Vantage Medical Centre-Mukono, Mukono (2026)

12/03/2018

RHESUS FACTOR INCOMPATIBILITY A LEADING CAUSE OF MISCARRIAGE!
(MUST READ)

Rhesus Factor is an antigen that exists on the surface of red blood cells in most people (about 85% of humans). It is also referred to as Rh Factor. People who have the Rh have “positive” (+) blood types, such as A+, O+ or B+ are said to be rhesus Factor positive, while those who have the Rh “negative” (-) blood types, such as A–, O– or AB– are said to be rhesus factor negative . The “+” and “-” in front of the blood group is the Rhesus factor. Generally, we have A+, A–, B+, B–, AB+, AB–, O+ and O–. Rhesus factor is genetic in nature. It is inherited from the parents, emphatically the father.

How does Rhesus Factor cause miscarriage?

If a Rh– woman is impregnated by a man with Rh–, there wouldn’t be any problem. However, if a Rh– woman is impregnated by a man with Rh+, there would be a problem if the baby inherits Rh+ from the father . We have here what is medically called Rhesus Factor Incompatibility. The baby would obviously be Rh+. During child birth, once the baby’s Rh+ comes in contact with the woman Rh- during delivery, the antibodies are immediately activated by the woman’s body’s immune system.

The activated antibodies would see the new Rh+ as foreign body or a threat and consequently they would be at alert to attack and get rid of the foreign body. Unfortunately as such, after this particular child birth, the woman would keep having miscarriages because the activated antibodies would see subsequent Rh+ pregnancies as foreign bodies and would keep fighting and taking them off.

Women with Rh activated antibodies are said to be Rh sensitized and once these antibodies are activated , they can never be deactivated until the woman dies. Rh induced antibodies are activated in a Rh- woman by child birth, abortion, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

If a Rh– woman commits an abortion for a Rh+ man and the antibodies are activated in her system, the woman might end up childless throughout her life except if she later marries another man with with the same Rh–. The possibility of a Rh– woman finding a Rh– man is slim as about 85% of human beings are Rh+. This is a warning to our young girls who commits abortions all in the name of boyfriend-girlfriend relationships.

If you’re a woman with Rh– and your fiance is Rh+, and you haven’t committed abortion for him and you don’t want to leave him, then, you need to take note of the following:

In order to prevent the activation of the antibodies, doctors would give women in this category an injection called Rhogam during and after pregnancy to prevent spontaneous abortion due to Rhesus factor incompatibility. The injection is normally administered 28 weeks into pregnancy, 72 hours after delivery, after ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or abortion. If the injection is not administered and the antibodies are activated, they would never be deactivated again!

In many African cultures up till today, women who are so unfortunate to find themselves having serial spontaneous abortions due to Rhesus factor incompatibility are considered witches by some of their people. Some of the women would accuse their in-laws of being behind their predicament.

So, if you’re a woman with Rh– , you need to be very careful. It might be difficult for you to get a husband with a Rh– because about 85% of human beings are Rh+. So, in order not to find yourself in the aforementioned problem, put all that have been said at the back of your mind and go for genetic counselling. If you have a daughter or a sister with Rh–, counsel them on Rhesus Factor Incompatibility and the dangers lying therein.

It should also be noted that a Rh– person(man or woman) cannot receive blood donation from a Rh+ person even if they have the same blood group. The consequence of such blood transfusion is fatal. It would lead to death as the blood would clot. This is due to the incompatibility in their Rhesus factor.

Know your Rhesus factor today!

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Article by Hilary NK

07/08/2017

Hello...! From Vantage Medical Center team

26/01/2017

Vantage Medical Center is well equipped to handle a variety of Medical, Surgical, Gynecological and many other cases at any time. For any queries you can reach us on 0781919007, email info@vantagemc.org

14/11/2016

http://www.dentalhealth.ie/dentalhealth/causes/dentalcaries.html

11/08/2016

TYPHOID

What is typhoid?

