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Toke Makinwa And Guests Examine Housemates’ Strategy, Fights And Rocky Ships On The Buzz

by Women Times on

The discussion in the 14th episode of BBNaija S7: The Buzz sizzled with the Big Brother Naija house drama. The host, Toke Makinwa, and her guests, multi-award winning music producer and celebrity influencer, K-Solo; disc jockey and creative solutionist, VJ Adams; and celebrity chef and food blogger, Hilda Baci, had a swell time on set.

 

The conversation started with Phyna’s win in the Head of House games, which they all agreed was a much-deserved win for the former Level 2 housemates and helped turn their luck around.

 

From Phyna’s Head of House win, the discussion moved to the ships in the house, starting with Allysyn and Hermes’ relationship and how the latter requested some space from the relationship.

 

Still on the ships, Phyna, Chomzy, and Groovy were the next point of discussion. They talked about how Chomzy addressed the complicated history of Groovy’s relationship with Beauty and dating Phyna a few days after the former got disqualified from the show.

 

The focal point moved to Shella (Sheggz and Bella’s relationship), and the host and her guests agreed that Ebuka’s explosive question about their relationship during the last eviction show might have helped put the relationship into perspective for Sheggz.

 

Moving away from the relationships, Rachel’s emotional week was the next point of discussion. They all agreed that she had a trying week, starting with her “coven sister”, Chi Chi, her recurring issue with Hermes, and her position as the week’s Tail of House position also didn’t help better her bad week.

 

The exciting conversation then shifted to Adekunle, whom the male guests consider a Mastermind of the BBNaija game. For K-Solo and VJ Adam, the housemate is fun and a vibe to watch, while Toke and Hilda couldn’t help but find his game plan a bit annoying as they thought he was not fun to watch.

While they were divisive about Adekunle’s personality, the group agreed that Daniella was giving “side chic vibe” following Adekunle’s confession about having some feelings for her. They also doubted the genuity of Dotun’s feelings towards the poet.

 

To round up the conversation, the housemates’ tendencies to forget the purpose of their presence in Big Brother’s house for fleeting moments was dissected. Everyone agreed that Adekunle is the only housemate who is always aware of his purpose in Biggie’s house.

 

From the housemates’ game plan and momentary forgetfulness, the spotlight shifted to the infamous fight between Phyna, Bella, and Sheggz. For Toke, Phyna properly addressed her fight with the couple, especially when Bella mentioned the former was from the street. She, however didn’t think Sheggz was supposed to get involved in the ladies’ fight.

 

The Buzz is exclusive to Showmax, and new episodes drop on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7 pm WAT. Visit www.showmax.com or dial *447*2*2# from an MTN line to subscribe for Showmax mobile for as low as ₦1,200 to stay up to date on the drama from the BBNaija Level Up season.

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HealthLifestyle

Reducing The Risk of Clots During Pregnancy

by Women Times on

Having a baby is a special time in a woman’s life, a period that is meant to be filled with excitement and delight. However, bringing new life into the world is a delicate process and a level of caution is required to avert pregnancy-related conditions that can risk the lives of the expectant mother and her unborn baby.

Shockingly, Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all global maternal deaths. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum for a Nigerian woman is 1 in 22, compared to 1 in 4 900 in developed countries.

There are various factors that put pregnant women at risk for maternal deaths, with blood clotting – also referred to as venous thromboembolism, or VTE – one of the leading causes.

 “Expectant women are at risk of experiencing blood clots during the pregnancy, at childbirth, or up to three months after delivering their baby,” says Dr Helen Okoye, medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. “And, while anyone can develop blood clots, they should be aware of the risks that are associated with this condition during pregnancy.”

 

Why does pregnancy pose a higher risk?

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are five times more likely to experience blood clots compared to women who are not pregnant. There are various reasons for this. During pregnancy, a woman’s estrogen levels are higher than normal, which increases the chance of developing a clot, and a pregnant woman’s blood contains higher levels of clotting proteins and lower levels of anti-clotting proteins

 – which is the body’s way of safeguarding against too much blood loss during childbirth.

 

Other clotting risk factors include the fact that blood vessels around the pelvis area are pressed upon by the growing baby, resulting in less blood flowing to the legs. This is a common phenomenon at the midpoint of a pregnancy, says Dr Okoye.

“Another key issue is restricted movement towards the end of the pregnancy, or if the mother has to undergo bed rest after delivery, especially if she has had a C-section. A C-section is a surgery that could cause some damage to blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of a blood clot,” she advises.

