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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Daily Health Tips: Is Green Tea Responsible For My Diarrhoea?

Posted on February 5, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Why do I poop a lot when I drink green tea?

A: Lots of people like green tea for different reasons. Some because they like everything herbal. Others, because it is thought to speed up metabolism which in turn can help weight loss. However, in excessive amounts, green tea can cause the same symptoms as excessive caffeine in the body and this includes diarrhoea, irritability, nervousness, rapid heart beat etc.

So, on the average, just like for coffee, 2 ‘dainty’ 😀 cups are fine per day. More than that, you could be opening up your self to other health issues.

Enjoy the rest of your day 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Debunk The Cancer Myths!

Posted on February 4, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Today is World Cancer Day with a focus on debunking the myths. there are so many myths (untrue) stories that surround cancer that often times we are none too sure what is helpful and what is not.

I have heard people say that they don’t need to be screened. They feel if they get screened, the doctors must find something wrong with them! 😀 Honestly, much as we (doctors) would like to feel we’ve got a lot of powers, trust me, we do not manufacture cancer in people to amuse ourselves. There’s nothing remotely amusing about cancer, right? 😉

Then, I’ve heard others say, that if you know you’ve got cancer, then worrying about it will send one to an early grave even before the disease! Okay, this is one place where ignorance is not bliss! If one screens for cancer and this is caught early, treatment is possible and the person could live a long and healthy life. Our problem, especially in third world countries is that we do not screen early and so the disease is usually caught in the late stages when they would have spread to other organs.

The four major myths under the searchlight now, which we all should debunk are:
We don’t need to talk about cancer: Not true. Not talking about it doesn’t make it disappear. We need to talk about super foods that can prevent cancer, screenings that can help detect it on time and of course, risky behaviours that lead to cancer (like the multiple sexual partners in cervical cancer)

There are no signs and symptoms of cancer: For many cancers there are noticeable signs…a lump here, change in the contour of the breast there etc. Early screening can certainly help detect these cancers early. There are people who have Health Insurance plans that cover annual medical checks with cancer screening and yet, never take advantage of these screenings. Are you one of those? 😀

There is nothing I can do about cancer: Absolutely not! There’s a lot you can do! You can help spread the news of things that can help prevent it eg eating healthy, not using oil that has smoked etc. Then getting screened and advising others to do same, knowing our bodies and being quick to spot changes in colour, shape or contour of any part…which may or may not signify a cancer.

I don’t have the right to cancer care: You do have the right. In the third world countries, access to care is an issue but if we are careful to catch the cancer early, treatment may not be too extensive or expensive.

Let’s all work together to debunk these myths, globally.

Have you heard any other myth(s) about cancer? Please share 😀

Have a great evening

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: First Milestone!

Posted on February 3, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

It is month 2 and the first milestone, as the year that started a few days ago, starts making a run for it (for what???) 😀

How are you keeping up with your ‘resolutions’? What’s going on with those plans to eat healthier and live healthier? Drop us a line and let us know how many health tips you’ve been faithful with this year.

For me, I have been almost fanatical about portion control 😀 What about you?

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Agbo and Malaria: a match made in heaven…or not?

Posted on February 2, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Many people take ‘agbo’ herb drink…especially Lagos people. What is the effect in the body?

A: I have seen people who swear by Agbo and claim not to have been to the hospital for ‘gazillion’ 😀 years as a result of the fact that they take this. This cuts across different social strata as I have met people in different strata of the society that use it. So, is it effective? This herb is thought to be effective against malaria, typhoid, sexually transmitted infections etc.

Now, I am always personally worried when one drug cures a multitude of things…it’s sorta worrisome. However, some scientists have done some work and noted that the original Agbo herbs have some anti-oxidant activity and so it could very well be curative of some illnesses.

But, the alcohol and other additives that are packed into it makes one even more sceptical about its usefulness in treatments except the aim is to knock out the person taking it 😀

Again, there are no specific dosages for these herbs and they are generally hawked in very unhygienic conditions. Some of the components could also pose health threats to children and adults alike if it is not known whether they are allergic to these components.

All in all, a lot of work needs to be done on Agbo, if it is to be accepted as a useful treatment for any ailment. This will help confirm exact components, dosage and possible drug interactions.

So, in the meantime, leave well alone…seriously 😀

I know you’ll all let me know what you think 😀

Have a great week ahead

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Daily Health Tips: Should my children be on a diet?

Posted on February 1, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Is this diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains applicable to children? I feel that, because they are growing, they need sugar and the likes.

A: You are certainly right. They need sugar to fuel all that activity that makes parents continually yell,’what’s going on there?’ 😀 But, it’s probably not the sugar that you meant…that is, refined sugar from baked goods, soft drinks etc. Remember that all food we eat, eventually gets converted to sugar in the body. The sugar from refined products cause sugar spikes and lows such that the people who eat them, get hungry very quickly after they felt full. So limit the sugar from these sources. Sugar from other sources like complex carbs are released slowly causing a feeling of fullness for longer.

As parents or caregivers, we have to model the right food behaviour for the children. We can’t tell them to take fruits and then turn around to take soda. In the same vein, we can’t eat junk and expect them to grow up and have healthy food habits. Another thing we do, which may promote the wrong image of food in children, is that we oftentimes give them sweets or candy as reward for good behaviour. So, it’s only natural for them to now desire this.