Typhoid is an infection caused by Salmonella typhimurium bacteria that is spread from human to human.
Typhoid is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhimurium. The bacterium lives in the intestines and bloodstream of humans. It is spread between individuals by direct contact with the f***s of an infected person.

No animals carry this disease, so transmission is always human to human.

If untreated, around 1 in 4 cases of typhoid end in death. If treatment is given, less than 4 in 100 cases are fatal.

S. typhi enters through the mouth and spends 1-3 weeks in the intestine. After this time, it makes its way through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream.

From the bloodstream, it spreads into other tissues and organs. The immune system of the host can do little to fight back because S. typhi can live within the host's cells, safe from the immune system.

Typhoid is diagnosed by detecting the presence of S. typhi via blood, stool, urine, or bone marrow sample.

Symptoms of typhoid

Symptoms normally begin 6-30 days after exposure to the bacteria. The two major symptoms of typhoid are fever and rash. Typhoid fever is particularly high, gradually increasing over several days up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

The rash, which does not affect every patient, consists of rose-colored spots, particularly on the neck and abdomen.

Other symptoms can include weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches; rarely, symptoms might include confusion, diarrhea, and vomiting (but not normally severe).

In serious, untreated cases, the bowel can become perforated; this can lead to peritonitis (an infection of the tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen), which can be very serious indeed.

Note: paratyphoid has similar symptoms to typhoid but is caused by Salmonella enterica. Both conditions are of similar severity.

How to avoid typhoid

Countries with less access to clean water and washing facilities typically have a higher number of typhoid cases.

People traveling in Africa, South America, and Asia (India in particular) should be vigilant.

Typhoid is spread by contact and ingestion of infected human f***s. This can happen through an infected water source or when handling food.

The following are some general rules to follow when traveling to help minimize the chance of typhoid infection:

Drink bottled water (preferably carbonated)
If bottled water cannot be sourced, ensure water is heated on a rolling boil for at least one minute before consuming
Be wary of eating anything that has been handled by someone else
Avoid eating at street food stands, and only eat food that is still piping hot
Do not have ice in drinks
Avoid raw fruit and vegetables and peel fruit yourself (do not eat the peel)

Typhoid vaccination.
If traveling to an area where typhoid is prevalent, vaccination is recommended.
Before traveling to a high-risk area, getting vaccinated against typhoid fever is recommended. This can be achieved by oral medication or a one-off injection:

Oral - live, attenuated vaccine. Consists of 4 tablets - one taken every other day, the last of which is taken 1 week before travel.
Shot - inactivated vaccine, administered 2 weeks before travel.
Note: vaccines are not 100 percent effective and caution should still be exercised when eating and drinking.

Vaccination should not be started if the individual is currently ill or if they are under 6-years of age. Anyone with HIV should not take the live, oral dose.

There may be side effects to the vaccine:

Shot: fever (1 in 100 cases)
Shot: headache (1 in 30 cases)
Shot: redness or swelling at the site of injection (1 in 15 cases)
Oral: fever or headache (1 in 20 cases)
Oral: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, rash (rare)
Even when the symptoms of typhoid have passed, it is still possible to be carrying the bacteria. As a result, it is difficult to entirely stamp out the disease because carriers whose symptoms have finished may stop showing caution when washing food or interacting with others.

Although there are two types of typhoid vaccine available, a more powerful vaccine is still needed. The live, oral version of the vaccine is the strongest of the two; after 3 years, it still protects individuals from infection 73 percent of the time. However, this vaccine has more side effects.

The current vaccines are not always effective, and because typhoid is so prevalent in poorer countries, more research needs to be done to find better ways of preventing its spread.

Regardless of efficacy, treating children in risky areas with current vaccines would be of benefit. Unfortunately, because of their relatively high cost, governments are reluctant to adopt them.

Treatment of typhoid
The only effective treatment for typhoid is antibiotics. The most commonly used are ciprofloxacin (for non-pregnant adults) and ceftriaxone. Other than antibiotics, it is sensible to rehydrate by drinking adequate water.

In more severe cases, where the bowel has become perforated, surgery may be required.

