Thursday, July 14, 2016

A place where beauty is costly




Being black is like a curse in Africa. Women and men alike bleach their skin to escape from their black colour forgetting that being fair skinned will never change their root. Did it change for the late Michaela Jackson?
Slave trade may have ended but the mental slavery for Africans have not ended. Some have lost their confidence over their skin colour believing black is inferior while white is superior.
As a result of this, many bleaching creams, injections, etc ranging from crude to refined products are abound in Africa which helps people change their skin colour. Black is beautiful if only you can see that!
The dangers associated with the use of some of these creams include blood cancers such as leukemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys, as well as a severe skin condition called ochronosis, a form of hyper-pigmentation which causes the skin to turn a dark purple shade.
What is the benefit of looking like tomato only to be completely severely burnt by bleaching chemicals beyond by the harmful your natural colour?
The price we pay in Africa for bleaching is very high.


Monday, July 11, 2016

5 reasons why you are not losing weight despite all your efforts




We are in the era where there’s a craze for slim figure. There are a lot of ways to lose weight. What works for Mrs. A may not work for Mrs. B.
At times you discover that the method you are using is not working for you but works for your friend. Here are some of the mistakes that are committed:
1. Not drinking enough water
Water makes up over two-thirds of a healthy body and plays a significant role in determining your body mass and overall weight.
Dehydration affects how your body burns fat, encourages excessive calorie intake and slows down your metabolism. It also causes a drop in your energy level, leading to increased tiredness that makes it difficult to be active.
2. Overrelaxation on the Weekends
After following a strict diet and exercise routine all week, most people get lazy during the weekend. This can significantly hinder weight loss efforts. Weekend routines differ considerably from weekdays, often providing more opportunities for eating and drinking as well as less exercise. Social events and outings during the weekends often include eating and drinking. In fact, during the weekends, people consume more alcohol and more calorie-dense foods, which is a recipe for easy weight gain. Moreover, people tend to spend less time exercising during the weekends.
3. Inadequate sleep
If you are not losing weight despite exercising a lot and following a strict diet, the reason can be sleep deprivation.
In fact, not paying attention to getting proper sleep is one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight.
Sleep levels are linked to our hormone levels. Sleep deprivation leads to an increase in the secretion of the hormone cortisol, which triggers fat storage.
4. Skipping Meals
Many people think reducing calorie intake by skipping meals will help speed up weight loss. But in reality, skipping a meal can often lead to overeating at the next meal because you are even hungrier.
5. Depending Only on Exercise
Exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle and for getting rid of the extra pounds. But if exercise is not combined with a strict diet plan and other lifestyle changes, you can forget about your weight loss goal. It is possible to achieve and maintain significant amounts of weight loss with the help of six key strategies:
  • Engaging in high levels of physical activity
  • Eating a diet that is low in calories and fat
  • Eating breakfast
  • Self-monitoring weight on a regular basis
  • Maintaining a consistent eating pattern
  • Arresting errors before they turn into larger regains.





5 warning signs to detect cervical cancer




Women of all ages are at risk of developing this cancer after they begin having sexual intercourse. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. It occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
One of the most frightening things about this cancer is that it does not show any symptoms in its early stages. it becomes more  prominent after the disease has spread to the bladder, liver, intestines or lungs, the symptoms.
You can save yourself and others from a lifetime of suffering if you are knowledgeable about the risk factors and warning signs of cervical cancer. The chances of successfully treating cervical cancer are higher if it is detected during the early stages.

1. Heavier and Longer Menstrual Periods

Another common warning sign of cervical cancer is the occurrence of  menstrual periods that are heavier and longer than normal. Irritation of the cervix, possibly due to spread of cervical cancer, can cause this problem.
Bleeding is considered heavy if you have to change sanitary napkins or tampons more often than once every 2 hours.
It’s not only cancer that gives out these signal; heavy bleeding can be due to a hormonal imbalance, fibroids, polyps, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis or thyroid, liver or kidney disease. It can even happen due to certain medications.
To be on the safe side, consult your doctor.

