What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 18:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 18:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00 Thursday 08:00 - 18:00 Friday 08:00 - 18:00

https://www.facebook.com/1535254690052697/

Grait Alternative Health Centre, 27Osundamilola Street off Toluwaloju Estate Ejio Town Arigbajo, Ogun , State, Ifo Junction (2026)

What you eat does matter,you are either moving towards good health or moving away from it..Our body is our home;when our body is clean and light,we feel comfortable living in it.To find this amazing feeling of being at "home" in your own body,you need to take care of your body and clean the sewage system if it gets plugged up!Try a most accurate way.

28/06/2019

LOWER ABDOMINAL PAIN IN WOMEN

The abdomen(abdominal cavity) is a large hollow space that houses most of the important organs in the human body.It extends from the underside of the chest wall to the groin.It is bounded posteriorly by the spinal cindica the back muscles and laterally by the flank muscles..It is euphemistically referred to as the stomach but in actual fact the stomach is only one of the many organs accommodated in the abdominal space.Several organs are housed in the abdominal cavity. Each organs occupies a specific space . Understanding the specific location of each organ greatly assists the doctor in confirming where a complaint is emanating from.
The UMBILICUS serves as a midpoint of the abdomen.The space above it is referred to as the UPPER ABDOMEN and the one below as the LOWER ABDOMEN.Today’s writeup is about the lower abdomen.Organs from different systems of the body are located in the lower abdomen..The presence of the reproductive organs in the pelvis is the major difference between the male and the female lower abdomen.These systems include the musculoskeletal-skeletal, renal- urinary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and reproductive. Pain can arise from any of the organs in these systems.Each pain has specific features and implications and requires specific management.
PAIN FROM THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
1. MUSCLE STRAIN: There are two big muscle ,the re**us muscles , covering the lower abdomen from the front. Any portion of any of these muscles can get strained in the course of your routine daily activities. This could happen slowly over time( chronic strain) or suddenly( whilst lifting a heavy object, injury from sporting activities, from a fall, blow to the tummy,etc). Pain is usually localised, could be very severe( depending on the severity of the injury) and is exacerbated by any movement/activity involving that part of the body.The patient is otherwise well with no other signs of ill health like fever or vomiting.Cold and hot compresses( ice packs, hot water bottle etc) could be quite helpful.
2. SACRO-ILIAC JOINT DYSFUNCTION
This joint is located between the sacrum and ilium bones of the pelvis. The sacrum supports the spine and is supported by the ileum on either side. this joint is a common source of leg,groin,butt,lower back(waist) and hip pain in women especially during pregnancy due to the softening of the connective tissue by the hormones of pregnancy. Treatment in the non pregnant is as described above. Management is a bit more complicated in pregnancy as most of the analgesics may not be safe.Addition of physiotherapy has been found to be quite useful during pregnancy
3. HERNIAS
Hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an internal organ, most commonly the intestine, through a weakened/damaged part of the musculoskeletal wall.The typical sign of hernia is an abnormal swelling over the area which is usually painless and can easily be pushed back..But once the swelling becomes large, painful and refuses to go back, urgent medical attention is required. There is no medical treatment for hernia.Treatment is usually surgical.The operation entails pushing back the organ and closure of the hole/space through which the hernia appeared. Common hernias in women include inguinal( above the groin), femoral((below the groin),umbilical( common in children and pregnant women)
Surgical (incisional) hernia can occur in women,more commonly in the obese, as a consequence of poor wound healing following an abdominal operation.
HERNIAS HARDLY EVER CAUSE ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS AND SHOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITHOUT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS

