Daily Health Tips: Number Of Caesarian Sections, Re-visited!

Q: Good evening Dr, please how many times can a woman do Caesarean Section (CS)?  Thanks

A: There’s really no specific number of C-sections that a woman is meant to have (especially in centers with significant technological advancement), though about 3 used to be the mark. Risks increase after the 3rd Caesarian Section. Having said that, the more the number of sections, the more the risks and complications the woman is exposed to. Generally, vaginal deliveries are not usually advised after 3 Caesarian Sections.

Common risks and complications include:
• Weakening of the wall of the uterus wall with risk of uterine rupture!
• Healing after a C-section comes with development of scar tissue which may subsequently cause adhesions as they cause abdominal organs to stick to each other. This may lead to obstruction of the bowel or even block the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. These adhesions may develop between the uterus and the bladder making it easier to injure the bladder with subsequent C-sections.
• Placental problems may occur in people who have had C-sections as the placenta may be implanted too deeply into the womb or there may be placenta previa. In these instances, removing the placenta presents a challenge and may result in profuse bleeding which requires blood transfusion.

So, e guided by your doctor who has your medical history.

For more on placenta previa, please click on these:

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2015/03/09/daily-health-tips-can-placenta-previa-recur-in-my-pregnancy/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/06/29/daily-health-tips-placenta-previa/

 

Good night people 😀

 

 

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What To Eat And Why!

Over the years, I have given a ‘gazillion’ health talks. I’ve always said that I’ve always been amazed by the fact that the questions never varied. Whether the health talk is given to top executives in a blue chip company or market women in a rural community, the questions are the same in content, even if not in grammar J

I was at a seminar sometime late in 2013 and the title was ‘what to eat and why’. We could barely get through the sessions. It was amazingly interactive and people had a lot of questions to ask. The questions were sent to me in slips of papers and I could not get around to answering all. So, I’ve decided to put the questions down in a book format hoping that it equips you with the information you’d asked for!

There are so many questions; so this can only be volume 1 at best!

Want to know what information Volume 1 has? Get details from the book, Just For The Health Of It. You can get a copy via the shop now link on our facebook page. Or you can get it through:

 

1) Jumia.com. Just click on this link http://www.jumia.com.ng/jumia-books-just-for-the-health-of-it-with-dr-ketch-179486.html and get a copy. You have the option of paying when the book is delivered to you or paying online. This service is available all over Nigeria.

 

2) Another option for those in Lagos is Laterna Bookshop on 13, Oko-Awo Close, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Street,. Victoria Island.

 

3) If you’re outside the country, please visit Amazon through this link http://www.amazon.com/Just-Health-Ketch-Pregnancy-Parenting/dp/9789398026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426246647&sr=1-1&keywords=just+for+the+health+of+it+with+dr+ketch+olalere+nkechi

 

For those in Abuja and environs, please call 07030739403 or pick it up at No 5 Bricks Market, Dawaki 11 Market, Dawaki extension.

 

For those in Awka, please call 08189944090.

 

Remember that this book is a great Christmas, Baby Shower and Bridal Shower gift for anybody 😀

 

Have a great day, y’all 😀

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daily Health Tips: How Long Should I Wait To Conceive After A Miscarriage?

Q: Doc I don’t know if you do receive my messages or not. So far you have never ever responded to any of my messages maybe too busy. Just wanted to find out how long one should wait to conceive after having a miscarriage. Thanks
 
A: Hello sweetheart, thanks for writing in. First I apologize to you and all others who I have not responded to. I do get a lot of questions on a daily basis and I try my best to get around to them. However, a number of the questions asked here have been asked at one point or the other and they have received answers here on this page. So, I suggest that y’all check my page, http://www.chatwithdrketch.com and type in the subject of your question. You just might find that the question had been answered at some point.
 
This question had been answered before but because it’s an emotional issue, I reproduce the post here again.
Oh sweetheart, condolences. I feel really sad that this happened, but trust me, this too shall pass 🙂 Now I don’t know at what stage you lost this pregnancy or if this was the first instance of miscarriage you’ve had. Whatever be the case, this is one of those instances when you have to work closely with your doctor to get back to trying for a baby again.
 
