My acne spots can’t go away
Jan 24, 2006
Dear Doctor,<br>I had acne on my face and it was treated with acne gel and it went. However, the problem is the spots that have remained all over my face. What can I use to remove them?
My acne spots can’t go away
Dear Doctor,
I had acne on my face and it was treated with acne gel and it went. However, the problem is the spots that have remained all over my face. What can I use to remove them?
Sharon
Dear Sharon,
Acne (embalabe in Luganda) or pimples are a problem that is usually temporary, only present in adolescence. When they are present, it is important not to squeeze them because this can cause scars that are more long lasting.
Removing the scars of acne (or any scar) needs specialised care. It is done with procedures that remove some layers of the skin to a depth depending on the scars and lesions. New skin grows back in the next few days without scars. Removing this skin can be done using special lasers, or chemical peeling, or surgically using a ‘sand papering’ like abrasive technique.
Not all these are available in Uganda, and they need you to be under the care of a specialist.
I suggest that you see a skin specialist (dermatologist) who can give you any necessary referrals.
How can I avoid another stroke?
Dear Doctor,
How does one avoid a stroke if one has had it before? I am 23 and looking for ways to avoid it.
Nelson
Dear Nelson,
A stroke occurs when a vessel supplying blood to part of the brain becomes blocked. The brain cells affected die. Parts of the body controlled by the dead brain cells can no longer work well.
It is very important to prevent strokes, because when brain cells die they cannot be replaced.
Many things may lead to blockages in the blood vessels. The most common are diseases in which deposits of fat form inside. The fat increases slowly and blocks off the vessel, leading to a stroke if the vessel is in the brain, or a heart attack if it is in the heart. This process occurs with increasing age, and is worse in people with diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Controlling these diseases will prevent strokes.
In some people, they are caused by blood clots inside the vessels. The clots block blood flow, leading to strokes. People who have this problem are put on drugs called blood thinners.
Other methods of decreasing chances of getting strokes include taking drugs like aspirin to decrease fat in blood. A good diet with little fat (or cholesterol) and weight control is important, as is stopping smoking.
If you got a stroke before you were 23 years, yours is a special case. You need to go to your doctor to find out what exactly caused it. The doctor will also tell you how to prevent any other strokes.
Dr Paul Semugoma
semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor,
Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug
Dear Doctor,
I had acne on my face and it was treated with acne gel and it went. However, the problem is the spots that have remained all over my face. What can I use to remove them?
Sharon
Dear Sharon,
Acne (embalabe in Luganda) or pimples are a problem that is usually temporary, only present in adolescence. When they are present, it is important not to squeeze them because this can cause scars that are more long lasting.
Removing the scars of acne (or any scar) needs specialised care. It is done with procedures that remove some layers of the skin to a depth depending on the scars and lesions. New skin grows back in the next few days without scars. Removing this skin can be done using special lasers, or chemical peeling, or surgically using a ‘sand papering’ like abrasive technique.
Not all these are available in Uganda, and they need you to be under the care of a specialist.
I suggest that you see a skin specialist (dermatologist) who can give you any necessary referrals.
How can I avoid another stroke?
Dear Doctor,
How does one avoid a stroke if one has had it before? I am 23 and looking for ways to avoid it.
Nelson
Dear Nelson,
A stroke occurs when a vessel supplying blood to part of the brain becomes blocked. The brain cells affected die. Parts of the body controlled by the dead brain cells can no longer work well.
It is very important to prevent strokes, because when brain cells die they cannot be replaced.
Many things may lead to blockages in the blood vessels. The most common are diseases in which deposits of fat form inside. The fat increases slowly and blocks off the vessel, leading to a stroke if the vessel is in the brain, or a heart attack if it is in the heart. This process occurs with increasing age, and is worse in people with diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Controlling these diseases will prevent strokes.
In some people, they are caused by blood clots inside the vessels. The clots block blood flow, leading to strokes. People who have this problem are put on drugs called blood thinners.
Other methods of decreasing chances of getting strokes include taking drugs like aspirin to decrease fat in blood. A good diet with little fat (or cholesterol) and weight control is important, as is stopping smoking.
If you got a stroke before you were 23 years, yours is a special case. You need to go to your doctor to find out what exactly caused it. The doctor will also tell you how to prevent any other strokes.
Dr Paul Semugoma
semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor,
Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug