We are back again with a BIG BANG !!!

On Sunday the 29th, 5pm Nigerian time our neurosurgeon, Dr Nnamdi would took us through an important topic of how to manage head injuries. We can all pick up one thing or more. 

Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0hdfDwIGwY

Thank you all as we look forward to seeing u all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPbQfwMBrXA


Depression, some have described this as the invisible anvil round the neck while trying to swim in the ocean. It is a condition challenging to tell, yet it is very much among us. We all go through a low mood at some time or the other; however, there are certain times some people would go through this for a prolonged period, affecting their daily lives and relationships and may need support to go through it.

Anxiety and other mental health experiences often accompany depression, making the person’s situation more complex. So help is critical to deal with depression.

It has been noticed that depression is associated with low proportions of certain chemicals in the brain like serotonin, which has also helped develop various approaches to the management of depression.


A couple of medical conditions mimic depression, and it is always helpful to rule them out when one suspects depression. Worthy of mention is hypothyroidism and anemia. In the face of certain conditions, depression should be explored because there is a high risk of depression in such a population: Postpartum, those with chronic pain, those going through substance use problems.


It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there, because it’s not sadness. I know sadness. Sadness is to cry and to feel. But it’s that cold absence of feeling—that really hollowed-out feeling. J.K. Rowling
When a person is going through depression, we must continually explore the risk of suicide and the risk of abuse in the person’s life to give them the necessary support.

To manage depression, I think of an adage that says, “we have space in between our fingers so that the next person’s fingers would fit in there”. It is essential to know that you are not alone and need support both professionally and otherwise.

It has been seen that a combination of medication and non-pharmacological support has given the best results, and many options could be tailored to help the individual. Also, community support is vital and further buttresses the importance of non-pharmacological aspects of treatment.

Depression is a prevalent condition and shows us that we need to join hands to support one another, and what we can do together is more significant than what we accomplish in isolation. Our great actions are even more remarkable when they have an impact on the greater society. However, the community is even more impressive when each individual can thrive as a part of society.

https://docotal.com/overcoming-depression/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McXB7KEPeg4


It’s only recently that society as a whole has started to become more aware and educated regarding mental health. While we, as a society, still have a long way to go towards completely destigmatizing mental health ailments, we have, in fact, come a long way from where we once were 20 years ago. 20 years ago, many people wouldn’t be caught dead walking into a therapist’s office, now, however, it’s more normalized and even encouraged in some areas. Even though having and going to a therapist is no longer a hushed and negatively viewed affair, many times people don’t wish to take that step unless things become unbearable; be it, lack of time, energy, money, or simply not determining their own mental health to be that severe yet, there are quite a few methods you can try before taking the step of speaking with a therapist.
If you’re looking to better your mental health, relieve stress, and naturally, reduce anxiety, try one of these great natural tips:

1. Get Moving

This one probably the tip people hear the most often, but that’s only because it’s so true! Exercise is one of the best natural stress relievers and can really help those with high stress and anxiety. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore either, it can be something simple, or even something you like to do. You don’t need to be a major Crossfitter to reap the benefits of exercise. If you’re experiencing high stress or anxiety and don’t currently exercise, try simply implementing a twenty to thirty-minute walk into your routine. The natural endorphins released will boost your mood and reduce your stress for hours to come.



2. Try Essential Oils

Essential oils have been around for hundreds of thousands of years in a variety of forms and have been touted to cure different ailments depending on which essential oil you’re using. Today, there are tons of different ways to utilize essential oils, from burning incense to using a diffuser and even to simply dabbing some on your wrists, many different oils have relaxing properties that will instill a feeling of calm and peace. If you’re specifically struggling with high stress try lavender, rose, or sage. If you’re especially struggling with anxiety try lavender (again), jasmine, or sweet basil. You can find the right way to use your essential oils here.



3. Create a Comfortable and Relaxing Space

Having somewhere specifically designated where you can relax and unwind is of the utmost importance. We know that logically your whole home should be that sanctuary for you, however, for some that is not always the case. And even if it is, it’s not always a matter of having space but instead, it’s a matter of specifically designating said space for unwinding. That way, when you go into that room, relaxing and destressing is the only thing your mind wants to do because you’ve trained it to associate that specific room with relaxation and destressing. Some of the best things to have in your relaxation room in order to optimize the comfort level. Fuzzy blankets, over-sized pillows, a heater, candles, and maybe even a small fan or noise machine!



4. Book a Massage!

While this may not be in the budget for everyone, if it is in yours, it’s one of the best ways to treat yourself and practice self-care. Not only is a massage great for relaxing, reducing anxiety, and distressing, it’s also good for your body physically as well. You’ll get rid of knots, built-up stress, and kinks that have been sitting in your back for ages causing you grief and stress without you even realizing it! If you can’t justify paying full price for a massage right now, try looking for coupons on Retail-Me-Not. And if you can’t swing that, you can still implement this tip! Offer to trade massages with your spouse or significant other! You’ll get some of the great effects and you’ll get to spend quality time with a loved one!



5. Watch What you Put in Your Body to Get Good Out.

This simply means that what you’re putting into your body is affecting the results of what you get out and how you’re feeling every single day. If you’re struggling with high stress or anxiety, try keeping a food and feelings journal. Track the foods you’re eating throughout the day and then also regularly log how you’re feeling throughout the day as well and pay special attention to when your stress or anxiety is spiking. Is it after a night of drinks? Or maybe it’s a few minutes after your morning coffee? Alcohol, caffeine, and greasy foods with trans-fat are known to exacerbate high stress and anxiety and make them worse so be on the lookout for typical triggers in your daily diet.



6. Get More Sleep.

Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes and chief exacerbators of poor health. Without enough sleep, you’ll feel sluggish, unmotivated and get sick more often. This is the same for high stress and anxiety. This is especially true if it’s something you’re already prone to. Lack of sleep makes any minor irritation a full-blown problem. Make getting enough sleep and getting quality sleep a top priority! If you’re not sure how to, start by tracking your sleep cycle. This will allow you to see how much sleep you’re getting and what quality. From there you can make adjustments to your sleeping habits and try different methods in order to improve your quality of sleep.

No matter how mundane you may feel your high stress and anxiety, if you can’t seem to pin down the problem or find ways to curtail it, it’s always best to see a licensed professional. In the meantime, we hope some of these top tips help to lessen your stress and anxiety.


Source: https://docotal.com/6-ways-to-naturally-relieve-stress-and-anxiety/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khV0BGkfCs4

In this video you're going to learn a bit more about the COVID-19 vaccine. This animated health information will help you answer the question: Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

This is a researched health information using simple whiteboard animations. We will start by explaining some of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Below are what we're going to cover in today's video. You will understand that a vaccine offers real hope for the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, you will understand how vaccines are made. Also you will learn how it works to build immunity.

Then, you will learn the history of vaccine. Vaccination is one of the most recognised achievements in the field of public health.

Third, I show you guideline for prevention of COVID-19 spread before and after vaccination.

Finally, the video ends by showing you a summary of the animations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw79P0qJ9nA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR7OM6lAlpw

Statistically, you and your #family are just one serious illness away from bankruptcy, according to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health in 2019.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXVRWpT9a4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sw2qSszSCQ


The word diabetes was first recorded in 1425, and in 1675, the Greek word mellitus, meaning “like honey,” was added, to reflect the sweet smell and taste of the patient’s urine.

