An Ebola Survivor Describes What It's Like To Have The Horrifying Disease

This year's Ebola outbreak is the worst that the world has seen, full of horrifying scenes The Washington Post described as reminiscent of "post-apocalyptic films."

The virus has killed at least 961 people so far, with 1,779 suspected and confirmed cases in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria.

There is no cure for the virus, but it is possible to beat. The fatality rate for this year's Ebola outbreak hovers just under 60%, though that rate is expected to rise.

Saa Sabas, a former medical worker from Guinea, has spoken to various news outlets about his experience with the virus.

Sabas told Vice that he contracted the virus while caring for another Ebola patient. He went to the hospital when he came down with a persistent fever of up to 104 degrees and was told that he tested positive for Ebola.

Here's how he described it in the Vice interview:

This fever lasted two days; then the third day I got a diarrhea. That lasted four days, until, on the seventh day, I got dysentery. Then finally I had hiccups for four days. I was very worried at that point.

... I remember also that my throat was so sore that I couldn’t eat. I’ve had fever before, and I’ve had diarrhea before. All of that, of course, made me weak. But the hiccuping stage really scared me. I’ve heard that lots of people die at this stage of the illness.

Ebola can easily be mistaken for the flu at first, but it progresses quickly, often causing internal and external bleeding, organ damage, and death.

Sabas told the Nigerian Tribune that he was treated with oral medications and infusions and fed well. Over time, he started to feel better.

This kind of supportive care — replenishing patients' fluids, fighting secondary infections when necessary, and keeping a patient alive long enough for the immune system to fight back against Ebola — is thought to greatly improve outcomes. In the end, after about 13 days of sickness, Sabas survived a disease that many people see as a death sentence.

Once he left the hospital, doctors gave him a certificate noting that he was no longer sick so that other people would not fear him. Ebola is highly stigmatized in Africa because people fear contamination.

Culled from Yahoo! Finace

'I feel more feminine with my beard': Teaching assistant who suffered taunts because of her excessive hair decides to stop trimming it after being baptised a Sikh

Harnaam Kaur, of Slough, Berkshire, has polycystic ovary syndrome

Beard started to appear on her face aged just 11 and spread to chest

She's decided to stop cutting her hair after being baptised as a Sikh

 

A 23-year-old woman with a condition causing excessive hair development has revealed that growing a beard makes her feel more feminine.

 

Harnaam Kaur, of Slough, Berkshire, suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome - and a beard first started to appear on her face aged just 11.

 

The hair quickly spread to her chest and arms, and the condition made her the victim of taunts at school and on the street. She even received death threats from strangers over the internet.

 

But Miss Kaur has now decided to stop cutting her hair after being baptised as a Sikh - a religion in which cutting body hair is forbidden.

 

She said: ‘I would never ever go back now and remove my facial hair because it's the way God made me and I'm happy with the way I am.

'I feel more feminine, more sexy and I think I look it too. I've learned to love myself for who I am nothing can shake me now.’

 

During her early teens, Miss Kaur was so ashamed of her beard that she waxed twice a week, and also tried bleaching and shaving.
 

 But the hair became thicker and spread - with Miss Kaur feeling so self-conscious that she refused to leave her house. She even began self-harming and she considered suicide.

She said: ‘I got bullied badly - at school I was called a “beardo” and things like “shemale” and “sheman”. I can laugh about it now, but back then it affected me so badly that I began to self-harm because it felt better than all the abuse I was getting.

 

‘I'd talk to people with a hand over my face and I wore baggy, tomboy clothes to cover up the hair on my chest and arms.

 

‘I didn't want to go outside my house because I couldn't take the stares from strangers so I'd lock myself in my room. It got so bad that I just didn't want to live anymore.’

 

Since then Miss Kaur has been employed at a local Sikh primary school as a teaching assistant and her confidence has soared.

 

She said: ‘I still get shop assistants calling me “sir” and strange looks from people - they see my beard first and realise I've actually got breasts too. It must be confusing for a lot of people.

'The funniest reactions I get are from the children at my school. Some ask me what my beard is and I joke it's a Halloween costume. Some even ask me where I buy it and I just say “Asda”.

 

‘I can laugh about it now - sometimes I say I'm a man and I put on a deep voice to scare other people because it's quite funny to see their reaction.’

 

Despite often being mistaken for a man, Miss Kaur says she feels more feminine than ever - choosing girly tops over baggy, high-necked jumpers.

She said: ‘I'm able to go out and shop in the women's section without feeling I shouldn't be there. I wear skirts, dresses and jewellery and I like to get my nails done like every other girl.’

