Tags:
Journalism of Courage
HEART-TO-HEART
Gulam Abbas has a cardio disorder called Mitral Valve Prolapse MVP. His ECG is normal and stress test positive. He occasionally gets a pain in his chest. He has been doing weight-lifting exercises for over a year and has consulted cardiologists to confirm if he can continue to do so. Please advise.
A positive stress test implies a blocked coronary artery. I must know the age of the person and other risk factors before I can say that the stress test is positive only because of MVP. It is advisable to consult a cardiologist before embarking on an exercise program.
Dr Sanjeev Mehta,
Consultant, Lilavati Hospital and The Chest Centre
Kabir would like to know if he can drive after having undergone a bypass surgery?
It is wise to wait for two months after surgery. This is the amount of time it takes for the healing of the sternum breast bone, which was cut open during surgery. Also, consult your doctor beforehand. Initially, restrict driving time to two hours a day. If the drive is longer, take a break every two hours.
Dr Aashish Contractor,
Head of Department of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation at the Asian Heart Institute
KID CONCERNS
Lata8217;s 11-year-old son loves football. She is worried that he inhales mud while playing. Will this affect her son8217;s health? The boy suffers from frequent colds. What precautions should she take?
As long as he washes his hands after the game, there is no need to worry. He probably suffers from chronic allergic rhinitis which causes constant colds. The dust during games may aggravate his colds. He should avoid exposure to dust at other times such as during cleaning and stay away from stuffed toys, cigarette smoke, strong smells such as paint, perfume, petrol, as well as furry pets. Nasal sprays can easily control symptoms.
AK Nagarch8217;s 10-year-old daughter Priyanka has been prescribed thyroxine sodium tablets. She has put on 3-4 kgs since treatment started. By when will she be cured?
Priyanka has goitre along with a poorly functioning thyroid gland hypothyroidism. Since the thyroid gland is not producing sufficient thyroxine, it has to be supplemented with tablets. She has clearly not responded to the treatment since she has put on weight though the goitre has reduced. This is because the starting dose of thyroxine is too small. She needs 100-125 mg. Sometimes, the need for thyroxine is over a long period. This can only be decided once adequate control of TSH levels is achieved and the neck swelling has disappeared.
Dr Mukesh Sanklecha,
MD Pediatrics DCHDNB Pediatrics
DIABETES DESPAIR
Sarita was found to be diabetic in the 30th week of pregnancy. After delivery, her blood sugar was normal. Why?
She had typical gestational diabetes, a condition with normal blood sugar before pregnancy but elevated values during the latter part of the pregnancy. This is a reversible condition and blood sugar normalises after delivery. However, she is likely to develop diabetes again. About 30 per cent of women in this situation develop diabetes in the next 16 years. Proper diet and exercise can prevent this.
Dr Hemraj B Chandalia, MD, FACP, Director, Diabetes Endocrine Nutrition Management and Research Centre, Mumbai
FOOD FACTS
Priti feels very uneasy after consuming milk. What should she do?
Indians are known to be intolerant to natural milk sugar or lactose due to deficiency of lactase, an enzyme. This causes flatulence, bloating, cramps and diarrhoea8212;especially when milk is consumed in larger amounts. Hence one must follow a low-lactose diet. Major sources of lactose are dairy products such as milk. Bread, cakes, caramels, creamed soups, salad dressings, powdered soft drinks, liqueurs and meat products with filling may also contain 8216;hidden8217; lactose. Read labels to find out if the products contain milk.
Foods without lactose are cereals, vegetables, fruits, plain meat, fish, poultry, tofu and its products. Milk and cream should not be used in cooking. An individual may tolerate small amounts of cheese and butter. Curd, buttermilk especially homemade are good options as the lactose is converted to lactic acid. This way, calcium intake is also maintained. In case of complete avoidance of milk, a calcium supplement is advisable.
Sonal Modi,
MSc, RD, Chief Nutritionist, Diabetes Endocrine Nutrition Management and Research Centre, Mumbai
Do keep calling and writing. And do keep smiling. For all your health queries, call 022-22161313 or log onto http://www.rashmiudaysingh.com. Write to P. O. Box No 19946, Colaba, Mumbai-5 or e-mail holrashmiudaysingh.com
