chatwithketch

Q: I am 21 weeks pregnant. I went for a scan and the result shows a calcified fibroid mass is evident in the posterior (intramural) segment measuring 42mm * 39mm. Please Dr, explain to me because I don’t understand. Can it be cured without surgery?

A: Fibroids develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus (womb). These growths can range in size from seedlings to big masses. They are differentiated by the sites where they are found: inside the cavity of the womb (sub-mucosal), within the muscle of the uterus (intramural), on the surface of the womb (sub-serosal). Fibroids do not cause infertility per se, but sub-mucosal ones in the cavity of the womb, can take up the place where a baby would have implanted causing infertility. Fibroids can also distort the shape of the ovaries and fallopian tubes causing problems with conception.

Hormones are implicated in the development of fibroids as when women get to menopause with resultant decrease in the level of circulating hormones, estrogen and progesterone, the fibroids shrink. Fibroids are more likely to occur in black women, people who take alcohol, people with a family history, obese people and those who eat a lot of red meat and little vegetables.

Symptoms of fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual bleeding, frequent urination as the mass presses on the bladder, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, pelvic pressure etc. Pain can also result in fibroids when a fibroid has a stalk and gets twisted or when the fibroid grows so fast that it outgrows its blood supply lead to its ‘death’. When this happens, deposition of calcium crystals is encouraged leading to calcification. If this occurs during menopause, the fibroid regresses/reduces in size (due to the deficiency of estrogen at this time) and the potential for calcification increases. When the fibroid outgrows its blood supply in pregnancy, it leads to a condition known as red degeneration. The fibroid usually turns red and dies. This leads to intense abdominal pains and contractions. Will the pain last forever? Usually it occurs around 12 to 22 weeks of pregnancy and bed rest for a couple of days coupled with pain killers should do the trick. Judicious fluid intake is also advised. The attending obstetrician may give another analgesic (NSAID).

There are a couple of different methods for the treatment of fibroids but only your doctor can confirm which one is suitable to you.

If the fibroids are small and causing no problem (probably discovered incidentally), then your doctor will most likely not institute any treatment other than watchful waiting.

If one is around menopausal age and probably has finished having children, some drugs that mimic the effect of menopause are giving. These deprive the fibroids of nutrient supply and thus they shrink. Other treatment modalities may involve using IUCDs which release hormones that reduce the severity if bleeding and pain medications. With technology advances, there are also non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures that can take care of fibroids. Speak with your gynaecologist for these options. The final options are the tried and tested surgical procedures. One of the surgical procedures, myomectomy, involves removing the fibroids while preserving the healthy tissue of the uterus (womb). You can still get pregnant after this surgical procedure. So, you may want to have a long chat with your doctor to determine what options are available in your location and what applies to you.

Fibroids can co-exist with pregnancy in which case pregnancy may be normal or associated with breech pregnancy, pre-term delivery (delivery of pre-mature babies) etc. However, once a woman registers in a good antenatal center under a good obstetrician, these issues will be anticipated and addressed promptly. Having fibroids does not necessarily mean one cannot have children.

So, have a long chat with your doctor and ensure you are getting the best care available.

All the very best and….hugs!

Being overweight can lead to a host of health problems, from high blood pressure and heart disease to arthritis, gallstones, and sleep apnea. It can also contribute to foot problems in two ways.

First, excess weight contributes to the misery of common structural problems such as heel pain and arthritis. Any foot ailment is more painful the more weight you put on it. Second, excess pounds increase your chances of developing atherosclerosis, poor circulation, and diabetes — all of which can damage your feet.

Never quite thought of it this way, did you? To learn more, please click on this link:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/want-healthy-feet-keep-a-healthy-weight

Give three examples of complex carbohydrates?

Why are complex carbohydrates good for you?

Terms and conditions:

The first 3 persons to answer correctly will win our prizes.
Participants must be followers of our blog and/or facebook page.

Only one answer per participant will be accepted.
If a participant provides more than one answer, the first answer will be used.
Edited answers will be disqualified.
Editor’s decision is final.
This challenge lapses by 11.59 pm on Friday, the 28^th of October, 2016

So, what are you waiting for?! Best of luck, guys!

