GENOTYPE: He is AS and I am AS… what about love?

When people ignore talks about genotype, I’m hardly surprise because I know that in this part of the world, we prefer cure to prevention even though we know that prevention is cheaper than cure. Sometimes ago a friend once said there is no such thing as AIDs, it is just an American Idea of Discouraging Sex (AIDs). Just the same way some of us will also readily ignore this bit of advice about genotype because you may think, "what the hell! They are just a combination of alphabets," but I tell you that they are much more than that.
Usually there are about four types of genotype; AA, AS, SS and a fourth one which is not more pronounced- AC. If you are an SS, you are only compatible with someone who is an AA. If you are an AS, you are only compatible also with someone who is an AA. The really lucky ones are the AA, because they can settle with anyone without much fear. When an AS marries another AS science said there is only a one out of four chance of having an SS but that has been proven wrong by many happenings in recent time.
Some weeks back, I listened to a programme on inspiration FM, the topic was on genotype, while one of the callers with AS who also married another AS called in to say that he has had five kids who are all AS, another AS couple called in to say that they have had three kids and all are SS. Having lost a loved one to Sickle cell, I can feel their pain.
Two issues about genotype that has received attention in recent time are ‘love and ignorance’. Some people got married without any information about genotype and its consequences, I really sympathise with people in such situation and believe that God will help them but again I hear some young people say “I have come to love him so much, we have come this far, we can’t go back, we can’t break up…”- I tell you, it’s a matter of time!
Imagine marrying that soul mate of yours and living happily only to give birth to a child that will rob you of your time together, love, happiness and most of all cash. You will put everything on the line to save your child if he/she is always sick. And what a heart break you will get when upon getting to the hospital, the doctor takes one look at the child and says, "He/she is a sickler". The word Sickler is mostly used for people that their genotype is SS. Imagine that you have four of such kids giving you headache and heart ache at the same proportion. Imagine the many times you would probably have to abort when you hear the medical report that your unborn child is most likely going to be an SS- it is against your faith and wish. Tell me is it really worth it.
I have heard people say “must it always be all about child bearing?” Tell yourself the truth, you know what happens in Africa when a woman refuses to give birth early after marriage let alone not giving birth at all because of an error she deliberately entered out of love. Perhaps you have never thought about your in-laws and their ability to find another wife for that man you so much love whether through plenty “JUJU or JESUS” The Sickly children may find it difficult to forgive you for such deliberate wickedness done out of selfish interest- Yes! it simply meant that you thought only about yourself (you and your husband) and not about them.
While I am not stigmatizing people living with Sickle cell- I have lost loved ones to it to start with, I am also saying that you should not take chances, your children deserve their right to a happy future.

IREGULAR PERIOD: Spiritual or Medical?

