DYSMENORRHEA (MENSTRUAL CRAMPS)

Menstruation is a normal monthly occurrence for women in their reproductive age where the body sheds the lining of the uterus (womb) via the vaginal as menstrual blood. This shedding is assisted by a host of hormones among which is ‘prostaglandins’

Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual cramps) are cramping or throbbing pains felt in the lower abdomen, lower back and sometime inner thigh during menstruation.

This Pain can be so discomforting in some women to the extent of making them feel totally miserable.

It’s a common presentation among ladies below the age of 30 years, however may occur in older women.

It can be experienced before, during or immediately after the menstrual flow.

TYPES
Primary Dysmenorrhea: This is menstrual pain occurring in the absence of a uterine disease: usually starting within 6 month of a girl’s first menstruation; last 48-72 hours and respond to common analgesic treatment.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea: Menstrual pain occurring due to presence of a uterine disease. These diseases includes; Pelvic inflammatory Disease (PID), Uterine fibroid, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, etc.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea usually begins in 20-30 years of age, after a relatively painless menses in the past; occurs with heavy or irregular period and may be accompanied by painful intercourse, Infertility or Vaginal discharge.

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea 
Symptoms of dysmenorrhea includes; Crampy low abdominal pain, throbbing low back pain, nausea, tiredness, bloating and in some cases vomiting may ensue.

Investigation: No investigation is required in the case of primary dysmenorrhea, however you may be required to do ultra-sound scan and other investigation to rule out secondary causes

TREATMENT.

Treatment of dysmenorrhea include, Life Style changes, dietary modifications, Non Pharmacological therapy, Pharmacotherapy and sometimes surgical intervention may be required

Life Style and dietary Management

• Avoid anxiety and stress during your menses. Ensure adequate rest and sleep
• Loss weight if overweight or obese
• Regular Exercises: exercise release endorphins which serves as ‘natural morphine’. Pelvic Exercise also improves blood flow to the pelvis and uterus
• Massage your abdomen and Lower back
• Avoid tight dresses that can make you feel bloated
• Avoid Low fat diet especially vegetable fats
• Avoid Red meats: red meat are rich in arachidonic acid which help produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, the main hormone responsible for the uterine cramps
• Avoid caffeinated drinks: caffeine cause vasoconstriction thus poor blood supply to the uterus
• Avoid alcohol
• Reduce consumption of refined sugars as it produces insulin which results in production of prostaglandins
• Avoid salty diet: this can cause water retention and bloating especially in obese ladies

Diet Recommendation

• Liberal water intake to ensure proper hydration
• Eat food containing Calcium: take at least 2 glasses of milk or yogurt: calcium help to maintain uterine  tone thus decrease cramp. Calcium supplement can also be taken
• Eat food containing magnesium: magnesium help in the absorption of calcium
• Unripe Pawpaw: contain the enzyme papain which regulate and ease menstrual flow
• Carrot Juice or Honey and Aloe Vera: ease flow and reduce menstrual flow
• Green Vegetables: good source of Calcium and magnesium
• Sesame seeds (In Hausa Ridi): start eating 2-3 before menses. This also ease and reduce menstrual flow
• Ginger: Boil and pound the ginger. Then add little Honey to sweetened. Helps to reduce the pain
• Flax seed also help to ease flow and reduce pain

Non Pharmacological Therapy

• Take a Hot sitz bath
• Use of Hot water bottle to massage the lower abdomen
• Hypnosis and diversional therapy     

·

PHARMACOTHERAPHY & SURGERY

·         Dysmenorrhea is managed with most NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs) like Ibuprofen and Piroxicam. Other drugs used are birth-control pills and other forms of hormonal birth control such as patch, vaginal ring, injection, hormone-releasing intrauterine device and contraceptive implant.

·         Surgical intervention is required in secondary cause of dysmenorrhea, e.g. removal of a fibroid.
Another surgical approach involve cutting or destroying the uterine nerves, which prevents the transmission of pain signals. However, this surgery has been shown not to provide long-term relief of pain and  may be associated with complications.

REMEMBER

Dysmenorrhea is better managed by a General practitioner or a Gynecologist (if required)

Certain red flags including new onset of pain, unremitting pain, fever and vaginal discharge are reason to seek immediate medical attention as these are usually associated with secondary dysmenorrhea

THE TATTOOED WHITE ANGEL THAT CAME VISITING NIGERIA

 

I was thought by My Dad that Angels are Celestial being with immaculate image.

I remember growing up, the perception my childish mind had of an Angel was that of a winged being always dressed in sparkling white attire with glowing stainless skin. Little did I know that Angels sometimes wear tattoo.

