The Midweek Sun

COVID VACCINE: “PATIENCE AND deal with conditions My desire to eye started the human VIGILANCE” NEEDED that affect Sechaba doing my Tirelo when I was to see there, I used in Tshane. While way coming all the eye care personnel

I Modiitsane, Boago My name is and did my Mahalapye come from school and secondary primary school and Primary School at St Patrick’s School respective­ly. Secondary Madiba have three married and I am private run my own girls. I currently Eye Care Mogoditsh

- BY IRENE SHONE

The world focused on developing covid-19 vaccines in 2020. For most of the year, there were no guarantees that safe and effective vaccines would even be available. At that time, the efficacy bar was set to at least 50% effective in stopping symptomati­c covid-19. Many vaccines available now exceed this threshold significan­tly with efficacy in preventing spread of the disease above 80% but some people are less positive about taking a covid-19 vaccine today than they were in mid-2020.

Hyperemesi­s Gravidarum(HG) is one common pregnancy complicati­on in Botswana, but can be avoided if treated on time.

Dr Sunil Kadiyala of Kadiyala Surgery explains HG as “a pregnancy complicati­on that is characteri­zed by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and possibly dehydratio­n.” He explains that this condition is believed to be caused by a rapidly rising blood level of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrop­in (HCG). “It is released by the placenta,” he says and adds that during this period, mild morning sickness is common. Asked what exactly causes the condition, he clarified that the exact cause of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is not known.

Dr Kadiyala further indicates that in many HG patients, symptoms resolve before 20 weeks. “However, cases have been reported in which symptoms persisted after 20 weeks and as many as 22 percent of cases may have symptoms that last until term,” he explained, adding that Hyperemesi­s Gravidarum often occurs during first pregnancie­s and usually recurs in subsequent pregnancie­s. Although HG can make one feel very unwell, Dr Kadiyala notes that it is unlikely to harm the baby if treated effectivel­y. “However, if it causes one to lose too much weight during pregnancy, there is an increased risk that the baby may be born smaller than expected, resulting in a low birth weight,” he shares.

In order to alleviate nausea and vomiting while experienci­ng this condition, simplest changes to one’s diet are recommende­d. One has to eat more frequently, have smaller meals and avoid foods or odours that trigger vomiting. “Another lifestyle alteration is to decrease stress and get more rest throughout the day, and Thiamine should be supplement­ed at 1.5mg/d in women with hyperemesi­s,” he said. He further recommends that people who have HG should give in to cravings, as soon as possible. He recommends cold or frozen foods, sip on drinks, eating on a schedule, eating high calorie, high protein foods and mainly eating in small amounts as well as shakes and smoothies.

Patience Disang has always had a love for fashion but never imagined that she had the talent to make clothes until she started watching YouTube tutorials. She tried out a few outfits which she made for herself, and the admiration was confirmati­on that she has the talent. She then started making more garments and advertisin­g them, securing herself a loyal client base. She now makes clothes on a commercial scale and is every fashion lover’s plug for stylish and edgy garments for every occasion.

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