Every woman should have her day, at least once a year. That means a visit to your friendly GP. You probably maintain your home and car with loving care. How much more important is your body, the most amazing machine ever created. Plan well ahead. Ideally pre-inform your doctor you want a "physical check". It may take a bit longer. This is what you can expect.
A review of your health history since the last visit. Any symptom, especially new ones. He/she will go through a routine list, and ask more questions. Some may be a bit intimate – don't worry, the doctor has asked (and heard) them all before, and so probably have you.
Then comes a "physical". Most doctors have a set routine. Each system is checked – it doesn't take too long. Weight, BMI, height, blood pressure, pulse, listening to the heart and lungs, checking abdomen (for lumps, or tenderness), head, ear nose throat, reflexes. Limbs and joints.
PELVIC CHECK
Pelvic region. A manual examination (for uterine or ovarian irregularities, swellings, tenderness, lumps.) A smear test (and simultaneously a check for any other suspect pathology, including monilia, or chlamydia, now widespread in younger women. Breast check (very important). All four quadrants, then the nipple region.
After this, any abnormalities may require follow up intervention (such as ECG for heart, chest imaging if any query, mammogram – an annual event for women over 50 – 40 in some states – or ultrasound if younger and any suspicions. Most doctors order a blood work out, which checks dozens of routine chemistry levels and cell counts. This in itself can be very rewarding. Elevated sugar is becoming the commonest abnormality in anyone aged from 20 to 70, indicating Diabetes 2.
HEALTH ADVICE
There may follow some general advice, maybe a follow up consultation to discuss any tests – or this maybe conveyed via a phone call. Depends on the results, and the general routine. Many doctors offer general advice, specially regarding lifestyle modifications, dietary recommendations, exercise routines, which can offer so much in "prevention", as well as treatment itself.
You will come away with a light wonderful feeling in your heart and mind. Knowing your health, the worlds most amazing gift, is going well. Or if not, you're having the gaps plugged to minimise future risks.
DUPYTRENS CONTRACTURE
Q:
My dad is developing hard lumps on his palm, and the fourth and fifth fingers have slowly started to curl inwards. Is it catching?
A:
This is Dupytrens contracture. It is caused by low grade inflammation of the tendons travelling across the palm to the finger bones, which then fibrose and become hard, then shorten drawing the finger inwards. Early intervention is suggested. Some use steroid injections. Others recommend plastic surgery by a hand surgeon. Most gain reasonable outcomes. There is a genetic predisposition – that means you may inherit the tendency. It was once thought to be due to irritation of reins when transport was horse and cart.
I often suffer from horrible sweaty palms, even in cool weather. It is worse if under pressure.
A:
There are thousands of sweat glands, predominantly on the palms, scalp, underarm, groin and feet. They are very sensitive to nervous impulses, when they exude heaps of fluid, called sweat. Perspiration is meant to dry out, cool the skin and reduce body heat. Today, Botox injections can assist (but repeat shots 3-6 monthly may be needed.) Cervical sympathectomy (cutting a nerve in the neck) was once widely done, but produces a very dry arm and hand. Medical hypnotherapy is also vey effective. Surgically removing an armpit gland is also successful.
Any infection in any age is best avoided if possible. Mumps is caused by a virus, affecting the parotid, a large salivary gland below and in front of the ear on each side of the face. It becomes swollen and very tender. Often with fever, aches and pains, and feeling unwell. Most heal. Occasionally the virus travels to the brain, causing serious meningitis, but rare. Also, it may find its way to the testes (in males) and the ovaries (in females). This can lead to subsequent sterility, and was a fairly common cause. Today, with universal use of MMR vaccine in infancy, this should vanish.
Do doctors expect bird flu to again hit Australia?
A:
The answer is "Yes, it's only a matter of time". This is one of the many variants to the influenza virus, and there are thousands, and they change every year. HINI flu virus is similar to the Spanish flu of 1918 which killed millions. It contains a slight variant in its genetic code that is lethal, unlike most cither similar viruses. We've had the Hong Kong flu, the Swine Flu, SAARS, and others of lesser severity. Only vigilance in preventing it from entering Australia will save the day. But many fear it may come from wild migrating birds. A universal vaccine maybe on the way.
What's the best way to take grain foods and cereals?
A:
Eating them as near to their natural form as possible is best. That's why whole-grain is best, whether it be as flour, bread, breakfast cereals (weet-bix, granola, and similar), ideally they are unrefined and unprocessed, and without added sugars, and with the outer bran layer included if possible.
Coughs, colds, aches and pains, feeling off colour, painful joints, sweaty and miserable? Whatever your symptom, or illness, Dr James Wright. may help you, and answer your questions.
Simply log onto docwright.com.au type in your symptom in the space, on the left hand column, click and up it comes. Simple easy-to-follow information Dr Wright has written over the past several years. Then click contact us if you have a special message.
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
You can subscribe (no cost) to Dr James Wright's Monthly Health Letter. Log onto Vimiera Retirement Village , click contact us or Newsletter, enter your email address which will then arrive each month. Again, chocful of up-to-date health tips.
Dr James Wright is associated with lovely Vimiera Retirement Village (“vimieravillage.com.au) in the leafy Sydney NSW suburb of Eastwood. It is operated by Mediaid Centre Foundation (mediaid.org.au), a non profit Public Benevolent Institution which provides housing for the elderly, as well as providing a large amount of health information.
