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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Daily Health Tips: Why Do I Have Blurred Vision?!

Posted on March 19, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: What is cataracts, glaucoma all about? Has it a natural cure?

A: The lens of the eye is usually clear and is made up of protein and water. As one gets older, the protein gets clumped and vision becomes blurred. Initially, this may not significantly affect vision but with time, it becomes really difficult to read, drive a car etc. It’s like reading through a ‘water fall’ which, by the way, is the meaning of cataract 😀 In the initial stages, using stronger lighting may be helpful but with time, if this worsens and interferes with daily activities, surgery may be the next course of action.

The symptoms of cataract include blurred vision, double vision and difficulty with vision at night. Patients with cataract may also complain of yellowing of colours, seeing halos and being unduly sensitive to light.

Cataracts may occur as a natural process of aging as we grow older (oh, the joys of youth!!! :D). It is also common in diabetics, people with high blood pressure and people who smoke. Obesity, previous eye surgery or previous injury to the eye, family history of cataracts and excessive exposure to sunlight may also be pre-disposing factors. Some children develop cataract early in life while some others are born with it. Some are also due to infections in the mother while pregnant (like rubella – German measles) but these ones hardly cause problems with vision. When they do, removal of the cataract is the way to go.

Finding out that you’ve got a cataract is not the end of the world…even if it ‘kinda’ looks like that 😀 If it doesn’t interfere with regular, daily activities, then perhaps you should leave well alone. In the interim, you could improve the lighting at home, read with a magnifying glass, limit night driving  and be sure to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare by wearing good sun glasses. If it interferes with these daily activities, then surgery is the option. The surgery involves taking out the cloudy lens and replacing with a transparent plastic lens that allows the person see properly.

Though we really don’t know how to stop the development of cataracts or halt their progression, limiting your risk factors may help. This involves eating more fruits and vegetables and keeping weight within normal limits, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol use, protecting eyes from the sun’s glare by wearing good sun glasses and ensuring that any chronic medical conditions like Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension are kept well under control.

Okay…now I still have to tell you about glaucoma 😀 But, let’s take a rain check and do that tomorrow 😀

Have a great evening 😀

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Daily Health Tips: What Can I Do To Help My Baby Who Has Cerebral Palsy?

Posted on March 18, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hello Doctor, my baby has CP and I need your advice on how and when do you think my baby can walk and live a normal life like every other child? Thanks.

 

A: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder in which there are problems with movement, muscle tone and/or posture that is caused by a damage to baby’s brain before, during or after birth during the first 3 to 5 years.

The signs and symptoms of this show up during infancy or the pre-school age and are dependent on the type of CP.

  • Children with spastic CP experience difficulties with moving and stiffness
  • Children with ataxic CP experience problems with their perception of depth and balance.
  • Children with athetoid CP experience involuntary and uncontrolled movements

Other problems that could be experienced by CP children include blindness, deafness, problems with swallowing and speaking, behavioural problems, tremors and epilepsy.

The precise causes of CP are not really known but pre-disposing factors include:

During pregnancy: damage or lack of proper development of the brain which may be due to infections (chicken pox, German measles, syphilis, exposure to toxins etc.) or genetic problems.

During labour/delivery: Difficult labour and delivery which may lead to reduced oxygen supply to baby’s brain (asphyxia)

Infections in a new born baby: Infections of the coverings of the brain or untreated jaundice

Other conditions associated with CP include prematurity, multiple births, low birth weight, malnutrition, car accidents in which babies were properly retrained (by using car seats and suitable restraints) and shaking the baby in infancy etc.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for CP but, you can absolutely work with your child’s team of medics to ensure that your child leads a normal life. Different types of therapies aimed at the different areas of challenges (movement, speech, learning, social and emotional development) especially if started early, are very helpful. Please ensure that your baby is getting all of these.

To prevent probable CP in children, be sure to take care of yourself during pregnancy, attend ANC classes and take any needed medications and vaccinations, ensure that you use seat restraints (seat belts, car seats with their restraints etc) when you have children in a car.

