Daily Health Tips: Help! I’m Pregnant And My Doctor Says My Baby Is Too Big!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Doc, I am an expectant mother in the last trimester. My Doc told me my baby is big and I decided to take tea daily. Is it safe?

A: Tea contains caffeine. There are conflicting reports as to whether some amount of caffeine is beneficial in pregnancy (less than 200mg) or whether increased amounts are a problem > or more than 500mg). One regular teabag steeped in a small teacup has about 55mg of caffeine. So, it may be a good idea to limit your consumption of tea. However, I think that tea is really one of the least of your problems right now. The focus should be on what caused the big baby and what can be done to ensure that you and baby come out okay.

Big babies are usually seen in women who

  • Are diabetic.
  • Have gestational Diabetes (Diabetes that is observed during pregnancy),
  • Are obese
  • Have had another big baby before
  • Have had a lot of babies (from the 5th pregnancy, the risk of big babies increase)
  • Excessive weight gain during pregnancy
  • Are older. From age 35 years, the risk of having a big baby increases
  • Have pregnancies that are overdue. When a pregnancy is more than 2 weeks overdue, the chances of a big baby are increased.

For women with big babies (fetal macrosomia), a vaginal delivery may not be a complete no no! However, your OBGYN will weigh the risk of that against your medical history and other pre-existing medical conditions. Potential complications include having genital tract tears during delivery, prolonged labour and rupture of the uterus. The babies may be born with a higher than normal blood sugar level and be prone to childhood obesity.

However, none of this needs to happen if you are registered in a good center under the care of a qualified obstetrician. In these centres, all possible complications are anticipated during pregnancy and at the time of delivery.

To prevent this, remember that feeding for 2 is a fad. You don’t really need to eat like a horse 😀 …you and your baby don’t need that much (an average of 12kg weight gain for 9 months…little over 1kg/month!); include some exercise (gentle stretches and walks, with your doctor’s knowledge and advice) and be sure that Diabetes is controlled, if you have this before pregnancy.

The link to my post on weight gain during pregnancy is included here to provide more information. https://chatwithdrketch.com/2013/12/02/daily-health-tips-eating-for-two/

So, for the remainder of your pregnancy, be sure to follow your doctor’s instruction on weight gain, medications etc. to the letter! Let’s share the good news when the baby is born.

All the best!

 Here’s to a healthier you!

 

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Daily Health Tips: Low Glycemic Eating? What’s that?!

Posted on February 16, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Hello healthy people, I came across this report from a Harvard review and thought to share.

It gives 8 principles to low glycemic eating. Glycemic index, by the way, is a measure that ranks foods that contain carbohydrates on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the number, the faster the food is digested, causing fluctuations in the blood sugar level and the lower the number, the slower the food is digested causing less fluctuations in the blood sugar level. So the focus should be on foods with low glycemic index. If you reduce your portion sizes and are exercising and generally doing the right things, you may sill be adding weight or not losing weight if you’re eating a lot of food with high glycemic index.

So here goes; principles of low glycemic eating:

Eat a lot of beans (any and every type), non starchy veggies (garlic, onions, leeks, chives, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers etc) and fruits like apples, berries, peaches and pears.

Eat a lot of grains in their natural state like natural granola, brown or local rice and muesli cereal

Reduce your intake of concentrated sweets like fruit juices (no more than half a cup daily…if you must) and other sugar loaded or sweetened drinks.

Load up on healthy proteins like fish, skinless chicken and beans…again 😀

Reduce your intake of refined grain products like white bread and polished rice.

Reduce your intake of bad fats by avoiding fast foods and limiting your intake of animal products. Focus on healthy oils lik Olive oil and nuts like almonds etc. However, even these should be taken in moderation as even healthy oils are full of calories! 😀 It appears as if you just can’t win!

Be sure to take your breakfast and eat 3 meals with a snack or 2 (healthy options, of course)

Finally, remember to eat slowly to give enough time for your stomach tell your brain that you’re full…and then stop!

Have a great day 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

Dr Ketch

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Daily Health Tips: Is My Baby Teething Too Early???

Posted on February 15, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hello Dr,my son is just 3months, but he already has 3 teeth. People say it’s too early. How true is this?

A: Your baby is certainly in a hurry :D. Seriously though, babies start teething at different times. On the average, most children start teething at 6 months. Some start earlier than 4 months (as early as 2 months) and some others may wait up to a year or even after, to start the journey. Some children are even born with one or two teeth. These are called natal teeth and ‘No, this is not associated with witchcraft or enemies pressing remote controls’ as we like to think in Africa 😀 Some children also develop their own teeth within the first four weeks of life. These are called neonatal teeth. Natal and neonatal teeth can cause problems with feeding and may even be swallowed. The paediatric dentist will decide whether to remove them or leave them alone based on factors like whether the teeth are loose, excess etc.

Generally though, in instances like the one addressed in the question, provided the teeth do not negatively affect baby’s feeding, they are left well alone.

