symptoms – Hello Doctor

The causes and treatment for constant bruising

October 14th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Are you always rushing around and bumping into objects, or sometimes just plain clumsy? Coming up “black and blue” full of bruises can be painful and unsightly. Some bruises are quite harmless, while others can suggest a more serious problem! Have a look.

What is a bruise?

An area of skin discolouration, that does not become pale when you press it.
A common skin bruise due to physical injury. It happens when small blood vessels are damaged, causing blood to leak underneath the skin.
Also known as a “contusion”
A bruise is initially reddish in colour, then becomes blue-purple over a few hours, and finally yellow-brown after a number of days
The skin is usually not broken
Bruises are often tender or painful and associated with swelling

The three types of bruises

Subcutaneous: beneath the skin
Intramuscular: inside the muscle
Periosteal: bruising in a bone

What is purpura?

Purple-coloured spots and patches that occur on the skin and mucous membranes
They occur when small blood vessels leak blood under the skin
They are caused by internal bleeding, not caused by physical injury
Petechiae are purpura spots that are smaller than 3mm in diameter
Ecchymoses are purpura spots that are larger than 1cm in diameter

What are some of the causes of purpura?

Platelets and clotting factors found in our blood helps the blood to clot when you get an injury. The following conditions can lead to these purple-coloured spots (purpura):

a) Normal platelet counts (non-thrombocytopaenic purpura)

Congenital conditions such as CMV or rubella virus (present at birth)
Scurvy (due to severe Vitamin C deficiency)
Weak blood vessels
Inflammation in blood vessels (i.e. Henoch-Schonlein purpura)
Certain medication that affects platelet functioning (i.e. steroids)
Blood clotting disorders

b) Low platelet counts (thrombocytopaenia purpura)

Infection in the blood stream (i.e. meningococcal meningitis)
Immune disorders (ITP – the cause of which is unknown)
Medication that decreases the platelet count
Infants of mothers who have ITP

When should you see a doctor about bruising?

When bruising occurs easily, or without an obvious reason (i.e. without trauma)
If there is swelling and a lot of pain (especially if the person is taking blood-thinner medication)
If you bruise easily, and your gums and/or nose also bleed frequently
When a bruise doesn’t improve in 2 weeks, or doesn’t go away after 4 weeks
If a person cannot remember the injury or had a concussion
When the bruise is under a fingernail, or toenail
If there is a family history of bleeding/clotting disorders

What can you do to prevent unnecessary bruising?

Remove clutter from common walkway paths in your home and office
Use a night-light when getting up at night to use the bathroom
Wear protective clothing when playing contact sport
Wear long-sleeve shirts and trousers to provide extra protection
Monitor the dose of blood-thinner medication, such as warfarin, by having regular blood tests
Make sure rugs and carpets are secure to prevent unnecessary trips or falls
Ensure that electrical cables and telephone cords are out of harm’s way

What can be done to treat a bruise?

Immediate treatment , whilst the bruise is still reddish, is likely to be the most effective
Apply an ice-pack (wrapped in a towel) for 30 minutes , as soon as possible (this reduces swelling and facilitates healing)
If a limb has been injured, elevate your arm or leg above the level of the heart
Rest the bruised area
Consider paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory medication
In some cases, after 48 hours, a warm cloth can be applied for 10 minutes 3x/day

Being constipated can save your life

September 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

We get it. No one wants to talk about bathroom issues. But it’s important to keep track of what’s happening with your internal organs – especially when it comes to “build-up.” This symptom could be a red flag to serious conditions: and getting treatment on time, could mean the difference between life and death!

Why does it happen?

Being constipated can be extremely uncomfortable and miserable as your bowel movements have come to a sudden halt; it’s either really difficult to go or happens less frequently. Constipation will vary for everyone, and is usually related to your regular toilet habits, diet and lifestyle.

Constipation is the condition that happens when the stool sits in the colon for too long as a result of the colon absorbing water from the stool, leaving them dry and hard to pass. Essentially, there’s no “right” amount of bowel movements because everyone’s body functions differently.

Is it worth a doctor’s visit?

Occasional constipation is normal and it happens from time to time. It becomes more common after the age of 50. Unfortunately, constipation is no friend of your prostate gland as the bowel is located by the prostate. Your stools contain loads of toxins and bacteria and may start to leak over to the surrounding tissues; which will directly affect your prostate gland.