This is an excerpt from the article: https://docotal.com/diabetes-mellitus-management/ ‎

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdMmJPolGJg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFnfk_uEI1w

A habit (or wont as a humorous and formal term) is a routine of behaviour that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. Wikipedia

From Aristotle to Noam Chomsky, there is a big list of authors that have contributed to the study of Habit. Special thanks to their significant contributions we have a better understanding of how habit works. Research on Habit and how it works is still on-going.

Of these authors we focus on the Russian Physiologist Ivan Pavlov. He best known for his work in classical conditioning and habit formation. In 1904, this experiment below earned him a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Pavlov experiment (See image at the end of post)

His dog normally salivates when it sees food (1). But not if he rings a bell (2). As he gave food to his dog, he rang the bell (3). After repeating this procedure a few times, he tried ringing the bell without providing food to the dog. On its own, an increase in salivation occurred (4).

The result of the experiment formed a new habit. The bell was the stimulus (explained later) for this new habit.

Components of Habit

From this experiment we can conclude that there are 3 components of habit formation. (See image at the end of post)

Stimulus is something that evokes a reaction. It is also known as trigger or cue. The body receives information from stimulus using one or more of the 5 senses: Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, and Touch. It sends this information to the Brain.

In the Brain there are connections called Synapses. These are just junctions between two nerve cells. There are billions of nerve cells in the brain. One of the theories is that synapses are activated when a new habit or memory is formed. Their activity goes down when a behavior is stopped. As you see they do not disappear.

This is why a Psychiatrist friend of mine said that a thief that converts to a religious leader after decades of robbery still has traces of robbery in his brain.

The brain then directs the muscles. These will produce the Action. When this action is done repeatedly and effortlessly it becomes a habit.

Habits stick because they produce a positive reward. With repetition and consistency it becomes an unconscious act or behaviour. According to Aristotle: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

To stop any habit you have to identify these factors especially the stimulus and make them difficult or unpleasant. It sounds simple but sometimes it can be really complicated.

You form a habit on top of another one. There is space in your brain to form as much habits as you want. It becomes strenuous but not imposible with age.

There are habits easy to form like using umbrella in the rain. Others are hard like operating on the brain. Also there are habits easy to stop, others are hard to stop. Virtually no habit is impossible to stop/start if you follow the Steps mentioned below.

3 steps

These are 3 steps that will help you stop or start any habit:


Step #1: Burning Desire

I was a chain smoker a patient told me. One day I heard my voice on a Whatsapp audio message I sent to my daughter. I noticed I was panting while talking! That was the moment I realised what smoking has done to me. I developed a burning desire to quit. It's 8 years now and I have not smoked again.

Desire is a strong wishing for something to happen. It is the most important of the rest. It is made stronger by a strong reason to change. It is not sufficient to say, I want to change. It should be accompanied by strong belief.

Sometimes our brain controls us but we can control our brain. Desire is what makes you control your brain.

Doctors find it difficult to treat alcoholic patients because the patients lack desire and don’t accept they need help (discussed in Step #3).

Burning desire coupled with believe change is possible is the golden rule of habit change.

Some people stop a habit when they have had a bad experience like catastrophe or health challenges. However you are not going to wait for a black swan event before you decide to change. You want to change now.

How to have a burning desire:

1. Inspiration: This gets you kicking. Necessity can be an inspiration and develop your burning desire to succeed. Frustration and anger about your situation can drive you to change. If you are happy with where you are you are not going to move on.

2. Fear/Pain: Constantly remind yourself of the bad consequences of failure. Or the reward for success if you want to start a new habit. Keep your eye on the goal. Some people do this by writing them down and reading them everyday.

Just start doing it today. Do not waste time thinking. Time will never be ‘just right.’ Most habits stop when you decide to stop. And this leads us to Step 2. What does Nike say?


Step #2: Just do it

In 711 AD Muslim soldiers arrived the Iberian Peninsula. Umayyad Commander Tariq bin Ziyad ordered his ships to be burned so that his men would have to conquer or die. The Spanish commander, Hernán Cortés did same during the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1519 AD. And do you know what? They conquered.

There is no going back to the old habit, burn your ships.

You can stop most habits depending on your willpower. Do you come late to meetings? Are you addicted to social media? Do you spend to the limit on credit cards? JUST STOP NOW!

The intrinsic ability to delay gratification is a powerful way of stoping or starting a habit. This makes a big difference why some people are successful. Just like the muscle, the brain and of course willpower gets stronger the more you use it.

If you can't stop or even start a particular habit it means you need a better knowledge of the system. Better knowledge involves understanding the habit and how it works.

It is very important to identify the triggers. Make them unpleasant and difficult to achieve while you do the opposite to the new habit. As mentioned earlier, you don't eliminate a bad habit, you replace it.

Do you have problems saving your income? Pay yourself first. Open an account and automatically transfer 10% of your salary before you start spending. Automation is an excellent way to stop and start a new habit. It doesn't necessarily mean using technology. You create routine activities that you repeat continuously.

Do you want to stop smoking? Go to the hospital and talk to a patient who got lung cancer from smoking. Stay away from smokers. Some people even go as far as changing environment.

Is your phone notifications distracting you? My phone is always on silent, calls vibrate. Mute unnecessary Whatsapp/Telegram etc groups for one year. Delete social media apps. Trash any app you have not used in 3 months.

Are you addicted to porn? Block the websites. Ask Mr. Google how to do that. You can even go further to talking to your internet service provider to lock these sites.

Do you want to write a book/article? Wake up 15 mins earlier and write 100 words each day. Increase with time. Same applies to reading a book. Buy the audiobook and listen while going to work. 5 hours of audiobook can be finished in just 5 days if you spend 30mins commuting.

A good way to stoping a habit is by starting small. Start small - Think big. Start to replace the habit now, and work with whatever you have right now, and better tools will be found as you go along.

Initially it may not be easy but if you persist you will win. When mastery is attained there is no going back. If you are facing great difficulties then move to step 3.


Step #3: Seek help

Deposed King Sancho I of Leon (932-966) travelled south to Cordoba, present day Spain for obesity treatment. Before then he was so fat that he couldn't ride a horse. The Jewish doctor Hasdai ibn Shaprut sewed his mouth and gave him infusions from a straw. After 40 days he lost half his weight. Sancho I would later reclaim the throne in 960.

In 2007, researchers Christakis & Fowler published their results from the Framingham Heart Study. After following 12,067 people for over 32 years they found that a person's chances of becoming obese increased by 57% if he or she had a friend who became obese in a given interval.

You must have heard that you are who you surround yourself with. The effect of environment on habit cannot be understated. It may be changing neighbourhood or work, finding a mentor/coach or changing who you talk with everyday.

Speaking of mentor, (s)he should be a respectable person that is where you want to go. Someone or people that have done what you want to do. You do not want a mentor/coach that is not easily accessible or untrustworthy.

Join a club like Rotary, Toastmasters, Lion’s club etc for self-improvement. Follow a supportive community (it can be online) who are doing the things you want to do. For example find a writers club if you want to write a book or articles.

Alcoholics Anonymous has done a great job changing the habit of drinking alcohol. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.

Residential rehabilitation (Rehab) provide a structured programme of support and care for people who have difficulty becoming drug free in the community.

Changing environment includes what you read everyday. Feed yourself with online information and books that inspire you to do the habit.


Some great websites are:

- www.coach.me

- www.lifehack.org

- www.psychologytoday.com

Talk to a doctor. We covered this here. There are habit changes that require special treatment like in the case of opiods adiction.

