Diabetes Myths: These Ain't True

Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: The answer is not so simple. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

Being overweight does increase your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people should limit their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes. Sugar-sweetened beverages include beverages like Regular Soda (Coke, Fanta, Pepsi etc.), Fruit Punch, Fruit Drinks, Energy Drinks, Sports Drinks, Sweet Tea and Other Sugary Drinks.

These will raise blood glucose and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving!

Myth: People with diabetes can never eat sweets.

Fact: You can have your cake and eat it too, just not the whole cake! People with diabetes need to control the amount of carbohydrates in their diet and sugary treats counts as carbohydrates. But these doesn’t mean that they can’t have any sweets, it just means that they should put the brakes on eating too much of them. Eating of these foods can also make it less likely you’ll want to eat healthier foods.

Myth: Diabetes is contagious

Fact: Diabetes is not contagious, which means you can't get it from another person. Scientists don't know exactly how people get Type1 diabetes, but they think it may be associated with something in the environment, like a virus. But even coming into contact with such a virus doesn't mean someone will definitely get diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes have to inherit genes that make them more likely to get diabetes.

Myth: Insulin cures diabetes.

Fact: Diabetes is a condition that you manage with insulin, but insulin can't cure it. Insulin helps get glucose out of the blood and into the cells, where it's used for energy. This helps to keep your blood sugar levels under control, but taking insulin doesn't correct the reason why diabetes developed, nor does it make the diabetes go away.

Myth: All people with diabetes need to take insulin.

Fact: All people with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin injections because their pancreases don't make insulin anymore. Some, but not all people with Type 2 diabetes have to take insulin — with or without other diabetes medications — to manage their blood sugar levels.

Myth: People can outgrow diabetes.

Fact: People don't grow out of their diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin and won't make it again. People with Type 1 diabetes will always need to take insulin, until scientists find a cure for diabetes. People with Type 2 diabetes may find it easier to control blood sugar levels if they make healthy changes to their lives, like eating right and exercising regularly. But people with Type 2 diabetes will probably always have the tendency to develop high blood sugar levels, so it's important to maintain those healthy lifestyle changes.

Myth: Pills for diabetes are a form of insulin

Fact: Diabetes medicines that a person takes in pill form are not insulin. Insulin is a protein that would be broken down and destroyed by the acids and digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines if swallowed. That's why insulin has to be given as a shot. People with Type 2 diabetes sometimes take pills that help the body make more insulin or use the insulin it makes more effectively (remember, people with Type 2 diabetes still make insulin, the body just can't respond to it normally). Pills for diabetes cannot help people with Type 1 diabetes because their bodies don't make insulin.

Myth: Having to take more insulin means diabetes is getting worse.

Fact: There is no one-size-fits-all insulin dose. Insulin doses are different for each person. How fast you're aging, how much you eat, how active you are, and whether you're going through puberty, menopause or any life stages are all things that affect the amount of insulin you'll need each day and insulin doses often need to be changed over time.

Myth: People with diabetes can't exercise.

Fact: Exercise is important for all people — with or without diabetes! Exercise has many benefits. In addition to helping keep your weight under control (which is helpful for managing diabetes), exercise is good for your heart and lungs, it helps you burn off some steam, and it relieves stress. And exercise is great for blood sugar control to your diabetes health care team about exercising and managing your blood sugar.

Source: Kidshealth.org, Diabetes.org
Photo credit: Google Images

It’s World Kidney Day: Protect Your Kidneys

March 14, 2013 marks the ‘World Kidney Day’. The theme for this year is “STOP Kidney Attack! Protect your kidneys, find out how”

The Kidney is a very essential body organ because of the numerous roles it plays. Each kidney is roughly the size of a human fist.

The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood. Kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.

Your kidneys control blood stream levels of many minerals and molecules including sodium and potassium, and help to control blood acidity. Every day your kidneys carefully control the salt and water in your body so that your blood pressure remains the same.

Did You Know? 

Your Kidneys:

·         Make urine
·         Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood
·         Control your body's chemical balance
·         Help control your blood pressure
·         Help keep your bones healthy
·         Help you make red blood cells

EARLY DETECTION & SCREENING

Know that kidney diseases are harmful and common but it also treatable. The key to survival is early detection and regular screening.

GET TESTED

Get your blood and urine tested.