And never give up! Keep doing everything you can and prayerfully, encourage your baby even when it is frustrating. There is light at the end of the tunnel J Read avidly about any and everything available and don’t be afraid to ask your baby’s doctors question about any aspect of his/her care.

Have a great day and be sure to put a smile on somebody’s face today 😀

 Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Please Help! I Salivate A lot!

Posted on March 17, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please, how can I control my mouth saliva?

A: Ordinarily, we are all able to control the saliva in our mouths despite the enormous amounts produced daily. This is because we swallow it as needed unconsciously.

So, if you become aware of the need to consciously control the saliva in our mouths, then it could be that the production of saliva has increased or that you have a problem with swallowing.
Some causes of increased salivation include pregnancy, throat or mouth infections, some drugs and when new dentures are inserted.

Some causes of difficulty with swallowing include allergies, sinusitis and is also found in people who have Down’s syndrome.
Treatment is usually focused on the cause. So, if you’re not pregnant (:D), you might want to see a doctor to confirm a diagnosis and institute treatment.

And remember, pregnancy or any other condition that might be responsible for excessive salivation is not an excuse to spit all over the place. It just makes everywhere so much more disgusting and trust me! People don’t really want to stay around someone who’s going to ’emit’ saliva every few seconds. If you’ve got to spit, please use a toilet and be sure to clean up all traces of ‘your business’ 😀 Eating dry crackers, smaller meals or chewing gum may be helpful. Others have suggested drinking water, brushing often or using mouthwash to gargle. Well, different strokes for different folks. I found the last three suggestions to actually trigger salivation and worse still, vomiting in me when I was pregnant.

I know that someone is likely to ask me about clay (Nzu in Ibo). Please note that a desire to eat clay is indicative of iron deficiency. So, even if it helps you control salivation, please see your doctor as it could a sign of a problem.

Have an awesome week ahead, people 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: How Can I Control My Blood Sugar!

Posted on March 15, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: How can I control my sugar level?

A: Keeping your blood sugar under control speaks to the principles of keeping diabetes at bay. They focus on two principles: stay lean and stay active.

Staying lean refers keeping your portions under control by ensuring that when you eat, serve your food on a standard flat plate. Fill half the plate with vegetables and fruits, quarter of the plate with proteins and the last quarter with complex carbohydrates. Keep your weight under control and stay within an acceptable body mass index range.

Staying active speaks to exercise…at least 30 minutes a day for at least 5 days of the week. You should get a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise weekly. However, don’t make the mistake of trying to get in all the exercise over the weekend all at once…it may be too much work for a heart that is not used to doing all that work.

Lay off the sugary drinks and snacks. They give you an instant feeling of fullness which doesn’t last for too long; thus, you find yourself hungry in a little while making you to eat even more.

Also lay off red meat and processed meats. These increase your risk of diabetes. Focus on plant proteins like beans, nuts and white meat like poultry.

Finally, quit smoking and significantly reduce your alcohol intake, if you drink.

Remember that if you are a diabetic on drugs or insulin, be sure to take them as prescribed and check your blood sugar level often. Discuss with your doctor before making any changes

Have a great weekend, fabulous people 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Why Is My Baby’s Tongue Always Hanging Out?

Posted on March 14, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: DR Ketch,My daughter is Nine months,but she sticks out her tongue. Her tongue is always out & her mouth open (Ikpu Ire na onu…in Ibo). How do I stop this? Thanks

A: Tongue protrusion happens when the tongue hangs out beyond the lips.

The causes of tongue protrusion in children could be a couple of things:

First, it could be absolutely and completely natural and occur during the period of breast feeding when the sucking reflex is strong.

Then it could be due to a pretty small mouth with a normal sized tongue or a big tongue in an otherwise normal sized mouth.

In instances where there is loss of normal muscle tone in the body, this could also affect the tongue leading to tongue protrusion. Muscle tone is the normal resistance to movement in muscles. If the tone is lost, the muscles become flaccid. Masses or swellings on the tongue and breathing through the mouth may also be causes.

Down’s syndrome is one classical case that parents worry about when their children’s tongues protrude, but this may not necessarily be so. Some other conditions have to be satisfied for that diagnosis to be made.

So, in a nutshell, it could be nothing or it could be a sign of a problem. Please let your baby’s paediatrician assess and make a proper diagnosis if this is persistent.

Have a great day 😀

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Daily Health Tips: How Do I Keep My Kidneys Healthy?

Posted on March 13, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Today is World Kidney Day. It is a day set aside to raise awareness and educate people about kidney health.

So, are your kidneys healthy? Can they take you on your life’s journey for another 10…20..50 or perhaps 100 years?

Let’s give you some quick tips to keep your kidneys healthy:

Whatever you do, don’t self-prescribe! The fact that you have symptoms that kinda sound like the one your friend had yesterday, does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from the same ailment or that the same drugs would work. And that Aunty that is always free with medical advice, is not really a trained medical professional. So, odds are…she doesn’t really know what she’s talking about! 😀 Again, the chemist at the corner of the road, who you ask to ‘mix’ drugs for you knows absolutely nothing about the science of what is wrong with you, how much more, what drug to give you 😀 Trust me, even if someone says, ‘I have worked with pharmacists and doctors all my life’, it does not make him/her a pharmacist or doctor! 😀 So, give your kidneys a break and be sure to use only doctor’s prescription. Don’t abuse over-the-counter drugs either. Remember that every drug is a potential toxin and so exposing yourself unnecessarily messes with your kidneys.

Drink sufficient amounts of water daily. Remember that the 8 glasses of water dictum is not sacrosanct. It can absolutely be increased, like when people are in very hot climates.

Eat healthy and ensure that your weight is optimal. Remember that for a standard flat plate, fill half of it with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with proteins and the last quarter with complex carbohydrates (brown rice, oats, whole wheat bread etc)

Keep your blood pressure within normal limits. Lifestyle modifications help: reduce salt intake, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking, use less oil when cooking etc.

Keep your blood sugar within normal limits. Remember to stay lean and stay active. Staying lean speaks to eating lots of fruits and vegetables, staying active speaks to getting enough exercise daily and keeping your weight within normal limits. Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking even help.

Exercise helps to keep you healthy and lowers your blood pressure which ultimately protect your kidneys.

Quit smoking as this reduces blood flow to your kidneys which in turn affects their functions.

Be sure to have your kidney function checked regularly if you’re diabetic, hypertensive, obese or have relations with kidney disease.

Let’s make the necessary change (s) to keep our kidneys healthy. We’ve got the power!!!

Have a good evening 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Help, Please! I Have Chronic Piles (Haemorrhoids)!

Posted on March 12, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hello Doc. How can one cure a “chronic pile” of long years that has affected the anus to be coming out fully when defecating? Help please!

A: Piles, known as haemorrhoids in medical lingo are swollen veins in the anal canal. They can be internal, external or both internal and external can co-exist. Internal haemorrhoids occur when veins swell within the rectum and external haemorrhoids are found under the skin around the anus.

These haemorrhoids develop when there is undue pressure in the pelvic and anal area as can occur when people strain to pass faeces (if they have diarrhoea or are constipated), in pregnancy (especially the last 6 months), in obese people, people who eat diets low in fibre and people who practice anal intercourse. When women strain in labour, haemorrhoids can also be made worse. For those who love to visit the toilet with their newspapers and spend ages reading them in there, well, you’ve got breaking news! 😀 Sitting on the toilet seat for prolonged periods can also cause haemorrhoids. As people grow older, the support structures for these veins also grow weaker…naturally 😉

Some internal haemorrhoids can be small veins which stay within the rectum. Usually these internal haemorrhoids, stay inside the anus causing no problems. Other internal haemorrhoids can be big veins that sag and protrude out of the anal canal. Straining would cause their delicate surfaces to bruise and bleed. Sometimes, the straining is sufficient to cause the haemorrhoids to protrude out of the anal canal. This is probably what has been described above in the question. When the haemorrhoids are compressed by anal muscles, the pain is made worse and the pressure can lead to cutting off of blood supply to the haemorrhoids.

