Jeshurun's Mind: Health and Fitness

Neck Injury and Treatment

Neck injury, whether mild or severe, may affect other parts of the neck such as bones, soft tissues, joints and nerves since they are connected and thus work together to hold up and move the head. Although damage from neck injury is often limited to soft tissue, most neck injuries affect muscles. 

Common neck injuries that affect soft tissues include neck strain, muscles strain and crick in the neck. “Crick in the neck” is a non-medical diagnosis used to describe the pain one wakes up with after sleeping the neck in an awkward position.

Neck sprains are injuries to ligaments and are mostly caused by falls or by sudden twists that overstretch or overload the joint. Sprains’ symptoms include reduced flexibility, swelling and pain. Muscle strains often occur in the low back but they also sometimes  affect the neck. A common cause of muscle strain is bending over at one’s waist to lift up a heavy object.  

Neck injuries that may affect the spinal cord and/or nerves include slipped disk in the neck (herniated disc), whiplash, stingers and burners.

Herniated disc occurs when the soft substance on the inside of the nucleus pulposis (the disc) is pushed out. When this soft substance lands on a root nerve, it causes pain and leads to symptoms such as numbness and weakness.  Symptoms of herniated disc, however, depend on the exact spine’s level where disc herniation occurs and whether or not there is irritation of the nerve tissue.   

Disc herniation can also be caused by tears in the outer fibers of the disc which can be brought on by forceful, sudden or repeated stress to the joint. Lifting a heavy load with a twisted spine can, for example, cause a disc to herniate.

Treatment for a herniated disc depends of the severity of the symptoms and includes muscle relaxant medications, pain and anti-inflammation medications, physical therapy and surgical operations.

Whiplash mostly occurs to a person’s neck after a sudden acceleration-deceleration force, often from car accidents. Although it is not a life threatening injury, whiplash can result in a prolonged period of partial disability. The most common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, ringing in the ears, headache, visual disturbances, shoulder pain and stiffness, dizziness among others.   

Some of the more severe symptoms of whiplash include post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, anxiety, drug dependency, insomnia, litigation and social isolation.  

The most important step in diagnosing whiplash is examining the patient in order to determine whether there are injuries which require treatment. The doctor may, based on the examination findings and symptoms either place a collar on the neck for additional support, or obtain x-rays of the neck to check for more serious injuries

Treatment for whiplash depends on the variety of symptoms present. However, the most important factor in managing whiplash is optimal education of the patient concerning their injury. This could include information on the cause, treatments and thee likely outcomes.

A soft cervical collar, which is often the initial treatment for whiplash, reduces the range of motion and prevents further injuries. But since loss of range of motion and excessive rest can lead to increased pain and stiffness, physical therapy is more appropriate as it strengthens muscles and increases blood flow.

Stingers and burners are temporary injuries to the nerve root and may be caused by abruptly tilting the head or forcing the head and shoulder in opposite directions at the same time. Symptoms include stinging, burning, weakness or numbness, and an electrical sensation down one arm. Football players, especially tacklers, and other contact sport athletes are the most likely to experience stingers and burners.

Jeshurun's Mind: My Musings

Top 8 Wedding Tips For Mothers Of The Bride Groom 

Since a wedding is a major occasion not only to the groom but also to his mother, it is of utmost importance that the mother does all what is necessary to make her son’s wedding a conspicuous success. The following top-8-wedding-tips-for-mothers-of-the-bride-groom are meant to help you, as a mother, achieve just that. 

1.  Do away with your own expectations

Every mother wants to have a say in her son’s wedding. However, too much input and expectations from you can cause him much stress and thus ruin his moment of happiness. Offering to assist in the things he might need will often earn you more invitations to help than when you try bulldozing him into doing what you want. If you give him all the freedom to say what happens and when, his big day will be hassle free. 

2. Discuss money matters with your son

It is essential to sit down with the groom-to-be and talk about wedding finances. Letting him know how much you are willing to contribute to his wedding budget will lighten his burden.

3. Get to meet and know the in-laws

It has been tradition that once the engagement has been announced, the groom’s parents reach out to their soon-to-be-in-laws. As a mother, it is important to fully support your son with plans of meeting the parents of your daughter-in-law to-be. This offers an excellent opportunity for both sets of parents to not only know each more but also discuss the wedding plans. The best option is to invite everyone for dinner at a nice but casual restaurant, where everyone will relax. That way, no one will feel the stress and pressure of playing host. 

4. Allow the bride’s mother pick her dress first

Customarily, the bride’s mother chooses her dress first and then lets the groom’s mother know the color, style and length so she can choose a complimentary dress. As the groom’s mother, don’t try to change the drill and while choosing the dress colors, consult the bride and keep the wedding photos in mind. 

5.  Assess the guest list

Find out the expectations of the groom-to-be for the guest list and your reasonable input to it, bearing in mind that parents of the bride-to-be will also want to contribute. Draw up the guest list for the groom’s side only after knowing the number of guests you are allowed to invite. 

6. Back up your son and daughter-in-law at the wedding

The wedding guests can sometimes be a little demanding such as wanting extra serving at the reception or to perform a solo at the wedding. As the groom’s mother, you should handle the guests’ complaints tactfully by making them feel better while at the same time not giving in to their pushy pleas.

7. Be discreet

Should you happen not to like someone or a particular element of the wedding, just keep it to yourself. Letting it out may cause it to reach unintended persons and thus cast a shadow on the wedding occasion. 

8. Present a sentimental gift

Besides helping pay for expenses such as the rehearsal dinner, engagement rings or the honeymoon, it is worthy to give your son and daughter-in-law a sentimental gift like a family heirloom as one way of welcoming the bride into the family.

   

Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Mahojiano kati ya Freddy Macha na Profesa Said Ahmed Mohammed, Mwandishi wa zaidi ya vitabu 30 vya Kiswahili.

 

Sehemu ya Pili

Kwa wasomaji wapya. Mwandishi Said A Mohammed keshaandika zaidi ya vitabu thelathini ikiwemo michezo ya kuigiza (tamthiliya), riwaya, mashairi na vitabu ya watoto. Riwaya yake maarufu, Asali Chungu, ilichapwa mara ya kwanza, 1976. Mwandishi aliyetopea, Adam Shafi, aliwahi kusema katika mahojiano na mhadhiri wa Kiswahili Ujerumani, Lutz Diegner, kwamba Asali Chungu ni miongoni mwa hazina kuu za Kiswahili na hupenda sana, kukisoma... Endelea...

Freddy Macha 

Riwaya zako tatu zimepishana miaka 36. Je kwanini, muda mrefu toka Utengano hadi Nyuso? Asali Chungu (1977), Utengano(1980) na Nyuso za Mwanamke (2010), Mhanga Nafsi Yangu (2012). Vile vile dhamira kuu inamwangalia mwanamke kwa macho na hisia za kumtetea. Mwandishi mwingine Mwafrika anayesimama upande wa kina mama (hasa vitabu vyake vya mwanzo) ni Msomali - Nuruddin Farah. Je, kwanini wanaume muwatetee wanawake? Kwani hawawezi kuandika wenyewe?  

Mwandishi Said A Mohammmed 

Kuandika riwaya au kazi yoyote ya fasihi kunahitaji wakati, utulivu na wiitisho wa ndani wa nafsi ya mwandishi. Huwezi tu kujilazimisha kufululiza. Kisha nadhani vita vya wanawake ni vita vya wanaume pia kama ilivyo kwamba vita vya wanaume ni vita vya wanawake. Kwa hali hii hakuna suala la kwa nini? Kwa bahati mbaya waandishi wanaume wachache tu ndio wenye msimamo wa ukombozi wa wanawake katika fasihi ya Kiswahili. Ama suala la wanawake kutoandika wenyewe wapo wachache katika fasihi ya Kiswahili wanaoandika hata kwamba hawajitetei. Jambo hili linashikamana na historia ya wanawake katika jamii zetu. Wanawake popote pale wamekuwa katika historia ya ukandamizwaji, je kwa nini tusiwatetee?.