There are no standard answers really, as to when to start. If this is the first time you’re experiencing a miscarriage, some doctors still advice people to wait 3 to 6 months before trying again so that it’s easier to date the pregnancy etc. Others will just ask you to wait until you’ve had one menstrual period. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain the reason for any recommendation he eventually comes up with so that you understand every step of the process.
 
If, however, this is not the first time, you may have to go in for some tests to check whether the issue is with hormones, genetics or problems with the uterus.
 
What to do before you start trying again? Be sure to eat healthy…lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise. Limit caffeine and keep your weight within normal limits. You can start taking folic acid supplements now, even before you get pregnant.
 
The basic rules of trying to get pregnant also apply: make sure you have sexual intercourse at least 3 times a week (with ejaculation of a significant quantity of semen).
 
It is normal to feel worried and a bit scared going into another pregnancy, but you have to trust that all will work out well this time. Surround yourself with good professionals (OBGYN) and loving family/friends. Then relax and enjoy the ride 😀
 
Please write in anytime and let me know if there are other questions you have.
 
Have a great day y’all 😀
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Daily Health Tips: Is It Safe To Take Aspirin Every Day?

Q: Please Doc, is it good to taking Vasoprin every day is it good or does it have any side effects?
 
A: Fantastic question. Vasoprin is a brand of Aspirin. It is a good idea for some people but not for others.
This drug belongs to the group of drugs called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. They have a couple of functions: pain relief, fever relief and reduction of inflammation (this is what happens when you have an injury and notice swelling, pain, redness etc). They also have an additional function. Usually, when you have an injury, there is bleeding. The body produces platelets which form a plug on the vessel preventing further bleeding. Aspirin affects the ability of these ‘clotting’ cells to clump together, preventing the formation of clots. In people who have fatty deposits in their vessels, blood flow usually slows making it possible for a blood clot to form within a vessel eg the vessels of the heart. This leads to a heart attack.
So, for people who are likely to have a blood clot, the use of aspirin is a great idea as it prevents these clots from forming preventing possible strokes or heart attacks. Who are the people at risk of having these clots? They include: people who had had a heart attack or stroke, people who are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke, people who have diabetes and one other risk factor like smoking or high blood pressure etc
 
However, the use of aspirin is also associated with stomach ulcers and so people with bleeding stomach ulcers, people with bleeding disorders and people with aspirin allergy should certainly disclose this to their doctor before commencing on this.
 
It is important once you start on this, to use regularly under your doctor’s guidance. Stopping aspirin therapy suddenly can lead to a situation in which there is a rebound effect with the possibility of a blood clot forming.
 
Be sure to also let your doctor know if there are other drugs you are taking as some drugs do not interact well with aspirin.
 
I hope this helps.
Have a goodnight, people 😀
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Daily Health Tips: Does Garlic Cure STIs?

Q: Good day Dr. Ketch. I want to know if truly Garlic can be used to cure STDs and vaginal bacteria by inserting it in the vaginal. Thank you

A: Hi dear, thanks for writing in.

A lot has been said about the beneficial effects of garlic and most of them are true 😀 A good number of women also lay claim to the fact that they have used garlic for vaginal thrush (candidiasis) and it worked like a charm 😀

However, medical evidence does not support the fact that this actually works. Indeed, there are some side effects of using this home remedy. Usually the garlic is cut and then applied to the vaginal area. Some of the side effects of applying this include burns (imagine burns in this very delicate area of the body! Ouch!) allergic reactions, the difficulty with fishing out these cut bits of garlic and oh, the smell! If this is taken orally for the same reason, it may cause heart burn, flatulence, bloating and again, the smell that translates to a body odour! 😀

Can garlic be used to cure a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and other vaginal bacteria? It has no documented curative effect on these beyond what has been described above.

For more on what to do about a vaginal infection, STD and garlic, please click on the following links:

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/09/08/daily-health-tips-my-husband-cheats-how-do-i-prevent-stis/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/06/26/daily-health-tips-why-do-i-have-recurrent-candidiasis/

Daily Health Tips: Is Garlic Good For My Health?

