Daily Health Tips: Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Posted on March 30, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

You know how easy and convenient it is to just put a pacifier or feeding bottle in a baby’s mouth and just let them give us some peace? Well, maybe not such a great idea! Why? Watch this!

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Why You Must Never Leave The Toilet Without Washing Your Hands!

Posted on March 29, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

This video shows us how we often consider the ‘serious; business of washing our hands after using the toilet, inconsequential. It educates us as to why this is more important than we often think.

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Can I Get HIV By Eating HIV-Infected Food?

Posted on March 29, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hi Doc. Please I just read a post by a friend and was a bit confused. He said a pineapple seller who has HIV mistakenly cut his finger while cutting the pineapple and later someone that bought and ate it was diagnosed of the virus. So he is warning people against junk food and even eating out. Please how true is this!

A: This story has been making the rounds of the rumour mills since the early 2000s. The food/fruit has changed as it has circulated 😀 Is there any truth to this? No! Be careful about the pocket doctors who you listen to. Click on this link to read more about pocket doctors 😀

chatwithdrketch.com/2014/03/03/daily-health-tips-are-you-a-pocket-doctor/

Thus far, there is no documented evidence that eating food contaminated with HIV can cause the infection or AIDS. The virus is just too fickle for this to happen. It dies too quickly and loses its ability to divide and multiply outside the human body. The added complication posed by the acidic juices in the stomach means that the viruses don’t stand a chance 😀 The one food-related HIV transmission occurred when an HIV positive care-giver pre-chewed some food and then fed same to an infant. So, if you practice this, with or without HIV, please just stop. It’s not hygienic…if we were to just discuss this from first principles, right?

There is however, some evidence that oral contact with body fluids can lead to HIV. Ths is rare and usually involved sexual contact.

However, I am totally with at least one part of his campaign. The one against junk food. We have talked about the way the white carbs of junk food make blood sugar jump up and down. Immediately they are eaten, the blood sugar increases and this causes insulin to be released so that the sugar is taken into the cells and very quickly too. This is done so efficiently that within moments of eating these snacks, one feels hungry again. This starts a vicious cycle of eating more and then more and then some more 😀 Before long, obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension et al come calling.

As for eating out, we may not be able to completely cut that out. And really there’s nothing wrong with doing that. The focus should be on not using that opportunity to binge. Being served a larger than normal portion of food than you would normally eat, is not an invitation to finish it. Eat slowly and once you sense that you are satisfied, please stop. Very handy advice as the round of weekend parties start, right? 😀 Related posts that discuss this can be read by clicking on these links:

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/01/12/daily-health-tips-is-it-okay-to-inhale-my-food/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/02/16/daily-health-tips-low-glycemic-eating-whats-that/

Remember that you can now get your daily health tips from Dr Ketch on the go by sending WELLNESS to 33118. This service is only available on the MTN network in Nigeria for now and costs N50 for 2 weeks.

Have a great one, people 😀

 

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Daily Health Tips: Is Skimmed Milk Good While Pregnant and While Breastfeeding?

Posted on March 28, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Dr please, is skimmed milk good for pregnant and breastfeeding mums?

A: Skimmed milk is milk from which practically all the fat has been removed. Generally, skimmed milk is always a great idea. If you have been taking this before you got pregnant, it’s fine to continue doing so doing pregnancy. Remember that the dictum ‘eating for two’ is highly over-rated. You really don’t need significantly more than what you’ve been eating before pregnancy when you’re carrying a baby. All you need is an average of 12kg for the total period of your pregnancy… just a few grams over 1kg per month Click on this link to read my post on pregnancy weight gain www.chatwithdrketch.com/2013/12/02/daily-health-tips-eating-for-two/

The same goes for the breastfeeding period. If you had been taking skimmed milk prior to this time, by all means continue. However, be sure that you are getting your calories from other sources…the right sources. Complex carbs are great evening beans, brown rice, oats etc Remember that full cream milk with all its calories may not be very helpful, especially if you were already overweight before you got pregnant.

Have a great weekend, everyone

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Daily Health Tips: How Can I Get Rid Of This Dandruff?

