THE INIMITABLE STYLE OF GLORIA MIZZI - MaltaRightNow.com

| HEALTH |
D C Q&A
John Cutajar M.D.
(doctor of medicine and surgery)
Contact us with your queries. If you have a medical question email us at : life&style@media.link.com.mt or write in
to :DOC Q & A, , Life & Style, Media.Link Communications Co Ltd, Triq Herbert Ganado, Pieta HMR 08. Please
state your age, sex, initials and town. A selection of questions will be answered in the magazine but our doctor cannot
enter into personal correspondence.
The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you’re worried, see your GP.
“ Bad breath is
most common in
smokers - if you
smoke, you’ve got
one more reason
to quit.”
Q I have very dark circles
under my eyes. Someone
told me that it may have
something to do with my
kidneys, as I’ve had kidney
problems in the past.
I’m worried that there may
be an underlying problem.
Is it true that they could
be linked and should I
see a doctor to have any
particular tests performed
to rule any kidney problems
out I don’t suffer from any
sleep depravation at all
so it’s not through lack of
sleep.
Mrs. A. S - Zabbar
A Dark circles under or around people’s eyes
are unlikely to be caused by disease, especially
if they have been there for ages. They are more
often caused by lack of sleep or dehydration.
However, some chronic kidney problems can
sometimes be the cause. Thus, if this is noted as
a recent change or if you’ve had kidney problems
in the past, the only way to be reassured is by
visiting your doctor to have your kidney function
checked with some blood and urine tests.
Q Over the last two years,
my seven-year-old daughter
has wet the bed almost
every night. We never tell
her off, but my husband
and I find ourselves asking
the question ‘why’ There
are times when she has
a month or so without
bed-wetting. Then just
as abruptly as it stops, it
starts again. I have read
that for it is normal for a
child to wet the bed until
the age of six. Please can
you reassure me that one
day my daughter will grow
out of this
Mr. M. S - Swieqi
A Yes, it is highly likely that your daughter
will grow out of it. Most children stop bedwetting
by the age of six, though a few may
keep doing so until they are eight or nine. Urine
tests can exclude physical causes such as
diabetes or urine infections. However, the pattern
you describe, with times when she stays dry,
suggests a psychological rather than a physical
cause. It’s good not to tell her off, but dry nights
can be rewarded. Ask her if there’s anything
bothering her at school or at home. Ask about
nightmares. You can also ask her teachers to
watch out for problems at school. If no obvious
cause is identifi ed, speak to your doctor to
consider specialist referral.
Q I suffer from bad body
odour and bad breath, even
though I am very particular
about my hygiene. Are
these odours related and is
there anything I can do to
rid myself of these smells
My girlfriend keeps talking
about a build up of toxins
but I am not so sure.
Mr. I. V - Valletta
A It is unlikely that these two problems are
directly related or be due to underlying disease.
Unless you suffer from a medical condition or
are on long-term medication, they are usually
due to local causes. Bad breath is most common
in smokers - if you smoke, you’ve got one more
reason to quit (as if there weren’t enough!). A
dental check-up is next on the cards, as chronic
tooth or gum disease could also be the culprit.
Body odour is also often localised and due to
excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis). Some parts
of your body might be sweatier than others. You
could try different anti-perspirants, deodorants,
perfumes and scented body washes, wearing
loose fi tting clothes made of natural materials
and shaving armpit or body hair. Finally, having
a healthy balanced diet will help you discard
the “toxins” idea… drink plenty of water, avoid
excessive alcohol and coffee, and eat fresh rather
than processed foods, avoiding fats. If these
simple measures don’t help, seek medical advice
as pharmaceutical products, surgery or botox
injections might be needed in severe cases.
“Most children stop bed-wetting by the age of six,
though a few may keep doing so until they are
eight or nine.”
L&S | SEPTEMBER ’06 25