Dr. Rasheed Adedapo Abassi, a well-known Nigerian doctor, has spoken out against the supposed reasons why males should participate in sexual intercourse 21 times every month.

During an interview with Classic FM, Dr. Rasheed Adedapo disclosed that such practice has a variety of health advantages.

Dr. Rasheed opened the conversation by citing a well-known physiological concept: “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

According to the doctor, erections, which are only obtained via sexual activity, are essential for exercising the prostate gland, resulting in a healthier and more strong prostate.

The doctor backed up his assertions with study data, recommending that men aim for 21 sexual sessions every month to potentially avoid cardiovascular diseases and minimise the chance of prostate

While the specifics of the study were not disclosed during the interview, Dr. Rasheed emphasised the necessity of maintaining frequent personal interactions in boosting general well-being.

In his advise to males, Dr. Rasheed suggested doing whatever it takes to persuade their partners to engage in frequent intimate activities.

He also proposed, rather controversially, that if possible, men should consider having a “side chic” to help them attain the needed frequency of sexual interactions.

Netizens Reactions…
@RadicalYouthMan said; “Omo, I watched this today and understood why women deny men sex after marriage …. They want prostrate cancer to be the culprit ..but the doctor recommended a side chick … “

@aproko_doctor said; “ come and see better doctor here …”

@Capolutiti said; “So if you faithful to one wife or gf, she will use four to five days do menstruation, remaining 25 or 26 days. So one round a day meaning everyday straffing. “

@whitemanofficia said; “How many days dey one month?.”

“@TobaAce said; “Nigeria Housewives left the group chat.”

@Jobiz042 said; “21 times a month. Hmm. Doctors prescription 3 times a day. Do the maths.”

@AteOghenetega said; “God bless my Doctor…”

Yellow stickies on your computer monitor. Alerts in your calendar. A checklist reading “Keys? Charger? Reusable grocery bags? Small child?” on the inside of your door so you can’t miss it as you rush out for the day.

Thank the goddess for those little tricks that prompt us to do, bring, buy, show up at, or otherwise attend to one of the hundreds of items on our daily lists. Life is complicated and if you’re also responsible for kids or aging parents, you’re gonna need every ding, note, and piece of string tied around your finger to keep it all straight.

And even with all that, it’s normal space on some stuff. “I’ve had plenty of 30-year-old women say they have dementia, when really they’re 30-year-old moms with three kids and a full-time job,” says Stephanie Faubion, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health and medical director of The North American Menopause Society.

Dr. Faubion likens our brains to a browser with too many tabs open—the computer is simply slower to respond.

Too-busy people also tend to try and multitask, which actually isn’t a thing, she says.

“Multitasking is a myth—you have to do what you’re doing and then move on to the next thing.” If you don’t remember agreeing to drive your daughter to meet her squad at Starbucks, for example, which she asked while you were cooking and replying to a text, it has nothing do with memory. “You’re basically not concentrating—your attention is just not there.”

Still, it can be a little alarming the first time you wander to the fridge, open it, and forget what you were there for. You might jump to worst-case scenarios, like that you’re on the fast track to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Whether or not your memory issues are cause for concern starts with your age. “If it’s a midlife woman going through menopause, it’s almost never true dementia. If I’m seeing a 75-year-old who is having memory concerns, that’s more worrisome to me,” says Dr. Faubion.

That’s because the risk of dementia and other conditions that can contribute to memory loss increases as you get older, says neurologist Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

“Age itself doesn’t determine anything, but it does kind of set the stage,” he says. A little falling off on things like recall of names after around age 50 is normal, but if it’s anything more than that, “we do want to look at whatever else is going on in your life,” says Dr. Petersen.

Here are some of the things that could be causing your memory glitches—and bear in mind that there may be several things going on, even if one is dominant, says Dr. Petersen:

1. You are stressed or anxious.

Hello! That would be the woman doing 700 things at the same time, or someone who has a lot of long-term external pressures, such as financial trouble or a loved one who’s not well. “When you have too many balls in the air or are burning the candle at both ends, cortisol levels run high,” says Dr. Petersen. This stress hormone that keeps you revved and ready also affects the hippocampus and other parts of the brain that are involved in memory. Similarly, anxiety—persistent worry about something that may or may not happen in the future—feels like stress to your body, and so has the same effect on your brain. “When your anxiety level is high, you can’t focus on anything and your attention is going to be impaired—it’s going to feel like you have a memory disorder because you can’t concentrate on anything,” says Dr. Faubion.

2. You’re feeling depressed.

The jury is out as to whether depression is a cause of memory loss or a symptom of it, but either way, research shows a link between depression and cognitive impairments, including memory issues. Even people who only have a symptom or two can have issues: One study that looked at people who were not clinically depressed found that the more symptoms of depression they had, the more memory issues they reported. And struggling with depression from a young age, another study found, is associated with poorer memory in midlife. And wouldn’t you know it? Certain older antidepressants are also associated with memory loss. Fortunately, newer medications in the SSRI category “have less of a deleterious effect on memory,” says Dr. Petersen.

3. You’re a woman in or around menopause

Among the many joys of perimenopause (the period of time leading up to menopause) and the transition itself may be a small but significant cognitive impairment, according to research, that may be independent of age. Theories abound, but “the bottom line is that we don’t really know exactly why this happens,” says Dr. Faubion.

The sorta kinda good news? Research has suggested that things go back to pre-menopause levels once you’re through the ups and downs of the transition. That said, this is far from certain, especially if you have other factors, such as poverty or HIV. “Women, especially women of color, with multiple risk factors may be more vulnerable to longer-lasting memory problems,” says Dr. Faubion. “Some of the women who were of highest risk in terms of socio-cultural stressors, with and without HIV, didn’t look better on the other side of menopause,” she says.

What’s more, perimenopause often brings on mood changes, such as anxiety and depression, and sleep problems, sometimes caused by symptoms like hot flashes. These can all affect memory. Which brings us to…

4. You’re not sleeping well or enough

Whatever the reason you’re not getting enough good quality sleep, poor shuteye can affect your memory in a big way, says Dr. Petersen. During the deeper stages of sleep, certain proteins are cleared out of the brain, says he says. “But if you never get to the stages of sleep when these housekeeping activities are thought to be taking place, perhaps toxic substances can build up in the brain,” Dr. says, and affect the way these nerves work. Talk to your doctor about possible sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea for which you can be treated—improving sleep can boost your alertness throughout the day, which helps memory, says Dr. Petersen.

5. Maybe your medications are fogging your mind

Certain medications are known to affect memory. And in the nothing-is-simple department, some of these meds are ones you’d take to help with anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, or other problems that may keep you up at night—conditions that if left untreated can contribute to memory issues. Benzodiazepines (often taken for anxiety) are known to affect memory, as are a class of drugs called “anticholinergics,” which show up in treatments for stress urinary incontinence, over-the-counter sleep aids, and allergy treatments like Benadryl. Tricyclic antidepressants and certain opioids also deal your memory a blow.

6. You could be drinking or partying too much

Abusing alcohol or any substance (such as opioids) that can slow your central nervous system may affect memory as well, says Dr. Petersen. “I don’t want to overstate this, but clearly if someone is aging and vulnerable, two or three cocktails a night probably will catch up with you,” he says. Scientists have known for years that there is evidence of brain shrinkage in people with alcohol use disorder.

7. Perhaps you have a thyroid issue

Hypothyroidism (which is when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone) not only causes forgetfulness and brain fog, but research has shown that the condition can result in shrinkage of the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with both long and short term memory. And hyperthyroidism (the gland cranks out too much thyroid hormone) can interfere with cognitive function, and a review of the literature has found that “studies with a larger sample size have shown statistically significant evidence of hyperthyroidism increasing the risk of dementia,” in older patients. “Thyroid hormones are so important for the energy metabolism of individual cells,” including those in the brain, says Dr Petersen. similarly in the brain.

