Dr. obilor Health Informatics

Can we live without saliva? Check out!

Saliva is one liquid that is essential for survival although a lot of us overlook its importance. In this post, we are going to explore some health benefits of saliva.

✍️ The tastes of food 😋 is made possible by the saliva. The flavours are dissolved in the saliva and carried to the taste buds in the tongue. Without the saliva, you won't appreciate the taste of stockfish (okporoko), beef, shawarma, cake etc. just stick out your tongue dry and put small amounts of sugar; then repeat same in the mouth when your tongue is wet; do you get the difference? You mayikeky not appreciate the taste when the tongue is dry.

✍️As a space (cavity) in the body, microorganisms can enter the mouth to cause infection. Saliva contains natural defense molecules that kill microorganisms. Molecules like defensins punch holes in the bacteria and viruses. Lysozyme breakdown bacteria 🦠 cell wall while IgA antibody immediately arrests foreign agents preventing them from causing 'nuisance'. There are other molecules like lactoferrin, histatins etc

✍️Saliva makes swallowing possible. It lubricates the food thereby reducing friction in the cause of swallowing, and we swallow with ease without needing water. Imagine what would happen if the mouth is dry? Swallowing will be difficult and painful.

✍️Some enzymes needed to breakdown foods like carbohydrate and fats are found in the saliva. As the food is chewed and saliva is mixed with it, enzymes like salivary amylase starts to breakdown carbohydrate (yam, rice, potatoes, cake etc), while lingual lipase begins the process of digestion of lipids. Isn't saliva important?

✍️ foods like soda, grape juice, energy drink has a risk of destroying the whitish coat of the teeth called enamel because of their acidity. Saliva helps reduce the acids because of its alkaline nature.

✍️ About 1L of saliva is produced every day where it acts not only as lubricant by also as a mouth cleanser. When saliva is swallowed, which occurs intermittently, bacteria and other microorganisms that enter the mouth are washed away by the saliva and carried to the stomach where the acids in the stomach destroy them. In the same way, some food particles in between the teeth are cleared by saliva.

Wants to know more about saliva and other health tips, give us 👍 and follow Dr. obilor Health Informatics for more. Don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comment session.

The best antibiotics for treating bacterial infection

🔥Have you wondered why some bacterial infection persists despite treatment? Have you been in a situation where you need the best antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection? This post is for you

🔥James had a very bad wound on his right leg that lingered for a while and out of desperation to see the wound heal, he went for an expensive antibiotic (Meronem) because he believed that costly antibiotics are very effective in combating any bacteria infection. By the way, depending on the brand, Meronem can cost as much as 25,000 naira per vial which is given three times per day. Imagine taking the drugs for 3 days: this transforms to N225,000.

🔥But here it gets really interesting. Despite taking such expensive antibiotics, the wound infection persisted. When the wound swab was taken and sent for culture, it was discovered that the bacteria was sensitive to ciprofloxacin, which is a 400 naira medication. Within 3 days of taking this medication, there was a remarkable improvement and the wound healed subsequently.

💥Discussion
🔥There are so many drugs used in treating bacterial infection; some are cheaper and very affordable while others are expensive. In the world of microorganisms, what matters is the sensitivity of the drugs to the microorganisms and not how expensive the drug is. This is not to say that expensive antibiotics are not effective; as long as the bacteria is sensitive to them, they will work. However, if the bacteria is resistant to the drugs, no matter how expensive the antibiotic is, it won't work.

🔥So if you are having persistent infections (persistent cough, urinary tract infection, vaginosis etc) despite taking antibiotics, a medical review is important; it is likely the causative agent (if it's bacterial) is resistant to the drugs you are taking or you are treating the wrong disease agent...

And by the way, injusticious use of antibiotics is on the rise. Drugs like Meronem shouldnt be used without recommendation from a qualified medical practitioner.

If you enjoy our posts, give us 👍 and follow Dr. obilor Health Informatics for more health tips.

When too much water intake becomes toxic to the body.

"As I heard that enough water is good for the body and the kidneys, I muscled up my drinking habit against the backdrop of a few glasses per day. I initially started at one gallon per day while aiming at 2 gallons. In my mind, I was honestly doing a favour to my kidneys because I'm scared of having kidney failure"

One fateful day, I had this excruciating headache and was feeling confused. Then my neighbour advised me to take water for the headaches that it helps in relieving the symptoms. Then I took more water. My observation was the colour of my urine; it was pure white and I was very happy that my body is clean. But the headache persisted and I felt like fainting; sometimes, I experienced this jerky movement as if I'm about to have convulsion. It was at this po point I visited a hospital.
After so many questions and laboratories, the doctor said I had a condition called hyponatremia; that my sodium level was too low because of excessive water intake.

From the desk.
Excess water intake (salt free) can dilute blood sodium level. This will cause the brain to swell causing headache, confusion, seizures and can even lead to coma as water shifts from the blood into the brain.

While water plays an important role in the body and helps the kidneys get rid of toxins, the idea that water does not have overdose is absolutely wrong. This doesn't discourage one from drinking water (2.5-3.5L/day, which can vary slightly base on individual, weather and physical activities, isn't bad for those in the tropics). But if you suddenly develop headaches, confusion, seizures etc, please see your doctor; they could be symptoms of water intoxication, and reducing the amount of free water intake becomes part of the treatment.


Are you familiar with this? Let's have your thoughts in the comment section

For more health tips follow Dr. obilor Health Informatics and give us 👍 if you enjoy our post