ASK YOUR DOCTOR

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder and it is more than a cosmetic condition. Psoriasis may be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions. It was probably first described around 35 AD. Some evidence indicates an even earlier date. Yet, until recently, little was known about psoriasis. Although the disorder is generally manageable, it can cause significant distress, and patients may be severely affected psychologically.

It is felt that urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections ranked closely behind colds and flu in frequency. It is estimated that almost half of all women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. Urinary tract infection has a significant healthcare cost burden on any country.

Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that affects many individuals, and can have serious consequences especially for the very young and the elderly. If not adequately treated pneumonia can lead to death.

At the inquest into the world’s first road traffic death in 1896, the coroner was reported to have said, “This must never happen again.” More than a century later, 1.2 million people are killed on roads every year and up to 50 million more are injured. Deaths from road traffic injuries (RTI) and, in particular, Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents (MVTA) have been characterized worldwide as a hidden epidemic which affects all sectors of society. In Anguilla the number of casualties from road traffic accidents continue to increase and as we approach the August festivities we must take steps so that accidents are kept to a minimum.

Bulimia, also called bulimia nervosa, is a psychological eating disorder that occurs in individuals who look perfectly normal. Several complications, including death, can occur with bulimia. Approximately 10 per cent of individuals suffering with bulimia will die from it, through starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications or suicide.

The 14th June was celebrated in Anguilla and many other countries around the world as World Blood Donor Day. The day was designed to celebrate and thank those many individuals who voluntarily donate their blood without any reward, except the knowledge that they have helped to save lives. It is to these unsung heroes that World Blood Donor Day is dedicated. There are many regular blood donors in Anguilla and the nation as a whole should be proud of them.
Why celebrate on 14th June?

Most pregnancies last forty weeks but preterm labour may result in the birth of an immature infant and is one of the main problems of obstetric care in many countries including Anguilla. Preterm labour can cause many problems for the newborn and the care of such babies can be a financial strain on parents and the community as well.

Epilepsy is one of the oldest conditions known to mankind and affects people in every country of the world including Anguilla. It is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting any defined population and it is estimated that up to 5% of people in the world may have at least one seizure in their lives. Epilepsy can have profound social, physical and psychological consequences.

Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can be contracted by sexual contact and can result in serious consequences. Many individuals have this disease and have no symptoms but can still spread the disease too others. There is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B and many persons in Anguilla who are at risk of developing this disease have received this vaccine.

Uterine fibroids also known as leiomyomas, and myomas, is among the most common tumours in women living in Anguilla affecting as many as three out of four women. Fortunately for the vast majority of women their fibroids produce no symptoms and they do not require any treatment. Uterine fibroids are not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer.

Clinical anaemia in pregnancy is often asymptomatic and is mostly detected by blood tests done routinely at prenatal visits. Anaemia is very common in pregnant women. Those women who do not see a health care provider early in their pregnancy, or do not have any prenatal care at all, often have their anaemia detected very late in their pregnancy when it can be difficult to correct and is often associated with complications.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that affects a small percentage of individuals. It is potentially serious as a blood clot that has formed can break loose and travel to the lungs to cause several complications and even death.

Only a small percent of babies are born with a birth defect, but just about every mother-to-be and some fathers-to-be worry about their baby having a birth defect. Most parents assume that all birth defects are severe or fatal, but the fact is that many are treatable, often immediately after birth and more recently even before the baby is born.

Many people have haemorrhoids at some time during their lives. Although many people have haemorrhoids not all experience symptoms. The symptoms of haemorrhoids can be treated any even prevented by simple home measures.

April is Parkinson Awareness Month and presents an important opportunity for all residents of Anguilla to become better informed about this neurological disorder. In many countries, including Anguilla, people are reluctant to talk about Parkinson’s disease and it appears to be a deep, dark secret for sufferers.

March 24 is celebrated each year as World Tuberculosis Day and this year the slogan is “I am stopping TB.” World TB day serves to raise awareness about the global epidemic of TB, which is found in many countries including Anguilla. In 2006 an estimated 1.5 million people died from TB in the world.

Compared to thirty years ago more women of childbearing age in Anguilla are using illegal drugs. As a result more babies are now being born to women who use illegal drugs during their pregnancies. The use of illegal drugs by pregnant women can be harmful for the mother and also her baby.

Premenstrual syndrome, commonly called PMS, is a medical condition that has symptoms that affect about 10 percent of women of childbearing age. PMS can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms that occur just before your menstrual period.

Angina pectoris, also called angina, affects many individuals and can be a cause of much concern to the patient and physician alike. Individuals with angina should see a physian for evaluation.

Stress is a normal part of one’s life but the effects of chronic stress on ones body can be tremendous. Chronic stress can affect almost every organ of our body in a negative way. It has been estimated that approximately 70% of visits to the doctor are partly related to chronic stress.