Know your medical history

If a pregnant woman has a personal or family history of blood clots or a blood clotting disorder, or any long-term medical condition such as hypertension, lupus, sickle cell disease, diabetes, or lung and heart-related ailments, she must highlight it with her doctor or midwife at the onset of the pregnancy, cautions Dr Okoye.

“Expectant women and new moms should do regular visits to their antenatal and postnatal clinic and be as open as possible with their obstetrician/gynecologist or midwife up until a few weeks after delivery. Raise any medical concerns – this way, the medical team will be able to address possible threats and reduce the risk of clotting. This is especially relevant for first-time moms, who may not know what to look out for.”

Be aware of these signs

The WTD campaign highlights the following warning signs:

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually the leg, groin, or arm, is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Signs to look out for include pain or tenderness, often starting in the calf, swelling on the ankle or thigh or the affected limb, redness or noticeable discoloration, and warmth around the affected area.

If part of that clot breaks free and travels to the lungs, it can block blood supply and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which may be fatal. Signs of a PE include unexplained shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain (which may be worse upon deep breaths), rapid heart rate, and light-headedness or passing out.

If a diagnosis is made, make sure you adhere to the recommendations and medications prescribed by the doctors to keep the situation under control.

Gain peace of mind

A mother-to-be must do everything possible to ensure that she has a safe and healthy pregnancy, delivery, and recovery period. Throughout this time, don’t be afraid to raise things that are bothering you, with your doctor. Before you go to a medical appointment, write down a list of any concerns that you have, and take the list with you.

“It’s easy to get so caught up in what is going on during a medical check-up that you could forget to address pertinent issues,” says Dr Okoye. “Don’t be afraid to speak up about things that are bothering you. Even if it seems like a small issue, it’s important that you have peace of mind, and stay safe, during your pregnancy,” she concludes.

In addition to medical care, there are several activities and exercises that can be done while pregnant to promote body fitness and mental wellness. For instance, take brisk walks in your neighbourhood or engage in a well-structured fitness plan designed by a qualified fitness instructor in consultation with your doctor, to keep you fit, healthy and feeling upbeat.

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SportLifestyle

Nwokocha Suspended Over Use of Prohibited Substances

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, a Nigerian sprinter who ran the anchor leg in Birmingham earlier in August beating England and Jamaica to win Gold medal has been Provisionally suspended by Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) over the use of banned substances.

It was made known on Saturday In a statement by the body on Twitter.

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2),” The tweet read.

A provisional suspension means she is temporarily banned from competing until a final decision is made at a hearing that will be conducted under World Anti Doping Agency rules as the substances Ostarine and Ligandro found in her system are anabolic substances prohibited by WADA.

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LifestyleHealth

Love Binge-Watching TV? Watch Out, It’s A Habit That Could Harm You!

by Women Times on

If your weekends consist of you stretching out on the couch, a bowl of popcorn at one end and the TV remote at the other while you indulge in hours of TV, you may be putting yourself at serious risk, say health experts.

 

According to a new health study the consequences of sitting still and watching TV for long periods of time may increase your potential for forming blood clots. The study found that if you spend more than four hours a day watching TV, your chances of developing a fatal blood clot increase by more than 35% compared to those who watch for two and a half hours or less a day.

 

It’s the same kind of risk factor that affects people who are travelling on long-haul journeys, or are bedridden after surgery, and who are immobile for extended periods at a time. Keeping your body in a static, cramped state for hours at a time slows down your circulation and leads to blood pooling in your extremities, which increases the potential for forming venous thromboembolism (VTE), known more commonly as blood clots.

 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re fit, slim, and do exercise every day – marathon TV sessions are still a risky activity. According to the lead author of the study, Dr Setor Kunutsor of the University of Bristol, UK, the findings show that regardless of your gender, age, or body mass index (BMI), being inactive for long periods at a time is dangerous.

 

What you can do 

There are so many appealing shows to watch – like Big Brother on our screens right now, or the latest amazing Netflix series – that it’s unlikely that humans will stop binge watching anytime soon. If you know you’re going to be spending time glued to the TV, Dr Helen Okoye, medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign, gives the following advice to minimise your risk:

 

  • Take a break every hour to stand up and move around. A good tip is to drink lots of water regularly so that you have to get up to use the rest room even while watching your favourite show.