Your blood is tested to measure creatinine content and estimate GFR (Glomerular Filter Rate) and your urine is tested to measure creatinine and albumin excretion.

YOU SHOULD BE SCREENED:

-          If you have been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus or Hypertension

-          If you are obese

-          If you smoke

-          If you are 50 years of age and above

-          If you have a family history of Kidney Disease, Diabetes Mellitus or Hypertension

Ignorance isn't bliss! Be aware, check your kidneys!!

There would be FREE KIDNEY SCREENING at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Learn more about your kidneys and how to protect them through this video:

Source: World Kidney Day 
Photo Credit: Google Images

Hypertension In Young Adults

Recently in Nigeria, autopsy reports revealed that the late Goldie died as a result of HYPERTENSION. Prior to this, my boo had just been diagnosed as well with having high blood pressure. In his case I was so worried, for the fact that he is young and should not be having increased blood pressure. We thank God, that’s over now.

The rate at which young people all over the world are being diagnosed with high blood pressure is alarming. I just thought it right to educate everybody that this article can reach on the symptoms, causes and treatment for high blood pressure.

I hope this article provides insight in any way, also please feel free to add to whatever might be missing.

Thanks guys! And yeah I'm back to blogging!! Whoop!!

What exactly is HYPERTENSION?

Hypertension is such a silent disease that you can be walking around with a blood pressure reading of 180/100mmHg and not be aware of what is going on internally. If you have a blood pressure reading of 120/80, 120(the figure above) represents the systolic pressure which is the pressure of blood hitting the artery walls when the heart beats. Eighty (the figure below) represents the diastolic pressure which is the pressure between heartbeats.

The normal blood pressure rate is less than 120/80mmHg, so hypertension is when either the systolic measurement is 140 or higher or the diastolic measurement is 90 or higher. There are basically two types of hypertension: Essential and Secondary Hypertension

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) guidelines categorize hypertension as follows:

• Normal. Less than 120/80
• Prehypertension. 120-139/80-89
• Hypertension. 140/90
• Stage 2 hypertension. 160/100

What causes HYPERTENSION?

The cause of Essential Hypertension is unknown (Yeah!! No known cause). Although lifestyle factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and excessive alcohol or salt intake contribute to the condition.

Secondary Hypertension in most cases is as a result of an underlying kidney disease, hormonal imbalance, and drug intake

According to the JNC 7, half the adult population is prehypertensive or hypertensive, and because blood pressure increases with age, most people will become hypertensive if they live long enough

Daniel Lackland, DrPH of the American Society of Hypertension says “Younger adults with high blood pressure typically have high diastolic pressure while older adults have high systolic pressure”.  In young adults, the diastolic pressure rises because the heart is pumping harder while in older adults, the systolic pressure rises and stiffens arteries. Hypertension in young adults is caused by increased body mass, with an increase in African-American men, but it affects men of all races."

Signs &Symptoms

In most cases, hypertension doesn't give signs or signals the affected individual. It is usually discovered during a routine health screening. Below are some of the signs of Hypertension:

·         Headaches (usually at the back of the head     and noticed in morning)
·         Light-headedness
·         Vertigo(the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning)
·         Tinnitus (buzzing sound in the ears)
·         Altered Vision
·         Fainting Spells



What can be done?

For young people in the pre-hypertensive stage and hypertensive stages, modification of lifestyle activities plays a major role in bringing down the blood pressure.

Worry Less!! Manage Emotions!!

Let’s be honest, has worrying ever changed a situation for the better?? No it has not. Manage emotions such as anger, worry, rage, annoyance as they have been linked to causing physical and biological changes.

Weight reduction

 A Body Mass Index (BMI) of above 24.9 should be cause of worry in any young adult whether male or female. It is advised to maintain a normal body weight with a target (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9. According to JNC7, for every 10kiliogrammes of weight lost, the systolic blood pressure reduces by approximately 5-20.

Adjust your Diet

 Ensure your diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products with a reduction in saturated and total fat. When this is done, the systolic blood pressure is expected to reduce by 8-14 points.

Reduce your salt intake

Salt is an essential mineral that a body needs to stay hydrated. Ingestion of salt is usually followed by water retention which is the body’s way of staying hydrated. With the consumption of ‘too much salt’ the body is likely to become over-hydrated as a result of excess fluid in the body. The excess fluid causes the kidney to work extra to remove this fluid. 

