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Thursday, April 25, 2024
Tags Posts tagged with "Doctors"

Doctors

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Encephalitis is a rare condition that is most often caused by viruses (viral encephalitis). It can also be caused by non-infectious diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematous and Behcet’s disease (an autoimmune disorder). The leading cause of severe encephalitis is the herpes simplex virus.

Other causes include enterovirus infections or mosquito-borne viruses; Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE); Western equine encephalitis (WEE); Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE); Japanese encephalitis; and Zika virus.

The very young and the elderly are more likely to have more severe encephalitis.

Exposure to viruses can occur through breathing in respiratory droplets from infected people, certain insect bites, and direct skin contact.

What are encephalitis symptoms and signs?
The signs and symptoms of encephalitis can range from very mild flu-like symptoms to potentially life-threatening events. Signs and symptoms of encephalitis include sudden fever, headache, vomiting, visual sensitivity to light, stiff neck and back, confusion, drowsiness, unsteady gait, irritability, loss of consciousness, poor responsiveness, seizures, muscle weakness, sudden severe dementia, and memory loss.

How do health care professionals diagnose encephalitis?
A health care professional diagnoses encephalitis after performing a thorough history and exam. The exam will incorporate special techniques to look for signs of inflammation of the membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain (meninges). The doctor will order specific tests to help determine the diagnosis.

Tests that evaluate individuals suspected of having encephalitis include cerebrospinal fluid analysis, brain scanning such as computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)/ Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and an evaluation of the blood for infection and the presence of bacteria.

The most common method of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (or CSF) for examination is a spinal tap. A spinal tap, or lumbar puncture (LP), involves the insertion of a needle into the fluid within the spinal canal. The needle goes between the spine’s bony parts until it reaches the CSF. A medical professional then collects a small amount of fluid to send to the laboratory for an exam.

Evaluating the CSF is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of encephalitis and to decide on the best treatment options.

Abnormal spinal fluid results confirm the diagnosis and, in the event of an infection, by identifying the organism that caused the infection.

What is the treatment of encephalitis?
People require urgent treatment with antibiotics and/or antiviral medications if a physician suspects that person has encephalitis. Patients may need to take sedatives for irritability or restlessness. Doctors may administer other medications to decrease fever or treat headaches.

Prevention
Basic steps to avoid the spread of infections (handwashing, covering mouth when coughing, etc.) can help prevent encephalitis.

*Dr. Nwaoney is an epidemiologist, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Medical Director of Richie Hospital and El Shaddai Group.

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A medical practitioner, Dr. Niyi Osamiluyi, has faulted the recently approved National Health Policy, which put the number of doctors in the country at about 65,000.

Osamiluyi, who pioneered the use of mobile technology to deliver staged-based health education to expectant and new mothers in the country, said the figure was far from reality.

He said, “As a medical doctor who graduated in Nigeria, I can easily tell that the figure for the total number of doctors in the country is not correct. They are at best an estimate or extrapolation of all the doctors that have ever been produced in Nigeria.

“How do I know? Upon graduation, every doctor is issued a registration number by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. When I multiply the number of years of post-graduation by 2,300 and then add it to my registration number, the result is approximately what is presented as the number of doctors in Nigeria.”

The recently approved National Health Policy states that there were about 65,000 doctors in Nigeria by 2012 and that 2,300 doctors are produced in the country every year.

But Osamiluyi faulted the claim, saying that the population of doctors in the country was less than that.

“Neither does it discount doctors that have left the shores of Nigeria for the United Kingdom, United States of America, South Africa and other countries.

“Every year, between a quarter and a third of graduating doctors travel out of the country in search of greener pastures. Some join non- governmental organisations and health maintenance organisations. Some even leave the health sector entirely like our current Minister of Industry Trade and Investment.

“In my opinion, we probably have less than 35,000 doctors practising in Nigeria and they are responsible for the care of about 180 million people. That is, a doctor-patient ratio of about 1: 5,000. The value in South Africa is 1: 1,300. The World Health Organisation recommends 1: 600.

“Among this, we have only about 53 neuro surgeons, including those that have relocated to either South Africa, Canada or the United States. We have less than 2,000 obstetricians  and gynaecologists available to provide specialist care to the 6.6 million births every year,” he said.

PUNCH.

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I was going to write about deep vein thrombosis. This is blood clot in the veins, especially in the leg, that can travel to the lungs and cause sudden death. The article touched on this a little bit. I wanted to ask those travelling long distances to places, such as the United States of America, China and India, to be aware of this killer and to ensure that they actively protect themselves against it.

However, you have to wait till next week for the article. There is something very important to talk about this week. Yes, it is even more important than blood clots in the legs of travelers!

Strike action

I heard that doctors in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, went on strike to protest the continued kidnapping of physicians in the state. This was a very timely and a decisive tactic seeking to draw the attention of the public and the government to the growing menace.

A female doctor, Dr. I. B. Apriokor, who works with the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, in Port Harcourt, was kidnapped by gunmen on her way to church.

The only neurologist at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Obiabo Yahaya, was also abducted by gunmen who trailed him to his house. He was said to have been kidnapped at about 8:30 pm while trying to enter his compound.

Also, three doctors on a medical mission were kidnapped in Imo State. It was reported that the three medical doctors had hardly arrived at their operational base at the Isu Local Government Area, when they were forcefully stopped by suspected kidnappers and taken away at gunpoint.