Typhoid antibiotic resistance
As with a number of other bacterial diseases, the problem of antibiotic resistance is impacting the choice of drugs available to typhoid sufferers. In recent years, typhoid has become resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin.

Ciprofloxacin, one of the key medications for typhoid, is also suffering a similar fate. Some studies have found Salmonella typhimurium resistance rates to be around 35 percent.

Asymptomatic carriers
Some individuals are asymptomatic carriers of typhoid, meaning that they harbor the bacteria but suffer no ill effects. As many as 1 in 6 people have the capacity to be a silent carrier.

These individuals are particularly dangerous within high-risk populations.

Mary Mallon, better known as "Typhoid Mary" (1869-1938), was the first known asymptomatic typhoid carrier in the U.S. During her career as a cook, Mary is thought to have infected at least 51 people, three of whom died.

Mary, an Irish immigrant, worked as a cook for a string of families, infecting numerous members of each household before moving on to work elsewhere.

Mallon was eventually tracked down and quarantined. In all, she spent the best part of three decades in forced isolation. She died, aged 69, of pneumonia.

Macrophages and S. typhi
Research has revealed that S. typhi can live within macrophages, a part of the immune system. Macrophages are normally responsible for killing pathogens, but S. typhi can avoid their attack by replicating inside them.

Scientists are slowly untangling how the bacteria are capable of this feat.

S. typhi can avoid the body's natural immune reaction by replicating within macrophages.
Macrophages have two modes of attack. Initially, when a pathogen is first noticed, the body starts an inflammatory reaction. This inflammation switches the macrophage into killing mode.

The body cannot carry out this level of response indefinitely, so the inflammation eventually dies down.

After the inflammation phase is complete, the macrophages change their roles; they become gentler cells, carrying out tasks like wound healing.

If the S. typhi manage to survive the inflammation phase, they are then able to hijack the gentler macrophage and happily multiply in the safety of its interior.

Results from recent studies also seem to imply that the bacteria might be able to subtly change cell biochemistry to encourage the switch from inflammatory to anti-inflammatory macrophages.

As science slowly untangles the mysteries and mechanisms of typhoid, vaccinations will be improved. For now, education and good hygiene are key.

26/07/2016

PEPTIC ULCERS:

• causes
• Symptoms
• Tests
• Treatment
• Complications
• Outlook
• Prevention

What Are Peptic Ulcers?

1. Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine.
2. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the navel to the chest.
3. Untreated ulcers can become worse over time and lead to other health conditions.

Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine (the duodenum), usually as a result of inflammation caused by the bacteria H. pylori, as well as from erosion from stomach acids. Peptic ulcers are a fairly common health problem.
There are three types of peptic ulcers:
• gastric ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the stomach
• esophageal ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the esophagus
• duodenal ulcers: ulcers that develop in the upper section of the small intestines, called the duodenum

Causes of Peptic Ulcers

Different factors can cause the lining of the stomach, the esophagus, and the small intestine to break down. These include:
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): a bacteria that can cause a stomach infection and inflammation
• frequent use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs (risk associated with this behavior increases in women and people over the age of 60)
• smoking
• drinking too much alcohol
• radiation therapy
• stomach cancer

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers

The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the navel to the chest, which can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain may wake you up at night. Small peptic ulcers may not produce any symptoms in the early phases.
Other common signs of a peptic ulcer include:
• changes in appetite
• nausea
• bloody or dark stools (melena)
• unexplained weight loss
• indigestion
• vomiting
• chest pain

Tests and Exams for Peptic Ulcers

Two types of tests are available to diagnose a peptic ulcer. They are called upper endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal (GI) series.
Upper Endoscopy
In this procedure, your doctor inserts a long tube with a camera down your throat and into your stomach and small intestine to examine the area for ulcers. This instrument also allows your doctor to remove tissue samples for examination.

