What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 14:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 14:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 14:00 Thursday 08:00 - 14:00 Friday 08:00 - 14:00

Dr Anje Van Der Merwe Medical, 2 Montgomery Road, Pietermaritzburg (2025)

AESTHETIC DOCTOR & GP
🍒lifestyle education🏃🏿‍♀️
🍒female&child health🤱🏼
🍒mental health🧠
🍒cardiology🫀
🍒BoTX💉
🍒fillers👄
🍒thread lifts🙋🏻‍♀️
www.nerolihealthandbody.co.za

01/12/2024

P O S T N A T A L D E P R E S S I O N

Postnatal depression can be difficult to recognize because many of the symptoms can be similar to those of baby blues or normal stress after childbirth. Common signs and symptoms of postnatal depression include:

- Persistent feelings of sadness and low mood
- Loss of interest in the world around you and activities you used to enjoy
- Loss of appetite or an increased appetite (comfort eating)
- Difficulty sleeping at night and feeling tired all the time
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Feeling agitated, irritable or very apathetic
- Feeling inadequate or worthless
- Having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming your baby
- Physical aches and pains, such as headaches and muscle tension

Early diagnosis can make a world of difference. Appropriate treatment is not just taking medication (although we do sometimes opt for medication that is safe for mom and baby). Often we involve psychologists, platforms like , and ensure that family and friends are appropriately supportive.

13/11/2024

D I A B E T E S

Diabetes is such a complex condition, that deserves the care, attention, funding, support that is due. So often we label someone with the diagnosis, without giving them understanding and the tools needed to comprehend this far reaching disease. The diagnosis is made with a quick lab test, but the consequences on lifestyle, treatment, future complications, work are numerous. We need to educate, refer appropriately, spend time examining patients and listening to their concerns. If we put ourselves or a family member in their shoes, it suddenly hits home. In a way making the diagnoses is shining a light in a dark, vicious world of possible heart attacks, amputations, strokes, blindness and burning feet. The moment we uncover the preexisting metabolic disorder, the necessary changes can be made and they can start walking the road to remission or optimal control. It is important to highlight that feeling well doesn’t equals being well. Proper screening, healthy lifestyle, plenty of exercise and good medication should ensure that the patient truly remains well and that complications are prevented.

02/11/2024

E M O L L I E N T S

To be diagnosed with eczema often comes as a big shock, mostly because
of the chronicity and burden of disease. Upon presentation the patient
(or parent of the patient) is acutely aware of the fact that the
itch/scratch cycle can have a massive impact on everyone’s quality of
life (sleep and even school performance and mental health).

So often we focus on avoiding triggers and desperately grabbing at
steroids; and forgetting to focus on THE MAINSTAY of treatment; namely
emollients (moisturizers). So, let’s remember to:

▪️Apply twice daily, even more frequently in flares. The skin barrier
isn’t intact and by layering with an emollient you can mimic an intact
barrier which will greatly relieve the itch.
▪️Apply liberally over whole body. I recommend patting little blobs of
cream all over, never having to rub cream from one area to another- a
telltale sign that you need more moisturiser.
▪️Chose the emollient wisely. Just perfume and colorant free isn’t
good enough. Aqueous cream is no longer recommended. I like the Epimax
range and SBR Repair/Protect.
▪️It’s ideal to apply after a quick, lukewarm shower/bath. Don’t rub
or pat completely dry. Capture some of the moisture on clean skin by
applying emollient shortly after shower.
▪️Keep emollient handy throughout the day to have access to it,
especially if frequent hand washing is required.
▪️Make the ritual fun for your child, by utilising song & dance and
nursery rhymes to create a positive association.
▪️Make it a habit. Once you do it automatically it will slot into busy
days a little easier.

If you struggle with eczema, feel free to book a consult (033)3943065

30/10/2024

B R E A S T C A N C E R

As a community we are shocked and saddened by the recent passing of a much loved woman, way too soon. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. People go to a great effort to create awareness, but often the same people would admit to not having had screening themselves!

Is it ignorance, time, money, denial or fear? Fear of the discomfort of having a mammogram or fear of discovering something?

But knowledge is power, and a cancer that is detected early will have a much better outcome. I recently went for a follow-up mammogram, and can reassure you that you can expect discomfort, but not pain, and it doesn’t take long. It is much more tolerable than a blood test or listening to the news😊

The unit that I went to uses digital mammography that improves picture quality and allows for lower radiation dose. They are also able to take tomosynthesis images, which means the image can almost be peeled in different layers to adequately evaluate tissue at different depths.

In our practice I follow the CANSA guideline that recommends annual screening for ages 40-54, and biannual screening for those 55 and older, who are well.

This includes a clinical breast examination and mammogram (and sometimes ultrasound or MRI if the breast tissue is very dense). Most medical aids will pay every second year. But if you can afford to pay for it every second year, it might save your life.

High risk or symptomatic patients we investigate as needed.

Rather safe than sorry.

Address

2 Montgomery Road
Pietermaritzburg
3201

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 14:00
Thursday	08:00 - 14:00
Friday	08:00 - 14:00

Website

http://www.doctora.co.za/

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