chatwithketch

Q: Hi Doc, can yeast infection prevent pregnancy? If you don’t cure it does it go away on its own?

A: Hi dear. Thanks for writing in.

Yeast infections will not prevent pregnancy but interestingly, pregnancy is one of the conditions that can trigger candidiasis. And…it needs to be treated.

Let’s start from the very beginning…

Vaginal candidiasis which is a yeast infection occurs when the fungi which live normally in the vagina overgrow and cause an infection. Usually, there is yeast (fungi) in the vagina and they generally mind their own business until something comes along to disturb the peace of the environment. This disturbance can be in the form of abuse of antibiotics (which kills off the good bacteria that hold the fungi at bay causing them to take over and overgrow the environment) or even in pregnancy (where the estrogen hormone produced in pregnancy messes with the…

Q: Good evening Dr, please why does my breast remain the same even while pregnant and any solution to flattened breast? Thanks

A: Thanks for writing in. Pregnancy affects different people differently, you know. Some people will feel that their bust doubled in size immediately and for others, it’s the opposite J

Please see below, normal symptoms of pregnancy and I’ve also thrown in a bonus…the red flags (symptoms that should make you show up in the hospital immediately).

Breast tenderness: this is inevitable as your breast ducts prepare for the job of lactation. Bra sizes could go up from 1 to several sizes up. Perhaps yours went up just one or perhaps even just remained the same. It is not abnormal. If it does start to increase, be sure to get a good support bra and keep going up sizes as your breast size increases. This will help reduce sagging.

Q: Hallo Dr, please what can be used to reduce gas in the tummy when one is having gas problems?

A: ‘Excess gas’ is produced in the body when we swallow it or when our body produces it as a result of what we have eaten. This is usually caused by the twin factors of what you have eaten and how you chose to eat it.

For what you have eaten, easy culprits are rich, fatty foods, beans, dairy (especially in lactose intolerant people), high fibre foods (if lots of water is not taken afterwards) etc.
How can how you eat cause you a problem?

If you tend to over-eat or rush your food (eat it very fast or like a friend of mine would say, ‘inhale’ it :D), then you are a target for bloating. The reason is that you eat so fast that you don’t give enough time…

Q: Good morning ma’am. Thank you ma’am for your good work. I have a daughter who, most times, her mouth smells. She is 2 years 6 month. I brush her mouth twice a day with ……. I even use cotton wool to clear the mouth and tongue. Please ma’am, what do you think I should do or use? Thank ma. You can reply me in the public forum for those who seek.

A: Bad breath at any age is traumatic but in a young child, it often leaves the parents wondering what they are doing wrong J

Improper brushing of teeth is always an issue. People argue that they brush their teeth and their children’s teeth properly, but this may not be completely true. Do you brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, paying attention to every section? Do you brush your tongue? Do you floss? Remember that food…

Q: Hello Doc my daughter reacted to MMR vaccine. What can I do??

A: Thanks for writing in.

Sorry to hear about your daughter’s reaction to this vaccine which is relatively safe. You didn’t mention the specific symptoms she has. The MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine is usually given to children from 12 months of age and not earlier, to ensure that antibodies from the mother do not neutralize the effects of the vaccine. Be sure to let your baby’s know if she has any allergies.

The vaccine is to prevent three childhood diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. I will digress a bit to discuss these diseases a little.

Measles, a viral infection, also known as rubeola causes very serious infection in children who are not vaccinated. It is a droplet infection spread from the cough or sneeze of an infected person as saliva is sprayed into the air and…

Q: Greetings Dr. Please help advice me. I am 21 weeks pregnant. I had a cervical stitch at 15weeks because of threatened miscarriage. Now I usually have stomachache especially when I lie on my left and right sides but a bit comfortable when I lie on my back but of which I know it is not the best position. Dr. is the regular stomachache normal or it will cause a problem? And what about lying on my back?

A: Hi dear, thanks for writing in.

Abdominal pain in pregnancy may or may not be serious.

Harmless causes include:

·      Constipation

·      Gas

·      The growing womb (uterus)

·      Braxton-Hicks contractions (these are ‘fake’ contractions preparing the womb for the main even :D)

Serious causes of pain during pregnancy include:

·      Ectopic pregnancy. To learn about ectopic pregnancy, please click on this link https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/08/07/daily-health-tips-what-are-my-options-after-ectopic-pregnancy-and-failed-ivf/

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September 29 each year is set aside as World Heart Day. This day was founded to spread the news that heart diseases and stroke remain the leading causes of death worldwide. This year the theme for the day was Creating Heart Healthy Environments.

How can we do that? By ensuring that the places we live, work and spend time in do not increase our risks of heart-related diseases. Majority of the premature deaths from heart disease can be prevented by focusing on four lifestyle habits:
• Food:
o Eat more heart healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
o Use heart healthy oils to cook (eg olive oil) and be sure to use small amounts of even that.
o Limit your intake of salt, sugar and processed foods

Q: Good morning doctor, please I want to know the symptoms of thyroid and how it can be treated .

A: Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when your body produces too much thyroid hormones. These hormones are usually produced by a butterfly shaped organ located at the front of your neck, called the thyroid gland. These thyroid hormones produced typically control the rate at which the body converts food t energy (metabolic rate) and also controls a whole lot of other cells and tissues like your bones (the hormones determine how your body incorporates calcium into your bones), the rate of your heart beats, your muscle contraction, cholesterol levels etc

Most cases of hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves’ Disease in which the body no longer recognizes the thyroid gland as part of it and produces antibodies to fight it. In response, the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid…

Nobody wants to die young and heart diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide. Eating healthy is a task that may appear daunting especially in a place like Nigeria, as we really do not have a culture of reading food labels in these parts. So here are some quick tips to help ensure you are getting enough of the good fats:

• Cook with healthier oils. Generally oils that are liquid at room temperature are good for you. If the oil is solid at room temperature, give it a miss.

• Snack on nuts. You can also add them to salads for an extra crunch. I also like them in my yoghurt. Remember to go easy on portions and serve by the handful

• Avocados are a good source of mono-unsaturated fats which help protect your heart and prevent stroke. You can eat it on its own, use it…

Q: Good morning Dr Ketch, thanks so much for the information you’ve been helping us with. Please, is there anything I can do? My 10 years old daughter is developing only the left side breast while right side shows no sign of developing.

A: Thanks for writing in and sharing your concerns. The good news is, there may not be any causes for concern.

A number of people would have noticed asymmetries in their bodies: one foot bigger than the other or one breast that appears to be bigger than the other. That’s the beauty of our uniqueness as individuals. The difference, in a lot of cases is hardly noticeable really.

During puberty, the breast tissue starts to develop due to the effect of the hormone, estrogen. Sometimes, the tissue of one breast is more responsive to the effects of estrogen than the other. Or one breast could have more…