Excess body fluid also causes an increase in blood volume which requires the heart to work harder to move all that blood around, thus blood pressure goes up. 

Reduction in daily salt intake to less that 2.4g/1 teaspoon per day would reduce the systolic blood pressure by 2-8 points approximately.

Engage in Aerobic Activity

Engage in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, at least 30 minutes per day most days of the week. This can decrease systolic blood pressure by 4-9 points.

Reduce/ Moderate Alcohol Consumption

Limiting the amount of alcohol to between 11 and 14 grams of alcohol is expected to result in a reduction in systolic blood pressure by 2-4 points.

Without treatment, a man at [age] 30 could be facing end-stage renal disease, stroke, or heart attack."

Some Risk Associated with Hypertension

Young adults with hypertension often have what's called "Metabolic Syndrome" which is known to contribute to heart disease and diabetes. It includes a cluster of risk factors found in an individual and include excess body fat (especially around the waist and chest), high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. Snoring has also been linked to high blood pressure in young adults. Erectile dysfunction has also been linked to complications of untreated high blood pressure.

Source: Wikipedia, WebMD, Yahoo Health
Photo Credit:Google Images

Reducing Anxiety Naturally

Although everyone feels anxious on occasion, if you are feeling anxious most of the time and this emotion consistently interferes with your daily life, then you may have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

People with GAD worry about many things, as opposed to one specific incident. For example, most people will experience anxiety before giving a presentation or before taking a final exam. People with GAD will experience anxiety whether or not a big event is coming up. Anxiety about family, money, work, health, and other issues will arise whether or not these worries are provoked by an actual event.

Severity of Anxiety

The severity of GAD varies from person to person with this disorder. Some people have mild to moderate GAD, and are still able to live their daily life without too much interference. Others have severe GAD and find that the quality of their lives is controlled by this condition.

Whether you have mild, moderate, or severe GAD, it is important to be aware of the things that you can do to minimize your symptoms. If you are wary about taking prescription medications prescribed for anxiety, you are not alone. 

What to do to Reduce Anxiety

Many people are seeking alternative and natural forms of treatment. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do in your own life to treat your anxiety disorder.

Healthy Diet

Diet can play a significant role in mood disorders. Unfortunately, the Western diet of processed foods, including fast food, can change the way that the brain functions. Individuals with chronic anxiety are likely to benefit from eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein. There are certain foods — such as nuts, seeds, and bananas — that contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid that assists the brain in producing serotonin. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings calm and happiness.

Reduce Alcohol and Caffeine Consumption

If you suffer from anxiety on a regular basis, it’s also important to consider how much caffeine and alcohol you consume. Many people with GAD self-medicate with alcohol and caffeine since these substances can enhance one’s mood temporarily. However, the long-term effects are usually increased anxiety. Gradually reduce the amount of caffeine and alcohol that you consume each day, and give yourself a few weeks or so without these substances to assess your anxiety levels. Some people with GAD must eliminate caffeine altogether, and will find that reduced consumption of alcohol also helps quite a bit.

Mind-Body Techniques

You may not think of exercise as a mind-body technique, but studies show that physical exercise promotes emotional well-being in addition to physical health. There is a strong correlation between regular fitness training and reduced anxiety. A person who takes better care of their body is more likely to have a healthy mind that is free from anxiety and depression. 

Considering that anxiety is often a secondary emotion of depression, starting a regular exercise routine is an excellent idea for anyone who suffers from either disorder.

Meditation, yoga, tai chi, biofeedback, and self-hypnosis are commonly used mind-body techniques for treating anxiety naturally. You’ll find many online resources and books dedicated to using these effective mind-body techniques. In particular, Transcendental Meditation is particularly useful for creating feelings of inner calm, and will help “train” your mind into relaxing and focusing more on the moment.

Herbal Remedies

Passionflower, kava, valerian, and chamomile are just a few types of herbal remedies that are commonly used to treat anxiety. Keep in mind that, while herbal remedies tend to be much safer than pharmaceutical medications, minor side effects may result and care should be taken when consuming herbs for anxiety. If you are taking any other medications at this time, consult with your doctor before taking an herbal remedy.

