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Monday, May 20, 2013

Typical behavioral patterns and problems (Babies, First year)


Initially, babies are totally dependent on you and rely on you to meet their every need. Your baby will be happiest if you respond sensitively and can calm him when he is upset. This includes making sure that he is comfortable, not only physically ( warm, clean, fed, and winded ) but also emotionally.

Babies need comfort, reassurance and emotional stability, especially when things don't feel right. You can provide this by cuddling your baby, speaking to him in a gentle voice or singing to him and distracting him from upsets by walking him around and showing him interesting surroundings. Babies need the right level of stimulation: not too much excitement, yet enough stimulation to enable them to learn, and you can work this out by observing, listening and taking your cues from your child.


Saturday, May 18, 2013

Normal emotional development and behavior in Children.


It is helpful to have an idea of how your child's behavior may change as he or she develops, so that you can recognize what is normal and when you should be concerned.

Many types of normal behavior can be problematic, and your tolerance levels for these may vary more with your mood than with the child's behavior itself. A good understanding of normal difficult behavior can help you respond appropriately and more sensitively to your child at the time when he needs you most.

Children are not all the same. All children vary and develop in their own way. Your child may be difficult from his peers, but whether he is considered normal will depend on the expectations of those around him. A typical "geek" or "bookworm" may be bullied in a non-academic environment or highly valued in an intellectual one. A child who is more interested in football than work may be seen as a hero in a local community, even if he cant sit still in class, and yet would be deemed a failure in a strict academic school or family.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

HOW I CAN HELP YOU : The ABC's Of STI Prevention



By Dr Sanmi Obajuluwa
Continuation.......

Before I mailed the finished version of this article to the editors, i ran it past a little "cohort" study of mine, just to get a feel of what the response would be. I was completely amazed by the feedback i got. The lack of awareness was staggering!
Initially it was a topic of jest, but as the discussion progressed it became apparent that not enough of the sexually active population or demographic are well informed about STIs. People tend to give funny faces and reactions when you try to talk about sex or STIs, maybe it is because they are uncomfortable, then again they could just be plain unhappy that they are being warned to keep away from their favourite past time. "Hence is ignorance bliss?"
"No!" Ignorance is not bliss, ignorance is living with that sore, itch, discharge, painful swelling or annoying smell that just wont go away. "Knowledge is freedom". Let us take a look at a few more bugs on our list ...


Monday, May 6, 2013

“HOW MAY I HELP YOU”





A Mini series. by Dr Sanmi Obajuluwa

“HOW MAY I HELP YOU”
When I first started writing this article all I could think about was a particular patient I had  once seen, while I was still a house officer (must have been during the numerous but annoying O.M.O calls). Though there is a lot of noise about patient confidentiality, but since this is in the spirit of “world peace”, a little divulging wouldn’t do any harm.
So this middle aged man comes into the consulting room, seeming apparently well on inspection except for the peculiar “confused look” he had on his face. I motion for him to sit and asked “how may I help you...?”

He replies “Doctor! I have this headache…, it’s always there, on the right side….. sometimes I don’t feel it, other times it comes to my eye.”
I asked if he noticed anything that made the headache worse or better and he just shook his head. I went on to ask about other possible related symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, stools, all of which were negative. I asked further questions, all to which he just responded “No!” He seemed almost at the brink of annoyance.
Finally I asked “how is your urination, any pain?” And all of a sudden he springs to life and goes “Ehen doctor! That’s my major problem”.
All I could do was to keep as straight a face as possible, but deep down, I was literarily “shaking my head and kissing my teeth”.

Finally, I was able to make headway, he later opened up about having numerous partners. He was treated for an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) and asked to run some tests.
I am sure you are reading and wondering what the moral behind this story is, well simply put, if you have an “itch” just say say so, don’t tell the doctor your skin is red.
STIs are a common complaint in any OPD, patients would be surprised by the numbers. If you have sex, you may also have an STI, with subtle or noticeable STI symptoms. Straight or gay, married or single, you're vulnerable to STIs and STIsymptoms, whether you engage in oral, anal or vaginal sex.
 The disturbing part is not the rising number of STIs, but rather because people are un aware that they are carriers and infect their partners or give poor information leading to inadequate treatment and emergence of drug resistant bugs.
This write up aims to throw light on some of the more common STIs such as gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes, trichomoniasis and HIV.


Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is that STD that just won’t go away -- it remains the second most commonly reported infectious disease worldwide. Though, actual figures could be double because of poor medical records and reluctance of patients to come forward. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of the genital tract. First symptoms generally appear within two to 10 days after exposure. However, some people may be infected for months before signs or symptoms occur. Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea may include:
  • Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating
  • Abnormal menstrual bleeding
  • Painful, swollen testicles
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Anal itching
 Untreated, gonorrhea can lead to epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can cause infertility. In women, gonorrhea is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and, like chlamydia, can lead to infertility. Having a case of gonorrhea makes you three to five times more likely to acquire HIV if you’re exposed to the HIV virus.
Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. But there has been a rise in drug-resistant strains. As a result, the treatment options are becoming more limited than in the past -- one more good reason to avoid this “bad guy”.

To be Cotinued.....

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Infolinks