Congratulations to our winners!

Last week’s (15^th October, 2016) question was different, wasn’t it? And the second question was ‘sorta’ hidden in the instructions. It was difficult to pick winners 😀 A lot of people did not see the hidden question. A number who did, did not answer it well L For the record, the complete meal in a drink is Complan!

Anyways, we have to announce our winners and they are:

John Favour (from facebook)

Chukwunonso Onochie (from www.chatwithdrketch.com)

Chidinma Chukwuemeka Ikeh (from facebook)

Congratulations, guys!

Please send an email to healthylivingwithdrketch@gmail.com for instructions on how to pick up your gifts.

Many people can reduce cholesterol levels simply by changing what they eat. For example, if you are a fan of cheeseburgers, eating less meat (and leaner cuts) and more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can lower your total cholesterol by 25% or more. Cutting back on saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products) and trans fat (partially hydrogenated oils) can reduce cholesterol by 5% to 10%.

Click for the four steps on how to use your diet to lower your cholesterol: http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/4-ways-to-eat-your-way-to-lower-cholesterol

Let’s cover the original misinformation first: The earliest missives warned that microwaved plastic releases cancer-causing chemicals called dioxins into food. The problem with that warning is that plastics don’t contain dioxins. They are created when garbage, plastics, metals, wood, and other materials are burned. As long as you don’t burn your food in a microwave, you aren’t exposing yourself to dioxins.

Want to know more about whether to microwave in plastic or not, please click on this link: http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/microwaving-food-in-plastic-dangerous-or-not?

Q: How do I stop pus from the ear?

A: Thanks for writing in.

Ear infections could lead to discharge of pus from the ear:

Otitis media

Otitis media with effusion

Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)

In otitis media, there is an infection of the middle ear and happens when an upper respiratory tract infection introduces bacteria into the ear. The infection could also be viral. Fluid builds up in the middle ear.

In otitis media with effusion, pus forms as the body tries to fight the infection. This leads to more fluid collection and this pushes against the ear drum. This pressure can build up to the extent that the ear drum ruptures, leading to drainage of pus. With this, the symptoms of pain and problems hearing, disappear and the infection clears.

Middle ear infections are common in children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, children who drink from a bottle while lying down, people who are exposed to tobacco smoke and the infection occurs more during the flu season…when ‘everyone’ is down with a cold or flu. This infection could lead to tearing of the ear drum, hearing problems, spread of infection to surrounding tissues. Most infections would clear up on their own within a week or two, but antibiotics could reduce the duration of symptoms. Be guided by the doctor. Pain medication and a warm compress over the affected ear may help control pain.

In otitis externa, water that remains in your ear for a while can create the sort of moist and warm environment that germs require to grow and multiply. This is very common in people with allergies, swimmers, people who stick their fingers into their ears (yes you! 😀 Don’t look back), use cotton buds (cotton tips) and other objects (tooth picks, pens etc) to clean their ears. The skin of the outer ear canal is very delicate such that sticking things in it to clean it or scratch an itch can lead to bruising making it easy for germs to take over. Young people who use ear phones a lot are at risk of this (for obvious reasons) and also children because of their narrow ear canals. I almost banned y second daughter from swimming because of this. She always got water in her ear while swimming and would be in pain for a while.

Usual symptoms are ear pain, itching, discharge of clear fluid, pain on pulling the outer ear. This may progress to more intense itching, discharge of pus, some degree of temporary hearing loss and may progress to complete blockage of ear canal. This is usually not very serious and resolves with treatment but if complicated may even lead to infections that spread to other parts of the body and could lead to perforated ear drums.
If this infection remains for more than three months, it is then called chronic otitis externa. This can be due to infections caused by a combination of bacteria and fungi, an allergy, a rare strain of bacteria etc

Treatment is usually with ear drops that reduce the swelling in the ear canal, help fight the bacteria or fungi (depending on the infection present) and other medications to fight pain. To help the ear drops make travel to the desired location, trying lying down with the affected ear up.

The Valsalva maneuver is a means of equalizing pressure in the ears by exhaling against a closed mouth and nose. You can try this out when you have ‘airplane ear’. This happens on flights as the planes starts to ascend or begins its descent. Close your mouth, pinch your nose and then try to blow out air against your closed mouth. It works like magic.