  • While you’re watching TV, tense and relax your leg muscles every now and then. Clots tend to start in the legs or pelvis, but can break free and travel through the bloodstream, lodging in small blood vessels in the lungs.

  • Invest in a stationary bike or a small rebounder trampoline and keep it in a corner of the sitting room. Make a pact with yourself that at least a portion of your TV time will be spent doing a light workout while you watch. You’ll have fun and feel like you’ve done something worthwhile at the same time!

  • Try not to snack while watching TV, and if you do, keep foods healthy – swap high-calorie fast-food for fruit, and sugary cool-drinks for water.

Studies have shown that spending time in front of the television is linked to an increased consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks. Many of us know how indulgent it feels to munch on a packet of chips while watching our favourite series, but there is a good reason we enjoy it so much. Watching a programme that you like and eating food you enjoy both offer your brain hits of dopamine, the pleasure chemical – so it’s no wonder many of us have an eating-while-watching habit! Be aware though, an over-indulgence of unhealthy foods can lead to obesity and high blood pressure, both of which raise clotting risks.

 

Doing exercise doesn’t eliminate risk

Unfortunately, being fit and physically active during the day doesn’t offset the increased risk of blood clots associated with prolonged TV sessions. According to Dr Okoye, staying still in any position for a prolonged time is a risk factor for VTE.

 

“Even if you regularly engage in physical activity, when you’re sedentary for long stretches of time, blood pools in your extremities rather than circulating freely around your body, which can cause blood clots. If small parts of these blood clots break off, they can travel in the bloodstream to your lungs, and cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE),” she says.

 

Dr Okoye advises that whether it’s watching TV or spending hours at your desk, it’s a good idea to limit the time you spend sitting, and essential to intersperse it with movement to encourage good blood circulation.

Be aware of the risks
Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of the dangers of clotting, or what they can do to avoid it. It’s the reason why World Thrombosis Day is doing all it can to highlight thrombosis as an urgent and growing health problem. According to Dr Okoye, one in four people worldwide dies from conditions caused by thrombosis.

“The good news is that there are many lifestyle adjustments you can make to minimise your risk of getting a DVT, and also that DVTs are preventable and treatable if discovered early,” she says.

So, while sitting for a long time is a bad habit many of us have gotten into, it’s an easy one to break. Before you sit down on the couch to watch TV the next time, ask yourself what your intention is. Will it be a quick break, or are you going to indulge in a TV fest? If it’s the latter, set an alarm to remind you to take regular breaks, and definitely try to limit the overall amount of binge watching you do.

And, advises Dr Okoye, because children’s eating and TV watching habits are so often modelled on what their parents do, incorporating healthy TV-watching patterns is a smart habit for the whole family to adopt.

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Sport

CWG:Tobi Amusan Wins 100m Hurdles Gold

by Women Times on

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has won the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The world champion successfully defended her title at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday in the women’s 100m hurdles final.

Amusan was able to run a Games record of 12.30s, setting other records as well, and becoming the first world champion to win gold and the first Nigerian athlete to do the same.

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SportLifestyle

World Athletics Championships: Tobi Amosun Becomes First Nigerian Athlete to Win Gold Medal

by Women Times on

In a record breaking victory, Tobi Amosun emerged  the first Nigerian athlete to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships when she won the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon on Sunday.

She overthrew the world record in a stunning semi-final where he clocked 12.12 seconds, crossed the line at Hayward Field in 12.06 seconds.

“To be honest, I’m confident in my abilities but I didn’t expect a world record at these championships,” Amosun said after her eventual victory.

“The aim is always just to do well and get the win. So the world record is a bonus. I knew it was in me but when I saw it on the screen after the semi-final, I couldn’t believe it.

“Before the final, I just tried to stay calm and do my best. I took a deep breath knowing I had a goal and it worked out great. I knew it was fast. But not that fast,” she added.

Congratulating her for the victory, President Muhammadu Buhari said Amusan’s career would continue to inspire upcoming generations in the country.

According to a release by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari expressed heartfelt congratulations to the world champion for winning the women’s 100m Hurdles at the World Athletics Championship 2022, setting a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a gold medal at a World Championship.

He joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance.

The President thanked the track superstar for making the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, leaving the nation with the excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.

