chatwithketch

Winner for Nutrition Facts and Fiction is Joy Nezieanya Obiesie.

Winner for Tips For Good Nutrition is Lawrence Anyanwu

Congratulations, y’all 😀

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Cheers

Q: Good evening, Doctor. Please what causes rashes/sores and pain in the mouth, the roof of the mouth, to be precise. Thank you.

A: There are a couple of ailments that can cause sores in the mouth and of course the roof of the mouth called the palate. They include:

Fever blisters known as cold sores can cause this and the pain associated with this condition is worse when hot, spicy or acidic foods like lemon are taken. They are mostly found around the lips. These sores are contagious but most times clear up without the need for medication. Sometimes, antiviral drugs are administered.

Canker sores are not contagious but just like fever blisters, most times, they disappear without any definitive treatment within a week.
Infections of the mouth (viral, fungal or bacterial), deficiency of minerals, smoking etc are some factors that may causes sores in the mouth and subsequent pain in the roof of the mouth.

To reduce the pain of this or prevent its happening, try these:
• Reduce your intake of foods that precipitate this like spicy or acidic foods
• Reduce your stress levels as this could precipitate conditions like fever blister
• Quit smoking
• Avoid medications that appear to trigger this
• Swishing milk around in your mouth or gargling with cool or salty water is also helpful in dealing with the pain

If these do not work or you find the symptoms worsening, develop a fever or perhaps develop find it difficult to swallow, please see your doctor immediately.
Have a great weekend y’all 😀

Q: Hi Dr Ketch, I have this pain on my chest-between my breast and the shoulder region. I am a mother of 2 and my last child is 4 years old. I told you last time about my weight. I started having issues with my weight which I think is as a result of my weight. I am over 35 years and my BMI is 164.When I went to the clinic to see a doctor, I was asked to run a lipid profile test. I did this and the doctor said that my cholesterol is border-line. And my BP was 140/105mHg. I was given some drugs and was told to start exercise. I started exercise since August 25th, and I am still on it. I have lost about 10 pounds since then although the pain has increased. I also have knee and waist pain. My knee was swollen but by the help of God, the knee swelling is coming down and the pain has reduced slightly. I noticed after some push ups and dumbbell exercises, the pain is more on my chest. Why?

A: Congratulations on the weight you have lost already. It is no mean feat and has set you firmly on your road to wellness.

To summarize, your main issues are:
• High blood pressure
• High BMI in the morbidly obese category
• Knee, chest and waist pain
• Border-line cholesterol

You have taken the first step which is recognizing that you have a problem and doing something about it. The issues are really al inter-related. High blood cholesterol can lead to the deposition of fatty deposits in the blood vessels which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Being overweight can significantly contribute to high blood pressure and also joint pains. BMI is calculated using the formula weight divided by height x height. A measure of 164 is in the category of morbidly obese! I hope you mistakenly wrote that figure or have perhaps do not know how to calculate this. Please visit my blog, http://www.chatwithdrketch.com and type BMI into the search box. You will find my posts on BMI there.

Chest pains should always be checked out in the hospital. I sincerely hope that the chest pain is not due to a complication of these situations and hopefully is just due to wrong positioning during exercise. Do you have a trainer who oversees your exercise routine? Please get one. You must not over-do it. This weight was not added in one day and can certainly not be lost in one. Even if the BMI is real, it can be worked on. I know of a support group for people working on their weight. I’ll get their information and forward to you. Please remind me over the weekend.
Two things you need to focus on: diet and exercise.

Eat right…more vegetables in your diet. Take of empty carbs as in pastries, cakes, soda and eat more complex carbs like local rice, oats, whole wheat meal, grains really etc. Remember to stay within the recommended portions which is quarter of a plate. Eat more white meat: fish, chicken breast etc Chicken breast is high in saturated fats and will also compound a bad matter.
Include activity into your day: At least 30 minutes of exercise or activity daily. Take a walk, dance, swim, run, walk around while on the phone etc. Whatever you do, make sure you rack up to 150 minutes weekly.

High blood pressure can be managed and is also amenable to lifestyle modifications like the ones mentioned above. In addition, reduce salt intake, reduce oil intake and when you need to use it, use healthy versions like Olive oil. Cook your veggies in a healthy way, reduce stress etc.
For more on hypertension, please click on the links below:

Daily Health Tips: My High Blood Pressure Risks

Daily Health Tips: Blood Pressure – The Fact Behind The Figures

More importantly, keep reminding yourself why you’re on this journey. It’s not for your husband, nor for your babies, nor to get people off your back. This is for you! You have to feel good, inside and outside to do good. And you want to be healthy to accomplish all your desired goals.

All the best…loads of hugs and love.

Have a great night y’all 😀

Dear all,

Thanks for constantly visiting this page for wellness information that affect you and yours. Please note that due to the volume of questions we get on a daily basis, it may take us a little while to get to your question…but we will get to you.

In the meantime, y’all could try visiting my blog too to find answers for your questions. 😀 For instance, if your question is on breastfeeding, then visit http://www.chatwith drketch.com and type in breastfeeding. You will be presented with all my posts on that subject. You can now choose which post is most appropriate for you. If the blog doesn’t have the answer you’re looking for, still go head and post them here on the page or inbox or email. We will answer…that’s why we’re here: to make your lives that much better by answering your wellness questions 😀
And now, our question for the day:

Q: Doctor, good afternoon. I really appreciate ur efforts in educating d masses medically. I have something bothering my mind. When I had my baby, she seemed to have tongue tie. But the pediatrician said its nothing at 5 months. But she can’t lift d tongue up very well. When she plays with her tongue she moves it about but the tip of the tongue does not pass her lips. I’m really scared. I don’t want to take chances. Will my baby talk?
A: Thanks for writing in.

