Sexually Transmitted
Infections 		Tuberculosis Swine Flu
World Kidney Day Health Eating
Habits 		Meningitis
Life with Diabetes.
IS THIS YOU? SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: 		WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY Menopause


Fitness Quiz! Check yourself by completing this little quiz and remind yourself of what you should do.

Time management is self management

What is Anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describe an eating disorder charactherised by low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight.
Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, purging, vomiting, excessve exercise, or other weight control measures like diet pills or diuretic drugs. It primarily affects young adolescent girls, but there are treatments available and help should be sought.
Seek Medical advice and treatment.





SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

General Facts about STI`s
  • These are infections that can be transmitted from one person to the other through sexual contact.
  • There are more than 25 diseases that are transmitted through sexual activity
  • Other than HIV and AIDS, the most common STI`s are :
  • Chlamydia; Gonorrhoea; Syphillis;Genital Herpes; Human papilloma virus; Hepatitis B;
    Trichomonas and bacteria vaginosis
If left untreated, sti`s can have severe consequences especially to women , eg :
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases and;
  • Infertility
  • Cancer Cervix


SIGNS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Get treated as soon as you or your partner have any of these signs:
  • Pus or discharge coming out of the penis or vagina
  • Sores or blisters or warts in the vagina area
  • Pain in lower abdomen
  • Itching or redness in the genital area
  • Unusual swelling in the groin
REMEMBER:
Some sexually transmitted infections have no signs, or do not show for a long time,
sex without a condom puts you at risk of getting STI`s





Help keep SWINE FLU out of South Africa

H1N1 fact sheet

H1N1 Flu Booklet 2009-05-01 by the United Nations.





Menningitis - read more!




TUBERCULOSIS :

The month of March is declared by the National Health Calender as the TUBERCULOSIS month, so, lets talk about TB :

Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of deaths in the developing countries.
It is caused by a gram-positive rod-shaped organism called Mycobacterium Tuberculi and it is estimated by the World Health Organization that more than 1.6 million deaths were directly related to tuberculosis globally in 2005.
Almost one third of the world population is infected by the bacillus.


MODE OF TRANSMISSION
It is transmitted by a droplet infection: when an infected person talks loudly; sneezes ; or coughs the organizm escapes from the upper respiratory tract and remains suspended in the air as a droplet particle, and when a healthy person inhales that droplet, the organism gets through to the respiratory system and localizes on the upper parts of lungs where there is free flow of air.
Most of the time the bacteria is killed by the immune system but in those people with lower immunity the organism goes on multiplying and culminate to full form of TB.

MAjOR SYMPTOMS
  • Produce cough for a period not less than three (3) weeks (sometimes mixed with blood)
  • Chest pains
  • Loss of weight/ shortness of breath
  • Night sweats
  • Loss of appetite
All supervisors are kindly advised to inform Me BVC Thithi (Wellness Unit) if any of their offficials is on TB treatment.

NB !

TB can infect any other organ, i.g. intestines; bones; etc, in which case it is not infectious,
however, for more information; please visit
  • your Doctor,
  • nearest clinic
  • or call EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS @
Tel : 051 506 1543
Mobile : 0836325498
e mail : bayo@agric.fs.gov.za
.......................................................................................



STOP TB!
BECAUSE YOU CAN

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE TB ?

You will probably have some of the following signs or symptoms if you have TB:
  • Coughing for more than two weeks
  • Coughing up blood
  • Loss of appetite
  • Chest Pains
  • Loss of weight
  • Lumps or swellings
  • Tiredness
  • Night Sweats
  • Shortness of breath
TB can be cured if you take your medication for full 6 months
!!!!!!!!!!!! SO ? Visit your nearest clinic or doctor
For further information, please contact WELLNESS UNIT Tel : 051 506 1615



TUBERCULOSIS (TB)


CAN BE CURED WITH 6 MONTHS TREATMENT TAKING

VISIT YOUR CLINIC IF YOU HAVE THREE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS AND SYPTOMS:

  1. Coughing for more than 3 weeks.
  2. Night sweats and fever.
  3. Loss of appetite and weight.
  4. Tiredness and weakness.
  5. Chest pains.
  6. Coughing of blood.

Tel : 051 506 1543
Mobile : 0836325498
e mail : bayo@agric.fs.gov.za
FS Department of Agriculture





World Kidney Day!

12 March is World Kidney Day
If you suffer from a cramping pain in your lower back and side (in the area of the kidney) or in the lower abdomen, you might be suffering from kidney stones.
======================================================================
(Extracts from a document provided by the Free State Sport Science Institute - FSSSI)

What is a kidney stone:
  • Kidney stones are solid pieces of material which is formed out of substances in the urine.
  • It may stay in the kidney or break loose and travel down the urinary tract.
  • Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent or inhibit the crystals from forming.
  • These inhibitors do not seem to work for everyone, thus, some people end up with kidney stones.
  • A small stone may pass out of the body without causing too much pain.
  • A large stone can get stuck in the ureter, the bladder or urethra.
  • Some stones might block the pathway of urine and this will cause a lot of pain.
  • Doctors do not always know what causes a stone to form.
  • While certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are susceptible, scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible.
Symptoms?
  • Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms.
  • Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine.
  • Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen.
  • Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur.
  • Pain may spread to the groin later on.
What can I do to avoid more kidney stones?
  • Drink more water! About 12 glasses a day! Water helps to flush substances that forms stones.
  • Limit coffee, tea and coke to 2 cups/glasses a day. Caffeine may cause you to loose fluid to quickly.
  • Depending on the type of stone you have, your doctor will recommend to cut some food or to take in more of some food.


For more information, see the following websites:
http://www.kidneystonepain.net
OR
http://www.kidneystonescauseuti.com
OR
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000458.htm

EMPLOYEE HEALTH and WELLNESS UNIT
051 506 1543






Health Eating Habits

Food Group Choose more often Choose less often
Dairy Low or Fat-free milk, cheese and yoghurts High fat cheeses, full-cream milk, cream, ice-cream
Meat and alternatives Fish, especially oily fish, chcken (preferably skinless), lean cuts of meat (fat trimmed), beans and legumes. Fatty cuts of meat such as prime rib, spare ribs, fried meats and fried seafood.
Fruit Strive for 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day and try to eat as much of a variety as possible. Fresh or dried coconut
Vegetables Strive for 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Pay attention to preparation methods. Vegetables prepared with cream or high fat sauces, creamy coleslaw and French fries.
Bread and Cereals Whole-grain bread, rolls, pita bread, high fibre cereals, pasta, brown rice. Croisants, Danishes, doughnuts, pies, rich cakes and garlic bread.
Fats and Oils Soft low-fat spreads, fat-free sald dressings and mayonaise. Butter, hardened brick margarine.

The Top Ten Ways to make Heart-Healthy Changes . . .
  • Stop Smoking
  • Be active; exercise 3-5 times a week for 20-50 minutes.
  • Take a break when life becomes stressfull.
  • Make a heart-healthy shopping list and follow it. Don't stop when hungry.
  • Read food labels and choose foods low in total fat, especially saturated fat.
  • Try lower fat cooking methods such as baking, grilling and steaming.
  • Add new heart-health recipes to your menu.
  • Reduce foods with 'hidden' fat content (such as many snack foods).
  • Celebrate each goal you reach.
  • Ask your doctor about cholesterol lowering eating habits.
Wellnes Unit     051 506 1543
You health is Your Wealth!