Docotal's blog

Diabetes Mellitus – What is it?  by Dr. Nnamdi Elenwoke Concept Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease which results in high levels of blood glucose. Insulin is the hormone that reduces the glucose level of the blood. But, in diabetes mellitus, the production of insulin or the body’s sensitivity to this hormone is reduced. Diabetes is the 8th most common cause of death worldwide, in between Diarrhoea (7th) and Road accidents (9th). Around 50% of these deaths occur before the age of 70 years. The global prevalence among adults over 18 years of age is 8.5% in 2014, up from 4.7% in 1980. Diabetes is a very important cause of blindness, kidney and heart disease, stroke and lower limb amputation. Types There are 2 main types of diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus type 1 , in which the insulin production of the pancreas is reduced, is diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. Diabetes mellitus type 2 , in which insulin resistance is the main cause, is diagnosed usually after 45 years...

What you need to know In PART I we defined Infertility as failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse (World Health Organization, WHO). The average infertility in Africa is aproximately 10.1 percent (32% in some countries).  Most of the causes are preventable or treatable. In many societies like Nigeria, the populace admits that it is a female issue and male infertility is a taboo plus insult to male dignity. In fact one of the most important causes of divorce in Nigeria is Infertility. Marriage without children is generally considered as a failure. But research has shown that it equally affects men too. In fact around 40% of Infertility is caused by men. This is a major family and society problem. Causes of Male Infertility Most problems of infertility in men is a product of  low sperm quantity or quality. This is seen in more than 90percent of the cases Risk factors linked to male infertility Unhealthy lifestyle Usi...

When Mrs. Abc (name withheld) went to see Dr. Odey, a gynaecologist with experience in Infertility, she said to herself: “ let me try my luck once again ”. For seven years she has been tagged barren by her community and had seen various doctors. “ You have to trust me and be patient ” were the some of the first words this gynecologist told her before he developed a specific program for the downcast woman. He would later start with physical examination then necessary complementary tests including inviting the husband to partake in the program. After some months of intensive study, she became pregnant. “ This is not rocket science ’’… Dr Odey explained to me… “ We do this frequently. You have to understand that people perish because of lack of knowledge and asking wrongfully to God ”. According to the World Health Organization, Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual i...

Adams Oshiomhole, outgone governor of Edo State has been tagged by many as one of the most popular politicians of the country. One of his best practices that most leaders lack is the sense of humility. He commissioned many projects especially Edo Central Hospital. Many people even the president lauded this infrastructure. In a country bedridden by many kleptocrats, a project like this draws important state attention. There are numerous related articles in Nigeria; in July 2014, a former governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan commissioned a swimming pool in Warri City stadium. State celebration is unnecessary if government builds a hospital because it is their right and it is in our constitution. These are excerpts of Chapter II of the Nigerian constitution. Section 17.3 The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that - (a) all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate o...

Do you know that Cardiovascular (heart related) diseases are number one cause of death globally? More than three quarters of these deaths occur in middle and low income countries. Early detection and management is very important to avoid these deaths. Most heart related diseases are preventable if you follow these tips: Tobacco : quit smoking now! Many chemicals in cigarette are poisonous to your body. Even those that constantly inhale smoke in a bar are not saved from heart disease. If you stop smoking today, the risk reduces significantly after one year and equals a non-smoker in 15 years. It is very difficult to stop smoking but it is not impossible because it requires adequate psychology. Exercise : This needs no introduction. Moderate exercise even if it is walking for 30 minutes more than 3 times a week is very good for the heart. Too much exercise induces stress and is not warranted. Benefits of physical activity include: reduction of Diabetes type II risk and weight control, me...

Adams Oshiomhole, outgone governor of Edo State has been tagged by many as one of the most popular politicians of the country. One of his best practices that most leaders lack is the sense of humility. He commissioned many projects especially Edo Central Hospital. Many people even the president  lauded  this infrastructure (photo).  In a country bedridden by many kleptocrats, a project like this draws important state recognition. There are numerous related articles in Nigeria; in July 2014, a former governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan  commissioned  a swimming pool in Warri City stadium. State celebration is unnecessary if government builds a hospital because it is their right and it is in our constitution.                                                                     ...

Do you know that Cardiovascular (heart related) diseases are number one cause of death globally? More than three quarters of these deaths occur in middle and low income countries. Early detection and management is very important  t o avoid these deaths. Most heart related diseases are preventable if you follow these tips: Tobacco : quit smoking now! Many chemicals in cigarette are poisonous to your body. Even those that constantly inhale smoke in a bar are not saved from heart disease. If you stop smoking today, the risk reduces significantly after one year and equals a non-smoker in 15 years. It is very difficult to stop smoking but it is not impossible because it requires adequate psychology. Exercise : This needs no introduction. Moderate exercise even if it is walking for 30 minutes more than 3 times a week is very good for the heart. Too much exercise induces stress and is not warranted. Benefits of physical activity include: reduction of Diabetes type II risk and wei...

Loss of consciousness Fainting is a sudden and brief loss of consciousness, which happens when blood flow to brain suddenly decreases. Doctors call it Syncope. Loss of consciousness Loss of consciousness is when someone cannot respond to his/her surrounding. Lipothymia Lipothymia   is when someone collapses without loss of consciousness. Coma Coma   is a long loss of consciousness and it is related to brain injury. Causes Causes Fainting can occur because of emotional stress (especially when one receives a  bad news), tiredness or heavy sweating, pain, violent coughing or in fact anything that can lead to rapid change in blood pressure and flow to brain including medications like some antihypertensive drugs. WHAT YOU CAN DO 1.   Calmness : very important. The place should have less people possible and well ventilated. 2.   Position : help the person to lie on the flow with the legs raise above the head. Call for help. 3.  Checklist : breath and pulse. (See below) 4. Remove any tig...

Have you ever been in a situation where you meet an unconscious person and you need to call a doctor but lo and behold there is none nearby. Now there are many ways to know if the person is alive. These simple steps can tell you if the person is still alive in the majority of the cases and will come handy one day.  Let’s look at the steps: 1. Breathing : When there is no breathing oxygen flow to heart and body rapidly decrease. Irreversible brain damage begins within 3-6mins in the absence of oxygen.  Check breathing : if you can’t see the movement of the chest, take your ear to his nose and attempt listening. 2. Heartbeat : This means there is no blood flow to organs of the body because the central pump (heart) is shut down. More than 95% of Sudden Cardiac Arrest patients die within 5minutes.  Check pulse : You should use the tip of your index and middle finger. Requires practising and you don’t need to be a professional to know these 2 below:  ...

Wondering what happened after 2:43mins?   That was Ambroz Bajec-Lapajne, the Slovenian opera singer performing Schubert’s ‘Gute Nacht’ during surgery.                     In  Brain Mapping , the Neurosurgeon electro-stimulated the area controlling movement of muscles used for speech. Then during tumour resection, he avoided that area. Tumour removal near this functional area can produce this too.

Approximately 1 out of every 100 people has a mental illness called Schizophrenia or 1 out of every 10 people if there a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or sister) with the disease.