Freddy Macha 

Sauti unayotumia kuelezea kisa chako katika Nyuso za Mwanamke ni tofauti na Utengano na Asali Chungu. Mtindo wa Nyuso ni wa “ki-maelezo” zaidi kuliko kutumia wahusika kama Semeni, Zuberi na Dude (Asali Chungu) na Maimuna, Maksudi na Shoka (Utengano). Je kwanini ukaamua kufanya hivyo?  

Wachapishaji wake mwanafasihi Said Mohammed wenye makao makuu Nairobi na ofisi mbalimbali Afrika Mashariki.  

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed

Kila kazi ya fasihi katika utanzu wake ni kama mtoto ambaye amezaliwa na mama na babake. Hawezi mtoto mmoja awe sawa na mtoto mwengine wa tumbo moja. Huu ni ukweli pia katika uandishi wa kubuni. Lakini sidhani kwamba simulizi yangu katika Nyuso za Mwanamke ni simulizi ya kueleza tu, yaani “telling or descriptive”, bali kwa sehemu kubwa ni ya kuonyesha “showing” kupitia wahausika wangu. Na kwa upande mwingine haiwezakani riwaya kuisimulia kwa mtindo mmoja bali kwa mshikamano wa mitindo miwili.

Freddy Macha 

“Nyuso..” imechukua muda mrefu sana kumshika msomaji kuliko vile visa vya mwanzo.Hadi ukurasa wa 44 ndipo kisa kinapoanza kujitokeza kwamba chamhusu mtu na mzazi wake. Mwandishi ana uhuru wa kuchagua mtindo wa kuelezea riwaya yake. Je kwanini ukachagua mtindo huu wa mafumbo mafumbo na kuchelewesha habari na maudhui? Je kadri mwandishi unavyoendelea kukomaa unashawishika kufanya majaribio ya ki fani? Na je, umepata “matokeo” au mrejesho nyuma gani kutoka kwa wasomaji wako kuhusiana na kisa hiki?

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed

Kama kweli wasomaji wote wanahisi kuchelewa kwa hadithi ya Nyuso za si hakika. Labda inaweza kuwa riwaya hii ina katika matapo (layers) mengi. Isitoshe, mhusika mkuu Nana ana tatizo la kuzungumza ndani ya nafsi yake na kuzungumza mwenyewe kwa mwenyewe, kwa hivyo mwanzo hakuna mgongano wa wahusika ambao unatazamiwa kumchangamsha msomaji. Nana ana tatizo linalomfanya aelezee yeye nani na kwa nini ametengana na mamake, jambo ambalo ni msingi mkubwa wa hadithi hii. Lakini hata magwiji wa riwaya wanazungumziwa kuwepo “purple colours” na uchangamfu katika kazi zao – yote mawili.  

Freddy Macha 

“Utengano” na “Nyuso” zina mlolongo wa maneno mapya au “magumu” ya Kiswahili. Huu ni mtindo mzuri sana wa kuendeleza lugha yetu.Si waandishi wengi wanaotupa “sherehe” kama hii. Labda tutegemee kwamba “Asali” ikichapishwa tena pia iwekewe “sherehe” , maana ina maneno mengi “magumu”?

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed 

Kwanza niseme kwamba Kiswahili kina utajiri mwingi lakini waandishi wachache wanasahau hivyo au hawataki kusikia wenzao wanavyosema na wanavyoandika. Pili, wazo lako nalikubali kwa ukamilifu.  