When many people addicted to opioids like heroin first quit, they undergo withdrawal symptoms (pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting), which may be severe. This needs help from health professionals. Other opioids (Methadone, Buprenorphine etc) can be helpful in detoxification stage to ease craving and other physical symptoms that can often prompt a person to relapse.

Your doctor will advise if surgery is needed. Even after bariatric surgery you still have to change your food habits. You have to work on yourself more than anything else.

Neurosurgeons have used deep brain stimulation in eating problems (anorexia nervosa, excessive obesity), obsessive-compulsive disorders, tremor (Parkinson disease, Essential Tremor) etc. Research is on-going.

Surgery is usually the last option when most things have been tried without success.

Call to action

Always remember what Henry Ford said: Whether you think you can, or think you can't... you are right. Just change that habit now!

Link: https://docotal.com/how-to-stop-any-habit/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHVROSi9lbs

Dr Laminu Kaumi is a Consultant Physician Family Medicine and Community Health trained in the prestigious Hospital Ramon y Cajal Madrid Spain. He got his postgraduate certificate in the famous Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, awarded with both MSc Tropical Medicine and International Health and Masters in Public Health.

As a Global Health Champion, can you please describe what is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease which belongs to a large family of viruses called Coronaviruses. It was discovered during the outbreak in Wuhan China in December 2019. Like other types of Coronaviruses, it can cause respiratory symptoms and infections ranging from common cold to acute respiratory distress.

Please what are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Fever, dry cough and or shortness of breath may appear 2-14 days after exposure with the virus. It has been observed that some patients may present with sore throat, generalized body aches and pain or diarrhea. But don’t forget, we have patients who can be infected but don’t manifest any symptoms and can still transmit the infection. A typical example, are immunocompromised patients.

How does the virus spread?

The disease can be spread directly through droplets from the nose or mouth of a person with COVID-19 to another person by coughing or sneezing. Indirectly, these droplets can land on surfaces or even objects, easily transmitted by touching either the eyes, nose, mouth or surfaces. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) is assessing some ongoing research particularly on other mode of transmission.

Any prospects for a Covid-19 treatment?

There is no evidence if any traditional or western medicine can prevent or cure Covid-19. However, the WHO has confirmed more than 35 ongoing clinical trials conducted in several countries across the globe. Some of these medicines are chloroquine (the famous anti-malaria drug), Kaletra (HIV treatment drug), Favipiravir and Remdesivir (Ebola drug) among others. I am confident that the WHO will immediately provide an updated information as soon as any significant clinical evidence or findings are available.

Do we have any vaccine for Covid-19?

At the moment, there is no any available vaccine or a specific antiviral drug for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. You may have heard of some drug treatments and vaccines under investigation, in other words under clinical trials approved by the WHO. Therefore, the most effective method of prevention is frequent washing of hands for at least 20 seconds, to cover cough with a tissue or a bend of the elbow and specifically maintaining social distance from people who could be sneezing or coughing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtN-goy9VOY

There is a lot of misinformation going around on COVID-19 particularly on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, twitter and even WhatsApp. Any advice?

Thank you for asking this important question. In my opinion, the rationale behind these misinformation and fake news is called INFODEMIC. So, it’s very critical to be fighting a pandemic as well as an infodemic. Infodemic is more dangerous than the virus because it spreads faster and even kills. It can also undermine government and health official’s rapid response in tackling the crisis. And for that reason, the most respected Director General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on several occasions addressed the magnitude of this pandemic. Therefore, we should be very cautious in sharing articles, videos, pictures or even audio messages unless we verify its authenticity through WHO, Countries Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Facts and The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine websites among others.

Talking about misinformation and fake news, what do you think about the frequent myths related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am very sure you have come across some, right?

Yes indeed. Let me make some clarifications about these myths supported by the WHO Myth busters:

Snow and cold weather CANNOT kill COVID-19 virus.

The new virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.

Mosquito bites CANNOT transmit COVID-19 virus

Taking a bath with chlorine or alcohol will not kill the new virus

Finally, can the COVID-19 Pandemic be defeated? As an International Public Health Expert, what measures has to be used?

Absolutely optimistic that a collective wartime coalition of strategic policies with a spirit of solidarity across the globe involving testing, isolating, tracing every contact and treating every suspected case will surely prevent widespread community transmission and thus defeat the new virus.

Similarly, we should commend the best practices introduced by several countries to tackle this pandemic, such as social distancing, staying at home, protection of healthcare professionals, closing of schools, colleges childcare facilities and many businesses. We have to contain and slow the spread of this virus, so that fewer people will need to seek treatment, in other words we must believe in “flattening the curve”. That will lead us to a slower infection rate and a less overwhelming pressure on our health system.

More information…

WHO launched a messaging service with WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus. The service can be accessed through a link(https:///who-covid19-whatsapp) that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi” to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19. Also you can send “hi” to 0041 798 931 892.


https://docotal.com/covid-19-pandemic-an-expert-interview-with-dr-laminu-kaumi/

Are you considering going for medical tourism? Before you make this decision, it is important that you already understand everything involved. Including the processes, the risk and advantages involved.

In the event that you don’t follow the right procedure, you may end up stranded and spending extra money. Hence, it is important that you do a thorough research and follow the right steps.

This article will serve as a guide to help you make the right decisions.


Why Go Abroad

One of the reasons people opt for medical tourism is the high cost of doing it at home. Cost is not the only reason but essential.

Some countries may have more affordable medical policies.

Another important factor to consider is the efficiency. Some hospital/clinics abroad have reputation for providing excellent treatment to some aliments. These are better equipped.

Apart from cost and efficiency, another reason why people go abroad for treatment is because of limited or no health insurance. Most people who don’t have health insurance coverage can consider looking for other more affordable options. One of which is travelling abroad.

You will be amazed by how affordable some medical procedures are abroad. Especially in countries like Spain, India and Singapore. You may feel it not worth it considering the extra cost on transportation and cost of taking a companion.

You will be surprised to know how much extra you can save.

For instance, a procedure that cost about $40,000 in the United States, could cost only $7,000 in Thailand. The extra $33,000 will make the entire process affordable. Even after throwing in cost of transportation, accommodation and even hosting a companion. So, yes there are lots of advantages of going on medical tourism.

The trip provides the opportunity to get to know about the practitioners. For those who care about the quality of care relative to the care costs. Patients have access to optional treatment that their usual health provider has refused.

You will be amazed by how affordable some medical procedures are abroad. Especially in countries like Spain, India and Singapore.

Advantages of Going Abroad for Treatment

1. Lesser Waiting Time
In your home country you could sometimes be made to wait for months. This could be done in less than a month in some countries abroad. So why wait when you can travel abroad for a more prompt treatment.

Over the years going on medical tourism is easier. You don’t have to worry about the stress of getting a Visa. Visa’s for medical tourism are one of the easiest to get.

2. Efficiency
There are some medical procedures that are either not offered in your home country. Or are better offered abroad due to reasons many reasons. If what your need is not offered in your home country, why not seek other options abroad?

3. Affordability
This is a major reason why people travel abroad. A lot of individuals stand a chance of saving thousands of dollars in healthcare by traveling for procedures.

You may end up saving within 30% to 80%. Especially if you stay in countries were medical expenses are high. This amazing cut in price might seem too good to be true.

But most of these countries are trying to boost medical tourism in their countries by providing quality service for a very affordable price. That their treatments and surgeries are cheap that should not undermine the quality of service that they offer. In such countries they operate with well trained experts and state-of-the-art equipment.

4. The Ease of booking flights and Communication Services
It is now very easy to book ticket. With your mobile phone you will be able to book flights and schedule your treatment.

There are many online travel companies. These includes Expedia, Google Flights, Edreams, Kayak and a lot more. This easy step involves you making all your bookings online and travel when your appointment is already in place.

Also there are many ways to contact your doctor or hospital abroad. You can even use medical facilitators. With this flexibility, you don’t need to be physically present in the hospital/clinic for assessment. They can even organise everything for you.

5. Tourism Opportunity
When we say medical tourism, we cannot overlook the tourism part. You will have the opportunity of visiting another country, travelling overseas, meeting a new culture and language. This is a bonus package attached to your medical care. Some clinics offer more packages which may include city tour.

In the US, many institutions are financially buoyant to get around 500,000 patients traveling for treatment every year. Patients will spend money on their treatment, hotel stays and restaurants. This is an economic incentive. Some countries even assign part of the state budget for medical tourism.

Over the years going on medical tourism is easier. You don’t have to worry about the stress of getting a Visa. Visa’s for medical tourism are one of the easiest to get.


Risks

There are a lot of advantages in going on medical tourism. You will be getting health care as well as the tourism experience. Also you will be visiting a new country and most times with less stress than the regular tourism.

This does not go without risk. Before going abroad it is important that you consider the risk involved. You should weigh your options very well. The journey from your home to your local hospital can be stressful. Now imagine travelling thousand of miles for treatment.
Travelling abroad can be discomforting especially if the aliment is severe.

Some of the risks are:

1. It is going to be a strange land
Remember that with your health situation in a new land, you will be subjected to different culture. Including food, drinks, language and an entirely new type of currency.

If you are seriously sick, you don’t have to go through all these stress again. Imagine not being able to communicate with your nurses and doctors.

2. Emergency Complications
Due to complications you may spend extra time than your initial plan. If not properly insured you will be spending more. You could even have problems with accommodation and visa. If you are not well insured for this, you will still have to spend extra. Even if you are insured, your companion's expenses still need to be taken care of.

Before going abroad it is important that you consider the risk involved. You should weigh your options very well.


Before you travel

Medical tourism is not a new industry. It has been there for centuries. Over the past decade it has seen steady growth, estimated about 15-25% every year.

If you want to join the train of people seeking treatment abroad, you have to consider some very important things. Travelling abroad is not something you can just do hastily.

Here are some factors you should put into consideration:

1. Do Your Home Work
Thorough research is necessary. Choosing the right hospital/clinic is essential. You should choose a country not because you fancy it, but because it can provide all your needs. Take your time; ask around, visit valuable websites.

2. Take someone along
You should know that since you are sick you I’ll need someone to take care of you. Although you can travel alone, it is best that you go with a support. You will need someone to be there for you through out the process both physically and emotionally. So when budgeting, involve the cost of travelling with a partner.

3. Consider Recovery Time
The seriousness of your aliment will determine how long you will be staying overseas. It could be an issue of days, it could be months, it could even last for a year. Your doctor is in a better position to tell you how long it will take for the entire treatment process.

And if you have a to stay longer than expected, due to further complications, don’t hesitate to stay back. Communication is fundamental.

4. Sort Your Finance
Most insurance plans (see below) and health coverage make it easy to cover your expenses. But on the off chance that you are travelling for cosmetic procedures, it may not be easy to get health insurance coverage.

Hence if you are travelling abroad, for treatments that are not covered, you should be ready to carry the financial constrain.

Before such journey, ensure that you have source for funds. Have a talk with your doctor to know were you stand. If your health plan covers, fine, if it don’t, then you have to source for money. It is important that you know if only basic treatment will be covered.

5. Set up an Insurance plan
You have to set up an insurance plan for your journey. It is important you understand that health coverage type of insurance is different from the regular travel insurance coverage. The basic difference there is that with your medical travel insurance, you are covered in case you stay longer due to complications. It covers you until you are healthy again.

6. Know more about your preferred destination.
Choosing a destination shouldn’t be the first decision you make when embarking on medical tourism. This can cause sentiments. For instance, if you are in love with the UK, it might not be the right destination for your treatment. Other factors like the right hospital/clinic should come first.

You should be guided by these factors:
– Cost of transport,
– Language barrier,
– Visa availability, etc.

These should be what will affect your choice of destination.

Thorough research is necessary. Choosing the right hospital/clinic is essential. You should choose a country not because you fancy it, but because it can provide all your needs.


Finally…

When you consider tourism, then you are willing to try other options for good and affordable healthcare service. Over the years more and more people are now interested in going abroad.

Each year there is an increase in the number of people. With all involved in going abroad, including the risk and advantages, it gives everybody equal access to quality health care service. Imagine coming from a developing country with no good health care.

With medical tourism, everyone now has an access!

Source https://docotal.com/medical-tourism-travelling-abroad-treatment-guide/

There are many different ways to avoid pregnancy without using a condom. Here are different methods you can use instead of wearing a condom.

#1 Chart your menstrual cycle, doing so can help you figure out what days you are ovulating. Avoid having sex during the times of ovulation.

#2 Birth control is one of the most effective methods to avoid pregnancy. If your partner hates using condoms consult a doctor about using birth control.

#3 This is the copper T, you insert this in the women’s vagina and it prevents a women from getting pregnant.

#4 Last but not least, the women can get their tubes tied. This is most common in women that have already had their children and want no more.

Source: http://sarcasm.cc/avoid-pregnancy-without-condom/

Cocoyam with its health benefits facilitates diabetics. The number of starch grains contained in the plant can be digested without any problems.
 
Diabetic patients can eat cocoyam and get carbohydrates without problems with the digestive system.
 
Cocoyam and diabetes are two "big friends". Patients can eat the plant to manage their mellitus (level of sugar in the blood).
 
Another fact is that there is no gluten in the cocoyam. This is good news for people with gluten allergy. They can eat cocoyam without worry.
 
Putting diabetics aside, the plant Cocoyam is very rich in nutritional value. So it is recommended that you always have cocoyam in your home, for diabetic patients.
 
See more:

WHAT IS COCOYAM?
http://docotal.com/what-is-taro/

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF COCOYAM
http://docotal.com/nutritional-value-cocoyam/

IS COCOYAM GOOD FOR PREGNANCY?
http://docotal.com/cocoyam-pregnancy-docotal-blog/

Relevant Studies on Cocoyam and Diabetes

In 2008, JO Alegbejo et al made a research on  the Glycaemic Index Of Boiled Cocoyam And Stew. This study was undertaken to determine the glycaemic response of diabetic and healthy subjects to equal amounts of carbohydrate in the form of boiled cocoyam with glucose serving as the reference food. They found that boiled cocoyam therefore is of high glycaemic index and should be combined with low glycaemic index food for it to be suitable for diabetic subjects.

Chinedum Ogbonnaya Eleazu and collegues looked at the Biochemical basis of the use of cocoyam (Colocassia esculenta L.) in thedietary management of diabetes and its complications in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. The found out that C. esculenta may exert its anti-diabetic action by delaying/regulating the rate at which dietary starch is hydrolyzed to glucose or possibly through inhibition of acute pancreatitis. Finally, the study also shows the potentials of C. esculenta in the dietary management of obesity.

Another study by Eleazu CO et al in 2016 evaluated the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic actions of unripe plantain and cocoyam. They found that Cocoyam or unripe plantain alone showed better antihyperglycemic and anihyperlipidemic action than their combination.

Source: http://docotal.com/cocoyam-diabetics-healthy/

Private Practice and Law

Should Government Doctors Be Allowed To Do Private Practice? This is a very common question. There is no law in Nigeria stopping doctors in public hospitals from private practice. So, doctors in public hospitals are free to own and run private hospitals. There are little number of government-owned hospitals in Nigeria.
People seeking medical treatment are more than the available public hospitals. It can’t be more than 30 to 40 per cent, and who will attend to others?

Doctors must never allow their private practice to have negative effect on their services in the public hospitals. People are urged to report such doctors. Who allow private practice to clash with their work in public hospital. (S)He must not allow his/her work at the public hospital to suffer, otherwise he will be wrong .

Civil service rules that a worker must not run any other business apart from government work. But this has not been tested in the court of law. This is why some people are afraid. It will be better if this is tested in the court of law.
Doctors in public hospitals can own and run private hospitals.

There is nothing wrong about that. It will even help Nigerians. Irrespective of their location to have access to medical treatment.

Another aim of studying any course in the university is to earn a living and make ends meet. Establishing a hospital, etc is entrepreneurship, which the country also needs. Licensed health professional is free to practice in any establishment. Whether government-owned or private.

A certified medical practitioner is free to own or practice. But that must be within the confines of the laws governing the profession. It is not wrong for a doctor to own a health facility even while working for the government. When a doctor under the government has his own hospital, (s)he will depend less on the salary from the government.

Advantages of Private Practice

Encouraging government doctors to have their own private hospitals will increase the number of hospitals. Which patients can go to for medical attention.

The health-care system in Nigeria is suffering because there is no competition. The groups of doctors allowed to engage in private practice, are people who get some patients referred to them. They are very senior consultants, most of them elderly.

They do it part time to more or less keep in touch with the medical profession. For people to work in public hospitals and still own and run private hospitals is an sign of the liturgy in our culture. The medical practice included.

One may argue that there are few number of hospitals to provide care for all patients. It would be good for doctors in public hospitals to also own hospitals as complimentary measures. Which may sound nice if they do it on their own time, but this is not always the case.

There is also the issue of diversion of patients (explained later). The public hospitals are subsidised by the government. Though they may still rely on internal generated revenue. Which is revenue generated from the same hospital.

But when you own a private hospital, there is always a tendency for you to pay more attention. And give a lot more of your time to your private business.

Problems

It may make public hospitals suffer from insufficient care from the doctor. It should not be encouraged at all. There are issues in the past where doctors who would skip work, say they are sick. But will be in their private hospitals.
The ideal thing is for a doctor to face his job. Without distraction from other pecuniary expectations. From the establishment of a private clinic or hospital somewhere else.

There are cases where many public service medical personnel do operate private clinics. To the detriment of their patients in public hospitals. This is because of problems bedeviling public hospitals in Nigeria.

Sometimes, these private hospitals receive referrals. Even from the medical doctors in public hospitals who own them. Although, the Nigerian law allows doctors to operate private clinics and hospitals.

Partnership with Government

Government should thus address the challenges of poor equipment. And other infrastructural decay that have come to be the bane of public hospitals. Which is making the private hospitals to be attractive to all.

Some are of the opinion that public sector doctors should not own private hospitals. As it tend to create a kind of divided loyalty in such a doctor.

Source: http://docotal.com/government-doctors-private-practice/

Hello friends,

How is your day? I am doing good and am back with another awesome post for you all. Today we would be talking about how to get rid of black spots on face. Dealing with dark or black spots on the face can be an unpleasant and embarrassing issue which is generally due to the build-up of dead skin cell. Not exfoliating or taking proper care of your skin can often lead to dark spots on the face. It may also be due to certain medical conditions or over exposure to harmful UV rays. Improper skin care routine can also increase the chances of formation of dark spots easily.
Well, if you want to get rid of these black spots on the face, here are some of the best ways to do so.

1. Opt For Lemon And Honey Remedy:
The lemon and honey home remedy is one of the most effective and quick ways to get rid of the black spots. Lemon contains citric acid which bleaches your skin naturally while honey prevents build-up on the face. Also honey contains natural humectants which help to promote baby soft skin. Take two spoons of lemon and add honey to it. Mix together and apply on the face. Wash off with lukewarm water as it helps to lighten the spots easily.

2. Coconut Oil Therapy:
Vitamin E found in coconut oil can help to keep your skin moisturized and supple. Also, the fatty acids present in the coconut oil will keep your skin hydrated and lighten the dark spots. Take two spoons of walnut powder and add some coconut oil to it. Mix together and apply on the dark spots. Allow it to dry and wash off with warm water. Repeat this regularly to get rid of any dark spots on the face.

3. Exfoliate Regularly:
You should be exfoliating your face regularly in order to slough off the dark spots on the skin. You should use an exfoliating brush or scrub to exfoliate your skin regularly. Exfoliating can help to get rid of the dark spots easily and also lighten the skin naturally. You can also use a pumice stone for best results. You can try L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Exfoliating Scrub.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide helps in removing dead skin cells thus lightening the dark spots on the face easily. Hydrogen peroxide is found in most skin lightening creams, thanks to its skin lightening properties. It contains bleaching properties which effectively helps to get rid of the dark spots on the face easily. In order to get rid of the dark spots, you should dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide solution and apply it on the hyper pigmented skin. Use this remedy 2-3 times in a week to get rid of any dark spots on the face.

5. Use Sunscreens Religiously:
Using sunscreens is another quick way to get rid of the dark spots on the face. It reduces the chance of developing dark skin thus getting rid of the dark patches and spots easily. You should be applying sunscreen anytime you go out of the home. Keeping your skin moisturized can help to lighten the spots and also prevents occurrence of dark spots on the skin. Some of the sunscreens you could try are the Banana Boat Ultra Protect Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 50 and Biodermal Anti Age Face Sunscreen SPF 50+.

6. Citrus Fruits:
All of us are aware of the fact that citrus fruits contain a lot of bleaching agents. These bleaching agents can help to lighten the skin and also help to eliminate the ugly spots from the face easily. You should be using more of citrus fruits in order to get rid of the black spots on the back. You can use grapes, orange, grapefruit, tomatoes etc. to get rid of the dark spots. Make a fresh fruit mask to apply on the skin and get rid of the ugly dark spots.

7. Aloe Vera Therapy:
In order to get rid of the dark spots, you should be using aloe vera gel regularly. Aloe vera gel contains nourishing properties which improve the skin tone and also lightens the dark spots on the face. In order to get healthy glowing skin, you should apply fresh aloe vera gel on it. Massage regularly and wash off with cold water.


8. Olive Oil:
Olive oil contains bleaching properties which help to lighten the dark spots easily. Also, it contains natural moisturizing properties which help to soften and brighten the skin easily. Using olive oil is the cheapest and best remedy that can help to get rid of the dark spots on the face. Rub some warm olive oil on the face and wash off after 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy daily.

Source: https://makeupandbeauty.com/8-effective-ways-to-remove-black-spots-on-face/

Why don't you see a doctor?


Get FREE medical consultation here: http://docotal.com/ask-the-doc/

Why don't you see a doctor?


Get FREE medical consultation here: http://docotal.com/ask-the-doc/

Although many of us men are relatively familiar with our penis and its antics, there's more to our appendage than meets the eye. In this feature, we discuss 10 interesting things that you probably didn't know about your genitals.

Whatever you happen to call it — todger, wang, willy, or dangler — the penis is an odd-looking bit of kit. But beyond the japes and sniggers, it is, of course, vital to the survival of our species.

When you consider the penis as an evolutionary adaptation, it has done remarkably well.

