Food Poisoning In Zimbabwe

Unfortunately due to a combination of factors in Zimbabwe, food poisoning is not uncommon at all.  Food poisoning is an acute gastroenteritis caused by the consumption of a food material or a drink which contains the pathogenic micro organism or their toxins or poisonous chemicals. Food poisoning is common in hostels, hotels, communal feedings, and festival seasons.

There are two kinds or categories of food poisoning

1) Caused by bacteria

Here the micro organisms called pathogenic bacteria (or their toxin) are responsible. When they are contained with in the food and it is eaten, a person is likely to be poisoned.

2) Non bacterial food poisoning:

Due to the presence of toxic chemicals like fertilizers, insecticides, heavy metals and more.

Bacterial food poisoning in Zimbabwe is much more common.

It’s important to note that, not all bacteria are harmful to the human body. There are however some pathogenic bacteria which secrete toxins and cause clinical manifestations. These organisms enter the human body through food articles or drinks.

10 Tips To Avoid Food Poisoning

1. Only purified water should be used.
2. Workers should use masks, cap and gloves during cooking and serving.
3. Sick individuals should not come in contact with food materials.
4. Kitchen and premises should be neat and clean.
5. Vessels should be washed with soap and hot water.
6. Should not keep the prepared food for a long time in room temperature.
7. All food materials should be kept in closed containers.
8. Pets like dogs and cats should not be allowed to come into contact with food materials.
9. Vegetables should be carefully washed before cooking.

10.  Meat should always be fresh and bought from a trusted and recognised slaughter-house.

Risk of Diabetes In Zimbabwe

In 2005, Diabetes, the ‘silent killer’, was Zimbabwe’s fourth main cause of death affecting a minimum of 6% of the population. In 2003 alone, over 90 000 cases of diabetes were reported in Zimbabwe, a drastic increase from just 3000 in 1997.

Psychological and emotional stress among mothers may trickle down to their kids and increase their children’s risk of having diabetes. Mothers who experienced a stressful event such as divorce, domestic violence, mental tension and work pressure have an increased risk of developing diabetes.

As a result, without the parent’s knowledge, children may get stressed, raising level of cortisol-also called the “stress hormone”.

Cortisol is found adjacent to the kidneys and is released in response to either physical or psychological stress. It breaks down muscle protein into its component amino acid which then circulates the bloodstream. These amino acids are used by the liver in the manufacture of glucose for energy increasing blood sugar level and at the same time lowering the use of glucose as fuel. The excess and deficiency of cortisol in the body may trigger some system disorders such as autoimmunity damaging the insulin-producing beta cells thus resulting in insulin deficiency.

Children with diabetes who experience frequent episode of severe low blood sugar or hypoglycemia particularly at an early age may have reduced long-term memory performance than diabetic children who experience severe hypoglycemia at a later age. A diabetic children’s spatial memory performance may be greatly affected by episodes of extreme low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low-level of glucose in the blood or low blood sugar.

Anti-diabetic medicines that are taken orally by the mouth are effective as insulin injection in controlling symptoms of diabetes. The number of people with diabetes continues to rise while their ages at the time of diagnosis drop. Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called adult – onset diabetes, is now striking children, due largely to the obesity epidemic. Overweight and obese kids that present identifying symptoms like darkness around neck and armpits area are those who frequently get urinary tract infection (UTI).

Diabetes if not properly managed can lead to many complications such as amputation and damage to key organs of the body like the eyes, kidney and the heart. It takes every ounce of restraints and discipline on the part of the patient to be able to follow the rigid diet and medication regimen required for the management of disease.

Having diabetes requires careful examination of ones sugar level. Besides watching for sign of high blood sugar, they also have to be aware of warning signs of blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Using blood glucose meter, a person who has diabetes can tell his/her sugar level is low.

People with poorly controlled diabetes have a high risk of developing eye diseases such as retinopathy and cataracts’

The Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe estimates that around 400 000 people in Zimbabwe have the disease but most don’t even know it.

Aromatherapy As A Healing Alternative

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the science of using natural fragrant essential oils from plants and herbs to enhance a person’s health.

The field of aromatherapy is fast growing as more and more people are seeking for new and better solutions for emerging diseases as well as alternatives to existing and conventional medical solutions.

Where it all began

Early Egyptians often used herbs and essential oils to purify their body for life after death in pharaohs. French Chemist Rene Maurice is credited with the origin of the term Aromatherapy. The story of the term Aromatherapy begins with him. It was accidentally this term came into existence. The story of the beginning of this term Aromatherapy is explained in following lines below:

While in the year 1920 he was working in his lab he burned his hand and then to get relief from this severe pain he plunged his arm in lavender essential oil that was the only cold substance around him at that time. This action healed his hand rapidly and here it gave birth to a new science. This French chemist devoted his remaining life in exploring the healing power of natural essential oils and medicinal values of herbs.

