Dr Charlize Smit

30/03/2026

25/02/2026

Frequently asked questions 👩🏻‍⚕️

What is the difference between bronchiolitis and bronchitis?
Bronchi and bronchioles are tubes in the lungs.
The bronchi are larger tubes, where the bronchioles are smaller tubes. Bronchiolitis affects the bronchioles & it is more common in children under 12 months of age. The most common symptom is wheezing. Bronchitis affects the bronchi and is more common in older children and adults. It causes mucus and a cough, but no wheeze

Can I give my baby paracetamol medicine if they have bronchiolitis?
Yes, many babies get a fever with bronchiolitis and may feel miserable. You may give your baby paracetamol, or ibuprofen if they are older than three months old and not dehydrated. Never give your baby aspirin or if there was a medical reason identified by your doctor for not giving it.

How long does bronchiolitis usually last?
On average, babies with bronchiolitis improve after seven days, but the cough can last up to a month. 😞🗣️

Can bronchiolitis lead to pneumonia?
It is rare for bronchiolitis to turn into pneumonia. But in medicine we like to say never say never. If this happens, your baby’s breathing, feeding and fever are likely to get much worse. Speak with a doctor if you are worried about changes in your baby’s condition.

24/02/2026

Investigation for Asthma
1. spirometry value of FEV/VC ratio indicates obstruction (relative accurate test for those who can perform it usually from age 6 up.
2. Measure of peak expiratory flow before and after SABA has a characteristic improvement of 15% in FEV and PEFR
3. Bronchial provocation test: airway reactivity is tested in respiratory laboratory to inhale histamine, methacholine or hypertonic saline
4. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide test
5. An exercise challenge can also be helpful
6. Allergy testing may be appropriate
7. Chest Xray not routinely but can be done if complications are suspected

Lets talk about Large volume spacers: 🗣️

Metered dose inhalers are easy to use and convenient (MDI). But deliver less dose of the drug than when a spacer is used. The patient breaths in from the mouth piece taking at least 1 to 2 breaths over a 2-6second length.

Reasons for suboptimal asthma control.
A. Poor adherence
B. Ineffective use of inhaler device. Poor technique
C. Procrastination to introduce optimal therapy
D. Failure to prescribe preventative medication such as inhaled corticosteroids
E. Relying on inappropriate alternative techniques
F: Patient fears (corticosteroids, overdosing, developing tolerance, embarrassment and peer group condemnations)
G. Doctor reluctance to use corticosteroids, recommend obtaining a minimum peak flow, and obtaining a spacer.
H. Medical factors: obesity, rhinosinisitis, GORD, sleep apnea, vocal cord dysfunction, smoking and COPD

Disclaimer: the following information is not for self diagnosis but for education and individual cases should be discussed with your family doctor. 👩🏻‍⚕️

19/02/2026

Reasons to quit smoking 🚬

13/02/2026

What you think you get away with in your youth you pay for in aging. Alcohol consumption is promoted, advertised, beautified and modelled as success and a wealthy man’s luxury but biologically it lowers testosterone and might even give you gynaecomastia (noncancerous (benign) enlargement or swelling of breast gland tissue in boys or men, caused by a hormonal imbalance of higher estrogen and lower testosterone. ) if you have any inclination or are on any medication that might cause gynaecomastia (As there are many causes) This will increase your chances even more. Its a sensitive topic and most men don’t seek medical advice.

It can by a side effect of medication for your 🫀
or
Recreational substances: such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; ma*****na)
Anabolic steroids

Psychoactive drugs such as diazepam and tricyclic antidepressants

It can be due to malnutrition

Tumor secreting hCG or oestrogen

Chronic liver failure

Hyperthyroidism

The point is if you have this - speak to your doctor.

disclaimer: this is not about individual diagnosis but for education and awareness, for personal health advice please consult with your family GP.

29/01/2026

weekend hours 🌻

21/01/2026

Hi. We are open tomorrow to 12:00 please book in advance to avoid disappointment we will open monday 12:00 - we will be absent due to training.

Thank you for your support.

We wish you a blessed weekend 🌻

15/01/2026

You can make bookings already for anytime after 14:00. 🙏🏽

08/01/2026

🫀🫀🫀
It is defined as a sudden reduction of blood flow to the heart. 50% of patients die before they reach the ED, with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Therefore it is important that communities develop EMS 🚑and hospital programs 🏥to respond quickly.
Such programs should focus on the STEMI Chain of Survival.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms 👀of ACS
Activating the EMS system with rapid transport and pre-arrival notification to receiving ED/Cath lav vy emergency responders; providing early CPR if cardiac arrest occurs; providing early defibrillation with AEDs available through public-access defibrillation programs and first responders 🫀
Providing a coordinated system of care among the emergency responders, ED, Cath lab and cardiac specialists.
Providing time-sensitive treatment. ⏳

The primary goals of ACS care are prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart failure, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and death. Additional goals are identification of patients with STEMI, triage for early reperfusion therapy, relief of ischemic chest discomfort and treatment of acute, life threatening complications of ACS.

Disclaimer: Information is for education purposes and not self treatment.if you have any of the symptoms please contact your health care provider