Medical Hotline with Dr James Wright

Worried about tingling toes or a bloch on your skin? Does your child suffer from a severe skin rash that you just can’t seem to get rid of? Is your eyesight or libido dwindling? This month Dr Wright has answers to these and other common ailments. Read on . . .

casual cure

Many women needlessly experience heavy bleeding during menstruation. This is usually due to fibrous non-cancerous growths in the womb, called fibroids. But the condition can be simply treated these days, using a new technique called magnetic resonance guided percutaneous laser ablation of uterine fibroids, which is very effective. The procedure doesn’t require hospitalisation, but is carried out under anaesthetic. MRI imaging locates the fibroid growths, then via tiny skin incisions, needles are inserted into them, then using a laser they are quickly destroyed. Bleeding and pain stop and normal fertility is restored.

motherhood

Infants commonly develop a persistent itchy rash, or eczema. Treat it with body-temperature baths, using a non-alkaline soap—QV (bar or liquid), Cetaphil, Neutrogena or Dove—then dab dry with a very soft towel, but do not rub. Then apply Sorbelene or some other soothing cream. Note, the child may be an “atopic” baby, with inherited allergic activity. Food can also be the culprit, and milk contains proteins to which some infants are sensitive. (An examination by an immunologist may reveal what food or product is responsible.) Many such problems do subside with age.

love and libido

Some older women lose their libido and thus the delights of sex and ask why. The libido is largely governed by the male hormone in the body—these are manufactured by women’s endocrine glands. With time, this may diminish, but small doses may have a dramatic effect. A pharmaceutical company currently makes and distributes this to doctors who prescribe it, but with careful supervision. Most recipients claim the results are gratifying.

summer’s a-comin’

Skin blemishes are notorious for gradually growing from red “sun spots” into flaking skin cancers. All must be treated as early as possible, especially if your work involves exposure to the sun. Regularly massaging the skin with comfrey ointment (over 4-6 weeks) will often heal blotches and abnormal marks in a remarkable manner. Meanwhile, with the onset of summer, get into the habit of wearing a hat and 30+ sunscreen.

get help, now!

If you notice a tingling in your toes and have cold feet, you should be immediately checked for diabetes. These symptoms mean that damage has already occurred to the nerves and blood vessels, and the condition can be expected to worsen. Circulation will deteriorate and limb pains aggravated, ulcers may form, and it may lead to amputations if not treated. Most larger public hospitals operate diabetes clinics and are available for consultation and diabetes management.

eye procedure

Surgery to cure cataracts is usually successful. Although the incision is remarkably small—just 2 mm—it still takes time to heal. The dark fluid inside the lens (the cataract) is syphoned and a new, synthetic lens inserted, fanning out to replace the fluid. It’s a major event, but usually results in an enormous improvement in vision.

Letterbox

Q: My doctor says there may be cancer cells in my oesophagus, but he says to continue with acid-suppressant Losec capsules and return in six months. I’m unsure about his diagnosis and advice. What should I do?

A: You probably have oesophageal irritation from acid washing back into the lower part of the food tube. This may cause ulcers, and lead on to Barrett’s syndrome, which is a forerunner of oesophageal cancer. This is a highly lethal disease. I believe you should commence more intensive treatment now.

Ask for a referral to an oncologist (a cancer specialist) without delay

Extract from Signs of the Times, October 2002.

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