STANNAIJA

  During relaxation of the heart (diastole) the left ventricle of the heart fills with blood returning from the lungs. The left ventricle then contracts and pumps blood into the arteries (systole). The blood pressure in the arteries during contraction of the ventricle (systolic pressure) is higher because blood is being actively ejected into the arteries. It is lower during relaxation of the ventricle (diastolic pressure) when no blood is being ejected into the arteries. The pulse we feel when we place our fingers over an artery is caused by the contraction of the left ventricle and the ejection of blood. Blood pressure is determined by two factors: 1) The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart into the arteries, and 2) the resistance to the flow of blood caused by the walls of the arterioles (smaller arteries). Generally, blood pressure tends to be higher if more blood is pumped into the arteries or if the arterioles are narrow and/or sti...

Don’t rely on routine tests alone to protect you from cancer. It’s just as important to listen to your body and notice anything that’s different or odd. BELOW ARE 20 IMPORTANT SYMPTOMS WOMEN OVERLOOK: 1. Wheezing or shortness of breath One of the first signs many lung cancer patients remember noticing is the inability to catch their breath. 2. Chronic cough or chest pain Several types of cancer, including leukemia and lung tumors, can cause symptoms that mimic a bad cough or bronchitis. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that extends up into the shoulder or down the arm. 3. Frequent fevers or infections These can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, sapping your body’s infection-fighting capabilities. 4. Difficulty swallowing Trouble swallowing is most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, and is sometimes one of the f...

Medically Reviewed By: Mgbeobu David   M asturbation is the manipulation or stimulation of one's own or another's genital organs, usually to orgasm, by manual contact or means other than sexual intercourse. Masturbation is a normal sexual behavior and is healthy as it can help people fall asleep and reduce stress levels, anxiety or other tension. Also, it is a great thing for immune functioning, a good thing for prostates and can help in increasing the levels of endorphin production.  However, there are several negative effects of masturbation. Below are some of them: 1. TOUCHING MAY MAKE CLIMAX HARDER  If you masturbate several times before having sex with your partner, you might have difficulty to reach climax. So it is best advised to leave the penis a day or two to recharge itself. Masturbation can make man to respond to only his own touch and give less response to the touch of other people. This would eventually make it a bit tougher to reach climax. ...

M edically Reviewed By: Mgbeobu David H aving a baby is a dream for some women and a nightmare for others. Not all women are in situations where they can have babies easily and happily. When things don't go well for a woman, abortion may be the only option she is left with. Medically speaking, abortion is a forced termination of a viable pregnancy. Many moral issues and stigma surround abortion, and sometimes it is not a personal choice, but a medical necessity. Regardless of the situation, abortion is not a push-the-botton approach. It carries its own set of complications and side effects that affect women on both the physical and emotional level. Although it is generally safe when done at the hands of professionals, competent doctors; it comes with some consequences that are worth considering. Even women who already made their decision need to be aware and educated on the subject. This phase is a lot to deal with and the outcomes could be devastating in the near or far fut...

H ow to lose weight has been the thought of many people; and there are several natural ways that have been actually proven to work. Here are 23 ways to lose weight naturally: 1. Endeavor to Add Protein to Your Diet Whenever you are looking for means of weight loss, go for protein because is the king of nutrients. Your body burns calories when digesting and metabolizing the protein you have eaten, so a high-protein diet can boost metabolism by up to 80-100 calories per day. However, a high-protein diet can also make you feel more full and decrease your appetite. Some studies have shown that people eat over 400 fewer calories per day on a high-protein diet. For instance, eating a high-protein breakfast (like eggs) can have a mighty effect. 2. Eat Whole, Single-Ingredient Foods  The only way to help yourself in order to become healthier is to base your diet on whole, single-ingredient foods. As you are fond of this, you eliminate the large majority of added sugar, added ...

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has decried the lack of a single radiotherapy machine for cancer treatment in 28 African countries. Yukiya Amano, Director-General of IAEA, said millions of people continued to suffer from cancer in developing countries, due to lack of access to effective prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment. Mr. Amano, at an event commemorating World Cancer Day, called for continued efforts to ensure greater access to vital cancer services to prevent millions of people from cancer deaths annually. “Twenty-eight African countries do not have a single radiotherapy machine”, he said. He did not identify the countries. “The IAEA will continue to work hard to change that, and to improve facilities in other regions of the world where the need is also great. “We will strive to continuously improve the services we offer our Member States so they can provide better care – and hope – for their people,” he stressed. He noted that a...

Kidney stones can be very painful. That's why it's a good idea to avoid the foods that may lead to their formation and increase your water intake to encourage their elimination. Kidney stones are solid fragments that while very small, can’t get out by themselves . They get stuck in the urinary tract, causing a lot of pain. They can be caused by many factors. No matter what, a good diet is essential for preventing the formation of kidney stones. In addition, it helps you to be able to pass them more easily in case they’re already in your body. You should try to avoid these foods or consume them with caution, especially if you’re prone to kidney stones. Let’s take a look at them. Foods that can contribute to kidney stones 1. Caffeine Coffee is the star of your morning. But while it may help you wake up in the morning or get your work done at the office, it also causes collateral damage. One of its effects is that it makes your kidneys work harder and increa...

The first question that many women and couples want to have answered after experiencing a miscarriage is simple. Why? A miscarriage can be an incredibly devastating event, with long-lasting emotional repercussions, including depression, anger, fear, and guilt, but one of the most difficult aspects of a pregnancy loss is simply the complete lack of knowledge surrounding the event. Doctors shrug their shoulders and friends murmur sympathetic "These things happen," but nothing can ease the pain of parents who simply want to know why their miscarriage occurred in the first place. "When you think about a pregnancy and you think about the beginnings of a human being forming and all the things that have to go perfectly, it really and truly is a miracle when it happens," says Dr. Elizabeth Nowacki, an OB/GYN at St. Vincent Fishers Hospital in Indiana. "You have two sets of genetic material coming together that have to divide, and sometimes things go ...

Scientifically Reviewed By: Ezenwa Sylvester P lantain also referred to as platanos is a type of weed that originated in Europe and Asia but is now found worldwide. As in bananas, plantains too belong to the musaceae family. Plantains are a close relative of the bananas and sometimes, without close glance can be mistaken for bananas. Plantain trees grow best in moisture-rich, tropical climates. The tree flowers develop into a bunch, which holds about five to ten fruits or more than. However, plantains don't have a growing season and are always available year-round. Plantains are starchier, contain less sugar than bananas. Unlike bananas, plantains are typically cooked before eating. HISTORY OF PLANTAINS Plantains in this regard, are referenced in history as far back as 2,500 years ago. There are even mentions of the fruit in Ancient Greek records of Alexander the Great's travels to India. According to records, he liked plantains so much that he ordered them to be gro...

Medically Reviewed By:   David Mgbeobu T he brain is an extremely complex and delicate organ which takes direct or indirect action in all bodily processes. In its capacity, it regulates homeostatic functions like heartbeats, fluid balance, blood pressure, hormonal balance and body temperature. The brain is responsible for movement, cognition, learning, memory, human emotions, and overall health in the body. According to several scientific studies, the way one lives his or her life could damage brain cells over short or long term periods, leading to the development of degenerative diseases and several other abnormalities. Contrarily, performing positive activities, like eating a balanced diet and physical exercise, activate the brain and make it healthy once again. 10 DAILY HABITS THAT DAMAGE THE BRAIN  1. Not taking breakfast  Breakfast is the most crucial meal of the day because it noticeably influences your daily performance, endurance, and emotional situa...