WATERMELON Watermelon is a staple fruit in sub-sahara Africa.  It's widely planted and readily available in the market throughout a year.  Though there is a great challenge of storage facility in Africa thus prompting the fruit to perish on the farmland and market. With the wide availability of this fruit,  small percentage of Africans consume watermelon  every day. This is so due to poor knowledge and ignorance of the health benefits of the fruits.       Watermelon is unrelated to melon and takes its name from the fact that its fruit’s sweet spongy flesh is 90% water. Watermelons can be round or oblong and tend to be very large. Their hard skins can be striped or mottled, and range from golden yellow to dark green in colour. Their seeded flesh is usually pink or yellow Possible health benefits of watermelon Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have sugg

                   MENSTRUATION                       compiled by       OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO           adamsolatayo@yahoo. com                                     (RN,RPHN,BNSc ) Monthly physiological changes takes place in ovaries and uterus,  regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus,  pituitary gland and ovaries.  These cycles commence at puberty and occur simultaneously and together are known as the female reproductive cycle.  The functions of the cycle are to prepare the egg often referred to as the gamete or oocyte for fertilization by the spermatozoon (sperm),  and to prepare the uterus to receive and nourish the fertilized egg. Menstruation, also known as a period or monthly, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.Up to 80% of women report having some symptoms prior to menstruation. Common signs and symptoms include acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes.

Common drug interactions: Keep your family safe See how everyday products can affect your medications. According to the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration ,  two out of every three patients who visit a doctor leave with at least one prescription for medication, and close to 40 percent of Americans receive four or more medication prescriptions. With those rates, it’s important to realize the interactions that can occur. According to the FDA, drug interactions fall into three broad categories: Drug-drug interactions  occur when two or more drugs react with each other. Drug-food/beverage interactions  result from drugs reacting with foods or beverages. Drug-condition interactions may occur when an existing medical condition makes certain drugs potentially harmful. Laura P. Hayes, Pharm D., pharmacist, Medical Center East Pharmacy at  Vanderbilt University Medical Center , offered three common drug interactions and explained the dangers. 1. Warfarin (Coumadin – brand