How to lose belly fat??? Getting rid of cellulite?? These are some of the most searched topics on Google in Kenya and more so by the female counterparts. Having that hour glass shape in Kenya popularly referred to as \’figure 8\’ is something that all girls would die for. An hour glass shape in Kenya is defined where the bust and hip measurements are at least ten inches wider than the waist. Think hourglass, think Kenyan Vera Sidika! Vera Sidika in Kenya has a wasp waist coupled with a full upper and lower endowment. That is the kind of body shape in Kenya that all Nairobi girls would want to have-right?

We have on the other extreme, the dreaded muffin top shape in Kenya. I tend to think that this is a somewhat funny name. Muffin top? Really? Anyway, this is the effect created by tight low rise trousers that sit on your hips. The lower back flesh tends to form a tyre? And falls over the waist n walaaaa! A muffin top! This is the most dreaded of body shapes in Kenya.

Body shapes in Kenya are in most cases gene defined, but you can work to almost get an hour glass shape. Corset training in Kenya is an extreme solution whereby your waist gets reduced by inches. Then of course there is the lipo-sunction in Kenya option which I do not advocate for. Going the natural is always the best way.

Dressing the part in Kenya! Yes, this is a key component of your image in Kenya. To achieve that coveted hourglass shape accentuates your waist by wearing belts and clothes that nip in at the waist. The right clothes can definitely create the illusion of a tiny waist. Jackets with padded shoulders also tend to add bulge to the upper torso and create a tiny waist illusion

Always opt for high rise jeans as opposed to low cut jeans. Low rise jeans usually push up even the least of belly fat thus creating a muffin top shape. High rise jeans however sit above your hips and ensure that any visible fat is well tucked in. Dark coloured jeans also tend to complement curvy figures. They make the legs appear slimmer and the bum wider helping you achieve the hourglass shape.  Lighter colours are best suited on slimmer silhouettes.

Wearing properly fitting clothes in Kenya to reveal that created hourglass works magic. High heels are a perfect accompaniment to this image. High heels generally tend to lift the bum and cause the legs to look longer and better toned. High heels give a woman a good posture and an awesome wiggle. If you can, try out a pair of three inch shoes with this figure!

Finally, well fitting push up bras are the last add on to this look. These work well especially for women who are not much endowed. Hour glass figures are known for their fuller busts. A bra with an under wire helps in lifting the bust while a padded bra helps to increase bust size in appearance.

Girls, therein lies the secret.  It is time to work the magic, without necessarily killing yourselves in the gym in Kenya.

It’s the leading national voluntary run nonprofit making organization in Kenya established in 1995 after Cancer emerged as a leading cause of death in the country. Its main headquarters is Located in Nairobi at the National Nurse Association complex. Some of the functions of the association include:

• To raise public awareness on Cancer and prevention and early detection
  

• Mobilize and lobby stakeholders to prioritize cancer in their programs.

• To ensure high quality cancer care in Kenya

• Research and patient support of people affected by Cancer

• Advocacy in all Cancer related issues.

KENCASA has also involved in a number of pioneering work in the areas of Cancer. Some of the achievements of Kenya Cancer include;

• Establishment of the children’s Cancer ward in major hospitals in Kenya, like in Kenyatta National Hospital.

• Kenya Cancer has also been involved in numerous screening and cancer awareness activities in the country over the past years

• The biggest achievement perhaps was the initiating, developing with experts and government ministries for the National Cancer Control Act that was signed into law by the Kenyan president in 2012.

To get in contact with the Kenya Cancer Association to volunteer, donate or visit Cancer patients all over Kenya one can call +254 20 267 7319/+254 717 666 044 or else if you want to know more about the Cancer Association you can visit their website [email protected]

Autism is a brain disorder characterized by difficulties in social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communications and repetitive behaviours. This affects many children in Kenya and the challenge in Kenya is school placement for autistic children.

While there is no cure for the condition, there is new evidence that the use of technology improves their communication, assists in the development of social skills and enhances their ability to learn. Though technology cannot provide a cure for children, it motivates them and increases their attention span and ability to interact socially.

Researchers in the Autism Support Centre in Kenya found out that most autistic children exhibit signs such as lack of communication, poor direct eye contact and lack of eye skills. The development of gadgets such as computers, laptops and smartphones is a plus for autistic children. Autistic children have different characteristics hence, when deciding on technology options, it is very important to consider the individual needs of a child and the ability of the gadget to meet their needs. The Autism Support Centre in Kenya found out that children with autism are visual learners hence they do better with the use visual senses in Kenya.

