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1: What is ASTHMA?
| It is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten |
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| 2: Who are involved with ASKADOC?
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3: How do i register with askadoc?
| Registration to AskaDoc is free and easy.
Click on the registration button,fill in your details and finally fill submit your details.
Once you have done that you can log on and enjoy the benefits.
Make sure you read the private policy and disclaimer. |
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4: What health insurance schemes would you recommend
| The health insurance you choose should fit both your health needs as well as your financial capabilities.
The following questions should be asked when considering taking up health insurance:
1.Do i need out patient cover and if so what amount?
2.What amount of cover do i need for inpatient?
3.Does my family require health cover?
4.Is the Health Insurance provide3r secure financially?
5.Is the health insurance provider accepted in major health facilities in Kenya?
Do i need travel insurance? |
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5: What is tuberculosis?
| Tuberculosis is an infection resulting from the bacteria called Mycobacterium |
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6: What part of the body does tuberculosis affect?
| The bacteria causing tuberculosis affects any part of the body except the hair, nails and teeth. |
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7: Why is tuberculosis infection most common in the lungs
| Tuberculosis mainly affects the lung because its main from of spread is though the air. |
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8: If I am diagnosed with tuberculosis does that mean I have H.I.V?
| No, it does not. About one in two persons in Kenya is also infected with H.I.V.
So if you are diagnosed with TB then you must be tested for H.I.V
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9: I am H.I.V positive and wanted to know my risk of contracting TB
| If your CD4 cell count is above 200, then your chances are reduced.
CD4 cell count below 200 is an indication that you may get opportunistic infections, TB being one of them.
Despite this a person with H.I.V can get TB irrespective of the CD4 cell count.
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10: Can I take my anti retroviral drugs together with Anti TB medication?
| Yes, but for the two months of treatment you will have to stop antiretroviral therapy. |
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11: What are the common symptoms of TB?
| Cough for over 2 weeks in duration
Fever especially at night
Pain in the chest
Difficulty in breathing
Weight loss
Coughing blood
Night sweats
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12: How is TB treated?
| It is treated in two phases by a combination of drugs taken for 6-8 months.
First phase: this is called the intensive phase and last two months. It has a combination of four drugs.
Second phase: it is also known as the continuation phase lasting 4-6 months
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13: What if I feel better before finishing treatment for TB? Can I stop taking the medicines?
| No, the treatment must be completed irrespective of the patient’s condition.
Stopping treatment can lead to complications of TB drug resistance which is harder to treat, re infection, or worsening of the current TB.
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14: Is TB curable?
| Yes, if treatment is followed strictly and you are seen frequently at your nearest health centre. |
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15: How do I know I am healthy?
| Health can be determined by 3 aspects:
Emotional health
Spiritual health
Physical health
All 3 aspects should be in order for one to consider themselves healthy.
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16: Do I need to see a Doctor to check whether I am physically healthy?
| Yes.A medical Doctor will provide you with advice on health issues as well as carry out appropriate physical examinations and laboratory examinations. |
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17: Do I need to consult a Doctor to check whether I am emotionally healthy?
| Yes, Doctors are trained to heal the body as well as the mind.
To add onto that, you can consult psychologists and trained counsellors
Stress is a condition that affects your emotional health and often goes un recognised. Poor emotional health can present as physical symptoms that may have long term effects.
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18: How Do i ask the panel of Doctor's a question?
| For you to get discuss with our panel of Doctor's please go through the following:
1.Go to our registration page using this link: http://askadoc.co.ke/registration.php
2.Once successfully registered you go back to the home page(http://askadoc.co.ke/index.php) and login at the askadoc login section
3.You will find a section to ask the panel of Doctors any questions.Your replies will come via email.
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19: When i stop smoking, will i add weight?
| yes, you may probably increase your weight by 2 to 3 kilograms.But this is far much safer than being exposed to the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes. |
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20: Doc, how is passive smoking as bad as active smoking?
| Yes.It is equally as bad as active smoking, but the people most at risk are children who may get asthma and pregnant women who may develop complications. |
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21: How do i quit smoking Doc?
| Quiting smoking requires the involment of health professionals.It requires also support from family and support groups.
Please seek advice from health professionals on your treatment plan |
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22: Does cigarette smoking affect only my lungs?
| No.
Smoking affects all parts of the body because the harmful effects of the chemicals in the cigarette smoke affect blood vessels.
It is related to for example cancer of:
i.Lung
ii.Larynx
iii.Oral cavity
iv.Pharynx
v.Oesophagus
vi.Bladder
other than cancers cigarettes casue a variety of diseases.
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23: Are cigars better than cigarettes?
| No.
Cigars are not any better than cigarettes, and are actually worse because they are not filtered and tend to be smoked for long increasing exposure to dangerous chemicals. |
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| 24: Do extra filters on cigarettes help reduce tar and harmful chemicals?
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25: Doc, do extra filters on cigarettes help reduce tar and harmful chemicals?
| It has been shown that extra filters do not help in the long run.Since the chemicals are reduced through the filter, studies have shown that smokers will tend to increase the number of sticks smoked to achieve the amount of relief.In the long run the filters will not work. |
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26: I found my teenage daughter with a cigarette in her bag.I believe she smokes because I do smoke.How do i get her to stop smoking?
| The Centre for Disease Control(CDC), suggests the following to help stop the habit.
1.Try to avoid threats and ultimatums
2.Show your interest in a non-threatening way. Ask a few questions. Find out why your teen is using tobacco.
3.Lead by example,try to quit.
4. Be supportive. Both you and your teen need to prepare for the mood swings and crankiness that can come with nicotine withdrawal.
5.Make a list with your teen of the reasons why they want to quit. Refer back to this list when your teen is tempted.
6.Finally, reward your teen when she quits |
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27: Do nicotine patches work?
| yes, nicotine patches as well as other nicotine replacement therapies help to reduce craving for cigarettes by replacing nicotine.So no craving, no smoking.
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28: How long can i use my nicotine patch?
| The usual duration is between 5 to 8 months.The concentration of the nicotine in the patches will have to be reduce gradually until you stop using it.
The nicotine patch(and other nicotine replacement therapies NRT) are not permanent but a way to help stop the habit of smoking? |
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29: Are there any medicines that can help one quit smoking?
| Yes, but the medication cannot work alone and requires therapy.Also,the medication has to be prescribed by a medical doctor.
the medications used are like:
1.Bupropion, an anti depressant that reduces nicotine withdrawal effects.
2.Varenicline, a newer drug that is solely meant to help people quit smoking.It has two effects by lessening the pleasurable physical effects a person gets from smoking, and reduces the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Please note,all the above medicines need Medical prescription and follow up. |
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30: Can herbal medicines help me quit cigarette smoking?
| No herbal or dietary supplement has been proven to effectively help people quit smoking.
Please be careful when you use herbal medications |
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| NOTE: FAQs are authored by the Ask-a-doc panel of Doctors |
