chatwithketch

Guess the substance that found its way into the list in a bad way? Alcohol! Guys, if you indulge, you need to really consider reducing or stopping. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start!

Read!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4-ways-to-protect-against-skin-cancer-other-than-sunscreen-2018042713722

Q: Good evening ma’am, hope you are good? Please ma’am, if you can answer me urgently will love it. I gave birth last three weeks. After three days, my son was found with jaundice in his body but the doctor did two blood tests not the same day and found out that the level of the jaundice is not high to put him on phototherapy. But up to now, the jaundice has not cleared from his eyes but is no longer on his skin. He sucks well and is getting fatter day by day. But I am worried over his eyes. Please help me. What can I do ma’am?

A: Jaundice is a condition in which there is yellowing of the eyes or the skin. It can happen in both children and adults. Usually, when old red blood cells are broken down, a yellow pigment, bilirubin is released as part of that process. The bilirubin is removed from the body through urine and stool. It is the bilirubin that gives rise to that yellow colour seen in jaundice.

Other symptoms of jaundice include deep yellow urine and pale stools.

In new born babies, there are two types of jaundice (neonatal jaundice) that can occur: Physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice.

Physiological jaundice occurs as a natural process of life. While in the uterus, the baby’s bilirubin is removed through the placenta. Once the baby is born, he/she has to handle this bilirubin business by himself/herself 😀 (talk about responsibility immediately after touching down in planet earth!) because his organs are unable to deal with all the bilirubin released from breakdown of red blood cells. As the bilirubin accumulates in blood, jaundice results. Typically, this jaundice appears about 24hours after birth, actually gets worse until the 3^rd or 4^th day. It would usually have disappeared by the end of one or two weeks.

Pathological jaundice is due to a disease condition like infection, mother and baby’s blood groups not being compatible etc. This is typically present before 24 hours of birth.  Indeed, this is the main difference between the two types of jaundice. The one that occurs naturally is seen after 24 hours while the one due to disease is seen before 24 hours…rule of thumb J

Jaundice may be mild, disappearing on its own, especially physiologic jaundice. However, sometimes, the yellowness deepens, the baby may develop a high-pitched cry and/or develop arched back. These are dangerous signs and this child should be in a hospital. Indeed, if you observe jaundice in your baby after you have left the hospital, please get it checked out in the hospital just to be sure.  Most babies are able to deal with this excess bilirubin on their own without needing treatment. However, some other babies may be put under special lights called phototherapy or in more serious conditions, an exchange blood transfusion may be done (literally, this involves practically exchanging the baby’s bilirubin-filled blood with ‘new’ blood).

The main focus in jaundice is to bring down the level of the bilirubin. If this is not done, it could cross the blood/brain barrier and stain the brain leading to brain damage, a condition called Kernicterus.  More frequent feeding is usually suggested as this helps the baby get rid of more bilirubin.

So, in your case, it would appear that the jaundice is physiological but given the ability of bilirubin to cross the blood brain barrier and cause brain damage, I suggest you take your baby back to the paediatrician to re-evaluate the jaundice. Better safe than sorry!

All the best J

Q: Thanks doc, this is so helpful but may I ask what causes PCOD and hyperthyroidism, thanks

A: PCOD is an example of a pathological cyst.

What’s a pathological cyst? Let’s start from the beginning…

Ovaries are small bean-shaped organs on either side of your womb. Every month, your ovaries develop sacs called follicles from where eggs are released monthly and female sex hormones produced. After the egg is released every month, the sac disintegrates. But sometimes, the egg is not released and the sac remains or the egg is released and the sac does not disintegrate. This follicle becomes the fluid-filled cyst sac. Usually this is not a problem as it could form during every menstrual cycle and usually resolves on its own. These cysts are called the functional cysts. However, these cysts could get very big and in some instances become twisted or they could rupture causing problems. This latter type is called pathological cyst.

Examples of pathological cysts occur in Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and endometriosis. In the former, small cysts appear all over the surface of the ovary and is also associated with irregular menstruation and high hormonal levels. In endometriosis, the tissues of the uterus (womb) are found outside of the uterus. These two pathological cysts are associated with fertility problems. Functional cysts are hardly associated with fertility issues except they become extremely large.