We can all say without too much doubt that our father's penis worked, as did our grandfather's, and his father's, and so on, right back through successive generations until we reach far beyond the birth of humanity.

The penis is ancient. Just in case you were wondering, the oldest known penis dates back 425 million years, and its fossilized remains belong to an arthropod dubbed Colymbosathon ecplecticos, which means "amazing swimmer with a large penis" in Greek.

It's worth reflecting on its role in our species' survival next time you are surprised by how easily your penis is "activated." As far as reproduction is concerned, a false arousal is better than a missed opportunity.

As the author Mokokoma Mokhonoana once wrote, "Even the world's greatest actor cannot fake an erection." This leads us on to the first penis fact of the day.

1. Your first erection

joysticks are born ready. It is common for babies to exit the womb with an erection. Even before the moment of birth, ultrasound scans sometimes show a fetus with a fully formed erection.

According to a study from 1991, fetal erections occur most commonly during random eye movement (REM) sleep. And, they can happen a number of times each hour. No one is quite sure why, but it might just be our body's way of testing things out and keeping them running correctly.

2. Your penis is twice as long as you think

A lot of men might take solace in this fact: our joysticks are longer than they look. In fact, around half of its entire length is housed inside of our bodies.

Diagram of the penisAn internal view of the male Instruments.
You might be thinking, "Well, it's no good to me up there," but it needs to remain connected to the rest of your anatomy, so it's probably best that it stays put.

As you can see from the diagram here, the mass of pink erectile tissue — which comprises the so grandly named corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum — extends well into the pelvic region, forming a sort of boomerang shape.

I wouldn't use any of the above as a pick-up line, though.

3. The shoe size myth

Let's lay this one to rest, shall we? According to a study published in the journal BJU International, there is no correlation between shoe size and penis length.

Although an older study — which was published in 1993 — did find that penile length was related to both height and foot length, it was a weak relationship, and the authors concluded, "Height and foot size would not serve as practical estimators of penis length."

Also, the International Journal of Impotence Research published an Iranian study looking at other correlations. They concluded that "penile dimensions are significantly correlated with age, height, and index finger length," but not foot size.

4. 'Morning wood'

Most men have 3–5 erections every single night — mostly during REM sleep, as with the in utero boys.

A wooded area at sunriseMorning wood isn't as poetic as it sounds.
Also called nocturnal penile tumescence, it's still not clear why it happens. However, one theory is that it might help to prevent bed-wetting; an erection inhibits urination.

A full bladder is known to stimulate nerves in a similar region to those involved in erections. But because females experience something similar — nocturnal clitoral tumescence — bed-wetting prevention is probably not the entire answer.

Another potential explanation is that REM sleep is linked with switching off cells that produce noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus, which is in the brainstem. These cells inhibit the tone of the penis. So, by reducing the inhibition, the penis becomes erect.

Whatever the reason behind nocturnal erections, they can be useful as a diagnostic tool. If a man has difficulty achieving an erection when awake but becomes erect when he sleeps, it is an indication that there is a psychological issue, rather than a physical one.

However, if he does not get erections during sleep, the issue may be physical.

5. One final erection

So, we've established that we can get erections in the womb and during sleep, but this is perhaps even more surprising: the death erection. Also called angel lust or terminal erection, it happens in the moments after death.

Most commonly, it occurs in men who have died from hanging; scientists believe that it may be due to pressure from the noose on the cerebellum. However, it has also been reported following death by a gunshot wound to the head, damage to major blood vessels, and poisoning.

6. You can break your penis

As I'm sure you are aware, there is no bone in your penis, which is fairly unusual for mammals. However, it is still possible to break your penis. It most commonly occurs during vigorous sex, although it has been documented to happen to men who fell out of bed with an erection.

Penile fracture, as it is known, is actually the rupture of the fibrous covering of the corpora cavernosa, which is the tissue that becomes erect when engorged with blood.

The moment of fracture is accompanied by a popping or cracking sound, intense pain, swelling, and — unsurprisingly — flaccidity.

Thankfully, it doesn't happen very often and, if it is treated swiftly, full function can be restored. As a note of caution, if this happens to you, don't let embarrassment get the better of you. Go and get it sorted as soon as possible.

In a study that investigated 42 cases of penile fracture, the most "dangerous" position was defined as "woman on top."

7. No-brainer

Most men have very little control over exactly when they ejaculate. This is partly because it does not involve the brain. The signal to ejaculate comes from the spinal ejaculation generator. This region in the spinal cord coordinates the necessary functions.

Of course, the higher brain does have some input into these matters — thinking about something else is a well-known way to delay the event, for instance — but the nuts and bolts of the whole operation are dealt with in your spine.

8. The angle of the dangle

A man's erection can point in virtually any direction. Straight ahead, left or right, up or down, there's no right or wrong.

Protractor for measuring anglesThere is no such thing as a unique angle.
The following data come from a study that measured the erections of 1,565 men.

In the figures below, if the penis pointed directly up, it was measured as 0 degrees, and if it was forward-pointing (horizontal), it would be 90 degrees:

0–30 degrees — 4.9 percent of men
30–60 degrees — 29.6 percent of men
60–85 degrees — 30.9 percent of men
85–95 degrees — 9.9 percent of men
95–120 degrees — 19.8 percent of men
120–180 degrees — 4.9 percent of men
So, if you've ever been concerned that your chap is a bit skew-whiff, don't worry — you're normal. While we're on the topic of "normality," very few joysticks are straight; they can curve in any direction. A curve of up to 30 degrees is still considered normal.

9. Grower or show-er

A study on 274 men demonstrated that there is no correlation between the length of a flaccid penis and its erect size. Some start small and end up large (a grower), while some are large when flaccid and only grow a little when erect (a show-er).

Some are even small whatever state they are in, and some are large when flaccid and get much larger. It's a mixed bag.

This doesn't hold much relevance outside of the locker room, but I guess it's good to know anyway.

10. Cornflakes prevent masturbation

They don't, really. However, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg — the breakfast cereal mastermind — hoped that they would. He invented these and other products because he thought that plain foods would lead Americans away from the "sin" of masturbation.

Thankfully, nowadays, food manufacturers spend less time trying to convince the youth to give up masturbation. And, just in case there was any doubt, it doesn't make you go blind, either.

If this little list has tickled your fancy, your next move might be to plan a trip to Iceland and visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum. It is dedicated to all things penile; it was started up by Sigurður Hjartarson after being given a bull's penis as a boy.

According to Hjartarson, "Collecting joysticks is like collecting anything. You can never stop, you can never catch up, you can always get a new one, a better one."

Or, if you want to go one step further, you can visit the Guolizhuang Restaurant in Beijing, China, which specializes in penis and testicle dishes. It's up to you.


Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320748.php

Get free medical consultation: http://www.docotal.com/ask/

Colocasia esculenta popularly known as cocoyam is a tropical, perenial crop. It is a starchy tuber crop with three parts namely; corm, stem and leaves, which is grown basically for edible root. It can also be grown as an ornamental plant for the beautification of the environment as well as a medicinal plant.

Cocoyam has its origin from Asia or Southeast Asia as some researchers have found out and it is a known staple crop in most developing countries of Africa. It can also be found in India, USA, Japan as well as Singapore.