I have been accused of talking too much about female health issues but i promise that after this one i may not talk about it for a long time. A friend of mine missed a crucial meeting where I’d love to see her face; the excuse was menstrual issues, so i decided I’ll talk about just this once.
We hear a lot about the menstrual "cycle," which can make it sound as though it happens like clockwork. And we say that a woman who gets her period every 4 weeks is "regular," as though there's something abnormal about women who don't. In fact, most women don't get their periods in exactly the same number of days after the last one. Some said whenever it happen we have to pray for some enemies to fall and die, others said it is the work of the enemy caused by ancestral curses and there is need for deliverance through 14 days of fasting or more as the case may be, but i ask what if it's just a simple biological disorder?
The Menstrual Cycle
Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 15, but some get it earlier and some later. The first period is known as menarche (pronounced: meh-nar-kee).
Doctors often talk about a girl's monthly cycle — the number of days from the start of her period to the start of the next one — in terms of a 28-day cycle. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use. Women's cycle lengths vary — some have a 24-day cycle, some have a 34-day cycle. And a girl may notice that her cycles are different lengths each month — especially for the few years after she first starts getting her period.
The first day a girl's period comes is Day 1 of her cycle. Early in her cycle, her pituitary gland tells her ovaries to start preparing one of the eggs they contain for release. One egg will mature completely. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.
On or about Day 14 of a 28-day cycle, the egg breaks loose (this is called ovulationovulation). The egg makes its way through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg isn't fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. About 2 weeks later, the lining and egg leave a girl's body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again — that's why we use the word "cycle."
All this sounds very neat and orderly. But a girl's body may not follow this schedule exactly. It's not unusual, especially in the first 2 years after menarche, to skip periods or to have an irregular menstrual cycle. Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things more unpredictable because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced by events like these.
A Normal Period Doesn't Have to Be Regular
Some girls' periods arrive like clockwork. Others get theirs at slightly different times each month. Many girls get regular periods most of the time, but occasionally skip a period or get an extra period during times of pressure or stress. In fact, you may notice that when you go on a trip or have a major change in your schedule your period is late. All of this is perfectly normal.
It's also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a week. That's because the level of hormones the body manufactures can be different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.
So how can you tell when you're about to get your period? If your cycle is not regular, you'll want to pay attention to the clues your body may give you. These may include:
• back cramps or stiffness
• heavier breasts or breast soreness
• headaches
• acne breakouts
• disturbed sleep patterns
• mood swings
• bloating
Most of the time, irregular periods are part of the normal changes that can happen when you're a teen. At some point as you get older, your cycle will probably settle into a recognizable pattern. This usually happens by 3 years after your first period.
However, some teens may develop irregular periods — or stop having periods altogether — as a result of certain medications, excessive exercise, very low body weight, or not eating enough calories. Others may develop problems as a result of a hormone imbalance. For example, disorders of the thyroid gland can cause menstrual irregularities if the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood become too low or too high.
Some women have irregular periods because their bodies produce too much androgen, which is a hormone that causes increased muscle mass, facial hair, and deepening of the voice in males and the development of pubic hair and increased height in girls. High amounts of androgen can also cause hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and abdomen, and is sometimes associated with excessive weight gain not demons
If you have any of these problems, or if your periods are irregular for 3 years or more, see a doctor. The doctor may prescribe hormone pills or other medications or recommend lifestyle changes that can help you to have regular periods not a self medication of 14 days fasting and prayer.
It's important to see a doctor if you're sexually active and have missed a period. This could be a sign of pregnancy. You should also see your doctor if you start having periods that last longer than 7 days, are heavy, are occurring more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days, or are accompanied by severe cramping or abdominal pain. Also let the doctor know if you have bleeding in between your periods.
In the meantime, if your periods are irregular, try keeping some pads or tampons in your backpack, just so you'll have them handy in case your period comes when you're not expecting it. However, God answers prayer but pray on more reasonable things like CGPA or pray for me.
If you have any question, comment or advice, contact me on 08086570058, 07030536220 or alofunty@yahoo.com, afrika247@gmail.com or poundedyam2010@hotmail.com

