ASK THE DOCTOR
Apr 24, 2007
Why do I eat soil?<br>Dear Doctor,<br>I am not pregnant but I eat a lot of soil (clay) like pregnant women do. I cannot sleep without doing so. Sometimes it is difficult and painful to pass stool. I do not know how it all started. Am I lacking something?<br>Ruth
Why do I eat soil?
Dear Doctor,
I am not pregnant but I eat a lot of soil (clay) like pregnant women do. I cannot sleep without doing so. Sometimes it is difficult and painful to pass stool. I do not know how it all started. Am I lacking something?
Ruth
- Dear Ruth,
I think the desire to eat soil is as a result of something missing in your diet, usually a mineral salt or vitamin. Iron is one salt that is commonly missing. It is found in soil. It is needed to make blood. The need for iron is increased during pregnancy, which is why many pregnant women crave soil or clay. Some eat soil because of traditional beliefs. The habit is not good because the missing mineral may not be found in the soil. So the craving does not go away. It is possible you are eating parasites eggs (worms) with the soil, which explains why you are getting constipation. See a doctor about this problem. If you are lacking iron, the doctor will give you iron tablets for a few months. This would solve the problem. You will also get good advice on balancing your diet.
Do pills cause Dawn’s Syndrome?
Dear Doctor,
My friends say that taking the family planning pill will make me to give birth to a baby with Down’s Syndrome. Is this true? What is the right age for one to give birth to a normal child?
P
- Dear P,
Down’s syndrome is a disorder of the genetic material of a person. It leads to mental retardation. Family planning (contraceptive) pills do not cause it. A woman can give birth to a normal child anytime when she is fertile between puberty and menopause. Pregnancy and delivery may be complicated when one is very young or very old, so doctors advise women not to become pregnant near the extremes. Older mothers have an increased risk of having a child with Down ’s syndrome. Do not stop using the pill for family planning if you still need it. It is safe.
My penis is too small
Dear Doctor,
I am 17 years old. My penis has not grown yet but I have grown a lot of pubic hair. I am wondering if there is anything wrong with me.
Adam
- Dear Adam,
During puberty our bodies change and mature. The changes are many and include the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics like pubic hair, facial hair and the growth of the penis. Puberty does not occur at the same time for everyone. At 17 and with the development of the pubic hair, you have certainly started puberty, but it has not yet ended. So most likely your penis is still growing. The best advice is not to worry. You are still developing. See a doctor so that you get reassurance and any intervention necessary.
----------------------------------------
Dr. Paul Semugoma, semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor, Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug
Dear Doctor,
I am not pregnant but I eat a lot of soil (clay) like pregnant women do. I cannot sleep without doing so. Sometimes it is difficult and painful to pass stool. I do not know how it all started. Am I lacking something?
Ruth
- Dear Ruth,
I think the desire to eat soil is as a result of something missing in your diet, usually a mineral salt or vitamin. Iron is one salt that is commonly missing. It is found in soil. It is needed to make blood. The need for iron is increased during pregnancy, which is why many pregnant women crave soil or clay. Some eat soil because of traditional beliefs. The habit is not good because the missing mineral may not be found in the soil. So the craving does not go away. It is possible you are eating parasites eggs (worms) with the soil, which explains why you are getting constipation. See a doctor about this problem. If you are lacking iron, the doctor will give you iron tablets for a few months. This would solve the problem. You will also get good advice on balancing your diet.
Do pills cause Dawn’s Syndrome?
Dear Doctor,
My friends say that taking the family planning pill will make me to give birth to a baby with Down’s Syndrome. Is this true? What is the right age for one to give birth to a normal child?
P
- Dear P,
Down’s syndrome is a disorder of the genetic material of a person. It leads to mental retardation. Family planning (contraceptive) pills do not cause it. A woman can give birth to a normal child anytime when she is fertile between puberty and menopause. Pregnancy and delivery may be complicated when one is very young or very old, so doctors advise women not to become pregnant near the extremes. Older mothers have an increased risk of having a child with Down ’s syndrome. Do not stop using the pill for family planning if you still need it. It is safe.
My penis is too small
Dear Doctor,
I am 17 years old. My penis has not grown yet but I have grown a lot of pubic hair. I am wondering if there is anything wrong with me.
Adam
- Dear Adam,
During puberty our bodies change and mature. The changes are many and include the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics like pubic hair, facial hair and the growth of the penis. Puberty does not occur at the same time for everyone. At 17 and with the development of the pubic hair, you have certainly started puberty, but it has not yet ended. So most likely your penis is still growing. The best advice is not to worry. You are still developing. See a doctor so that you get reassurance and any intervention necessary.
----------------------------------------
Dr. Paul Semugoma, semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor, Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug