We at that time of the year again where nose begins to hurt, breathing becomes a problem, lips crack painfully and even the skin feels like scales. That period is no other than the “Harmattan Season”. Harmattan season is associated with health hazards, most of which can be prevented.
This season is not always the best for most people, nevertheless there are simple tips on how to stay healthy and enjoy the feel of the season

Harmattan is a dry, dusty easterly or north-easily wind on the west African coast, it often occurs from late November to February.

Tips on staying healthy during harmattan include;
Drink a lot of water: it is important that at this time you increase the intake of water to help the body stay hydrated. Ensure you take a bottle of water everywhere you go or hot tea or coffee depending on preference.
Wear a nose mask: this will help protect dust from getting in contact with the respiratory system and also keep safe from other illnesses.
Eat fruits and vegetables: this will help fight infections and help the body stay hydrated.
Take lemon and honey in water water: the season comes with a lot of throat issues such as sour throat. This mixture will help soothe throat irritation and also it a good way to relieve cold and cough.
Skincare & lip balm: this should be take seriously to help avoid skin problems like peeling palms, cracking lips. Ensure your cream have enough moisture or better still oil products like coconut oil, carrot oil, olive oil etc can be used.
Protective wears: it is important to wear thick clothing during this period to avoid falling ill.

This season can trigger asthma and allergies. Asthmatic patients should always keep the inhaler handy and avoid dust as much as possible.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is triggered due to the dry cold dusty season patients should drink plenty water and also avoid outdoor activities as much as possible.

Prevention has always remained better than cure. So everyone must be cautious.

Sources:
Staying healthy during harmattan (2018), by Paul adunwoke
How to stay healthy during harmattan (2019), by Africa parent
How to stay healthy during harmattan (2020), by American university of Nigeria

Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. It consists of the right nutrient, it is easily digested and readily available. Breastfeeding has major health benefits, for both the mother and her baby.

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING TO THE MOTHER
Breastfeeding helps mothers burn extra calories, lose pregnancy weight faster.

It helps the helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.

Breastfeeding helps lowers a woman’s risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding forms a beautiful bond between the mother and her baby.

Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of postpartum depression.

Breastfeeding may prevent menstruation.

Breastfeeding saves time and money.

Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. It consists of the right nutrient, it is easily digested and readily available. Breastfeeding has major health benefits, for both the mother and her baby.

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING TO THE MOTHER
Breastfeeding helps mothers burn extra calories, lose pregnancy weight faster.

It helps the helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.

Breastfeeding helps lowers a woman’s risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding forms a beautiful bond between the mother and her baby.

Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of postpartum depression.

Breastfeeding may prevent menstruation.

Breastfeeding saves time and money.

Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. It consists of the right nutrient, it is easily digested and readily available. Breastfeeding has major health benefits, for both the mother and her baby.

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING TO THE BABY
Breast milk is known to contain antibodies that help the baby fight against virus and bacteria.

Breast milk contains everything the baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions. Its composition even changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during the first month of life

Breast milk help reduces the risk of disease in the child e.g ear infection, allergies disease etc

Breast milk help protect a healthy weight in the child

Research has shown that babies fed with breast milk often have high intelligent quotient

Infant formula is produced in factories and prepared at home and there is a chance of contamination.

It important that survirors speak out about their struggle and victories because they never know who they are giving hope by such actions and it will also help to bring actiin to the fact that people survive cancer and it not always a death sentence. I recently posted an article on how cancer survivors are the real warriors you can check it out here on nairaland.

Breastfeeding is often a learned skills for most moms. Mothers may require assistance with learning how to position and attach the baby to ensure they are able to feed the baby comfortably and that the baby is able to successfully transfer milk. It important that each mom chooses a breastfeeding position that works best for her and makes her comfortable.
Cradle position
The cradle is the most common breastfeeding position. The mum's arm supports the baby at the breast. The baby’s head is cradled near her elbow, and her arm supports the infant along the back and neck. The mother and baby should be chest to chest.
Cross-cradle position
The cross-cradle position uses the opposite arm (to the cradle position) to support the infant, with the back of the baby's head and neck being held in the mother's hand. Her other hand is able to support and shape the breast if required. In this position the mum can guide the baby easily to the breast when they are ready to latch on.
clutch position
The baby is positioned at the mother’s side, with their body and feet tucked under the mum's arm. The baby’s head is held in the mum's hand. The mum’s arm may also rest on a pillow with this hold. This position may be advantageous for mums who have undergone a caesarean section, since it places no or limited weight on the mum’s chest and abdomen area. It may also work for low-birth-weight babies or babies that have trouble latching, since their head is fully supported.
Side-lying position
The mum lies on her side and faces the baby. The baby's mouth is in line with the nipple. The mum may also use a pillow for back and neck support. This position may also be advantageous for mums who have undergone a caesarean section, since it places no or limited weight on the mum’s chest and abdomen area.
Source: medela symposium 2020

Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the feeding of babies and young children with milk from a woman's breast.
If breastfeeding were scaled up to near universal levels, about 820,000 child lives would be saved every year. Globally, only 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed.
FACTS ON BREASTFEEDING
Fact 1: Breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial.
Fact 2: Breastfeeding protects infants from childhood illnesses.
Fact 3: Breastfeeding also benefits mothers.
Fact 4: Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for children.
Fact 5: Infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk.
Fact 6: Transmission of HIV through breastfeeding can be reduced with drugs.
Fact 7: Marketing of breast-milk substitutes are highly monitored.
Fact 8: Support for mothers is essential.
Fact 9: Mothers should continue breastfeeding at work.
Fact 10: Solid foods should be phased in at six months.[b][/b]

Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses referred to as A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis Facts

Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are of great concern because of the body of illness and potential for outbreak and epidemic spread .

The common mode of transmission are receipt of contaminated blood or blood product, invading medical procedure using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B which is transmitted from mother to baby at birth, a family member to a child or through sexual intercourse.

Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contamined food and water

Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluid.

Hepatitis A and B have vaccines available. Hepatitis E also have vaccine but it is not widely available.

Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundred of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. An estimated 325 million people live with hepatitis B and / or C, and for most testing and treatment remains beyond reach.
Source: thepublichealthhub

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder characterised by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.

PTSD statistics indicate that the disorder is more common than many people estimate:
70 percent of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime
20 percent of people who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD
About 8 million people have PTSD in a given year
1 in 13 people will develop PTSD at some point in their life
In Nigeria, more than 1.5 million cases of PTSD is recorded yearly.

There are different events that can lead to PTSD it includes:
serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse, exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure, serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care, childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby
war and conflict, torture etc

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often have significant effects on the victim's day to day activity. Some symptoms manifest during the first days or weeks of the trauma while some take month or years to occur.
The specific symptoms of PTSD can vary widely between individuals, but generally fall into the categories described below;
Re-experiencing I.e flashbacks, nightmares etc
Avoidance and emotional numbing
Heperarousal e.g anxious

Unfortunately it might be impossible to prevent acute trauma so better therapies should be provided for those who suffer trauma so that longstanding PTSD will develop in fewer of these individuals.

When you have PTSD, it might feel like you'll never get your life back. But it can be treated. Short- and long-term psychotherapy and medications can work very well. Often, the two kinds of treatment are more effective together.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. There are over 200 types of cancer.

In 2018 WHO, has estimated the rise in cancer to be 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths. One in 5 men and one in 6 women worldwide develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in 8 men and one in 11 women die from the disease. In Nigeria 166,000 cases of cancer was recorded and 41,000 death(this gives us about 125,000 survivors) in 2018.

Worldwide, the total number of people who are alive within
5 years of a cancer diagnosis, called the 5-year prevalence, is estimated to be 43.8 million.

As cancer survivors, it is important that you reflect on your unique cancer journeys by sharing your stories, advising others and be heard. It important that you come to terms with changes in your life post-cancer by finding other mechanisms in living with the new normal.
Both cancer patients and the larger public can learn from survivors and their experiences.
KUDOS TO ALL CANCER SURVIVORS YOU'LL ARE THE REAL WARRIORS.
Please join me in the comment sections let's talk about how current patients can cope with their diagnosis and treatment or your story. You never can tell who you're motivating.