Health
Is it a Headache or Are You Having a Stroke?
Headaches can sometimes be so painful that it can make you wonder if something more serious is wrong. Most headaches are due to tension, migraines, or sinus issues, but a sudden, severe headache can be a symptom of a more urgent problem, such as a stroke.
It’s important to note that most headaches are unrelated to a stroke, says Dr. Helen Okoye a medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. “However, if you or someone you know experiences a sudden, severe headache along with other neurological symptoms, seek immediate medical attention,” she says.
For those who struggle with recurring or chronic migraines, seeking professional care can make a significant difference. Accessible telehealth platforms, such as online migraine treatment from Hello Wisp, provide convenient, personalized solutions that offer consultations, prescriptions, and ongoing support designed to help manage migraine symptoms from the comfort of home.
Time is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of a stroke, and early intervention can help to prevent permanent damage or death. Strokes are a life-threatening emergency – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke annually. Of those, five million die and another five million are left permanently disabled.
A headache associated with a stroke is typically different from a routine headache in several ways, says Dr. Okoye.
A normal headache
Most headaches develop gradually and can be triggered by factors like stress, tension, lack of sleep, certain foods, caffeine, or dehydration. Pain is usually felt in the head, face, or neck, in a dull, aching, or throbbing pain. Other symptoms such as sensitivity to light or noise, nausea, and vomiting may also be experienced, but these are not typically as severe as those associated with a stroke.
Stroke-related headache
Headaches related to stroke typically occur suddenly and with intensity – often described as “the worst headache of my life”. The pain can be on one side of the head, particularly if the stroke affects a specific area of the brain. The headache may persist for an extended period, whereas routine headaches often resolve with time or after taking pain relief medication.
“Stroke-related headaches are also often accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision problems, dizziness, confusion, and problems with balance or coordination,” points out Dr. Okoye.
Strokes are a medical emergency that can lead to paralysis, loss of consciousness, and difficulty speaking or understanding language. “It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone else is experiencing symptoms that indicate a stroke. There is a time-sensitive window for treatment to minimise damage to the brain and improve the chances of recovery, and only a medical professional can provide a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment,” cautions Dr Okoye.
What causes a stroke?
Most strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. This type of stroke is known as an ischemic stroke, and it occurs when a blood clot forms and obstructs the flow of blood to a part of the brain, explains Dr. Okoye.
The most common cause of an ischemic stroke is a thrombus, which is a blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel in the brain or elsewhere in the body, then breaks loose and travels to the brain, causing a blockage. This type of clot usually forms in arteries that have become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits), or in the heart in individuals with certain heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation.
In simple terms, says Dr Okoye, a stroke is like your brain’s equivalent of a heart attack. “When a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, the brain cells in that area do not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage and potentially causing stroke symptoms. The severity of the stroke and the resulting symptoms depend on the size and location of the blocked blood vessel.”
According to WHO, the risk of death depends on the type of stroke. Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) – where symptoms resolve in less than 24 hours – have the best outcome, followed by stroke caused by carotid stenosis (narrowing of the artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain). Blockage of an artery is more dangerous, with rupture of a cerebral blood vessel the most dangerous of all.
Reducing the risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DCD), many stroke risk factors are lifestyle-related, and 80% of strokes are preventable. This means that leading a healthy life and managing certain medical conditions can go a long way in lowering risk.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the single most important treatable risk factor for stroke, and preventing, diagnosing, and controlling it is critical. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and work with your healthcare provider to keep it within a healthy range.
Diabetes is another high stroke risk. “Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of stroke, so it’s crucial to manage your blood sugar levels effectively. Being overweight also places you at a higher risk. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise, and if you drink, do so in moderation, as excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke,” advises Dr Okoye.
“Eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and avoid excessive salt, saturated fats, and trans fats, as they can contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues,” she advises. Statistics from WHO show that for every 10 people who die of stroke, four could have been saved if their blood pressure had been regulated. Smoking also significantly increases stroke risk. Among those aged under 65, two-fifths of stroke deaths are linked to smoking. Tobacco use is one of the most significant modifiable risks, so if you smoke, seek help to quit.
“Having a stroke can be devastating to the sufferer and their families. It is a common cause of adult disability and can rob a patient of their independence,” says Dr Okoye. If you are at all concerned about your stroke risk, ask your healthcare provider to assess and address your individual stroke risk effectively.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says the number of Nigerians enrolled in health insurance has risen to more than 22 million.
The Director-General of NHIA, Mr Kelechi Ohiri, said this resulted from the implementation of the mandatory health insurance, which has gained momentum nationwide.
He said this on Wednesday at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos.
Mr Ohiri said enrolment had increased to 22.03 million, representing a 35 per cent year-on-year growth, attributing this to stronger collaboration with state social health insurance agencies, ministries, departments and agencies, organised labour, employers, the private sector, and the gradual implementation of the mandatory health insurance provisions of the NHIA Act.
He said that the country had moved beyond policy formulation to delivering measurable improvements in healthcare access, service quality and consumer protection in line with the federal government’s health sector reform agenda.
According to him, Nigeria already has the necessary policies and legislation to achieve Universal Health Coverage, positing that the key challenge was effective implementation.
