Cholesterol blockage, also known as atherosclerosis, occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, leading to a blockage that can restrict blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. This condition is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

Causes of Cholesterol Blockage:

1. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
2. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: HDL cholesterol is often referred to as “good” cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transport it to the liver for excretion.
3. Smoking: Smoking damages the inner lining of the arteries, making it easier for plaque to build up.
4. High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the arteries, making them more susceptible to blockages.
5. Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the arteries and increase the risk of cholesterol blockage.
6. Obesity: Excess weight can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, all of which contribute to cholesterol blockage.
7. Family history: A family history of heart disease or high cholesterol can increase an individual’s risk of developing cholesterol blockage.

Symptoms of Cholesterol Blockage:

1. Chest pain or angina: Pain or discomfort in the chest, arms, neck, jaw, or back that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.
2. Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling winded even when sitting still or engaging in light physical activity.
3. Pain or cramping in the legs: Pain or cramping in the legs, hips, or buttocks that occurs when walking or engaging in physical activity.
4. Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg: Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg that occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.

Treatment Options for Cholesterol Blockage:

1. Lifestyle changes: Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet, can help reduce the risk of cholesterol blockage.
2. Medications: Medications, such as statins, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors, can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and prevent blood clots.
3. Angioplasty and stenting: Angioplasty and stenting are minimally invasive procedures that involve using a balloon to widen the blocked artery and a stent to keep the artery open.
4. Bypass surgery: Bypass surgery involves creating a detour around the blocked artery using a graft.

It’s essential to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptoms of cholesterol blockage. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications and improve overall health outcomes.

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for millions of deaths each year.

Types of Cancer

There are over 100 different types of cancer, each with its unique characteristics and treatment options. Some of the most common types of cancer include:

1. Carcinomas: These are cancers that arise from epithelial cells, which are the cells that line the surfaces of organs and glands. Examples of carcinomas include breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer.
2. Sarcomas: These are cancers that arise from connective tissue cells, such as bone, cartilage, and fat cells. Examples of sarcomas include osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and soft tissue sarcoma.
3. Leukemias: These are cancers that arise from blood cells. Examples of leukemias include acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
4. Lymphomas: These are cancers that arise from immune cells called lymphocytes. Examples of lymphomas include Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Causes and Risk Factors

Cancer is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the known risk factors for cancer include:

1. Tobacco use: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths worldwide.
2. Obesity: Obesity is a risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and kidney cancer.
3. Radiation exposure: Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, can increase the risk of skin cancer.
4. Genetics: Some cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations. For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of cancer can vary depending on the type of cancer and the location of the tumor. Some common symptoms of cancer include:

1. Unexplained weight loss
2. Fatigue
3. Pain or discomfort
4. Changes in appetite or digestion
5. Coughing or difficulty breathing

Cancer is typically diagnosed using a combination of imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, and laboratory tests, such as blood tests and biopsies.

Treatment Options

The treatment options for cancer depend on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and the overall health of the patient. Some common treatment options for cancer include:

1. Surgery: Surgery is often used to remove tumors and affected tissues.
2. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
3. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
4. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
5. Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.

Prevention and Early Detection

While there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:

1. Don’t smoke: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths worldwide.
2. Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor for several types of cancer.
3. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
4. Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
5. Get screened: Regular cancer screening can help detect cancer at an early stage, when it is more treatable.

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease that affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure for cancer, there are several treatment options available, and early detection and prevention can significantly improve outcomes. By understanding the causes and risk factors for cancer, as well as the symptoms and treatment options, you can take steps to reduce your risk and stay healthy.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden, temporary disturbances in brain activity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological disorders.

Types of Epilepsy

There are several types of epilepsy, including:

1. Idiopathic epilepsy: This type of epilepsy has no known cause.
2. Symptomatic epilepsy: This type of epilepsy is caused by a brain injury, infection, or other medical condition.
3. Cryptogenic epilepsy: This type of epilepsy has an unknown cause, but it is suspected that there may be an underlying brain abnormality.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of epilepsy is often unknown, but several factors can increase the risk of developing the condition:

1. Genetics: A family history of epilepsy can increase the risk.
2. Head trauma: A severe head injury can cause epilepsy.
3. Infections: Certain infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis, can increase the risk.
4. Brain tumors: Tumors in the brain can cause epilepsy.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of epilepsy is seizures, which can manifest in different ways:

1. Generalized seizures: These seizures affect the entire brain and can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, and muscle contractions.
2. Focal seizures: These seizures affect a specific part of the brain and can cause localized symptoms, such as numbness or weakness.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing epilepsy typically involves:

1. Medical history: A thorough review of the patient’s medical history.
2. Physical examination: A physical examination to rule out other conditions.
3. Electroencephalogram (EEG): An EEG test to measure brain activity.
4. Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to rule out underlying brain abnormalities.

Treatment and Management

While there is no cure for epilepsy, various treatments can help manage the condition:

1. Medications: Anticonvulsant medications can help control seizures.
2. Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the part of the brain causing the seizures.
3. Lifestyle modifications: Making lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep, can help manage epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure, various treatments and lifestyle modifications can help manage the condition. By understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, individuals with epilepsy can lead active and fulfilling lives.

The African Union’s health monitoring body revealed on Thursday that it has approved an mpox test from Morocco, calling it a “significant achievement” in the ongoing battle against the outbreak across Africa.

This announcement follows three months since the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday, the CDC confirmed its endorsement of what it described as the first locally produced real-time PCR test for mpox, developed in Morocco.

It stated that the test rapidly identifies pathogen DNA in blood, saliva, or tissue, and that its approval by the CDC emphasized its “reliability and efficacy”.

“This major milestone aligns with the African Union’s continental initiative to strengthen the self-sufficiency of African public health systems, enhancing the continent’s capacity for disease preparedness and response.”

In the previous month, the World Health Organization authorized the Alinity m MPXV assay as the first diagnostic test for mpox.

Developed by Abbott Molecular Inc., this test allows for the identification of the mpox virus in samples collected from human lesions.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 50,000 cases of mpox and approximately 1,100 fatalities have been reported across Africa. Central Africa is responsible for over 85 percent of the cases and nearly all of the deaths.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection primarily spread to humans from infected animals, though it can also be transmitted between people through close contact.

The disease leads to symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and large, boil-like skin sores, and it can be fatal.

In mid-August, both the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency.

Patients and their relatives have protested the unavailability of water and electricity at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

News media, Oyo Affairs disclosed this on Monday in a post it shared on its official X account.

“Patients and some of their families are protesting the unavailability of water and electricity after the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected UCH’s power for 17 days,” the post read.

According to the statement, the power outage has affected vital hospital operations like delays in test results and surgeries, among others.

The management of UCH has, according to Oyo Affairs, said that the hospital falls under the “Band A” electricity tariff structure, which requires them to pay N80 million monthly.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said its operatives have seized counterfeit wines worth ₦41.2 million in Nasarawa State.

NAFDAC confirmed the seizure in a statement on Monday on its official X account after its officers conducted a major raid on wine shops in Mararaba Market and the New Nyanya and Masaka areas of Nasarawa State.

“The operation targeted counterfeit and adulterated wines and spirits, resulting in the seizure of products valued at over ₦41.2 million,” the agency said.

NAFDAC said its Investigation & Enforcement team is actively investigating the importers or manufacturers behind these counterfeit drinks.

The agency has urged consumers to remain vigilant and report suspicious products to its nearest office for immediate action.