I’ve got mucus in my throat
Dear Doctor, I get a dry mouth in the morning and sticky mucus in the throat when I drink or eat something. I need to constantly clear my throat to remove the mucus and my colleagues at work are uncomfortable with the habit. I end up feeling pain and severe headache around the left eye. Please help
Dear Doctor, I get a dry mouth in the morning and sticky mucus in the throat when I drink or eat something. I need to constantly clear my throat to remove the mucus and my colleagues at work are uncomfortable with the habit. I end up feeling pain and severe headache around the left eye. Please help. S.J
Dear S.J, You have several problems which may be related. You report dry mouth in the morning, (when you wake up?) and sticky mucus in the throat (all the time). The mucus makes you clear your throat repeatedly and you get severe headache around the left eye. Have you ever had an infection of the sinuses with fever, headache and pus discharge from the nose? Your symptoms may be a complication of such an infection. I suggest you consult an ENT doctor (Ear, Nose & Throat specialist) to evaluate your symptoms. He or she will give you the best advice on what to do.
What do I do about the dandruff?
Dear Doctor, I get dandruff when I plait my hair. It is bad despite using hair oils. When I let my hair free, it is ok. What can I do? Diana
Dear Diana, Dandruff is dead skin flaking off the scalp (head). Dead skin cells are constantly dropping off our skin. With dandruff, the rate of shedding increases. You get white, dead skin scales in your hair that drop onto your shoulders. It is made worse by a common skin fungus. Dandruff is a very common condition which can be treated at home. Your beautician or hair stylist may recommend an anti-dandruff shampoo. Shampoo your hair daily, lather in the shampoo, rubbing it in and let it stay in your hair for five minutes to give it time to work. Rinse thoroughly. Do this for a few days and then you can use the shampoo once in a while. If the dandruff does not respond or is severe, talk to a doctor about it. The doctor may recommend an anti-fungal shampoo for a few weeks. There are some skin conditions which make dandruff worse. Your doctor will be able to guide you.
My hands and feet are always cold
Dear Doctor, My hands and legs in particular get very cold even if the weather is extremely sunny. They are cold as though I've been in a fridge. What could be the problem? Is there any solution? Nancy
Dear Nancy, Some people tend to have colder feet and hands than others. The difference is likely to be in the way that their circulation (blood vessels) is arranged. Usually, this is not of medical concern. You should not be worried by it. It may be of concern if the feet or hands hurt and change colour at the tips when they are cold. If this occurs, please see a doctor about this problem.
Dr Paul Semugoma semugoma@hotmail.com Write to Ask The Doctor, P.O.Box 9815, Kampala or health@newvision.co.ug
Dear S.J, You have several problems which may be related. You report dry mouth in the morning, (when you wake up?) and sticky mucus in the throat (all the time). The mucus makes you clear your throat repeatedly and you get severe headache around the left eye. Have you ever had an infection of the sinuses with fever, headache and pus discharge from the nose? Your symptoms may be a complication of such an infection. I suggest you consult an ENT doctor (Ear, Nose & Throat specialist) to evaluate your symptoms. He or she will give you the best advice on what to do.
What do I do about the dandruff?
Dear Doctor, I get dandruff when I plait my hair. It is bad despite using hair oils. When I let my hair free, it is ok. What can I do? Diana
Dear Diana, Dandruff is dead skin flaking off the scalp (head). Dead skin cells are constantly dropping off our skin. With dandruff, the rate of shedding increases. You get white, dead skin scales in your hair that drop onto your shoulders. It is made worse by a common skin fungus. Dandruff is a very common condition which can be treated at home. Your beautician or hair stylist may recommend an anti-dandruff shampoo. Shampoo your hair daily, lather in the shampoo, rubbing it in and let it stay in your hair for five minutes to give it time to work. Rinse thoroughly. Do this for a few days and then you can use the shampoo once in a while. If the dandruff does not respond or is severe, talk to a doctor about it. The doctor may recommend an anti-fungal shampoo for a few weeks. There are some skin conditions which make dandruff worse. Your doctor will be able to guide you.
My hands and feet are always cold
Dear Doctor, My hands and legs in particular get very cold even if the weather is extremely sunny. They are cold as though I've been in a fridge. What could be the problem? Is there any solution? Nancy
Dear Nancy, Some people tend to have colder feet and hands than others. The difference is likely to be in the way that their circulation (blood vessels) is arranged. Usually, this is not of medical concern. You should not be worried by it. It may be of concern if the feet or hands hurt and change colour at the tips when they are cold. If this occurs, please see a doctor about this problem.
Dr Paul Semugoma semugoma@hotmail.com Write to Ask The Doctor, P.O.Box 9815, Kampala or health@newvision.co.ug