PAIN FROM THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
The gastrointestinal system comprises of the mouth, throat, stomach, small and large intestines.The system is responsible for the digestion of the food you eat, the absorption of water and nutrients and the processing of the waste which is stored in the re**um and passed out as faeces. Any disruption in the smooth functioning of this system can cause pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen. This is because the small intestines, which is about 23 ft long and the large intestines, 3 cm in diameter and 5 ft long are all coiled up in the lower abdominal space. The common problems include:
1. INDIGESTION (DYSPEPSIA)
Gas in the intestines is caused by food that is not completely broken down until it reaches the large intestines (colon).The more the undigested food the more gas that is produced. The build up of gas can cause abdominal pain,bloating and a “knotted” feeling in the abdomen. Burping and farting usually provide relief.It is not unusual for such a person to fart in excess of twenty times in a day.other causes of intestinal gas include overeating,chewing gum,smoking. Treatment for indigestion includes the use of antacids, avoiding heavily spiced food and fries, consuming frequent but small portions,avoiding overeating,smoking and eating late.
2. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)
IBS is a chronic condition the cause of which is not known.The symptoms include bouts of severe generalised colicky abdominal pain,bloating, gas, alternation of diarrhoea and constipation . The sufferer might have long spells without pain. The onset of any attack is usually sudden and unexplained.The condition is not life-threatening , does not cause any damage to the bowels and does not lead to anything more serious. Pain is usually relieved by an antispasmodic like buscopan.
3. DIVERTICULITIS
Diverticulitis develops when small pouches called diverticuli occur in weak areas in the large intestines. and become inflamed. These pouches can swell ,tear, and become infected causing severe low abdominal pain,nausea ,malaise.
In severe cases urgent surgical treatment may be required
4. CONSTIPATION
Severe constipation is a common cause of severe low abdominal pain which is readily overlooked.. sometimes the symptoms may include nausea, bloating and headache. It is better to prevent than to treat constipation. That can be easily achieved by daily consumption of items with high fibre content, fruits ,vegetables and generous consumption of water(at least 2 litres per day) and not forgetting to empty your bowels every day
5. OBSTRUCTION
Obstruction occurs when a portion of the small or large intestines is blocked interfering with the free passage of food products. This leads to abdominal distension, severe generalised abdominal pain, vomiting, no passage of stool. This is a serious life-threatening condition that requires immediate hospital admission, stabilisation and surgery
6. APPENDIDITIS
Appendicitis is a common cause of low abdominal pain. The appendix is a redundant organ that is located on the right lower edge of the abdominal wall. The pain from appendicitis usually starts in the middle of the abdomen and gradually shifts to the right side.Acute appendicitis is a serious condition associated with severe pain, fever, vomiting and malaise and requires urgent surgery .A delay could lead to rupture of the appendix and the spillage of its purulent contents into the abdominal caving causing peritonitis, a severe life-threatening complication. Unfortunately there is a high incidence of over diagnosis of “acute appendicitis “ and many unnecessary operations are being carried out.careful choice of reputable health facilities and providers will go a long way in reducing the incidence of this malpractice.
PAIN FROM THE RENAL-URINARY SYSTEM
Urine is manufactured in the two kidneys and transported to the bladder via two tubes( ureters) that connect the kidneys to the bladder which lies in the pelvis.Certain conditions arising from any of these organs can cause severe abdominal pain. They include:
1. PYELONEPHRITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY)
The kidney lies just under the rib age, on its back side and very close to the edge of the abdominal wall.Acute kidney infection causes severe pain over the kidney and this pain is usually referred to edge of the low abdominal wall.. The patient is usually very ill with fever, vomiting, loss of appetite. The urine could cloudy and bloodstained. The patient,advisedly, should be seen by a doctor.In less severe cases admission may not be necessary. An ultrasound scan is a useful tool in confirming the diagnosis and the causative organism could be isolated from a urine culture
2. KIDNEY STONES (NEPHROLITHIASIS)
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidney..kidney stones can affect any part of the urinary tract from the kidney to the bladder. Kidney stones can cause severe illness with severe pain ,fever, nausea vomiting and blood in the urine.. The size of the kidney stone can range from a speck of sand to that of a corn seed..Passing the kidney stone( when the stone starts moving from the kidney through the ureter towards the bladder)could be associated with excruciating pain( RENAL COLIC)The pain travels along the route of the ureter,over the front edge of the abdominal wall. Once the stone is delivered into the bladder the pain suddenly stops. But if the stone gets trapped in the ureter causing unrelenting pain associated with urine infection urgent surgery- to dissolve and flush out the stone- may become necessary
3. CYSTITIS(BLADDER INFECTION)
Cystitis is more common in women than in men because of the proximity of the bladder to the v***a due to the shortness of the female urethra. Symptoms include frequency of micturition, pain passing urine, severe low abdominal pain,blood in the urine and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Diagnosis could easily be made by urine microscopy and culture..
PAIN ARISING FROM ORGANS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The reproductive organs consist of the va**na, the womb, ovaries and Fallopian tubes..The womb, ovaries and tubes are otherwise called the pelvic organs. Conditions arising from each of the pelvic organs are associated with severe low abdominal pain
THE UTERUS
1.DYSMENORRHEA (MENSTRUAL PAIN)