Treatment depends on your particular situation. Your doctor could order serial scans to continually observe the size of the cysts and see if they reduce in size. Another treatment option is the use of birth control pills to prevent the development of more cysts in future menstrual cycles. The final option is surgery. Your doctor will determine what option works best for you.

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 hormones.

As in the case above, there may not be any family history though it is known to run in families.

Thus in hyperthyroidism, you may have no symptoms (leading to a chance discovery) or symptoms would include fast heart beats/palpitations, swelling of the thyroid gland which is seen as a neck swelling (goiter). Irregular periods.The higher than normal metabolic rate would lead to symptoms like increased appetite, weight loss, sweating and increased sensitivity to heat, restlessness, tremors, tiredness, difficulty sleeping etc. In Graves’ Disease, there are also eye symptoms which include protrusion of the eyeballs, red and swollen eyelids, watering of the eyes and double vision.

The doctor will examine the person with symptoms and run blood tests to check for the level of thyroid hormones. Treatment could be with medications or through surgery or a combination of both.
You will need blood tests regularly though to monitor the level of your thyroid hormones.

Depending on your degree of weight loss, you may need to have a dietician walk you through your diet paces and ensure that you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Wearing sunglasses, using eye drops that moisten the eye (artificial tears) and ensuring that the head is elevated when sleeping or lying down will help reduce the symptoms of Graves’ Disease. If you smoke, stop…this may help prevent developing Graves’ Disease or prevent the eye problems associated with it, if you already have the disease.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism is usually effective and so you should be able to live a normal life.

Happy Workers’ Day, everyone 😀

Q: Please ma’am, can family planning injection cause delayed period and scanty period?

A: Family planning injections work 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. 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.

I hope this helps.

All the best! 🙂

Ever heard the phrase, ‘put it in a bubble and blow it away?’ Well, if you haven’t, that pretty much describes what you should do when you start getting antsy about everything being perfect – note to self! 😀

For more, read the post below!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/trying-to-be-perfect-can-cause-anxiety

Q: It looks as if my body has been shutdown just to eat and drink still I will still be feeling thirsty and my throat will be scratching me

A: An itchy throat as the name suggests refers to an irritating/itching sensation in the throat often accompanied by pain and difficulty when swallowing, fever etc. The tickling sensation in the throat can be a source of mild irritation/annoyance.

Causes of itchy throat include:

• Allergies: Itchy throat due to allergies usually lasts longer than that from other causes. It is usually seasonal and may also be accompanied by other symptoms like runny nose, red and itchy eyes, shortness of breath etc
• Infections: These could be fungal (as occurs in people who are immune-suppressed like HIV positive people), bacterial (as occurs in sore throat from streptococcal infections) or viral (as occurs in common cold).
• Over-use: Excessive talking, shouting, loud singing etc can lead to drying out of the throat leading to itching.
• Dehydration: This can occur from smoking, not taking enough water or taking way too much caffeine-containing drinks or even from open-mouthed breathing when one has a cold etc. Diabetes mellitus is also a cause of dehydration with the frequent urination associated with it.

Treatment depends on the cause.

• Anti-histamines are used for the itching. This is particularly useful in allergies.
• Viral infections require only supportive treatment. For more on this, please click on
• Bacterial infections require antibiotics
• Drugs like ibuprofen will help fever and pain, if associated with this condition
• Screen for diabetes. Your symptoms of eating and drinking excessively sound like the classic symptoms of diabetes (or simply gluttony :D). Other symptoms to look out for are increased hunger, weight loss despite the increased appetite, increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, frequent infections of vagina, wounds etc

Other remedies include:

• Drinking sufficient water to prevent dehydration
• Salt water gargle: Add about a teaspoon of salt to lukewarm water (about 237 mls. If you have a 1 liter bottle, mentally divide this into 4 sections. One section will be approximately this amount). Sip the fluid, tilt your head back and gargle for about 10 seconds. Then spit the water out. Repeat about 3 times and continue to do this as often as needed during the day
• Throat lozenges help reduce irritation and also stimulate salivation which reduces dryness and throat itching. Please do not give to children younger than 4 years old as this may present a choking hazard
• Breathing in moist air from a humidifier or from steam bath is helpful
• Rest your voice

I suggest that you visit a doctor as soon as possible for a review and proper diagnosis.

All the best! J