Medical Blog - Dr. Alin Marga, Dublin, Ireland

Rice water to treat diarrhoea in infants up to 5 months old

27/5/2013

Small babies are sometimes quite difficult to treat as most of the pharmaceutical drugs are contraindicated for those up to 5 - 12 months old.

Common cold, benign infections, teething or changes in babies diet can induce diarrhoea and abdominal colics (cramps) in small babies or even in older children. Those up to 5 months old are at greater risk when suffering from diarrhoea as they are most likely to develop a rapid dehydration.

Unless the cause of the loose bowel motions (diarrhoea) is a really severe one (bacterial infections of the digestive tract, a.s.o.), parents could use a very old remedy for such condition and namely the rice water.

A lot of us have heard that the rice seeds can be beneficial in stopping diarrhoea. But how to use the white seeds when it comes about the small babies?

Here is a very simple recipe that any of you could use without headaches:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of rice flour
4 tablespoons of glucose powder
1 liter water

Put the water to boil and then add the rice flour and the glucose powder. Simmer the mix for 25 minutes stirring from time to time. When ready, wait for the rice water to get to the room temperature and add it to the milk bottles as follows:

day one: 3 parts rice water and 1 part milk for each bottle of the day (if diarrhoea is a severe one - more than 6 or 7 watery stools per day - continue with the same proportions during the second day as well
day two and three: 1 part rice water and 1 part milk for each bottle of the day
day four: 1 part rice water and 3 parts milk for each bottle of the day (it could be continued respecting these proportions for one or more days or until diarrhoea will resolve)

Psyllium seed husks - a natural remedy for IBS

26/5/2013

Psyllium seeds (Plantago ovata seeds) are originary from India. They are indigestible, hygroscopic (they have the property of absorbing high quantities of water) and a source of soluble dietary fiber.

They are mainly used as an add-on treatment for IBS and hypercholesterolaemia. The improvement of diarrhoea, and a colon cleasing action (in those suffering from IBS) and a reduction of coronary heart disease (CHD) events (in those suffering from high cholesterol levels) are the benefits this seeds offer.

On the other hand, the long term ingestion of Psyllium seeds might give abdominal cramping, increased flatulence (increased passing of bowel wind) and constipation.
Psyllium seeds are contraindicated in case of oesophageal and gastrointestinal obstruction or difficult swallowing and also in case of fecal impaction, symptoms of appendicitis (lower right abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, reduced/absent bowel motions, high temperature, altered general state), gastritis or gastro/duodenal ulcers, rectal bleeding.

Dosing: 1 teaspoon or tablespoon of seeds in 8 oz (~ 240 ml) of water for up to three times per day. An increased daily ingestion of water (fluids) is recommended during the treatment with these seeds.

Safety information for Ketoprofen gel users

23/5/2013

Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

The topical formulation of ketoprofen is widely prescribed for benign conditions in traumatology and rheumatology as well. It has been used in European Union since 1978.
In 2010, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has conducted a scientific review of topical ketoprofen-containing medicines on the basis of reported photosensitivity reactions and co-sensitization with octocrylene (UV filter).
CHMP has concluded that photosensitivity reactions of topical ketoprofen-containing medicines are important adverse reactions, but that the benefit/risk profile of these medicines remains favourable.

Therefore, it is important that patients should be advised on several photosensitivity preventative measures such:

Wash hands thoroughly after each application of gel
Do not expose treated areas to sun, even if cloudy, or UVA during the treatment with ketoprofen or 2 weeks after its discontinuation
Protect treated areas from sunlight by wearing clothing
Topical ketoprofen should not be used under occlusive bandage
Discontinue treatment immediately upon development of any skin reaction, including cutaneous reactions after co-application of octocrylene containing products

(source: Irish Medicines Board)

The less known uses of Cumin - traditional (herbal) medicine

17/5/2013

Just a few of us have heard of the benefits this tiny seeds could offer for a series of medical conditions. If you would ask your granny, you might find out even more about it.

Cumin is very rich in iron and magnesium and therefore could be used as an add-on natural remedy to treat conditions like iron deficiency anaemia, stress, anxiety and fatigue. The long term intake might also prevent cancer.