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EntertainmentLifestyle

Nigerian Men Like Wickedness & Other Stories On The First Episode Of Off-Air With Gbemi And Toolz Show on DStv

by Women Times on

Two of Nigeria’s finest media personalities, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Toolz Oniru, who had previously launched their podcast, Off Air with Gbemi and Toolz in 2019, have taken it to the big screens! The Much Entertaining, Witty and FunFilled Podcast Premiered on Africa Magic Urban, DStv Channel 153 on the 8th of July, 2022,

The podcast has become a staple for Insightful and Mind Reeling conversations that cut across entertainment with the latest trends and juicy gossip happening across the world. On the first episode of Off-Air with Gbemi and Toolz, the Ladies explore conversations about how society expects women to dress, Instagram’s culture of fake life, why it’s hard for female musicians to stay relevant in the music industry and much more.

Let’s dive in a bit into some of the interesting TOPICS the media stars had to say  on the first episode of the show:

Nigerian Men Like Wickedness

The two ladies kick-started with the question, “Why do Nigerian Men Love Bitches?”.  The ladies further analysed how women love to shake things up and act crazy. They also said that Nigerian men lie when they say they like peace. According to them, they fall in love with women who give them heartache.

Boys Lie A lot

The hosts’ bluntness kept us glued from start to finish! One of the blunt takes from this episode was  Gbemi saying that boys lie a lot. According to her, most of them borrow money to take trips to different places when they don’t even own a pair of shirts. Ouch!

Get A Life!

If you’re one of those people who live above your means because you’re trying to impress a certain ‘successful’ lifestyle on Instagram, you seriously need to reconsider your life. According to Gbemi, “I think there’s something wrong with you if you sit on Instagram and start trying to live your life like other people.”

Being A Female In The Nigerian Music Industry Is Hard

They talked about the music industry and why it’s so hard for female musicians to break out and stay relevant in the industry. Toolz believes this happens because women keep putting themselves against each other. She also said it’s expensive to be a female artist because of all that goes on in planning for a show.

Male Artists Who Judge Female Artists Are Sick

They also dissed male artists who judged female artists for their looks. Toolz went a notch higher and said they insult women about their bodies when their tummy looks like they’re nine months pregnant.

The first episode of Off-Air with Gbemi and Toolz was everything and more, and brand new episodes will air every Friday on Africa Magic Urban on DStv channel 153 at 9PM.

DStv viewers can catch the show on the DStv app on multiple devices at no additional cost. You can sign-up or reconnect to DStv and GOtv today by downloading the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps from the Apple and Google Play stores or dial *288# to subscribe.

Visit https://www.dstv.com/africamagic.com  for more information.

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Health

8 Factors That Increase Your Risk of Developing Blood Clots

by Women Times on

By Dr. Helen Okoye, World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee

 

Blood clotting is necessary in our bodies as this stops the blood from uncontrolled flowing after a cut or injury; but it’s when blood clots are created when they’re not needed, that they can become life-threatening. A clot can slow or block normal blood flow, and even break loose and travel to an organ, which can cause a heart attack, stroke, or a venous thromboembolism which are the top three cardiovascular killers.

 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling but also can occur with no symptoms.

 

More people succumb to the life-threatening conditions caused by thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot in blood vessels, than the total number of people who lose their lives to AIDS, breast cancer, and car crashes combined, every year.

This disquieting fact makes it clear just how important it is to ensure that we are all aware of the risk factors that play a role in the development of blood clots – especially as thrombosis is both preventable and treatable if you know the symptoms and contact a healthcare professional immediately if needed. Dr. Helen Okoye, of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee, provides insight into the eight factors that can help identify if you’re at risk for developing blood clots so you can prevent them:

  1. Getting older

Although any person of any age can develop a blood clot, the risk of thrombosis increases with age. Those over the age of 60 are at higher risk, likely due to the fact that you’re more likely to develop other health conditions that increase your risk of developing a blood clot.

  1. Gender

Thrombosis can impact anyone, no matter their age, background, or gender. However, the risks can vary for men and women. Men have an overall higher risk of thrombosis than women, but women have risks that men do not because of pregnancy, hormonal birth control, or even hormone therapy after menopause. It is therefore important to take this into account when making any choices regarding family planning, pregnancy, or the treatment of menopause symptoms.