In babies with tongue tie, there’s a tight piece of skin holding the tongue down from the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is also called ankyloglossia and could affect baby’s ability to latch on properly to suckle (as the tongue does not cover the lower gum). This can lead to baby chomping on mum’s nipple with resultant sore nipples.

First thing, do not be scared. Even if indeed, she has tongue tie, it’s not a huge problem. Some doctors believe that if it’s not affecting baby’s feeding, then it should be left well alone. But others believe, it should be taken out as there’s also a possibility that it could cause speech problems later.

The treatment, if required, is cutting through the tight piece of skin holding the tongue down. The area is usually numbed before this procedure is carried out. Older babies and adults may have to be put to sleep first (general anaesthesia).

If you disagree with your doctor about the treatment he has suggested, please seek a second opinion. Perhaps visiting a teaching hospital may present you with many options for qualified medical opinion

Have a good night, y’all 😀

Q: Good evening ma’am. Thanks for your lecture on how to make yoghurt. Please after making the yoghurt, how long will it stay in the fridge or freezer before it goes sour or should it be stored the way you taught on how to store milk or should it be consumed immediately after preparation? Thanks

A: I’ve received a lot of questions about the recipe for yoghurt and its usefulness ever since the 3rd season of our show aired and I had shown one other recipe for yoghurt.

I’ll share with you my personal easy-peasy recipe for yoghurt. This recipe uses powdered milk.

Mix one part of milk to four parts of warm water (you could use a measuring cup and this means one measuring cup of milk will be mixed with four measuring cups of warm water; if you use a bowl, then one bowl of milk to four bowls of milk etc.). Add a quarter measure (cup, bowl or whatever is your measure) of already made yoghurt that has probiotics in it to the mixture. This could be store bought yoghurt or some that you have stored from the last batch of yoghurt you made. Stir the mixture and cover in an airtight container for about 4 to 8 hours. I usually leave mine overnight. Give a final mix and there you’ve got it, your own delicious home-made yoghurt.
Note that I didn’t add sugar. I usually don’t. If you must, add a little. Otherwise, cutting up some apples into it and/or adding some nice crunchy nuts makes this taste even more delicious. Remember that you can also blend this up with some fruits and make a delicious smoothie 😀 I feel hungry already ;D

Now, how to store…just like for milk: Do not store on the fridge door. Store at the back of the fridge where it is coldest. Be sure to finish it up within three days and do not store close to strong smelling foods as they very readily take on those smells…imagine drinking onion-flavoured yoghurt 😀 Disgusting. Can you store in the freezer? Well, yes. But freezing gives yoghurt a different texture when it thaws. You may not like it. If you don’t mind though, then hey, freeze away 🙂

Have a great night y’all 😀

Q: What can a woman who just found out she’s pregnant but having serious constipation do?

A: Welcome to the land of pregnancy and raging hormones!!! This is going to be an interesting period in your life and your hormones are going to act up in different ways.

Constipation is common in pregnancy and is due to the hormones of pregnancy which make the muscles of your digestive tract work in a more leisurely manner. This ensures that food stays longer in the tract, more nutrients are absorbed from it (so that more nutrients can go to baby) but also more water is absorbed from it, leaving the poop hard and constipated. The iron-containing pre-natal drugs may also contribute to this but you do have to take them ;D

Tips to help you deal with the constipation include:

• Adding more fruits and veggies to meals.
• Eating small quantities at a time. You could try to aim for 5 small meals (breakfast, lunch dinner and 2 snacks in between) per day containing fruits, Veggies, complex carbs and proteins. Snacks can be a handful of nuts, etc
• Drink sufficient amounts of water. At least 8 glasses. Remember that this depends on your activity and weather condition. If you find yourself in a hot environment where you’re sweating a lot, by all means drink some more.
• Some activity is also useful in getting things ‘down there’ to move along 😉 Remember to check with your doctor, what activities are safe for you to undertake when pregnant.
• Yoghurt with probiotics is also a great idea and helps the stomach bacteria break down the food and more importantly, keep it moving along.

For more symptoms of pregnancy and the red flags, please click on the link below:

Baby in the tummy; it’s all up to mummy…is it?

Have a fabulous week, people 😀

Several myths prevent us from making the right decisions concerning our health.

“For a chance to win N2,000 airtime, answer the question below’:

Mention 5 nutrition facts and fiction.

The first person to answer correctly, will win our prize.

Terms and conditions:

Participants must be followers of this blog. If you’re not a follower, follow our blog to qualify.

The first correct answer is the winner of the prize.

Only one answer per participant will be accepted.

Answers are based on the episodes of our 5 minute show airing on AIT and Silverbird TV on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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

Edited answers will be disqualified.

This challenge lapses by 11.59 pm on Monday, the 27th of October, 2014

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

Most people want to do the right thing in terms of nutrition, but don’t know how.

“For a chance to win N2,000 airtime, answer the question below’:

Mention 5 tips for good nutrition.

The first person to answer correctly, will win our prize.

Terms and conditions:

Participants must be followers of this page. If you’re not a follower, follow our blog to qualify.

The first correct answer is the winner of the prize.

Only one answer per participant will be accepted.

Answers are based on the episodes of our 5 minute show airing on AIT and Silverbird TV on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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

Edited answers will be disqualified.

This challenge lapses by 11.59 pm on Monday, the 27th of October, 2014

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