The Cut

Rhodney Kataka

African communities have always given circumcision a lot of significance. However, in the past three decades the rite has seen numerous changes that have given it a different meaning.
So much has been lost in the way communities handle the circumcision rite. Today’s generation and that of the past are worlds apart. Only a section of communities uphold traditions. For the Kikuyu community for instance, the decision as to who and when circumcision was to be done was determined by the elders. It was also based on prevailing factors such as weather and peace. Circumcision could not be conducted during a famine or when there were tribal wars and disease outbreaks. This is no longer the case as the decision has since been confined to the family set up.. Urbanisation has also contributed to the change in the way the practice is conducted.
These days the youth are taught to be respectable and responsible adults but in a different way.The modern circumcision is done through a surgical process in institutions such as hospitals and schools and camps.There are various advantages of doing it in the modern way and they include
1. It has helped curb the spread of diseases for example Hiv/Aids and other sexual related diseases.This is because the the tools are advanced, well cleaned and also sterilized,
2. It reduces the risk of getting urinary tract infections.
3. There is better care and treatment after the circumcision as the wounds are well dressed.
4. It reduces the chances of getting cancer of the penis.
5. The modern way of circumcision is also less painful when using the prepex device. A set of two ri ngs will be placed around his manhood and a cream applied to numb the area instead of using an anaesthetic drug injection.

6. Apart from being a sign of manhood these days the youth are educated on Christian values, careers , sex drug and substance among other things.

Effects of drug abuse

Gichuki James
Impact: Drug abuse
Understanding the effects of drug abuse and addiction on the health and lives of those affected.

EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION

Drugs affect the body and brain. Different drugs can have different effects.They can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance.

There are ways a person can take drugs, including:
– injection
– inhalatio
– ingestion.
The effects of the drug on the body can depend on how the drug is consumed. For example, the injection of drugs directly into the bloodstream has an immediate impact, while ingestion has a delayed effect. But all misused drugs affect the brain.which cause deaths, illnesses and disabilities are associated with drug abuse. People suffering from drug and alcohol addiction also have a higher risk of injuries, accidents and domestic abuse.

Most abused drugs
Drugs such as:
– alcohol
-marijuana/weed
-cocaine
-Heroin
-steroids
-Tobacco/nicotine

What is addiction?
Addiction is a relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.

THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON HEALTH

They can impact almost every organ in the human body:

-A weakened immune system, increasing the risk of illness and infection
-Heart conditions ranging from abnormal heart rates to heart attacks and collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs.
-Nausea and abdominal pain, which can also lead to changes in appetite and weight loss.
-Increased strain on the liver, which puts the person at risk of significant liver damage or liver failure
Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage
-Lung disease
-Problems with memory, attention and decision-making, which make daily living more difficult
– it leads to breast development in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems

 

Segment: Breakfast

By : Wambui Linet

What comes to mind when you hear of a balanced diet? Good nutrition? Or even staying healthy?

Well today let’s talk healthy breakfast. What you eat is what helps in growth of the body and above all normal functioning of the body metabolism.
So what exactly should one eat for a healthy living?

Today I will tackle how to have a healthy breakfast that will be nutritious and more so one that can be done on a low budget
Here are some of the breakfast options you can choose from :
1.Toast and eggs and a cup of coffee to kickstart the day on a good note.
2. Buttered bread
3. Porridge add a spoonful of blueband and sugar.

These are just some of the few breakfast menus to try out.

Gym & Fitness

BODY FITNESS
How to keep fit & healthy

By: Clarence Biama

a)Exercising
Start walking, jogging or cycling. No matter what your speed is, walking, jogging and cycling are very important parts of a healthy lifestyle as they are activities that keep your heart and lungs active and your blood flowing. If you need to keep your knees strong or have body aches and pains, then cycling may be a better solution.
Come up with a daily walking, jogging or cycling routine that fits with your schedule (i.e. go for a jog everyday at 6:00 p.m.). After a while you can increase your distance, speed, and the length of your workout.
Go out of your way to walk more. For example, if you go to the grocery store try to park in the farthest spot from the entrance so you are forced to walk those extra steps to get there.
Walk or bike to work or school. If you live close enough to work or school a good solution would be to start walking or cycling.
If you jog you should jog at least 1 kilometre (0.62 mi), but it is very important to pace yourself.
Exercise at home. Not everyone has the time or money to go to the gym and there is no need to. Working out at home is very easy and can be very beneficial. Some at-home exercises include:
1. Push-ups. Use your weight against the floor or wall to work on your upper body strength.

