Patients may tire of hearing more talk of COVID much is published in the media . My blog today focuses on up to date dealings of what it means to be a GP so patients can envision up coming health care visits in the coming year. The good news is that it’s not all doom […]
Read MoreSo in Cape town there are 3 prevalent moulds – Alternaria , Cladosporium and Aspergillus. They can all be diagnosed on Skin Prick Tests easily (Don’t forget the 4 day antihistamine washout period prior to coming.) Implications: Mostly an issue if you have asthma – prevalence of ABPA (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is 1-2%). It’s higher […]
Read MoreFungal species commonly found indoors include Cladosporium, Alternaria and Aspergillus (THESE ARE ALL AVAILABLE TO BE TESTED AT THE ALLERGY CLINIC (MediSpa Cape Town). Consultation is R700 and Skin Pricks are charged at R45 a prick).SKIN PRICKS ARE INEXPENSIVE AND ACCURATE- ANTIHISTAMINES SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN 4 DAYS PRIOR TO ENSURE A VALID TEST). Children […]
Read MoreThe bacteria in the gut microbiome may produce the same NEUROTRANSMITTERS that are found in the CNS Dietary components such as probiotics may directly affect the intestinal epithelium and this may result in altered behaviour independently of changes in microbiota. Studies have shown that an ANTIOXIDANT rich diet is associated with a lower […]
Read MoreClinical History : This is Natalie . She is 26 years old and loves her cat and her boyfriend . She stays in a flat in Vredehoek. She reports constant sneezing and nasal congestion . She feels like she might be allergic to her own house. Specific IgE Blood test results (antibodies to allergens […]
Read More1.Think about a problem or situation you are facing- eg a new illness or issue with taking medication for HIV 2.Describe your problem as if it were happening to someone else 3.Imagine this problem from the perspective a week, a year or even a decade from now-what will you have learned and will you even […]
Read MoreHow to deal with a difficult diagnosis : Testing for HIV or for an illness that has a terminal tinge to it (or at least used to ), can be testing and bring much worry and fear to people. It is helpful to know that no matter what happens there is always hope and […]
Read MoreThere are various moisturisers on the market in the chemists. It is better to receive advice from a medical expert about which ones work and will help . Epimax is an effective emollient that will restore the skin barrier in eczema or with dry skin that is itching. An intact skin barrier is less likely […]
Read MoreWhat brings people mostly to the surgery these days are hives or urticaria – these are wheals measuring 1mm to many centimetres and they itch and they occur in crops on the skin .The cause is a release of histamine from the cells in the skin . Infections in the body can cause urticaria such […]
Read MoreA gentleman Mr X visited me the other day in the surgery and as he was due to depart for a holliday at a seaside retreat in Mauritius he wanted to revisit and episode of anaphylaxis he experienced about 10 years prior when his throat closed up and he had difficulty breathing after eating calamari. […]
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