Most females experience cramp like low abdominal pain during the monthly period..The pain that starts once a young girl starts menstruating for the first time is called primary dysmenorrhea.The pain usually starts on the first day of the period .The pain could last till the end of the period but in most cases stops before the end of the bleeding. In most cases the pain is mild and bearable.But in a few cases it could be very severe and debilitating. The cause of primary dysmenorrhea is the prostaglandin which is released with the shedding of the lining of the womb during menstruation. The higher the prostaglandin level the more severe the pain...The intensity of the pain tends to reduce with age.The pain could disappear completely after the first va**nal delivery. Menstrual pain occurring in someone who never used to have it is called secondary dysmenorrhea.The pain develops as a result of other ailments in the pelvis like endometriosis,pelvic infection, fibroids,etc and will only subside once the problems are successfully dealt with.
2. ENDOMETRIOSIS- endometriosis occurs when part of the inner lining of the womb shed during menstruation travels upwards( instead of downwards to the va**na) , passes through the Fallopian tubes and is deposited on the pelvic wall and other pelvic organs. The lining keeps growing and shedding (as in the womb), causes adhesions between the organs of the pelvis and within a short period of time such a woman would start experiencing severe persistent low abdominal pain. There is no blood test that would confirm the presence of endometriosis..Ultrasound would not show endometriosis. The only reliable diagnostic tool is laparoscopy. Treatment could be medical,surgical or both
3. FIBROIDS
Fibroids are lumps that grow in the womb.It is more common in black women. Most of them cause no symptoms.The large ones can cause severe menstrual pain,and pressure pain in neighbouring organs like the bladder and re**um. Bleeding into a fibroid can cause excruciating low abdominal pain that may sometimes require hospitalisation. Pain usually subsides with analgesic and rest
4. PREGNANCY
A normal intrauterine pregnancy can cause severe pain due to stretching and distension of the uterine muscles early in pregnancy. Severe pain may also occur when a pregnancy is located outside the womb ( ectopic). A positive urine pregnancy test should be followed by an urgent pelvic (. Transva**nal)ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy’s location and viability and plan the appropriate management.
Severe low abdominal pain associated with va**nal bleeding in early pregnancy is termed threatened miscarriage. Such a pregnancy should be followed up with an ultrasound scan to rule out an incomplete or complete miscarriage.
THE O***Y
1. OVULATION PAIN
some women experience severe low abdominal pain during the ovulation window. The pain starts on the day of ovulation and can last for two or three days. The typical feature of the pain is that it always occurs about two weeks before the next period.A woman trying to conceive is strongly advised to brave the pain, take adequate analgesic and have sexual contact with her partner on the first day of the pain as that is the most likely day for conception
2. OVARIAN TORSION
A large ovary,or the one containing an ovarian cyst could tort( twist several times on its stalk) cutting out the blood supply to the ovary.The pain is of sudden onset, usually one-sided and is associated with vomiting.The condition requires immediate diagnosis, ( based mostly on a high index of suspicion from the history and findings from clinical examination as an ultrasound scan may not show much) and an emergency operation to untwist the ovary,restore blood supply and prevent its necrosis
3. OVARIAN CYST
An ovarian cyst is a ballon- like swelling arising from one or both ovaries.The content of the cyst could be fluid, solid, and some ,the dermoid cyst contain remnants of certain body organs like hair,teeth..An ovarian cyst can vary in size from the size of a small grape to that of a large melon or bigger.Large ovarian cysts tend to cause a persistent one sided pain.The severity of the pain depends on the size of the cyst and its location.
Any woman presenting with abdominal pain should have a pelvic/abdominal ultrasound scan.If a small cyst is detected in a young person and she is symptom free, 3-monthly ultrasound scans should be carried out for follow-up.Surgery may be considered if there is marked increase in size or if it becomes symptomatic. The approach is different in the older woman.Surgery should be strongly considered in a woman over 40 with ovarian cyst with or without symptoms and the specimen sent for histological examination to rule out malignancy. Surgery may be withheld when the cyst is small and if there is facility to carry out a Ca 125 blood test and if the level is within normal limits
4. OVARIAN CYST RUPTURE
An ovarian cyst may suddenly rupture releasing its contents into the pelvic cavity. This causes severe low abdominal pain very suggestive of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy ..The only difference is that the pregnancy test is negative and the patient is usually haemodynamically stable.
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)
PID implies an infection in any or all of the pelvic organs( womb, Fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues). In most cases PID results from an ascending sexually transmitted infection from the va**na.other instances of PID could result after a septic abortion/miscarriage or from a postoperative infection.The major symptom is severe low abdominal pain, pain during washing up and painful in*******se. In some cases there is fever,nausea and vomiting. There could be an offensive va**nal discharge.Pelvic infection should treated aggressively with appropriate antibiotics to prevent damage to the pelvic organs,in particular the Fallopian tubes the damage to which could lead to infertility
BOTTOMLINE
Pain in the lower abdomen is common in women of reproductive age. Contrary to the general belief amongst many women and some health care providers the incidence of PID is not as high as is being diagnosed and treated. There are numerous other causes of low abdominal pain.. and most of them do not require antibiotic treatment.Careful choice of good healthcare providers by women will go a long way in ensuring that the proper investigations are carried out, the correct diagnoses are made , the right treatment is prescribed and the woman’s reproductive health is .maintained......