Sometimes you may not just be constipated; it could be a sign of prostate or colon cancer. It’s that serious, so don’t overlook it! Getting to a doctor on time, so you can get tested, makes all the difference to catching a sneaky condition before it becomes fatal.

Other red flags to watch out for:

Chronic cough

It could be a sign of heart failure, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of deep lung tissue), asthma, and sinusitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease. When a cough doesn’t go away it could be more serious. See a doctor, especially when you cough blood, lose weight unexpectedly, have trouble breathing and experience chest pain.

A sore that doesn’t heal

A wound or sore that doesn’t recover for weeks and months needs your doctor’s attention. Sores that don’t heal within three months are chronic wounds. They can start small, as a pimple or a scratch. They might scab but don’t actually get better.

Three main chronic wound-categories:

Diabetic ulcer
Wounds are a big risk for diabetics and can lead to amputation.

Venus leg ulcers
An uncontrollable swelling of the legs may leak because it’s overfilled with fluid.

Pressure ulcers
If you’re bedridden or wheelchair-bound you’re at risk for pressure ulcers. This includes spinal cord injuries. Wounds appear when there’s constant pressure that compresses vessels that carry blood to keep body tissues alive.

Symptoms that need a doctor’s attention:

Breathlessness
Loss of appetite
Erectile dysfunction
Unintended weight loss
Blood in your urine
Lower abdominal pain
Chest pain
Persistent vomitting
Leaking urine.

Screen, screen and screen again

Don’t dismiss warning signs. It’s important to get checked out regularly to find problems before they even begin. Early diagnosis means early treatment which is always the best solution for recovery and survival! If you have a symptom that worries you, why not chat to one of our doctors? They can point you in the right direction.

References:

Three home remedies for a runny nose

March 6th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Reaching for the tissues every few minutes? Is your red nose giving Rudolph a run for his money? A runny nose is no fun, but there are simple home remedies to keep that nose from running away with you.

Salt water
Salt water is a fantastic remedy to help clear up a runny nose. It has antibacterial properties, is 100% natural, and you can even use it to help prevent a runny nose during allergy season.

Mix one-half teaspoon of table salt in two cups of warm water.
Using a dropper, place a few drops of the solution into each nostril with your head tilted back.
Inhale very gently to draw the solution further into your nasal passages. Then blow your nose to remove excess mucus and solution.
Do this a few times until you feel relief.
Repeat a couple of times each day until your condition improves.

Turmeric
Turmeric can help with many health conditions, including a runny nose. The herb has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it very effective for treating a runny nose, and a cold.

Soak one-half teaspoon of dry, ground turmeric in a cup of linseed oil. Hold the mixture over heat until it starts smoking. Slowly inhale the smoke through one nostril and then the other. Do this twice daily.
One-half teaspoon of turmeric powder can be taken two times a day. You can have it with some water. This will help loosen the mucus in your body.
Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of water and drink before going to bed. This could offer some relief from a runny nose, a cough, a cold or a sore throat.

Ginger
Ginger has various antioxidants along with antiviral and antibacterial properties. It helps loosen phlegm and also give you relief from respiratory discomforts.

Cut up a few slices of ginger and chew it raw. If you can’t tolerate its strong flavour, use some honey to make it more edible.
Make ginger tea to treat your runny nose. Dice up a small piece of fresh ginger. Place these slices in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes. You may strain or leave the ginger pieces settled at the bottom. You may also add a little honey to this ginger tea.
Inhale steam after boiling some pieces of ginger in a bowl of water.

Although these are not scientifically proven cures, they all offer some symptom relief, with low risks. So that, while can’t yet cure the common cold, we can at least make ourselves a bit more comfortable!

References:

Five reasons you’re feeling dizzy

February 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Dizziness is a common symptom, which may mean different things to different people. Some use it to describe light-headedness, loss of balance, feeling faint or unsteady, or the sensation that the surroundings are spinning.

Because dizziness can be used to describe more than a few feelings, it’s not always easy to identify the underlying cause.