Cocoyam Delicacies

It can be boiled and eaten with tomatoes stew or spinach sauce
It can be roasted and eaten with fried groundnut
It can be fried into chips
It can also be prepared as a porridge.
It can also be boiled, pounded and used as a thickener for local soup


Nutritional benefits

Great source of dietary fibre
It is an excellent source of carbohydrate
Contains a good amount of protein,Thaimine, copper, calcium,niacin,manganese, vitamin B6, vitamins C, A and E.
It also contains riboflavin,magnesium, phosphorous, iron,zinc and potassium.
Medicinal benefits

Cocoyam is also important for maintaining a healthy immune system.
The dietary fibre in it helps to protect the skin and give it a good glow.
It aids in the digestive process.
Increases blood circulations, prevents heart disease, lungs and oral cancer
Supports the muscle and helps in decreasing blood pressure.
Cocoyam should be properly cooked before consuption because it's toxic in raw form due to high amount of oxalates. It should be eaten moderately, it is very high in calories.

Next time you see cocoyam, don't ignore the food (see Nigerian recipes here)... because it can offer you a lot of goodness!

Source: http://docotal.com/health-benefits-cocoyam-never-knew/

I have seen him talk quite a lot of times with any problem like this. Health check-up should be part of the investigation. Maybe he has an underlining disease. There are brain issues that can cause this.

CALL TO ACTION: If you have a friend/family member especially above 50years that SUDDENLY starts “misbehaving” please contact a nearby doctor for evaluation.

Get FREE medical consultation here: http://docotal.com/ask-the-doc/

I have seen him talk quite a lot of times with any problem like this. Health check-up should be part of the investigation. Maybe he has an underlining disease. There are brain issues that can cause this.

CALL TO ACTION: If you have a friend/family member especially above 50years that SUDDENLY starts “misbehaving” please contact a nearby doctor for evaluation.

Get FREE medical consultation here: http://docotal.com/ask-the-doc/

I have seen him talk quite a lot of times with any problem like this. Health check-up should be part of the investigation. Maybe he has an underlining disease. There are brain issues that can cause this.

CALL TO ACTION: If you have a friend/family member especially above 50years that SUDDENLY starts “misbehaving” please contact a nearby doctor for evaluation.

Get FREE medical consultation here: http://docotal.com/ask-the-doc/

Dr. Nnamdi C. Elenwoke is a consultant neurosurgeon at Hospital Santiago Apostol, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The 35-year-old Nigerian-born physician in this interview with journalists, during a routine visit to Nigeria, said online medical consultation such as that provided by Docotal Health (www.docotal.com) could help to reduce brain drain and medical tourism. ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA was there. Excerpts:

What caused your exit from Nigeria?
I left the country because I was part of the 100 Nigerian students selected by the then President Obasanjo’s government to study medicine in Cuba. Upon completion of the study, I, together with the others came back to be absorbed into our medical system and to give back to my country. Unfortunately, inadequate and slow integration into the medical system made this move impossible. Also, I saw the need to get specialist training and going outside was the better option. I had to go on to study Family Medicine and later pursue another medical specialty, Neurosurgery, in Spain. Regardless of the difficulties of integration, I have been coming in and out of the country to collaborate with other medical agencies on how to bring sustainable healthcare to our people.

Brain drain in medical sector has been a great concern to many stakeholders in Nigeria. To what extent do you agree with the assertion?
Indeed, brain drain is a legitimate concern for any country. Naturally, humans tend to move to better places to fulfill their needs or desires. This has always been the case throughout history. An interesting research by NOI polls published in August 2017 indicated that Nigeria has about 72,000 medical doctors registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, with only approximately 35,000 practicing in Nigeria. About 20,000 medical doctors are currently working outside the country. It is also important to note that patients also emigrate as well. Also in August 2017, the president, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, HFN, Mrs. Clare Omatseye, mentioned that a total of one billion dollars is lost annually to medical tourism in Nigeria. If you want to solve this problem you have to tackle the root cause of brain drain.

Your discipline or specialty is short of enough professionals in Nigeria. What would you expect from the federal government to put in place before you can be attracted to come back home?
The needs of neurosurgeons in general are not too different from most highly specialized medical professionals. A good economic condition will make most professionals to return. Preference should be placed on our health sector so that necessary provisions will be made to enhance our health systems. According to Trading Economics, historically, our health expenditure is less than five per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contrary to the Abuja declaration of 2001. Policy makers usually allocate more to sectors that will increase revenue. It means that the Health sector is yet to become top priority in allocation. Health is wealth.

There are grapevine reports that if necessary facilities are put in place and there is also an adequate security measure put in place in Nigeria; that most Nigerians are willing to return home. To what degree will you rate the statement?
This is true to an extent. Sustained increase in generated revenues in a transparent society increases government spending on other sectors like health. There is a bilateral long-run relationship between economic growth and health expenditure. This is neither easy nor impossible. It involves organized planning and dedicated action. I believe that when most people in the Diasporas observe upgrades in infrastructure and security, they will decide to come back and stay. A worker is more productive in a conducive and safe environment.

What are other available windows or options available to you if you choose not to come back to Nigeria or remain where you are presently?
Although brain drain can increase a country’s inflow of hard currency through remittances or increase the culture popularity like Nigerian entertainment sector, the disadvantages to a nation, far out-way the advantages. My priority is to come back and stay. I am aware that there are limited number of Neurosurgeons in our country, and the need for neurosurgeons out way this limitation. Some doctors in the diaspora have developed means of working from their resident countries. Some are doing great works that involve transferring knowledge or exporting medical equipment to Nigeria. I am part of Docotal Health, a medical company with consultants comprising mostly Nigerian doctors within and outside of the country, who provide online solutions to medical problems. The Docotal Health Foundation seeks to provide medical equipment and facilities to various agencies as well as services to communities. You can learn more at www.docotal.com. The free mobile apps are available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The world is now a global village and we are in the information age. We are using every available channel to avail our people with health services.

A lot of Nigerians travel to India and some of these foreign countries to seek for medical solution to their problems. To what extent do you think your coming back to the Nigeria will arrest or control it?
This is not what one can do alone but requires teamwork. Many people are already doing a great job. For example, Dr. Douglas Okor of Spine Fixed in Abuja (SFIA) and his team are doing a wonderful job. Naturally, medical tourism will decrease when there is trust from the citizens. I mentioned before that I am actually working with Docotal Health (www.docotal.com), a health organization that offers online medical consultation. Some of the consultants are in the diaspora.

The other part of it is medical foundation whose vision is a prioritized sustainable healthcare for the vulnerable and the aged. We have a fantastic team working with other organizations and hospitals to help Nigeria achieve all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. If other medical personnel in Diaspora will keep thinking homeward, there is no quantifying what health success we will achieve in our country. I am willing and ready to work with our companies and hospitals on contract to achieve this success.

What other message do you have for the government; Nigerians as well as your friends back home?
The government is trying her best. It is not easy to rule a nation of more than 190 million with a large number of varied ethnic groups where ethnocentricity seems more important than nationalistic values. The general population doesn’t understand how the government works. Policy-making can become difficult where you do not understand your neighbor. If you don’t understand your neighbor, then prejudice and lack of trust will have a way. Trust is fundamental in an effective team. Friends and well-wishers back home should understand that we are doing our best to achieve this dream. It is a gradual process that requires all hands being on deck. John Nash, the American mathematician, once said that the best for the group comes when everyone in the group does what’s best for him and the group.

Source: http://docotal.com/interview-guardian-nigeria/

Cc
Lalasticlala
Ishilove
Semid4lyfe
Obinoscopy

Good explanation but I dont have Hibernate mode

Thank you OP for your bravery... spreading your personal problem on the internet. Unfortunately a lot of people here are not doctors.

Remember the majority of Epileptic disorders have adequate treatment. I would advise you go get professional information from our specialist doctors FREE of charge.