Posted on March 27, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: How can one treat or cure stubborn dandruff?

A: Hmm! Stubborn dandruff sounds really serious!!! 😀 I feel your pain! It can be very embarrassing to comb your hair or brush it and see those horrible looking flakes all over the comb or surface where you are. Even more embarrassing when the hair stylist or barber at the salon says, ‘Aunty/Oga, you have a lot of dandruff. We need to put hair treatment!’
So what are these dandruff? They are whitish, flaking scalp skin which are not contagious…Thank God!!! 😀 They can also be terribly itchy.

It can be caused by dry hair, oily hair that is irritated, hair that is not shampooed frequently and hair that is shampooed too often ( 😀 You just can’t win, aye?). Fungi have been implicated in dandruff and some hair care products are also suspect. In addition, piling on hair care products could also be a problem. Being male, increasing age, having oily hair and eating foods poor in Zinc could put you at risk of dandruff. Zinc-rich foods include beans, chicken, spinach, nuts etc.

The treatment of dandruff is pretty simple. Several anti-dandruff shampoo are available in supermarkets and they have anti-bacterial and/or anti-fungal agents, agents that condition the scalp limiting dryness or slow the flaking of skin on the scalp. You may find that one shampoo works for you, but other people may have to combine two different shampoos alternating their use. These are used daily or every other day…check the directions on the bottle. Be sure to rinse thoroughly as any shampoo left on the scalp just generates more problems.

Oftentimes, these shampoos are sufficient to deal with this. However, if they continue, you may need to see your doctor for a ‘stronger’ prescription.

Have a super-duper day 😀

 

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Daily Health Tips: Why Do I Keep Having Staph Infections?

Posted on March 26, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: I went to Lab for test and was diagnosed with Staphylococcus. I used the prescribed drugs and went back for same test and the same thing was indicating? Do you have any advice for me?
A: Absolutely, I have loads of advice for you! 😀 First, next time when you write me, be sure to include the area of your body infected. That will sure help! 😀

Staphylococcus has received a bad rap over the years, especially in Nigeria. A whole lot of TV advert time in the past was devoted to traditional/alternative/native medicine practitioners who all claimed a cure for this ‘terrible’ Sexually Transmitted Infection. After the airwaves were made off limits, attention moved to the print media where all manner of cures are touted for ailments ranging from the indomitable staph to fibroids! Have you read about how some drugs can make people excrete their fibroids out???! I shake my head in wonder 😀

Generally, Staphylococcus, Staph for short, are bacteria which can be found in people’s noses or skin all over the body, minding their own business until a cut or injury occurs giving the germs access into the body. This is the reason why surgeons meticulously scrub sites for surgery before they make a single cut because infections caused by Staph can be deadly. They usually cause infections like boils but can also get into the blood, as described for surgery above, and cause infections too. They are also responsible for Staphylococcal food poisoning and Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) as can happen in people who use tampons.

People who are more at risk of Staph infections include breastfeeding mothers, new born babies, diabetics, people with sores/injuries of any sort and also people with compromised immune systems.

It is usually spread by direct contact with an infected sore or use of infected personal care items like shave sticks, plasters or bandages.

Technically, Staph infections are not considered Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI); however, because Staph is spread through skin to skin contact, it can cause an STI if there is contact between the genitals and the area with a Staph infection. Remember also, that these bacteria are found on the skin and so can show up in urine. Thus, if this was isolated in your urine, it does not mean that it is sexually transmitted. As part of the test carried out in isolating the organism in your urine, specific antibiotics would have been shown as being active against the organism. Be sure to use this and complete the dose.

Given that Staph infections are spread through person to person contact, practicing good hygiene is a great idea. Wash your hands often especially after contact with situations described above. Remember that you can also spread the infection from one part of your body to another, so it is important to keep wounds clean and properly covered. If a towel is used to clean the area, this should be done once and then the towel washed in hot water. Do not share items of personal care like towels and be sure to bath every day.

Menstruating ladies who use tampons should be sure to change them often to prevent TSS.

