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Friday, 19 April 2024

Demystifying Asthma (Part 2)

WeekendLife

DR BOIMA
HEALTH ISSUES


As discussed last week, asthma is a disease in which the airways that get air into and out of the lungs are narrowed thus compromising the persons breathing. This narrowing can be as a result of exposure to either allergies (plants, dust, certain smells) or non-allergic triggers (exercise, flu, smoke etc.).

Sufferers usually present with symptoms of struggling to breathe or suffocating, tight chest, wheezing breath or continuous dry cough.

Though asthma can start in adulthood, mostly symptoms become first noticeable in infancy or early childhood. People at more risk of developing asthma in their life are those with strong family history of asthma or allergies, or those who are exposed to more allergens in their environment.

Despite asthma being a life-long disease, most people can outgrow it when they grow up or when they change location/stay away from triggers.  Despite the fact that asthma has no cure and the asthma attacks can be quite scary, the best important thing is for the patient (and their families) to know and understand their illness so they can live a normal life.

What is the best way to manage asthma?

Prevention – Like with all chronic illnesses, prevention of symptoms in asthma is the best strategy. All asthmatic patients are different, so a person should know what situations tend to trigger their attacks and try by all means to avoid them whenever possible (e.g. dust, smoke, perfumes etc.). If it means changing a workplace or a town then health care officers are always willing to assist in that regard by advocating to the employer/supervisors/school head for a move.

Medications – Asthma medications may come in the form of syrup, pills or inhalers (sprays). However, inhalers (attached picture) are the most effective way to deliver medication in asthmatics because they allow the medicine to go directly into the lungs where it is needed. The two groups of medications used in asthma are; relievers and preventers.

Relievers – These are fast-acting medications that give quick relief to symptoms of asthma when they occur. They are bronchodilators, which mean they relax the muscle around the airway to allow opening up of the airway.  Everyone with asthma should carry a reliever medication/spray at all times in case of asthma symptoms or an asthmatic attack. Relievers should not be used on a regular basis. In fact, if you find that you need to use your reliever more than three days in a week then your asthma may not be well controlled and you need to go back to the doctor to prescribe (or adjust doses of ) a preventer . These sprays usually come in a blue colour.

Preventers – These are long-term medications that help to maintain asthma in a controlled state (prevent frequency and severity of asthma attacks). Preventer medications are usually inhaled steroids and long-acting bronchodilators that make the airways less sensitive, reduce redness and swelling and help to dry up mucus. They need to be taken every day in order to be effective, and it may take a few weeks before they reach their full effect. Preventers usually come in a purple or brown colour.

Is asthma a serious illness?

Absenteeism – usually living with asthma should not affect the person’s daily life but if treatment is not taken properly or at all it means the symptoms won’t get controlled, therefore there will be a high number of missed school or work due to the symptoms and the patient may not be able to take part in some activities they enjoy.

Asthmatic attack – asthma symptoms only get serious during an attack.  It is important to stick to the medications (especially preventers) to avoid getting the attacks. Once an attack is experienced at home, the patient should take their relievers and see if they get any relief. If they think the symptoms are not getting better or are getting worse they should waste no time and hurry to the hospital’s emergency department.

At the hospitals patients will most likely get the relief medication through nebulization, get oxygen per face mask and injectable drugs. Every asthmatic patient should ask their doctor for an asthma action plan, and this plan should be known to people around that patient too.

Death – severe symptoms during an attack can be fatal, especially if no action is taken during an attack and emergency care is delayed. But otherwise if all precautions are taken, asthma is not supposed to kill.

Do medications have any side effects?

There are a lot of myths around asthma sprays and many people locally are concerned about their potential side effects. Asthma medications are generally very safe, and most of the side effects are negligible. Side effects experienced can be local or systemic.

Local side effects occur directly on the part of the body affected by the medication e.g. bad taste in the mouth experienced when using preventer sprays. Systemic side effects are those effects caused by absorption of the medication into the bloodstream. An example of a systemic side effect is dizziness which can be caused by reliever medications when they are first started or when they are over-dosed.


In general, asthma sprays are not addictive; neither can the patient develop tolerance or resistance to them from prolonged use as Batswana think. In fact, it is more dangerous and fatal for an asthmatic patient not to be on asthma sprays than to be on them.

For comments email agboima@yahoo.com

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WeekendLife

Radio titans gloss RB2

11th April 2024

 

In a thrilling turn of events, former YFM on-air presenter Petula Khulman, now known as Petula El’Kindiy, is set to co-host the morning show with the station’s current star, Thabo Bolokwe, fondly referred to as T.H.A.B.O. Petula’s radio journey began at Yarona FM and spanned over a year and a half, during which she honed her skills and developed a loyal fan base.

