Dr. Idalia Machuca - Belize

07/11/2019

02/11/2019

Dear patients, please be advised that Dr. Machuca's clinic in Ladyville is temporarily closed. Information about relocation will be posted on this page in the future. You may contact Dr. Machuca at the phone number 624-9912. Thank you!

02/11/2019

15/09/2018

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has skin signs and symptoms. There is no cure but it is treatable. The patients’ reason of consultation is “skin rash”, but this is only the visible part of the problem.

Scientists believe psoriasis is the result of several factors: 1) genetics (only 2% to 3% of people with the gene develop the disease), 2) environmental triggers (stress, injury to skin, infection, certain medications), and 3) overactive immune system (new skin cells are produced rapidly, and the old skin cells are pushed to the surface, forming the thick, red, itchy, flaky patches known as plaques).

The body takes about 28 to 30 days to produce new skin cells and shed the old ones, but in this case, the new skin cells are pushed to the skin's surface in 3 to 4 days.

Psoriasis is not contagious.

Ask your doctor about medications to reduce any symptoms you are having: burning and biting itch, redness and scales on the skin, pain, stiffness, or swelling in the joints, general fatigue, changes to nails.

Keep your skin moisturized. Stay away from hot water as it can dry your skin, and avoid flare ups by limiting stress, no smoking, no ingestion of alcoholic beverages, and maintain a healthy diet.

02/10/2017

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis):

For treatment or more information, please contact or visit Dr. Machuca's clinic.

The conjunctiva is the thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva.

There are three main types of conjunctivitis: Infectious (Bacterial conjunctivitis may improve after 3-4 days of antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis could take up to 2-3 weeks to run its course. Less common is conjunctivitis caused by sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea); Allergic (Reaction to air irritants such as pollen and smoke, chlorine in swimming pools, and ingredients in cosmetics); Chemical (Acid or alkali burns to eyes are medical emergencies since these can lead to scarring, damage to the eye or the sight, or even loss of the eye).

Symptoms:
- Redness
- Itchiness
- A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
- Discharge from one or both eyes
- Swelling of the eyelid

Prevention:
- Wash your hands thoroughly frequently
- Don't touch your eyes with your hands
- Change your towel and washcloth daily, and don't share them with others
- Discard eye cosmetics, particularly mascara
- Handle and clean contact lenses properly

Any newborn baby with conjunctivitis should see a doctor immediately to rule out infection, which can be very serious.

20/03/2017

The risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy:

Drinking at any time during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects in the fetus. No level of alcohol consumption has been proven safe, so even light drinking of any type of alcohol may be harmful.

The alcohol passes from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. In the immature body of the fetus, the alcohol is broken down very slowly. This causes the alcohol level in the baby’s blood to remain elevated for a longer time compared to the mother.

Drinking while pregnant increases the risk for miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth. It may also cause learning, emotional, behavioural, and physical defects. These defects include poor memory, low IQ, hyperactive disorder, defects involving the heart and face, and mental retardation.

If you are or might become pregnant, think twice before drinking. It is never too late to save your child from suffering from fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

For more health tips, visit Dr. Idalia Machuca's page.

(photo by newhealthadvisor.com)

19/03/2017

Pregnant and drinking alcohol?

Drinking while pregnant increases the risk for miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth. It may also cause learning, emotional, behavioural, and physical defects. These defects include poor memory, low IQ, hyperactive disorder, defects involving the heart and face, and mental retardation.

Please review the image below for more information on facial defects found in children who are suffering from fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

26/02/2017

How much alcohol do you drink?

13/02/2017

Attention to all future mothers:
A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, measured from the first day of the last menstruation. Babies born before the 37th week are premature. Women who could give birth to a premature baby are those:
- who are not receiving adequate antenatal care
- who smoke, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs
- who have pre-eclampsia, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, untreated urinary infections, or anemia
- with cervical infections such as group B streptococci, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis or gardnerella
- with an abnormal uterus or cervix
- younger than 17 or older than 40
- who also have an IUD in the uterus
- who have had multiple abortions
- who are malnourished
- going through stressful life events like domestic violence or death of a loved one
- who suffer from physical injury or trauma
- who have had a cone biopsy of cervix
- carrying a multiple pregnancy
- who have had second trimester miscarriages
- with history of delivering a premature baby in the past
Keep up to date with your antenatal care. It can save you and your baby!

(photo by www.wholeparent.com)

31/12/2016

Is losing weight your new year’s resolution?

Brisk walking is an easy and affordable exercise for people of all ages. It reduces stress and improves mood, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and the risk of heart attacks, maintains strong bones, and strengthens the immune system. At the same time, you can enjoy the scenery of your local park, spend time with a loved one or pet, and even compete against a friend using mobile apps that track your steps and fitness progress. Brisk walking is recommended for 30 minutes daily, i.e. three 10-minute sessions, two 15 minute sessions, or a full 30 minute walk, for a total of 150 minutes weekly. This is a great exercise to implement into your new and healthy 2017 lifestyle!

(photo by AARP/ http://18674-presscdn.pagely.netdna-cdn.com)

22/11/2016

Tumor markers (or biomarkers) are substances that are produced by cancer or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign conditions. Tumor markers for ovarian cancer are measured using blood tests and can be used in conjunction with other tests (scans and biopsies) to help diagnose a patient who has symptoms suspicious for cancer. However, there are limits to the use of tumor markers. For instance, not everyone with ovarian cancer will have an elevated tumor marker, and there are non-cancerous conditions that can cause tumor markers to be elevated.

Tumor markers for ovarian cancer include: CA-125, Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Beta-hCG), HE4, Inhibin A & B, and Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

08/05/2016

Let's think about Disaster Prevention and Environment Protection.

28/03/2016

Medical Terms:.
Glycated Hemoglobin:Glucose (sugar) molecules in the blood become stuck to hemoglobin molecules.
The glycosylated hemoglobin test shows what a person's average blood glucose level was for the 2 to 3 months previous to the test. This test can help determine how well a person's diabetes is being controlled.
The glycation of hemoglobin occurs over time during the lifespan of the red blood cell that is 120 days. The proportion of glycated hemoglobin at any one time depends on the glucose level over the previous 120 days.
High glycosylated hemoglobin means poor control of the diabetes.

11/02/2016

Medical Terms:
Plethora: deep rosy red skin color

11/02/2016

Health Tips:
It is very important to keep a newborn infant warm and dry to prevent heat loss and its consequences; preterm infants are especially likely to experience heat loss.

25/01/2016

Anemia (low Hemoglobin (Hb))
The blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells (RBC) due to:
· Not enough production
· Slow replacement when people lose RBC due to bleeding
· The body destroys the RBC

The red blood cells contain hemoglobin that enables them to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to the lungs so that it can be exhaled.

Types of anemia
· Iron deficiency anemia. Iron is needed to produce Hb
· Vitamin deficiency anemias. A diet lacking in folate and vitamin B12 and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production.
· Anemia of chronic disease. cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases
· Aplastic anemia
· Anemias associated with bone marrow disease
· Hemolytic anemias
· Sickle cell anemia
· Other anemias