Antibiotics vs probiotics: how to protect your gut flora
The specific bacterial species found in your gut, skin, and mouth (collectively termed your microbiome) are as unique as your fingerprint, says Ilsabé Spoelstra, a dietician at Mediclinic Bloemfontein. Every human is teeming with billions of microorganisms, and most are very good for your health.
Maintaining a Listeria-free kitchen [infographic]
Listeriosis is a serious disease caused by the bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes and is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food products. While anyone can get listeriosis, those at high risk of severe disease include pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly, persons with underlying conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic liver or kidney disease, and persons with weakened immune systems due to HIV, cancer or chemotherapy.
What is a faecal occult blood test?
Has your doctor recommended you have a faecal occult blood test to see if there’s blood in your stools? This test is used to diagnose bleeding disorders in your gut, including screening for early colon cancer. Get the lowdown here.
Lactose intolerance in children
We speak to a dietician and paediatrician to find out more about lactose intolerance in children and whether it is advisable to cut their dairy intake.
Appendicitis, the most common abdominal emergency
Appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency, accounting for thousands of hospital admissions across South Africa annually. Every individual has a 7% to 8% lifetime chance of developing the condition, the management and treatment of which remains surgery.
DID YOU KNOW?
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We use a yacht-mast design for our cabling and keep it safely wound up in our trauma pedestals to avoid any accidents.
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We found a practical solution to a shortage of theatre nurses by becoming a registered teaching institution.
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Scrub areas in theatre are a minimum of 2.1m wide to accommodate at least two people at a time.
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To ensure sterility, our surgical instruments are twice wrapped in sterile fabric.
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To prevent harmful bacteria being absorbed by mattresses we use protective under sheets made from polypropylene.
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Our expert breastfeeding advice is based on the principles of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organisation.
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We monitor the temperature of our neonatal units as newborn babies are extremely sensitive to temperature change.
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Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
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Some of our hospitals have operating tables that can support patients of up to 370kg in weight and 2.2m in height.
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The triage admission system in our emergency centres has been able to reduce mortality by up to 50%.
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Could you have a stomach ulcer?
We look at the causes and treatments of stomach ulcers.
GORD: More than indigestion
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease isn’t just heartburn or bad indigestion. We asked a Mediclinic gastroenterologist to explain exactly what this disease is.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Scrub areas in theatre are a minimum of 2.1m wide to accommodate at least two people at a time.
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The triage admission system in our emergency centres has been able to reduce mortality by up to 50%.
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Our hospitals are designed to minimise ambient noise to promote sleeping and the healing process.
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A baby has a 70% better chance of surviving a motor vehicle accident if in a secure car seat and properly restrained.
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A jumping rope uses almost every muscle in the entire body during exercise.
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Our world-class neonatal units feature high frequency oscillatory ventilators to minimise lung trauma in premature babies.
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Our hospitals have been awarded international accreditation for best practice in the management of environmental systems and practices.
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Our expert breastfeeding advice is based on the principles of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organisation.
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Mediclinic is one of the three leading private hospital groups in Southern Africa and the sixth largest private healthcare group in the world.
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Our 24-hour emergency centres feature state-of-the-art life-saving equipment.
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Dealing with irritable bowel syndrome
IBS affects 10-15% of the global population, and while about two in three sufferers are women, it occurs in people of all ages, even children. Symptoms include stomach pain, bloating and excessive gas, affecting family, work life and general wellbeing.
Your digestive system [infographic]
We take a look at the many processes that happen to the food you eat as it moves through your digestive system.
Myth-busting the common stomach bug
When it comes to home cures for gastro, there are quite a number that do the rounds. We investigated the validity of three common ones.
Food poisoning vs tummy bug
Dr Brauer gives his advice on telling the difference between holiday food poisoning and getting a tummy bug… and what to do about it
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