Click here: http://docotal.com/ask-the-doc/

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jaidsconcepts.docotalmobileapp

Trust me... you will be better informed. God bless you.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiJcE_CsWX8

“Minds are like flowers, they only open when the time is right.”― Stephen Richards

H & E as a Business

When people hear health and wellness, they think is all about the exercises, drugs, etc. If уоu аrе a health care practitioner, coach, birth worker, alternative medicine provider, herbalist, aromatherapist, nutritionist, yoga teacher, fitness trainer, wellness educator, оr a business owner involved in health аnd wellness then уоu аrе in luck beсаuѕе thе health аnd wellness market iѕ growing аnd it’ѕ nоt gоing tо gо аwау аnу timе soon. food. There is a lot to health and wellness including monetization opportunities. In case you’re wondering if you can make money through health and wellness, the answer is YES. You can actually make money from health and wellness.

In case you’re wondering if you can make money through health and wellness, the answer is YES.

Thе health аnd wellness industry presents entrepreneurs tremendous opportunities tо hеlр оthеrѕ аnd make money frоm home. And whilе уоu саn start uр уоur оwn business manufacturing health аnd wellness products, thе money tо bе made iѕ rеаllу in thе distribution оf thоѕе products.

People аrе interested in staying healthy аѕ thеу grow older. Thеу аrе willing tо spend lots оf money оn nutritional supplements tо improve оr maintain thеir health. This industry has been anticipated to grow over the years, a lot of people are finding themselves in this industry now and they are settling down here because they are finding the industry very lucrative and also with a lot of potential to do better financially in the nearest future.

People are investing a lot these days in their health, so it right to say that you can make money from the health and wellness industry. If people are ready and willing to spend money on their health, then, some other should be able to make money from it. Money is earned when money is spent.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin

Find Solutions

The health and wellness industry is the new trillion dollar industry, so if you’re an advocate or entrepreneur in this industry, you need to celebrate because this industry is here to stay and it’s not going, instead the industry is growing. People аll оvеr thе world аrе gaining interest in nutrition, organics, fitness, alternative medicine, аnd аll kinds оf related health аnd wellness education, coaching, services, аnd products in phenomenal numbers.

People wаnt tо feel good, lооk good, аnd bе active – аnd thеу аrе seeking оut organic аnd natural food, fitness classes, alternative medicine, аnd buying uр books, dvd’s, programs аnd services tо hеlр thеm create vitality аnd longevity. This is the more reason the health and wellness industry will forever be a financial fountain for those that see its potential. Now that we have established the fact that money can be made from the health and wellness industry, the important question to ask now is; in what ways can I earn money from the health and wellness industry?

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. – Thomas Edison

Monetize Solutions

The health and wellness industry is very wide; there are various sectors of this industry. So if you’re looking for ways to make money in the industry, you need to know and understand the industry first before you can know where to settle in. But in this article, we are not talking about understanding the health and wellness industry. We are talking about ways in which you can make money from the industry. Due to the diverse nature of the industry, you can monetize it in many ways.

Let us take a look at the various ways in which you can monetize the health and wellness industry:

Selling Medical Equipment: medical equipment is a niche under the monetization potentials of the health and wellness industry, which if done properly, will yield much profit. As a merchant of these products, the options made available to you will vary a lot. If we choose to ignore whether you’re a retailer or wholesaler, or whether you sell new or fairly used equipment; there are certain laid down rules that will guarantee you success in this field. what are these rules; research the market, find a buyer, have a website, network with others in the field, determine how you want to sell your products, partner with insurance companies if you’re selling products they cover, contact vendors to buy from you, buy in bulk to save money, and have a physical store also.

Looking for a Job: If you have the appropriate degree, skill and certificates, you can look for a job in the health and wellness industry. There are quite a number of places you can go and offer your professional services, places such as; hospitals, health centers, pharmaceutical sectors, therapy homes, medical laboratories, online, etc.

Running a Health Center: This is another lucrative niche in the health and wellness sector. If you have the capital to build one, I encourage you to do so. You only need to do these few things; gain experience in the healthcare industry, research what home healthcare business are available in your community, name your business plan, name your business and choose your structure, research the necessary requirements for a health center, submit the necessary documents to your county clerk of court and secretary of state, apply for your business license, apply for health permit from the state board, establish payroll and medical billing system, find liability insurance, etc.

Open a Health and Wellness Blog or Website: It iѕ easy fоr a blog or website tо capitalize оff thiѕ growing market thrоugh eCommerce. Thе firѕt step iѕ tо create the blog/website. Yоu ѕhоuld соnѕidеr whеthеr thеrе iѕ a specific area within thе health аnd wellness industry оn whiсh уоu wаnt tо concentrate оr whеthеr уоu wаnt a mоrе general blog. Then, уоu juѕt hаvе tо write quality content thаt engages уоur readership аnd add аn eCommerce store аnd link applicable products tо еасh blog post tо start making money. You can also advertise on your platform.

There are a lot of other ways in which you can make money from the health and wellness industry; we are going to be highlighting some of them.

- Personal Fitness Trainer
- Health coach
- Massage therapist
- Yoga coach
- Personal chef
- Physical therapy
- Writing for other; guest post, freelancing, etc.
- Writing health books, info products and courses
- Workshop, webinars, and seminars
- Open a health-focused restaurant оr health food store

Do you want more information? Please email us: support@docotal.com

You can tell a lot about a person just by looking at the shape of their fingers, did you know that? It may sound a bit silly and even stupid, but you’d be surprised at how accurate it can be. Just look at the picture and then look at your fingers, are you type A, B or C?

Choose your finger shape and read on if you want to find out. You can check your friends’ shape as well and find out a bit more about their personality. Tell us if you agree with the description, mine was spot on!


Type A

– You are not very open and you don’t share your feelings easily. You always strive to present yourself much stronger and more independent than you really are
– You are an emotional person and once you feel connected to someone you can be super fine.
– You despise lies, hypocrisy and dishonesty because it goes against your beliefs.
– You are reserved when it comes to showing emotions and want to appear cool and strong.
– You are known to be a bit eccentric and arrogant. You aren’t very tolerant.
– You have a big heart, and you like to help others. You will finish every task you are given even if you don’t like it.
– You enjoy having a good laugh, and can laugh at anything and everything as long as you are amused, even if it’s not so funny. Your expressions reveal all of your thoughts.
– You are generally cold with people you’re not really close to, but can even be overly emotional to your friends and family.


Type B

– You don’t like to be the first one to approach someone or take actions.
– You are very loyal and devoted. If you start falling in love with someone, you will give them your full attention and will always think about them.
– Deep down inside you have a very sensitive soul, although it may not look like that at times. Often people get the wrong idea about you because you are pretending to not know anything in order to protect someone’s feelings.
– You are very committed, once you set your mind on something, you’ll do your best to finish it until the end.
– You’re scared of getting hurt. You want people to think that you don’t need anyone, but you dream of finding your soulmate.
– You will stay calm even when you are feeling extremely uncomfortable about something.


Type C

– You easily forget things that make you upset, and you don’t hold a grudge.
– You don’t like unfamiliar territories. It bothers you when you have to deal with anything new and unknown.
– You are respectful towards other people’s opinions.
– You can sometimes come off bossy because your ego is extremely high when arguing with other people. But, you’ll be the first to apologize afterwards.
-You are not very open regarding your problems and feelings, you always keep them to yourself.
– You are very straightforward and you know very well what you like and dislike. You also like people to be able to trust you and depend on you.