I suggest you go see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist who will evaluate you. He may take swabs from your ear too to get an idea of what infection is there before proceeding to treat. In instances where treatment has not responded to ear drops, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.

Have a good night, y’all 😀

Q: Hello ma’am, I have been suffering from ulcer for years now. I have gone to different doctors but it keeps relieving and coming back. Please ma’am, help me with some home remedy and some medication to help me out

A: Gastric acid is secreted normally in the stomach to help the process of digestion. Peptic ulcer is a sore in the stomach, esophagus or duodenum and occurs when there is either over-production of this gastric acid in the stomach or reduction in the quantity of mucous that protects the stomach from the acid. Infection with an organism, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been found to be a cause of peptic ulcer.

In the past, it was thought that spicy foods caused peptic ulcers. However, there’s no evidence to support this, though spicy foods can certainly make the symptoms of ulcer worse. Smoking, stress and drinking alcohol are also likely to worsen the symptoms of peptic ulcer. Caffeinated and carbonated beverages may also be culprit.

Ulcers are also common in people who take certain pain relieving drugs known as Non- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen.

People with peptic ulcer usually complain of abdominal pain or even sometimes, chest pain as the pain can be anywhere from the breast bone to the navel…giving room for a wide range of descriptions 😀 The pain is usually worse at night or when the stomach is empty.

People with ulcers may vomit blood or pass out fresh or altered blood in stool. For the latter, the stool looks tarry black. Complications of peptic ulcers include internal bleeding, leakage of the acid into the abdominal cavity etc

Treatment is targeted at reduction in acid production, neutralization of acid, treatment of Helicobacter infection, promotion of healing or protection of stomach lining. Your doctor will determine the best option or combination(s) with your active participation, of course J

Thus, prevention is targeted at switching pain relieving drugs (if you have an ulcer, please stay away from NSAIDs), reducing your level of stress, stopping smoking and reducing your alcohol intake. Maintaining a healthy diet filled with loads of fruits and veggies which provide sufficient vitamins to aid healing, is also a good way to go. It is still not very clear how H. pylori infections spread but it is thought to be probably from person to person or from food and water. So, judicious and very frequent, hand washing will certainly help 😀 Remember our discourse yesterday on Global Handwashing Day?

Does milk help? Well, temporarily but it quickly makes it worse. Milk coats the surface of the stomach, reducing the pain but then stimulates more acid production. Sounds like you can’t win, aye?! ;D

I hope this helps

Have a good night, y’all 😀

Yesterday was Global Handwashing Day with the theme, ‘Make Handwashing A Habit’

It took me down memory lane to the days of Ebola when we all learnt to scrupulously keep our hands clean. Houses and offices had sinks and wash hand basins outside their houses for people to wash their hands. Sanitizers were so popular that supermarkets ran out of stock! Now those days are gone…L

Below, I reproduce some of my tips and videos on hand washing. Enjoy!

Daily Health Tips (video): Hand Washing

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/07/30/daily-health-tips-when-should-i-wash-my-hands/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2013/10/12/save-lives-clean-your-hands/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2015/10/21/daily-health-tips-still-on-handwashing-my-experience/

Have a fabulous week ahead!

Give three simple tips you follow every day to ensure you eat well balanced meals.

Terms and conditions:
The first 3 persons to answer correctly will win our prizes.

Participants must be followers of our blog and/or facebook page.

Only one answer per participant will be accepted.

If a participant provides more than one answer, the first answer will be used.

Edited answers will be disqualified.

Editor’s decision is final.

This challenge lapses by 11.59 pm on Friday, the 21st of October, 2016
So, what are you waiting for?! Best of luck, guys!

Winners of the 8^th October quiz:

Onyii Anastesia Obi

Okhamiogue Eunice

Taiwo Paul

Winners of the 1^st October quiz:

Temitope Adeusi Aderemi-Joe

Okhamiogue Eunice

Obi Onyinye

Congratulations, y’all 😀

Please send in emails to healthylivingwithdrketch@gmail.com for directions on how to pick your prizes.

Have a fabulous weekend!