[CBlazer]

Originally Posted by drkakkilaya

With peg , her nutrition can be restored well. But her treating doctor is in the best position to identify fitness to undergo surgery.

Thank you. I appreciate your inputs. She is now being fed fully through the PEG. The feed quantity is still 200 ml every two hours and 10 times a day (same as with RT feed). As you mentioned, we are relieved at least we don't have to worry about the side effects of RT.

Would also appreciate some inputs from anyone on the tracheostomy. The purpose of the procedure is very clear to us, but we don't have a clear answer from the treating doctors on why the secretions fluctuate so much or what is a sign that they can remove the tracheostomy.

Something I realized over the last few weeks especially in the context of finding a qualified nurse - there are so many elderly people who are undergoing or in need of this kind of care. The degree of paralysis and the challenges that come with it vary. I learnt that my ex-supervisor in my office has been caring for his elderly mother for the last few years. I'm really grateful to him for sharing all his experiences with me.

[drkakkilaya]

Originally Posted by CBlazer

Thank you. I appreciate your inputs. She is now being fed fully through the PEG. The feed quantity is still 200 ml every two hours and 10 times a day (same as with RT feed). As you mentioned, we are relieved at least we don't have to worry about the side effects of RT.

Would also appreciate some inputs from anyone on the tracheostomy. The purpose of the procedure is very clear to us, but we don't have a clear answer from the treating doctors on why the secretions fluctuate so much or what is a sign that they can remove the tracheostomy.

Something I realized over the last few weeks especially in the context of finding a qualified nurse - there are so many elderly people who are undergoing or in need of this kind of care. The degree of paralysis and the challenges that come with it vary. I learnt that my ex-supervisor in my office has been caring for his elderly mother for the last few years. I'm really grateful to him for sharing all his experiences with me.

Excellent. Good to hear she s being fed well. Get an advise from the treating doctor to what kind of nutririon to be fed. High in protein and fat initially to replenish her lost stores could be vital. They play important role in nutrition and immunity.

As for tracheostomy, since suspected of ? stroke , her reflex to swallow will be poor lost. Now, there ll be secretions all the time in lungs which has to be suctioned from time to time as it reaches trachea. Especially more during respiratory infections and during allergic episodes. It needs lot of care.

[CBlazer]

Originally Posted by drkakkilaya

As for tracheostomy, since suspected of ? stroke , her reflex to swallow will be poor lost. Now, there ll be secretions all the time in lungs which has to be suctioned from time to time as it reaches trachea. Especially more during respiratory infections and during allergic episodes. It needs lot of care.

Finding a home nurse to maintain tracheostomy seems next to impossible. We've spoken to many agencies who make tall claims, quote big sums, but end up being one of many trying to make a quick buck. Few organisations are honest enough to say they have no one with the required skill. (Even many nurses who attend to my mother in the hospital confess they knew very little about tracheostomy suction and have learnt it after working on my mother.)

We are hoping they'll assess the swallowing again. I don't know if it is an option we could remove the tracheostomy, but retain the PEG tube for feeding in the long run. We'll totally avoid any oral feeding. The risk then would be if she would aspirate saliva.

[sagarpadaki]

My brother who is 18 is suffering from a itchy bowel since 3 months. According to him the itch is sudden and sometimes uncontrollable. He is facing difficulty sitting in class for longer duration because of this. What should be done for this doctors?

[SILVERWOOD]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

My brother who is 18 is suffering from a itchy bowel since 3 months. According to him the itch is sudden and sometimes uncontrollable. He is facing difficulty sitting in class for longer duration because of this. What should be done for this doctors?

There could be multiple reasons for this, we need to find out the triggering factor first.

Does he suffer from frequent episodes of Diarrhea.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

There could be multiple reasons for this, we need to find out the triggering factor first.

Does he suffer from frequent episodes of Diarrhea.

No he does not suffer from frequent diarrhea. He is a very healthy and very conscious of what he eats and rarely eats anything junk

[ramki067]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Sounds like an improperly done silver filling.

You need to either replace the filling (with a composite restoration preferably), or in the worst case (if the x-ray says so), have a root canal treatment done followed by a crown.

Extraction need not be an option unless the tooth is badly damaged or mobile.

Thanks SS-Traveller. Will go to other dentist and try to do the filling once again.

