Health
Warning Signs Of Heart Attacks: Don’t Ignore These Symptoms
Knowing the signs of a heart attack early can help save lives. But the signs are different for different people. Some people have mild signs, some have serious signs, and some people don’t have any signs at all.
A heart attack happens when an artery that carries blood and oxygen to the heart gets blocked. Over time, fatty deposits with cholesterol can build up and make plaques in the heart’s arteries.
If a plaque breaks, a clot can form. The clot can block arteries and cause a heart attack. During a heart attack, the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood, so part of it dies.
A former Director and National Coordinator, Non-Communicable Diseases for the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Nnenna Ezeigwe, four out of five cardiovascular disease deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes.
Below are some of the early signs of heart attack:
Chest pain: According to the National Health Service, one of the signs of a heart attack is a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness, or squeezing across the chest. This discomfort mostly happens in the centre or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, it can go away or come back subsequently.
Shortness of breath: This is a common sign of a silent heart attack. It can happen with or without chest pain. You may also feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Sweating: Sweating more than usual, especially if you are not exercising or being active could be an early warning sign of heart problems. An article on an online health portal, Healthline, notes that pumping blood through clogged arteries takes more effort from your heart, so your body sweats more to try to keep your body temperature down during the extra exertion. If you experience cold sweats or clammy skin, then you should consult your doctor.
“Night sweats are also a common symptom for women experiencing heart troubles. Women may mistake this symptom for an effect of menopause. However, if you wake up and your sheets are soaked or you cannot sleep due to your sweating, this could be a sign of a heart attack, especially in women,” it adds.
Pains: Pains or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or sometimes the upper belly are also signs of a heart attack.
A Professor of Cardiology at the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Prof Newby was quoted by The Daily Express as saying, “If your pain is going down the arm, especially the left arm, or into the neck that makes it more likely to be heart-related than indigestion.
“If it doesn’t go away, or if you know you have heart disease and have used your glyceryl trinitrate spray two or three times to no discernible effect, you should be seeking emergency medical advice.”
Feeling sick: Prof Newby said if an individual is experiencing intense chest pain even when just sitting around doing nothing and feeling sick, it may be a sign of a heart attack. While not every episode of nausea indicates a heart attack, experiencing chest pain alongside nausea should raise concerns.
Some heart attacks can happen suddenly, but many people experience warning signs hours, days, or weeks before. Experts say that if you have ongoing chest pain or pressure that doesn’t stop with rest, it might be a sign that a heart attack could happen soon.
Health
Cholera Outbreak In Sokoto Claims 25 Lives, Over 1,000 Infected
A cholera outbreak in Sokoto State has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, with 1,160 confirmed cases recorded in three local government areas.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Asabe Balarabe, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday.
She revealed that 15 patients are currently receiving treatment for the disease, which was confirmed through laboratory tests.
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“Out of 1,160 people affected by the outbreak, 25 have succumbed to the disease,” Dr. Balarabe said.
In response, the state government has ramped up efforts to curtail the spread of the infection, which is caused by consuming contaminated water or food.
“The state rescue teams are collaborating with the government to manage and forestall further spread of the dreaded disease,” the commissioner stated.
To address the crisis, the government has ordered the immediate purchase and distribution of essential drugs free of charge to all 18 local government areas of the state.
Dr. Balarabe urged residents to maintain proper hygiene and seek medical attention immediately if they exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.
The outbreak has highlighted the need for improved sanitation and clean water access in affected communities, as health authorities work to contain the spread and prevent further fatalities.
Health
Don’t Ignore These Hidden Health Clues In Your Urine
Your body has subtle ways of communicating essential information about your health—and sometimes, one of the simplest clues is the color of your urine.
Urine, which is about 95% water, forms when your kidneys filter out waste and excess water from your blood. Normally ranging from light yellow to amber, it provides insights into your hydration and more.
Changes in urine color, smell, or frequency can serve as early indicators of potential health conditions.
While most color shifts are harmless and temporary, persistent changes could suggest a more significant issue.
“Tracking these signs can be a simple way to monitor hydration and potentially catch health issues early,” says Dr. Jenna Lewis, a nephrologist at Healthline Clinic.
Here’s a guide to what different urine colors might mean for your health:
Clear or Very Light Yellow
This typically shows you’re well-hydrated. While generally a positive sign, consistently clear urine could indicate overhydration, which may lower salt levels in your body.
Light to Medium Yellow
Often considered the “healthy” zone, this shade reflects good hydration without excess water intake.
Dark Yellow to Amber
A darker shade often indicates a need for more water. This is common in the morning or after exercise and can usually be resolved by drinking more fluids.
Orange
Dehydration may lead to orange urine, but other factors can also contribute. High levels of beta-carotene (found in foods like carrots) or certain medications can turn urine orange.
Persistent orange urine might signal liver or bile duct issues, so consult a doctor if it persists.
Pink or Red
While foods like beets or berries can cause pinkish urine, this color can also indicate the presence of blood, possibly signaling kidney problems, infections, or kidney stones. If diet isn’t the cause, seek medical advice.
Brown or Cola-Colored
This shade may suggest dehydration or, in some cases, a more severe issue. Brown urine can indicate liver or kidney problems, or a condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue breaks down. Persistent brown urine warrants a visit to the doctor.
Blue or Green
Rarely, certain medications, dyes, or health conditions can produce blue or green urine. While often harmless, persistent blue or green urine should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Cloudy or Milky
Cloudy urine may indicate an infection or excess minerals. It could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or mild dehydration. Sometimes, excess proteins or fats may also cause this cloudiness.
Most changes in urine color are temporary, especially when related to hydration, diet, or harmless compounds. However, experts agree that if unusual colors or symptoms persist, a consultation with a healthcare provider is wise.
“Listening to your body’s signals, even through something as simple as urine color, can offer valuable insights into your overall health,” adds Dr. Lewis.
By keeping an eye on these colors, you can stay on top of hydration and potentially catch health issues early.
Health
JUST IN: JOHESU Launches Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Demands
Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) have announced a seven-day warning strike set to begin at midnight on Friday.
This action follows a 15-day notice of industrial action issued to the Federal Government.
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Addressing journalists in Abuja, JOHESU’s national chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, outlined the union’s primary demands, emphasizing a need for immediate action to address ongoing concerns affecting healthcare workers across the nation.
Key demands include the urgent implementation of the consolidated health salary structure and the payment of a 25 percent review of arrears from June to December 2023.
The union is also calling for an upward review of the retirement age for healthcare workers, a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, and the immediate disbursement of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances.
Minjibir urged all union members nationwide to adhere to the strike directive, underscoring that compliance would be essential in pushing for their demands.
Details shortly………….