Daily Health Tips: Urinary Tract Infections.

Posted on May 16, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please, I need a full advice. I went through antibiotics about 3months ago. I was thinking I had ulcer but the doctor said it was a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). It later disappeared but to my surprise, I started passing urine frequently and having pains at my right back side. Should I get the antibiotic back? Thanks Doctor

A: Okay, first off, I will answer the last question. No, don’t get the antibiotic you had used before or indeed any other antibiotic. It does sound to me like you are too free with these antibiotics. You really should not be taking antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription and indeed, no pharmacy should be selling them to you without seeing a prescription. Your question also suggests to me that you probably do not take these antibiotics for the right length of time. Stopping the antibiotic when you stop feeling symptoms does not mean that the infection is over. In fact, what you end up doing is giving the bacteria an opportunity to adapt to (and understand the antics) of the antibiotic so that if it comes back to infect you, it comes back ‘stronger.’ This is one of the causes of antibiotic resistance (antibiotics not being as useful in curing infections as they used to be).

Now to start from the beginning, I don’t know how you made your diagnosis of ulcer and how you chose the antibiotic to take and for how long. What symptoms exactly did you have? However, I would assume that the doctor who made a diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection sent your urine sample to the lab and the antibiotics prescribed was based in the results received.  Did you take them as prescribed and for as long as you were supposed to?

Okay, let’s talk about Urinary Tract Infections. This is an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract (Genius me, right :D) and includes infections of the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder),  the bladder (the reservoir or store house for the urine) and the urethra (the tube that transports the urine from the bladder to the outside).

So, who is more likely to have an infection and why? Women are more likely to have infections and this is because they have short urethrae (those tubes that transport the urine outside) and because the opening of this tube is very close to the opening of the anus. And so, if a woman urinates and has not quite mastered the art of cleaning from the front to the back, she could transfer bacteria from her anus to her urethra and this in turn travels up and infects the bladder.

Women who also use the birth control method, diaphragm are also at risk as it may cause the bladder not to empty completely when they urinate. Indeed, not urinating immediately after sexual intercourse in women may also predispose to this as the urethra may have may have become irritated, making it easier for germs to move in. People with depressed immune systems, frequent constipation and some people born with some disorders of their uro-genital system are also prone to UTIs. In men, narrowing of the urethra which may happen in men who have had straddle injuries (eg falling astride {with legs apart} on a pole…ouch!), history of STIs or prostrate problems may make a man open to UTIs.

What symptoms does a person with UTI have? They would complain of feeling they have to urgently urinate often and then when they do get to the toilet, they can only pass out very little urine, pain or burning sensation during urination, pain in the flank (just under the ribs at the back), the urine may be cloudy or reddish or coke coloured, fever with chills and rigours etc.

UTIs have to be treated because these infections could keep back tracking from the urethra to the bladder to the ureters and then to the kidneys…we don’t want that do we?! 😉

Treatment is focused on eradicating the infection…of course 😀 Usually a urine sample is taken to the lab. Part of the lab work is a culture and sensitivity test to find out the organisms causing the infection and the specific antibiotic that is active against it. Please take your prescription for the right period of time even if your symptoms disappear before you finish. Your doctor may also order other tests as he sees fit eg checking out for congenital defects etc.

Apart from the preventive tips above, be sure to drink lots of water which help dilute your urine and help flush out the bacteria. As I have written several times before, leave douches well alone, ladies and much as we may feel that a little anti-perspirant  around our genital area may help us feel and smell good especially when menstruating, these habits may lead to irritation of the urethra and we don’t want that 😀

Have a great weekend, people…and no self-medication or self-diagnosis 😀 Please see your doctor if you have a health concern.

Here’s to a healthier you!

Hugs!!!

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Daily Health Tips: My 7-Month Old Has Rashes And Still Gets Most Of Her Food From Breast Milk!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Good evening, Dr Ketch.

Please, I want to know what is causing rashes on my 7 months old baby.  I haven’t changed her cream and bath soap, yet I see rashes. Sometimes, it’s on one of her hands, another time it’s on her forehead; later it would be on her nose or below her eye. It’s so embarrassing. Please advice me on what to use and what is causing it because she isn’t taking any formulae, only breast milk and normal food once in a while, biscuit and tea sometimes too.

 

Rashes in your baby could be due to different things and so it’s difficult to say what it is over the net 😀 Sorry, this medium has its limitations 😉

Starting with common things, it may very well be heat rashes. If you’re of the school of thought that believes children should be all covered up in warm clothes even what it’s hot, then, this may be the cause of the rashes. To prevent this, ensure that you dress your baby in light clothes when the weather is hot and vice versa. Trust me, they have the same ability to feel hot or cold…just like you :O

Then, it could be due to eczema. This can arise from the soaps and bubble baths et al that you are using.  It could also be due to rough fabrics or allergy to foods. To prevent this, choose mild baby products that are not perfumed, be gentle when drying baby after a bath…just pat dry.