The Chairman of this support Centre also suggested that if the government rolls out the laptop programme for the class one pupils to help them in their primary education, they should also do the same for children with autism as it will help develop their communication among other skills. The major problem in Kenya for the children with autism is how many families can afford electronic gadgets as most are expensive to acquire and for them to access them.

Topcare Nursing Home is a rapidly growing health institution in Kitengela town that is duly registered by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board. It’s a private health institution which was started as an outpatient clinic in January 2009 with a mission to provide quality healthcare services which are accessible and affordable to all. In July 2009 we expanded to include full outpatient and inpatient services. Topcare Nursing Home is located about 250 meters off Namanga Road on Miriams Road. The facility is easily accessible from all areas in Kitengela and is open for 24 hours. It is in a secure environment and is constructed as a health facility and maintains highest levels of cleanliness. It has enough clean water and an internal sewerage system. Topcare Nursing Home also has a functional incinerator as part of a waste management system.The vision of Topcare Nursing Home is to be the leading quality healthcare provider in Kitengela and the region and its mission is to provide affordable quality healthcare services to all.

Services offered at Topcare Nursing Home

The services include:

• Outpatient services:24-hour out-patient which involve diagnostic,curative and preventive treatment as well as emergy care and referrals supported fully by functional laboratory services,diagnostic imaging(ultrasound,Xray),dental,physiotherapy and optical services.

• Inpatient services-There are enough and spacious beds to accommodate the admitted patients as they receive their medication. Family members and friends are allowed to visit their patients during the following hours;morning 7.00am-8.ooam,afternoon 12.30-2.00 pm and evening 5.00 pm-7.00pm.Expectant mothers can also deliver in this hospital.

• Laboratory services-All medical laboratoratory investigation tests are carried out here and quality and accurancy is maintained. • Maternity services-Check-ups for expectant mothers are carried out to ensure good health of the mother and the unborn child. • Antenatal clinicics • Postnatal clinics-Paedeatric specialists are available who ensures health of the child is maintained. • Child welfare clinics including immunizations such as Polio vaccine,Measles vaccine,Diptheria vaccine,TB,mumps,tetanus vaccines etc. • Family planning clinics are carried daily • Counseling services to clients such as couples on family planning and health lifestyle. • VCT services • HIV care and treatment including prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) • Minor surgeries including circumcision • Physiotherapy and occupational therapy services • Well stocked pharmacy which is duly stocked to cater for medication of in-patients,out-patients and also the surrounding residents

Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital in Nairobi is the largest children hospital in Kenya and it is known to for its quality care to children. Gertrude Hospital in Kenya is commonly known as a new giving Hospital that has picked up many esteemed awards due to the corporate interpersonal responsibilities, and to the welcoming answer to sick children in Kenya that have no expectations elsewhere. Gertrude’s youngster’s hospital in Nairobi is really a charitable organization hospital in Kenya where all the hospital profits are usually ploughed back into the hospital.

Gertrude’s children’s hospital in Kenya provide services that benefit humankind including; providing health and fitness services in Nairobi, carrying out medical research in Kenya and teaching medical practice in Kenya. The Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital in Nairobi aims at providing the preferred doctors for East and core Africa’s youngsters. Gertrude hospital in Kenya intends to attain this purpose by investing their health services in Kenya to care for children and providing a great environment to both affected individuals and staff members.

Gertrude Garden hospital in Nairobi has three sorted admission procedures namely; entry via casualty in Gertrude Garden hospital, admission by using Gertrude Garden hospital satellite centers in Nairobi and entry via emergency in Gertrude Garden hospital. Admission by using casualty procedure in Gertrude Garden hospital, patients go toward Gertrude hospital for outpatient case and the doctor feels that will probably be in the most effective interest of the patient’s health to get admitted pertaining to further therapy and declaration. Gertrude Garden hospital Satellite centers in Nairobi admission, the patients’ visits one of the Gertrude’s hospital satellite clinics along with the doctor through the clinic feels that will probably be in the most effective interest of the patient’s health to get admitted pertaining to further therapy and declaration. Arrangements are then created to transfer the person to the primary Hospital. Lastly, admission by using emergency in Gertrude Garden hospital occurs once the patient has very critical condition and the doctor suggests him/her to get admitted. The patient is admitted on to the ward or ICU according to the status.

