DR JM Moloto

09/10/2025

🧠 Fibromyalgia – What It Is

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes:

Widespread muscle and joint pain

Fatigue

Poor sleep

Memory and concentration issues (“fibro fog”)

It affects how your brain and spinal cord process pain signals, making you feel pain more intensely than usual.

🔍 Key Symptoms

🔥 Widespread pain lasting more than 3 months

💤 Fatigue even after rest

🧩 “Fibro fog” – trouble focusing, memory lapses

🤕 Morning stiffness

🤯 Headaches

💩 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

🌡️ Sensitivity to temperature, light, or sound

😞 Depression or anxiety

🧬 Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause is unknown, but linked to:

Abnormal pain processing in the brain

Genetics (family history)

Physical or emotional trauma

Infections or severe stress

More common in:

Women aged 30–60

People with autoimmune disorders

Those with PTSD or chronic pain

🧪 Diagnosis

There’s no single test for fibromyalgia.
Doctors diagnose based on:

Symptoms lasting more than 3 months

Widespread pain index (WPI)

Ruling out other illnesses (e.g. lupus, arthritis, thyroid problems)

💊 Treatment Options

There’s no cure — but symptoms can be managed through a combination of:

1️⃣ Medications

Pain relievers (e.g. paracetamol, tramadol)

Antidepressants (duloxetine, amitriptyline)

Anti-seizure meds (pregabalin, gabapentin)

2️⃣ Lifestyle & Therapies

🏃‍♀️ Low-impact exercise: yoga, swimming, walking

🧘‍♀️ Stress management & CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

😴 Good sleep habits

🍎 Healthy diet, reducing processed foods & gluten

📌 Takeaway

Fibromyalgia is real and life-changing, but with early recognition and a solid care plan, people can live full, meaningful lives.
If you suspect fibromyalgia — don’t suffer in silence. See a doctor early.

08/10/2025

🧠 What is Encephalitis?
Encephalitis is a serious condition involving inflammation of the brain, often caused by a viral infection.
It can come on suddenly and may be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For:
High fever
Headache
Confusion or disorientation
Seizures
Sensitivity to light
Stiff neck
Changes in behavior or consciousness
🦠 Common Causes:
Viruses like herpes simplex, West Nile, or measles
Autoimmune reactions (in rare cases)
🏥 When to Seek Help:
If someone shows sudden confusion, seizures, or loses consciousness — seek emergency medical care immediately.
Early treatment can make a big difference.
💉 Prevention Tips:
Stay up to date on vaccinations
Protect against mosquito bites (some viruses are mosquito-borne)
Practice good hygiene
🧬 Knowledge is power — sharing this could save a life.

06/10/2025

🧠 What Is Dementia?
Dementia is not a single disease — it's a general term for a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, reasoning, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life.
It results from damage to brain cells, which interferes with their ability to communicate with each other.
📚 Types of Dementia
There are several types of dementia, including:
1. Alzheimer’s disease (most common)
Gradual memory loss, confusion, and personality changes.
2. Vascular dementia
Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain (often after a stroke).
3. Lewy body dementia
Includes symptoms like hallucinations, sleep issues, and movement problems.
4. Frontotemporal dementia
Affects personality, behavior, and language first, rather than memory.
⚠️ Symptoms of Dementia
Symptoms vary depending on the type and stage but generally include:
Early signs:
Memory loss (especially recent events)
Difficulty finding words
Poor judgment
Getting lost in familiar places
Trouble managing finances or planning
As it progresses:
Confusion about time or place
Repeating questions or stories
Personality changes (e.g., apathy, irritability)
Difficulty with basic tasks (e.g., dressing, bathing)
🧪 Diagnosis
Dementia is diagnosed through a combination of:
Medical history and family history
Cognitive tests (like the MMSE or MoCA)
Brain imaging (MRI or CT scans)
Blood tests (to rule out other causes)
💊 Treatment
There’s currently no cure for most types of dementia, but treatment can help manage symptoms:
Medications:
Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine) — used for Alzheimer’s
Memantine — for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s
Antidepressants or antipsychotics (if needed for behavior issues)
Supportive care:
Cognitive therapy or memory training
Routine and structured environments
Support for caregivers
🧬 Risk Factors
Age (risk increases after 65)
Family history/genetics
High blood pressure, stroke, or heart disease
Head injuries
Smoking or heavy alcohol use
Diabetes
🛡️ Can It Be Prevented?
While not all dementia can be prevented, reducing risk factors can help:
Stay physically and mentally active
Eat a healthy diet (like the Mediterranean diet)
Control blood pressure and cholesterol
Avoid smoking
Manage diabetes
Stay socially connected

01/10/2025

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes foodborne illness (commonly called “salmonellosis”).