  1. Post-Surgery Recovery

Being hospitalised is a major risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is due to the fact that one usually spends a lot of time in bed recovering. Limited movement may cause blood to flow much more slowly in your deep veins, and may lead to clotting. In fact, up to 60% of all VTE cases occur during or within 90 days of hospitalization

Patients who have had blood vessel trauma after surgery are even more at risk. Major general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery are a few of the procedures that carry a higher risk of VTE development. It is also important to note that if you are obese or overweight, a smoker, have recently been diagnosed with DVT, are older, battling certain types of cancer, or have a history of DVT or other blood disorders, your chances of having DVT after surgery are increased.

  1. Smoking

Smoking can raise the risk of life-threatening blood clots as it damages the lining of blood vessels making it more likely for platelets to stick together at the damaged vessel lining and initiate the formation of clots. Even significant exposure to passive smoke can affect blood coagulation activity.

  1. Patients with Cancer

The risk of VTE is increased, and common, in patients with cancer due to cancer-specific factors such as type of cancer, and cancer treatment as well as surgery and hospitalization. Cancer patients are four times more likely to develop blood clots than the general population. Blood clotting can have serious consequences for cancer patients as there is higher risk of recurrent thrombosis, the risk of bleeding during anticoagulation and hospitalisation is increased, while survival time is decreased.

  1. A Family History of Blood Clots

You’re more likely to develop blood clots if you have family members who have had dangerous blood clots. This is because inherited causes of blood clots are linked to your genetics. People with a family history of life-threatening blood clots tend to develop thrombosis before the age of 45, although it is not very common. If you are aware of this pattern in your family, let your doctor know about it so they can make informed medical decisions any time you visit the hospital with an ailment. Knowing this also allows you to make the necessary lifestyle and dietary adjustments to avoid this problem.

  1. Being Overweight or Obese

Although being overweight or obese does not guarantee that you’ll develop thrombosis, weight can increase the risk of DVT as it puts greater pressure on the lower half of your body and increases pressure in the veins. Additionally, other negative effects of obesity such as chronic inflammation can be a major catalyst for thrombosis.

  1. Immobility

When your legs remain still for long periods of time it increases the risk of a blood clot as blood flow is hampered. Bedrest, hospital recovery, casts on legs, or even sitting for long periods of time while at work can result in a DVT which can cause pain. If part of the clot breaks off, it can also cause a pulmonary embolism which can be fatal.

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EntertainmentCareer

Veteran actress, Hilda Dokubo jubiliates as she bags Doctorate degree in Literature

by Women Times on

Actress Hilda Dokunbo has taken to her Instagram page as she jubilates bagging a Doctorate Degree in literature.

Weeks after Helen Paul bagged a PHD degree, Hilda Dokubo has been conferred with a Doctorate degree in Literature.

 

Hilda Dokubo can now be addressed as a Doctor of Literature in Leadership and Human development.

 

The degree is to honor the actress for her selfless works in leadership and human development in the country.

 

The degree was awarded by the Institute Suprereur of Technologies Et De Management.

 

Sharing the good news, Hilda Dokubo advised her fans to keep doing their works.

 

According to her, they can never know who is watching them.

 

“KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING. WELL…THIS IS MORE IMPORTANCE ONE IN THE BAG. HAVE A BLESSED DAY PEOPLE”.

 

 

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Entertainment

Actress Osas Ighodaro Celebrates Daughter’s 6th Birthday

by Women Times on

Nollywood diva actress Osas Ighodaro has taken to her Instagram page to celebrate her daughter’s birthday as she clocks 6.

The actress has shared her daughter’s picture on her page thanking, God, for adding another life to her daughter’s life. Osas Ighodaro eulogized her daughter saying she is proud to be her mother.

She wrote…

🎉💖🙏🏽 My sweetest baby girl is 6 years old tooooooday!!! Happppppiest Birthday my love @azariahajibade !!! I am sooooo proud to be your mommy!!! 🎉🤗🥹🙏🏽❤️.
Amazingly enough, it’s so gratifying to know that so many people you come across speak of your joy, light, kindness, sweetness, and intelligence at such a young age. You bring me so much, joy baby!!!

I love you so much my booboo and I’m so grateful to see the girl you are growing up to be!!! My Baby is 6 years old today!!! Praise God 🙏🏽💐💖

God is so good🥹. God bless you now and always my darling princess! May you continue to grow in grace and blessings and continue to bring light and kindness everywhere you go! I love you, my daughter!!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY AZARIAH BABY! I love you now and always! 🥰🥰🥰.
#HappyBirthdayAzariah#BirthdayGirl#MyHeart#Azariahat6#Blessed#Grateful#love#GodisGood 🎉🎉🎉

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