Gertrude’s children’s hospital offers the following services in Kenya; pharmacy products and services in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital, laboratory services in Nairobi, ward services and facilities in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital, outpatient services at Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital, theaters services in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital, x-ray services in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital, premier services in Kenya, affected individuals playroom, dental products and services in Nairobi, nutritional products and services in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital, professional coaching college as well as specialist centers in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital. Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital in Kenya has major clinics found in Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic Donholm estate, Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic Nairobi gulf, Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic Lavington estate, Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic Pangani, Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic in Komarock estate in Nairobi, Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic in Embakasi estate in Nairobi and Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital clinic in Kitengela estate in Nairobi.

Gertrude’s Garden main hospital in Nairobi is found in Muthaiga part of Nairobi. Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital address is P. O. Box 42325-00100 in Nairobi. Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital email address is [email protected] or access Gertrude’s Garden main hospital website at http://www.gerties.org/. You can contact Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital via cell phone numbers (+254) (0)722898948, (+254) (0)733639444 and (+254) (0)771573751. You access Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital in Muthaiga in Nairobi via Matatu number 100 to Kiambu picked from Railways bus station in Nairobi.

In Kenya, most Kenyans are aware that October is the month that signifies Breast Cancer awareness and several campaigns in Kenya have been held throughout the years to support the victims of cancer in Kenya, and also raise awareness to ensure early detection of cancer, and it mostly is signified with the pink ribbon. But if you ask any ordinary mwanainchi in Kenya when the Testicular cancer or prostate cancer awareness month is in Kenya, many will look at you with blank faces or give wild guesses.

November is the worldwide male cancer awareness month that seeks to raise awareness on testicular and prostate cancer which are the two that most affect men. Testicular cancer in Kenya is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system and has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers: a five-year survival rate in excess of 90 percent overall, and almost 100 percent if it has not spread. Testicular cancer in Kenya is more common in younger men, aged between 15 and 40 years, though it can occur at any age.

The Movember prostate cancer awareness campaign in Kenya has combined efforts from many organizations and individuals in Kenya to increase cancer awareness among men in Kenya. Though with the lack of widespread awareness, Kenyans are slowly becoming aware of the need to take various steps to prevent testicular and prostate cancer and media outlets and medical practitioners are trying their best to disseminate the information to the greater population in Kenya.

In Kenya, awareness of male cancer is mainly done by the survivors of the cancer such as current Kisumu Senator in Kenya, Anyang’ Nyong’o who has helped boost awareness among men in Kenya. Since then, people have come forward to be tested especially through wellness checks funded by  various insurance companies in Kenya and corporates such as Africa Cancer Association http:/www.africacancerfoundation.org/ in Kenya and Med Access in Kenya which is located in Landmark Plaza on Argwings Kodhek Road in Nairobi. The First Lady of Kenya also urged Men in Kenya to go for cancer screening during the launch of cancer of the reproductive organs awareness month.  This is together with the ministry of health in Kenya that affirms prostate cancer in Kenya is the most common form of the disease afflicting men in Kenya, besides Kaposi’s sarcoma, a HIV-associated skin cancer. The Movember campaign in Kenya is being held by medical officials across Kenya.

The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board of Kenya has also set fee guidelines for 2013, a prostate cancer tests should cost between Sh2,100 and Sh3,600 in Kenya. The prostate cancer test in Kenya is available in level E & level F specialised laboratories found in various. One can also go for full screening and diagnosis at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya that has the most equipped cancer center in Kenya.

The prostate cancer awareness is being popularized, globally, with an awareness campaign known as ‘Movember’. The spirit of Movember in Kenya is to have men grow moustaches during the month as part of raising awareness about the cancers that affect men. The Movember campaign in Kenya is advocating for early detection of cancer among men in Kenya.

Just as a breast exam in Kenya, Movember campaign advises Kenyans to do a Testicular self-exam in Kenya to help in early detection. The Movember campaign in Kenya inform men all over the country to check for prostate cancer every month. Most instructions on how to self examine for testicle cancer in Kenya can be found online on medical sites in Kenya such as; http://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/testicular-cancer-self-exams-at-home and http://www.healthcommunities.com/testicular-cancer/testes-self-exam.shtml

Kenyans can also go to the nearest Hospitals in Kenya such as Kenyatta hospital in Nairobi which is located on Ragati Road in Upper Hill in Nairobi, Nairobi hospital which is located on Argwings Kodhek Road in Hurlingham part of Nairobi or any other government hospital or private hospital in Kenya that can help you with the process.

