My frequent waist pain

1. Question: MY FREQUENT WAIST PAIN

I am a 54-year-old man. My problem is frequent waist pain. I have used different pain relief drugs but I have not seen the desired results. The pain comes and goes. Kindly advise me on what to do.     

               — Godwin (by SMS)

Answer: Your waist pain could have been caused by the fact that you bent the wrong way while lifting something heavy. You could also have a degenerative condition like arthritis. Whatever the cause, once you have low back pain, it usually takes a while to treat it.  Since you have used different pain relief drugs without any improvement, it will be advisable for you to see your doctor who will order some tests such as Xrays and other Laboratory tests in order to confirm the actual cause of your ailment. The diagnosis will then dictate the kind of treatment you will undergo for the condition. In addition to the treatment, it is also advisable to start sleeping on a hard surface, such as a mattress on the floor.  Once you’re feeling better, regular aerobic exercises like swimming, bicycling, and walking can keep you — and your back — more mobile and pain free.

***********

• Question: I HAVE A BIG LOWER LIP

 My problem is that my Lower lip is bigger than my Upper lip. Some people suggested that if I keep licking it, it will reduce in size. I tried this but it didn’t work. Is there any drug or special treatment for this? Please help because I am ashamed of my appearance.

               — Haruna (by SMS)

Answer: When an unevenness of the lips is very slight or minimal, it can be corrected by practicing facial exercises. However, since you have tried this technique and it has failed, you have to consider Lip reconstruction. This is a procedure usually performed by a plastic surgeon who can be contacted at the nearest Specialist or Teaching Hospital to you. Lip surgeries are done with both a functional and aesthetic focus in mind. Sometimes additional skin must be removed from other places on your body to reconstruct the lips.

********

• Question:  A LUMP ON MY FOREHEAD

I am a 55-year-old man. I have had a small lump on my forehead for the past few months. The lump has now grown to twice its size and I am getting worried. I have been advised to remove the lump but I am scared of surgery. What should I do?

                   —- Remi (by SMS)

Answer: It is always advisable to remove any abnormal growth on the skin especially when such growths are increasing in size. In addition to the removal, it will also be a good idea to send the removed lump to the Laboratory for a proper pathological examination. This way, the type of growth and its subsequent treatment will be determined. Surgeries for the removal of lumps when performed by competent hands are simple and harmless.

*********

• Question:  MY TWO BROKEN TEETH

I broke two of my front teeth during an accident on an Okada Bike. The Dentist I saw wants to remove the teeth and replace it with artificial ones. I don’t want this. Kindly advise me on what else I can do.

               — Rilwan (by SMS)

Answer: How your Dentist will manage your case, will depend on the severity of the damage to your teeth.  If only a small piece of the teeth broke off, your dentist may repair the damage with a filling or bonding whereby some material called ‘resin’ may be used to fill up the damage part of the teeth. However, a badly damaged or broken tooth may require a more lengthy and costly procedure. Whatever you do, you must allow the Dentist to quickly treat you to avoid further worsening of your case leading to infection and pain.

**********

• Question: I SWEAT TOO MUCH

I am a 50-year-old Civil Servant. My main problem is that I sweat too much, especially at night. I don’t drink alcohol neither do I smoke. Kindly advise me on what to do

                —- Julius (by SMS)

Answer: Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis) may be caused by several factors ranging from psychological causes such as anxiety and stress as well as some underlying ailments. Excessive sweating may be limited to specific parts of the body such as the armpits, hands and feet. In other cases, the sweating may be all over the body. Excessive sweating is treated by treating the causes which can only be confirmed through proper physical and laboratory examinations under the instructions of a qualified medical specialist.