Not all cases require an upper endoscopy. However, this procedure is recommended for people with a higher risk of stomach cancer. This includes people over the age of 45, as well as those who experience:
• anemia (a low number of red blood cells)
• weight loss
• gastrointestinal bleeding
• difficulty swallowing

Upper GI
If you don’t have difficulty swallowing and have a low risk of stomach cancer, your doctor may recommend an upper GI test instead. For this procedure, you’ll drink a thick liquid called barium, and then a technician will take an X-ray of your stomach, esophagus, and small intestine. The liquid will make it possible for your doctor to view and treat the ulcer.
Because H. pylori is a cause of peptic ulcers, your doctor will also run a test to check for this infection in your stomach.
How to Treat a Peptic Ulcer

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your ulcer. If tests show that you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe a combination of medication, which you will have to take for up to two weeks. The medications include antibiotics to help kill infections, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to help reduce stomach acid.
You may experience minor side effects like diarrhea or upset stomach from antibiotic regimens. If these side effects cause significant discomfort or don’t get better over time, talk to your doctor.
If your doctor determines that you don’t have an H. pylori infection, they may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter PPI (such as Prilosec or Prevacid) for up to eight weeks to reduce stomach acid and help your ulcer heal.
Acid blockers (like Zantac or Pepcid) can also reduce stomach acid and ulcer pain. These medications are available as a prescription and also over the counter in lower doses.
Complications of a Peptic Ulcer

Untreated ulcers can become worse over time and lead to other, more serious health complications, such as:
• Perforation: A hole develops in the lining of the stomach or small intestine and causes an infection. A sign of a perforated ulcer is sudden, severe abdominal pain.
• Internal bleeding: Bleeding ulcers can result in significant blood loss and thus require hospitalization. Signs of a bleeding ulcer include lightheadedness, dizziness, and black stools.
• Scar tissue: This is thick tissue that develops after an injury. This tissue makes it difficult for food to pass through your digestive tract. Signs of scar tissue include vomiting and weight loss.
All three complications are medical emergencies that require surgery. Call your doctor if you feel dizzy or if symptoms return. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:
• sudden, sharp abdominal pain
• fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion, these may be signs of shock
• blood in vomit or stool
• abdomen that’s hard to the touch
Outlook for Peptic Ulcers

With proper treatment, most peptic ulcers heal. However, you may not heal if you stop taking your medication early or continue to use to***co and pain relievers during treatment. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment after your initial treatment to evaluate your recovery.
Some ulcers, called refractory ulcers, don’t heal with treatment. If your ulcer doesn’t heal with the initial treatment, this can indicate:
• an excessive production of stomach acid
• presence of bacteria other than H. pylori in the stomach
• another disease, such as stomach cancer or Crohn’s disease
Your doctor may offer a different method of treatment or run additional tests to rule out stomach cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases.
How to Prevent Peptic Ulcers

Certain lifestyle choices and habits can reduce your risk of developing peptic ulcers. These include:
• not drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day
• not mixing alcohol with medication
• washing your hands frequently to avoid infections
• limiting your use of ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and quitting smoking and other to***co use will also help you prevent developing a peptic ulcer.

Posted by: Nuwamanya Hilary Kaganda

11/07/2016

10 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

You can feel wonderful during your
pregnancy if you take good care of
yourself. Increase your odds of a
healthy pregnancy by following these
sensible steps to keep yourself in top
condition:
1. Eat five or six well-balanced
meals each day.
2. Take a prenatal vitamin each day
as directed by your obstetrician or
midwife .
3. Drink plenty of fluids -- at least
eight to 10 glasses a day -- avoiding
caffeine and artificial coloring.
4. Don't drink alcohol.
5. Don't smoke or allow yourself to
be exposed to secondhand smoke.
6. Exercise -- it's important for your
general health and also can help
reduce stress. Take a pregnancy
exercise class or walk at least fifteen
to twenty minutes every day at a
moderate pace. Walk in cool, shaded
areas or indoors in order to prevent
overheating.
7. Get adequate sleep -- at least
eight hours a night. If you're
suffering from sleep disturbances,
take naps during the day and see
your physician for advice.
8. Wear comfortable, nonrestricting
shoes and put your feet up several
times a day to prevent fatigue and
swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles.
9. Continue to wear a safety belt
while riding in motor vehicles.
According to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, the
shoulder portion of the restraint
should be positioned over the collar
bone. The lap portion should be
placed under the abdomen as low as
possible on the hips and across the
upper thighs, never above the
abdomen. Also, pregnant women
should sit as far from the air bag as
possible.
10. Don't take over-the-counter
medications or herbal remedies
without first consulting your
obstetrician or midwife.
Sources: National Women's Health
Information Center; American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
All content here, including advice
from doctors and other health
profess

