So Whispers My Soul…

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

Sometimes hurting sits like a heavy rock that sinks your spirit,

sometimes pain leaves tracks wider than a railroad,

sometimes despair runs so deep that it seems bottomless,

sometimes giving up becomes a relief that beckons so softly;

……

Those times when life has become such trying tedium,

that getting through each day seems an untold hardship,

I hate to offer platitudes that this too shall pass,

but my soul whisper to yours, don’t you ever give up!

……

Words I share with you, I share with myself,

the encouragement that I give you, I give to myself,

for I’ve found that whoever we are and wherever we are from,

we are all the same balancing our struggles on this journey called life.

Jacqueline

Don’t give up on today, you have no idea what tomorrow has to offer. Just wait and see

The Brief Smile…

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha20 Comments

From yards away, I saw her. Seated in a yoga pose on the brown bench, her back to the early morning sun, my quiet musing was interrupted.

Like a dog that sniffs at the air, I sniffed at the aura surrounding her and within a stone throw, I saw the unwitting frown line that dug into the sides of her lips; they were at odds with the smoothness of her forehead.

She raised a flask, took a sip and dropped it, all the time her right fingers tapped on her phone with speed that belied her pose. I watched her with more interest as I drew closer, my brisk steps slowed down a notch. I saw a tear as it escaped and raced down her pinkened cheek.

It could have been easier to avert my eyes and pretend I neither saw her nor witnessed her private pain. I didn’t want to embarrass her, yet, I couldn’t resist slowing down and deliberately saying hello to catch her eyes.

Her expressive dark brown eyes shared its story in that brief moment of raising them to look at me.

I smiled. I was smiling not just at the physical person that I saw, but at the soul within. I didn’t know what her burdens were and what the secret in her melancholic eyes was, but I hoped that in offering her that smile and nod, I offered her a prayer that made her know that yes, everything is going to be alright.

Health

Health: The Differences For Men And Women

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha2 Comments

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Given that men and women are the same species, it’s natural to expect that their health needs are the same. If you have previously thought this to be true, you’re not alone; many health experts aren’t as aware as they should be about how men and women differ. And — as we’ll soon discuss — this can lead to terrible consequences.

The reality is that though men and women are the same species, their healthcare needs can be hugely different. This is the true reality of biology. Different hormones, different organs— the two sexes are very separate from one another, with differing needs and requirements to ensure they’re able to get the most out of life.

Understanding the way that healthcare differs for men and women is extremely important for you and your partner. What’s right for one of you might not be for the other; you have different experiences, expectations, and healthcare needs. Below, let’s investigate the different ways in which healthcare requirements can differ between men and women– and how you can apply this knowledge to your own life.

Women Are More Likely To Have Their Physical Pain Ignored Than Men Are

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There’s a lot of discussion in the medical community as to why this is, but it’s a simple fact that studies confirm again and again: medical professionals don’t take women’s pain as seriously as they do men’s. There are countless stories which detail how this problem can impact healthcare treatment, some of which have truly tragic consequences.

Worryingly, while this issue is known, no one is entirely sure of the solution to it. One of the most-suggested solutions is for more female physicians, but female physicians are just as likely to underestimate women’s pain as their male counterparts. Some have suggested this all leads back to the old stereotype that women are “hysterical” and thus can’t be trusted to judge the severity of their own pain– a truly outdated idea with no basis in fact, but one that has serious implications.

If you find yourself in pain, then don’t hold back on the description– be honest. Explain what hurts, how much it hurts, and how it is impacting your ability to lead a normal life. If you’re not happy with how a doctor responds, then seek a second opinion, and a third if necessary too.

Men Are More Likely To Have Their Mental Pain Ignored Than Women Are

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This issue is predominantly societal; it comes from the assertion that men should be “strong” and “capable”. As a result, men find that their mental health is often overlooked by medical professionals– they are just expected to be able to deal with it.

Women, on the other hand, are more likely to be diagnosed and to receive treatment for mental health conditions. Some of this discrepancy is due to women being more likely to suffer from conditions such as anxiety, but this isn’t enough of a difference to explain the diagnosis rates.

