Understanding Alcohol-induced headaches

If you’ve ever over indulged in drinking, then you know how horrible that pounding next morning headache can feel. Alcohol-induced headaches, also known as hangovers, are almost guaranteed when we drink in excess. However, for some people, even one or two drinks can trigger a severe headache. Fortunately, we know something about why hangover headaches occur, and what we can do to minimize them. Why do we get alcohol-related headaches? Alcohol is a common migraine trigger, for a couple of different reasons 1. First of all, alcohol is known as a vasodilator. This means that it causes the blood vessels in the body to dilate, or expand. This is what causes the reddening of the face in an individual who has been drinking. Dilation of the blood vessels in the brain is thought to be the cause of a migraine, so this response to alcohol may trigger a migraine in individuals who are prone to migraines. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause the blood vessels to dilate. What substances inside of alcohol are responsible for causing a headache? There are also substances in alcoholic beverages that some people are more sensitive to. One of these substances is the amino acid tyramine – a well-known trigger for migraine or cluster headaches. Tyramine is found in red wine and champagne, as well as dark alcoholic beverages like scotch and beer. Congener, a chemical found in some alcohols, can also cause headaches in some individuals. Congeners are believed to trigger headaches because they make slight changes to the chemical composition of the body. Hard liquors, especially darker, amber liquors, usually contain more congeners than lighter liquors. NOTE: excessive alcohol consumption can cause problems beyond a headache, so be careful if and when you choose to drink. Sources Panconesi A, Bartolozzi ML, Guidi L. Alcohol and migraine: what should we tell patients? Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2011 Jun;15(3).177-84. Martin PR. Behavioral management of migraine headache triggers: learning to cope with triggers. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010 Jun;14(3).221-7

DOES BITTER KOLA CURE MALARIA?

Several controversial post have gone viral on the use of bitter kola to cure malaria. These writers may be right, however I believe it will be ideal if we demystify this controversy. Considerable experimental evidence has been adduced to support its chemical constituents against several ailments in the community, including malaria. “We extracted its chemical constituents, which is called Kolaviron and when it was tested on malaria parasite, we found it had significant anti-malarial activity,” says Professor Olusegun Ademowo, a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, South West of Nigeria.  “What we are now trying to find out is the right dosage of its extract that would be required in treating malaria. Also, we are looking at what other effects its use will have on the human cells. But at the moment it is in the preliminary stage.” No doubt, traditional healers had been prescribing bitter kola for the treatment of malaria. Researchers, who reported that bitter kola had anti-malaria effect in the 2010 issue of Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, from a survey of plants used by traditional healers in the Democratic Republic of Congo attributed this to its quinones content. In 1999, a group of researchers in Kinshasa, Congo, attested to why people should consider feeding more on bitter kola to ward of malaria. Under laboratory conditions, they found that extracts from bark, stem and seed of bitter kola tree inhibit the growth of malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) by at least 60% at a low concentration of 6 mg/ml. So when you pass by the market, remember to patronize that seller because eating bitter kola is medicinal and can save you from the deleterious effects of malaria.

PROSTATE CANCER

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It makes most of the semen that carries sperm. The walnut-sized gland is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Prostate cancer is a major health concern for Nigerian. The disease is rare before age 50, and experts believe that most elderly men have traces of it. Prostate cancer is usually a very slow growing cancer, often causing no symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Most men with prostate cancer die of other causes, and many never know that they have the disease. But once prostate cancer begins to grow quickly or spreads outside the prostate, it is dangerous.

 What Causes Prostate Cancer?

 Prostate cancer affects mainly older men. About 80% of cases are in men over 65, and less than 1% of cases are in men under 50. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to get it. Doctors don’t know what causes prostate cancer, but diet contributes to the risk. Men who eat lots of fat from red meat are most likely to have prostate cancer. Eating meat may be risky for other reasons: Meat cooked at high temperatures produces cancer-causing substances that affect the prostate. The disease is much more common in countries where meat and dairy products are common than in countries where the diet consists of rice, soybean products, and vegetables.

Hormones also play a role.

Eating fats raises the amount of testosterone in the body, and testosterone speeds the growth of prostate cancer. A few job hazards have been found. Welders, battery manufacturers, rubber workers, and workers frequently exposed to the metal cadmium seem to be more likely to get prostate cancer. Not exercising also makes prostate cancer more likely. Therefore prevention they say is better than cure.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER

Ginger is an herb that is often used to spice up foods or to make a tea. This herb offers a large variety of health benefits and is one of the most potent ‘super spices’ available. Gastrointestinal Benefits of Ginger Ginger is known for its gastrointestinal symptom relief. Many people turn to this herb when they are experiencing nausea. This nausea can be due to an illness, eating the wrong food, pregnancy or even motion sickness. Ginger can also help with other motion sickness symptoms, such as vomiting, dizziness and cold sweats. Anti-Inflammatory Effects This herb can help with swelling and pain, specifically that related to the muscles. There are potent compounds called gingerols found in this herb that accomplish this. Studies have been done on this compound and they have concluded that it has powerful effects on inflammation, as well as relieving the related symptoms of inflammation. Better Immune System A warm cup of ginger tea is soothing and can help when we are sick or feel as if an illness is about to hit us. However, it can help with more than aches and nausea. This herb has been shown to be effective in boosting the immune system. This is accomplished through this herb causing healthy sweating. We often heard our parents tell us as children that we need to sweat out our fever. Well, this is actually an effective way to recover and build our immune system and ginger can help with this. So what are you waiting for? Go get one for yourself, friends and family.