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Thursday 29 December 2011

Lethal cashew nuts

Something as simple as two cashew nuts nearly resulted in a fatal anaphylactic reaction for a patient who walked through my door yesterday.

Although he was fine with eating peanuts and somehow managed to avoid cashew nuts all his life he made the mistake of having a a few with it being the Christmas period.

Quick thinking prevailed as he was only a few doors from the surgery and he attended with a red swollen face, swollen eyes, breathing issues and chest tightness.

High dose oxygen and 4 injections of adrenaline issued by me followed by intravenous piriton and hydrocortisone issued by the paramedic managed the situation.

So what causes these severe reactions to occur?

1) Nuts
2) Insect bites or stings
3) Medication
4) Other food or fruit


Typical symptoms are
1) Rash or hives - usually red and raised
2) Face or tongue swelling
3) Chest tightness or shortness of breath
4) Throat closing sensation

Treatment is to dial 999 for immediate help or to use an adrenaline pen if the person is carrying one or there is one available.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Does glucosamine actually help with osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, or the "wear and tear type" of arthritis as we like to call it, is very common.  It mostly affects knees, hips and hands.  The extent varies to the amount of wear and damage to the joint that has been sustained over our lifetime.

Glucosamine is often taken by patients to prevent osteoarthritis or reduce its effects and severity.
It is a natural substance that helps to build and fortify cartilage. It can also be bought as over the counter health supplements often in combination with chondroitin.

A Cochrane review of clinical studies on the effects of glucosamine show that it could help to reduce pain and improve physical function of the joint.

I certainly recommend it to my patients and the vast majority have found it to be beneficial.

Of course pain relievers are also very important for osteoarthritis pain control and can range from paracetamol to ibuprofen to codeine and stronger. Physical exercise and keeping active prevents stiffening of joints with time.

Physiotherapy and steroid joint injections also have a role to play.

Monday 5 December 2011

Migraines

A problem for many. Ranging from mild to very severe. Some people have:
- the headache and flashing lights and nausea
- no headaches but flashing lights/nausea
- severe headache only
- tingling or weakness - could also be a sign of a more serious stroke type event

If migraines are diagnosed by the doctor it is important to look for triggers as these will often be present.
Triggers include caffeine, stress, certain food products and smells.

Treatment includes rest and pain killers (paracetamol or ibuprofen or codeine - can be bought over the counter) or stronger medication such as migraleve or sumatriptan. It is usually best to target the pain as soon as the attack starts and anti sickness medication may also be needed.

Prevention is often dealing with the triggers and root cause for the attacks.

Medication such as propranolol or pizotifen can also reduce the frequency of attacks but need review by the doctor and prescribing.

An eye sight test is also important to check for any illness in the eye and eye strain. Opticians do a very a good assessment as part of a routine eye check.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Gum disease

Increasingly common and mostly linked to our dietary habits.

Soreness and bleeding gums are the most common signs.  Tooth decay often follows suits or is co-existing.

Simple remedies I recommend are:
1) plenty of vitamin C - citric fruit and/or squash etc. apply a dose of vitamin C direct to your gums and cleanse the mouth too
2) mouthwashes - get to the areas where toothbrushes cannot reach
3) a good toothbrush that is not harsh to your gums but effective - electric ones seem to be more help than manual nowadays
4) anti-inflammatories if particularly inflamed and sore gums

Friday 2 December 2011

Lethargy

More often than not it is the stresses and strains of modern living and poor sleep that cause tiredness and fatigue.

However it is important to exclude other causes including:
1) anaemia
2) malnourishment
3) thyroid problems
4) diabetes
5) calcium disorders
6) depression
and others.

Blood tests often rule most of these out but a close review of our lifestyle and simple changes to ensure we exercise regularly and eat healthy can also make a difference.

Thursday 1 December 2011

Internet feeding anxiety?

For those people of an anxious disposition the advent and uptake of the internet and websites that provide information on everything under the sun can often lead to increased anxiety for the reader.

Searching for medical information has become a lot easier and the accuracy of information on certain websites leaves a lot to be desired.  Technical terms and jargon lead to greater confusion for the reader too.

It is always best to ask a health professional for advice rather than research too deeply into medical conditions or drugs online as medical practice is very different from one country to the next and most treatments need signifcant evidence behind them to be taken as being effective.

