DOCTOR’S COLUMN: Help! I cannot sustain an erection

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Dear doctor, why does my baby have a rash in his private parts all the time? My doctor told me it is diaper rash. I stopped using nappies but it still comes!

Angella Nabuto
Dear Angella, nappy or diaper rash is common in babies, and usually affects areas that come in contact with wet diaper. Despite being called diaper rash, this is not usually due to the diaper itself, but due to irritation by faeces, urine and sweat trapped by the diaper.
In a few circumstances however, the areas in contact with the diaper may get a rash due to an allergy in which case changing the type of diaper may help.

Diaper rash mostly happens in infants nine–12 months old, perhaps in response to dietary changes that affect faecal composition or increased use of antibiotics. These cause changes in intestinal bacteria. It is not surprising that breast-fed babies, do not tend to get nappy rash, possibly because their stools have less acidity, lower enzymatic activity and undisturbed intestinal bacteria. Associated diarrhoea due to dietary changes at the time may also lead to nappy rash.

The most effective treatment is to discontinue use of diapers, allowing the affected skin to air out and use of moisture absorbing powders. When the rash does not cure, it is likely that there is associated infection or even an allergy to other things including soaps. If the rash affects the folds (intertrigo), it may be due to friction.

But having a diaper rash is a normal part of being a baby. Even with the best treatment, from time to time, the rash may come up.

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Dear doctor, why is it that water does not quench my thirst but only alcohol. When I am thirsty, I take one and I am okay.

Agatha Agasa

Dear Agatha, much as many people say they take alcohol to quench thirst, this is just temporary. Thirst is the body’s way of compelling us to take water because the body is short on water or blood salts have become more concentrated than normal. Thirst is less prominent in some people especially the elderly.

Alcohol initially quenches thirst since its water content is high and water is absorbed faster compared to alcohol. This depends on many factors including presence of food in the stomach. Eventually one starts to pass lots of urine and also loses a lot of water through sweating, diarrhoea, overtalking, and “over breathing”!
Alcohol denies the brain hormone, ADH, opportunity to direct the kidney to concentrate urine hence the copious amounts of urine passed as people drink.

Alcohol makes people feel warm because it causes blood vessels near the skin to enlarge taking more blood to sweat glands to manufacture and expel more sweat.
It is not surprising that many people who take alcohol also enjoy a glass of water the morning after to quench associated thirst.

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Dear doctor, I have blocked tubes. Is there a way that fallopian tubes once blocked can become open and I get pregnant?

Lilian Apio, Tororo