Dr. Mrs. Sneha A. Sharma

A prostate operation involves the removal of a part of the prostate gland or sometimes the removal of the entire prostate gland. Such a surgery is a serious one and several recovery tips must be followed by a patient to ensure quick and successful healing. 

Here are some important tips for recuperating from a prostate operation:

1. After the surgery, you need to spend up to three days in the hospital for initial recovery. You might be given fluids, which go directly into your veins until you fully recover from anesthesia.
2. After the operation, normal urination will be disrupted in the beginning, as the urethra stays swollen. Urinating gets a little difficult and uncomfortable for a few days after the removal of the catheter.
3. You may feel fatigued and may feel under the weather for some weeks after a prostate operation. So you must take things easy for at least two months.
4. Avoid lifting or moving heavy objects for some weeks following the surgery. Do not perform any exercise, which causes strain. You should ask your friends and family members to carry out chores for you.
5. After becoming slightly stable you should start gentle exercises. Walking is an effective remedy, which helps in blood circulation and lowers the risk of getting blood clots in the legs.
6. You should drink lots of water during the recovery stage. This will reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection and also help in clearing any trace of blood from your urine.
7. For improving bladder control, you should perform several pelvic floor exercises.
8. In case of any kind of pain, you can take over the counter painkillers to ease the pain.
9. It will take you a time span of three to six weeks for total recovery after a prostate operation. You should consult a surgeon about the best time to return to normal daily activities.
10. You can get back to work soon, but it depends on your nature of work. Office jobs are not much of a problem, but in case of physical labour, more time is needed before you can resume your duties.
11. Activities such as driving can be started quite soon after initial recovery. However, it varies from person to person. Some people may get back to driving within two weeks while some may need a month.
12. You have to wait for 6 to 8 weeks after a prostate operation before getting back to sexual activities.
13. In case you experience high fever, pain during urination or the inability to urinate, you must consult your doctor immediately.
14. It takes a person several weeks to recover from a prostate operation completely. Initially, total rest is required. But eventually, he can return to normal activities and lead a healthy life.

What causes childhood asthma?

Researchers continue to learn what causes asthma. It is not entirely understood. The following things play a part:

• Genetics. Asthma runs in families.

• Allergies. Some allergies are more common in people with asthma. And, allergies also tend to run in families.

• Respiratory infections. Infants and young children who have some respiratory infections are more likely to have long-term lung problems.

• Environmental factors. Irritants, like pollution and allergens, are known to cause asthma.

What causes asthma symptoms to worsen (flare-ups)? 

Triggersare those things that cause asthma symptoms to get worse or asthma flare-ups. Each child has different triggers. A very important part of asthma management is identifying and then trying to avoid triggers. Asthma triggers include:

• Allergens, such as pollen, dust, and pets

• Upper respiratory infections, such as colds or the flu.

• Inhaled irritants, such as secondhand smoke.

• Certain weather conditions, such as cold air.

• Exercise or physical activity.

• Physical expressions of emotion, such as crying, laughing, or yelling.

Do children outgrow asthma?

How asthma will affect a child throughout his or her lifetime varies.

• Many infants and toddlers may wheeze when sick with a viral illness, such as cold or flu. However, most of these children don't get asthma later in life.

• Some children with persistent wheezing and asthma get better during the teenage years.

• About half of the children who have asthma at a young age appear to "outgrow" it, although asthma symptoms may reappear later in life.

If my child has asthma, can he or she participate in sports and activities?

Exercise, such as long-distance running, may trigger a flare-up in many children with asthma. However, with proper management, a child with asthma can fully participate in most sports. Aerobic exercise actually improves airway function by strengthening breathing muscles. Some tips for exercising with asthma include the following:

• Teach your child to breathe through the nose and not the mouth to warm and humidify the air before it enters the airways.

• During cold weather, have your child wear a scarf over his or her mouth and nose to warm inhaled air.