The lack of diagnosis has real, serious consequences. Male suicide has been labeled a “silent epidemic”, with studies showing men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women– in some parts of the globe, this discrepancy is even higher. If men are not receiving diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as depression, it’s reasonable to conclude that this is influencing the abnormally high likelihood of male suicide.

If your partner is suffering from mental issues such as stress or depression, then encourage him to talk to you about them, and — ideally — a mental health professional. As with the physical pain issue for women, if you don’t receive a satisfactory response from the first doctor, then move on to a second opinion.

There Are More Screening Tests For Women Compared To Men

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Screening tests are tests which are performed to try and identify potential health concerns before they become truly problematic. The most common for women is the PAP smear, which most women are encouraged to have at least once every three years after the age of 25.

This is not the only screening test available to women, however. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you can be screened to see if you carry recessive genes. A high profile example of this testing was provided by Angelina Jolie. Jolie underwent genetic screening and discovered her likelihood of breast cancer was very high, leading to her making the decision to undergo a mastectomy as reported by EOnline.com.

Furthermore, women are encouraged to have mammograms on a regular basis over the age of 50 (though this does vary between countries). So, overall, women have three types of testing — dependant on their age — that can help identify serious problems with their health.

Men, on the other hand, are not so lucky. Women have access to screening tests for female-specific problems related to female hormones; breasts and cervical cancers. For men, the same theory applies; they are screened for the male-specific condition of prostate cancer. It’s fair to say that men don’t appreciate a prostate exam, but it is necessary to identify the signs of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is common in men, but also treatable; you can learn about Comprehensive-Urology.com if this is an area you’re less familiar with. It’s also worth encouraging your partner to be screened on a regular basis, especially if he’s over the age of 45.

However, prostate aside, there are few other screening tests that men are eligible for. Screening tests for bowel cancer are offered in some countries, but it’s fair to say that they are far from commonplace at the present time.

As a result of the lack of screening tests available to them, it could be argued that men have to be more vigilant about their own health than women are. On the flipside of the argument, women have more to need screening for– so the situation, arguably, evens out.

Symptoms Of Various Illnesses Are Very Different For Men And Women

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What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

Off the top of your head, you’re probably imagining a scene that is something like this:

A person is standing upright, focusing on a task. Suddenly, they begin to sweat. They clutch their hand over the left-side of their chest, their face clearing contorting with intense pain. They fall to the ground, calling for help, writhing in agony.

This is the way that heart attacks have been depicted by TV and movies for years… and it’s almost entirely incorrect for both genders. Heart attacks are rarely “lightning bolt” type events; they build slowly, becoming more severe. It’s even possible to have a heart attack and not even realize you had one; a fact that applies to both genders.

However, the main symptoms — pain in the left side of the chest, pain in the left arm — are decent indicators of heart problems… if you’re male. The symptoms of a heart attack for women are very different indeed; they also tend to be milder. There’s plenty of evidence to show how heart complications are different for men and women yet huge numbers in the medical community are unaware of how heart problems manifest differently between the sexes.

It’s not just heart attacks that suffer from this problem. Many health conditions have well-known symptoms that actually aren’t remotely relevant to what women might experience. What’s more, it’s not just the general populace who can be misinformed about this; many medical professionals aren’t aware of the difference between male and female symptoms so they may dismiss symptoms. This is a well-known issue that applies across a range of conditions, however, it’s tough to identify when it’s happening to you.

The only option for women to cope with this is to never just accept a non-diagnosis. If you believe you have a health condition, then push until you receive appropriate medical attention. Encourage your doctors to think outside the box and don’t be afraid to question them; if women don’t speak out to correct these anomalies in healthcare, then nothing is going to change.

In Conclusion

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Understanding the differences in male and female health conditions is incredibly important. We’re all different, but the differences between the sexes are stark. Both genders need to be able to advocate for themselves, especially if they are experiencing a health condition that is seen as “uncommon” to their gender– for example, mental health problems for men, or cardiac issues for women.