28/06/2019

PRETERM RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES(PROM)&PRETERM PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES(PPROM)

The normal duration of a pregnancy in the womb is 40 weeks.The pregnancy is housed in a large balloon (amniotic sac) which is filled with amniotic fluid .The amniotic sac and fluid serve the dual function of sustenance and safety for the pregnancy. In a majority of cases the membranes remain intact and only rupture after labour has started.In about 8-10% of cases the rupture occurs before the onset of labour and is described as PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES (PROM). Rupture of membranes occurring before 37 weeks gestation is called PRETERM PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES (PPROM).
In the course of a normal pregnancy,at or around term , there is a programmed gradual membrane cell death ,activation of catabolic enzymes and when the mechanical forces of uterine contractions lead to pressure on the sac by the baby’s head the membrane ruptures and the woman will notice either a gush or a trickle of amniotic fluid .The occurrence of preterm premature rupture may probably be due the premature activation of these pathways
IMPLICATIONS
After 37 weeks gestation a pregnancy is considered mature and most babies delivered after that gestation do very well and require no specialised paediatric attention.
PPROM(before 37 weeks) is more problematic. It complicates only 2% of pregnancies but is associated with 40% of preterm deliveries and leads to significant neonatal morbidly and mortality. The 3 major causes of neonatal death associated with PPROM are prematurity,sepsis(infection) and pulmonary hypoplasia(poor lung development). Women with PPROM require specialised intensive management in order to significantly reduced the risks the unborn baby is exposed to.
RISK FACTORS
It is almost impossible to say exactly why a pregnant woman’s membrane ruptures prematurely in any particular instance but certain factors make it more likely to occur. They include:
1. Smoking during pregnancy: Studies have convincingly shown that smoking( including passive smoking) can lead to miscarriage at any stage of the pregnancy and can cause premature labour. Furthermore it affects certain aspects of foetal brain development, interferes with placental blood supply which affects the growth and weight of the baby. So pregnant women and their partners/housemates are advised to quit smoking and the woman must avoid other environments where people smoke
2. Vaginal Infections: Common va**nal infections like trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia & gonorrhea can cause premature rupture of membranes and premature labour. There is evidence demonstrating an association between ascending infection from the va**na and PPROM. In about 30% of women with PPROM culture of the amniotic fluid showed evidence of infection with bacteria that originated from the va**na implying that the germs are able to pass through the intact amniotic membrane.. So it is advisable for any woman intending to get pregnant, especially anyone with a past history of PPROM / premature labour to ensure that she does not carry any infection into the pregnancy.
3. Past history of PPROM: A woman whose membrane ruptured prematurely in a previous pregnancy stands a higher risk that it would occur again when compared to someone with no past history. Any woman with a past history of PPROM is advised to consult a specialist before embarking on another pregnancy so that all the risk factors would be checked out and adequate management plan for the pregnancy put in place
4. Recurrent va**nal bleeding : observational studies have shown that women who experience recurrent va**nal bleeding in early and mid pregnancy are more likely to have PPROM.Such women are advised to attend for antenatal care in a specialist facility
5. Multiple pregnancy: women with twin or higher order multiples are more likely to suffer from PPROM. The more the number of babies the higher the risk.Any woman with multiple pregnancy is advised to register early for antenatal care in a facility that has specialist obstetric and neonatal care.
6. Lower socio-economic status: There is a significantly higher incidence of PPROM in pregnant women from the lower socioeconomic-economic class
