ASK THE
DOCT R
Have a question for the doctor ? Email us at magazine @ afrocentricds . com and your question could feature in the next issue of B-Living .
Hello Dr Hi Doc
I am a 40-year old male from the Eastern Cape and I have high blood pressure that I can ’ t seem to control . It goes up and down all the time . What could be causing this ? Do I need to change my medication and doctor ?
Thabo
Dear Thabo
When high blood pressure is treated , the intention is not to bring it down aggressively , unless it ’ s a hypertensive emergency . Even in an emergency , we bring down your blood pressure carefully while monitored . A drastic , aggressive drop in blood pressure could be life-threatening .
If you ’ re having drastic changes in your blood pressure , talk to your doctor about medicine to carefully bring it under control and then keep it stable . Your doctor is in the best position to assist you as he / she is aware of your specific healthcare needs and circumstances . You can also make lifestyle changes to help your medication work even better . You can help control your blood pressure by :
• Reducing the amount of salt you use : a daily intake less than 2,4 grams of salt will have a noticeable effect on your blood pressure
• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly ( consult your doctor about what type of exercise will work best for you )
• Avoiding caffeine and cigarettes
• Drinking less alcohol ( 1 glass per day if you ’ re a woman , 2 glasses or less per day for men ).
As you know , the Western Cape is experiencing one of the worst water shortages . With Day Zero fast approaching and the reality of a real crisis on our hands , is there anything we should be concerned about from a health shortage point of view ? Are there diseases that are more common when there is a drought or any other precautions I should take for myself and my family ?
Tasha
Dear Tasha
The water crisis in the Cape is indeed a great cause for concern . From a health point of view , water is essential of both consumption and hygiene . During water shortages , the risk for infectious diseases increases when hygiene is not maintained . Other infectious disease threats arise when drought leads to the contamination of surface water and other sources of water that are used for recreational purposes .
Some of the most common conditions include gastroenteritis or stomach bugs caused by bacteria such as E . coli and salmonella . To protect you and your family , ensure that good hygiene is maintained by using antibacterial wipes , hand sanitisers , etc . in an effort to stay clean while preserving water . Cut your water use to less than 50 litres per person , per day . You can use municipal drinking water only for essential washing , cooking and drinking purposes , and only for indoor use . You can also make a concerted effort to ensure that drinking water is clean by boiling it first or opting for bottled water if possible . Try to collect as much water as possible that can be reused ( such as using water from a bath to flush the toilet , feed your pets or water the garden ).
Disclaimer : The advice included above is for information purposes only . It is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor or medical practitioner . We strongly urge you to consult with your family practitioner before embarking on a health treatment or programme . All information has been checked by a Bonitas Clinical advisor .
Page 7 B-Living Issue 1 , 2018