It could also be due to fungal or bacterial infections. You need to take your baby in to see the paediatrician so that a proper diagnosis can be made and then proper treatment started.

Now, about your baby’s feeding, by 7 months, your baby should be eating normal food more than once in a while. It should be very regular now, though breastfeeding should still be continued. Start off weaning by introducing some cereal (iron fortified cereals) shop bought or home-made. Start small and scale up. As he tolerates this, then introduce pureed fruits and veggies. Be sure to use cooking methods that preserve nutrients the best like steaming.

Be sure that your baby gets iron rich foods like beans, meat and spinach too. This is because at this weaning stage, the baby’s natural store of iron starts reducing significantly.

I know that a lot of mothers, after a little while, start giving instant noodles and this essentially becomes the mainstay of the baby’s diet. Remember, that while this may be convenient, it may not be the very best in terms of nutrition for your growing baby. It is also at this stage that you start modeling the right eating behavior and habits for your baby.

For more on weaning, please click on the links below:

Daily Health Tips: My Baby Hates Fruits!

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/02/27/daily-health-tips-i-think-my-daughter-is-small-for-her-age/

Have an awesome evening 😀

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Daily Health Tips: I Am Scared Because I Have Hernia.

Posted on May 14, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hello Dr Ketch, I am a female; 42yrs, single and I have no child yet. Last year, I noticed a swollen part beside my navel (top of my stomach). I went for scan. It states that it’s a hernia. How can it be cured besides surgery. I am really scared. Please help me!

A: Hernia is the protrusion of an organ through a defect (like a hole or opening) in the wall of the muscle or cavity which usually holds it in place. There are different types hernias (or herniae) and they include:

Inguinal hernia: The most common type of hernia. It usually happens in situations where the pressure inside the abdomen is increased.

Other hernias include incisional hernia (where a protrusion develops from the site of a previous surgery, especially abdominal surgery), femoral hernia (which has the same risk factors as inguinal), umbilical hernia (common in black children where the umbilicus, aka navel does not form a small ‘button’ on the abdominal wall but protrudes) and hiatal hernia (where the stomach squeezes through a hole meant for the oesophagus (the pipe through which food gets to the stomach).

Typically, all hernias are caused by a weakness in the wall of muscles or containing cavities and an increase in pressure. Examples of activities that increase pressure in the abdomen are long standing cough or frequent sneezing, carrying heavy loads regularly, straining at stool whether due to constipation or diarrhoea etc. The walls of muscles are usually weakened in people who are obese, pregnant women, smokers and malnourished people. It is also more common in men and as people grow older.

What are the symptoms? People with hernia would usually notice a protrusion after a strain eg lifting something heavy or coughing. Sometimes, they are able to push it back. Other times they are not. The worry about hernia and the reason why they have to be treated quickly is that they may strangulate. Yes, just think about the word strangle and you understand what strangulate means 😀 The protrusion may become squeezed by the opening through which it passes blocking off blood supply to the area protruding. Once a part of the body is deprived of blood, it dies. We don’t want that to happen 😉

To answer your question specifically, the decision as to whether to go for surgery or not depends on where the hernia is located (inguinal and femoral hernias usually need surgery), the contents of the hernia sac and the symptoms. A truss (a supportive device that prevents enlargement of a hernia) may be prescribed by your doctor to help for a short period of time. Typically a doctor will schedule a surgery to repair a hernia. Complaints of pain in a hernia patient may mean strangulation, which need to be dealt with immediately. Umbilical hernia does not usually require surgery as the protrusions usually ‘return’ on their own. If this persists beyond 5 years, then surgery may be needed.

If you do require surgery, you don’t need to fret about it…really. This is not major surgery…it’s intermediate (sort of like half way between minor and major :D). Your doctor will provide answers to all the questions you have and of course, counselling. There are options for laparoscopic surgery which is surgery done through small incisions guided by a camera.

Preventive measures include having a healthy weight, giving up smoking, treating conditions that may lead to long standing coughs, eating healthy to prevent straining at stool etc.

So, peeps, you can’t dodge this stuff. It’s healthy living and eating all the way 😀 Have a great evening.

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Daily Health Tips: I Am A Man And I Have Pain And Discharge From My Breast.

Posted on May 13, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hello Dr, as a matter of fact today happens to be the first time i watched your program on Africa magic and sincerely I love it. Keep up the good work; however, I have a question to ask. I’m a 28yrs old man and recently I noticed the hardness in my right hand breast and it’s really very painful and each time I press it, I see a little discharge of fluid like ‘draw water’ and I don’t know what this means. I would be glad if you can advice me on what it is and what to do. Thanks and anxiously waiting for your response.