Have a great day, people 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health tips: Why Can’t I Have A Baby If The Doctors Have Said Nothing Is Wrong With Me?!

Posted on March 25, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please what can make a married couple not have children? The couple in question has run series of tests which confirmed that both the husband and wife have no problem; yet they couldn’t give birth. What caused them not to give birth and what could be done to that?

A: Not being able to have a child at the time that we expect it can be a harrowing experience…especially in Africa where a couple of months into your marriage, family members and even outsiders are beginning to look at you in suggestive ways. Some actually ask outright, ‘when are you guys planning to start having babies?’

However, in the medical world, we can only agree that perhaps there might be an issue after one full year of trying to have babies with no luck. This, however, implies that there is frequent and unprotected sexual intercourse. Frequency in this respect means that sexual intercourse should be at least 3 times in a week. Unprotected means that there should be no barrier protection like a condom. Don’t laugh…this has been known to happen. People use a condom and then expect to get pregnant 😀 The ejaculate (semen) should also be of significant volume.

So, if this has been established to have been happening for one year, the next thing is to run tests. The less ‘invasive’ tests are usually done first. This usually involves the husband who provides his semen for analysis. Other tests will now be run on the wife, which presumably has already happened in the case above.

Some causes of infertility in men include problems with the production of sperm, problems with the delivery of sperm, being exposed to environmental toxins (like sitting in hot tubs) and cancer.

Some causes of infertility in women include problems with ovulation, problems with the uterus and cervix, blockage or damage of the fallopian tube, thyroid problems, cancer etc.

Other risk factors for both sexes include use of alcohol and tobacco, being overweight or even underweight and age (the older people get, the more difficult it is to get pregnant).

Where a problem is identified, this is taken care of through various options like the use of drugs or surgery.

Oftentimes, no reason can be found for the infertility. In these instances, the couple may want to consider assisted reproduction. Your doctor will discuss the different options available in your area and if you can afford it, he will suggest other centers where better facilities exist.

Prevention of infertility is targeted at the risk factors. Quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise moderately and keep your weight within normal limits.

Infertility is really nerve wracking, because nobody has an idea how long it’s going to last or what treatments are going to work best. Joining support groups and/or counseling sessions may be helpful during this period of waiting, patiently and prayerfully 🙂

Have a great day 😀

 

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Daily Health Tips: How To Avoid Senior Moments And Improve Your Memory

Posted on March 22, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Hallos people! Do you find yourself forgetting things you just heard? Like somebody’s name…and yet you’ve just been introduced?! Awkward to say the least! These ‘senior moments’ are not just a problem for the ‘oldies’ but applies to a whole lot of us. Here are some tips to help:

When being introduced to someone, repeat the person’s name out loud and perhaps make an association in your mind about the name eg Ketch and Ketchup 😀 Even just the conscious effort of repeating the name out loud, helps it stick. Awesome, right?! I knew you’d think so 😀

You know how we all have to do different things at the same time to prove to all our bosses and ourselves that we are well able to carry out this 21st century ‘new fangled’ managerial process called multi-tasking!  But guess what, this amazing concept absolutely does not help memory one bit as you’re not really paying enough attention to any one thing 😀

When receiving new information, take a moment to absorb the information and mull it over. It’s more likely to stick then.

Following a routine is also useful as that means that you really don’t have to think about what you’re doing really, yes?

Avoid noisy environments, reduce stress and try to get enough sleep. All these help keep your memory nice and sharp.

Eating breakfast, nuts, whole grains, fish, avocados, blue berries (available in large supermarket chains, if you’re in Nigeria) and generally eating healthy can also help improve your memory.

So, try these tips out from this evening and see whether they can help you reduce your ‘senior moments!’

Have a great night ahead 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: What Is This Glaucoma?

Posted on March 21, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

 

Have you ever heard about the eye condition known as glaucoma? Do you know someone who has this? Have you ever heard that someone was told that their eye pressure was high? Well, if you answered yes to any of these, this is for you!

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to optic (eye) nerve damage. This leads to loss of sight but this loss is gradual such that some people do not even complain until the damage is advanced.