HOW DO I TELL MY PARENT THAT I'M PREGNANT

It's been 3 days since she got the results, but Shola still can't believe her pregnancy test came out positive. She can't get it off her mind. It feels like her whole life has changed. She knows she has to tell her parents. But she's not sure she's prepared for how they might react.
I have pain in my heart as I put this piece together especially having lost a dear friend to abortion because she was afraid to tell her parent that she was pregnant. Fellow teenagers don’t even help matters, they simply see you as devil as a pregnant teenager even though they are worse than you.
Confused? You're Not Alone
If you've just learned you're pregnant, you're not alone.
You might feel confused, scared, or shocked by the news. You might think, "This can't really be happening." You promise yourself you'll be so much more careful in the future. And you know you'll probably have to tell your parents.
Preparing to Talk to Parents
No matter how close you are to your parents, you're going to wonder how they'll react. It's one thing if your parents realize you're having sex and they're OK with that. But it's another thing if they've forbidden you to date or if having premarital sex is completely against their values and beliefs.
Most parents fall somewhere in the middle. For example, some parents have pretty liberal values but they're still shocked to learn their teen had sex. Even parents who know their teens are having sex can still be disappointed or worried about their future.
Your parents' personalities also play a part in how they'll react. Some parents are easy to talk to or calmer in a crisis. Some are more emotional, more easily stressed out, more likely to get upset or angry, to yell or cry, or express themselves loudly.
Most parents want to be supportive of a daughter who is pregnant (or a son who got a girl pregnant), even if they are angry or upset at first. But a few may react violently to the news and let anger get out of control. If you think your parents might fall into this category — for example, if they have a history of physical violence — read the section on "Protecting Yourself" at the end of this article.
Some parents don't show how they feel at first. They may take time to absorb the news. Others react quickly and there's no mistaking how they feel. Some will listen and be sensitive to your feelings. Some parents will spring into action, taking charge and telling you what to do.
Think about how your parents have reacted to other situations. Try to imagine how they might respond — but remember it's impossible to really know for sure. Still, thinking about what to expect can help you feel prepared for the conversation you plan to have.
The Conversation
First, find the words. You might say, "I have something difficult to tell you. I found out that I'm pregnant." Then wait. Allow your parents to absorb what you said.
Be prepared to deal with the reaction. What happens next? Will your parents be angry, stressed, or emotional? Will they lecture you? Use harsh words? Ask a ton of questions?
It's good to think ahead about what you might do and how you may feel. For instance, if a parent yells, you'll want to be prepared so you can keep the conversation productive and resist any urge to yell back.
Of course, not every parent yells. Many don't. Even if parents have a strong reaction at first, most want to help their children. Lots of teens are surprised at how supportive their parents turn out to be.
It can help to tell your parents that you understand their feelings and point of view. Saying things like, "I know you're really mad," "I know this isn't what you wanted for me," or, "I know this isn't what you expected" can help your parents be more understanding. The key is to be honest and speak from the heart. If you say what you think parents want to hear or make statements just to calm them, it might sound fake.
Give your parents time to speak without jumping in. Listen to what they say. Let them vent if they have to.
Tell them how you feel. Part of your conversation might involve telling parents how you feel. For example, if you know you've disappointed them and you feel sorry about it, say that. Let them know if you feel disappointed in yourself, too.
You might say, "Mom and Dad, I know I've disappointed you. I know you're upset. I'm really sorry for putting you through this. I'm disappointed in myself, too."
Share your fears and worries, such as, "I'm scared about how I'm going to handle this, what my friends will think, and what it means about school." Or, "I can't believe this is happening to me and I'm not sure what to do."
Putting your feelings into words takes plenty of maturity and it's not easy to do. Don't worry if the words don't come out perfectly or if you cry or get emotional as you're saying them. It can help to think about your feelings ahead of time. If you can't imagine expressing your feelings out loud, consider writing them down in a letter.
If you need to, get help breaking the news. A visit to your doctor's office or a health clinic is a must — not just for your health, but to get more information and discuss the realities of your situation. You'll want to understand your choices and explore your feelings with an experienced professional. During your visit, the doctor, nurse, or health counselor also can help you think through how to tell your parents. If you want, they could even be there as you talk to your parents.
Talking About Your Decisions
Now that you've told your parents, you'll have some important decisions to make. Talking decisions over with others can help. Sometimes parents — including your boyfriend's parents — can offer a new angle or ideas.
Whatever you decide, it needs to be what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. That's especially true if you think most of the child-raising will fall to you. It's a big job.
Becoming a teen parent affects your education, job, and financial future — and often your boyfriend's too. Over half of teen pregnancies end with the birth of the baby. Some teens decide to keep the baby. Others let someone adopt the child. Some teen pregnancies end in miscarriage, and about one third end in abortion.
Talking about your options isn't easy, especially if none of them is what you had in mind. Some families need the help of a counselor to talk about this difficult and complicated situation in a way that lets everyone be respected and heard.
It's More Than Just Breaking the News
Talking to a parent about your pregnancy takes more than just one conversation. In the coming months, you'll probably have many different feelings all at once. Sometimes, you might feel shock and disbelief. Other times, you may be scared or worried. You may feel sad, guilty, or angry at yourself. At times, you might also feel excited and happy.
Some days you might be ready for what's ahead. Other days, you may feel totally unprepared and confused. You'll have many emotions to sort through and it will take time. It helps if you can talk to a parent about all these thoughts and feelings.
Protecting Yourself
To some parents, the news that you're having a baby will feel like a terrible crisis. Depending on their beliefs, cultural values, or personalities, parents might feel shame, guilt, or embarrassment. They might feel angry and assign blame. Sometimes parents scream, yell, and use putdowns. In some cases, anger can get out of control.
You know your parent and you know your situation. If you need to tell your parents you're pregnant but think they might react in a way that could hurt you, have someone else with you when you tell them. If you're concerned about your safety, get advice. A teen health clinic, such as Planned Parenthood, or a teen pregnancy hotline can guide you and steer you toward resources to support you.
Of course, most parents won't react with extreme anger. The thing to remember is every parent is different and you know yours best.
When Parents Have Your Back
Talking to parents whenever you can is a good way to sort through the many feelings and issues that arise. In the best of situations, parents can help you make important decisions and support your choices. They can be a source of guidance and encouragement.
Sometimes a difficult situation brings people closer and strengthens their bonds. Sometimes, however unexpectedly, a difficult situation can help a family discover unconditional love, support, kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, teamwork, and optimism.
if you have any question contact me on 08086570058,07030536220 or alofunty@yahoo.com, afrika247@gmail.com or poundedyam2010@hotmail.com

ENERGY DRINKS: Power or Hype?