Have a fab evening 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

Dr Ketch

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Daily Health Tips: What is a whitlow?

Posted on February 13, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hello Doc, what is a whitlow and what’s the treatment?

A: Whitlow usually refers to Herpetic whitlow caused by Herpes Simplex Virus. It usually affects the tip of the index finger or thumb. It happens when the finger skin, especially the cuticle, is broken and invaded by virus causing infection of the soft tissue around the nail. This can happen through skin to skin contact or when infected fluid touches the breach/cut in the finger skin. In children, this can happen when a child with cold sore (what we usually term fever blister), sucks on a finger with a cut on the thumb or also through contact with someone who has genital Herpes.

The virus may remain inactive in the skin for up to 3 weeks before symptoms manifest. This condition is intensely painful and patients would complain of swelling and blisters in the affected area, tenderness over the area and, of course, pain. As is usual with viral infections, whitlow is self-limiting. This means that the infection will run its course and disappear. They usually clear up within 3 to 4 weeks without treatment. However, your doctor may prescribe an anti-viral agent to prevent recurrence of the infection.
If you already have a whitlow, prevent its spread by covering it up with a plaster (it could spread to another finger, you know :D), wearing glasses to prevent passing on the virus to your eyes, ensuring that your baby does not suck his ‘whitlow finger’ (Eeew! :D) and washing your hands often.

Have a great day!

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Daily Health Tips: Help! My Baby Is Losing All Her Hair!

Posted on February 12, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Doctor, I am a little worried about my daughter’s hair. She’s 2months + and was born very hairy, but now all her hair seems to be pulling out. Please, what can I use to stop this because I’m really worried? Thank you so much and have a great day.

 

A: Within the first 6 months of life, a baby may lose quite a bit of hair due mainly to a reduction in certain hormone levels. In fact, some lose quite a lot of hair and when it grows back, it has a different texture and sometimes even colour! If your baby also has a specific way of lying down, perhaps on her back, you may notice thinning of the hair in that area. So, do not worry! Where in doubt, however, please see your doctor who will take a look and confirm whether you have something to worry about.

Have a fabulous day!

 

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Is Zobo/Roselle Safe For Me When I Am Pregnant

Posted on February 11, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Doc Is it true that it’s not advisable to drink Zobo while pregnant? Please, I really need to know

A: Zobo is a drink made from the Hibiscus flower. This drink is known by many other names depending on where you come from. Some popular names include Karkadi, Karkada, Zenaf, Sour tea, Roselle and of course, Zobo! There are many more names, by the way…but this post is not about the many names of Zobo.

Some people drink Zobo, because there is an assumption that it is a healthier alternative sugary, soft drinks. Well, it depends. If you prepare it with bottles of the sugary soft drinks you were trying to avoid ab initio, then maybe, it may not be so healthy, right? 😀

Again, some of the touted benefits of Hibiscus on hypertension, cholesterol levels, colds etc do not really have significant medical evidence to back them up.

However, it has been shown that taking Zobo with Acetaminophen (our regular Paracetamol) may lead to a situation where your body gets rid of the drug faster than it would have done ordinarily. This implies that in a short while the effect of the Paracetamol would have worn off and the person probably back with the ache.

And now to the main question; Zobo and pregnancy. There is not sufficient evidence to really confirm that this and a lot of other herbal drinks are safe in pregnancy. It has been suggested in some quarters that Hibiscus in excessive amounts could lead to menstruation leading to miscarriages in pregnant women. The evidence for or against this is not in great supply but it is probably a great idea to give it a miss during pregnancy. I would do so 😀

Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone!

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Is This Nail Fungus?

Posted on February 10, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hi Doctor, what is the cure of fungal infection in finger nails?

A: Fungal infections of the nails occur when nails are infected by fungi (as if you didn’t know that! :D), yeasts or mold. These infections can happen when there is a cut on a finger or when your nails are constantly in moist and warm environments. These nails are colonized by the fungi and result in nails that are discoloured, brittle, distorted in shape, dull or even hardened. The nails could even separate from the nail bed and then, there’s that smell, that signifies that something is not quite right ether 😀 The infection would usually start off with a white or yellow speck under the nail tip which spreads and may involve the whole nail. So, if you see a white or yellow spot under your nail tip, race to see your doctor and start treatment early!

Fungi love warm, moist places. So, toe nails are more easily infected by fungi because they are oftentimes hidden away in shoes that really don’t allow them to ‘breathe’ and are not as rich in blood supply as finger nails. Walking around barefoot in wet areas, sweating heavily and working in wet and humid conditions are also pre-disposing factors. People who have had athlete’s foot and are diabetic are more prone to these infections for reasons I have already mentioned.

How to prevent this? Wear rubber gloves if you’re going to be working with water for extended periods, keep your nails short and trim; And yes, just in case you wondered…that means that wearing those artificial nails may be doing more damage than we know as it provides the warm, moist environment needed for fungi to grow. If you like DIY manicure and pedicure, try not to cut too close to the skin around nails to avoid injuries that could be good places for fungi to breed. Opt for reputable nail salons that have the right tools and man power and indeed buy your own manicure set.

Treatment could be with oral medications (that is drugs taken by mouth). This could be taken for up to 3 months and essentially, the infection is over when a new healthy nail grows out. Other times, your doctor could prescribe a nail polish (which contains anti-fungal ingredients) or advice a mixture of cream and lotion to be applied on the nail bed. Another option is surgery, especially if the nail is painful

As with most fungal infections, the watchword is ‘patience’. Don’t be in a hurry to conclude the medications; it may take a while. Take solace in the fact that, ‘this too shall pass’ 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Why Is My Baby’s Tummy Rumbling?!

Posted on February 9, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please, what do you think can be making baby’s tummy to be making sounds and what can be done to prevent this?

A: Your baby’s tummy makes noise normally…grumbling noises, murmuring noises, gurgling noises etc 😀  all through the day. And they are normal. You would probably notice them more just before your baby eats or soon after. Those are the sounds of our very hard working intestines as they contract and push air around…swallowed air and air produced as a result of digestion.

As long as your baby eats normally, does not have abdominal pain and is not vomiting, then there’s probably no problem. These sounds are very loud and active just after a meal or when your child eats foods like beans 😀 The normal process of digestion of beans involves fermentation in the intestines which of course produces more gas and by extension, more bowel sounds. When one has diarrhea, these sounds happen more frequently and conversely, reduce when one is constipated. In fact, little or no bowel sounds after a meal may be suggestive of a problem. In the same way, very high pitched sounds, could also mean there are issues. You would, of course, need to know what the normal sounds lf in order to recognise the strange sounds. As I always say, where in doubt, please consult your doctor.

Have a great week ahead.

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Bloody Patches In The Mucous From My Leaky Nose!

Posted on February 7, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Well, it appears I have hurt my leaky nose because as it is, the mucus flow out of my nose has some patches of blood in it. What do I do please?

A: When you’ve got a cold, and you feel congested in the nose, what’s the natural thing you do? You blow your nose, right? 😀 In fact, if it appears to be yielding results, you blow more vigorously 😀 However, you could be doing some serious damage to the myriad of small, delicate blood vessels in your nose. These vessels are easily bruised and bleed when the air is too dry (from cold or dry air) or when we aggressively try to blow out all of that annoying mucous in our nostrils 😀 Gentle blowing is key…if you must. I can see all of you turning up your noses and saying ‘gentle blowing? Seriously?’ 😀 Yes, seriously! Work on the technique!

Provided the blood is just a spot or two, it shouldn’t be a problem. If the bleeding is more significant, please see your doctor. Better safe than sorry! For the slight blood-stained mucous, focus on thinning out the mucous by drinking a lot of water. You could also use a saline spray to keep your nostrils nice and moist and prevent more bleeds. Nasal decongestant sprays, if used, should not be used for more than 3 days…except your doctor expressly allows this. Anti-histamines are also helpful.

Have a great day!

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: The Sniffles Are Here!

Posted on February 6, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

My daughter came back a couple of days ago, complaining of sore throat. I figured she was about to come down with a cold and I kept asking her if she had the sniffles etc. At that time, she didn’t have that but she could not understand, for the life of her, how her itchy and very uncomfortable throat had anything to do with a cold! Have you noticed how your children never listen to anything you say but accept every word if it comes from their teachers…or even anyone else? For instance, if I’m teaching them Math, they are quick to tell me that’s not what their teacher said…and of course, because their teacher can’t be wrong, I am! 😀 But I digress…

So, it’s that season, where everyone you see appears to be coughing or sniffling. If you’ve got children, you can try very hard, but you may not be able to avoid it…what with all the loving coughs and sneezes right into your face and nose

But we can encourage the virus not to move around much by doing the following:

Wash your hands and often too. And avoid touching your face as it helps spread the infection.

A small tube of hand sanitizer is also useful for those times when you can’t wash your hands.

Drink lots of warm fluids. Soups are also not a bad idea now

Cough into the crook of your arm and not into people’s faces or private spaces Of course, be sure to take a bath later in the day and wash those clothes too to get rid of the germs.

If you use tissues at any point, please dispose properly and then wash your hands…again . Be careful not to hurt the sides of your nose from frequent use of tissue for your leaking nose 😉

Some pain relief for your sore throat may come in handy. Be sure not to take more than the recommended dose.

Rest and help your body heal

Be sure to change your toothbrush after you’ve healed. Don’t re-infect yourself with germs you’ve kicked!

And this may not be a great time to share love by sharing cups, toothbrushes and drinks 😀

Remember that you do not need antibiotics for a common cold. It’s a viral infection which will run its course and leave the same way it came…uninvited 😀

Have a great day!

Here’s to a healthier you!

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