Follow a Well-Rounded Approach

People who suffer from chronic anxiety should not expect their feelings to disappear overnight. Reducing anxiety is often a matter of changing the way that you think and how you take care of yourself. Begin with steps that are within your control, such as eating a healthier diet, consuming less caffeine and alcohol, and exercising more. Make gradual changes instead of trying to rid yourself of anxiety all at once. Practice thinking with a more positive frame of mind and work on pushing negative, anxiety-provoking thoughts from your mind. Practice daily meditation or other mind-body techniques. With time, you will be able to change the quality of your life by reducing anxiety.

Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon and writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.

Nine Months of Fashion: Maternity Fashion Tips

Congratulations, your baby is on its way. But now your jeans are tight and aren't fitting so well, and you can't wear that shirt to work because it is showing your belly. So what are you going to do?

It is time to invest in some maternity clothes.

Do I hear you groaning? Most women think of pregnancy clothes as being huge, shapeless sacks, baggy trousers and lots of elastic waist tracksuit pants. But it doesn't have to be!

The good news is that these days there are lots of stylish and sexy maternity clothes. Stylish and sexy aren't words you linked with pregnancy clothes in the past, but this is a new era for maternity wear.

Regardless of how fashion-conscious a woman is, the fact is that she is only pregnant for nine months, so she also should be practical and finance conscious while shopping. Purchasing maternity clothes as soon as possible in the pregnancy is the best option. The fit of maternity clothes these days has changed, and many are made to last from early pregnancy to accommodate the increase in abdominal size and to the postpartum period. Most maternity clothes are equipped with adjustable waistbands, rather than the old-fashioned panel, which allows the clothes to grow with the pregnancy. Ladies do not forget that “Comfort is the watchword during pregnancy as far as clothes are concerned”

Fitted clothes are important in pregnancy so the woman doesn't look big all over. Treating yourself to some nice clothing along the way is one way to pick up your self-esteem if it's struggling at times.

Don’t Forget Ladies: You don't need to spend a fortune on new maternity clothes.

During the first trimester invest in a few long singlets or camisoles in basic colors such as white, black, grey, red, making sure that they are extra long length.

It’s now time to invest in maternity wears during the second trimester due to the expanding belly. Here are few essential maternity items can last the whole pregnancy and afterwards: Stretch pants, Slim Fit Skirt, A Dress (preferably black), Maternity T-Shirts, A Tunic Length Sweater for cold weather, A Button down Shirt and Maternity Jeans. Ensure you have the right accessories to complement your look and spice you up.


















Ditch the 4 inch, stiletto heels and stick to lower heels, flats and wider shoes. Stick to slip on shoes or sandals because you won't want to be fiddling with straps and buckles by your third trimester when your belly is so big you can’t even reach your feet anymore!












Wear comfortable bras and underwear and adjust as your breasts, hips and abdomen increase. Invest in maternity underwear which billows out and covers your entire abdomen and maternity bras, which have several rows of hooks (at least 5 or 6) to accommodate the changes in your rib cage and also have adjustable cups.


By the third trimester you'll be filling out your maternity clothes nicely and they might be a tight squeeze by the end of the third trimester.

Comfort is the most important thing now because it is not too long from now. So if you feel like wearing baggy jeans flip flops, what are you waiting for??

10 Fantastic Health Benefits of Yogurt

1. Yogurt can give you flat abs.
Eat 18 ounces a day and you can drop a jeans size. People who ate that much -- in conjunction with cutting their total calories -- lost 22 percent more weight and 81 percent more belly fat than dieters who skipped the snack, according to research from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. They also retained one-third more calorie-torching lean muscle mass, which can help you maintain weight loss. "Fat around your waist produces the hormone cortisol, which tells your body to accumulate even more belly flab," says nutrition professor and lead study author Michael Zemel, PhD. When you eat yogurt, the calcium signals your fat cells to pump out less cortisol, making it easier for you to drop pounds, while the amino acids help burn fat.

2. Most brands of yogurt contain good-for-you bacteria.
The words "live and active cultures" on the container mean that your yogurt has probiotics, beneficial bugs that live in your digestive tract and help crowd out harmful microorganisms that can cause intestinal infections. (Only a very small number of companies put yogurt through a post-pasteurization process that kills off all bacteria.)
But many varieties now also contain special strains of probiotics meant to help regulate your digestion or strengthen your immune system. The research on them isn't conclusive, however. "If you suffer from a particular health problem, like bloating or diarrhea, it's worth trying one of these products for a couple of weeks to see if it helps," says FITNESS advisory board member Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD. Otherwise, save a few dollars and stick to conventional brands.

