Daily Health Tips: Body Odour (Video)

Posted on June 8, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

It is really embarrassing for people who have body odour to see people turning their noses at them. This video teaches you how to avoid this.

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Daily Health Tips: What Blood Group Is The Best?

Posted on June 6, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please my Doctor, which of the blood groups is the best?

A: Good question 😀  None is better than the other per se; however, they may different blood types play different roles at different times.

People with blood group ‘O’ are known as universal donors and people with blood group AB are known as universal acceptors. Thus, blood groups O+, O-, AB- and B- are always in hot demand. Even if you don’t have any of these ‘fashionable’ 😉 blood groups, your blood group still counts.  

In terms of blood donation, all blood groups count. You have to be at least 17 years or over, in good health with a healthy blood count and weigh more than 50kg, you can donate whole blood every 56 days and your blood will be screened for viruses and bacteria. If you’re female, please don’t donate while menstruating or soon after. We don’t want to drain the life out of you, do we? 😀 

Have a good weekend people 😀 TGIF

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Impotence

Posted on June 5, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Hello everyone. I’m positive you’ve all had a good day 😀

I’ve received a couple of questions on erectile dysfunction, aka impotence, that I decided to write on it. Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is no longer able to get or maintain an erection sufficiently enough to have sexual intercourse. It may be really dramatic in some men, such that where they used to want intercourse very frequently, they find that there is reduced sexual desire.

Oftentimes, this may be due to just stress and better stress coping mechanisms help. However, because this is a sensitive topic, many men do not seek medical help such that this causes significant strain in their relationships. Other causes include depressions, relationship challenges, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, high blood sugar, obesity, some medications, tobacco use, substance abuse, alcoholism etc

Your doctor will probably order some tests to confirm possible cause(s) and then decide on a course of action. Now I know that quite a number of men are quick to go and buy Viagra and some even overdose on it thinking the more they take the better the performance 😀 Please don’t do that! More seriously, these drugs are not for everyone and so if you have Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease, if you have had a stroke etc, please be sure to mention these to your doctor…and indeed you should not self-prescribe any of these (or indeed any other) drugs for yourself.

Treatment depends on cause. If this is emotional, psychological or due to stress etc, some degree of counselling may help. Other treatment options include oral medications like Sildenafil (Viagra), penis pumps, implants, injections etc. Please speak with your doctor to find out what options are available to you.

Remember that your partner may not understand what you’re going through and probably think that you no longer desire her. Be sure to re-assure her and let her be a part of your therapy. More importantly, try to be open about what is going on to your doctor so he can work with you to find the ideal solution.

Good night people 😉

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Daily Health Tips: Womb Setting!

Posted on June 4, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hi Doc, I am having challenge now, I lost my pregnancy last year February. I delivered twins at six months and three days caused by miscarriage. Since then l’ve not been able to conceive. Last time I want for Pelvic Scan, they saw fibroid but said that my womb is okay. Later l went to native (doctors?) that set womb; they did not find any fibroid. The four places I went, (they said that) my womb is down. I’ve to set it on May first week, and I saw my period on April 29th. I did not see my period in May, and I am having pregnancy symptoms such as early sickness, weakness, dizziness and headache. So today I went for test (pregnancy?). It was negative. I am worried. I need your advice. Thanks

 

A: I find this question fascinating and really have a lot of questions myself! I didn’t quite understand all of this question and the words in brackets are mine, as I tried to make sense of it all.

 

First, I feel sad that you lost your baby. At 6 months, you must have been getting ready to carry your baby in your arms…I hope that you were surrounded with loving family and friends to help you through that difficult period.

 

Now, it’s the rest of the story I don’t understand. A medical doctor told you that you had fibroids and then a native doctor said you didn’t have it and then went further to determine that your womb needed to be set? Honestly speaking, I don’t even understand what that means…the whole womb setting business!!!

 

I mean no disrespect to any alternative or native medicine practitioner, but how did he confirm that you don’t have fibroids? Did he make you ‘poop’ it out? Whenever I hear that people excrete their fibroids, I shake my head because it’s a complete lack of understanding of how fibroids develop.

 

Kindly schedule a visit to an obstetrician and gynaecologist who will take a detailed history and also examine you. Then he may order some tests, including a repeat pregnancy test, and decide on the best course of action. You do need to trust that he/she is a professional who has your best interests at heart and trust his judgment. Remember that even if you have fibroids, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have babies. It just depends on where the fibroids are located.

