Ask a Doctor
Nov 14, 2006
Fibroids are common swellings in the uterus. They grow slowly and may disturb the functioning of the uterus, causing symptoms which last for years.
Help, I have fibroids
Dear Lin,
Fibroids are common swellings in the uterus. They grow slowly and may disturb the functioning of the uterus, causing symptoms which last for years.
The way fibroids are treated depends on age, size of the fibroids and symptoms and your plans of having a family.
If they are small, without symptoms, your gynaecologist may recommend continuous follow-up. If there are some symptoms, painkillers, iron tablets or hormonal (contraceptive) pills may be recommended.
If the symptoms are severe, surgery may be recommended. In surgery, either the fibroids or the whole uterus may be removed.
To make an informed decision, discuss the issue with your gynecologist or seek a second opinion.
I am 29 but still wet bed
Dear Doctor,
I am 29 years old, but when I am deep asleep, I wet myself in some sort of dream. This happens once every two months. What can I do, I am getting married soon?
Miss Worried
Dear Miss Worried,
You are talking of occasional bed-wetting as an adult. It is not a common problem, but can be very embarrassing.
It is commonly caused by psychological reasons like being stressed, alcohol and other sleeping medicines, urinary tract infections and diabetes. Sometimes the cause is not known.
Measures to control it include urinating before going to bed, not taking alcohol if it leads to bed-wetting and urinating after sex.
You should see a doctor, who will investigate the history of this problem. The doctor may recommend some drugs.
It is important to deal with the underlying cause of this problem. The fact that you do not wet the bed all the time, this problem can be controlled.
My girlfriend has many nipples
Dear Doctor,
My fiancée has two ‘nipple-like’ growths near her armpits, on either side, which look like breast nipples.
She was born with them and they kept growing. She is now 21. What causes this? How can they be removed?
Confused Mude
Dear Mude,
During early development of a baby in the womb, the tissue which develops into the human breast, is put in two lines, starting at the armpit down to the stomach.
Normally, this changes as the child develops, until only two breasts remain. But in a few cases, nipples with breast tissue remain, forming ‘accessory nipples’.
As the person grows, they develop like the other breasts, though they may be smaller. They are actually breasts in an abnormal position and may produce breast milk.
Accessory breasts can be removed at surgery. This is important for psychological reasons. Do not fear your girl, because it is just an abnormality which can easily be corrected. Advise her to see a surgeon.
Dr. Paul Semugoma – semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor, Box 9815, Kampala OR health@newvision.co.ug
Dear Lin,
Fibroids are common swellings in the uterus. They grow slowly and may disturb the functioning of the uterus, causing symptoms which last for years.
The way fibroids are treated depends on age, size of the fibroids and symptoms and your plans of having a family.
If they are small, without symptoms, your gynaecologist may recommend continuous follow-up. If there are some symptoms, painkillers, iron tablets or hormonal (contraceptive) pills may be recommended.
If the symptoms are severe, surgery may be recommended. In surgery, either the fibroids or the whole uterus may be removed.
To make an informed decision, discuss the issue with your gynecologist or seek a second opinion.
I am 29 but still wet bed
Dear Doctor,
I am 29 years old, but when I am deep asleep, I wet myself in some sort of dream. This happens once every two months. What can I do, I am getting married soon?
Miss Worried
Dear Miss Worried,
You are talking of occasional bed-wetting as an adult. It is not a common problem, but can be very embarrassing.
It is commonly caused by psychological reasons like being stressed, alcohol and other sleeping medicines, urinary tract infections and diabetes. Sometimes the cause is not known.
Measures to control it include urinating before going to bed, not taking alcohol if it leads to bed-wetting and urinating after sex.
You should see a doctor, who will investigate the history of this problem. The doctor may recommend some drugs.
It is important to deal with the underlying cause of this problem. The fact that you do not wet the bed all the time, this problem can be controlled.
My girlfriend has many nipples
Dear Doctor,
My fiancée has two ‘nipple-like’ growths near her armpits, on either side, which look like breast nipples.
She was born with them and they kept growing. She is now 21. What causes this? How can they be removed?
Confused Mude
Dear Mude,
During early development of a baby in the womb, the tissue which develops into the human breast, is put in two lines, starting at the armpit down to the stomach.
Normally, this changes as the child develops, until only two breasts remain. But in a few cases, nipples with breast tissue remain, forming ‘accessory nipples’.
As the person grows, they develop like the other breasts, though they may be smaller. They are actually breasts in an abnormal position and may produce breast milk.
Accessory breasts can be removed at surgery. This is important for psychological reasons. Do not fear your girl, because it is just an abnormality which can easily be corrected. Advise her to see a surgeon.
Dr. Paul Semugoma – semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor, Box 9815, Kampala OR health@newvision.co.ug