Health

Weight Training and Fat Burning:  Ladies only.

A lot of women believe erroneously that weight training would only make then develop bulky muscles and look masculine. No lady wants to look like a superman, so they stick to the treadmill and day in day out diet like a maniac.

And painfully with so little result to show.

I want to tell you how weight training burn fat more than anything you can think of, and why you should embrace it.

Lifting weights has shown to burn more fat than steady state cardio because of the metabolic demand it causes on the body – this works through a fancy term called ‘excess post-exercise oxygen consumption’. When you perform cardio you will be burning calories only while you perform it, during high rep strength training you will be burning calories both during and post work out. So you work just as hard and get twice the results. Winning!

 Women always want to get ‘toned’, but cardio doesn’t build new muscle, in fact it can actually shrink muscle. Want to be skinny and flabby anyone?  Didn’t think so. Lifting weights and putting on some muscle will help you get lean and stay lean – why? A larger engine burns more fuel and nothing burns food like muscles. I’m not saying you should aim to look like a female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger (which, by the way is impossible for women to do without steroids), but by putting on more muscle your metabolism will become more efficient.

Above all of this, and possibly the most motivating factor of all is that you will feel like Superwoman. Pull-ups, chin-ups, squats and dead lifts are some of the most empowering movements – when you feel empowered you will train more. When you train more, you will look and feel so much better. Steady state cardio just doesn’t invoke that sense of power – it’s draining.

So – who’s ready to lift some weight and get that “body for life”?

If you’ve never lifted before, please don’t start flinging around a 30kg dumbbell by yourself. I recommend finding a good quality personal trainer to help you and show you the correct form, even if you just pay for a couple of sessions – you won’t look back, except to check out your own strong body in the mirror!

Chears!

By Onyinye orabuike.

 

 

Peer pressure: The number one cause of anorexia or bulimia in young adults.

People who suffer from eating disorders have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of their weight and body shape. They believe themselves to be fat even when their weight is so low that their health is in danger. An anorexic severely restricts food intakes, and usually becomes extremely thin. The bulimic on the other hand eats excessively, followed by compensatory behaviour of physically eliminating the food by throwing up or using laxatives, right after her food cravings are satisfied.

Eating disorders develop during adolescence or early adulthood, but can also occur during childhood and late adulthood. Researchers estimate that more than 9o% of cases of eating disorder are diagnosed in females, while many cases in males go unreported.


What are the causes of eating disorders?
Most researchers agree that one of the most important causes of eating disorders is societal, media, family and peer pressure. There is the Western society pressure for women to be thin, which has been relayed to Africans and the rest of the world.  In addition, media images and hype about very thin models and actors cause many people to develop unrealistic expectations for their bodies.  Anxiety or depression due to physical, sexual and emotional abuse or loss of a loved  one can also contribute to the development of the illness.

 Behavioural and psychological symptoms of eating disorders?

Both victims of anorexia and bulimia feel depressed and irritable. They lack self-esteem and sexual interest, have very strong need for control. They may have difficulty expressing themselves and may withdraw from loved ones. 50% to 75% of anorexics develop other mental illness like depression and anxiety (a feeling of uneasiness, apprehension, or fear about events they cannot control or predict, or about events that seem threatening or dangerous).

Like most of these celebrities, people with eating disorders usually deny that they have a problem. Jessica Alba never thought her “normal” exercise routine was excessive. Victoria Posh (Beckham) did not see anything wrong in her supposed “healthy” diet. They do not see low weight as a health risk or symptom of a psychological problem. They believe that dieting and losing weight is logical because they perceive themselves to be fat. Many of them feel pride in their ability to adhere to their strict diet and exercise routine.

What medical effects does anorexia or bulimia have on the sufferer?

In females, cessation of menstruation (amenorrhea) and the absence of ovulation occur. Menstruation usually will not resume until endocrine balance is restored. Ovulation is suppressed because production of certain necessary hormones decreased. Other effects include fatigue and muscle weakness, brittle hair, hair loss, trouble staying warm, dry skin, kidney and gastrointestinal changes, fragile bones that are prone to fracture (osteoporosis), slow heartbeat, low blood pressure and heart palpitations. A bulimic experiences erosion of tooth enamel; because of repeated exposure to acidic gastric contents of their vomits, stomach ulcer, dental cavities, difficulties swallowing and retaining foods, frequent weight fluctuations,  Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands (from repeated vomiting), abnormal build-up of fluid in the intestines, suicidal tendencies.