Saturday 26 November 2011

Do we drink enough water?

The answer is probably not!

We need to be consuming around eight average glasses a day to make up for the water we use and lose.

Our bodies need water to function correctly and efficiently.

The healthiest way to replenish this is by drinking water, juice or milk.

Other options would be tea and soft drinks but these can contain caffeine or sugar which is less healthy.

So go on be a fish!

Monday 31 October 2011

Does eating 5 a day of fruit and veg actually help?

I agree that we increase our intake of vitamins and nutrients and fibre by consuming five portions of fruit and veg daily.  This helps with our immune system and digestion and hair /skin etc.

It also helps us lose weight as the body is almost fooled into becoming satisfied that we have eaten and yet taken very few calories in the process.

The hard part is being strict with ourselves and making sure we stick to the 5 a day or 6 a day or 7 a day targets we set ourselves.

Friday 28 October 2011

Brain gender

Recently completed an online quiz on whether I think as a female or a male.

The questions were quite complex especially looking at 3D diagrams but the answer to the whole quiz was that I think as a female and a male !

So I don't think I learnt too much from it but I am an empathic person and also good at recognising eye expressions in people ! Lol Go Figure

Back and blogging !

Doesn't time fly! Am back on my blog and hope to update readers very soon. Apologies for my abscence

Dr Abs

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Do you have diabetes?

Often a silent illness.  Several of my patients have been diagnosed via routine blood tests for other reasons.

The main symptoms that can usually occur tend to be as follows:

1) excessive thirst
2) passing urine more often
3) weight loss
4) fatigue
5) recurrent unexplained infections

A positive family history is also a risk factor for diabetes.

A glucose test by the doctor can easily aid diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the severity of the diabetes and ones diet and exercise levels.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

IBS relief

A very common and frustrating problem for many is irritable bowel (syndrome).

IBS is a diagnosis by exclusion.  This means if the doctor has excluded the other causes for altered bowel habit then ones bowel is diagnosed or labelled as being irritable.

There are several triggers for this including stress, certain drinks, caffeine, spices, lack of fibre etc.

A focus on ones diet does help greatly.  Simple measures including eliminating caffeine and alcohol and consuming more water improve the bowel environment.  Peppermint in tea or capsule form calm the bowel.
Bananas and melon also promote healthy bowel action.

Fibre supplements and antispasmodics may be prescribed by the doctor to treat constipation and bowel cramps.

Sunday 14 August 2011

Success at last

Yay I finally have a gardener!

After weeks trying to get hold of one I finally had some luck.  Going to get the flower beds done and the lawns and plantars and the bit I hate the most weeding!!!!

Here's to sitting outside and enjoying the most of my garden - that's if I ever get any time to ! lol

Friday 12 August 2011

Riots in the UK

Hopefully things have calmed down from the horrific wave of rioting that has hit our towns and our streets.

Its been tough but the public and police have worked side by side in stopping the mayhem that was fast developing.

Things seem calmer now but sadly and tragically lives have been lost.

I wonder what the cost will be to the country to fix the damage caused by the riots and in their wake. My thoughts are with all those that have suffered

Thursday 11 August 2011

Rotten nails!

Fungal nail infections are a night mare.

Both to treat and to avoid from spreading to another nail. They are usually caused by a fungal skin infection that starts off as atheletes foot for instance and then results in the nail being invaded by the fungus causing unsightly thickened yellow and/or brittle nails.

Nail paints work to some extent but if more than one nail is infected or nail paints havent helped then oral antifungal treatment would be needed.

Sending nail clippings for fungal cultures is usually problematic as thus cultures can come back negative and the nails look typical of fungal nail infection and also respond to the treatment .

Its a common problem and a bit annoying to the patient

Tuesday 9 August 2011

Toilet talk

There has been a good deal of campaigning on bowel cancer awareness and being alerted to altered bowel habits.

In the main going from your usual bowel habits to loose stool or poorly formed stool for more than a few weeks should be a cause for concern and trip to your GP.

A change to constipation would also warrant further assessment from your doctor.

Worrying signs such as weight loss and /or blood in the stool would be assessed by the doctor in deciding which pathway should be followed.

A positive family history of bowel cancer is also very relevant.