The key to moving past these issues is being willing to question any health advice you receive. A doctor should never be dismissive or annoyed when you ask for further information; in fact, if they are, then it’s probably a sign you’re going to want to look for another medic anyway. Many people accept what they are told, and as a result, continue to live with health complaints and difficulties that are treatable– if you can get access to the treatment.

So speak up, warn your partner to do the same, and your family should be able to get the healthcare that you deserve.

This is a sponsored post

Mundane Monday

Behind Bars…

October 23, 2017October 23, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

I walked past a workshop that had loads of painted tires lined up – I have no idea what they are meant for but they caught my eye for sure.

Painted Tires, Used Tires, Art

Mundane Monday challenge is created to find beauty in almost everything.

The challenge is simple. Find beauty in everyday mundane things, capture the beauty and upload the photographs.

Health

Is Your Head Harming Your Health?

October 23, 2017October 23, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

Mental health issues are terrible. Thankfully, they’re now recognized by health professionals as chemical imbalances. As such, treatment and general approaches have changed in significant ways.

But, there’s less focus on the way a ‘chemically healthy’ brain can cause damage to health. While not a medical issue, negative outlooks can cause health problems. Yet, many of us suffer from negative thoughts in at least some aspects. It’s a real issue. Which is why we’re going to look at some of the negative outlooks which could harm your health if you aren’t careful.

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Lack of confidence

We all experience a lack of confidence at some point. You could argue that it’s a result of the competitive pressure we place on beauty. But, whatever the reason, lack of confidence usually starts in our teens and haunts us throughout our lives. As well as leading to issues such as depression, lack of confidence can lead to problems like anorexia, which can do untold damage to health.

If you’ve been fighting a lack of confidence, it’s past time you addressed the issue. You could choose to embrace some self-love practices and become more acquainted with your body. Or, you may want to take more extreme measures, such as cosmetic surgery. You could even opt for a less-invasive option like non-surgical lipo. If you think this is the way to go, you can contact Cosmetic Laser Dermatology and others like them for more information. Bear in mind that a step like this may not have the desired impact on your outlook. It may also be necessary to engage in the self-love activities mentioned above. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in the same position.

Disinterest

We feel disinterest for a variety of reasons, some of which require medical help. Depression, for example, often leads to apathy. If you think this may be the case, it’s important to seek medical help. But, sometimes, the cause is more to do with our outlook. Secretly, many of us would prefer an evening on the sofa to a night out. But, if you pass up every opportunity, you’ll soon find that issues such as depression creep up on you. Not to mention that inactivity can cause weight gain and other health issues.

To get around the issue, find ways to boost your energy levels, such as healthy eating, or exercise. It may also be worth finding hobbies which peak your interest. That way, you’ll be more motivated to make an effort.

Destructive cravings

It’s not unusual to seek relief from stress. But, many of us satisfy the need through destructive behaviours such as drinking, smoking, or drug use. You don’t need us to tell you what these could do to your health.

Instead of giving in to destructive cravings, find a release which isn’t harmful, such as reading, or playing games. Evidence has shown that you get a chemical buzz from game playing, like that of an addict. So, why not give it a go and see how much better you feel?

Health · Life · Lifestyle

Old Age? Don’t Take It Lying Down!

October 21, 2017October 21, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha12 Comments

Image

Once you get past a certain age, it’s very likely that you think you’re going on the scrapheap of life. You may feel yourself waning, your energy levels dipping, and you may think that it’s time to calm down and give in. In short, don’t! Instead, why don’t you try a few simple techniques to help you address the key things that may be missing in your life, so you can enjoy it more, and quite possibly feel a bit younger?

Keep The Oil Fresh

in other words get checkups on every single faculty. Go to a doctor, go to an ophthalmologist, spend time getting those regular checkups, and make sure that you are fighting fit. Also, you need to keep yourself healthy by moving! Your body is a machine, don’t forget this. It was built to be active, so use it as best as you can. On the topic of health, your body is like a car, and you wouldn’t put the wrong fuel in your car, so why should you put the wrong fuel in your body? Start to eat well, think about getting more omega-3 in your diet, more fish, and a general smorgasbord of fruit and vegetables.

Dress With Some Flair!

