LORENCE ISHUGA

Photo: Juanmonino/iStockphoto Sleep deprivation is a worrying issue that affects everyone 365 days a year. However, it's especially damaging for health professionals who have high job stress and no time off.    To improve their working conditions, and protect themselves and their patients, doctors need shorter schedules with more rest days between shifts. Only then will they be able to perform at peak levels without risking dangerous side effects on the job or off it!   In this article, we'll explore the causes of sleep deprivation among doctors and its effects on patient safety.   The causes of sleep deprivation in healthcare professionals There are many causes of sleep deprivation in healthcare workers, but there are three, in particular, that stand out: shift work, long work hours, and the nature of the work itself.   The majority of healthcare workers are employed in shift work. This can cause problems for the circadian rhythm, the natural sleep-wake cycle...

  Image Source: Free images Compared to other bodily processes like digestion, breathing, or even thinking, sleep seems almost trivial. After all, how much time do we spend asleep in a day? A fifth of it? Maybe a third? Or only a tenth? In comparison to these other activities, it’s easy to assume that sleeping is not that important. But as it turns out, sleep is one of the most essential aspects of our lives. Getting the right amount and type of sleep has been shown to have positive effects on our physical and mental health. There are various ways to improve your sleeping habits. Exercise is one of them – read on for more information about how exercise affects our sleeping patterns and vice versa. What is the connection between exercise and sleep? Most of us are familiar with the feeling of being “tired” in the sense of being mentally and physically exhausted. But being tired is actually only one aspect of the experience of getting enough sleep. We also need to be able to fal...

  We are familiar with the sights of individuals dozing when traveling in the morning, perhaps, colleagues taking naps during working hours. Conversely, this might be an indicator of chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders.  For a little context, sleep loss is a sleep of a smaller interval than the proposed average basal need- for adults, 6-9 hours of sleep per night. Usually, the shortened sleep pattern has persisted for at least three months on most days of the week, tied with complaints of sleepiness during the day. Globally, approximately 62% of adults don’t sleep as well as they’d like. Resultantly, we develop sleep debt. Sleep debt is the difference between how much sleep you require and how much you obtain. When you sleep for less period than your body desires, you generate sleep debt. Presently, well-being is greatly valued, but sleep has been played down by many. Then again, why do we disregard sleep in our society? The truth needs to be understood, sleep is no...

It was Arthur Tedder, a former chancellor of Cambridge University who coined the aphorism "rugby is a game of hooligans played by gentlemen." By all the lowest standards, the current crop of some players, coaches, and spectators have zero regard for that maxim. Before I advance further, let me point out that I do a little bit of rugby officiating.  Strange things have happened the past few weeks in the rugby scene. However, the video of a Kenyan rugby referee, Saidi Kenya, being physically assaulted by Shamas rugby players has hit like a thunderbolt. A question that lingers in my wits, having watched that viral video, would anyone consider being a referee? The population in a field is divided into four; players, coaches, fans, and those who can officiate. Simply put, those who can and cannot referee. The rare breed that's pulled into officiating is a conundrum. To be the referee means you control the frustrations and adrenaline of the 14 or 30 players. Rugby used to...

Kenya Rugby Union moves into a critical phase in the coming weeks. Today, our rugby stands at an inflection point as the Kenya Simbas are contending for a slot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Swahili say “mgala muue lakini haki yake mpe.” The covid 19 stimulated problems notwithstanding, the current Kenya Rugby leadership has done a commendable job.  Nevertheless, as you’d suppose, during an election period, there are aplenty of campaigns everywhere and Kenya is not an exception. From the aspirants summarizing why they should be voted over their opponents to the positions, they are planning to compete for. Not to mention, the candidates also discourse our rugby problems and provide some strategies.  It’s also an open secret that the aspirants fight tooth and nail to leave behind a gorgeous impression on the voter’s heads by showcasing themselves as delightful. Add the campaign spectacle, often full of promises. Of course, the promises are intended to transform our rugby tenf...

  Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard] Like the prodigal son's grand return to his father's house, sports teams have finally found their life's missing piece. Spectators are euphoric to revert to stadiums. The relief, unbridled elation, and absolute bliss on fans' faces are already unmatched. That said, why are fans crucial in stadiums? With fans in stadiums, athletes will now hear chants. Players will also attend the bawl for a home run, and chest-thumping from the adorable fans will be visible. Great crowds will also restore the incredible reaction to goals in stadiums. Spectators provide merchandise-wear spectacle, sometimes face painted tribalism and necessary adrenaline for players. Their response of jubilation and anguish genuinely verify their passion for sports. Due to their howling presence, crowds fortify that they can indirectly influence the outcome of the match. Either way, their camaraderie, even in instants of setbacks, is tangible. For those starve...

  The game has no soul without the fans. Just reading this might not mean much until you attend a match in a fully packed stadium. It's no secret that the coronavirus has deprived sports spectators of joyous moments. As a result, fans have been kept away from the stadiums for more than a year. Moreover, suppose we juxtapose Kenya with Europe's sports tigers regarding fans' readmission in stadiums. In that case, I wonder why fans' attendance hasn't been reviewed yet in Kenya. Contrary, political gatherings are attracting mammoth crowds. This is somehow a mockery of covid-19 mitigation measures. Arguably, the majority of other economic sectors will operate at total capacity after the curfew is vacated. Why sideline sports? I'm starkly aware that the government has put exemplary efforts into ensuring our national teams participate in international competitions. But that's not enough. But why should we have fans back in stadiums? To begin with, it has been a bum...

As the FKF-PL curtains came down last week, the integrity of competitions was thrust into the spotlight after five-match officials were suspended on 31st July 2021 pending a probe into the alleged match manipulation. I stand to be corrected, perhaps it is negotiable for referees to make wrong decisions in the field. But, involvement in match manipulation is unacceptable. It darkens the image officiating as a whole. FIFA Integrity act 2020 defines match manipulation as the unlawful influencing or alteration, directly or by an act or omission, of the course, result, or any other aspect of a football match or competition. The increasing match-fixing allegations by referees should raise the eyebrows of all football stakeholders.  Is corrupt officiating an epidemic with no antidote? Regrettably, this phenomenon is infiltrating into lower leagues. It’s a time-ticking bomb that may soon send Kenyan football to its maker. It poses significant threats to the integrity of this beautiful spor...

The sudden postponement of the Tokyo Olympics last year triggered a Mexican wave of worry globally. The event will now commence on 23rd July 2021. Scores  will be kept. Winners announced. However, fans eager to take part will not be in the venues. But, what will athletes miss from spectators? The roaring voice of crowds chanting the names of athletes won't be heard. The merchandise wearing pageantry won't be witnessed. Their responses of jubilation and anguish won't be observed either. Tokyo Olympics won't be as blissful, it won't have the same zest with no fans. Perhaps, the stadiums won't be 'live' with no crowds that throng on athletes. I struggle to make peace that some athletes may have nobody to run to on the stands after winning their races. Truth be told, fans are a secondary agent of performance improvement in athletes. Undoubtedly, lack of spectators and packed arenas will take a certain glimmering off Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Athletes will now pla...

  Photo/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha Pathetic, cheat, useless and controversy are buzz terminologies associated with football referees. So, why has disrespect to referees? Perhaps, it’s an unwritten rule accepted in football? Officiating sports, precisely soccer in Kenya can be nerve-racking. Rarely do officials get applauded by fans for making the right decision.People start officiating knowing that they’ll enjoy-but later they hate it.Referees give up their weekends to ensure that football matches countrywide take place. They are sworn at and berated as they attempt to shake hands (in good faith) of the people who’ve spent the last 90 minutes making their lives hell. Fearing another 90 minutes of referee abuse each weekend is slowly leading to attrition of this ‘rare species’ Last year Kenyan referee John Chang’aa Okwoyo was killed by a football fan for wrongly flagging a ‘controversial’ foul that resulted to a penalty during Mashinani football tournament between Ichuni Youth and ...