher the average daily intake of fruits and vegetables, the lower the chances of developing cardiovascular disease compared to people who took less fruits and vegetables. This means that cultivating the habit of taking fruits as part of daily food intake reduces the risk of stroke, hypertension, and diabetes of every individual.

Just as nutrients and minerals are essentially needed for growth, development and body tissues replenishment,  fruits can serve as reservoir for the supply of minerals and nutrients like Iron, Manganese, Potassium, Calcium, Sodium, Folic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 etc

Eating the recommended minimum of 5-servings of fruits daily helps in strengthening the immune system.

This write-up focuses on 5 health-promoting fruits which, if taken on a daily basis are very beneficial to the body. They are readily available and relatively affordable.

They are:

Oranges:  Orange is one of the most popular and nutritious fruits in the citrus family. Orange is a very good source of Vitamins C, B and folic acid. It also contains some flavonoids, carotenoids and citric acid which make it to have health benefits. The vitamin C and citric acid content help the absorption of Iron, hence, help to prevent anaemia (low blood level).

Pineapples:Rich in Vitamin C, Manganese, Bromelain (an enzyme which digests protein and can be used for its anti-inflammatory activity i.e. swelling in the body). It has also been found to have activity related to reduction of tumor growth i.e. cancer-preventing activity.

 

Apples: Contain Potassium, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Vitamin C. Apples are rich in fibre and have been found to help in the management of diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer disease because of their potent antioxidant activity. A small apple provides about 75 calories.

 

Bananas:Rich in Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Pectin and fibre which really improve the metabolism of sugar by helping to fill the stomach and prevent unnecessary intake of starch. A medium-sized banana has about 100 calories.

 

Watermelon: It has high content of vitamin A and C. It is rich in antioxidants like lycopene, carotenoids and cucurbitacin E. The Lycopene intake reduces the risk of cancer of the digestive system (e.g. colon, appendix), and cucurbitacin E inhibits tumor (cancer) growth. Lycopene can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure too. Watermelon is made of 92% water which helps to hydrate the body (to prevent dehydration or water loss).

Summary

  • Fruits and vegetables are generally highly nutritious and help protect the body against diseases especially through boosting the body’s immunity.
  • The daily requirements of minimum of 5 servings of fruits can be made up of any of the above fruits where one serving is a large-sized Banana, a small apple, a cup of chopped watermelon, a medium-sized orange and half cup diced pineapples.
  • Fruits may be taken as snacks in between meals or anytime of the day irrespective of meals. They can be taken before, with or after meals.
  • Trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight? There is a lot of evidence to show that people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables throughout the day are more likely to weigh less and less likely to gain weight.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables this year than ever before and be ready for a healthier you!
  • For more information talk with your dietitian, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.

5 Resolutions That Will Keep You Healthy In 2020

5 Resolutions That Will Keep You Healthy In 2020

Written by Pharm. Adebisi Ajibade

The new year comes with a lot of excitement and the appeal to start afresh or make some changes. However, these changes do not occur automatically because it is a new year, deliberate plans backed up with actions have to be put in place to bring about the change we so desire. Why do we make new resolutions? Probably, because we are tired of getting the same results or we need to do better in some areas of our lives so that we can fulfill our purpose in life. Whatever actions or decisions we take in our homes, at work, or wherever, it is wise to reflect on them ( asking ourselves these questions: what informed those actions, how did we perform that task, what was the result, what could we have done better?, etc.). Regular reflective practices help us to make sense of our experiences, learn from them and add to our knowledge in order to adopt better practices ( Cox, 2015). In this post, I am going to share with you 5 healthy resolutions to make in 2019.

1. Be mindful of what you eat:

Avoid taking junk foods. Junk foods can increase your risk of obesity and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and even some cancers. Replace store-purchased (processed) snacks with unprocessed (natural) foods. Fruits, vegetables and nuts, help to save some calories. Whole grains are full of fiber and help to reduce the risk of heart diseases.

 

2. Practice personal hygiene:

Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water. Many illnesses can be prevented by simply washing your hands properly, before and after meals, after using the toilet, or even when you come home from a long day at work. Always make sure you maintain a clean environment to avoid diseases

3. Quit unhealthy habits:

Quit smoking and habits that can drain you emotionally. Have an attitude of gratitude.
Sometimes we need to make a list of our successes no matter how little they may be. Susan Lehmann, a psychiatrist at John Hopkins said, “ reminding ourselves of the small, everyday positive aspects of our lives helps to develop a sense of balance and perspective that can
enhance well-being.” Stress can occur as a result of the way we react to various conditions, changes and demands of life. If we do not regularly release the tension caused by stress, the risks for developing physical and mental illnesses will increase (Nwachukwu, 2003). Choose how you respond to situations and make time for rest. As simple as this sounds, It takes a deliberate effort to relax. We also need to tolerate people when they make mistakes, be accommodating and fill our minds with good thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Dr. Nwachukwu recommended that delegating duties, maintaining balance in different aspect of our lives, self management, exercise and sleep can help to prevent or reduce stress (2003).

4. Go for health-checks:

Visit your general practitioner if there is any health concern. Check your health status regularly. At Victory Drugs pharmacy, like other pharmacies, we offer health devices that will help to check your blood pressure values, sugar levels, etc. We also conduct point-of-care tests to check your blood pressure, blood sugar level, cholesterol level, and offer pharmaceutical care services

 

5. Exercise:


Exercise for about 30 minutes every day. Exercise helps to burn calories , keep your muscles and bones strong and helps to regulate our sleep patterns. It also reduces stress and anxiety. Exercise can be as simple as dancing or walking at least 10,000 steps daily.

 

Most importantly, draw close to God . At the beginning of a new year, you will need to get clarifications on what to pursue and which directions to take. God, who is wisdom
personified, can help guide us in the fulfillment of our dreams (James 4:8; Ecclesiastes 10:10; Jeremiah 10:12).

 

References
Cox, M. (2015) M5 Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle Framework, Available at:
https://m.YouTube.com/watch?v=Rp-gaV-uSlo (Accessed: 12 December 2018)
Ecclesiastes 10: 10; James 4:8; Jeremiah 10:12 ; Phil 4:8 [Online] Available at:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
Fletcher, D. ( 2009) 5 Reasons Why God Wants Us Healthy, Well and Fit, Faith and Health
Connection [Online] Available at: https://www.faithandhealthconnection.org (Accessed: 05
January 2019)
John Hopkins Medicine (2018) 6 New Year’s Resolution for a Happy and Healthy 2018, Well-
Being, Articles and Answers, [Online] Available at: https://www.Hopkinsmedicine.org (
Accessed: 05 January 2019)
Kraft, S. (2018) 18 Ways to Up Your Health in 2018, Healthy Women,[Online] Available at :
https://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/how-eat-more-whole-grains ( Accessed : 08
January 2019)
Mana Medical Associates (2019) What’s The Healthiest New Year’s Resolution [Online]
Available at : https://www.mana.md (Accessed: 05 Jan 2019)
Nwachukwu, J.(2003) Preventive Management of Hypertension, Diabetes and Stress. Lagos:
Corporate Medicals
Restonic (2018) Health-Boosting New Year’s Resolutions for 2019, [Online] Available at:
https://restonic.com/blog/healthy-new-years-resolutions-2018 (Accessed: 08 January 2019)