 

Today Miss Kaur hopes her story will help other women find self-confidence. She has decided to share her story on YouTube - and continues to upload videos despite receiving death threats.

 

She said: ‘I've had people telling me they're going to burn me and throw a brick at me - all sorts of things like that.

 

‘But I've also had a lot of positive messages from women in the same situation as me. I've also had loads of nice comments from men all over the world. One even asked me to marry him.

 

‘I haven't found a potential husband yet. I still get some grief from the men in my community and it does still seem to be a barrier to marriage. But I'm young and there's still plenty of time for that.

 

‘All that matters to me at the moment is that I love myself. I love my beard and all my other little quirks - my tattoos, my scars, stretch marks and blemishes.

 

‘I want other women to find the strength that I have. If I had any message it would be to live the way you want - it's your journey and it's your life.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Why Sex Hurts Sometimes (and How to Make It Stop)

 

Of course, women tend to associate sex with a variety of positive feelings: fun, happiness, and love. Unfortunately, for some women, sex can also be associated with discomfort or even pain. Some women may even try to hide or mask the pain because they fear it can be interpreted as a lack of enthusiasm, excitement, or affection for their partner. In fact, pain during or after sex is a common issue for many women and can be caused by multiple factors.

 

So how do we improve things under the covers? We can start by understanding why this discomfort may be occurring.

 

“If you’re trying to have intercourse when you’re not aroused, lack of lubrication can cause friction and lead to pain. Even if you are aroused, decreased lubrication caused by hormonal deficiencies (such as atrophic vaginitis, which can occur when estrogen levels are low after menopause or while breastfeeding) can lead to pain,” Dr. Rankin explains.

 

There are other, more common reasons, too. “Some other common causes of pain during intercourse include gynecologic conditions such as vulvar vestibulitis (inflammation of the vestibular glands at the vaginal opening), vaginismus (involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles that may make intercourse impossible), and vulvodynia (non-specific vulvar pain, which is often experienced as an intense burning feeling.”

 

While most women experience pain during or after sexual intercourse every so often, it doesn’t necessarily have to become a fact of life. There are several over-the-counter remedies that can prove to be very effective.

 

“Inadequate lubrication can be remedied with sexual lubricants, such as Astroglide or KY Jelly,” Dr. Rankin suggests. Some alternative non-medical treatments that can be taken to prevent or sooth friction during intercourse include:

1. Using natural lubricants like coconut oil or olive oil (Dr. Rankin notes that coconut oil should be used with caution, as it can break down condoms)
2. Taking sitz baths to relieve discomfort after sex
3. Trying different sexual positions

Since it takes two to tango, there are also important steps one’s spouse can take to alleviate discomfort during intercourse. Asking your spouse to experiment with a few new methods if perfectly acceptable and could actually turn out to enhance the experience for both parties! Dr. Rankin suggests that men make sure their partners are adequately aroused before intercourse is attempted. Experiment with positions and who’s ‘in control.’

 

While the methods mentioned here may help (and we hope they do!), some more serious causes of pain during sex could warrant the attention of your friendly neighborhood gynecologist.

 

“If you lack lubrication because of hormonal reasons, vaginal estrogen, when used appropriately is life-saving and safe, but you’ll need a prescription, so talk to your gynecologist,” suggests Dr. Rankin. “If you’re suffering from other conditions, such as vulvar vestibulitis, vaginismus, or vulvodynia see your doctor. These conditions can be treated with things like Xylocaine jelly, antihistamines, vaginal dilators, pelvic physical therapy, and other options. Just remember, nobody should have to suffer during sex. It’s supposed to be fun!”

 

As most women can attest, anything out of the ordinary occurring ‘down there’ is alarming and can produce anxiety – still, it can be extremely difficult to overcome shyness or embarrassment one may feel over discussing this subject, even with a medical professional. Dr. Rankin advises that it’s truly better to be safe than sorry.

 

“Any recurring pain during sex should be investigated by a gynecologist. sex is not supposed to hurt, and there’s almost always a way to improve things. So don’t be afraid to ask for help!”

Health Benefits of Tiger Nuts

“Tiger nuts are often cultivated for their edible tubers. In Nigeria, the Hausas call it ‘Aya’; Yorubas call it ‘Ofio’; and the Igbos, ‘imumu’ or ‘aki Hausa’.  The Hausas make a drink called Kunun Aya from it. In China, tiger nut juice was used as a liver tonic and heart stimulant.

The nuts contained a lot of oleic acid which helped to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride and also help prevent the hardening of the arteries. 

