I’m always feeling very tired

1. Question: I AM ALWAYS FEELING TIRED

I am a 30- year old Civil Servant. I have been feeling tired for the last few weeks. I have used a lot of vitamins with no improvement. Kindly advise me on what to do again.   

         — Ranti (by SMS)

Answer: Fatigue is a symptom, not a disease, and it’s experienced differently by different people. Fatigue from stress or lack of sleep usually subsides after a good night’s rest. Since your own fatigue has persisted even after generous doses of Vitamins, you will need to have a comprehensive medical checkup. The checkup should include checks of your Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Haemoglobin levels among other investigations. The outcome of the tests will then determine the kind of treatment you will be given.

*********

Question: HOW CAN I ENLARGE MY ORGAN?

 I am a guy of 19. During my years of puberty and maturity, I did not experience any enlargement in my penis. Although I have semen. My penis is as small as a kid’s own. This is not hereditary although my mother used to tell me that it has always been small. I used some enlargement drugs but these didn’t work. I am getting worried in case I am abnormal and would not be able to procreate. Please help me.

— Bright (by SMS)

Answer: As previously explained in this column, the ability to have sex or procreate does not depend on the size of one’s penis. This issue of abnormality does not come in since people have different natural endowments. Just as we have ladies with different sizes of breasts, so we also have men with different sizes of penis. I will therefore advise you to stop looking for a solution to what is not a problem. No, your penis will not grow with time. My advice is for you to stop worrying about your size and rather concentrate on forming good relationship with members of the opposite sex and with time you will discover that you are a real man.

**********

Question:  A CRAWLING SENSATION ON MY BODY

For the past few months, I have been having some strange sensations all over my body. Thinking that it was due to the toning skin cream I was using, I stopped using the cream but up till now, no relief. A friend of mine said that it is a symptom of blood cancer. Some said it is an infection. Doctor, are there ailments that are associated with this symptom? If there are, please list them for me so that I will know and also tell me the remedy. And if it is spiritual, let me know. I need a quick reply.

—- Bashir (by E mail)

Answer: A crawling sensation in the body has many causes which are broadly divided into medical and psychological. The medical causes include certain worm infestations which are peculiar to people who live in endemic areas for this kind of worms such as the one that causes river blindness. People on certain regular medications including some types of contraceptives can also have these symptoms. It can equally occur in some cases of Diabetes or nerve pains. The use of certain medicated soaps, creams and even polluted bath water also have been mentioned as possible causes. This is why you were asked to stop using the toning cream. As for psychological causes, it has been established that people who worry a lot or are depressed sometimes have this crawling sensation. As you can see from the above, the possibilities for your complaint are many. You will therefore need to do a proper check on yourself to know which of the factors may be causing your own problem. You may also need to consult a doctor where necessary.

*********

Question: A LADY WITH A BEARD

I will need your urgent assistance in order to get out of my current problem which has caused me a lot of stress, urgency and embarrassment. I am a 25 years old spinster who you can consider to be very hairy. I have hairs all over the body including the chest, tummy and face. Initially, I used to shave off these hairs especially the one on my cheeks (sideburns) until I noticed a small beard a few months ago. The faster I shave it, the faster it grows back so much so that I have become an object of ridicule among my peers.

  —- Lady Bee (by SMS)

Answer: The body changes that develop in girls at puberty in addition to the enlargement of breasts, uterus and the vagina are due in part to the activities of some ‘feminizing’ hormones (Oestrogen) and in part to the absence of the ‘masculinizing’ hormones (Androgen). However, some amount of Androgen is needed in women for the growth of pubic and auxiliary hairs. In some women, there could be an excess production of Androgen leading to increased hair production (hirsutism) just like in your case. My advice therefore is for you to stop all medications and seek the attention of a Gynecologist in the Teaching hospital or Federal Medical Centre nearest to you.

*********

Question: I HAVE HEARTBURN

 My problem is that for the past two months I have been having a burning sensation in the upper part of my chest. This is worse on lying down. It is also so bad that I sometimes have to sleep with my head propped up in bed. I have used several antacids and drugs but the condition has persisted. Your urgent help is needed.

—– Henry (by SMS)

Answer: The description you have given shows that your digestive juices (either acidic or alkaline) from your stomach are flowing back into the section of your food passage that is in your chest. This is usually caused by the weakness of the valve that is before your stomach which normally prevents the juices from flowing backwards. This usually occurs when you lie down as such, your difficulty in sleeping without being propped up. Having tried several drugs and antacids without relief, it will be advisable for you to see a specialist who will order some tests including a barium swallow. This is an X ray of the food passage using special contrast medium which you will swallow while the X ray is being done. The X ray will then show the level of damage as well as the cause of your ailment. If the cause is mild, the doctor may ask that you continue your previous medications. However, if it is more than that, you may need a surgical operation to correct the damage.