One of the known treatable causes of dementia is a vitamin B12 deficiency, says Dr. Faubion, found in foods like salmon, liver and milk. The vitamin supports nerve health, so “we may check for vitamin B12 deficiency after the age 50 to make sure people are not deficient,” she adds. That said, taking B12 pills (or another B vitamin, folate, a deficiency of which may also be associated with cognitive impairment) does not help to improve memory unless you’re deficient, says Dr. Petersen, which means taking extra B12 or folate isn’t going to make you sharper.

When to see a doctor about memory loss

It’s wise to know the signs that something more serious is going on, because the sooner you seek treatment, the better.

Here’s when Drs. Petersen and Faubion suggest making an appointment.

• If memory problems bother you. “That warrants a conversation with your physician,” says Dr. Petersen, if only to make you feel better about normal aging.
• If you’re forgetting routine things, such as which medications you take, or things that you want to do, like a standing girls’ get-together. “It happens every so often, but if it happens tonight and then a week from now and then three weeks from now,” it’s something to look at.
• If you tell the same story over and over in a short span of time. “I’m talking about the same conversation in a loop in one sitting,” says Dr. Faubion, rather than your aunt who, every time you see her, gleefully recounts how you yelled at the tree when you were a little girl because it wouldn’t move out of the way. If, once reminded, the person remembers telling you and doesn’t do it again, and the repetition is not getting more frequent, it’s probably fine.
• If the memory loss comes on suddenly or after a medical procedure. “One common thing I hear is, ‘Dad was fine, until he had his prostate surgery,’” says Dr. Petersen. Sometimes everything goes well and the person is fully recovered from an illness or procedure, but perhaps a few months later his family notices memory slippage. “That to me is a notable event. It could be that when the person’s system was stressed, it may have unmasked something that was likely developing.”
• If those around you are noticing your slips. “Most of the time it’s not the patient who notices, it’s the family, saying things like, ‘Mom isn’t right anymore,’” says Dr. Faubion. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia, adds Dr. Petersen, but that it is time to get yourself evaluated.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) announced on Friday that cholera vaccines are on their way to Nigeria.

Gavi’s CEO, Sania Nishtar, confirmed this in a statement on his X page.

He also noted that Gavi is prepared to collaborate with its partners, UNICEF and WHO, to address the current outbreak.

“We stand ready to work with our partners, UNICEF and WHO, to support Minister Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s federal ministry of health, and the NCDC’s timely efforts to contain this outbreak and protect those at highest risk.

Read Also: No Such Thing As Cut-Off Mark — JAMB

“Despite the large number of cholera outbreaks this year, our stockpile is now fully replenished, and production continues at maximum capacity,” he said.

So far, Nigeria has reported 3,623 potential cholera cases and 103 fatalities across 34 states.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, has lamented the pervasive corruption in the health sector and the country at large, describing it as a “very deep issue”.

Pate mentioned that he recently handled a situation where donated therapeutic food for children was misappropriated, and he has since referred the issue to the authorities.

He addressed a single-day seminar organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission themed, “Corruption-free health care delivery for all” on Thursday in Abuja.

Pate said, “So when we look at the issue of corruption in Nigeria, which is very long-standing, it’s ubiquitous. I recently just dealt with another case where donated, ready-to-use therapeutic foods, were donated to feed acutely malnourished children, free of charge to where we have severe acute malnutrition.

“Somebody raised grants, raised resources, brought it to Abuja, deployed it to one of the state capitals, and they filtered away.

“So it ( corruption) is a very deep issue. I have to write to the IG, and I would like to thank him also, specifically for deploying a very senior officer of the police force to be part of the task force. The challenge we face is a system and a paradigm that exists, that tolerates, encourages, demands, and accommodates corruption.“

Pate mentioned that it was challenging to separate corruption from the health sector, but emphasized that significant efforts were being made to tackle the issue.

He said, “In health, which is just one sector, sometimes it’s difficult to isolate corruption in health. So in health, what we are trying to do is to improve population health outcomes for all Nigerians. To save lives, to reduce pain, physical and financial pain, to produce health, and to do it for all Nigerians.”

The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Aliyu (SAN), stated that the commission is prepared to address corruption and unethical practices within the health sector.