[veyron_head]

I made my 5 month old son sit on the floor and was playing with him. I was also holding him in my hands. He jumped in a split second and landed with his head on the floor. The back of his head swelled up immediately and he cried for about 10 mins. He then returned to complete normalcy. But I still took him to the hospital immediately just to make sure there is no head injury.

The duty doctor there said the baby is active but we would still need to rule out any internal bleeding. He suggested doing a CT scan. While I did not want to do it, I could not say no as he used the words 'need-to-make-sure-there -is -no- internal bleeding' quite a few times.

We did the CT scan and it was normal. The swelling was only superficial. But later that night, I read on the internet that the CT scan radiation is extremely harmful and can cause cancer! Adding fuel to the fire, the pediatrician that we regularly consult with was furious that I put my kid to unnecessary radiation. She said I need not have done it when there were no symptoms of head injury like seizure, vomitting etc.

I am feeling extremely guilty that I put my kid through that scan when it was completely unnecessary.

Is doing CT scan even once so harmful? Doctors, please advise.

[vivekiny2k]

Personally, I think it's a very fine line one has to walk. In my view all medical procedures and medicines ae harmful and carry a risk and one should undergo them only when benefits outweigh the risks.

The on duty doctor may have an interest in getting the scan or he may genuinely be concerned, hard to guess. But if your son really had a problem and he did not recommend it, wont you be mad at him? Could he be sued for negligence, which is the reason in US every doctor recommends every procedure at slightest doubt.

In children radiations have higher risk but if you need to really get something checked, the benefits can definitely outweigh the risk. One CT scan should not be a big deal but I will leave that to the experts.

[drkakkilaya]

Internet is the biggest problem we face. People dont tend to understand that few sheets of downloads will not replace experience as cases that we see are hardly identical to whats given in books or net. Its always a mix of conditions.
In children and elderly, signs can be subtle . So exposure to radiation could be nothing compared to small undetected bleed inside. I guess doctor could be right in advising a ct.

[SILVERWOOD]

Originally Posted by veyron_head

I am feeling extremely guilty that I put my kid through that scan when it was completely unnecessary.

Is doing CT scan even once so harmful? Doctors, please advise.

Dear Veyron_head,

Please dont feel guilty on the whole episode.You did something which any caring father would do.

2 months back,my son who was 7 months fell down from the bed and landed on his head with a loud thud and also did cry for 10 minutes.

The first thing to do is to check for any bleeding or swelling and if there is any, take him to a pediatrician immediately and do not panic.

After the fall, If the baby has a seizure,vomits or is unconscious for even a min, one has a reason to worry.The child requires immediate medical attention and would be kept under observation for minimum of 24 hours as the baby could be suffering from subdural hematoma.

[veyron_head]

Thank you all for your inputs.

Originally Posted by drkakkilaya

Internet is the biggest problem we face. People dont tend to understand that few sheets of downloads will not replace experience as cases that we see are hardly identical to whats given in books or net. Its always a mix of conditions.
In children and elderly, signs can be subtle . So exposure to radiation could be nothing compared to small undetected bleed inside. I guess doctor could be right in advising a ct.

Dr., I got a little worried seeing the numbers. I mean, with an Xray or a UV scan, one gets 2 Msvs (Millisivierts) of radiation and with a CT scan its 500 Msvs!!. But anyway, I do understand its better to have done it than repenting later.

On another note, my son has been sleeping a little more than he usually does. But only a 'little'. He generally sleeps for only an hour in the after and sleeps again in the evening. But after the day of fall, he has been sleeping for 2 hrs in the afternoon and wakes up only when we wake him up. Also, he use to wake up at the slightest noise around him. But these days he sleeps even if the TV is on.

Everything else is completely normal with him, he plays around, screams, turns, laughs as he usually does.

I don't know if I am getting paranoid on this one but would like your comments.

[noidea]

A CT scan for a head trauma is appropriate.

As long as he does not vomit or become irritable I guess all is fine with your kid.

Don't worry. Cross the bridge when you get to it.

Cheers.

[bblost]

Just a question out of curiosity.

Does eating sweets cause Diabetics?

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by bblost

Does eating sweets cause Diabetics?

To put it in one word, NO! However, it does have an indirect effect such as putting on weight >> insulin resistance >> prediabetes >> hyperinsulinaemia >> adult-onset diabetes... The mechanism and physiology involved is long and complicated, but if you are not diabetic or have insulin resistance already, having a few sweets occasionally would not precipitate diabetes. Just don't have them all the time and end up putting on weight!