Diary of a Doctor

Summer is around the corner and we are seriously looking forward to loads of sunshine and happiness associated with it. This makes it imperative to remind ourselves of the importance of drinking water. Almost everybody knows that drinking water is good, but not everybody can give specific details on all the health benefits of drinking water. Water is a universal solvent. The chemical composition of living cells comprises of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and phosphorus which normally make up more than 99% of the mass of living cells. 99% of molecules inside living cells are water molecules . Living cells are composed of about 70% water. Water is very important to every living thing on earth. All forms of terrestrial life require water. There is an adage from my fatherland that says "No one forms enmity against water". Meaning  that water is everybody's 'friend'. A human can go for more than three weeks without food, after all Mah...

Spring is a beautiful time of the year many people look forward to because of all the lovely flowers blooming everywhere in their resplendent awesomeness. A great relief from the dreary winter months is not exactly a bad idea. However, many dread it because of the accompanying pollen grains everywhere which simply brings on allergy symptoms for so many people. I understand many folks have to visit their primary care physicians, extra visits to the pediatrician (not for well child visits though) and many have to simply get the nebulizing kit out and within easy reach. Allergy season can start as early as January in Southern states and linger into November. If there was harsh winter then the start of pollen season will be delayed. For people with seasonal allergies it means a lot of sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. Tonnes of used tissue papers from running nose that doesn't stop dripping. For some it could herald a nightmare. This is usually triggered by tr...

Teething is a natural physiological process that children have to go through even though the pattern varies from child to child. A teething child may be very irritable, but the parents or the care givers too go through their own measure of emotional pain while trying to empathize with the child. Teething can be defined as the eruption through the gums of the primary teeth. This is also called the deciduous or milk teeth. Teething is a normal undertaking that occurs in babies as they mature and get ready to take on the world and what it has to offer ranging from eating and actually chewing , for example meat, to crushing bones at some point as they grow to maturity. Now let me teach you a tiny bit of anatomy . During the 6th week of embryonic life or in-utero (this is when the baby is still in the womb and just an embryo) the formation of embryonic cells or toothbuds which eventually form the teeth commences. By 8th week, the tooth buds of all the primary teeth can be dis...

Flu season in the United States typically starts from October and extend as far as May each year. The current flu season, in spite of the  high morbidity and mortality we have experience so far,  is yet to peak. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February but can last as late as May. You should get your vaccine now if you have not got it yet this season. It is best to get vaccinated before flu begins to spread in your community. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body to protect against the flu. Do not think it is too late to get your flu shot, it is never too late to make the right decision. The right decision here is ensuring that you get your shot and also ensure that all your loved ones do the same. I actually did an elaborate article on how to keep yourself  safe from the flu. You can read about it here . Now, I am not a "flu police" or a "prophet of doom", I am just a lady who is committed to keeping my ...

My goal is to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle which was why I came up with the lemon water challenge to start with.  I very much prefer people to stay healthy through prevention rather than having to come see me for treatment in the hospital. I  recently completed what I call the modified lemon water challenge - a 30-day weight loss regimen for people who would love to shed some weight to stay healthy. The first part was just the lemon water challenge. You can read about that here . Change I believe is something that starts from the mind. When you make up your mind to do something then nothing can stop you from achieving it. You are your own greatest hindrance if you allow it. I for one could not  believe I can ever do without sugar but thanks to the modified lemon water challenge, I GAVE UP SUGAR! Today I am 90 days "sugar sober". The following things are needed for this challenge:  -A journal (to record your weight daily and put a tick when you dri...

The Influenza (flu) season is upon us. Actually it has been for a while. In the United States, the flu season is considered October through May. It usually peaks in February. In Australia, the flu season is considered May to October. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some of the symptoms include the following: Fever (not everyone with flu will have fever) Cough Sore throat Running Nose Headache Muscle or body aches Fatigue (extreme tiredness) Vomiting and diarrhea (more common presentation in children) Getting an annual flu vaccine one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.  In 2017, a study   in Pediatrics was the firs...

According to Wikipedia, time is "indefinite continued progress of existence and events that occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future. In history, a large variety of devices have been invented to measure time. The study of all these devices is called  horology - the art or science of measuring time. Various instruments are used to measure time include clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, hourglasses, clepsydras, timers, time recorders,marine chronometers and atomic clocks. I went to a shopping mall one day and I came across this really pretty hourglass decoration (shown in the picture below) and was inspired to write this piece. The flow of sand in an hourglass can be used to measure the passage of time. It also concretely represents the present as being between the past and the future. I thought to myself, this was how some people at a certain era measured time. How did they come up with the idea and why was it so ...