So what should they eat? Pretty much the same diet requirements as you but with varying calorie needs at different ages.

Serve a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially those in season. They are cheap and readily available. Serve a variety of different coloured fruits and veggies. And remember that fruit juices are not as good as fresh fruits themselves (they are loaded with sugar and even if you don’t see sugar on the label, the ‘concentrate’ you do see is loaded with it!). An exception to this would be 100% fruit juice.

Seafood, beans, eggs and unsalted nuts are good protein sources. Dairy is also a good source of protein. Once a child is about 2 years old, please switch to skimmed or 1 to 2% milk. Cheese, yoghurt and soy drinks are also great dairy options.

Whole grains found in brown/local rice, oats, whole wheat bread and popcorn too (yep! popcorn :D. But be sure not to douse them with sugar or salt) etc provide complex carbs and fibre for that feeling of fullness and of course great bowel movement with no constipation 😀

Keep healthy snacks around the house like nuts, fruits and vegetables that can be dipped in sauces.

Have a great weekend, peeps 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Why Am I Always Constipated?

Posted on January 31, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: What is the cause of constipation and how can it be prevented?

A: Constipation occurs when faeces passes too slowly down the digestive tract causing the stool to become hard and brittle. It leads to a situation where a person has less than 3 bowel movements per week. The classic symptoms are straining to pass stool, having the feeling of incomplete emptying after a poo and sometimes having to press down on your abdomen to help emptying. Sometimes, constipated people also insert a finger into their rectum to help the process along. Constipation becomes chronic when it persists for weeks on end.

Constipation may be due to blockages in the rectum, diseases like Diabetes Mellitus etc. However, they could be due to lifestyle issues like not drinking enough water, not eating enough fibre in our diets and being sedentary. Being a woman and getting older also pre-disposes one to more episodes of constipation.

Prevention is focused on ensuring that you have enough fibre in your diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grain), getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily and drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily. When you have the urge to poo, try not to delay it for too long. Go and try to take your time to do your business! 😀

Have a great weekend…

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Why Do Diabetics Sweat Excessively?

Posted on January 30, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Q: Why is it that diabetics sweat a lot?

A: Everyone sweats when they have exerted themselves like after exercise, staying out on a hot day, staying in a poorly ventilated room or even when anxious. However, sweating in a cool room with no source of anxiety may mean that things are not A-okay. This is usually typified by night sweats which are not related to sleeping in a stuffy room.

Do diabetics sweat more than others? Yes and I’ll tell you why. The high sugar level in Diabetes is thought to affect nerve function in several different ways. One of the ways is by affecting the nerves that control involuntary body functions (Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy) like sweating, urinating, sexual arousal etc. This can lead to increased or reduced activities of the organs involved. For instance:

•    If it affects the intestines, people experience diarrhoea or constipation.

•    If it affects the stomach, it can limit the ability of food to move through the digestive system causing bloating and vomiting

•    If it affects the nerves that control erection when there is sexual arousal, it can lead to erectile dysfunction. However, the sexual desire is unaffected.

•    It can cause paralysis of the bladder such that the usual impulse to urinate when the bladder is full is lost. This leads to urine being stored for long periods in the bladder causing Urinary Tract Infections.

•    It can even blunt people’s normal response to low blood sugar such that they no longer feel the warning signs and can’t take preventive measures.

•    Diabetics, still as a result of nerve damage, either sweat a lot or don’t even sweat when hot.

So, if you are diabetic or know anyone who is, blood sugar control is very key.

Enjoy the rest of your day! 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Laundry tips

Posted on January 29, 2014 by chatwithdrketch

Did you know that there are basic hygiene rules for doing laundry?

Did I hear you say, ‘seriously’? Isn’t it enough that I want to do the laundry? Now there are rules of hygiene for that too? Well, I’m sorry to say…yes there are. Think you’re doing your laundry well? Think your family is protected because you wash every day. Let’s do a reality check. Here are our top five tips to prevent the spread of germs through laundry.

  • Wash dirty clothes as soon as possible. The longer the germs are allowed to breed on the clothes, the more difficult it will be to get rid of all of them in one wash. This is even worse for damp clothes like towels for obvious reasons and do I need to explain why this also applies to underclothes too?
  • Sort the laundry before washing. Apart from ensuring that the clothes are sorted according to colour and thus, do not run the risk of staining other clothes, this also ensures that delicate clothing are separated. Panties, underpants, children’s clothes and towels should generally be washed differently.
  • As much as possible use warm water (about 40 degrees centigrade) to wash your clothes. This also provides an impossible temperature for the germs to thrive.
  • Lots of people of people would wash their hands after handling very dirty laundry for the simple reason that their hands feel dirty afterwards. But would it readily cross your mind to wash your hands after handling your load of just washed laundry…supposedly squeaky clean? No. But there are still germs swimming all around the surface…so you should get your hands washed.
  • Ensure that your clothes dry thoroughly before you wear them apart from the dead rat smell of those damp clothes people wear, germs are likely to still be on them. In fact, this is one of those places where modern technology appears to win the competition with old tested and trusted. Using a tumble dryer gets the clothes dry faster and lots the time available for germs to thrive. Air drying on the other hand promotes the growth of germs as the clothes remain damp for a longer time before drying.

There you go…even the laundry must be done just so!

Here’s to a healthier you!

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