Possible causes:

Postural hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up too fast. When you stand, the blood vessels in your legs constrict which prevents blood from pooling in the veins in your legs. Blood remains in your legs, and the amount of blood returning to your heart is lessened. This means your heart has less blood to pump and you end up feeling dizzy. Postural hypotension is common in diabetics and the elderly.
Cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the heart muscle, which becomes weakened, aged or diseased. This causes your heart to enlarge and lose some of its pumping power. The result: less blood reaches your brain, causing dizziness.
Ear conditions caused by viral infections can also cause dizziness. If you have a dizzy spell when lying down, it’s most likely caused by a viral ear infection. Meniere’s disease (disorder of the inner ear) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) are common conditions that affect your balance and lead to severe dizziness.
Severe anaemia (deficiency of healthy red blood cells) can make you feel tired, weak and dizzy as your blood can’t carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. This is common in women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and people with nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency.

Stop dizziness

Watch what you eat. Extremely sugary and salty foods can leave your head spinning. Excess caffeine and alcohol has the same effect and can cause problems with balance. Avoid or limit your intake of these culprits, and make sure you eat regular, healthy meals.
Take it easy. Get out of bed in stages, stand up slowly, and try not to make any sudden movements. When moving from a seated position to a standing one, flex your legs first to get your circulation going. Focus on an eye-level spot on the wall and take a moment to breathe. Hold onto a stable surface for support, if need be.
Drink up. Dehydration can cause dizzy spells, so make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Make an effort to drink more water. Can’t stand the bland taste? Add slices of lemon and cucumber to perk it up.
Breathe deep. Anxiety and stress can lead to rapid, shallow breathing, and cause dizziness. Soothe your nerves and stress levels with deep breathing. Take deep breaths from your abdomen to get more oxygen. This will also regulate your blood pressure, heart rate and digestion.
Check your meds. Dizziness is a common side-effect of some medications, including blood pressure pills, antihistamines, and antidepressants. If you think your meds are making you shaky, talk to your doctor about changing doses or using a different medication.

References:

What do your nails say about you?

July 3rd, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

No, we’re not talking about the latest manicure trends – your nails (without any cutex) actually give us many clues about your health-status. Just by looking at them, a well trained eye can pick up potential problems! Before you panic when you see this list, it’s important to note that we don’t only use the nails to diagnose, but your nails can give doctors a good sense of what to expect. Continue reading “What do your nails say about you?”

You can’t stop a hangover

April 23rd, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s weekend! you’re planning to relax and have a good time, and that usually includes alcohol. The party is great, but no one likes the hangover that comes the day after. So what is a hangover and how can we make them GO AWAY? Continue reading “You can’t stop a hangover”

Dealing with a yeast infection

October 24th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

There isn’t a single infection that ever looks or sounds pretty, but a yeast infection ranks really high on the “I don’t want that infection” list. Despite its awful name, it’s very common in women – but you’ll be glad to know that it’s completely treatable. So what’s the fuss? Well, for starters, it’s very itchy. Continue reading “Dealing with a yeast infection”

Colds Are The Worst At Night!

September 19th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Do you ever feel like your cold symptoms are worse when you’re trying to go to sleep at night? Not too long ago, a member of the team got sick with a viral throat infection coupled with seasonal allergies. He noticed that he was well enough to be on his feet during the day, but felt awful at night! The symptoms were worse: his nose and sinuses clogged up, coughing increased and his headache was much worse. He wondered why and decided to ask our doctors. Continue reading “Colds Are The Worst At Night!”

There is blood in my saliva! What now?

July 8th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

There is nothing more worrying than seeing blood where there shouldn’t be blood- and blood in the saliva is one of those places. There may be small specks, or there may be quite a lot, either way it is a clear sign that there is something going on. Here are a few common causes: Continue reading “There is blood in my saliva! What now?”

What is a “bleeder”?

April 17th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re amazing. No, really – you are. Just think about your blood, as an example! Blood is a transport system that keeps the whole universe of YOU supplied. It carries in everything your cells need to work, and then it takes all the garbage out afterwards! Your white cells fight infection, and your blood’s platelets know when to clot if you’re injured. Unless you have haemophilia. Continue reading “What is a “bleeder”?”

Tips on how to treat a fever

December 29th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

Not sure what to do when you have a fever? Treating certain illnesses, infections, rashes, aches and pains can be easy and doesn’t always require that you go to the doctor or hospital. Just make sure you’re well equipped with the basics. Take a look at how to identify a fever and what you should do. Continue reading “Tips on how to treat a fever”