Have a good night, y’all 😀

 

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Daily Health Tips: Belching, Low Sperm Count & Size Concerns.

Q: Good Morning Dr. Ketch. Thanks for the job well done. More power to your elbow. Please, I have some questions pertaining to healthy living 1. What may be the cause of repeated belching of gas, whether eating or not to the point that one will have to throw-up at time before one could felt comfortable? Please what could be the cause and what is the remedy or cure for it? 2. Does the size of manhood has anything to do with sexual pleasure and satisfaction? If yes, what can be done to increase the size of manhood in all ramifications? 3. Please what are the foods that can increase the quality and quantity of sperm and also increase man power in bed?
 
A: Thanks for writing in. This is a three-in-one power house! 😀
‘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 for signals to travel to your brain from the stomach confirming that you are full. By the time that signal arrives, you are all stuffed up and bloated to boot! Note that it may take up to 20 minutes for those signals that confirm fullness to get to the brain…sounds like a long journey 😀
Other causes of bloating are swallowed air (which can happen when we eat too fast or drink too fast) and smoking.
Prevention?
This is really simple: Reduce portion sizes, limit your intake of fats, eat slowly, quit smoking and limit your intake of foods that cause this, if all else fails.
If your bloating is caused by swallowed air, avoid carbonated drinks (most soft drinks fall into this category), don’t drink with straws (at least on a regular basis) avoid chewing chord…oh, sorry! 😀 I meant to say, avoid chewing gum and stay off your candies that you suck so hard and suck in quite a bit of air too!
Remember that if this ‘gassiness’ continues ‘regularly, you should see your doctor to be sure this is not the symptom of something else.
 
Now to number 2:
The issue of penile length has been a problem forever and people generally think that bigger is better. Is it? The average penile length is about 8 to 13cm when not erect and this can be pushed up to 13 to 18cm when erect, give or take a few. Does the penile size determine whether a man can father a child or not? Absolutely not…penile size does not affect fertility.
A woman’s vagina is about 7.5cm and would lengthen to about 10cm when aroused and so, generally, there should be no problems with sexual intercourse as the average length of a penis can adequately cover this gap.
Now the challenge…a lot of men who think they are small in this area are actually within the average measures but perception can make them think otherwise. For instance, the only way they can assess the size is by looking down at it and this automatically makes it look smaller. If you looked sideways in a mirror, you might just think, it looks longer. Men who are fat also appear to have smaller penises because the fat around the stomach may hide part of the base of the penis, making it look shorter.
 
It does appear that guys with small penises achieve about 100% increase in length during sexual excitement, probably nature’s way of compensating as opposed to men with longer ones who may achieve about 75% increase in length.
 
There are all sorts of touted treatments that help increase penile length including surgery, vacuum pumps, extenders, creams, pills etc. There is little evidence that people who go through this are satisfied with the result or that they work. Indeed, some can cause permanent damage.
 
So, what to do?
Take charge…lose weight if you’re overweight and have a heart-to-heart chat with your partner about this. You just may be surprised to hear that she doesn’t care. If you still feel bad about this, you may try talking with your doctor.
 
And finally…
To improve quality and quantity of sperm
 
Prevent excessive stress and perform relaxation exercises as stress has been found to contribute to infertility problems such as hormonal issues. Remember that infertility and life in general can be stressful, learn to relax.
 
• Stop smoking because smoking significantly reduces both sperm count and the movement of sperm-cells.
 
• Prevent overheating of the scrotum: When scrotal temperature rises (caused by tight underwear, long stays in a sauna or Jacuzzi, for example) sperm production can be impaired.
 
• Maintain a healthy weight: Not too under or overweight since weight influences estrogen and testosterone levels. So, eat healthier: fruits, veggies, complex carbs (local rice, oats, beans etc) and watch your portions.
 
• Stop using drugs: Prolonged use of recreational drugs (for example, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine)
 
Now y’all need a breather 😀
 
Have a good night y’all 😀
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Daily Health Tips: Nose Bleeds

Q: Good morning Doc. Sorry for disturbing you this early morning. Doc, my two year old son woke up this morning, bleeding from his nose this morning with blood all over the bed sheet, though I will be taking him to the hospital later. But you see Doc, this country where we live, they behave somehow. They might just give him Paracetamol and antibiotic without running any test on him and this is the second time it’s happening to him. Please, please Doc, I really need your advice.
 