 The Movember campaign in Kenya advocates that if at all it is possible, all men in Kenya should have their doctors examine their scrotum/testes at least once a year whether or not they have a problem, as part of routine physical examination in Kenya to help detect and ensure that the reproductive organs are in a healthy state. However, if you do notice a problem during yourself examination in Kenya, between annual check-ups, men in Kenya are advised to go to the doctor for further care immediately.

So what can we Kenyans do to raise awareness on male cancers? Well it all starts with you, for the men you now know what to do to ensure a healthy future and for the women spread the word to a brother, friend  and any male that you are close to, and together we can manage cancer as a nation before it’s too late, and with that have a healthy ‘Movember ‘.

 

Precautions that should be taken during MRI Imaging and its Benefits.

 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a procedure carried out in kenya to view the internal body structures with the aim of diagnosing a disease condition, commonly in cancer patients. This technique uses very strong oscillating and static magnetic fields in conjunction with electromagnetic radiation. During MRI procedure patients and staff are exposed to strong rapidly changing magnetic fields and this can be a predisposing factor as far as neurological and deleterious physiological responses are concerned. In some cases the patients or the staff may suffer burns due to heat generated by the oscillating radiofrequency.

Having these in mind, both staffs and the patients should adhere to the following during an MRI imaging procedure;

 

a)     Avoid entering with a Magnetic material in the imaging room.

 

Most of the magnets used in the MRI are very strong (0.5-5 Tesla) and generates an equally strong magnetic field. Therefore any magnetic object will be attracted towards the magnets and may move at a seed of a shot bullet. Objects such as wrist watches, spectacles, belt, scissors or any metallic object should be removed first before entering the MRI imaging room.

 

b)     Carefully follow instructions issued by the radiologist

 

Patients are usually instructed before, during and after the procedure. It is important to note that by following the instructions chances of repeating the procedure is minimized which would otherwise expose the patient and the radiologist to radiation effects.

 

 

 

 

c)      Rise an alarm if you have a metallic implant

 

Entering the imaging room with an implant is not allowed since may result to tissue damage as the metal is attracted by the magnet. Patients therefore should provide medical records to the doctor for history to be taken.

 

d)     Carefully read and adhere to warning signs

 

The MRI room is usually labeled with warning signs at the door. These warnings include; screening for metallic objects and the procedure to take in case of an emergency as well as restricted public access.

 

e)     Good in-house practices by personnel

The staff and other personnel working in or around the MRI room should also take precaution. They must observe the warnings and precautions by being screened for magnetic objects.

 

Why use MRI other than other imaging Techniques.

MRI uses non-ionizing forms of energy therefore reducing chances of occurrence of radiation induced cancer. The ability of magnetic field to penetrate all body tissues makes this technique important since diagnoses of disease is possible in all types of tissues. A clear image of the targeted tissues is achieved with MRI due to multiple sources of contrast as well as multiple planar as images may be produced in any desired plane.

Hypertension is one of the common diseases in adults and it is mostly associated with people above 50 years of age. Most of the old people attending hospital in Kenya have high blood pressure yet they do not know. It is after taking the measurement that the disease is detected.

Hypertension can lead to rupture of small blood vessels, hence eye, renal and heart complications, ascitis, liver failure and so on. It can also lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke.

The causes of hypertension are not very clear, but there are some predisposing factors. These include heart disease, liver and kidney disease and eclampsia in pregnancy. In many individuals, hypertension has a genetic predisposition. A stressful lifestyle can also contribute to hypertension.

Hypertension is confirmed when there is an increase of over 20mm Hg diastolic pressure on more than two occasions. That means that the individual is measured on different days and the increase is persistent. This can be done at level 3 to level 6 of the health care system in Kenya.

The management involves the use of drugs and modification of one’s lifestyle. The drugs commonly used are diuretics, blood vessel dilators, centrally acting drugs, and beta-blockers. The more familiar names are aldomet (methyldopa), Inderal (propranolol), lasix (Frusemide), and captopril. The management of hypertension is done from a health centre level to referral level. District hospitals, provincial hospitals and referral hospital in Kenya are the place where compications of hypertension can be done.

The objective is to decrease the intravascular volume, decrease the force of contraction and decrease peripheral resistance. This is intended to decrease the amount of work being performed by the heart.

The preventive message given to the patient with hypertension is:

• Regular checkups.
• Compliance with drugs.
• Modification of lifestyle.