The Buzz on Energy Foods
Energy drinks and nutrition bars often make big promises. Some say they'll increase energy and alertness, others offer extra nutrition, and some even claim to boost your athletic performance or powers of concentration. But once you cut through the hype and look past the flashy packaging on energy products, chances are what you're mostly getting is a stiff dose of sugar and caffeine.

So should you eat or drink these products? As with everything, they're OK in moderation. The occasional energy drink is fine and a protein bar in the morning is a better choice than not getting any breakfast at all. But people like Javier — who usually has about three or four energy drinks and a couple of protein bars every day — are overdoing it.

Make Smart Choices
With so much going on in our lives, lots of people feel tired and run down. And many of us find ourselves skipping a meal sometimes. So it's not surprising that nutrition, protein, and energy drinks and food bars have flooded the market, offering us the convenience of energy on the go.

Sometimes, this can be good news — like for the person who has to skip breakfast or the athlete who needs an energy boost before practice. Food bars will never beat a well-balanced meal or snack when it comes to meeting our nutrition needs. But many of them do contain more nutrients than a candy bar or a bag of chips. Likewise, some of the sports or energy drinks on the market today contain some vitamins and minerals.

Know the Downsides
So an occasional power drink or food bar is probably OK. But more does not mean better.

Here are some facts to keep in mind when it comes to food bars or energy drinks:

They contain excessive sugar and calories. Did you know that some energy bars and drinks contain hundreds of calories? That may be OK for athletes who burn lots of calories in high-intensity activities, like competitive cycling. But for many teens the extra sugar and calories just contribute to weight gain, not to mention tooth decay.

Energy drinks are often full of caffeine. Caffeine may be legal, but it is a stimulant drug. It can cause side effects like jitteriness, upset stomach, headaches, and sleep problems — all of which drag you down, not power you up! Large amounts of caffeine can have even more serious side effects (including fast or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures), especially for people who have certain medical conditions or who take medications or supplements.

Food bars don't make good meal replacements. You never really see someone eat an energy bar for dinner and then sit back with a satisfied grin. Nothing beats a real meal for both that well-fed feeling and the nutritional satisfaction your body needs.

Although lots of energy drinks and nutrition bars have some vitamins and minerals added, they can't give you all the different nutrients your body needs to grow, develop, play sports, and handle all the other stuff on your schedule. The only way to get that is through eating a balanced diet and not skipping meals.

They may contain mysterious ingredients. In addition to caffeine and sugar, some brands of energy drinks and food bars can have ingredients whose safety and effectiveness haven't been tested — things like guarana (a source of caffeine) and taurine (an amino acid thought to enhance caffeine's effect). Some contain herbal supplements that are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as ginseng.

These kinds of ingredients may cause problems for people who are taking certain medications or have a health condition. So play it safe. Always check the label carefully before you eat or drink any kind of energy supplement.

They're expensive. Though energy bars and drinks are everywhere these days, they don't come cheap. At about $3 a pop, you can get a better (and cheaper) energy boost by eating a whole-wheat bagel with cream cheese. And you can get better hydration by drinking 8 ounces of tap water. Other on-the-go foods that provide plenty of nutritional bang for the buck include trail mix, fresh or dried fruits, and whole-wheat breads and cereals.

Cutting Through the Hype
There's some clever marketing behind energy bars and drinks, and you've got to be a pretty savvy consumer to see through it. So be critical when reading labels. As with everything, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If energy bars and drinks are becoming their own food group in your diet, remember — "all things in moderation." These products aren't harmful if you have them occasionally, but they're not the healthy choices the advertising hype makes them out to be either. However, if you have a health condition like high blood pressure, heart problems, attention deficit disorder, seizures, or diabetes, talk to your doctor before consuming these products.

The truth is, the best energy boost comes from healthy living. People who eat well, drink water, and get enough physical activity and rest will have plenty of energy — the natural way.

WHY ARE MY BREASTS DIFFERENT IN SIZES?