“The decisive variable is now implementation- consistent, rigorous and accountable execution that converts political commitment into healthcare access for real Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Ohiri said that the transition from the former National Health Insurance Scheme to the NHIA had strengthened regulation, consumer protection, accountability and strategic purchasing, while providing the legal and operational framework for achieving Universal Health Coverage.
He added that improving the experience of enrollees remained central to the Authority’s reform agenda.
According to him, NHIA has strengthened its complaints management system, introduced faster resolution timelines, and intensified compliance monitoring of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and healthcare providers.
He further added that NHIA had sanctioned facilities that failed to meet the required standards, adding that his organisation had resolved 3,878 complaints, representing an 87 per cent resolution rate, while 95 per cent of the cases were concluded within prescribed timelines.
Mr Ohiri noted that more than N14.2 million had been refunded to enrollees, while non-compliant healthcare facilities had been sanctioned.
He said NHIA had also introduced service standards, including a one-hour treatment commencement target for enrollees requiring urgent care, to improve access to timely and quality healthcare services.
The NHIA boss further disclosed that capitation payments to healthcare providers had been increased by 93 per cent.
He said fee-for-service reimbursements rose by 378 per cent to enable providers to invest more in personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
According to him, 7,592 healthcare facilities have been assessed under the SafeCare quality framework as part of efforts to institutionalise continuous quality improvement across the country.
Mr Ohiri also highlighted interventions targeted at vulnerable groups, including support for more than 48,500 pregnant women, expanded maternal and newborn healthcare services, the Vulnerable Group Fund, and improved access to healthcare for pensioners and retirees.
He said Universal Health Coverage could only be achieved if every Nigerian, regardless of income or location, had access to quality healthcare services.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The new one-hour authorisation response time ultimatum policy introduced by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has received the full backing of SUNU Health Nigeria Limited.
This policy was introduced by the agency to ensure enrollees get prompt approval codes to access care.
Healthcare service providers have been urged to report any Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) that violates this initiative through an email, with the HMO in copy and a timestamp attached as evidence of the request. They may proceed to offer services to enrollees thereafter.
Speaking at the company’s second-quarter Providers’ Forum for the Lagos-Ogun region in Lagos recently, the chief executive of SUNU Health, Dr Moyosore Olomola, expressed optimism that this policy would improve healthcare delivery in the country, especially for enrollees, who crave quality service.
At the event themed Improving Quality and Access to Care Through Stronger Provider Network, and held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Yaba, Lagos, Mr Olomola reaffirmed the HMO’s commitment to operating within legal and operational frameworks to guarantee adequate care for enrollees.
“Access to care and quality of care remain key priorities in our healthcare systems. We know quite well that deliberate collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to excellence are required to achieve these priorities.
“A strong provider network is doubtless the backbone of any effective healthcare system. It ensures that our mutual enrollees receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price,” Mr Olomola, represented at the programme by the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr Faith Nwachi, stated.
He further assured that SUNU Health would strictly adhere to the one-hour authorisation limit, stressing that this aligns seamlessly with one of the organisation’s core values—promptness and its corporate slogan, Humanity is the centre of our initiatives.
In a bid to further improve access and quality of care, SUNU Health also demonstrated its new operational software and Mobile app, aptly named SUNU Legacy.
Also speaking at the event, the NHIA Lagos State Coordinator (Ikeja), Dr Bethuel-Kasimu Abraham, noted that the forum’s expected outcome is to significantly reduce delays in accessing medical care.
Other key expectations include ensuring continuity of care, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening accountability among HMOs.
Addressing specific pain points faced by enrollees, the NHIA Ogun State Coordinator, Mr Dare Adefeso, acknowledged that the agency had received complaints regarding out-of-stock drugs and the discrimination of enrollees by certain providers.
He affirmed that the NHIA is actively addressing these issues, stressing that moving forward, every facility must ensure enrollees are properly catered to regardless of their status, provided they have an active health insurance plan.
Corroborating the long-standing legacy of SUNU Health, the Ogun State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Aishat Tiamiyu, shared that her agency is responsible for public information dissemination and has been enrolled with SUNU Health for over 25 years.
Commending the HMO’s stellar service over two decades, she called for the immediate enrollment of new NOA staff into the scheme.
The Providers’ Forum remains one of the strategic channels employed by SUNU Health to consistently engage healthcare providers, understand their operational challenges, introduce new software updates, and solidify partnerships aimed at fostering premium healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the recall of a sexual enhancement product known as WAP Sensual Enhancement Capsules.
In a statement on Monday, the Nigerian agency disclosed that the recall is due to “undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients” in the product, whose country of origin is unknown, but is marketed and distributed online in the US through eBay.
It was emphasised that the recall is being “voluntarily” made by the manufacturer, Best Supplements Best Prices Company.
The detection of the undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients was made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Laboratory analysis by the US FDA revealed that the product contained undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil, and flibanserin, which were not mentioned on the product label. Such substances may include phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors or related compounds commonly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the statement by NAFDAC stated.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are ingredients in FDA-approved prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It was noted that these undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.
Flibanserin is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved prescription drug used to treat low sexual desire in women. Flibanserin can cause drowsiness, sedation, dangerously low blood pressure, and fainting, especially when combined with alcohol.
Consumers have been encouraged to report compromised products (medicines or medical devices) to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or send an email to sf******@********ov.ng.