These changes can cause dizziness,   abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death.  Yes, popular celebrities have lost their lives to either bulimia or anorexia. Brazilian model. Ana Carolina Reston, who weighed 44kg, died at the age of 21, because of generalized infection as a result of anorexia.  Singer, Karen Carpenter died at the age of 32 from cardiac arrest due to anorexia, and the list is endless.

Is there still hope for a healthier tomorrow for victims?

Yes, there is hope, though it is difficult to treat eating disorders. This is because as mentioned earlier, many patients deny they have a problem and as a result, resist treatments. Some are scared and reject treatments that would involve weight gain. Recovery from the disorder is a long and uncertain process; however, a willing patient needs the help of dieticians, psychiatrics or psychological counsellors to obtain treatments.

Are there ways to prevent eating disorders?

Little is known about preventing eating disorders, but as a parent, catch them young and emphasize to your children the need to embrace and place premium on happiness, health, and virtue. While they are still toddlers, help them develop sources of self esteem that are based on these qualities other than physical appearance and promote acceptance of natural diversity of body types. Do supervise their exposure to the media while you still can.

By Onyinye Orabuike

 

Issues bothering on potency  is the main cause of strife and even separation in many homes but  most couple who  find themselves in such situations  act on some non verbal agreement that makes them  keep family and friends groping in the dark. Rather than seek help, they   allow themselves to be marooned in the conspiracy of secrecy.

 

What level of erectile dysfunction is ?classified as impotence

If a man’s erection is not firm enough to allow vaginal penetration, he is impotent. If the erections have the necessary rigidity, but only briefly, he may have problems too. If the erection loses its strength upon penetration, he is more or less impotent.

 

 Causes of Impotence

Impotence is not by itself a disease, but is a secondary condition. It is a side effect, a symptom of something else. Medical research has been able to identify   some of the causes of impotence.

Psychological Impotence:  This describes the problem when physical causes are not present. It can be caused by job stress, a rocky marriage, concern over poor sexual performance or financial worries.   It should be noted that almost every man experiences temporary periods of impotence.

Diabetes:  Diabetes is the leading cause of impotence. This disease causes damage to small & large blood vessels, resulting in impotence in some men. It inflicts damage to peripheral nerves also, affecting the brain's ability to transmit its wishes to the body. About 50percent of all diabetic men become impotent after age 50.

Diseases of the Blood Vessels:   If the diseased or obstructed vessels are heart or coronary vessels, the disease produces heart attacks; when it’s to the brain, it produces strokes; and, when it's to the penis it produces impotence.

Radical pelvic surgery and spinal cord damage: Radical pelvic surgery and spinal cord damage can also cause impotence.

Medications and Treatments for Impotence

Viagra:  Viagra is one of the best known medications for erectile dysfunction. You need to be sexually stimulated for Viagra to be effective. Viagra works within an hour and usually lasts for three to four hours.

Transurethral Therapy:  A small pellet of a medication is put directly into the urethra.  The drug is absorbed into the erectile tissue of the penis. It gives an erection within five to ten minutes.

Injection Treatments:  A drug is injected directly into the shaft of the penis when you want to have sex. The medication usually works within 15 minutes.

 Hormone Treatments: The most common hormone abnormality is reduced levels of the male sex hormone, testosterone. Testosterone can be restored to a therapeutic level with hormone replacement therapy.

Penile Prosthesis:

 Penile prosthesis (implant) option is usually not considered until other forms of treatment have been tried. There are two types of penile implants,

The semi-rigid type penis implant: This penis implant keeps the penis rigid all the time. The penis can bend downwards when you're not having sex.

The hydraulic type penis implant: The penis stiffens when a pump that is implanted in the scrotum is activated.

 It is however, advised to seek medical counsel before treatments.

By Onyinye Orabuike