The first perception you get when you come across her is that of a junkie: looking at the amount of tattoo she wears and her short ragged-jeans hot-pant barely covering her pelvic region. Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish woman living in Nigeria, Africa who brought light into the life an innocent child accused of witchcraft or wizardry.

 

It’s outrageously preposterous to know such barbaric culture of accusing children of demonic possession still flourishes in Nigeria especially in the Eastern region where the accused are thrown out of their homes into the street to die as street urchins or in some cases summarily killed for no just course but the senseless beliefs of their ignoramus deluded parents and communities.

 

Little Hope (as He’s now called) was left at the mercy of crumbs from people left over food; with his weakened malnourished body been ravaged by the ash weather with all the macro and microorganism feeding on his frail being because his little minded parent believe He was possessed with a demonic spirit.

Most of us will probably be disgusted looking at him let alone touch Him. But the tattooed angel fed him` and cradled him in her arm like her own child. 

 

It’s unfortunate that even in the 21^st century such barbaric culture is still been practiced in Nigeria, sometimes with the support of religious body.

I remember once as a child: My little sister and I were accused of been ‘Ogbanje’. My innocent gullible parent were advised by a church elder to bring us for prayers: during the course of the prayers, my sister and I were forced to speak in tongues; failure to speak translates to a judgement of refusing deliverance.

The possessed church elder instructed some scarification mark be placed on our cheeks and chest as a symbol of deliverance from the water spirit: the scar which we carry till this day.

It’s a big shame on us as a nation to still have such practice in this present time. WITCHES AND WIZARDS are all fables originating from little uneducated minds lacking explanation for common scientific phenomenon. 

 

Witches do not exist. They are only fictional explanation for happenings exceeding our rational mind.

We all must stand against such barbaric culture. Religious leaders and the Government must join hands in condemning this backward archaic practice.  So many Anja Ringgren Loven should immediately rise up and among us and ensure this inhumane practice come to an end once and for all.

 

HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR WOMANISER DIAGNOSED WITH HIV/AIDS

Hollywood has gone into panic after news broke of an A-list star being diagnosed with HIV.

British tabloid The Sun, while keeping the name of the star anonymous, has reported that the actor was aware of carrying the disease for a number of years but concealed the news while going on a careless 'sexcapade'.

The report however gave some clue of the star's exes: an award- winning actress, a stunning movie star, a glamour model and a TV show favorite.

A ‘celebrity with a chequered history’ and a celebrated media personality are also said to fear they are victims.

The actor is preparing for a legal battle now that news of his condition has become “common knowledge”. According to the report, his lawyers are “preparing for a raft of potential legal claims from previous lovers”.

“The reality is that if he’s knowingly put women at risk then that’s disgusting and it’s only a matter of time before that becomes public,” claims the report

“He’s also concerned a lot of exes and previous one-night stands could look to sue,” The Sun quoted a ‘US showbiz insider’ as saying.

His friends have urged him to open up and face the odds, but the actor has refused to come out in the open, fearing his career and life may face severe consequences.

A report on entertainment website Radar Online reported a similar story, including lurid details about the star’s personal life.

“His worst fear is that he will be remembered not as a great actor but as someone who contracted the disease,” Radar quoted a source as saying.

It is claimed that the Hollywood A-lister has been paying a former lover $20,000 – about £13,000 – a month to suppress secret photos that reveal his condition.

A woman who is friendly with some of the actor’s girlfriends, said: ‘One girl had agreed to go on dates with the star and to sleep with him. She wasn’t a prostitute, just someone who was happy to meet him and be his girlfriend.

‘After a few dates and after sleeping together, she found the HIV medicine in a bathroom cabinet. Obviously she was shocked and angry. She had no idea he has HIV.’

The girlfriend photographed the medicine with her mobile phone and was tested for HIV. She was not infected, but threatened to publicize the photos. He has allegedly been paying $20,000 a month since then to ‘shut her up... she has been paid a lot of money’.

Some newspapers have speculated that it’s Charlie Sheen.

Twitter went into a frenzy upon hearing the news, largely pointing fingers at the former Two and a Half Men star.

Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk of contracting the HIV virus, which weakens the immune system and can develop into deadly Aids.

It is spread through the bodily fluids of infected people, through breastfeeding and sharing needles.

Many sufferers do not know they have it and are symptom-free.

An estimated 100,000 people live with HIV or Aids in the UK, nearly a quarter undiagnosed.

Since the 1980s medical advances have transformed almost every aspect of HIV.

Sadly, attitudes towards the condition haven’t kept pace and stigma is still a big problem.

People with HIV can lead full, happy lives well into old age. For many the biggest challenge is dealing with what other people think.”

The story has generated a lot of media buzz and there are high expectation that the Star will finally reveal his identity.