Ask the doctor: Why does my skin itch at night

An itchy skin whether at night or during the day is usually due to skin or body conditions that produce among others a substance called histamine leading to a need to scratch the skin.
Whether one is awake or asleep, scratching will happen at night through a scratch reflex which may lead to injuries since here the scratching is not controlled. Also, night itching may be so serious and interfere with one’s sleep.

Along with the body’s biological clock, different health conditions including kidney, liver disease or skin conditions such as psoriasis or skin allergy (atopic dermatitis) can become worse at night leading to itching of the skin which was not happening during day.

The fact that due to the body’s biological clock, one produces less substances that ease itching (natural steroids) at night leading to itching. Manufactured steroids such as prednisone are usually prescribed to treat the itching. Sometimes, however, one may itch both during the day and at night although being busy during the day may create a distraction.

Much as nightly skin itching may result from increased skin temperature that naturally happens at night, one may be reacting to the usual indoor allergens such as mosquito sprays, home soaps, or even foods eaten in the evening (or the food contents including preservatives).
Sometimes one’s bed, bedsheets and blankets may be infested with bed bugs or lice or someone may be suffering from bites from mosquitoes.

Since the causes of night itching are many, you require a medical investigation to find out and treat the cause.
An antihistamine drug such as Phenergan can help in the short term but has lots of side effects including drowsiness.
However, there are other less sedating antihistamines a doctor can prescribe for you.

What causes muscle cramps?

Often, my muscles cramp causing a lot of pain. What could be the cause and what can I use to heal this? Duduzile

Dear Duduzile,
We each have had a sudden uncontrollable painful thigh muscle cramp or spasm, especially while running without adequate warm-up. However, if this happens in more muscles and quite often, it could indicate a medical problem.
When we exercise, we need an adequate supply of blood to bring in more energy-giving glucose and oxygen (and take away the resultant increased waste products).

Inadequate blood supply due to narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to the legs through accumulation of fat or artery hardness (arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis) can lead to leg muscle cramps on mild exercising. The cramps can also happen at night while someone is dreaming. Age and diseases such as diabetes can lead to arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis.

Also, nerves are important for directing muscle movement (motor nerves) and feeling pain (sensory) so that if one has diseased nerves, especially due to compression (at the back or neck) or diabetes, one can suffer painful muscle cramps whether they are exercising or not. These muscle cramps can worsen at night as one sleeps.

Sometimes, muscle cramps can happen when one has low calcium or low levels of Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D helps one absorb calcium and utilise it properly.
Dehydration, pregnancy, drugs including water pills for hypertension or insulin injections, liver or thyroid diseases may all lead to muscle spasms which all require investigations and proper management.

When should I take my son for circumcision?

I want to circumcise my newborn son. At what age should I do it? Angella

Dear Angella,
In Uganda, male circumcision is done culturally by the Bagisu Konjo and Sabiny, among others. Elsewhere, the Jewish and Islamic world do it for religious reasons. The timing here is according to religion or culture.
Worldwide, circumcision may be done as a personal preference or for medical reasons, especially as part of the HIV prevention package alongside the famed ABC in prevention of HIV. That said, people who may fail to properly clean their penis for a number of reasons are advised to go for circumcision.

The best age for circumcision largely depends on the reason it is being done and if medical, the type of anesthetic to be used.
If a baby is premature, one should wait until he is older. In circumstances of a bleeding disorder or abnormal situation of the urethra, circumcision should be deferred.

Medically, circumcision may be done when a baby can tolerate general anaesthesia. However, to reduce the risks of anaesthesia, it is advised to wait until he is between six or nine months old. Circumcision in babies carries less complications and recall of pain. Adults who have been sexually active have reported less pleasure after they are circumcised probably because of comparisons with when they had foreskin or recalling pain, which is all psychological.

Why is my urine foamy?

My urine is so foamy it looks like beer. Why? Ateenyi

Dear Ateenyi,
To many Ugandans, frothy urine is taken to be normal or even a sign of likely sex potency. That said, one may be more likely to have foamy urine if he passes urine having a stronger, more forceful and faster stream from a full bladder and from a height and therefore men who usually pass urine standing are more likely to have foamy urine. Also, if you take less fluids, your urine is likely to be foamy since you are dehydrated.

Kidneys are supposed to efficiently filter urine so that there is no loss of needed substances including protein. If kidneys are diseased or damaged, they may lose protein which may appear in urine making it frothy.
Pregnant women with frothy urine should particularly be checked out for preeclampsia, a condition that causes protein in urine and high blood pressure.

A less common cause of foamy urine is retrograde ejaculation, a condition that happens in men when semen instead of coming out through the penis during ejaculation, goes backwards into the urinary bladder only to be passed in urine.

Prostate disease conditions such as an enlarged prostate gland (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), surgery to the prostate for the same enlargement or other conditions and drugs such as Tamsulosin (used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), can lead to retrograde ejaculation.

Happening often, foamy urine is likely to be a sign of a disease which would get worse over time or when associated with other symptoms including, swelling in your hands, feet, face, and abdomen, which could be a sign of fluid build-up from damaged kidney, dry orgasms or releasing little to no semen during orgasm and infertility.

How to naturally treat swollen gums at home

Swollen gums are relatively common. The good news is, there is a lot you can do at home to help alleviate swelling and minimise discomfort.

Salted water
A salted water rinse can soothe gum inflammation and promote healing. Mix one teaspoon of salt with lukewarm warm water. Rinse your mouth with this salted water solution for 30 seconds and spit it out. Do this two to three times a day until the swelling goes away.

Warm and cold compresses
Warm and cold compresses can relieve pain and swelling in swollen gums. After soaking a clean washcloth or towel in warm water, squeeze out the excess water. Hold the warm cloth against your face, outside the mouth, not directly on the gums, for about five minutes. Wrap a bag of crushed ice in a clean washcloth or towel and hold it against your face for about five minutes. Repeat the warm/cold cycle two to three more times. Do this two to three times a day for the first two days following discovery of swollen gums.

Turmeric gel
Turmeric contains curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2015 study, turmeric gel might prevent plaque and gingivitis, a common cause of swollen gums.
After brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with fresh water. Apply turmeric gel to your gums and let it sit on your gums for about 10 minutes. Swish fresh water around your mouth to rinse off the gel and spit it out. Do this two times a day until the swelling goes away.

Essential oils
According to a 2013 article in the European Journal of Dentistry, peppermint, tea tree, and thyme oil are effective in preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms in the mouth.
Mix three drops of either peppermint, thyme, or tea tree essential oil with warm water. Rinse your mouth by swishing the mixture around for about 30 seconds. Spit and repeat twice.
Source : www.healthline.com