Daily Trust - the online edition

Mouth ulcer, my problem

I am always having mouth ulcers and cracks within my mouth. What is the solution?

Aminu

Ulcer is the discontinuation of an epithelial lining of any tissue or organ. It is presented as crack, tear or open sore as the case may be.

Ulcers in the mouth can be attributed to :

1. Infections such as Malaria

2. Decreased immune status due to HIV Infection and Noma Disease

3. Physical Trauma

4. Vitamins Deficiencies such as Vitamin C

Mouth ulcer can be improved by taking lots of oranges and related fruits such as lemon, pine apple to mention but few and treating the underlying cause.

I have lost my hair

I am a regular reader of your column since inception. I pray you have the courage and patience to sustain this thankless job. I am bald and it happens gradually. As a young man, I am disturbed. Please give me detailed information about hair loss.

Yusufa Gombe

Loss of hair, also called Alopecia requires detailed history, taking careful scalp examination and complete physical examination. Examination should enable a confident diagnosis.

There are two type hair losses-

Non-Scarring type, this is the type that easily regenerates and can respond to topical or intra lesional steroid. This type is classified in to two:

Localized (hair loss confined to one area)

1. Tinea capitis

2. Traumatic (traction or use of wrong cosmetic

for the hair)

3. Fungi Infection

Diffuse type (hair loss covers wide area)

1. Nutritional problems, like deficiency with

vitamin E and others)

2. Diabetes mellitus

3. Post partum (just after pregnancy)

4. Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism

Scarring type (it hardly regenerates)

Localized

1. Idiopathic (unknown cause)

2. Infection with herpes zoster

Diffuse which is caused by Radiotherapy and a condition called Discoid Lupus Erthromytosis.

Drugs such as cytotoxic drugs for treatment of cancer, anti thyroid drugs and also oral contraceptives.

Investigations will be tailored towards doing full blood count, ESR, urea and electrolyte, thyroid function test, liver function test, hair pluck test. I will advise you to visit your physician to assess your condition in line with some of the likely causes itemized above.

Worried about small male organ

You are doing great and hope you will not quit doing work for us. You are addressing issues that many doctors are shying away from. I am 35 years old, about to marry in two weeks time, and have never had intercourse before. I am worried that my male organ is very small. I want to have a normal sexual life.

Joseph

I will do my best to continue pushing this work for the benefit of the larger society. I have been asked this same question on many occasions and will like to mention that that nothing stops you from leading and having a normal sexual relationship with a small male organ. Yours is not the first, as many people are also having small organs and still able to marry and reproduce. It all depends on your stamina.

You may have come across a lot of adverts that says ‘male organ can be enlarged by coming to us and taking so and so drugs. At the end of such experience, what the drugs do is to enhance erection, not the size. I will not discourage you to visit such outfit, but be careful so that you will not be cheated.

Normally, male organ, as someone settles down in a relationship, will increase in size, due to sexual activity and muscle hypertrophy (increase in size). Be self-motivated and carry on with your life.

Dizziness and its causes

Please what causes dizziness and are there any specific treatments. I have been suffering from that for long.

Bala U

Dizziness is what the patient is experiencing and reveals such to a doctor, ther fore it is a symptom of a disease. Many systems in the body if affected may lead to dizziness. Below are some of the common problems that may present with dizziness:

Low Blood Pressure (a pressure that is below 100 mmHG per 70 mmHG) some of the conditions that can lead to having low blood pressure are:

1. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea

2. Burn injuries

3. Excessive loss of blood

4. Some heart problems as well

Cerebro-Vascular Problems such as

1. Brain Tumours

2. Trauma due to head injury and accidents

3. Cerebral infections and inflammations such

as abscess

Side effects of some Anti Hypertensive Drugs such as Aldomet Hunger and Stress

For someone that presents with Dizziness, thorough history taking and examination and investigations need to be done and based on the outcome, specific therapy will be constituted.

Fear of cancer and Copper T

I was told not to use copper T, due to fear of cancer. Please what is the situation?

Maurine

Copper T is among the Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices for Family Planning. It is not advisable to be used for women that have (contraindication)

1. Evidence of Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases

( such as supra pubic pain , vaginal discharge )

2. Suspected cancer of the genital tract

3. Uterine fibroid

4. Severe Menorrhagia

The reason why suspected cancer is a contraindication is the fact that, if a woman has cancer, insertion of the device may lead to bleeding.

Suspected cancer such as of Cancer of the Cervix can be deduced from history taking:

1. If the woman is experiencing blood stain

or discharge after intercourse, or if the blood

stain is seen on the man male organ.

2. Foul smelling discharge

3. Pain during intercourse

The suspicion will be confirmed through Vaginal Examination and Cervical Smear Test.

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