Fibre supplements are a good short term trial for restoring bulk and fibre to ones bowel and this may resolve loose stool.  However if this fails to work and the looseness persists then a visit to the GP is still warranted.

Thursday 4 August 2011

Flowers

Why is it so impossible to get a gardener?  Having tried several people most of whom didnt actually want the work I wonder if they must be over run with customers,   Oh well the search continues...........

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Oh how we wait for the rain

In this extreme humidity we anxiously await the rain,
Is it just me who finds the heat so stifling?
I usually start to wither akin to my fuschia plant,
which once had lush flowers
has now dessicated
unlikely to survive the blazing sun any further/
Oh how we wait for the rain .......

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Think I may have hay fever

Either that or I have a summer cold.

Not great as I just recovered from a stomach bug last week

Does hot weather cause hypoglycaemia?

Hot weather can be a cause of increased insulin absorption so those on insulin may find there blood glucose levels fluctuate due to the warm weather as insulin works faster.

There isnt much data out there on whether the heat has an effect on causing hypoglycaemia in non insulin dependant diabetics.

Sunday 31 July 2011

Got my energy back

Recovering from the stomach bug that zapped me of all energy.

Managed to rustle up enough to mow the front lawn with my new hover mower. Then had to have a lay down. I must be getting old in my 34 years of wisdom and experience. lol

I have to follow the advice I preach re fluids and try to actually drink 8 glasses a day especially in light of being dehydrated last week.

Gug gug gug gug gug lol

Heat wave

We may be headed for a mini heat wave next week in our part of the UK folks. Although not of the same epic proportions as there would be in other countries the humidity levels can be very high.

My concern goes out to the ill and elderly and young children who struggle to keep themselves protected from the heat and the dangers it brings.

Remember:
1) Stay out of the midday sun
2) Wear sun protection
3) Wear loose and light clothing
4) Plenty of fluids and less alcohol
5) Keep the windows open to get good cross ventilation and a draft


On another thought must remember to get the fans out of my garage today!

Friday 29 July 2011

Yuck

I feel yuck

Still recovering from a severe bout of vomiting and diarrhoea. Not even certain whether I ate fast food that was poorly prepared at a well known burger establishment in the UK.

Anyway 48 hrs and 5lbs less in weight later ( from dehydration) I feel I have zero energy.

Sugar fizz drinks helped somewhat.

Hope to start eating again some time soon? !

Friday 22 July 2011

Lawn mowing is bad for your health

Having been determined to cut wet grass yesterday as I am in a panic now that my lawn is too overgrown and have visitors round soon, I  therefore set about cutting the grass after a rain shower.
The blades of the mower jammed and needed clearing and the vibrations from the machine ( having used it for one hour solid) gave me blisters to my hand and wrist pain !

? carpal tunnel syndrome triggers

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Are bananas a meal in themselves?

A quick idea for lunch on the go - a banana and a glass of milk.

Bananas contain natural sugar and iron and fibre.  They thus give a slow energy release source and a banana is one of your five a day !

I often find it a quick lunch and keeps me going for a few hours after.

How to get a better nights sleep? yawn!!!

I thought it best to compose this post while being wide awake at 15 minutes past midnight!

So is your sleep poor? Is it very broken ? Do you find yourself laying in bed waiting to fall asleep?

Yes to the above? well the top tips I usually give to my patients are as follows:

1) Another cup? Be careful of how much caffeine you drink - avoid drinks such as tea and coffee as soon as the evening hits. A warm milky drink is the best policy.

2) Exercise is good for you ! - During the day it is very healthy but just before bed it can keep you wired and adrenaline pumped for the next few hours and thus affect sleep too.

3) Your bedroom is your sanctuary ! Keep it that way - make it a tranquil, calm and serene place to aid and encourage rest and relaxation. Ban that TV from your room

4) Have a soak ! A warm bath and aroma oils help you relax after that long and winding day - Go on! you deserve it - yes that includes the men aswell!

5) Don't stress!! If you're stressed for whatever reason sleep will be affected in more ways than one.  Leave your tensions outside the bedroom door. Chill before bed and playing the music of your choice can be a good wind down.

6) See someone like me ! - If the above fail to help then consult your GP and have chat re: medicinal options that can be issued in the short term to help re-set your body clock and give you a better night's slumber.


Nighty night and it's over and out from me for now Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :-)