chatwithketch

What number is more significant of the blood pressure numbers? The top number or the bottom number? Read this and find out!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/which-blood-pressure-number-is-important?fbclid=IwAR1bJ6FKaykEzWxGmS-UizQZpHrQ8qnNHo3DsaWOiYyTPZx40gyQjvvrX3Q

Q:  Hi Doc! Good day! I have a family planning called injectable. Is it normal that Idon’t have periods at all? Many said it is not good with period – it must bemonthly and not having period is dangerous as it may cause ovary cancer. Pleaserespond to clarify. Thank you. God bless!

A: Family planning injection, called injectable, works by thickening mucous in the cervix, preventing sperm from getting into the womb (uterus) or by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs every month (ovulation) and so the person taking the injections can’t get pregnant.

Taking these injections affect women differently. In the first few months, there be excessive bleeding during periods, followed by a period of lighter periods. This may yet be followed by a period of irregular or no periods especially in women who have taken these injections for up to a year – so don’t mind those pocket doctors who have told you about the dangers of not seeing your period! 😀 Irregular periods should be discussed with your doctor to ascertain the cause. It may be due to the drug or due to an infection which needs to be treated. Prolonged periods can also be treated.

When these injections are stopped, it takes a while for ovulation to be restored because these injections are long lasting. It can be as long as 2 to 3 months. In some other cases, this can last for about a year or even up to 2 years. This has nothing to do with the duration for which the injection was taken.

All the best!

Q: I have a one year old child who is now teething and he has high temperature on his head. I have been giving him Calpol syrup since yesterday. He was better but this morning it started again what should I do Doctor??

A: It is thought that the inflammation of the gum around the area where the tooth will erupt from may cause low grade fever which is why the babies may experience some fever.

Another significant symptom believed to be associated with teething is diarrhoea. There’s no conclusive research that has shown any link between the process of erupting a tooth and diarrhoea. If anything, we’ve found out that this is the same period when children start picking up things and of course the natural ‘tourist’ destination for anything they pick up, is their mouths! 😀 What happens? When they pick up dirty stuff and suck on it, it would ultimately lead to diarrhoea.

So, more than ever, that’s a time to be watchful and ensure that the children are not stuff their mouths with rubbish and ensure their toys are cleaned.

Having said that, how can I help my baby through teething what with the itch and discomfort they feel around the ‘erupting tooth’ area? Even the drooling? Well, here are a few things you could do:

Rub over the teething area with your finger (thoroughly scrubbed and clean, of course :D) or use a finger covered with clean gauze or even the baby’s wash cloth. If this is cool to touch, this is even better. Massage the teething area with this…it helps to soothe the discomfort.

Teething rings are great ideas too and you could also refrigerate these to provide more comfort. Please do not freeze them.
Clean off the drooling saliva as this could cause irritation around the baby’s mouth, worsening his crankiness.

Over the counter analgesics like paracetamol could also be helpful provided it’s given in the appropriate dose for the baby’s age. This will also help with the fever. Please avoid Aspirin as it causes a disease called Reye’s syndrome.

Several studies have been conducted on the efficacy of gripe water though it is liberally used by parents and doctors alike, and it has not really been found to be particularly useful in teething. Older formulae contained alcohol which were thought to be perhaps, responsible for the soothing effect it had. Other components like the herbs etc may not go down well with all children.

If the fever continues, please take the baby to see the doctor to rule out other causes of fever.

So, there you go!

Have a good night y’all 😀

Another significant symptom believed to be associated with teething is diarrhoea. There’s no conclusive research that has shown any link between the process of erupting a tooth and diarrhoea. If anything, we’ve found out that this is the same period when children start picking up things and of course the natural ‘tourist’ destination for anything they pick up, is their mouths!  What happens? When they pick up dirty stuff and suck on it, it would ultimately lead to diarrhoea.

So, more than ever, that’s a time to be watchful and ensure that the children are not stuff their mouths with rubbish and ensure their toys are cleaned.

Having said that, how can I help my baby through teething what with the itch and discomfort they feel around the ‘erupting tooth’ area? Even the drooling? Well, here are a few things you could do:

Rub over the teething area with your finger (thoroughly scrubbed and clean, of course :D) or use a finger covered with clean gauze or even the baby’s wash cloth. If this is cool to touch, this is even better. Massage the teething area with this…it helps to soothe the discomfort.

Teething rings are great ideas too and you could also refrigerate these to provide more comfort. Please do not freeze them.
Clean off the drooling saliva as this could cause irritation around the baby’s mouth, worsening his crankiness.

Over the counter analgesics like paracetamol could also be helpful provided it’s given in the appropriate dose for the baby’s age. This will also help with the fever. Please avoid Aspirin as it causes a disease called Reye’s syndrome.

Several studies have been conducted on the efficacy of gripe water though it is liberally used by parents and doctors alike, and it has not really been found to be particularly useful in teething. Older formulae contained alcohol which were thought to be perhaps, responsible for the soothing effect it had. Other components like the herbs etc may not go down well with all children.

If the fever continues, please take the baby to see the doctor to rule out other causes of fever.

So, there you go!

Have a good night y’all 

Should you wait a little while? Or go for induction? Read!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/inducing-labor-at-full-term-what-makes-sense-2018111515359

How do I get my baby to sleep through the night? A question that haunts mums with brand new babies 🙂 For some tips, read this!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/getting-your-baby-to-sleep-through-the-night-the-good-and-maybe-not-so-good-news-2018111915411

I visited my sister a couple of days ago and she was confused as to whether her sons (one and a half years four and a half years) needed to take the yellow fever vaccine again. I referred her to my blog 😀 I mean, after all, I spend all this time writing on it…people should read it, right?
I repeat the post below for your reading pleasure 😀
Q: Hi doc! I am kindly asking is it right to be given twice the yellow fever injection because l was given last year August which will last for 10 years.Is there a difference between yellow fever for ten years and life time? Thanks in advance
A: Hallos! Thanks for writing in.
Previously, the yellow fever vaccine was taken every ten years but since 2016, that regulation has changed. From 11th of July 2016, the WHO, on its website, states that the certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is valid for life for everyone vaccinated and that this validity refers to existing and new certificates. For the latter, the lifetime validity starts 10 days after date of vaccination. This has effectively cancelled out the need for re-vaccination.
So, there is no difference. The vaccination that used to be received and was valid for 10 years is now valid for the duration of your lifetime. If you had received the vaccination before, you don’t need to modify your certificate. The old one is still valid and will be recognized by countries that require proof of this vaccination.
I hope this helps.
All the best!
Have a good night y’all 😀