2. Unusual Vaginal Discharge

. When suffering from cervical cancer, vaginal discharge could be heavy, pale, watery, and brown or mixed with blood.
If you experience this symptom, report it to your doctor immediately.
Usually, a little bit of clear, odourless vaginal discharge is normal However, if vaginal discharge increases, smells foul or has an irregular appearance, it could be a sign of infection or cervical or endometrial cancer.

3. Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
An untimely sequence of vaginal bleeding that occurs regularly could be an indicator of cervical cancer. It could also be due to other medical conditions, such as a hormonal imbalance, pelvic inflammatory disease or an infection in the pelvic organs.
Note that as cancer spreads to nearby tissues, it creates new, abnormal capillaries that break easily and cause bleeding. Such bleeding may happen between menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, after menopause and even after a pelvic exam.

4. Discomfort while Urinating

One of the most obvious and prevalent symptoms of this deadly disease is the discomfort experienced during urination
Urinary discomforts include burning, stinging or a tight sensation while urinating. Such symptoms occur when the cancer has spread to nearby tissue. This requires immediate attention to prevent further damage.
Nevertheless, urinary discomforts also can be due to other causes, such as a urinary tract infection, bladder problem, yeast infection or sexually transmitted disease (STD).

5. Pain during Intercourse

When pain is felt and experienced during intercourse, this could be an  important warning sign of cervical cancer. This symptom indicates advanced cervical cancer, which means the cancer has spread throughout tissues and reproductive organs. Apart from pain, you may also experience other symptoms, such as thick, irritating smelling vaginal discharge.
There are other possible reasons for this particular problem, such as an infection or STD.
Please do not ignore this symptom. Go visit your doctor.





5 ways to get rid of darker inner thigh






Causes:
1. Excess sweat and tight clothes may cause darker thighs.
2. Some medical treatment can cause skin changes, including oral contraceptives.
3. Some women notice their inner thighs darken during parts of their menstrual cycle; hormonal changes from pregnancy can also cause darkening of skin.
4. Being on the fat side can cause your thighs to rub against each other when you walk thereby causing discolouration of the inner thigh.
Solutions:

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda can help brighten the darker tone of your inner thighs by working as an exfoliating agent.
Mix baking soda and milk or water to make a paste. Add a little honey and mix well then apply it on your thighs and rub gently in circular motions for a couple of minutes. Lastly, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat every other day.
2. Orange Peels
Orange peels contain vitamin C that works as a natural bleaching agent. They also contain exfoliating properties that help get rid of dead or damaged skin cells.
Put some orange peels in the sun for a few days to dry. Grind the dried peels into a powder. And then put some of the powder in a bowl and add enough rose water to make a thick paste. Add in some honey. Apply this paste on your inner thighs and wait 15 to 20 minutes. Gently scrub off the paste then rinse the area with cold water. Repeat 2 or 3 times a week.

3. Cucumbers
Cucumbers have a natural bleaching property that can help lighten your dark inner thighs. More so, several components in cucumbers help repair skin cells and remove dead skin cells. The soothing nature of cucumbers suits all skin types.
Gently rub cucumber slices or cucumber juice on your thighs for 10 minutes. Wait 5 minutes, and then rinse it off with water. Repeat once or twice daily.
 4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil also helps lighten and revitalizes the skin. Plus, its antioxidant and moisturizing properties helps you maintain soft and younger-looking skin.
Mix together some coconut oil and lemon juice. Apply the solution on your inner thighs and massage gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Leave for another 5 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Use this treatment every day.
5. Lemon
The acidic property of lemon works as a natural bleaching agent for dark skin. The high vitamin C content also encourages new cell growth and is very good for your skin complexion.
Apply lemon juice (dilute the lemon juice with water for those who have sensitive skin) to your dark inner thigh using a cotton ball. Leave it on for about 20 minutes then rinse it off with cold water. Repeat 2 or 3 times per week. Alternatively, you can combine the lemon juice and glycerin. Add rose water and mix well then apply this mixture on your inner thighs before going to bed. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off with warm water the next morning. Repeat this once daily.