A: A nose bleed is called epistaxis and can happen from one or both nostrils. It can be heavy or light and last for a few seconds or a couple of minutes. It can be very frightening. I’m sure you were spooked this morning. However, thankfully, they are not usually a sign of very serious conditions.
 
Causes of nose bleeds include:
• Picking your nose 😀
• Blowing your nose too hard
• Dry air as occurs in winter or harmattan.
• Common cold
• Allergies
• Trauma to the nose…obviously 😀
• Alcohol use
• Pregnancy
• Use of drugs like cocaine etc
 
Now, what should you do if you find your baby bleeding as you did earlier today?
 
• Get him to sit upright and pinch the bridge of the nose just above the nostrils for about 10 to 15 minutes. Sitting upright reduces the pressure in the nose vessels reducing bleeding
• Let him lean forward and breathe with his mouth. This prevents blood from draining down the back of the throat.
• Put an ice pack on the bridge of the nose to help prevent further bleeds.
To prevent bleeds, keep your baby’s nails short and trim to prevent him scratching and hurting his nose. Then, keep his nostrils moist especially during the dry and cold seasons with some petroleum jelly.
If this nose bleed becomes frequent (more than once a week), please take your baby to see his doctor.
 
Have a great night everyone 😀
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Daily Health Tips:My Wife’s Hasn’t Had A Menstrual Period Since Our Baby 10 Months Ago

Q: Dr, please my wife gave birth ten months ago and till now she is yet to begin see her period. Please I need your advice. Could that be a form of complication?
 
A: Hello and Congratulations on your new baby! Return of menses following delivery is varied between individuals. Some women would see theirs a few weeks after, some others after a few months or even a year, while in others there is no return of menses before another pregnancy begins.
 
Different women report different changes with their menstrual periods after child birth. Some report longer periods. Others report shorter periods; some others report less pain and others observe absolutely no change at all 😀
 
However, the pattern of your menstrual cycle prior to your previous pregnancy (if it was regular or irregular) also plays a role. The duration of her labor and the presence of complications like bleeding after delivery could all play a part in the return of your period. Exclusive breastfeeding and presence of underlying infection also could delay the return of menses.
 
Don’t stress out about this for now…. except if you are really looking forward to another pregnancy soon. If this is the case I would advise she sees her doctor for a proper evaluation. Otherwise let her enjoy her period of no bleeds 🙂
 
Have a great night, everyone 😀
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Taking Your Baby Home? What Next?

Taking your baby home. What next?
Remember the baby book I mentioned earlier? Be sure not to forget it or you may pay dearly for it. I’ll share my story with you.
When I had my first baby, of course, I had a baby book and took loads of pictures and filled up the baby book. There was hardly any empty page. I had the first lock of hair clipped, I had the outline of the foot drawn, I had the first picture with her face all wrinkled up in there.
By the time I had my second baby, I was a bit more blasé…been there, done that, if you get what I mean So, the pictures were fewer, the moments captured less and events recorded, fewer too
With my last baby, it was absolutely horrible. I didn’t buy the baby book and could not, for the life of me, remember to take pictures of my baby. This really was a difficult time in my life, so perhaps, that’s a good excuse but guess what? When the day comes, that explanation will not suffice. And that day came!
Every so often, my daughters would bring out their baby books and we would reminisce about events from their childhood. At these times, my son would ask me about his own book and about anecdotes from his childhood too. This started off without incident and I managed to smooth over awkward moments until the time when this could no longer work. My son started asking pointed questions about his baby book, about events backed up by pictures etc. I could see the look of ‘I’m not quite sure she loves me. How come she made all this effort for my sisters and not for me?’ And so that settled it! I started the project with my second daughter. We brought out our big bag of pictures and got to work bringing out all my son’s pictures that ever existed. I then bought the biggest baby book that ever existed and we set to work pasting all the pictures therein. It was a labour of love and despite a couple of gaps…like trace of hands and feet at certain ages etc, it still looked amazing when we were done, even if I say so myself! So, don’t get yourself into this ‘mess,’ be armed with your baby book and make sure all those life events are well represented, starting with ‘baby’s first picture when we got home’ 😀