Various Applications of Aromatherapy.

It can be surprisingly effective relief from severe pain as soon as the wounded or burned portion of a person body is brought in contact of cold herbs and essential oils. For example, lavender is often used to treat burn victims while scents are used to recover a person from anxiety and depression.

Essential Oils are high concentrated extracts of plants which are hundred times powerful than the plant itself and can be very efficiently used in treatment. Many types of essential oils are used for their smell only. Example: The scent from plant Eucalyptus is used to provide relief from problems like chest congestion.

Many essential oils are used for their anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory property. Tea tree oil is used to recover from ringworm and fungal infections etc.

Acne Skin Problems & Remedies

Acne is one of the most common and embarrassing skin problems and is faced by millions of people all around the world regardless or of the age, race or gender.

Acne can be described as red eruptions on the skin often filled with a white substance, is itchy, painful and very difficult to hide.

There are a growing number of ways to treat acne both conventional (from skin specialists) as well as natural or home remedies. Natural remedies are less time-consuming, more affordable, and have no side effects (when applied correctly). It only requires a little more patience because the routine has to be followed diligently to get rid of the problem once and for all. Very often natural remedies are for acne is just as effective as medication.

If you suffer from Acne, consider these natural remedies as a cure.

• Your daily consumption of water should be a minimum of eight to ten glasses. This helps to detoxicate your system and kill harmful bacteria that cause acne. Too much of oily food also leads to acne, so fried and spicy food should be strictly avoided or limited.
• Including chromium in your diet also helps to cure acne. There should be a combination of right nutritional balance and proper skin care.
• A mixture of nutmeg powder with unboiled milk when applied on the affected area regularly also helps to cure acne.
• Cinnamon powder mixes with honey is equally effective in curing acne.
• Boiled neem leaves when applied on acne acts as a disinfectant. The infected area should be washed with anti acne soap at least three to four times a day.
• Makeup should be strictly avoided when one is suffering from acne. Very often women especially are tempted to use make up to disguise or hide their acne. This however is a big mistake because it actually worsens the condition.
• Acne should never be squeezed as it can cause the acne to spread faster and may even leave permanent marks on your skin, which leaves your skin, looking ugly.
• Avoid your hair to fall on the acne-affected area. Hair should be kept tied to avoid contact with acne. Pillow covers should be washed on daily basis to avoid the germ to spread.
• Regular cleansing of your skin should be done to keep it free from germs.

Apart from all the above, we highly recommend a healthy lifestyle, with proper balance of food, exercise and sleep.

Understanding Homeopathic Medicine

What is Homeopathic medicine?

Homeopathy is a very safe, and well established form off healing. It is natural form of medicine and is based on the practice of treating ‘like with like’ or similar with similar. The actual word Homeopathy is derived from ‘homios’ (Greek), meaning like or similar, and italios, meaning suffering.

Homeopathy is focused on healing the whole person rather than the illness alone. The homeopath expert will consider the patient as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into account the patient’s physical appearance, their likes, dislikes and their temperament. It is therefore a highly personalized form of treatment, so patients who apparently suffer from the same sickness may be given different advice or different medicines.

Homeopathic Medicines

They look very much like ordinary medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work is very different.

The medicines are not synthetic and are derived from natural sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared from vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from naturally occurring mineral substances, including metals, non-metallic substances, and mineral salts. Animal sources of homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the ink or juice provides sepia) and Honeybee.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by obtaining the remedy in its most concentrated form, and then, through a long process of dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the dilution of the remedy and is denoted by the number which follows the name of the medicine itself. The higher the number, the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy to one trillion parts dilutant).

Homeopathic Remedies

They may come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some common remedies include: arnica montana, from the Leopard’s bane plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant; calcarea, calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish ink; and the element, sulphur.

Remedies can be taken orally in pill, powder, or drop form, rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side effects from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can experience what is called a “healing aggravation,” a temporary accentuation of symptoms. This is seen as a positive sign that the remedy is working. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces the opposite effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another homeopathic remedy, or a strong substance, such as perfume, camphor, or coffee, which are known to block the effects of a remedy.

In America the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938, working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to produce and update their reference book of homeopathic medicines.

Over the years, the FDA has classified homeopathic medicines as non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their strength. In the United Kingdom, homeopathic medicine has been part of the National Health Service (NHS) since it began in 1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS. Homeopathic medicines are easily available over-the-counter or by prescription.

Safety of Homeopathic Medicines

Because of the very, very small doses used, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive and without any negative side effects. The curative properties of the remedies are released even in extremely high dilution and render the medicine completely safe for the treatment of both children and babies.

It is advisable to consult a practitioner before buying homeopathic remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of the reach of all children.

Where dosing instructions have been followed, no case of toxic action has ever been reported in association with homeopathic medicines.