The itching is back
May 01, 2007
Dear Doctor, <br>I have had itching in my private parts since last year. The doctor said I had a urinary tract infection. He gave me vaginal tabs and some for swallowing. I was fine, but now the itching is back. What is the problem?
Ask the Doctor
The itching is back
Dear Doctor,
I have had itching in my private parts since last year. The doctor said I had a urinary tract infection. He gave me vaginal tabs and some for swallowing. I was fine, but now the itching is back. What is the problem?
Hannah
Dear Hannah,
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the body organs which make and store urine. It is very common. Most UTIs are not sexually transmitted. Symptoms include burning urination, with frequent urination.
When treated, the infection will clear, but it can come back, needing more treatment.
To prevent UTIs, always drink lots of water and make sure that you pass urine frequently, say every four hours. Make sure that each time your bladder is completely empty.
Do not hold urine for long. Pass urine immediately after sex. When an infection comes, make sure it is quickly treated.
The other possibility is candida. This is a fungus which lives on our skins, and overgrows in certain cases. Overgrowth causes itching and a white, milk-like discharge. It responds quickly to treatment, but can come back. To prevent it, make sure that you do not take antibiotics unnecessarily.
Honey has medicinal value
Dear Doctor,
I would like you to tell me the uses of honey.
Viola
Dear Viola,
Honey, a product from honey bees is a useful substance which can be used in medicine. It is useful as a food, a food ingredient and a preservative. Different types of honey are supposed to have different properties and uses.
In medicine, there are many reported uses of honey though many claims are not well substantiated. Honey is used in dressing of wounds where it acts as an anti-bacterial agent, promoting wound healing. It is useful in treating sore throat, thus found in some cough medicines. Honey should not be given to children less than one year of age. Their digestive systems are not mature enough. This allows the growth of a bacterial spore found in honey which can cause death of the child from a disease called ‘botulism’.
Swellings on my private parts
Dear Doctor,
I have swellings around my anus. They appear and feel like an ear lobe or an extended piece of flesh. They are painful at times. They have been there for years! The swellings increase when I pass hard stool. What problem is this and what can I do?
Faith
Dear Faith,
These most likely are piles or haemorrhoids. These are varicose veins around the anus which swell because the blood in them does not move normally.
They are caused by a weakness in these veins.
Piles are normally painless and can stay there for years. Repeated constipation, straining on passing urine or a chronic cough can lead to piles. They may come during pregnancy, or become worse.
In most cases, there is no need to do anything. The piles may be just a nuisance swelling. Sometimes the blood in them may clot, or there may be an infection which requires treatment. Also, they may increase in size to a point when they are an inconvenience. One needs surgery to remove them completely.
Dr Paul Semugoma
semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor,
Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug
The itching is back
Dear Doctor,
I have had itching in my private parts since last year. The doctor said I had a urinary tract infection. He gave me vaginal tabs and some for swallowing. I was fine, but now the itching is back. What is the problem?
Hannah
Dear Hannah,
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the body organs which make and store urine. It is very common. Most UTIs are not sexually transmitted. Symptoms include burning urination, with frequent urination.
When treated, the infection will clear, but it can come back, needing more treatment.
To prevent UTIs, always drink lots of water and make sure that you pass urine frequently, say every four hours. Make sure that each time your bladder is completely empty.
Do not hold urine for long. Pass urine immediately after sex. When an infection comes, make sure it is quickly treated.
The other possibility is candida. This is a fungus which lives on our skins, and overgrows in certain cases. Overgrowth causes itching and a white, milk-like discharge. It responds quickly to treatment, but can come back. To prevent it, make sure that you do not take antibiotics unnecessarily.
Honey has medicinal value
Dear Doctor,
I would like you to tell me the uses of honey.
Viola
Dear Viola,
Honey, a product from honey bees is a useful substance which can be used in medicine. It is useful as a food, a food ingredient and a preservative. Different types of honey are supposed to have different properties and uses.
In medicine, there are many reported uses of honey though many claims are not well substantiated. Honey is used in dressing of wounds where it acts as an anti-bacterial agent, promoting wound healing. It is useful in treating sore throat, thus found in some cough medicines. Honey should not be given to children less than one year of age. Their digestive systems are not mature enough. This allows the growth of a bacterial spore found in honey which can cause death of the child from a disease called ‘botulism’.
Swellings on my private parts
Dear Doctor,
I have swellings around my anus. They appear and feel like an ear lobe or an extended piece of flesh. They are painful at times. They have been there for years! The swellings increase when I pass hard stool. What problem is this and what can I do?
Faith
Dear Faith,
These most likely are piles or haemorrhoids. These are varicose veins around the anus which swell because the blood in them does not move normally.
They are caused by a weakness in these veins.
Piles are normally painless and can stay there for years. Repeated constipation, straining on passing urine or a chronic cough can lead to piles. They may come during pregnancy, or become worse.
In most cases, there is no need to do anything. The piles may be just a nuisance swelling. Sometimes the blood in them may clot, or there may be an infection which requires treatment. Also, they may increase in size to a point when they are an inconvenience. One needs surgery to remove them completely.
Dr Paul Semugoma
semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor,
Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug