COMMON CONDITIONS
Read more about common conditions and some practical tips to help manage it.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition where your body loses the ability to regulate blood sugar levels causing you to have very high levels of sugar in your blood. This sugar can be very damaging and can cause problems with your eyes, with your kidneys, with wounds and lots more. Diabetes is a life-long condition meaning there is no cure and you will need to take medication every single day for the rest of your life. It is really important that you take your medication as your doctor tells you and that you do not run out of medication. If you run out of medication then your blood sugar will go high and lead to problems. Some signs that your blood sugar might be too high include urinating very frequently and feeling very thirsty.
It is really important that you get your bloody sugar levels checked regularly to make sure the medication you are taking is working. This can be done easily at Lamin Health Centre.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is usually a life-long condition. This means that once you have been diagnosed with it you will have to take medication for the rest of your life. Most high blood pressure is the result of factors such as smoking, being overweight, having diabetes, a lack of exercise, excessive alcohol intake or high salt intake. You can help reduce your blood pressure to back within the normal range by working on these aspects of your life. For some people, if they lose weight, cut out salt, stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol and start doing some exercise they can come off their medication.
If your blood pressure is high this puts you at a greater risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, kidney problems and lots more. For this reason it is really important that you never run out of medication and that you take your medication every single day, not just when you feel like you need it. It is also really important that you get regular checks of your blood pressure which can easily be checked at Lamin Health Center.
Pregnancy
The number of pregnant ladies who entrust us with the care of their expectant motherhood is increasing.
Antenatal care is the care you get from healthcare professionals to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. It includes information on services and support to make the right choices for you. Antenatal care will include regular appointments with a midwife, ultrasound scans and screening tests for you and your baby. Routine health checks of presumed healthy pregnant women without symptoms (screening) will help to diagnose diseases or complicating obstetric conditions early, such as hypertension and pregnancy diabetes. Both these conditions can dramatically affect the foetus. Early detection means regular monitoring and treatment. We also provide information about lifestyle, pregnancy, and delivery.
Postnatal care is the care given to the mother and her new-born baby immediately after the birth up until the first six weeks of life. At LHC we work with three different appointments whereby our professionals check both the mother as well as the baby. Postpartum care is important because new moms are at risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening health complications in the days and weeks after giving birth. Too many new moms have or even die from health problems that may be prevented by getting postpartum care. Postpartum check-ups are important for any new mom.
Women in the postnatal period need to maintain a balanced diet, just as they did during pregnancy. Iron and folic acid supplementation should also continue for 3 months after birth. Women who are breastfeeding require additional food and should drink sufficient clean water.
We are proud to announce that every new mother at LHC receives a baby-box for her new-born baby to help provide a good start to life. This box includes items such as baby clothes and other necessities.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right vitamins, or being unable to use the food that one does eat. Malnutrition is still a major problem in our society, with major consequences. As a result of the massive economic crisis, we are seeing serious cases, especially among children. Lamin Health Center can make a difference through good medical care and information for the parents.
Malaria
Malaria is a very dangerous sickness that is caused by mosquitos. When an infected mosquito bites you, you can be infected with parasites in your blood. These parasites make you very sick. Malaria is mainly spread in the rainy season (June-September), however you can get it at any time of the year.
Symptoms of malaria include abdominal pain and diarrhoea, headache, vomiting, fever, and coughing. If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help. You will be given medication from the health center and it is very important that you finish all of the medication, even when you are already feeling better.
You can help prevent malaria by using a mosquito coil, sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing long clothes.
Burns
Burns are caused by getting too close to or touching fire, hot water, a hot pan, or touching electricity. As soon as possible, cool the burn with running water (or hold it in a bucket of water if no running water available) for at least 15 minutes. Make sure you also drink enough water. After you have cooled the burn, seek medical attention for an assessment of the burn and any further treatment.
Wound care
Wound care is a big part of our work at Lamin. Some wounds can take many months to heal and some wounds are so difficult to treat that the limb needs to be amputated. This means that the earlier you come to see us with your wound the more likely it is we can give you a good outcome. It is really important that you never miss your follow up appointments for your wounds as this may delay healing or lead to the wound getting infected. If your wound becomes smelly or hot or you become feverish then you should make sure you see a doctor on the same day.
