MOTHERS' HELPLINE:Baby's Dental Hygiene with Dr Farooq Sorathia

Dr Farooq Sorathia Resident Dentist at Karen Hospital

1.When to expect the first tooth

•   The first baby tooth is expected to come out at 6 months
  
  

2.What to expect when teething

• Soreness and swelling on the gum before the tooth erupts
• Usually lasts about 5 days before the tooth appears
• Babies may bite on their fingers or toys to relieve discomfort on gums

3.Care of Teeth

• Before teeth Erupt

1. —  Use a soft moist gauze
2. —  Wipe your baby’s gums after each feeding
3. —  Wipe your baby’s gums atleast TWICE a day

• How to help your child during teething

1.  Use a cold teething ring
2.  Rub the baby’s gum with a clean finger – this soothes them

4.Care of teeth

• After teeth Erupt

1. —  Soft toothbrush
2. —  Baby toothpaste – use the size of a grain of rice
3. —  Make sure you brush your baby’s teeth until they are old enough to be able to do it themselves
4. —  Brush TWICE a day

 

5.How to prevent Decay

•  Baby bottle can be filled with

—  Formula

—  Breast Milk

—  Water 

1. This should be finished and baby’s teeth cleaned before sleeping or nap time
2.   DO NOT let the baby sleep with the bottle
3.   Avoid putting sugary drinks or fruit juice in the baby bottles

Dr Farooq attends to a patient

‘Doctor of the Future’ conference hosts Karen Hospital CEO

Dr B.M Gikonyo address the students at the Doctor of the Future Conference

Dr Betty Gikonyo had the privilege of addressing young medical students at an annual conference dubbed “The doctor of the Future”. The conference that was organized by the Association of Medical Students of the University of Nairobi (AMSUN) had students from various institutions including University of Nairobi, Moi University, Egerton University and Kenyatta University.

Dr Gikonyo, the guest speaker at the event, encouraged the young aspiring doctors, “You are doctors at a time when the medical field has become advanced and we are able to treat and perform surgical procedures via telemedicine; advancements in technology have made it not only easier but also better to detect diseases and give the right diagnosis.”

Dr Gikonyo addresses some of the officials of AMSUN

She added that in order to be a doctor of the future, one must be able to see a vision not only in medicine put also in business, “The doctor who not only thinks of how to treat that disease but is also business oriented, willing to interact with various stakeholders and experts in different fields, be it in the private or public sector, to ensure that Kenya has more hospitals, is a doctor of the future.”

The co-founder of the Heart to Heart foundation said that there is no greater joy as a doctor than to give treatment to the people of your country. The foundation that has had over 300 open heart surgeries done in Kenya is the basis of exemplary cardiac services in the country.

Dr Gikonyo With AMSUN Chair and Prof Were

“Think beyond your Grey’s anatomy books and see how you can benefit your fellow countrymen. We need doctors who are bold enough to take that leap in to the future and build hospitals with all the facilities and amenities that will ensure that our citizens do not require to go abroad for their treatment and instead get the treatment at home.”

AMSUN chairperson, Felix Mogaka said that they are venturing in making the doctors of tomorrow more flexible. “This is a unique platform for medical students to not only showcase their research activities but also be inspired by our great speakers from the medical fraternity.”

The two day conference was held at the Brook House School.

Your Health is Your individual responsibility by Dr B.M Gikonyo,CEO Karen Hospital

When is the last time you had a comprehensive Medical check up by a team of expert doctors in a technologically advanced health institution like The Karen Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Many people are collapsing at home with fatal  illnesses that could either be prevented or diagnosed  in earlier stages, making them  untreatable.
Cardiac diseases are a common cause of  Sudden death , stroke, Heart Failure  and is among the top three  causes of deaths due to non communicable diseases .

 That overused and tired expression that the" world has become a Global village" has its relevance in health issues as well. World over we have all come to be culprits; same lifestyle comprised of inactivity ,consuming UNHEALTHY FOODS and  averse  to annual medical check ups that are available in our local hospitals .

 Do not be amongst those who think  that fast foods like Potato Chips, Hamburgers and Pizzas are the only  unhealthy foods. Even that  large Choma feast  , Indian food made with loads of ghee and our very own Chapatis and Pilaus loaded with unhealthy Oils are part of the story.
Today I will only  briefly address Cardiac Health Plan but will in the coming weeks address other common medical problems on this page.