Having different-sized breasts is perfectly normal. It's quite common for girls to have different-sized breasts or nipples, especially as they develop during puberty. Everyone's different, and no two women's breasts will look exactly the same. In fact, asymmetry — where one body part, like a foot or a hand, is a slightly different size or shape from its partner — is quite common in humans.
When girls begin puberty, usually between the ages of 8 and 13, their breasts begin to develop starting with just a little swelling under the nipple. This is known as breast budding. You may notice that one of your breasts starts developing before the other or that one is growing more quickly. Many times this difference in breast size evens out once a girl is older, usually by age 20. But it's also perfectly normal for women's breasts to remain different sizes even when they're fully developed.
Some girls with different-sized breasts worry that there's something medically wrong, but chances are, for a teen, there isn't. If you're really worried about your breast size, talk to your doctor or gynecologist. He or she should be able to reassure you that your breasts are normal.
Girls who notice their breasts are different sizes are aware of their breasts — and that's good news. Being aware of your breasts can help you stay healthy! Learning how your breasts normally look (and feel) can help you notice any changes that might not be normal. Your doctor can teach you how to do a breast self-exam (BSE) that will help you become familiar with your breasts so you can identify any changes. But in any case I hope to write about self breast examination in my subsequent write-ups.
Some girls worry about their different-sized breasts for cosmetic reasons. Many girls with different-sized breasts or nipples just accept that they are normal and don't do anything differently. But other girls feel self-conscious. It's likely that no one else notices your breasts look different, though. Other people usually can't see the difference in the size of a girl's breasts — even if that difference is a full cup size.
The fact is that exercises, supplements, or diets won't change the size or shape of a girl's breasts — only plastic surgery can do that. (And most doctors recommend that a girl wait until her breasts have finished growing before considering plastic surgery.) Some girls decide to wear especially supportive bras or special inserts that make their breasts appear more equal in size. Talk to a lingerie salesperson if you want some suggestions for evening things out. It may also help to talk to your mom, older sister, or an aunt or grandmother — they may have worried about having different-sized breasts during their teen years, too.
Everyone develops differently, and it's normal for the two sides of our bodies to be a little different from each other. We humans aren't as evenly proportioned as we appear at first glance!

I'M A GUY, ...SO HOW COME I'M DEVELOPING BREASTS

Ah, puberty. It can be a very interesting time in a guy's life, what with all the changes going on. In fact, it seems like every day something on your body grows bigger or hair begins sprouting somewhere. Each day brings a new change or two, and it can sometimes feel like it's hard to keep up.

It doesn't happen to every guy, but one of these changes can be the development of breast tissue. It's called gynecomastia (pronounced: guy-nuh-ko-mas-tee-uh) and it's completely normal — and almost always temporary. So how exactly does a guy happen to develop breast tissue?

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in which breast tissue forms in guys, usually due to normal hormonal changes during puberty. Hormones are chemicals produced by your body's glands. In a guy, hormones produced in the testicles are responsible for the physical changes that begin to take place during puberty — facial hair, muscle development, a deepening of the voice, and the lengthening of the penis, for example. Guys and girls produce both androgens (hormones that help develop and maintain male characteristics) and estrogen (a hormone that is responsible for most female characteristics).

Guys have mostly androgens in their systems, but they also have small amounts of estrogen. In girls, breast growth is caused by high levels of estrogen. Normally, when going through puberty, a guy's production of androgens increases significantly, whereas estrogen production remains low.

However, sometimes guys produce enough estrogen during puberty that some breast tissue develops. Breast tissue growth in guys can appear on one or both sides of the chest, and the breast area can feel tender. This doesn't mean you're turning into a girl or anything. It's just a minor change in your hormones as you begin to grow into adulthood.

How Common Is It?

It's estimated that about half of all males going through puberty experience some degree of gynecomastia in one or both breasts. Gynecomastia is almost always a temporary condition, and it's very unusual for the breasts to stay developed — they will eventually flatten out completely within a few months to a couple of years. It usually goes away on its own and no medical treatment or surgery is needed.

Even though it's just a temporary change for most teens, some guys with gynecomastia feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. Many guys find that wearing loose-fitting shirts helps make the condition less noticeable until the breast tissue shrinks over time. Surgical removal of the breast tissue is an option in some cases. If a guy finds his gynecomastia is bothering him, he can talk to a doctor about it.

Although the most common cause of gynecomastia is puberty, it can sometimes be caused by certain diseases or side effects of some medications. Using illegal drugs such as anabolic steroids, marijuana, or heroin can also disrupt hormonal balance and lead to gynecomastia.

There's also something called pseudogynecomastia (or false gynecomastia). This has nothing to do with puberty or hormones. It's just simply due to the fact that some guys have extra fat in the chest area, making it look like they have breasts. A doctor's exam can tell whether a guy has gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia.

If you're concerned or have any questions about gynecomastia, talk to your doctor. Keep in mind that temporary breast tissue growth in guys is a common part of puberty that will usually go away on its own.