He said, “The conference is specifically organised to stimulate discussions that will help improve service delivery devoid of windows for corrupt tendencies in the Health Sector. This has become necessary considering the sector’s critical nature and its role in ensuring a healthy society at all levels.

“The Commission’s choice of Primary Health Care in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the pilot for the nationwide conversation is to create a comprehensive template that can be replicated in all the six geopolitical zones of the federation.”

Just In: Anambra Man Finally Released After Seven Years of Unlawful Detention

During the keynote address, Adedolapo Fasawe, the FCTA Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, remarked that corruption in the health sector was more severe than a pandemic.

She said, “The opportunity cost of financial corruption in health is inestimable. What is the cost of a life? Therefore, in health, corruption must either be prevented or nipped in the bud in infancy.

“A cancerous like corruption is worse than a pandemic – procurement of substandard equipment, fake drugs, revenue leakages, and inflated health bills are some of the immediate results of corruption.”

Women masturbate as a coping mechanism and way to relieve stress — rather than a craving for sex, according to a new study.

Researchers in Switzerland surveyed 370 women aged 18 to 56 years old on how often they masturbate and the reasons behind it.

In total, the entire group only masturbated nine times a month.

But those who were psychologically distressed — regularly anxious or stressed — masturbated more often than those who were not.

Previous research has suggested the activity can help to relieve stress because it prompts the feel-good hormone dopamine to be released in the brain.

One woman wrote in response to the survey: ‘For me, it is also a valve to relieve stress. I notice that I masturbate more often during exam periods, for example.’

A second said: ‘[Masturbation] distracts me and relieves me from stress’, while a third added, ‘it brings me back to the here and now and makes me forget everything else for a moment’.

Model Cara Delevingne says she wants to end the ‘global stigma’ around discussing female masturbation: ‘Men are talking about it all the time’

In the study, published online, scientists recruited 370 women who had masturbated at least once over the last three months via Facebook, Instagram and university mailing lists.

Each completed a 35-minute survey in January 2021 on their masturbation frequency, habits and a questionnaire that determined whether they were psychologically distressed.

Results were then adjusted for factors such as relationship status, age and education level.

Of those who completed the survey, 85 percent were heterosexual, while 64 percent were in relationships and about half had a university degree.

Overall, 12 percent of the women — or 44 participants — said they masturbated as a coping mechanism to relieve stress.

But the main reason women masturbated, according to the survey, was to promote calm and relaxation, with 64 percent saying this was why they did the activity.

A further 55 percent also said they masturbated because it evoked feelings of joy.

Few women said they masturbated for reasons such as to help them fall asleep or to relieve any physical pain.

In the paper, they wrote: ‘According to the women in our study, masturbation serves as a strategy to induce positive emotions and promote relaxation when experiencing stress.

‘These findings are consistent with previous research that has highlighted the role of masturbation as a coping strategy for psychological stress and as a means of relaxation.’

In the initial group of 800 women, 15 were excluded because they said they had never masturbated while another 53 were excluded because they said they had not masturbated in the last three months.

Participants on psychiatric medication or who reported using anal stimulation were also excluded from the study.

A strong immune system is your body’s defense against infections and illnesses. While there’s no magic pill to instantly enhance immunity, adopting certain lifestyle habits can naturally boost your immune system. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you stay healthy and resilient.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet

Key Foods:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Aim for a colorful plate with items like berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers.
• Whole Grains: Foods like oats, brown rice, and quinoa provide essential nutrients and fiber.
• Lean Proteins: Sources include chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes. Protein is vital for immune cell production.
• Healthy Fats: Incorporate nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Why It Matters: A well-rounded diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally. Vitamins like A, C, and E, and minerals like zinc and iron, play crucial roles in immune health. Consuming a variety of foods ensures that you get a broad spectrum of nutrients necessary for maintaining a healthy immune system.

Building a Balanced Diet: Start by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your meals. Aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Whole grains should replace refined grains to ensure you get enough fiber and essential nutrients. Lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, and plant-based options like tofu and legumes, should be a staple in your diet. Healthy fats, found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil, are essential for reducing inflammation and supporting immune function.