What planet are we on?

For God’s sake, how stupid can it get? What is going on in God’s-own-country? What fools see doctors, humanitarians, as targets for kidnapping? Doctors have been kidnapped in almost all the 36 states of the federation and very little has been done by the government to check the trend. Do we know the number of those that have kidnapped? Is someone keeping count? What is going on here? Sorry, but this is not normal.

Doctors heal

Doctors do not question who you are. It does not matter if you are poor or rich, male or female, God-fearing or a criminal. We are sworn to treat everyone and give the best care, regardless of your ethnic origin or religious affiliation. Doctors swear an oath, which affirms that they are valuable members of the society and they are blessed with special obligations to all fellow human beings. They help to preserve lives and heal the sick so that they can experience the joy of healing those who seek their help. They are asked not to violate the oath so they can be respected while alive and remembered with affection thereafter, not sent to the thereafter by kidnappers!

Biting the hand that feeds

You cannot traumatise the same doctors, making them wary of all who come before them and, therefore, distracted from providing the care required. Doctors are slowly becoming endangered species and difficult to find on the streets of Port Harcourt, Owerri and Akure. Perhaps, we need armed rangers and a fenced enclosure to keep the numbers of doctors from dwindling to zero!

The dangers

Doctors are now difficult to identify as they strip their cars of all stickers saying, ‘Doctor’ or make any reference to the Nigeria Medical Association. Many of them are now wary of going out late in the evening for fear of being targeted by kidnappers. So, if you are going to be sick, ensure that it is between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm in the evening.

Doctors also have to protect themselves from attacks in the clinic and hospital. Perhaps, it is time to have massive gates and security in the hospital. Before anyone is admitted, they have to show their wounds, pregnancy with the baby’s head about to drop or evidence of loose stool at the gates. We could have a closed circuit camera at the gates for history taking and even teach the security man how to take blood pressure and temperature. Only those with deranged blood tests to be allowed into the hospital and, even then, the doctor will only appear after more verification of a real life situation.

Action stations please

One begins to wonder why the law enforcement agencies are not doing something about this development. The police in Imo State asked all public-spirited individuals and community leaders to come up with useful information that would help to bust this and other criminal activities in the state.

While this is important, the police authorities must actively cultivate and develop an intelligence gathering system and share information with other units throughout the country. They use modern technology and the teeming population of unemployed youths currently roaming the streets as informants and pay them for services rendered. There should be no hiding place for kidnappers in Nigeria.

Doctors need protection from these criminals and the Federal Government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting all citizens.

PUNCH.

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Physicians and heart specialists have raised the alarm over the deaths of more wealthy Nigerians through heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.

Heart specialists, who spoke to our correspondent, noted that Sudden Death Syndrome is on the rise and more common among top business executives and those in the high-income bracket.

According to Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Nsukka Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Ben Anisuba, many rich Nigerians and top business men are suffering from diseases that can lead to sudden death when they are not well managed.

Anisuba said, “Rich Nigerians are more prone to heart attack than the poor. This is because health conditions that can lead to sudden death are more common among the rich. The rich can afford to eat foods that cause high blood pressure and high cholesterol every day. Obesity related to diet is one major issue why affluent Nigerians are dying.”

The cardiologist, however, noted that some deaths among the rich would have been avoidable if they had respected the advice of their physicians.

Anisuba added, “The rich, especially those who hold high political positions, must have physicians that are close to them. I mean physicians, who can anticipate unfortunate health situations and advise them accordingly. We have advised some politicians to forgo their ambition and they did. Today, they are alive. But not many will adhere to this advice.”

But another cardiologist, Dr. Moronkola Ramon, viewed the health challenge from a different perspective. Ramon, a member of staff of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi- Araba, alleged that many rich Nigerians, especially public office holders, cared less about having Nigerian physicians. According to him, many rich Nigerians prefer to seek treatment abroad.

Ramon said, “Instead of doing regular medical checkups with physicians in Nigeria, they prefer to go abroad. A doctor that has monitored you over time can easily detect some of your challenging health conditions. A yearly or quarterly check-up abroad with a doctor that does not know your health history, especially as you grow older, will not be of immense help you.”

The heart specialist, who also canvassed the need to compel public office holders to seek treatment locally, added that the sedentary lifestyle they led was another elixir for heart attack and sudden death.

He said, “The affluence that comes with political offices in Nigeria is alarming. For instance, a man who used to be slim will suddenly become fat after taking up a political position. He will suddenly start drinking more alcohol and eating westernised foods that encourage weight gain.

“They have chefs, drivers and others employed to do everything for them. They are not tasking themselves physically and the result is weight gain and the accompanying heart attack and sudden death.”

Consultant Neurologist, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, also admitted that there was increase in such deaths in urban cities, especially in Lagos and Abuja.

The neurologist identified increasing incidence of stroke, which can lead to a heart attack or sudden death as reasons for the trend.

He added, “We are seeing more cases of people suddenly slumping and dying in an urban city like Lagos. We assume that stress arising from the economic downturn, poverty, politics and re-election, is a viable risk factor.

“The actual cause of the sudden death is either stroke or a heart attack. The two organs, namely the brain and the heart can stop working and cause immediate death. Stroke is brain attack and it is on the increase in Nigeria.

PUNCH.

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