Frequently asked medical questions in 2014

Healthy Living

A woman displays a female condom. Most questions asked by readers in 2014 were about sexual reproductive health issues. FILE PHOTO 

By Vincent Karuhanga

In Summary

The questions also show the extent of the various sexual problems that affect the public. However, because discussing sex is almost a taboo in many African cultures, people prefer to keep quiet or ask questions anonymously through the media, or by reading books and newsletters

As we conclude the year, we bring you a summary of the key issues and medical questions that readers sent us.

From January to date, I have received a total of 3,451 questions. Not all questions that were sent have been answered or published because of the limited space in the newspaper. In some cases, the same questions were asked by different people several times, which meant that they could only be answered once.

The common questions asked have been about sexual and reproductive health issues, an indication the public is not properly informed about such topics.

This, therefore, calls for more sexual health education across a wide spectrum of the population.

The questions also show the extent of the various sexual problems that affect the public. However, because discussing sex is almost a taboo in many African cultures, people prefer to keep quiet or ask questions anonymously through the media, or by reading books and newsletters.

Health education will go a long way in addressing the problem. However, this should be started early in schools before children enter puberty.

Public education, especially about sexual issues helps young people to develop a coherent set of personal values, based on respect for themselves and those around them.

Young people who understand and value themselves and others are better equipped to develop meaningful and respectful relationships. Further more, a positive approach to managing their lives and developing the necessary skills that prepares them for current and future life challenges.

Through education, young people learn and understand the principles of human reproduction, explore family and interpersonal relationships, learn about safety and develop confidence.

These can then be built upon gradually, in line with the person’s age. Such skills also help people understand their bodies, relationships and feelings from an early age.

As children grow, sex education helps prepare them for changes which they will experience during puberty, dispel common myths about sex and provide guidance.

As a result, young people are likely to avoid peer pressure and make informed decisions about sexuality and relationships. They are also likely to avoid scenarios that increase their risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/Aids, Hepatitis B and C.

Although some of the (STDs) are curable, they carry a lot of stigma, for which young people are unlikely to seek services of a medical professional.

Pregnancy and abortion
For women, questions about reproductive health (pregnancy, abortions, delivery, infertility and family planning) were also common. All these required the women to visit a doctor for proper checkup, treatment and advice.

Lifestyle diseases
Questions related to lifestyle diseases were also common. Many people are not aware these diseases are caused by eating too much fat, salt, sugar, smoking, alcohol and living sedentary lifestyles.

Before the 1970s, the most common cause of death was communicable diseases and war. However, since the 1990s, there has been an increase in the number of non-communicable diseases related to changes in lifestyle and diet.

More people are consuming meat, dairy products, oils, processed fruit juice and alcoholic beverages.
Because these diets are high in animal products, fat, sugar and salt, they also increase a person’s risk of developing cancers of the colorectum, breast, prostate, endometrium, and pancreas.

Diseases likely to result from living sedentary lifestyle include hypertension, heart disease, stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

People who smoke on the other hand, are likely to suffer from lung cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).

Unfortunately, prevention programmes usually focus on infectious diseases, leaving many non-communicable diseases unattended to.

Making changes in lifestyle, including a change in diet and engaging in regular physical activity mayhelp reduce the number of people at risk of non-communicable diseases. This, however, calls for public education on how to detect the diseases early enough so that they can be treated in the early stages.

Because public knowledge about these diseases remains low, putting in place institutional capacity and infrastructure is also crucial.

For all those whose questions have not been answered, we have another year to interact.
Happy New Year!