Many people dismiss forgetfulness as a normal part of ageing, but when memory lapses begin to disrupt daily routines, they may point to something more serious. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia worldwide, affects millions each year. As Nigeria’s elderly population continues to grow, recognising the early signs is becoming more important for families who want to provide timely care and support.

Persistent Forgetfulness

Misplacing household items is normal. Concern arises when someone repeatedly forgets important dates, asks for the same information several times, or struggles to recall events that just happened.

Difficulty With Familiar Tasks

Cooking a well-known meal, managing household finances, or following the steps of a regular chore can suddenly feel confusing. These are not new challenges but tasks that used to be second nature.

Disorientation With Time and Place

People may lose track of dates, seasons, or where they are. In some cases, they may think they are in a different year or feel lost in a familiar environment.

Language and Communication Problems

Alzheimer’s can affect speech. A person might struggle to find the right words, lose track of conversations, or repeat the same questions without realising. Over time, this makes social interaction increasingly difficult.

Poor Judgment

Unusual decision-making can be another early warning. Examples include giving away large amounts of money, neglecting self-care, or showing a lack of awareness in situations that once seemed routine.

Withdrawal From Social Life

When following conversations becomes difficult, some people begin to avoid gatherings, hobbies, or close friends. This withdrawal is sometimes misunderstood as depression or shyness.

Mood and Personality Changes

Sudden irritability, suspicion, or a loss of interest in long-enjoyed activities may be linked to changes in the brain, not simply “bad moods.”

Medical experts stress that these signs alone do not confirm Alzheimer’s. However, they are strong reasons to seek evaluation by a doctor. In Nigeria, where many people delay health checks until symptoms worsen, spotting these changes early is critical. While there is no cure yet, recognising the warning signs promptly allows for treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and stronger family support. These steps that can greatly improve quality of life.

For many Nigerians, keeping blood sugar steady can be frustrating. You may cut down on soft drinks, pastries, and sweets, yet your readings still rise without warning. The reason? Some everyday habits and situations you would not suspect can quietly push your sugar levels up.

Stress Pressure

Between long hours at work, endless traffic jams, and family responsibilities, stress has become a daily reality. When the body is under pressure, it releases hormones that push stored sugar into the bloodstream. That is why someone can eat a balanced meal yet still notice a spike. Finding small ways to ease tension, like a short evening walk, a favourite playlist, or simply taking deep breaths in traffic, can help keep levels more stable.

Sleep Shortage

Many people underestimate how much sleep affects health. Going night after night with less than six hours does not just leave you drowsy the next day; it also makes your body less responsive to insulin. Over time, this pushes sugar readings higher. Making sleep a priority, even if it means switching off your phone earlier, is a step towards keeping sugar under control.

Food Traps

Not all culprits are obvious. Staple foods such as white rice, soft bread, or large servings of ripe plantain can raise sugar quickly because they turn to sugar fast in the body. Pairing these foods with beans, vegetables, or lean protein slows the release of sugar into the blood. This does not mean giving them up entirely. It is about how you pair them.

Water Gaps

Many Nigerians drink very little water during the day, often replacing it with soft drinks or energy drinks. Dehydration makes glucose more concentrated in the blood, which raises readings. Something as simple as sipping water regularly helps your body handle sugar more efficiently.

Everyday Choices

Managing blood sugar goes beyond avoiding sweet foods. It involves daily decisions: how you handle stress, how much sleep you get, what you put on your plate, and even how often you drink water. Paying attention to these hidden factors could make all the difference in keeping your health on track.

In the world we live in today, birth control has become common, not only among adults but also among teenagers.

‎This is to prevent unwanted pregnancy among teenagers and young adults who are not ready for parenthood, and also among married couples who do not want more children but also want to enjoy their sex lives as couples.

IUD contraceptive implant

‎This is how effective birth control is, especially birth control injections and contraceptive implants.

According to health experts, birth control methods are up to 99% effective when used correctly.

‎Birth control is the method or medicine taken to prevent pregnancy. This can involve using pills, vasectomy and condoms, and other medically approved methods.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2021, there were 1.9 billion women aged 15–49 worldwide. About 1.1 billion had a need for family planning but only 874 million are using modern contraceptives.

‎One of the main reasons for this – some women use it to avoid unintended pregnancies or to stop having more children after reaching their desired family size.

Condom contraceptive

However, birth control methods also have side effects that may affect health.

‎And this includes:

‎1. Irregular menstrual cycles: Taking birth control can frequent your period but it’s a period of time before your hormones get used to it.

‎2. Headaches: There’d be headaches to deal with but that will subside later.

‎3. Breasts Changes such as tenderness or swelling.

‎4. Rarely, hormonal methods can increase the risk of stroke, or heart attack, especially in women with other risk factors.

‎So while you are using any of the birth control methods; condoms, contraceptive implants or even injections, you should pay attention to how your body responds and ask your doctor any important questions.

Birth control methods

‎Birth control, especially the implants, has failed a few women because the implant was not replaced on time.

‎Nevertheless, there are benefits of birth control methods here are:

‎1. It reduces painful periods and cramps.

‎2. Reduces acne by helping the hormones that cause excess oil which results in spots clothing and formation.

‎3. Supports family planning and informed decisions.

‎4. Helps couples enjoy intimacy without constant worry.

‎5. Provides peace of mind for those who are highly fertile.

‎Birth control methods are effective, but it is important to follow a doctor’s guidance. Consulting a qualified gynecologist ensures you get the method best suited to you.