Freddy Macha 

Visa vyako huchimba undani wa wahusika kuonyesha maisha magumu lakini hapo hapo kutekenya ndoto njema na fikra za wanadamu. Ukurasa 118 (Asali) tunaonyeshwa Dude alipopata ahueni baada ya kufarijiwa na mke wa Zuberi. Mwandishi unasema: “Ata! Dude hataki tena kufa; anataka aishi.Ni nani asiyetaka kuishi?” Utengano hali kadhalika.Bi Kocho anaonyesha ari ya kike akiongea na Farashuu (uk 61): “Sifi kwa ufukara, nikafa kwa kuteswa na mtu. Wakati wa kuogopa umekwisha. Hata kama Maksuudi angalikuwa Mzungu.” Na “Nyuso” hali kadhalika (uk 39): “Nilihisi kwamba haki ya kuwa huru ni haki yangu ya kwanza ya msingi.” Je, lengo na msimamo wako mwandishi kuonyesha jazba ya wanadamu na kwamba ushindi ni kheri yetu kuliko fikra za kushindwa na kukata tamaa na maisha? Au imetokea tu?

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed 

Unajua kutaka tusitake, kila mwandishi ana msimamo na falsafa yake. Mimi siwezi kuwafanya wahusika wangu wakate tamaa. Bila ya tamaa binadamu hawezi kujikomboa. Ukweli ni kwamba bado tunatawaliwa na tena vibaya vibaya.  

Freddy Macha 

Riwaya hizi tatu zimeelezewa ndani ya maisha ya Visiwani peke yake. Lakini mwandishi umetembea na kuishi mazingira mengine mfano Kenya, Tanzania Bara na Ulaya. Kwanini huangalii huko pia kama ulivyofanya katika hadithi yako fupi “Tazamana Na Mauti” (Damu Nyeusi) inayoangalia maisha ya London?

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed

Hadithi mara nyingi huja na kuendana na mandhari (setting) yake. Baada ya kukaa nje ya Zanzibar na Tanzania nimepata uzoefu wa nje, kwa hivyo soma kazi kama Baba Alipofufuka, Dunia Yao, Mhanga Nafsi Yangu n.k, utaona kwamba nimefaidikia kimaudhui na kimandhari yanayokamatana katika uwili mmoja. Si kazi zangu zote ni za nyumabani tu.

Freddy Macha

Kifani una lugha ya kipekee inayochora mandhari, wahusika, hisia, mazingira. Mifano iko mingi sana – ila tuchague michache ndani ya “Utengano” na “Asali” zinavyochambua mazingira ya maskini- kilabuni (Utengano, uk 138-143 ) ambapo wanawake wawili – Maimuna na Kijakazi wanavyogombana. Hapa umeshika taji la kukionyesha Kiswahili kilivyo kitamu: “Kijakazi mwenye tabia ya uso wa samaki usiosikia viungo”; “Shoka alitia pamba masikioni”; “Nani anayeshtua watu akitupiwa mbwa hamtaki”; “Kijakazi alijitazama akajiona kapwaya kweli”; “Alikua shetani na aliweza kummeza yeyote.” Na kadhalika. “Asali Chungu,” inayachora maisha ya wananchi kwa undani. Kama wakati Semeni akijipamba. Uk 42 : “Baadaye alikunja miguu yake akaanza kuisinga kwa baki ya mafuta yaliyoroa mikononi mwake. Akarejesha zana zake chumbani na kurudi kukaa kwenye kiti cha marimba pale pale kwenye baraza. Alikua kakaa kwenye kile kiti, kinyume mbele, kajivuta nyuma na kukimwaya kiuno chake upande wa ukutani. Kifua na mikono ikalalia kiegemeo cha kiti, kichwa chake kimeelemea kwenye mikono yake aliyoipachika pamoja; akawa anamwangalia Pili aliyejitia hajamwona, anamfundika kijakazi mkia wa mwisho.” Je, una nini la kuwafundisha waandishi wachanga wanaokua sasa hivi namna ya kuyasifia na kuyapamba na kuyachora vizuri mazingira wanayoyaandika. Waandishi wengi vijana leo wanaandika michezo ya sinema, wanaandika tenzi za rapu (Bongo Flava) wanaandika hadithi fupi fupi. Ila mara nyingi hawajaonyesha mazingira kitaswira. Nini siri wanayoikosa? Ukiacha kipaji yaani.