Petula, a Media Studies graduate from Rhodes University, holds a wealth of experience in the industry. Her career took her across borders, from Yarona FM to Gabz FM, and even to a community radio station, Bay FM. She later returned to YFM, where she hosted a show called The Plaground.

Her latest venture, “The Morning Essentials,” kicked off on July 1, 2020. The show, which airs from 3am to 5am on weekdays and 6am to 10am on Saturdays, quickly gained popularity among listeners. Petula attributes her success to her passion for media, music, and dance, as well as her appreciation for her colleagues at YFM.

However, her journey wasn’t without its challenges. In 2023, her work permit was denied by South African authorities, leading to a temporary pause in her radio career. Despite the setback, Petula remains undeterred and is ready to bring her bubbly personality and captivating voice back to the airwaves of RB2.

 

Adding to the excitement, Khumo ‘Missgeekays’ Kgwaadira is also making a comeback. The popular media personality and businesswoman, who was last heard on RB2 in October 2022, will be back on air from Monday. Missgeekays, who owns a restaurant called Kana Kgang, has been keeping herself busy with various ventures, including a stint as a freelance presenter.

Her return to RB2 is eagerly anticipated, and her fans are thrilled to hear that she will be back in her familiar mid-morning slot. The exact details of her show are still under wraps, but one thing is for sure – with the new lineup, RB2 is poised to make a big splash in the radio landscape.

“With the new lineup, RB2 will be the biggest thing ever. We expect fireworks and amusement from the morning through mid-morning and the afternoons. All the faces that are returning to the airwaves will contribute to the radio station’s growth and a snowballing of listenership,” a source close to the station revealed.

So, get ready for a thrilling ride as RB2 unveils its new look and lineup this coming Monday. With Petula El’Kindiy and Khumo ‘Missgeekays’ Kgwaadira leading the charge, there’s no doubt that RB2 is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever!

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WeekendLife

Strawberry Ritual: An unconventional key to virtual interview success

11th April 2024

In the modern era of swift communication, where digital platforms have become the cornerstone of professional interactions, mastering the nuances of a Zoom interview is a vital skill for job applicants. The pivot towards remote work has rendered platforms like Zoom indispensable for establishing connections with prospective employers. So, imagine if we told you that a humble fruit could be the secret ingredient to enhancing your self-assurance and excelling in that virtual interview? Indeed, the fruit in question is the strawberry!

“A whopping 59.1% of the workforce prefers remote work over a conventional office setting,” asserts Forbes, a staggering fact that underscores the global trend of working from home. In the UK, Zoom witnessed a dramatic surge in its daily active users (DAU), peaking at approximately 1.7 million around the end of November 2020. This significant upswing in DAU coincided with the onset of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, as more individuals began participating in virtual meetings for both work and social engagements with their families and friends.

But how does a strawberry fit into this narrative? What might seem like a punchline to a whimsical joke could revolutionize your approach to virtual job interviews. CEO Chantry Somtun of JustBanter shares this ingenious trick that could make a world of difference.

According to CEO Chantry Somtun of JustBanter, consuming a strawberry before your Zoom call could have a profound impact on your performance. The National Institute of Health has discovered that strawberries contain folate, a compound that aids in calming nerves and reducing anxiety by stimulating the production of serotonin, a hormone crucial for maintaining a positive mood and mental well-being. Moreover, strawberries are teeming with anthocyanins, antioxidants that enhance brain and emotional health, making them an excellent choice for those seeking to alleviate stress and anxiety before significant virtual meetings.

So, how can you incorporate this simple yet potent trick into your pre-Zoom routine? It’s as straightforward as savoring a few fresh strawberries 10-20 minutes before your call. If fresh strawberries are unavailable, frozen ones or even a refreshing strawberry smoothie can serve as excellent alternatives. For the best results, consume the strawberries on an empty stomach to ensure faster absorption of folate and maximize their mood-enhancing benefits.

Beyond just soothing your nerves before a critical interview, strawberries offer a myriad of health benefits, such as being rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to overall well-being. By integrating strawberries into your pre-Zoom ritual, you can not only boost your confidence but also support your body’s health in the process.

In a competitive job market where first impressions matter, adopting this unconventional yet effective strategy could be the game-changer you need to distinguish yourself and leave a lasting impression on potential employers. Therefore, the next time you have a Zoom interview scheduled, reach for some strawberries and experience the positive difference they can make in enhancing your confidence and performance.