2. Sit-ups. Sit-ups can be done by simply laying on the ground or, with a more advanced technique, with a chair or exercise ball.

3. Yoga. Yoga practices such as downward facing dog or sun salutations are easily done on the carpeted ground or on a yoga mat.
Exercise in the gym. If you like the gym atmosphere and can afford the membership then the gym is a great place to stay fit.
Utilize the machines for cardio and weights, but be careful and never use a weight that is too heavy. Use smaller weights and you will find that you will progress through the weights very rapidly.
Learn strength training and muscle toning techniques from an instructor or professional.

b)Eating well
We have to check out on the proper diet we consume daily . Foods might be of good or bad impact to our bodies. We should avoid fatty foods and concentrate on rich vitamin foods.

c)General body check up often
Make it a routine . Once in every three months we should visit a healthcare and request for acheck up. This will enable us to identify any problem in our body.
Be good self keeper and stay fit!!!!!
Written by: BIAMA CLARENCE

To shave or not to shave that is the question.

Betina Ogutu

Shaving down there is a personal decision though . A lot of women remove their pubic hair because they think it’s “gross,” “unsightly,” or “unacceptable” to keep their pubic hair as is. … That includes doing whatever we personally want to.
Some guys trim their pubic hair, others prefer to shave or wax, and most guys just leave it alone. It’s not necessary to remove the hair in this area to keep your body clean; it’s just a personal preference. Many people just prefer to let them just grow because of some consequences like..
• Razor burn (rash)
• Chemical burn from over-the-counter cream hair removers (depilatories)
• Redness
• Cuts, pimples and/or blisters
• Itching
• Infection in the hair root – the medical term for this is “folliculitis”. Shaving is a common cause.
If you decide to do it here are safe ways of shaving
Step 1
Shave during or after a shower or bath, so your skin and hair have been softened by the steam.
Step 2
Replace your razor. Always use a new razor when you need to shave your pubic area. When a razor is dull, it can irritate skin and lead to razor bumps. Electric razors can give a better shave as well and can be used on the pubic area.
Step 3
Use an aloe-based or other moisturizing shaving gel when removing hair with a razor from the pubic area. Aloe vera is soothing to the skin and will not cause the irritation that commonly occurs when you shave with soap. You may need to reapply the shaving gel frequently while getting rid of hair in your pubic area
Step 4
Remove the hair in a downward motion. As you graze the razor over the skin, avoid going against the hair growth and instead shave downwards. Avoid stretching out the skin while shaving.
Step 5
Moisturize the area after you have shaved. Keep red bumps at bay by applying a generous amount of a moisturizing lotion to the bikini line after you have shaved.
Tips
If you notice any pus, severe pain or swelling at the site of the red bumps, contact your doctor for treatment. You may have developed an infection.

Use a clean razor all the time

Why we have sex

Barungu Nyawira

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Today, sexual behaviors seem to have taken on many different psychological, social, cultural, even religious meanings. Your partner may have a dozen excuses to say, ”Not tonight Dear, I have a …,” but how many reasons can the two of you name for wanting to have sex? One? Two? Maybe Five? How about150?
From pleasure to procreation, insecurity to inquisitiveness. From sex for money to attain a better life to ties of wanting to maintain the status quo that comes with a good living — today’s reasons for taking a roll in the hay seem to vary, as much as the terms for the deed itself. It extends the list, the fact of sex for recreation, or the mere fact of idleness. It is a stark contrast from the historical assumptions, which cited only three sexual motives; to make babies, to feel good or because you’re in love.
Wired for sex?
‘We are programmed to do so.’ Asking why people engage in sexual intercourse is akin to asking why one eats. Our brains are designed to motivate us towards that behavior. The idea that humans are hard-bound to sex reflects on an evolutionary perspective, in that there’s a desire for sexual relations ‘wired in’ in order to promote species survival.
What is the motive?
Emotional reasons: Love, commitment or gratitude.
Physical reasons: Pleasure, stress relief, exercise, sexual curiosity or attraction to a person.
Goal-based reasons: To make a baby, improve social status(to feel good about oneself) or seek revenge.
Insecurity reasons: To boost self-esteem, keep a partner from seeking sex elsewhere or feeling a sense of duty or pressure(for instance, if a partner insists on having sex.)
The one of 200 reasons could be the one you as an individual engage in sexual activity, for we all seek different gratifications in the same.