RISKS OF PROM
1. Premature labour and delivery of a premature infant. Once the membrane ruptures the various labour pathways described earlier tend to be activated and a majority of the women would become established in labour within 24 hours.
2. Cord prolapse& cord compression: the membrane acts as a barrier between the uterus and the va**na. In the absence of the membrane part of the umbilical cord can prolapse into the va**na. If not detected early and corrective actions taken preparatory to an expeditious delivery the baby will die within minutes. In other cases the cord may not prolapse but without adequate amount of amniotic fluid which acts as a buffer the cord could be compressed/squashed between the baby and the uterine wall, interfering with the blood supply from the placenta to the baby. This will result in poor foetal development in milder cases and eventual intrauterine death in cases of severe obstruction .
3. Chorioamnionitis: chorioamnionitis means the presence of infection inside the womb. In the absence of the membrane which previously acted as a barrier between the uterus and the va**na, any infection either from the va**na or from the outside can easily climb into the womb,infecting the baby and getting into the woman’s bloodstream. This is a serious complication that requires early detection, commencement of intravenous antibiotic treatment and urgent delivery by the quickest route possible once the woman is stabilised.
4. Abruption (detachment)of placenta : separation of placenta from the uterine wall occurs more frequently in women with PPROM. If not detected early and urgent delivery carried out the baby would die and there is a high risk of severe bleeding for the mother which sometimes could be fatal if not properly managed
5. Higher risk of delivery by CS: Cases of PPROM without complications could be delivered va**nally. But because of the various complications that tend to occur unexpectedly requiring urgent intervention, resort to delivery by CS tends to be more frequent with PPROM
MANAGEMENT OF PROM
The management of PROM depends on the gestation.
When membrane ruptures at 36 weeks or beyond ,if there are no other complications and the baby’s heartbeat is within normal limits,the woman should be observed for 24 hrs in the hope that she will go into labour. After 24 hours she should be offered induction of labour as the risk of Chorioamnionitis increases beyond that period. Once the membrane has been ruptured for longer than 24 hours the woman should be placed on intravenous antibiotic during labour.
2. When there is preterm premature rupture before 34 weeks,especially before 28 weeks, there are 3 major risks to be considered: prematurity, respiratory distress(due to poor lung development), and sepsis(infection). Because of prematurity the aim here will be to prolong the pregnancy as long as possible as any additional day the baby stays in the womb is a bonus. If the patient is contracting , It is advisable to admit the patient for 24-48 hrs. Thereafter she could be discharged home if the head is presenting and blocking the pelvic inlet, and there is no risk of cord prolapse. If the presentation is breech or unstable the patient should stay and be monitored in hospital because of the risk of cord prolapse.It is important to watch out for any signs of infection by daily checks of the body temperature, weekly low va**nal swabs,and monitoring the discharge to make sure that it has not become offensive. Weekly ultrasound scans should be carried out to assess liquor volume and foetal wellbeing. The patient attends weekly for check ups but can contact the hospital anytime if any problem is perceived. Once the pregnancy gets to 34 weeks induction of labour should be offered. But delivery should be expedited at any point before 34 weeks if there is any evidence of foetal compromise.
BOTTOMLINE
PROM can be very frightening and distressing for the couple. But with prompt and qualitative care successful outcome can be achieved if labour can be delayed until after 28 weeks.
PROM is not an indication for delivery by Caesarean section as most of the women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be able to have successful va**nal deliveries