27/06/2016

DIABETES

Diabetes is a disease in which your
blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels
are too high. Glucose comes from
the foods you eat. Insulin is a
hormone that helps the glucose get
into your cells to give them energy.
With type 1 diabetes , your body does
not make insulin. With type 2
diabetes , the more common type,
your body does not make or use
insulin well. Without enough insulin,
the glucose stays in your blood. You
can also have prediabetes . This
means that your blood sugar is
higher than normal but not high
enough to be called diabetes. Having
prediabetes puts you at a higher risk
of getting type 2 diabetes.
Over time, having too much glucose
in your blood can cause serious
problems. It can damage your eyes ,
kidneys , and nerves. Diabetes can
also cause heart disease, stroke and
even the need to remove a limb.
Pregnant women can also get
diabetes, called gestational diabetes .
Blood tests can show if you have
diabetes. One type of test, the A1C ,
can also check on how you are
managing your diabetes. Exercise,
weight control and sticking to your
meal plan can help control your
diabetes. You should also monitor
your blood glucose level and take
medicine if prescribed.

21/06/2016

Today is Cancer Survivor Day.
Can I ask a favor?? Just a few of you will do it, and I know who you possibly are. ❤️💛💚💙💜If you know someone who fought a battle against cancer and passed away, or someone who is still struggling, or know a brave survivor ❤️💛💚💙💜copy and paste this to your status to show support, respect and love.
❤️💛💚💙💜❤️💛💚💙💜

20/06/2016

GOOD EATING HABITS
Eat three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); it is important to remember that dinner does not have to be the largest meal.
The bulk of food consumption should consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products.
Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts (with emphasis on beans and nuts).
Choose foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars; look at the labels because the first listed items on the labels comprise the highest concentrations of ingredients.
Control portion sizes; eat the smallest portion that can satisfy hunger and then stop eating.
Snacks are OK in moderation and should consist of items like fruit, whole grains, or nuts to satisfy hunger and not cause excessive weight gain.
Avoid sodas and sugar-enhanced drinks because of the excessive calories in the sodas and sugar drinks; diet drinks may not be a good choice as they make some people hungrier and increase food consumption.
Avoid eating a large meal before sleeping to decrease gastroesophageal reflux and weight gain.
If a person is angry or depressed, eating will not solve these situations and may make the underlying problems worse.
Avoid rewarding children with sugary snacks; such a pattern may become a lifelong habit for people.
Avoid heavy meals in the summer months, especially during hot days.
A vegetarian lifestyle has been promoted for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss; vegetarians should check with their physicians to be sure they are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and iron in their food.
Cooking foods (above 165 F) destroys most harmful bacteria and other pathogens; if you choose to eat uncooked foods like fruits or vegetables, they should be thoroughly washed with running treated (safe to drink) tap water right before eating.
Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats of any type.
People with diabetes should use the above tips and monitor their glucose levels as directed; try to keep the daily blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.
People with unusual work schedules (night shifts, college students, military) should try to adhere to a breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine with minimal snacking.
People who prepare food should avoid using grease or frying foods in grease.
People trying to lose weight (body fat) should avoid all fatty and sugary foods and eat mainly vegetables, fruits, and nuts and markedly reduce his/her intake of meat and dairy products.
Seek medical advice early if you cannot control your weight, food intake, or if you have diabetes and cannot control your blood glucose levels.

Vantage Medical Centre-Mukono

12/03/2018

07/08/2017

26/01/2017

14/11/2016

11/08/2016

26/07/2016

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27/06/2016

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