 

And finally, be careful who you allow to ‘treat’ you. If you’re not a doctor, then you’re not entitled to be treating people…how much more carrying out procedures like ‘womb setting’.

 

Have a good evening, y’all 🙂

 

 

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Daily Health Tips: Can I Select The Gender of My Baby?

Posted on June 3, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hi Dr. Please I want your candid advice and please tell me the truth. I have two females already.
Is there anyway I can get a male child medically and does it really work? I have read many books on how to conceive a baby boy; is it real? Thank You.
And secondly does spacing your children increase your chance of having male and female?

A: Interesting questions! Can you get a male child medically? Honestly, when it comes to matters of whether you have a male or female, it’s all up to God 😀 Medically, it is believed in some quarters that the male sperm swim faster and so having sexual intercourse on the day of ovulation guarantees having a baby…but trust me! The world is littered with women who tried this and it didn’t work! For more on the calculation of ovulation day, please click on https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/04/14/daily-health-tips-when-do-i-ovulate/

People who go for In Vitro Fertilization may have the option of selecting their baby’s sex, but even this is not offered indiscriminately.

Spacing your children allows your wife to rest in between pregnancies and recover her strength. It does not increase your chances of having any particular sex, neither does having them in rapid succession. It’s just not up to you! That’s just the point 🙂

I know that traditionally, we like to think that our family lines can only be propagated through the male species, but remember Obama and Clinton, two great men who have only girls as children. I don’t think the world will forget them in a hurry! Your daughters will bring you absolute joy and happiness and perhaps cater for you in ways that you would not have even expected. Both genders are important and we need to accept both as gifts from God.

Have a good evening y’all 🙂

Be sure to love those lovely children you’ve been given by God, male and female alike 😀

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Daily Health Tips: What Should I Do To Conceive Again After A Miscarriage?

Posted on June 2, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Hi Doc, I need help. I lost my baby in February this year and what should I do to conceive again because I am not on family planning

A: Oh sweetheart, condolences. I feel really sad that this happened, but trust me, this too shall pass J Now I don’t know at what stage you lost this pregnancy or if this was the first instance of miscarriage you’ve had. Whatever be the case, this is one of those instances when you have to work closely with your doctor to get back to trying for a baby again.

There are no standard answers really, as to when to start. If this is the first time you’re experiencing a miscarriage, some doctors still advice people to wait 3 to 6 months before trying again so that it’s easier to date the pregnancy etc. Others will just ask you to wait until you’ve had one menstrual period. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain the reason for any recommendation he eventually comes up with so that you understand every step of the process.

If, however, this is not the first time, you may have to go in for some tests to check whether the issue is with hormones, genetics or problems with the uterus.

What to do before you start trying again? Be sure to eat healthy…lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise. Limit caffeine and keep your weight within normal limits. You can start taking folic acid supplements now, even before you get pregnant.

The basic rules of trying to get pregnant also apply: make sure you have sexual intercourse at least 3 times a week (with ejaculation of a significant quantity of semen).

It is normal to feel worried and a bit scared going into another pregnancy, but you have to trust that all will work out well this time. Surround yourself with good professionals (OBGYN) and loving family/friends. Then relax and enjoy the ride 😀

Please write in anytime and let me know if there are other questions you have.

Have a good night y’all 😀

 

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Daily Health Tips: Do I Need Milk?

Posted on June 1, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Today is World Milk Day.!

Do you take milk regularly every day? Or perhaps I should ask, ‘when was the last time you drank milk? Are you one of those who think that milk is only for children? Well, that’s not true. Everyone needs milk: children and adults alike!

Milk is a source of complete protein containing all the essential amino acids needed by but not produced by the body. You’re encouraged to have 3 to 4 servings of milk daily. Remember that this is not just for children. This is a habit that should be started in childhood and continue for life to ensure that you have a good stock pile of calcium to help fight osteoporosis.

Milk contains a lot of nutrients with loads of benefits to the body:

Milk is rich in protein and minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium which are needed for healthy growth and development of bones. If milk consumption is started early in life and continued throughout life, it provides protection against osteoporosis…a bone disease that makes bones brittle and easy to break. This is particularly important because from the age of 30, the rate at which bone is built is less than the rate at which it is destroyed. Our bodies also start mobilizing calcium from our bones if there is not enough in our blood from diet, so if you already had a good stock of calcium, you won’t be in trouble

Calcium and phosphorus, abundant in milk, also help the proper growth and development of healthy teeth. The protein in milk forms a thin film over the teeth enamel preventing the loss of calcium from teeth when acidic foods like citrus are taken.

There is moderate evidence that milk consumption helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers blood pressure and also reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Milk can also be used to meet your daily fluid requirements daily as it is made up of a significant amount of water (90%). This applies to fresh milk and reconstituted powdered milk. This ensures that you are well hydrated and helps a lot of other bodily functions like excretion.

Milk helps to give you lovely radiant skin due to its high content of Vitamin A

So, now you know.

 Have a great week ahead 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Food Storage In The Refrigerator

Posted on May 31, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Have you ever wondered why the food you put in the fridge just doesn’t come out fresh? Do you know the right temperature for storing different food items? This video clip gives you a few pointers.

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Daily Health Tips: I Have Ringworm All Over My Body!

Posted on May 30, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please doctor, my body itches me so much that it causes patches on my skin. The doctor said it’s fungal infection of the skin and I have been taking drugs for almost 6 months now, but the itching didn’t stop. It only subsided. Please help

Q: Good evening Doc, I really need your help at this moment. My friend has a fungal disease called ringworm and it has began to spread all ova her body. She has tried using different medication but didn’t work and she is scared to go to the clinic or pharmacy because it’s embarrassing to tell someone you have ringworm all over you. Please Doctor, can you prescribe drugs or any medication that will free her from this ringworm. Please Doc. Thank you.

A: I’ve got two different questions on fungal infections and so I’ve decided to address it again.

First, you have to be sure that what we’re dealing with is really fungal infection, so be sure that a doctor is making this diagnosis, because the first instance could very well be eczema too. So, let’s be sure…

Fungal infections, ringworm or otherwise, can be embarrassing. Treatment for these infections can also take a long while; so you have to stick with the treatment and make sure that you do not skip any day of treatment. It is important to that your doctor also makes this diagnosis to be sure.

Please don’t be shy to speak with your doctor about your health concerns. Trust me, we’ve seen it all and at the end of the day, the focus is on helping you to be healthy.

Please click on the links below to read all about different fungal infections:

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/02/19/daily-health-tips-is-this-a-fungal-infection/

https://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/03/02/daily-health-tips-i-am-embarrassed-by-the-bald-patches-on-my-sons-head/

Daily Health Tips: What Can I Do About The Eczema On My Skin?

I hope y’all had a great day too.

Good night…TGIF 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Are There Other Treatment Methods For Fibroids Other Than Surgery?

Posted on May 29, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Please ma’am, is there any other treatment for fibroid other than surgery

A: Fibroids develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus (womb). These growths can range in size from seedlings to big masses. They are differentiated by the sites where they are found: inside the cavity of the womb (sub-mucosal), within the muscle of the uterus (intramural), on the surface of the womb (sub-serosal). Fibroids do not cause infertility per se, but sub-mucosal ones in the cavity of the womb, can take up the place where a baby would have implanted causing infertility. Fibroids can also distort the shape of the ovaries and fallopian tubes causing problems with conception.

Hormones are implicated in the development of fibroids as when women get to menopause with resultant decrease in the level of circulating hormones, estrogen and progesterone, the fibroids shrink. Fibroids are more likely to occur in black women, people who take alcohol, people with a family history, people who eat a lot of red meat and little vegetables.  

Symptoms of fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual bleeding, frequent urination as the mass presses on the bladder, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, pelvic pressure etc. Pain can also result in fibroids when a fibroid has a stalk and gets twisted or when the fibroid grows so fast that it outgrows its blood supply lead to its ‘death’.

Now to your question, there are a couple of different methods for the treatment of fibroids but only your doctor can confirm which one is suitable to you.

If the fibroids are small and causing no problem (probably discovered incidentally), then your doctor will most likely not institute any treatment other than watchful waiting.

If one is around menopausal age and probably has finished having children, some drugs that mimic the effect of menopause are giving. These deprive the fibroids of nutrient supply and thus they shrink. Other treatment modalities may involve using IUCDs which release hormones that reduce the severity if bleeding and pain medications.  With technology advances, there are also non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures that can take care of fibroids. The final options are the tried and tested surgical procedures. Have a long chat with your doctor to determine what options are available in your location and what applies to you.

Fibroids can co-exist with pregnancy in which case pregnancy may be normal or associated with breech pregnancy, pre-term delivery (delivery of pre-mature babies) etc. However, once a woman registers in a good antenatal center under a good obstetrician, these issues will be anticipated and addressed promptly.

If you’re Nigerian, I hope y’all had a good celebration today J

Have a good night.

 

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