Look at the French fashion icons in their 70s, take some inspiration from these. Then dress with some style and finesse yourself, they don’t go to recapture their youth by dressing young, so take their lead and go for some style. Look at French and Italians; they seem to get better as they get older. Do some research, and get inspired!

Start To Feel Good!

No doubt you may have been doing things that please everybody in your early years because you had to get on with it. It’s now your time, so do what makes you happy. Yes, we look after others, and it’s not to say that it’s time for you to be selfish, but start to prioritize more time to get to know yourself. Enjoy that quiet time with a glass of wine, sit outside with a crossword and a coffee. It’s these little pleasures in life that you will remember more than anything. And who’s to say that you need to not go out on dates with your partner? There are so many great ways to stimulate the mind and body.

Socialize!

The main concern about the descent into old age is that you could possibly feel isolated or a bit hemmed in at home. And regardless of your age, there is always someone who is going through the same thing as you, nobody is ever alone in these things, no matter if you feel you are on your own. Start to make more time for your friends, go out for meals, and enjoy a healthy and stimulating conversation. Negativity is something that can begin to creep in, and much like a midlife crisis, we can feel that we don’t have a use anymore in life. So, start to enjoy your time, do something that makes you stimulated. Read a book, learn a language, learn an instrument. Just because you are older in years doesn’t mean that you are past your sell-by date! So enjoy yourself.

Age is viewed as a negative thing, so let’s try and reverse this trend. Age is not a negative thing; it is about experience and vitality!

Poetry/Poems

What My Mama Said To Me…12

October 20, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

Wisdom, Mother Knows Best, Proverbs, Mother and Child

Mama said to me, baby,
you can’t stand on the ground
and be pointing up at the ripe palm nuts,

You must be willing
to get your fingers stained with oil palm
in order to enjoy its succulence.

Jacqueline

This piece is an excerpt from my work-in-progress.

You can read my book, Unbridled on Kindle Unlimited for free.

Amazon
Kindle

Health · Lifestyle

Life After a Heart Attack- What Comes Next?

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha3 Comments

Heart problems are the biggest causes of preventable deaths in the western world, a frightening statistic. Heart attacks, heart disease and other cardiovascular issues are often a direct result of poor lifestyle choices. Eating the wrong foods, not exercising, smoking, drinking too much and taking drugs all take their toll.

Image sourced from here

Thanks to great medical advancements, fast transport such as air ambulance services and the fact that heart attack can quickly be recognised these days, more people are surviving them. However once you have had one you’re at risk of another unless you change your ways, so if you’re wondering what comes next after a heart attack, here are a few things to bear in mind.

Understand Your Medication

Your medications will depend on what the cause for your heart attack was. You should learn what each of these medicines does, and know exactly when you should take them and how. For example, will you need to take them with or without food, at certain times of the day or in combination with other medicines? If for example your heart attack was caused by hypertension you may need to take additional pills for your high blood pressure. You should also ensure you’re not caught short without them in an emergency, so if you’re travelling, for example, you will need to bring extra in case of delays.

Image sourced from here

Decide on Lifestyle Changes

Heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues are sometimes a genetic problem which is out of your control. However, if yours was due to lifestyle decisions, it’s paramount you make a change. Clean up your diet, and find out from your doctor what exercise you can do once you’re recovered. Swimming, walking and other low impact activities are usually good choices. Stop your drink, drug and smoking habits, get enough sleep and generally look after yourself. While a heart attack can be scary, but for some people, it’s what’s needed to shock them into action to make a change. Maybe you didn’t realise how bad your lifestyle was, or just thought ‘it will never happen to me’. Now that you know the consequences, you know what you need to do to live a healthier life in future.

Seek Support and Advice

Having people you can speak to about what happened, your fears and concerns are important. If you feel as though you can’t speak to loved ones, try a helpline or go on a forum for people in the same position. Those who have already had heart attacks will understand the situation you’re in and may be able to give objective advice as well as support.

Thankfully, many people go on to live a normal and healthy life after a heart attack. If you’re one of the lucky ones who survived, see it as a second chance at life. Use it as an opportunity to make a positive change. Eat better, make better decisions, spend time with loved one and don’t take life for granted.