01/05/2019

ALLERGIES

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander — that doesn't cause a reaction in most people.

Your immune system produces substances known as antibodies. Some antibodies protect you from unwanted invaders that could make you sick or cause infection.

When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system's reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.

The severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening emergency. While most allergies can't be cured, a number of treatments can help relieve your allergy symptoms.

SYMPTOMS
Allergy symptoms depend on the substance involved and can involve the airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, may cause:

Sneezing
Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth
Runny, stuffy nose
Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)
A food allergy may cause:

Tingling mouth
Swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat
Hives
Anaphylaxis
An insect sting allergy may cause:

A large area of swelling (edema) at the sting site
Itching or hives all over your body
Cough, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis
A drug allergy may cause:

Hives
Itchy skin
Rash
Facial swelling
Wheezing
Anaphylaxis
Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, may cause skin to:

Itch
Redden
Flake or peel
Anaphylaxis
Some types of allergies, including allergies to foods and insect stings, have the potential to trigger a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. A life-threatening medical emergency, this reaction can cause you to go into shock. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

Loss of consciousness
A drop in blood pressure
Severe shortness of breath
Skin rash
Lightheadedness
A rapid, weak pulse
Nausea and vomiting
When to see a doctor
You might see a doctor if you have symptoms you think may be caused by an allergy, especially if you notice something that seems to trigger your allergies. If you have symptoms after starting a new medication, call the doctor who prescribed it right away.

For a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call 911 or your local emergency number or seek emergency medical help. If you carry an epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others), give yourself a shot right away.

Even if symptoms improve after an epinephrine injection, a visit to the emergency department is still necessary to make sure symptoms don't return when the effects of the injection wear off.

If you've had a severe allergy attack or any signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past, make an appointment to see your doctor. Evaluation, diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis are complicated, so you'll probably need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology.

CAUSES
An allergy starts when your immune system mistakes a normally harmless substance for a dangerous invader. The immune system then produces antibodies that remain on the alert for that particular allergen. When you're exposed to the allergen again, these antibodies can release a number of immune system chemicals, such as histamine, that cause allergy symptoms.

Common allergy triggers include:

Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites and mold
Certain foods, particularly peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk
Insect stings, such as bee stings or wasp stings
Medications, particularly penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics
Latex or other substances you touch, which can cause allergic skin reactions

RISK FACTORS
You may be at increased risk of developing an allergy if you:

Have a family history of asthma or allergies. You're at increased risk of allergies if you have family members with asthma or allergies such as hay fever, hives or eczema.
Are a child. Children are more likely to develop an allergy than are adults. Children sometimes outgrow allergic conditions as they get older. However, it's not uncommon for allergies to go away and then come back some time later.
Have asthma or an allergic condition. Having asthma increases your risk of developing an allergy. Also, having one type of allergic condition makes you more likely to be allergic to something else.

COMPLICATIONS
Having an allergy increases your risk of certain other medical problems, including:

Anaphylaxis. If you have severe allergies, you're at increased risk of this serious allergy-induced reaction. Anaphylaxis is most commonly associated with food allergy, penicillin allergy and allergy to insect venom.
Asthma. If you have an allergy, you're more likely to have asthma — an immune system reaction that affects the airways and breathing. In many cases, asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen in the environment (allergy-induced asthma).
Atopic dermatitis (eczema), sinusitis, and infections of the ears or lungs. Your risk of getting these conditions is higher if you have hay fever, a pet allergy or a mold allergy.
Fungal complications of your sinuses or your lungs. You're at increased risk of getting these conditions, known as allergic fungal sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, if you're allergic to mold.

PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
If you're experiencing symptoms that may be related to an allergy, see your family doctor or general practitioner. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do
Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to allergies.
Write down your family's history of allergy and asthma, including specific types of allergies, if you know them.
List medications, vitamins and supplements you take.
Ask if you should stop any medications before your appointment. For example, antihistamines can affect the results of an allergy skin test.

What to expect from your doctor/health practitioner

Your doctor/health practitioner is likely to ask you questions, including:

What are your symptoms?
When did your symptoms begin?
Have you recently had a cold or other respiratory infection?
Are your symptoms worse at certain times of the day?
Does anything seem to improve or worsen your symptoms?
Are your symptoms worse in certain areas of your house or at work?
Do you have pets, and do they go into bedrooms?
Is there dampness or water damage in your home or workplace?
Do you have a family history of allergies or asthma?
Do you smoke, or are you exposed to secondhand smoke or other pollutants?
What treatments have you tried so far? Have they helped?
Do you have other health problems?
What medications, including herbal remedies, do you take?

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your doctor/ health practitioner may:

Ask detailed questions about signs and symptoms
Perform a physical exam
Have you keep a detailed diary of symptoms and possible triggers
If you have a food allergy, your doctor may:

Ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat
Have you eliminate a food from your diet (elimination diet) — and then have you eat the food in question again to see if it causes a reaction
Your doctor\health practitioner may also recommend one or both of the following tests:

Skin test. Your skin is pricked and exposed to small amounts of the proteins found in potential allergens. If you're allergic, you'll likely develop a raised bump (hive) at the test location on your skin. Allergy specialists usually are best equipped to perform and interpret allergy skin tests.
Blood test. A blood test that's sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) can measure your immune system's response to a specific allergen by measuring the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for evidence of sensitivity to possible allergens.
If your doctor suspects your problems are caused by something other than an allergy, you may need other tests to identify — or rule out — other medical problems.

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
Allergy treatments include:

Allergen avoidance. Your doctor will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers. This is generally the most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms.
Medications to reduce symptoms. Depending on your allergy, allergy medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Medications can include over-the-counter or prescription medications in the form of oral medications, nasal sprays or eyedrops.
Immunotherapy. For severe allergies or allergies not completely relieved by other treatment, your doctor may recommend allergen immunotherapy. This treatment involves a series of injections of purified allergen extracts, usually given over a period of a few years.

Another form of immunotherapy is a tablet that's placed under the tongue (sublingual) until it dissolves. Sublingual drugs are used to treat some pollen allergies.

Emergency epinephrine. If you have a severe allergy, your doctor may give you an emergency epinephrine shot to carry with you at all times. Given for severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine shot (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) can reduce symptoms until you get emergency treatment.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
Preventing allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy you have. General measures include the following:

Avoid known triggers. Even if you're treating your allergy symptoms, try to avoid triggers. If, for instance, you're allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and doors closed during periods when pollen is high. If you're allergic to dust mites, dust and vacuum and wash bedding often.
Keep a diary. When trying to identify what causes or worsens your allergic symptoms, track your activities and what you eat, when symptoms occur and what seems to help. This may help you and your doctor identify triggers.
Wear a medical alert bracelet. If you've ever had a severe allergic reaction, a medical alert bracelet (or necklace) lets others know that you have a serious allergy in case you have a reaction and you're unable to communicate.

Address

27Osundamilola Street Off Toluwaloju Estate Ejio Town Arigbajo, Ogun , State
Ifo Junction

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 18:00
Thursday	08:00 - 18:00
Friday	08:00 - 18:00

Telephone

+2348095547180

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Grait Alternative Health Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Grait Alternative Health Centre

28/06/2019

28/06/2019

01/05/2019

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share