3. Yogurt is loaded with vitamins.
One serving is a significant source of potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Yogurt also contains B12, which maintains red blood cells and helps keep your nervous system functioning properly. "Vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal products, such as chicken and fish, so strict vegetarians can easily fall short," says Jackie Newgent, RD, a FITNESS advisory board member and author of Big Green Cookbook. Eating more yogurt can help close the nutrient gap: An eight-ounce serving contains 1.4 micrograms of the vitamin, about 60 percent of what adult women need daily

4. A cup of yogurt a day can help you recover faster after a workout.
With the right ratio of protein to carbohydrates, yogurt, particularly high-protein Greek yogurt, makes an excellent post-sweat-session snack. "The perfect time to grab a container is within 60 minutes of exercise," says Keri Gans, RD, a nutritionist in New York City. The protein provides the amino acids your muscles need to repair themselves, Gans explains, and the carbohydrates replace your muscles' energy stores, which are depleted after a hard workout. It's a bonus if you drink a bottle of water along with it: The protein in yogurt may also help increase the amount of water absorbed by the intestines, improving hydration.

5. Not all yogurt is equal when it comes to calcium and vitamin D.
Since it naturally contains calcium, you'd think the amount would be the same no matter which yogurt you pick. Wrong. "The levels can vary widely from brand to brand, so you really need to check the label," Newgent says. How much is in a container depends on processing. For instance, fruit yogurt tends to have less calcium than plain because the sugar and fruit take up precious space in the container. "Vitamin D isn't naturally in yogurt, but because it helps boost calcium absorption, most companies add it," Newgent explains. Reach for brands like Stonyfield Farms Fat Free Smooth and Creamy and Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy, which contain at least 20 percent of your daily value for both nutrients.

6. Yogurt may prevent high blood pressure.
Every day 70 percent of us consume more than twice the recommended amount of salt; over time that can lead to hypertension and kidney and heart disease. The potassium in yogurt, almost 600 milligrams per eight ounces, may help flush some of the excess sodium out of your body. In fact, adults in a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition who ate the most low-fat dairy -- two or more servings daily -- were 54 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who ate the least.

7. A daily serving of yogurt keeps colds away.
Dig into four ounces each day and you may find yourself sniffle-free in the months ahead, according to a study at the University of Vienna. Women eating this amount had much stronger and more active T cells, which battle illness and infection, than they did before they started consuming it. "The healthy bacteria in yogurt help send signals to the immune-boosting cells in your body to power up and fight off harmful bugs," says lead study author Alexa Meyer, PhD, a nutrition researcher at the university. Allergy sufferers, who typically have low levels of certain T cells, may also find relief by adding yogurt to their diets. In a study in the Journal of Nutrition, people who ate seven ounces a day had fewer symptoms than those who opted for none at all.

8. Yogurt can help your smile.
Despite its sugar content, yogurt doesn't cause cavities. When scientists at Marmara University in Turkey tested low-fat, light, and fruit flavors, they found that none of them eroded tooth enamel, the main cause of decay. The lactic acid in yogurt appears to give your gums protection as well. People who eat at least two ounces a day have a 60 percent lower risk of acquiring severe periodontal disease than those who skip it.

9. Raw doesn't mean better.
Virtually all the yogurt in your grocery store has been pasteurized -- that is, exposed to high temperatures to kill any harmful pathogens. Raw-dairy fans claim that unpasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese are better for you because they contain more health-boosting bacteria, but pasteurization doesn't destroy beneficial probiotics, Newgent explains. Plus, studies show that those who eat raw yogurt don't have stronger immune or digestive systems than people who stick to the pasteurized stuff. And raw-dairy products carry a risk of food poisoning. "E. coli and salmonella are two of the pathogens that can lurk in these foods and end up in your body," Newgent says.

10. Yogurt is a high-protein food.
Yogurt can be an excellent source of protein, but "one variety may contain more than double the protein of another," Blatner says. Greek yogurt, which is strained to make it thicker, has up to 20 grams of protein per container; traditional yogurt may have as few as five grams. If you're eating it for the protein, look for brands that provide at least eight to 10 grams per serving.