So, now that you’re home, if you live anywhere in Africa, be ready for the deluge of visitors. They all mean well but not all of them will observe the basic rules of hygiene needed to keep a baby safe. Imagine this scenario: an elderly woman hurrying back from the market to come to your house to see your new baby. She quickly makes a beeline for the baby cot in the corner of the room to pick up your baby with those ‘unwashed’ germy hands that have touched all sorts all day! How do you tell this kind-hearted ‘mama’ or ‘Iya Sikira’ that you’d want her to wash her hands or better still just leave the baby for now? And what about you, what’s right to do and what’s not? Let’s give you some pointers 😀

• As much as practicable, wash your hands before picking up your baby. This ensures that you’re not transferring germs from the outdoors or anywhere else you’re coming from the baby.

For more on what to do to to take care of your new bundle of joy, get details from the book, Just For The Health Of It. You can get a copy via the shop now link on our facebook page. Or you can get it through:

1) Jumia.com. Just click on this link http://www.jumia.com.ng/jumia-books-just-for-the-health-of-it-with-dr-ketch-179486.html and get a copy. You have the option of paying when the book is delivered to you or paying online. This service is available all over Nigeria.

2) Another option for those in Lagos is Laterna Bookshop on 13, Oko-Awo Close, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Street,. Victoria Island.

3) If you’re outside the country, please visit Amazon through this link http://www.amazon.com/Just-Health-Ketch-Pregnancy-Parenting/dp/9789398026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426246647&sr=1-1&keywords=just+for+the+health+of+it+with+dr+ketch+olalere+nkechi

Remember that this book is a great Christmas, Baby Shower and Bridal Shower gift for anybody 😀

Have a great day, y’all 😀

 

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Daily Health Tips: World AIDS Day, 2015

December 1 every year is marked as World AIDS day. On this day, attention is drawn to this disease and there is focus on roles that different groups can play to make a difference. For this year, the theme was ‘Getting To Zero’…Zero new HIV infection, zero stigmatization/discrimination, zero AIDS related deaths.

We presume that everyone understands what HIV means….but maybe, that’s not particularly true 😀 HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This virus damages a person’s immune system and messes with their ability to handle infections they are confronted with on a daily basis. It may exist in a person and not cause symptoms for up to 10 years.

This infection can be spread through sexual contact with an infected person, sharing sharps (sharp objects and needles with infected person), blood transfusion or vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

The first phase of the infection might actually seem like the flu or a cold with symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes on the neck etc. The symptoms that people generally associate with HIV/AIDS like diarrhea, weight loss, fever, oral thrush etc actually occur in the later phase of the disease.

Treatment of the HIV infection is with a combination of drugs which affect the virus in various ways. For people who already have HIV/AIDS, it is important to eat healthy and avoid infections at all costs because of the depressed immunity. This means that immunizations should be taken as and when due, be careful with domestic pets (as some parasites found on them can cause significant infections in HIV positive patients), watch out for food-borne infections (by avoiding unpasteurized dairy products, raw meats and fish etc)

Prevention is focused on preventing sexual transmission (Abstaining from sex, Being faithful to an equally faithful partner and using Condoms), ensuring that blood to be used is properly screened, not sharing sharps with other people etc This speaks to Zero New Infections.

It is important that we show love to people who are already infected. A lot of people pass judgment on people once it is said they are HIV positive because of the general belief that this is only spread through sexual contact. Remember that it can also be passed on through other means and everyone with an illness/ailment deserves our love and support. This speaks to Zero Discrimination.

For related posts, please click on the following:

Daily Health Tips: What Are The First Symptoms Of HiV/AIDS?

Daily Health Tips: Should I Marry My Boyfriend Who I Just Realized Is HIV Positive?

Daily Health Tips: How Can I Prevent My Unborn Baby From Becoming Infected With HIV?

Daily Health Tips: Can I Get HIV From Oral Sex?

Have a great day everyone 😀

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