Tiger nuts are said to also help prevent constipation because they aid proper digestion. The nuts also contain enough protein and carbohydrates and a good quantity of vitamin B1, which assists in balancing the central nervous system and helps to encourage the body to adapt to stress. They supply the body with enough quantity of Vitamin E, essential for fertility in both men and women.

Tiger nut milk has been used to treat stomach pain, aid normal menstruation, and is believed to help heal mouth and gum ulcers and is a powerful aphrodisiac.

It is also said to promote the production of urine, serve as a preventive measure for prostate cancer, hernia, rectum deformation and prolapse.

Tiger nuts help in stress management by helping the body to stay balanced and also help to prevent fibrosis as well as blockage of the tip of the fallopian tube. The high fibre content of the tiger nuts makes it a good colon evacuator and cleanser and can help one to lose weight.

The black specie of the tiger nuts is believed to be an excellent medicine for breast lumps and cancer.  The nuts are also used in the production of some types of beer, cosmetics, condiments and livestock feed.

 Nursing mothers are often encouraged to eat a lot of tiger nuts for enough production of breast milk to satisfy their babies as it is believed to enhance breast milk production.

What is Endometriosis?

I decided to do a post on this because of the number of women in this part of the globe who are dying in silence from the devastating effects of this not very well acknowledged disease.  Those affected by it most times don't speak up about it, are not believed by their husbands or are often misdiagnosed.  If your wife complains about severe pain during or after sex or becomes totally afraid of and avoids sex, do not take it personal as she could be suffering from endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body. This can lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and problems getting pregnant. Endometriosis is a common finding in women with infertility and has a significant social and psychological impact.

 

 Symptoms

Symptoms may depend on the site of active endometriosis. Pain is the main symptom of endometriosis.  Its main but not universal symptom is pelvic pain in various manifestations. Throbbing, gnawing, and dragging pain to the legs are reported more commonly by women with endometriosis. Compared with women with superficial endometriosis, those with deep disease appear to be more likely to report shooting rectal pain and a sense of their insides being pulled down.

The severity of these symptoms may vary from individual to individual. It's important to note also that not all endometriosis sufferers necessarily suffer from infertility.

A woman with endometriosis may have:

• Painful periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation
• Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; cramps may be steady and range from dull to severe)
• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Pain with bowel movements
• Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle. 

 Causes and Cure

The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial cells shed when you get your period travel backwards through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where they implant and grow. This is called retrograde menstruation. This backward menstrual flow occurs in many women, but researchers think the immune system may be different in women with endometriosis.

Sometimes, endometriosis may run in the family. Although it is typically diagnosed between ages 25 - 35, the condition probably begins about the time that regular menstruation begins. A woman who has a mother or sister with endometriosis is much more likely to develop endometriosis than other women.

There is no cure for endometriosis, but it can be treated in a variety of ways, including pain medication, hormonal treatments, and surgery.

Ex-Miss Nigeria, Nike Oshinowo, Speaks on Her Battle with Endometriosis

The Ex-beauty queen has been suffering from endometrosis, which medical professional describe as a significant factor in unexplained female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and other gynaecological problem. 
 

She says her battle with Endometriosis is an unpleasant one “I have lived with endometriosis since the age of 13. I was sent to boarding school in England when I was seven. I went to prep school. It was during the first few days in secondary school that I began my periods (menstrual). They called the ambulance and I was hospitalized for 10 days because the pain started and wouldn’t stop.

I thought I was going to die. Living with endometriosis is a challenge. When you see your doctor, your doctor just tries to treat the symptoms and assumes the pain revolves around your menstrual cycle. But this is not so. This pain affects every single aspect of your life.”

She noted that on sex “Women with endometriosis do not want to have sex because it’s painful. It is very, very painful. So you do not want to have intercourse.  Because it is painful, you’ll not want to go there. It’s not something you are going to look forward to. I have read books on this. And even when you try to forget the fact that you do not want to, half the time you are bleeding.  Periods last about 5 days, mine, if I’m lucky, lasts 7-10 days and if I’m super, duper lucky, lasts less than seven days; if I have eaten what I should, and exercised constantly, it’s not so bad. Exercise works. If you look at a girl’s menstrual cycle, 26-27 days, remove the 10 days she’s been menstruating and remove the days she doesn’t want sex, when she has pre-menstrual tension.

When every part of you is sore, on those days, you are not going to want sex, and even on the remaining five or so days that you are ‘OK, you are not going to want to have intercourse because it is going to be painful. You just don’t want to. So you cannot have a proper relationship with a man.” Nike said.

Click to read more on Endometriosis.

 

Sources:
- Vanguard

- Wikipedia;

- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000915.htm