Anaemia is the medical term for a deficiency of hemoglobin, the compound in the red blood cells that bind to oxygen. It may be related to low numbers of red blood cells or lower than normal levels of haemoglobin although there is sufficient red blood cells. There are various types of anemia associated with normal or abnormal red blood cells. One of these is megaloblastic anaemia. It arises when there is a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9).
Folate (vitamin B9) is one of the B-complex of vitamins that is derived from a number of foods. It is probably best known for being an important part of pregnancy and pregnant women are always advised to use folic acid supplements. There is often confusion between folate and folic acid. Simply folate is the vitamin B9 absorbed from natural sources like food whereas folic acid is the synthetic form derived from supplements.
What is colic?
Colic does not have a standard definition. It is best described as a state of prolonged and excessive crying in a baby that is otherwise well. A baby with colic is probably not hot, hungry, cold, or in any kind of pain. Crying is normal in infancy. All infants cry more in the first 3 months of life than at any other time. In fact, babies normally cry for up to 2 hours per day.
Infants with colic cry excessively for no apparent reason. In order to diagnose a colicky baby, the “rule of three’s” should be present – the baby cries for at least 3 hours per day, at least 3 days per week, and this should continue for at least 3 weeks.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux is a commonly used term to describe heartburn and indigestion but the process that occurs goes beyond a simple upset tummy. The passage of food that we eat or fluids that we drink is in one direction – it travels from the mouth, down the oesophagus (food pipe/gullet), into the stomach, then the small intestine, through the large intestine and the waste is passed out as stool. During its transit through the gut, food is broken down by mechanical and chemical digestion and nutrients are absorbed. Waste materials remain in the gut until it is evacuated.
Acid reflux occurs when the acidic stomach contents pass up from the stomach into the oesophagus. This backward flow (retrograde) damages the lining of the oesophagus which is not equipped to deal with acid. It causes a burning sensation that we refer to as heartburn and can lead to ulcers and other complications. Acid reflux is a condition that we all will suffer with at some time in life. It is usually temporary and will pass with little or no treatment. Antacids are commonly used to neutralise the acid in the oesophagus and soothe the oesophageal lining.
The elderly often need financial and medical support from younger family member as they reach their twilight years. In a country where most senior citizens cannot afford to retire and pensions are barely enough for everyday living expenses, medical aid is often forgone in order to continue affording to live. It is also the years where medical expenses increase as age-related conditions and chronic diseases set in.
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Certain medical aids only cater for professionals and are therefore restricted schemes. This means it is not open to the general public and there are certain criteria that an applicant has to meet in order to qualify for membership. With medical aids for professionals, the criteria almost always involves having a recognized degree from a reputable tertiary institution. Some of these medical aids will accept a graduate from any field, while others are restricted only to professionals working in certain sectors of industry.