A: This breast lump, associated with pain and discharge may be an abscess (boil). You didn’t really mention whether the discharge is from the nipple or from wherever the lump is; neither did you mention the colour of the discharge. However, it is generally wise to check out breast lumps in the hospital…and yes, the rule applies for men and women alike.

Everyone should know what their ‘normal’ breast looks like such that if there is any change in shape, size, ulceration (like a wound) of the skin, change in nipple or discharge from nipple etc, they will be able to easily notice it.

So, please go to the hospital so that a doctor can examine this and make a proper diagnosis.

For more on breast lumps, please click on the links below

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2013/05/24/pinkie-swear/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/02/04/daily-health-tips-debunk-the-cancer-myths/

Have a good night, people 😀

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Daily Health Tips: All About Asthma.

Posted on May 12, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Asthma is a disease of the lungs which manifests as difficulty in breathing. The severity differs from person to person and it can develop in both adults and children. There is no cure for asthma but it can be controlled.

The cause of asthma is not really known but appears to run in families. Other people who are more at risk of developing this include those with other allergies, those born pre-mature or with a low birth weight and those who were exposed to tobacco smoke in the womb (having a mother who smoked) etc.

In asthma, the airways (the passage/pipes through which air passes to and from the lungs) are sensitive and easily irritated. When this irritation occurs, the airways narrow and the muscles around them squeeze tightly; the airways further get swollen and produce thick mucous which worsen the problem of air actually passing through the airways.

The patient, during an attack, would typically complain of cough, wheezing (this sounds like whistling), difficulty in breathing and tightness in the chest. The ‘things’ that can irritate these airways are called triggers and include dust, tobacco smoke, cold air, exercise, allergens like pollen, dust mite, feathers etc, some drugs (like those in the same class of drugs as ibuprofen), emotional disturbances (stress) etc

An attack can be acute in which case a trigger causes an attack that happens pretty quickly or the attack could be chronic, in which frequent irritations of the airways has led to an airway that is permanently narrowed. People diagnosed as asthmatics during their childhood days are likely to ‘grow out of it’. However, this may also return during the adult years, especially if they had the moderate or severe type.

Treatment is usually individualized and is based on severity of symptoms, age and triggers. They range from inhalers used to provide quick relief by opening up swollen airways to medications needed to prevent inflammation and thus, attacks.

Prevention is focused on preventing triggers: stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke, reduce allergens like dust mites, discuss your exercise regime with your doctor, prevent respiratory infections by building up your immunity: eat healthy (more fruits and vegetables), exercise and keep within a healthy weight. Follow your action plan for treatment as prescribed by your doctor etc. For more on preventing allergens like the dust mite, please click on the link below https://chatwithdrketch.com/2013/12/05/daily-health-tip-asthma/

If you’re asthmatic, be sure to have your inhaler with you at all times, especially if you’re travelling and make sure you take your medications as prescribed. If an asthmatic finds that they have more frequent attacks and need to use their inhalers more frequently, these could be signs that their asthma is getting worse. If during an attack they have no relief from using their inhalers or have shortness of breath even when there is no attack per se, they should see their doctors immediately as these situations could be life threatening.

Of course, this post calls to mind Amaka Igwe, ace producer. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

As those of us on this side of the world prepare to go to bed, spare a thought and a prayer for our Chibok girls #BringBackOurGirlsAlive

Have a good night y’all

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Daily Health Tips: What Has Dust Mite Got To Do With Asthma?

Posted on May 11, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

This video tells us about an organism called the dust mite which may provoke asthma. It also tells us how to prevent this dust mite from taking over our homes.

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Daily Health Tips: Why Do I Have Dark Circles Under My Eyes?

Posted on May 9, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Dear ‘Healthy Living With Dr Ketch’ family,

You’re all simply amazing. You took out time to celebrate and even posted pictures of cakes that looked ‘sinfully’ delicious 😀 I am honored and humbled. Thank you so much for all the love. You all made my day that much more special. May you all be celebrated too for doing something you just love doing…or better still, for just being you. I love you all!

And now, the question of the day….

Hello Doc, please what is d cause of jaundice in new born babies?. God bless you.

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 3rd or 4th 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 😉

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.

Have a great evening fabulous people. And don’t forget #BringBackOurGirlsAlive

 

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Daily Health Tips: What Is The Cause Of Jaundice In New Born Babies?

Posted on May 8, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Dear ‘Healthy Living With Dr Ketch’ family,

You’re all simply amazing. You took out time to celebrate and even posted pictures of cakes that looked ‘sinfully’ delicious 😀 I am honored and humbled. Thank you so much for all the love. You all made my day that much more special. May you all be celebrated too for doing something you just love doing…or better still, for just being you. I love you all!