Meal Planning: Planning your meals ahead of time can help you stick to a balanced diet. Prepare a weekly menu that includes a variety of foods from each food group. This not only ensures you get a range of nutrients but also helps you avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks and meals.

External Links for More Information:

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Nutrition and Immunity
• Healthline: The 15 Best Foods to Boost Your Immune System

2. Stay Hydrated

Tips:

• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
• Include hydrating foods like cucumbers, watermelons, and oranges.
• Limit diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate your body.

Why It Matters: Hydration is essential for every bodily function, including the immune system. Water helps in the production of lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells. Staying hydrated ensures that your body can efficiently transport nutrients to cells and remove waste products.

Signs of Dehydration: It’s important to recognize the signs of dehydration, which can include dry mouth, fatigue, headache, and dizziness. By the time you feel thirsty, you might already be slightly dehydrated. Make it a habit to drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Hydration Tips: Carry a water bottle with you to remind yourself to drink water. If you find plain water boring, try adding a slice of lemon, cucumber, or a few mint leaves for flavor. Eating water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelons, oranges, and strawberries can also contribute to your daily hydration needs.

External Links for More Information:

• Mayo Clinic: Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?
• WebMD: 6 Reasons to Drink Water

3. Exercise Regularly

Types of Exercise:

• Cardio: Activities like walking, running, and cycling improve cardiovascular health and increase circulation.
• Strength Training: Lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats help build muscle and strength.
• Flexibility and Balance: Yoga and stretching improve flexibility, balance, and reduce stress.

Why It Matters: Regular physical activity helps flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways, reduces inflammation, and promotes the circulation of immune cells. Exercise also lowers levels of stress hormones, which can compromise immune function if they remain elevated for prolonged periods.

Creating an Exercise Routine: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week, combined with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week. Find activities you enjoy to make it easier to stick with your routine. Whether it’s dancing, hiking, swimming, or playing a sport, the key is to stay active.

Rest and Recovery: Remember that rest and recovery are just as important as exercise. Overtraining can weaken your immune system, so listen to your body and take rest days when needed. Incorporating stretching and flexibility exercises can help reduce muscle soreness and improve overall physical health.

External Links for More Information:

• CDC: How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need?
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: The Immune System Benefits of Exercise

4. Get Enough Sleep

Tips for Better Sleep:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath.
• Avoid screens and caffeine before bedtime.

Why It Matters: Sleep is crucial for the production and release of cytokines, proteins that help the immune system respond to infections. Lack of sleep can weaken your immune response, making you more susceptible to illnesses.

Creating a Sleep-Friendly Environment: Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep. Keep it cool, dark, and quiet. Investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows can make a significant difference in the quality of your sleep. Reducing noise and light can also help improve sleep quality.

Dealing with Sleep Issues: If you struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders, consider seeking professional help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment for chronic sleep issues. Avoid relying on sleep medications, as they can have side effects and may not address the underlying issues.

External Links for More Information:

• National Sleep Foundation: How Sleep Affects Immunity
• Sleep.org: Tips for Better Sleep

5. Manage Stress

Stress-Reduction Techniques:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can reduce stress levels.
• Physical Activity: Exercise helps lower stress hormones and stimulates the production of endorphins.
• Social Connections: Maintaining strong social ties can provide emotional support and reduce stress.

Why It Matters: Chronic stress can suppress the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Managing stress effectively is crucial for maintaining a strong immune response. High levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, can interfere with immune function if they remain elevated for extended periods.

Practicing Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment and accepting it without judgment. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Mindfulness apps and guided meditation videos can provide additional support.

Social Support: Strong social connections can buffer against stress. Make time for friends and family, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when needed. Engaging in social activities and building a network of supportive relationships can have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being.

External Links for More Information:

• American Psychological Association: Stress Weakens the Immune System
• Mindful: How to Meditate

Conclusion

Boosting your immune system naturally involves adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are key factors. By integrating these habits into your daily routine, you can strengthen your immune defenses and enhance your overall well-being.