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| Sun, 15th January 2012 |
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Vitamin B12 is vital for good health. It is essential for releasing energy from food, maintaining healthy nerves, blood cells, skin and hair, It helps proteins and fats to be utilised by the body, also essential in general growth and development. It also helps produce our DNA genetic material. In general living, a deficiency may lead to a serious blood condition called "pernicious anaemia", once fatal. Also, it adversely affects the nervous system. Common symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, light headedness, headache and irritability. Other symptoms include nausea, lack of appetite, sore mouth, diarrhoea, abnormal gait, loss of sensations in hands and feet, confusions, memory loss and depression. In short, a formidable list. (See yourself there somewhere?) We need 2.4 mcg a day, with a blood level of 220 or more. Now, many follow a vegetarian diet, like me (and my mum who lived to 100) and wonder if they are receiving an adequate amount of B12, especially as meat and fish are the richest natural source. Fortunately, it is found in many other readily available foods. These include cottage cheese, eggs (boiled, scrambled, omelette). Whole milk, yoghurt and cheddar cheese. Any of the above symptoms warrant a full blood work-out including vitamin B12. If low, it is easily treated with vitamin B12. In tablet form, it must be taken one hour before food, but a single injection of long acting "Neo-cytamen 1000" twice a year (as I do) is much simpler, and relatively cheap. The results are quick and may be amazingly positive. |
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| NOSEBLEED |
Q: |
My 15 year old has recurring nose bleeds. What to do? | |
A: | Most are due to picking, caused by fluids drying in the nasal canals causing irritation. Worsens with constant repetition. Sometimes a large vessel on the septum readily bleeds with minor injury. Regularly using a salt water nasal spray moistens and relieves. (Narium Mist) The nose doctor may permanently remove the vessel with cautery under local anaesthesia. A blood test occasionally reveals an internal hidden nasty. Never neglect. | |
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| ONE NIGHT STAND |
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I recently had a "one night stand" with an unknown partner, and am now terrified I might have "caught something". What now? | |
A: | There are heaps of hidden nasties readily transmitted at the bewitching hour with strangers. See your GP who may decide to prescribe antibiotics "just in case". Serious issues won't become evident in tests for days, weeks or months. Meantime, have Hepatitis A and B vaccination, HPV (if female). Report any symptoms to your doctor. Always carry condoms whether male or female. Still the best safety strategy for provocative situations. | |
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| HEARING AID |
Q: |
Mum has never ending trouble with her hearing aid which cost $8,500. | |
A: | Tiny batteries, microscopic mechanism, and demon wax pose continual problems. The little narrow tubes must be cleaned daily. A speck of wax makes them inoperative. Ideally apply instructions in simple words (use diagrams) to a sheet of paper and adhere to this daily. Otherwise it's easy to forget. Clean and test every morning before insertion. | |
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| HORMONAL THERAPY |
Q: |
I stopped hormonal therapy due to the media hype about breast cancer. Now the hot flushes, sweats, headaches, insomnia, dry vagina have all returned. | |
A: | The global reaction was overdone. Today, taking HT (hormonal therapy) as it's now called is considered safe in older women for up to five years without any risks. Regular mammograms and pelvic checks are also recommended, ideally for life. | |
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| BREATHING PROBLEMS |
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I smoked for 3 years when at uni. Now much older, I have developed breathing difficulties. | |
A: | You have COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Even during those few years, irreversible long term damage has taken place. Exposure to environmental smoke of others nearby can have similar long term effects. The bronchodilator "puffers" offer relief. If it worsens, you may need to haul an oxygen cylinder around. To everybody, don't smoke and shun those who do. | |
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