What to Look For in a Yogurt
Forget the fancy promises. To find a healthy yogurt that's low in calories, fat, and sugar, follow as many of these guidelines as you can.
Per 6-ounce serving:
Calories: 100 to 150 (if you're snacking, stick to the lower end)
Fat: 3.5 grams or less (low-fat or nonfat)
Saturated fat: 2 grams or less
Protein: at least 8 to 10 grams
Sugar: 20 grams or less
Calcium: at least 20 percent of the daily value
Vitamin D: at least 20 percent of the daily value


Source:http://www.fitnessmagazine.com
Photo Credit:Google images

Stammering/ Stuttering

I just watched the King’s Speech (Yeah! I know I am kinda stale). Well watching that movie enlightened me and I want to shed a lil bit of light on the subject of speech disorders dwelling particularly on ‘Stammering’ which was the speech disorder that King George VI suffered from. The movie told the story of King George VI speech disorder and how he overcame the problem through speech therapy from the great Lionel Logue. Enough said about the King’s Speech!!

Stammering(alalia literalis or anarthria literalis) is known as ‘stuttering’ (alalia syllabaris). Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.

Stuttering is typically a developmental disorder beginning in early childhood and continuing into adulthood in at least 20% of affected children. In rare cases, stuttering may be acquired in adulthood as the result of a neurological event such as a head injury, tumour, stroke or drug use.

There is essentially no "cure" for the disorder at present. Though the rate of early recovery is very high in a young stutterer, with time a young stutterer may transition from easy, relaxed repetition to more tense and effortful stuttering, including blocks and prolongation. Stutterers commonly report dramatically increased fluency when talking in unison with another speaker, copying another's speech, whispering, singing, and acting or when talking to pets, young children, or themselves. Other situations, such as public speaking and speaking on the telephone are often greatly feared by stutterers, and increased stuttering is reported.

The exact cause of stuttering is unknown but the most likely contributing factors include the following:
- Genetics: Children who have first-degree relatives who stutter are three times as likely to develop a stutter. Approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also.
- Child Development: There is evidence that stuttering is more common in children who also have concomitant speech, language, learning or motor difficulties.
- Neurophysiology: Recent neurological research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those who do not stutter.
- Auditory Processing Deficits: Auditory processing deficits have also been proposed as a cause of stuttering. Stuttering is less prevalent in deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, and stuttering may be improved when auditory feedback is altered, such as masking, delayed auditory feedback (DAF), or frequency altered feedback.
- Pressure: Such as peer pressure, time pressure, stressful speaking situations, insistence on perfect speech, high expectations, and so on.

Therapy
There are no instant miracle cures for stuttering. Therapy, electronic devices, and even drugs are not an overnight process. However, a specialist in stuttering can help not only children but also teenagers, young adults and even older adults make significant progress toward fluency.

The following therapy can be of help to stutterers:
- Fluency Shaping Therapy
- Stuttering Modification Therapy
- Electronic Fluency Devices
- Anti- stuttering Medication
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Support Groups

Do you think you are the only one suffering from this disorder? Nope, you’re not, famous Englishmen King George VI and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who led the UK through World War II stammered. Lewis Carroll, the well-known author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was afflicted with a stammer. Also the following people stuttered and didn’t allow their affliction to affect their success: Vice President of The USA, Joe Biden, Charles Darwin, Marilyn Monroe, Emily Blunt, Tiger Woods, Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis, Phillip Larkin, Samuel L. Jackson, and Annie Glenn. Lest, I forget even Moses of old, the leader and liberator of the Hebrews and Demosthenes, the greatest Greek orator of ancient times stuttered!

Let your voice be heard!!

Bowling for Boobs!

Abuja set to host the first ever Bowling For Boobs Competition in Africa to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness

Stand Up To Cancer Naija is happy to announce it’s signature fundraising event for breast cancer awareness tagged “Bowling for Boobs 9ja”. The national tour event will kick off with the median edition holding at the dome entertainment centre central Area, Abuja on the 29th of January, 2011. The event which will be a bowling competition, with six teams, of eight players in each team, all competing against each other. The objective is to have fun while raising awareness and money for breast cancer project in the grassroot; prior bowling experience is not required. The event will be hosted subsequently in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and other cities in Africa.

Each bowler is to register with N20,000, after registration they will get a t-shirt and a socks complimentary. The funds generated from this event will be used to support the ongoing grassroot breast cancer projects under Stand Up To Cancer Naija. “Like a Bra our event aims to uplift and support women battling breast cancer!” said Caleb Egwuenu, Project Director of Stand Up To Cancer Naija. We are calling on everyone to take up teams or join in a team, in this incredibly colourful and outrageous social event. Raffle tickets and prizes will also be available. The Line of confirmed celebrities featuring in the event are; UTI, Waje and Uche Jumbo, many more are to be confirmed soon.