In a world where virtual connections have become the new norm, utilizing simple yet powerful techniques like the strawberry trick can set you apart and help you navigate the challenges of virtual job interviews with ease. By capitalizing on the natural benefits of this humble fruit, you can elevate your Zoom confidence to unprecedented heights and pave the way for success in your job search. So, why not seize the day? Grab some strawberries, take a bite, and witness your Zoom interview game soar to new heights!

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WeekendLife

Mrs Botswana’s ‘MO’ to gender parity

18th March 2024
Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong

Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong, an illustrious beacon brightening the corners of Botswana, wields her vision for gender equity and empowerment like a torch, illuminating paths for her community. Standing at the helm of the Anaya-Tlhwatlhwa Foundation, and donning multiple hats as an international personal wellness coach, a savvy business magnate, and the esteemed Mrs. Botswana 2023/24, her mission is to cast rays of change into the lives she touches.

Her strategy for bridging the gender divide is both comprehensive and visionary. Mokgathong, understanding the vitality of lifting women and girls, equally champions the cause of young boys and men. She advocates for a culture of mutual admiration and understanding across gender lines, fostering a society unbound by the shackles of conventional gender roles—a society where balance and harmony reign supreme.

 

In her magnum opus, a collaborative venture with entities like NAPHA, Men and Boys for Gender Justice, the Botswana Police Service, and Girls for Girls Botswana, lies a quest for familial empowerment. Her goal is to fortify the foundation of families, supporting parents and guardians, sons and daughters alike, equipping them with the capabilities to forge strong intrapersonal and professional bonds.

 

“My project is family oriented, we want to focus on the family as a whole, we want to help both parents or guardians, men and women and the children of households both boy and girl. I am passionate in doing so because lately women and the girl child have been given a pedestal, they have been given a lot of help and a lot of recognition while men are considered as perpetrators and young boys are neglected, therefore we want to groom both the girl and boy child so that they grow up to be able to interact with each other and when they get to relationships, be it personal or work wise,” she said.

 

Mokgathong’s reach extends further than mere intervention; she invests in the empowerment of individuals through education, skill development, and the allocation of resources crucial for autonomy and enduring triumphs. By nurturing innate capabilities, igniting the flames of innovation, and promoting entrepreneurship, she sets the stage for marginalized communities to emerge from the shadows of dependency, crafting their own realms of prosperity.

 

“As we educate a girl child to be strong and independent, we also enable a young man or boy to be able to accept that strong independent woman, ensuring that the equation is balanced. I also want to help stop gender-based violence while protecting our children. When I began my initiative, it was based on GBV and child protection, but it developed into campaigning for the less fortunate and vulnerable,” she stresses.

 

Her journey, fraught with hurdles, including early disappointments in her pursuit of the Mrs. Botswana title, stands testament to her resilience and indomitable spirit. Gratitude fills her heart for mentors, sponsors, kin, and comrades whose support has sculpted her into the powerhouse she is today.

 

She says: “People want to be involved with you when you are a top finalist or the reigning queen. When I first started, I was only a person, and it was difficult and time-consuming to generate cash, solicit donations, and obtain obligation, particularly in rural areas. But right now, as the reigning queen it is a bit easier to reach out to collaborators and sponsors and I pray to God that as I am continuing with my project after crowning the new queen it will continue to be so and growth and more people will be willing to invest and help out.”

 

Juggling her myriad roles demands the prowess of a maestro, yet Mokgathong thrives by weaving her family into her philanthropic endeavors and mastering the art of time management. She empowers young aspirants to self-reflect, establish objectives, harness mentorship and sponsorship, and gear up for the trials that lie ahead.

 

As Mrs. Botswana, her ambition soars beyond personal accolades; it’s tethered to the upliftment of her nation through the empowerment of women, the nurturing of men’s talents, and the preparation of the youth for a flourishing future. She envisages expanding the Anaya-Tlhwatlhwa Foundation’s influence, delving deeper into rural engagements to sow seeds of empowerment and hope for generations yet to come.

 

“For charity work to be more effective, I believe we need to empower other than just giving. We need to empower the less privileged and the vulnerable, with the right skills and knowledge so that they can sustain themselves in the long run. We need to help those who are talented and innovative. I am proud to say my work is doing wonders, the kids that we are mentoring are able to find direction in life, they now know what they want to be as they grow up and they are able to identify subjects they want to study and career they want to pursue. Families that we have been in contact with, families that are from different background are able to identify their skills and they are able to grow and turn them into businesses.”

 

In essence, Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong stands as a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration in Botswana. Her unwavering commitment to fostering gender equality, community upliftment, and personal development lights the way for others. Through her relentless endeavors and steadfast dedication, she renders a profound impact on her community and beyond, etching a durable mark of empowerment and optimism.

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