There are two main types of glaucoma: Primary open angle glaucoma (in which there is partial blockage of the drainage system for the fluid that flows in and out of the eye leading to the fluid draining slowly) and acute angle-closure glaucoma (in which the iris bulges and closes the drainage angle). In both instances, pressure builds up in the eye due to backing up of fluid into the eyes.

Apart from these two, there are also normal tension glaucoma, in which the pressure in the eyes is normal, developmental glaucoma in which a child is born with this or develops this within the first few years of life and pigmentary glaucoma in which granules of the iris block the drainage channel akin to the system in angle closure glaucoma.

The symptoms experienced by patients differ depending on the type. Symptoms include eye pain, nausea and vomiting accompanying eye pain, blurring of vision, gradual loss of vision, eye redness, seeing halos around lights etc.

The most common cause of this nerve damage is raised pressure inside the eye. Other risk factors include family history, ethnic origin (blacks older than 40 years are more at risk), age (people older than 60 years are more at risk), pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension, heart conditions and other eye problems like eye inflammation or tumours.

Treatment is focused on reducing pressure in the eye as this condition cannot be cured; neither can the damage already done to the eye nerve be reversed. Early start of treatment can, however, lead to slowing or prevention of more visual loss. Treatment can be through eye drops, oral medications and/or surgery.

Prevention should be focused on ensuring you get regular eye checks by your doctor. Eating healthy is also helpful as you stock up on vitamins that are beneficial for sight. Exercising and reducing caffeine intake may also help.

Have a great day, everyone 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: It’s World Oral Health Day…Why Do I Need To Scale And Polish My Teeth?

Posted on March 20, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Today is World Oral Health Day with the theme ‘celebrating healthy smiles’. Have you got a healthy smile? Does it draw people in or send them scampering for cover? Do people come close and lean in or do they come close and head in the opposite direction?

Remember that with a healthy mouth (filled with healthy teeth), the world is your oyster as you can eat, drink, laugh, bite, whistle…and yes, even kiss your hubbies or wives etc without any problems. Did I see you raise an eyebrow as to what these activities have to do with a healthy mouth? Take my word for it…you’ll have to trust me on this one. Don’t experiment to find out yourself…the results may be disastrous 😀

In honour of this day, I shall be treating two questions on dental health.

Q: How do I treat scales on teeth?

A: Normally, our teeth are constantly bathes by saliva in which there is calcium and a host of substances: food pieces, bacteria, acid etc. This combination is known as plaque and begins to build on the teeth within 20 minutes after eating. Over time, they tend to accumulate on the teeth, oftentimes having the same colour as the teeth but sometimes, a different colour and ultimately giving the teeth a caked-on feel and appearance. These substances on the surface of the teeth provide the right environment for bacteria and other germs to breed and grow leading to tooth decay.

Plaque that is left becomes tartar which leads to irritation of the gum

Scaling and polishing gets to the heart of the matter…peels away this chalky substance on the surface of the teeth and leaves it squeaky clean such that bacteria cannot stick to their polished surface 😉 Now, you can run your tongue all over that lovely, clean surface 😀

Q: Dr, I have a hole in my tooth. What should I do??

A: Holes in the teeth are also known as dental caries or cavity. Ordinarily, one can have a cavity in their tooth and be happy with the world 😀 Absolutely no pain! The pain sets in when the cavity spreads and involves nerves or fracture of the tooth. If left untreated, this can lead to a dental abscess (like a boil in the area).

If you’ve ever had a tooth ache or been close to someone who’s had one, you don’t need to be told the symptoms 😀 It is sheer excruciating pain especially when cold, hot or sweet things are taken. There may also be visible holes in the teeth.

Treatment is focused on putting a filling on it, root canal treatments or crowns.

Prevention is to practice oral hygiene. Remember the rule of 2s? Brush your teeth at least twice a day, brush for at least 2 minutes and see your dentist at least twice a year. Be sure to use fluoride tooth pastes.

Limit your intake of those sugary drinks and foods/snacks including dry fruits. If you do indulge, please brush immediately afterwards.

Have a super-oral-healthy day! 😀

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