• Give your child asthma medication before exercising, as recommended by your child's health care provider. If your child is not already on controller medication and he or she exercises daily, the provider may recommend daily controller medication.

• Have your child carry his or her quick-relief inhaler medication.

Asthma and school

Some children with asthma may need to take their medications during school hours. It's important that you and your child work with his or her health care provider and school staff to meet the child's asthma treatment goals. For the best asthma care for your child at school, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology recommends the following:

• Meet with teachers and other relevant school staff to inform them about your child's condition, special needs, and asthma management plan.

• Educate school personnel on your child's asthma medications and how to assist during an asthma flare-up.

• Ask school staff to treat your child as normal as possible when the asthma is under control.

• Before starting a physical education class or a team sport, make sure the teacher or coach understands that exercise can trigger asthma symptoms.

• Talk with teachers and school administrators about indoor air quality, allergens, and irritants in the school.

• Ensure your child's emotional well-being by reassuring that asthma doesn't have to slow him or her down or make him or her different from other children.

Control of asthma through the years

Be honest with your child about asthma. Remember, as your child grows, that independence is an important goal. Children with asthma don't want to be different, yet they need guidance and supervision.

• Toddlers. This age group relies completely on the parents. These children understand little about asthma. The most important factor with this age group is to try to make medication time a fun one, while stressing the importance of taking the medications. Let the children assist in any way possible.

• School-age. These children have an increased ability to understand asthma. They should be taught about their medications and how to avoid their triggers. They should begin to monitor their own symptoms.

• Adolescents. Often, adolescents resist taking chronic medications, don't like restrictions, and don't want to be different. Involve adolescents in every aspect of asthma management. They should help with goal setting and help decide which medications work best. An asthma care "contract" can be used. It should allow for self-care while allowing overall parental supervision.

  Having asthma doesn't mean having less fun than other adolescents. It is important for your adolescent to tell his or her friends about his or her triggers.

Always consult your child's provider if you or your child has questions or concerns.

Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disease with over 300 symptoms, and most people manifest with a combination of them. It is caused by intolerance to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other cereals. Gluten is usually present in the small intestine, and in patients with celiac disease, the lining of the small intestine gets attacked. Consequently, a number of organs and/or body systems are affected, making it extremely difficult to pointedly say that a person has celiac disease.

These symptoms cover almost all systems of the body including reproductive to digestive, cardiovascular to endocrine, respiratory to neuromuscular, and even affect the bones, and the teeth. Another major variation also is the age at which celiac disease becomes symptomatic. While some show symptoms quite early in their childhood, some others show symptoms later in their life, and some may not manifest with any symptoms all through their life.

Talking of the oral/dental symptoms, there are two main causes for concern one involving the soft tissues and the other involving the teeth. Let us look at the two in a little more detail.

Similar to the canker sores or the usual mouth ulcers, celiac disease also cause whitish sores. Unlike the canker sores which appear on the lips, the celiac mouth sores are common on the insides of the cheek, gums, lips, palate, and sometimes even the tongue. The appearance is very similar to that of aphthous ulcers, which have a whitish or grayish margin. They appear at random with no specific reason. The soft tissue lining of the digestive system is present from the stomach or intestine all the way to the mouth, and therefore these ulcers are seen. These can be quite discomforting and interfere with nutrition. Topical creams and/or gels can be applied to treat them. If celiac disease is diagnosed by then, abstaining from a gluten-free diet will help relieve the symptoms. Else, they may continue to recur and symptomatic treatment would be required.

The second oral symptom of celiac disease is the presence of visible defects of discoloration in the enamel. There are usually white, brown or yellow spots, usually discolored on the incisors and molars (front and back teeth). The bad news with the tooth issue is that these do not go away once a gluten-free diet is adopted. Depending on the severity, these may require tooth whitening treatments ranging from bleaching to veneers to full crowns.

The next time you have a group of symptoms, with the above two oral symptoms, contact your doctor and have a detailed discussion. It does not take much effort to diagnose and treat celiac disease.