For more information on this event, please contact Caleb Egwuenu, Project Director, Stand Up To Cancer Naija on 08033626680 or the Event Publicist Bode- 07032521755

Regular Breast Self Examination is the key. It can never be over- emphasized.

Feel Your Boobies!!

Improve Indoor Air Quality to Optimize Respiratory Health

By Kristina Gundersen


We often take for granted the air we breathe. It is all around us, we need it to survive, and we breathe it every second of our lives. Yet few of us consider how air quality impacts our health. Although we cannot really control the air outdoors, it is easy to improve air quality in the home environment by taking some straightforward measures. You’re on your way to breathing easier in four simple steps.

Damp Dusting
Is your home a dust-filled environment? Do you have pets, lots of decorations, or carpeting? Then your home probably has more dust than you should be breathing. Luckily, there is a simple remedy: dusting with a damp rag instead of a dry one. The water on the rag enables the dust to stick to the rag and traps it on the rag, thus preventing the spread or movement of dust that occurs with dry dusting.

Natural Cleaners
Do you use chemical products like shower and toilet bowl cleaners, disinfectants, bleach, or window washing fluid? Then you may be breathing toxic chemicals. Opting for natural or odorless cleaning products like Bon Ami for tubs and toilets, baking soda and water for countertops, vinegar for windows and hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant is a smart option for people with chemical sensitivities or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or emphysema.

Houseplants
Ever wonder if the air we breathe is pure? Before investing in an expensive, complicated air purification system, try incorporating some houseplants into your décor. Plants are nature’s own air purification system. Try putting at least one in each bedroom near a window and two or three in the living room to cover the extra square footage. Some powerful air-purifying, humidity-balancing plants are the Bamboo Palm, the Boston Fern, the Peace Lily and English Ivy.

Mold Abatement
Do you have areas of your home that smell damp or musty? The culprit may be a dangerous substance called black mold. Sometimes it is visible as black or dark gray splotches, sometimes it is not so easy to find. Anywhere where water damage has occurred, there are usually mold spores growing. A leaky pipe under the sink, for example, may be a source of black mold growth. It typically grows in bathrooms and on windowsills, anywhere where there is frequent condensation. If you can see the mold growth, try spraying it with bleach. If you cannot determine the origin of the musty smell, contact a mold abatement specialist who will take air samples and inspect your home until they locate the source.


Kristina Gundersen lives in Washington State. She is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on accredited online universities for Guide to Online Schools.

Depression: You Don't Have to Feel This Way

Symptoms of depression
* No interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
* Feeling sad or empty
* Crying easily or crying for no reason
* Feeling slowed down or feeling restless and unable to sit still
* Feeling worthless or guilty
* Weight gain or loss
* Thoughts about death or suicide
* Trouble thinking, recalling things or focusing on what you're doing
* Trouble making everyday decisions
* Problems sleeping, especially in the early morning, or wanting to sleep all of the time
* Feeling tired all of the time
* Feeling numb emotionally, perhaps even to the point of not being able to cry

Getting through depression
* Pace yourself. Don't expect to do everything you normally can. Set a realistic schedule.
* Don't believe all of your negative thinking, such as blaming yourself or expecting to fail. This thinking is part of depression. These thoughts will go away as your depression lifts.
* Get involved in activities that make you feel good or feel like you've achieved something.
* Avoid making big life decisions when you're depressed. If you must make a big decision, ask someone you trust to help you.
* Avoid drugs and alcohol. Both make depression worse. Both can cause dangerous side effects with your antidepressants.
* Physical activity seems to cause a chemical reaction in the body that may improve your mood. Exercising 4 to 6 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time is a good goal. But even less activity can be helpful.
* Try not to get discouraged. It will take time for your depression to lift fully.

Reasons to get help for depression
* Early treatment helps keep depression from getting worse or lasting a long time.
* Thoughts of suicide are common in people with depression. The risk of suicide is higher if you don't get treatment for your depression. When depression is successfully treated, the thoughts of suicide will go away.
* Treatment can help you return to your "normal" self, enjoying life.
* Treatment can help prevent depression from coming back.