Cumin is famous for its effects on the digestive tract. It proves a great fighter against diarrhoea, flatulence, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.

How to use the cumin seeds?

The best way of taking advantage of its miraculous properties is to make a cumin seeds tea.

Here's my recipe:

Put to boil one or more cups (~250 - 300ml each) of water and add one heaped tablespoon of cumin seeds to each cup of water; boil them together for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the boiling liquid is turning brownish; leave it to cool down until just slightly warm and drink 1 - 2 cups of unsweetened tea per day (kids could use half of this amount). As a note: excessive use of cumin tea can promote constipation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its psychological implications

16/5/2013

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a frequently diagnosed condition in both young and elder women can produce different effects on quality of life, psychosocial well-being and sexual satisfaction.

The major features of PCOS are obesity, excessive body hair, acne, increased serum testosterone levels, disturbed insulin metabolism, menstrual cycle disturbances and infertility.

PCOS patients show significant reductions in quality-of-life, increased psychological disturbances and a decreased sexual satisfaction compared with those undiagnosed with this condition. Among the changes mentioned above, the increased BMI (obesity) and hirsutism have been shown to cause the greatest negative impact on quality-of-life and sexual satisfaction. Metabolic and endocrine parameters along with menstrual irregularities and infertility appear to have a lower impact.
(source: European Journal of Endocrinology, 2005 Dec.)

Whooping cough vaccine advised for pregnant women

10/5/2013

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is strongly advising for pertussis vaccination for pregnant women.

All pregnant women at 28 - 32 weeks should receive a dose of Tdap vaccine against pertussis in order to ensure the transfer of specific antibodies to their babies.

Usually, the newborn babies receive the Tdap as part of the 6-in-one vaccine (Infanrix Hexa) at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. The single Tdap vaccination for pregnant women aims therefore to offer protection for newborn babies from birth and till they will reach 2 months.

Pregnant women could receive this vaccine before or after the 28 - 32 weeks interval, but it may not be that active.

In the case of babies born before 32 weeks, it is recommended that the family contacts to receive the Tdap vaccine to protect the newborn.

Do cherries help in Gout?

8/5/2013

In December 2012, Zhang and the colleagues from Boston University Medical Centre conducted a very interesting case/control study with patients with gout enrolled in an internet-based registry. Investigators picked a 2-day period just before an attack of gout and compared that period with the 2 preceding days and the 2 subsequent days as control periods unrelated to an attack of gout.

The investigators looked at various self-reported dietary items, including cherries and other unrelated foods. They found that the intake of cherries before an attack of gout reduced the likelihood of experiencing an acute attack of gout by one third compared with the intake of unrelated foods.

Possible explanations:
Cherry extract blocks the tubular reabsorption of urate and increases urate excretion in the urine. Cherry juice may also block xanthine oxidase and reduce the production of uric acid.
Cherry extract has a synergistic effect with allopurinol. Moreover, cherries contain anthocyanins, which are somewhat anti-inflammatory.
(source: Medscape News, Jonathan Kay MD)

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) use increase the risk of respiratory tract infections

5/5/2013

BZDs are widely used for conditions like anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, epilepsy and they act by activating inhibitory gamma-amino butyric acid type A receptors (GABAA) in the brain.
An observational study (Thorax) looked at the effects of BZDs, and the non-BZD Zopiclone, to determine if they were associated with an increased risk of pneumonia and mortality from pneumonia.
The results found that, after adjusting for potential confounding factors (including current smoking, presence of lung disease, depression, psychosis, co-morbidity, deprivation score and previous pneumonia episodes) there was a significant association (54% increased risk) seen between BZD use and increase in pneumonia risk. No interactions were found with age or gender for drug exposure.
Diazepam, Lorazepam and Temazepam were associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. The use of Zopiclone also showed a higher risk (98% increased risk) of pneumonia.
Use of BZDs was also associated with an increased risk of 30 days mortality and long-term mortality following pneumonia compared with the controls (placebo).
(source: National Medicines Information Centre)