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed

Kwanza wakipende Kiswahili, pili, wakisikilize na tatu wakisome kutokana na wale wanaokipenda Kiswahili. Wakubali kuiga, maana wigo si mbaya iwapo utatumika kwa kufunguka tu.

Freddy Macha 

Tuangalia mambo mawili pia yanayohusu lugha. Kwanza tueleze vipi ukaunda misemo mizito kwa maneno machache. Yanatoka wapi? Mfano: Nyuso (Sura 7; uk 70); “Maiti kasoro nukta.” Asali (Sura 11; uk 143) : “Ulimwengu ni mchafu. Je, yeye mlimwengu awe vipi?” Asali (Sura 8; uk 101) “Mungu haombwi; hutoa.” Utengano (Sura 10; uk 118 ) : “Bora nusu ya shari kuliko shari kamili.” Pili, tusaidie tafsiri ya maneno na misemo ya visiwani ambayo haieleweki kwa baadhi ya wasomaji wa bara: “Sherehe za wana kindakindaki” (Asali, Sura 12; uk 159) “Kuruka adi-mfundo” (Asali, Sura 8; uk 111) Je ni “andasa” au “andis”? (Asali, Sura 4; uk 50) “Hapendi, hataki, hajali wala habali” – (Utengano, Sura 1; uk3) “Mkareti” (Utengano, Sura 2; uk 20)

Mwandishi Said A Mohammed 

Nafikiri misemo na maneno hayo hapo juu yanatokana na upeo wangu wa kubuni na ukwasi wa lugha nilioupata katika utamaduni wangu. Ndio ule utamu wa lugha ulioutaja hapo juu. Mwandishi lazima awe mweledi na mwepese wa kutumia maneno na misemo yenye kuvutia na kushangaza. Mbali na hayo mwandishi lazima asikilize watu wanavyosema katika jamii husika na utamaduni wake unaotoa nafasi ya kuunda misemo na kauli za mvutio. Kindakindaki ni mtoto wa mtu mkubwa kama vile mfalme. Adimfundo ni aina ya mchezo wa kuruka vyumba vilivyochorwa ardhini. Neno andasa ni nomino na andis(i) ni kitenzi. Hapendi, hataki, hajali wala habali ni kauli ya msisitizo wa kutopenda. Mkareti ni aina ya mmea wenye mbegu ngumu kama mawe na pia unazungukwa na miba.  

Profesa Said A Mohammed, alistahafu kazi ya kufundisha Kiswahili vyuo vikuu mbalimbali duniani, mwaka jana.

 

Samahani Wanangu

 

Na Mrisho Mpoto akimshirikisha Maunda

 

Taabu, maisha kila siku,
Maajabu mchana hata usiku,
Haya ndio maisha yetu, 

Samahani sana wanangu, wanangu wapendwa salamu,
Leo hizi ni salamu zangu za dhati, salamu za upendo,
Salamu zitokazo ndani, mvunguni mwa moyo wangu,
Salamu zilizobeba dhati ya nafsi yangu,
Salamu adimu, ulimwenguni tunaoishi.

Nisameheni wanangu, moyo wangu umenituma barua,
Niwaandikie, wana na vijana  wangu,
Ikikufikia, mweleze na mwenzako,
Tuanze upya, tusahau jana yetu,
Tufunge ukurasa wenye inda, ubinafsi na dhuluma,
Tugeuke tuyape mgongo, yabaki historia,
Amini, samahani yangu ni nuru wa maisha yenu.

