The recent outbreak of another disease called; ‘Marburg Virus’ was announced from Ghana. Kindly let me know about this disease.
—- Sani (by WhatsApp)
Marburg virus is the same family as Ebola virus. These viruses both cause haemorrhagic fever. Marburg can have an incubation period of anywhere from two to 21 days, but once it starts, the symptoms ramp up quickly. The virus causes a high fever, pain, and headaches. By day three, gastrointestinal symptoms start, and diarrhoea may last for a week. Haemorrhaging may start on day seven, and patients might start bleeding from multiple places. These cases are usually fatal. There are no vaccines or treatments for the virus itself, but symptoms can sometimes be treated, and fatalities have been prevented this way. Typically, people only get sick after they spend time in caves or mines where Rousettus bat colonies live. The bats naturally harbor the virus. People infected with Marburg can spread the disease to others when a healthy person comes into direct contact, such as through a cut on the skin, with body fluids like blood or saliva from an infected person, or when there is direct contact with surfaces that have been contaminated by infected fluids.
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Difficulty with sleeping
I am a 60-year old man. I have been having difficulty with sleeping for the past two months. I checked my Blood Pressure and my other vital signs and they are normal. Kindly let me know if I can start taking some sleeping tablets.
— Kenny (by SMS)
Before you start taking sleeping tablets, there are some things you can do by yourself. Firstly, you will need to avoid any form of stress either from work or from family issues. In other words, don’t take anything other than yourself to bed. Also, you need to create the right type of bed frame, mattress, and pillow that suit your age and body. In addition, ensure that your beddings (pillowcases, bedsheets, and duvets) are clean and changed frequently. It is also important to regulate your room temperature and ventilation to what suits you. Some people even go as far as creating a peaceful ambience in their bedroom by choosing light wall colors and adding wall art. However, if all these fail, you may need to see your doctor for a prescription for a mild sedative.
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Can i get pregnant with one tube?
My first pregnancy was diagnosed as an Ectopic Pregnancy. During surgery, my right Fallopian Tube was removed. Now, I am wondering if I can still get pregnant with just one Fallopian Tube. I am 25 years of age.
— Funmi (by SMS)
Pregnancy is absolutely possible with one fallopian tube, assuming you and the remaining tube and your partner are healthy. In fact, as many as 85% of women who are at optimal pregnancy age (22 – 28) and who only have one tube just like you conceive a baby within two years of trying consistently – even after an ectopic pregnancy.
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Drooling at night
I am a 45-year-old Civil Servant. My problem is that my mouth is always full of saliva whenever I sleep. Although I have had some dental problems in the past, I don’t have any current health problems. Kindly let me know what could be the problem with me.
— Ngozi (by SMS)
At night, your swallowing reflexes are relaxed just like the rest of the muscles in your face. This means that your saliva can accumulate and some can escape through the sides of your mouth. The medical terms for drooling too much are sialorrhea and hypersalivation. When a sleeper lies on their back, gravity generally causes any excess saliva they produce to stay in their mouth or travel to their throat. In side and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, gravity is more likely to pull saliva down toward the pillow, resulting in drooling. Other conditions. Medical conditions such as acid reflux and pregnancy can also increase saliva production. Allergies, tumors, and above-the-neck infections such as strep throat, tonsil infection, and sinusitis can all impair swallowing.
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Can i drink alcohol at 60?
I have always been a moderate drinker all my life. Now that I am over 60 years of age, I want to know if I can still continue my usual moderate consumption of alcohol?
— Julius (by SMS)
According to experts, moderate drinking may benefit those above 40 years of age. Although the health risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are complex and remain a hot topic of debate, available data suggest that small amounts of alcohol may reduce the risk of certain health outcomes over time. Moderate alcoholic drink has been defined as a daily consumption of 10 g of pure alcohol, equivalent to a small glass of red wine (100 mL or 3.4 fluid ounces) at 13% alcohol by volume, a can or bottle of beer (375 mL or 12 fluid ounces) at 3.5% alcohol by volume, or a shot of whiskey or other spirits (30 mL or 1.0 fluid ounces) at 40% alcohol by volume.
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My painful testicle
I recently noticed that while my left testicle is normal, the right testicle is painful. It is however not swollen. Kindly let me know what to do about this. I am a 70-year-old man.
— Lumina (by SMS)
Testicle pain has a number of possible causes. The testicles are very sensitive, and even a minor injury can cause testicle pain or discomfort. Pain might arise from within the testicle itself or from the coiled tube and supporting tissue behind the testicle (epididymis). Sometimes, what seems to be testicle pain is caused by a problem that starts in the groin, abdomen or somewhere else — for example, kidney stones and some hernias can cause testicle pain. The cause of testicle pain can’t always be identified. Pain in the testicles can also be a sign of more serious problems like testicular cancer. You may be able to ease your testicular pain at home. However, if home remedies such as warm baths, pain relievers and wearing a scrotal support doesn’t work, you will need to see a doctor for proper examination and treatment. don’t work, testicular pain can be treated medically.
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When do babies start crawling?
My baby is already 11 months old and is yet to start crawling. Is this normal. Please, when do babies start crawling?
— Yemoja (by SMS)
Most babies learn to crawl at 7–10 months. Some babies do not crawl at all. They may go straight to standing or walking around, holding onto furniture. Crawling offers a baby some independence from their caregiver and enables them to explore their environment. Crawling is an opportunity for babies to exercise some independence. It allows them to move toward something they are interested in so they can explore it. Crawling skills develop when babies have sufficient muscle strength and coordination, but all babies develop at different rates, and some may skip crawling altogether. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about.
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What causes left arm pain?
I have been having pain and numbness in my Left arm for the past few weeks. Kindly let me know what to do. I am a 65-year-old retired soldier.
— Major (by SMS)
Left arm pain and numbness have numerous causes. The most serious cause is Heart Attack. If a person is experiencing pain in their left arm, they should not disregard it, especially if they also have chest pains. These may be symptoms of a heart attack, which requires urgent medical treatment. During a heart attack, a person may also feel pain in the shoulders, jaw, or abdomen. Additionally, they may experience excessive sweating, feel nauseous, or vomit. Other conditions that may cause these symptoms include a pinched nerve, elbow injuries, and hemiplegic migraine. Other causes of left arm pain and numbness can be a soft tissue damage to the elbow. However, if someone is experiencing pain in their arm in addition to other areas of the body, it could signal a neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
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