Aug 1, 2023 | Common Diseases
In Nigeria and the whole coast of West Africa, this sickness is very common. It is caused by infestation with plasmodium species. It is transmitted at the bite of mosquitoes, especially the female anopheles. This disease affects almost all the body organs and tissues. It causes fever, headache, rigors, joint pains, abdominal pain, body pains, and in severe forms, it can cause central nervous symptoms like derilium and convulsion.
It can cause severe red blood cell destruction leading to jaundice. Though it’s diagnosis is simplified now and there is good prognosis with arthemisin based drugs, it can lead to death more in children but also in adults. Malaria should be diagnosed and carefully treated.
Written by Dr. A.C Umezulike
Aug 1, 2023 | Common Diseases
Headache is the term used to describe pain in the head. It might be at only one part of the head or generalized. It could be from mild to serious disease. Simple habits like lack of sleep can induce headache. Anxiety, work pressure also can cause headaches.
On the other hand, severe hypertension, head injuries can cause headache of sinister proportion. It is important therefore that headaches should be reported especially if it is severe, persistent and not responding to rest, mild analgesics.
Written by Dr. A.C Umezulike
Aug 1, 2023 | Common Diseases
The breast mass is a very common condition. It affects females more than males. A breast mass is distinct from the other breast tissues because it is of a different consistency. Breast masses can be felt on examination. Any mass felt in the breast should be taken seriously. Tissue from it need to be taken out and examined in the lab for tissue diagnosis and proper treatment.
I need to emphasize that the breast should be examined every month immediately after menstruation and any mass, even if it is suspicion needs to be reported to the doctor. You must have heard of breast cancer, many of them start as small masses but then progress to cancer with time.
Written by Dr. A.C Umezulike
Aug 1, 2023 | Common Diseases
Hotness of the body! There are different diseases that cause Fever. The most common in our environment include malaria, upper respiratory tract infection, chest infection and urinary respiratory tract infection. Malaria is so common in the environment; it is treated as a separate topic. Fever in children can cause convulsion. Convulsion is usually a very distressful condition both to the parents and the child.
Fever can be controlled by exposing the patient, tepid sponging, use of drugs (antipyretics) for fever and ultimately treating the underlying cause of the illness.
Written by Dr. A.C Umezulike
Aug 1, 2023 | Common Diseases
There are many things people smoke. It ranges from cigarettes, cigar, weed, marijuana and raw tobacco. Smoking in the cold region has to do with the chilling cold in the chest which the smoke is erroneously supposed to drive away. For some it is part of belonging to a class. To others, it is a habit that has refused to be abandoned. Whatever the reason, makers of cigarette write on it and put in their advertisement that smokers are likely to die young.
The death may result from recurrent chest infections, chronic obstructive airway diseases or cancer of the lungs. Smoking causes heart disease, stroke, it lowers immunity, it increases wrinkles of the skin, increases risk of blood clotting (thrombo-embolism), can be a risk factor in cancer of the cervix, infertility, and early menopause. Smoking is harmful to the body. Non-smokers should not stay where smoking is taking place. The effect on them is worse.
Smoking is a habit that should be dropped, and the good news is that its effects can reverse if it is stopped.
Written by Dr. A.C Umezulike