What do you need to do to take care of your Heart?
Three Simple Steps that are scientifically proven and that  we have practiced  for over 30 years as a team of Cardiologists from Nairobi Heart Clinic to The Karen Hospital Nairobi, Kenya..

1.Start by establishing your Baseline status of Cardiac Heath.  How you ask?
Book for a Comprehensice Cardiac Evaluation  that requires overnight fasting, early morning blood Specimens,  Urine etc a cardiologists examination including  BMI, BP , personal and family History,  physical examination, treadmill exercise  Stress test,  24 hour holter monitoring ,24 hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, 12 lead ECG and Pulmonary function test.
After all this further tests like angiograms may be recommended depending on the findings of the above..
You will then be given instructions for  step 2 &3 Below.:

2. Regular exercise like Walking  , Jogging , Swimming, Gymn work out , commensurate with your age and medical FINDINGS. It is good precaution not to engage in vigorous exercise without undergoing stage one above.

pic blackdoctor.org

healthyeating.org

3 Diet. Advice and recommendations will provide to you  on a healthy diet that  is both good for your Heart Health  tailored for your individual needs  and taking into account your preferred diet from locally available ingredients.
 

You will have established a routine Annual plan  and understanding of your Health to truly make YOUR CARDIAC  HEALTH YOUR  PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY .
Take action and book  now for a cardiac medical Check  up today .


For you Inforamation:
We at The Karen Hospital  run  this and other programmes as 24 hours 7 /365 days to suit your busy schedule. Contact  Mercy on +254 721 77 5070  email : mercy.nyakio@karenhospital.org or info@karenhospital.org
We are at your service
Make a Healthy Heart Decision Today ..


Written by
Dr B M Gikonyo.
CARDIOLOGIST 

CEO The Karen Hospital
Follow me on Twitter@DrBettyGikonyo.
Connect  with me on Facebook r Betty Gikonyo

MOTHERS' HELPLINE: Vaginal Hygiene and Disease with Obs&Gyn Dr Kuruga

Q. I started using implant (Family Planning) 3years ago. My libido, together with that of my husband has gone down. Please advice.

The hormones from having the implant can really affect your libido, but not that of your husband. Advice him to see a doctor.

Q.Does the food you eat affect the nature of your vagina?

That is a yes or no question, depending on the person. Let me say maybe. It is important to note that there are some natural foods that can affect the pH of the vagina. Natural Yoghurt and Garlic are known to assist in balancing the vaginal pH and managing vaginal yeast infections.

Q.After giving birth I feel the need to tighten my vaginal muscles, apart from Kegel Exercise, are there any natural means? Some women say they use lemon, but I am afraid of the acidity.

Do not put anything up your vagina, especially not lemons. We never advocate for anything being put up the vagina for treatment. Kegel exercises are the best to help tighten those vaginal muscles. There are Kegel exercise kits like gynaeflex that help remove any uncertainty of muscle tightness reconstruction. The vaginal muscles can also be surgically repaired but the gynecologist must be sort to advice appropriately.

Q.I need to know how to appropriately clean my vagina. I am not a fun of douching and other methods?

Douching can tamper with the balance of the vaginal ph. The vagina cleans itself. Wash externally, avoid getting anything inside.

Q.What causes bleeding after sex, for more than 5 days. It is not my menstrual period?

It is not usual to bleed after sex, see the gynecologist immediately.

Q.How does one know for sure that after giving birth and it has expanded, that they have healed and are back to the size they were before.

You cannot tell the size. You could not tell before neither can you tell after.

Q.Does coil cause dryness during sex in some people? If it does, what's the remedy?

Coil is not known to cause dryness. There are other causes of dryness. You need to seek medical attention. Get examined by a gynecologist and get the right treatment.

Q. What are major causes of bartholin cyst and is there any means to prevent its recurrence?

Bartholin cyst is caused by the blockage of the Bath glands, the tubes from the vagina to the vulva. When they get clocked up, bacteria may take advantage and cause an infection. The cysts range in size from as small as a pea to as big as an egg. The bigger cysts may cause pain. A surgical procedure to permanently leave the gland open can be done to ensure there is no likelihood to develop the cysts.

Q. Can ovarian cyst cause infertility?

It all depends on the type of cyst, as there are various types. Get examined and the cyct examined to determine if it is a likely cause of infertility.

Q.What is that smell that comes from older women e.g. 50 and above? What are the causes? Any remedies?

It is not normal to have a smell down there. It could be due to imbalance of organisms. Seek the gynecologist immediately. If the person observes proper hygiene, regardless of age, there should be no smell at all.