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