And now, the question of the day….

Hello Doc, please what is d cause of jaundice in new born babies?. God bless you.

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 3rd or 4th 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 😉

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.

Have a great evening fabulous people. And don’t forget #BringBackOurGirlsAlive

 

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Daily Health Tips: What Have You Learnt?

Posted on May 7, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Dear Doctor, please help me. My wife does not do exclusive breast feeding because everytime she finishes breast feeding our baby, he still cries as if hungry. So she often supplements with formula. But I noticed that two of our previous children suffer from vomiting and watery stool once they get to 4 months and as a result they lose a lot of weight. Pls what do I do to avoid this with my 3rd child? What formula is best for him to be big like a well fed child and to avoid the stooling and vomiting? Please help me.

A: Your wife’s breast milk is more than sufficient for your baby and with that, your baby will look extremely healthy…I can tell you from experience. My first baby always looked months bigger than her age…she grew that fast.

Your wife has to be patient when breast feeding. There are two types of milk in the breast milk: the fore and the hind milk. The fore milk is mainly water and low in fats. If you observe, it’s bluish in colour. It takes care of the baby’s thirst and that’s why you don’t need to give your baby extra water. It’s also rich in protein, carbohydrates and vitamins.

Now, if you finish giving just the fore milk and stop, the baby will be hungry thereafter as she has essentially only taken water. The milk that comes after the fore milk is thicker containing fats and has a whole lot of calories. The baby needs this to be very well nourished and to satisfy the hunger pangs. The longer a mother waits between meals, the more foremilk is produced and it takes your baby that much longer to get to the more filling hind milk.

So, let her feed the baby on demand and each session should last until the breast ‘feels’ empty. I say ‘feel’ because the breast never really empties out  After this, she should change to the other breast. When your baby turns 6 months, then we can start discussing formula milk options.

Part of the problem with formula feeds is ensuring that all the feeding bottles and associated equipment are kept clean and sterilised, mixing the right amount of formula and even knowing when to discard a feed that was not taken when made. Breast feeding is easy and effortless and provides all your babies need till 6 months.

For more you can read my post on breastfeeding, please click on this linkhttps://chatwithdrketch.com/2013/08/17/do-cool-mums-breastfeed/

Have a great evening ahead…and don’t forget the Chibok Girls in your prayers ‪#‎BringBackOurgGirlsAlive‬ We must not let these girls disappear! My heart aches.

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Daily Health Tips: Please Help. My Wife’s Breast Milk Is Not Enough For Our Baby!

Posted on May 6, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Dear Doctor, please help me. My wife does not do exclusive breast feeding because everytime she finishes breast feeding our baby, he still cries as if hungry. So she often supplements with formula. But I noticed that two of our previous children suffer from vomiting and watery stool once they get to 4 months and as a result they lose a lot of weight. Pls what do I do to avoid this with my 3rd child? What formula is best for him to be big like a well fed child and to avoid the stooling and vomiting? Please help me.

A: Your wife’s breast milk is more than sufficient for your baby and with that, your baby will look extremely healthy…I can tell you from experience. My first baby always looked months bigger than her age…she grew that fast.

Your wife has to be patient when breast feeding. There are two types of milk in the breast milk: the fore and the hind milk. The fore milk is mainly water and low in fats. If you observe, it’s bluish in colour. It takes care of the baby’s thirst and that’s why you don’t need to give your baby extra water. It’s also rich in protein, carbohydrates and vitamins.

Now, if you finish giving just the fore milk and stop, the baby will be hungry thereafter as she has essentially only taken water. The milk that comes after the fore milk is thicker containing fats and has a whole lot of calories. The baby needs this to be very well nourished and to satisfy the hunger pangs. The longer a mother waits between meals, the more foremilk is produced and it takes your baby that much longer to get to the more filling hind milk.

So, let her feed the baby on demand and each session should last until the breast ‘feels’ empty. I say ‘feel’ because the breast never really empties out  After this, she should change to the other breast. When your baby turns 6 months, then we can start discussing formula milk options.

Part of the problem with formula feeds is ensuring that all the feeding bottles and associated equipment are kept clean and sterilised, mixing the right amount of formula and even knowing when to discard a feed that was not taken when made. Breast feeding is easy and effortless and provides all your babies need till 6 months.

For more you can read my post on breastfeeding, please click on this linkhttps://chatwithdrketch.com/2013/08/17/do-cool-mums-breastfeed/

Have a great evening ahead…and don’t forget the Chibok Girls in your prayers ‪#‎BringBackOurgGirlsAlive‬ We must not let these girls disappear! My heart aches.

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