External haemorrhoids can clot due to irritation forming a hard, painful lump under the skin around the anus.
People with haemorrhoids will complain of streaks of blood in the stool after stooling, blood on the tissue after cleaning up, anal pain, anal itching or a lump around the anus.

Treatment involves the use of ointments to relieve pain, inflammation and itching. There are other minimally invasive and surgical options available that range from rubber band ligation to surgical removal of the haemorrhoids.
You can also limit the discomfort you have by keeping the anal area clean, using wet wipes (non-perfumed) to clean up after using the loo, sit on a bowl of plain warm water for about 15 minutes about twice or three times per day and also use some pain relief, if in pain.

To prevent this, ensure that your diet has sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables. Remember that if you take a regular flat plate, half of this should be filled with fruits and vegetables, half of the plate with complex carbohydrates and the last half with proteins.

Limit the time you spend sitting on the toilet seat (read your newspapers elsewhere :D), use the toilet as soon as you feel pressed (that way the fluid in the stool is not absorbed making the stool hard) and then don’t strain when you do go. Drink sufficient quantities of water daily, exercise (to keep everything moving along nicely :D)

Remember though that there are other causes of blood in faeces. That’s why this case has to be checked out in the hospital so that a proper diagnosis can be made.

Have a great evening 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Why Do I Have Heavy Menstrual Flow?

Posted on March 11, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hi Dr Ketch. Please I need your advice on this issue. My menstrual flow is just too heavy unlike previous ones. It comes out very thick and before 3-4 hours, I am stained.

A: Heavy menstrual flow, also known as menorrhagia, can be a source of major concern for the sheer inconvenience and the fact that it can lead to anaemia, as the body is unable to produce enough red blood cells to replace those being lost in the bleeding.

People who have this condition would usually use more than one pad/tampon per hour, would need to change their sanitary towel during the night, layer on about 2 pads at the same time, bleed for more than a week and with significant quantity of clots, be restricted on their daily activities and experience symptoms of anaemia like fatigue.

Probable causes of this include fibroids, cancer, bleeding disorders, use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, hormonal imbalance which may also result from ovaries that don’t function normally leading to progesterone lack, some medications and of course, as a complication of pregnancy in which a woman miscarries or has an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in another part of a woman’s body other than the uterus)

Treatment is really targeted at symptoms and underlying cause. Analgesics in the class of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen) are given for the cramps and iron supplements are usually prescribed for the anaemia. Oral contraceptives could be given to regulate the cycle, oral progesterone to make up for the deficiency and correct hormonal imbalance and a special Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) called Mirena can help thin the uterine lining and reduce bleeding.

Surgical options also exist and can be used if the other treatment options are not successful.

If the underlying cause is a fibroid, clearly this will need to be addressed and same for the other causes.

So, see your gynaecologist so the cause can be determined and proper treatment started.

Have a great evening, people :D

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Daily Health Tips: How Do I Get Rid Of These Stretch Marks??

Posted on March 10, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: How can one treat stretch mark?

A: Stretch marks occur when the skin is over-stretched like during pregnancy, during the growth spurt of the teenage years and during rapid weight gain or loss. So the skin, sort of, loses its elasticity leading to the formation of the marks.

Thus, the ‘damage’ to the skin is done from the inside and not the outside. This makes it difficult to really take care of it from the outside. Having said that, creams that contain shea butter, cocoa butter and Vitamin E are thought to be useful in causing the marks to fade.

Other creams that contain olive oil, castor oil and fruit acids may also be helpful. There are some other advanced treatments like glycolic acid peels etc, (that you must NOT attempt on your own) that are helpful with old and new marks. Discuss these options with your dermatologist.

Have a great day, people 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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