Wanangu, niandikapo barua hii,
Najua mko mahala fulani,
Ama ni asubuhi, jasho likiwatiririka,
Kwa kuangalia “pornography” kwenye internet café,
Baada ya kutoroka shuleni,
Si ajabu pia kuwa ni usiku wa manane,
Mmegeuka bidhaa zinazotembea nusu uchi, mkifukuzana na polisi,
Rambo mkononi, nao hawajapata kujua mmefikaje pale,

Na pengine, licha ya umri wa miaka kumi na mbili mko leba,
Mkisubiri ule wakati wa uchungu, sauti ya muuguzi ikikwambia,
Sina nauli, daktari kando ya kitanda akinung’unika,
Ada ya shule ya mwanaye kipenzi.

Wanangu, pengine ni usiku kati,
Mko kwenye “party”  ya kucheza uchi,
Ujira ni pakiti ya sigara,
Au labda mko shuleni chini ya miti mkisoma,
Mliopo kwenye vyumba mmeshonana mithili ya siafu,

Yawezekana kuwa ninapoandika waraka huu,
Mko majalalani mkichakuachakua vifusi vya taka,
Kama kuku wa kienyeji,  kutafuta makopo ya kuchezea,
Ama mwacheza mpira wa makaratasi vichochoroni,
Maana uwanja wenu umezungushwa mabati,
Na kuandikwa: “Mbwa mkali”, kisha ujenzi wa Casino.

Wanangu, lakini pengine mmejikongoja mpaka sekondari,
Maisha ya manamba ndio staili yenu, bila mikiki hakuna lishe,
Wakati nyinyi, nyoyo zenu zimebeba visasi na risasi,
Wenzenu wamebeba vifaa na zana, kuelekea sayari ya Mars,
Mmeshindiliwa hasira, mmebugizwa chuki,
Mkaombewa ibada ya ukatili, na roho wa ukatili akawabariki,
Sekunde hii damu ikitiririka, kwa shangwe na mori mnarukaruka,
Poleni sana wanangu, 

Taabu, maisha kila siku,
Maajabu mchana hata usiku,
Haya ndio maisha yetu, 

Miongoni mwenu njaa imeshikana na ngozi yenu,
Mbavu zenu zajianika mithili ya chanuo la mti,
Wakati huu nyinyi mkisoma waraka huu,
Wengine wanafanya mazoezi ya kunyanyua vyuma,
Kabla ya kupora cheni na  mikoba ya simu,
Wapo pia walioketi vijiweni wakiandika mabango:
“Heri kuwa mbwa Ulaya kuliko kuwa mwana wa nchi,”
Maana ardhi yenu imekuwa Jehanamu.

Wanangu, kweli hatamu ikishikwa punda sharti aende,
Sauti yenu imenifikia, nimeisikia nitawafikia,
Popote pale muwapo sekunde hii,
Wekeni taswira yenu mpya ya baba yenu mbele yenu,
Itazameni ikitiririka machozi ya majuto na upendo,
Machozi haya yameanza safari ndefu,
Yakilainisha pua zilizoona kinyaa kila mlipopaaza sauti,
Yakilainisha midomo iliyowabeza na kuwanunia na kuwafokea,
Yakitiririka zaidi hadi kifuani,
Kulainisha mioyo migumu iliyosisitiza nyinyi ni Taifa la kesho,
Pasi kujua kesho hujengwa na leo,

Tena zaidi machozi yalainisha mikono iliyowasukumia mbali,
Nayo ikawakumbatia na kufungua ukurasa mpya,
Sitasubiri, sitasubiri mpaka uchaguzi,
Ili mnibebe kwa pato la sahani ya pilau,
Kisha nikawatosa kama maganda ya miwa,
Japo niko mbali, anzeni kuhisi joto langu,
Isikieni sauti yangu ikiwanong’oneza,
Narudi kwenu enyi vijana mliolemewa na mizigo,
Furaha yangu kamili yategemea furaha yenu,
Samahanini wanangu, nawatakia maisha mema. 

Taabu, maisha kila siku,
Maajabu mchana hata usiku,
Haya ndio maisha yetu,