Enhanced Rural Health Initiative

Get the right pair of shades

Sunglasses are more than just a great fashion accessory – their actual job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Make sure you look for sunglasses that block out 99 to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. Speak to your optometrist
if you need help finding the best pair.

Why you need vitamin c

Ascorbic acid, more commonly known as vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the daily-required nutrients for people of all ages.

Vitamin C is not naturally synthesized or stored by the body, so there needs to be a steady supply of foods daily to keep up the daily requirement. The daily-required dosage of vitamin c is 60mg.

Vitamin C is:

Antioxidant: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body from free radicals that cause the cells to age faster. In this way, it also protects against cancer by killing cancer-causing substances and renewing the cells.

Immune protection: The immune system is stronger with a daily dose of vitamin C, fighting off infections and strengthening the immune system in sick people.

Collagen formation: This vitamin is essential for the formation of collagen, the elastic substance that keeps skin pliable and young. The loss of collagen brings on the formation of wrinkles and dry skin. It also plays a role in wound healing.

Absorption: Nutrition is not just about eating the right things; it is also about the body absorbing the nutrients optimally. Vitamin C facilitates uptake of other vitamins and minerals.

What you should know about fibroids

Fibroids are usually benign growths in the uterus, formed from muscle and connective tissue. They are quite common, as at least 77% of women will get them in their lifetime, even though they are usually not big enough to be noticed.
There is no one cause of fibroids, instead, it is known that the high levels of estrogen that women are exposed to is linked to their growth. However, women who are overweight, who have never had children and are approaching middle age, or who are approaching menopause are more susceptible to developing these growths.
The symptoms include irregular bleeding between periods, lower back pain, painful in*******se, and pain in the pelvic region.
The most important thing to do when you develop symptoms like this is to visit a doctor. There are definitive tests that can show whether they are from fibroids or something else.
Fibroids usually disappear with time, or shrink down to a manageable size; however, if they are a problem like with women who want to have babies, they can be removed. There are hormonal treatments that target the growths and cause them to shrink. In severe cases and if the fibroids are debilitating, the woman can choose to have a total hysterectomy—that is, a removal of the uterus which will bring an end to the problems altogether.