It’s one of the most frequent causes of food poisoning worldwide.

🔬 What it is

Bacterium: Belongs to the genus Salmonella.

Forms: There are many types, but the two most common in humans are Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium.

Source: Found in the intestines of animals and humans, and spreads through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.

🍗 How people get it

Eating undercooked or raw meat (especially chicken), eggs, or unpasteurized milk.

Contact with contaminated fruits and vegetables.

Poor hygiene — e.g., not washing hands after using the toilet or handling animals.

🤒 Symptoms

They usually appear 6–72 hours after infection and may last 4–7 days:

Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)

Stomach cramps

Fever

Nausea, vomiting

Headache

Most healthy people recover without treatment, but dehydration can be dangerous.

⚠️ Risks

Severe cases can spread to the blood and other organs.

More dangerous for babies, elderly, and people with weak immune systems.

🛡️ Prevention

Cook meat and eggs properly.

Wash fruits and vegetables well.

Keep raw and cooked foods separate.

Wash hands after bathroom use, handling raw meat, or touching animals.

Drink only clean, treated water.

30/09/2025

🟣 Hormonal Pills (Combined Pill & Progestin-Only Mini-Pill)

If started within the first 5 days of your period: protection is immediate.

If started at any other time: takes 7 days of daily use before you’re covered.
👉 Use backup (condoms) for that first week.

🔵 Injectable Contraceptives (e.g., Depo-Provera)

If given within the first 5 days of your period: protection is immediate.

If outside this window: takes 7 days to be effective.
👉 Injections last about 12 weeks.

🟢 Implants (e.g., Implanon, Nexplanon)

Inserted during the first 5 days of your period: protection is immediate.

If inserted later: need 7 days of backup protection.
👉 Lasts up to 3 years.

🟡 Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Copper IUD:

Works immediately at any time (also used as emergency contraception if within 5 days of unprotected s*x).

Lasts up to 10 years.

Hormonal IUD (Mirena, Kyleena, etc.):

If inserted during the first 7 days of period → immediate.

If later → 7 days backup needed.

Lasts 3–8 years depending on type.

🟠 Contraceptive Patch

Same as the pill:

Start within 5 days of period → immediate.

Start later → 7 days backup.

🔴 Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)

Same rules as pill/patch:

Insert within 5 days of period → immediate.

Insert later → 7 days backup.

⚪ Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill / Copper IUD)

Levonorgestrel pill (Plan B, Norlevo): effective up to 72 hours after s*x (sooner = better).

Ulipristal (Ella): effective up to 120 hours (5 days).

Copper IUD: can be fitted within 5 days and is the most effective emergency option.

✅ Rule of Thumb:

Start during your period → usually immediate cover.

Start outside period → 7 days backup with condoms.

30/09/2025

🦠 What is Botulism

Caused by Clostridium botulinum (an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium).

Not contagious → no person-to-person spread.

The killer move isn’t the bacteria itself, but the neurotoxin it produces.

🔄 How Infection & Toxin Production Happens

Spores get into the body

Through food, wounds, or the infant gut.

Anaerobic conditions (low oxygen, warm, moist, protein-rich environments).

The spores germinate.

Bacteria multiply

Producing botulinum neurotoxin.

Toxin spreads

Blocks acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions.

→ Results in descending paralysis, respiratory failure if untreated.

⚡ Main Forms

Foodborne – contaminated canned/preserved foods.

Wound – spores germinate in dirty/deep wounds, esp. in IV drug users.

Infant – spores colonize the immature gut (honey, dust).

🚑 Why It’s Serious

Extremely potent toxin – even nanogram amounts can paralyze.

Medical emergency – untreated, mortality can be >60%.

With antitoxin + ICU support, mortality drops below 10%.

🛡️ Big Prevention Moves

Pressure canning for low-acid foods.

No honey for babies

29/09/2025

Stroke

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

This deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, causing them to die within minutes.

Types of Stroke

Ischemic stroke – caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow.

Hemorrhagic stroke – caused by bleeding in the brain.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – a “mini-stroke” where symptoms are temporary.

Symptoms (FAST test)

Face drooping – one side of the face may droop or feel numb.

Arm weakness – weakness or numbness in one arm.

Speech problems – slurred or strange speech.

Time to call emergency help immediately.

Other symptoms may include:

Sudden severe headache.

Loss of vision.

Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

Confusion.

Treatment

Emergency hospital care is needed.

For ischemic stroke: clot-busting drugs (tPA) or clot removal procedures.

For hemorrhagic stroke: surgery may be needed to stop bleeding.

Rehabilitation with physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

⚠️ Stroke is a medical emergency — fast treatment saves lives.

26/09/2025