DR Johann Wessels

𝗔𝗡 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡

This morning I was reflecting on pregnancy awareness week that was held two weeks back, and I thought I would send out an important message to my patients, particularly the young women of child-bearing age:

If you are sexually active, please ensure that you take folic acid supplements.

Folic acid helps to prevent neural tube defects. This is a severe birth defects of the brain and spine, such as spina bifida and anencephaly which occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant !!

My advice is that all women of reproductive age should take folic acid daily, even if they're not planning on falling pregnant....and to add to that, it is important to be know that Folic Acid is not just essential for those who are pregnant or wanting to fall pregnant , it offers a wide range of benefits to all.

Johann

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 & 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆

Antenatal care during pregnancy is crucial for a number of reasons:

𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝

Regular antenatal visits allow healthcare providers to monitor the health of the pregnant woman. This includes tracking her blood pressure, weight, and any symptoms or complications that may arise during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia

𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝

Antenatal care involves various screenings and tests to monitor the growth and development of the fetus. These tests can identify any potential abnormalities or conditions early on, allowing for timely interventions or treatments.

𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨

Early detection of complications such as preterm labor, infections, or birth defects can significantly improve outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Antenatal care provides an opportunity to address these issues before they become serious.

𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 & 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

Antenatal screenings crucially helps identify women who may be at higher risk for certain pregnancy complications or adverse outcomes. This allows healthcare providers to implement appropriate interventions or where necessary, to refer the woman to specialized care.

𝙋𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧

Antenatal care provides a pregnant woman with a supportive environment where she can receive emotional support from her healthcare provider.

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀! 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
𝗗𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀

PS: Thank you for trusting me with your healthcare

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗡𝗗.....
Jayden enters his fourth year at UFS and Shae and Christian their third year at UFS. It is such a privilege for Tracey-Leigh and I to "parent" these lovely young adults, and an immense honour that they have chosen to walk the same career path as me.

To All My Patients

May this New Year bring you good health, happiness, a renewed sense of purpose and great blessing.

Thank you for being an integral part of my medical family. I look forward to continuing to help you in your journey towards optimal health and well-being.

Kind regards
𝙅𝒐𝙝𝒂𝙣𝒏

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 : 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗣𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿

Cervical Cancer is caused mainly by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
The virus is generally transmitted during sexually activity. There is however a vaccine available that will largely prevent HPV infections, on proviso though that it is administered before infection takes place.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The optimal age for vaccination in girls is between 9-12 years of age. Notwithstanding this, women up to the age of 26 should make a point of getting themselves vaccinated as a matter of priority. In some parts of the World, doctors recommend that women between the ages of 27 and 45 years also seek to get vaccinated, There is unfortunately limited research on the efficacy of the vaccine in the older woman.

𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲

For the older girl / woman, the treatment regime is three vaccinations instead of two.

𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

I have found that some parents are against having their daughters inoculated with the HPV vaccine as they feel that their daughters are “good girls“ and will not be exposed to HPV.

Parents, it is of the utmost importance to realize that your daughter’s future husband may have had only one little moment of indiscretion, but in that moment he could have become infected (most times unbeknown to him). He is then at risk of infecting your daughter with this life threatening disease.

So in a nutshell, the message is:

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱

DR Johann Wessels Dr Wessels holds the degrees MBCHB. DA and M. FamMed. He has been in Private Practice since 1997

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, aimed at highlighting the importance of regular screenings for all women.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:

𝗔𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: When cervical cancer is detected too late, it is almost always fatal.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀: If detected early, cervical cancer is completely curable.

It's not uncommon to hear women admit that they've gone years without having had a pap smear.

It is important to remember that a brief moment of discomfort every every year or two (depending on your doctor's recommendation) can spare you and your loved ones a lifetime of heartache.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫

Research has shown the alarming trend that routine health checks have declined drastically over the last three years as patients have become doctor-shy.

What this means is that many cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer have been picked up far later than they should have been, with a terrible effect on long-term prognosis for a patient.

Many other non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and thyroid problems have also lagged behind in early diagnosis, with serious implications for the patient.

So what is it that I am trying to say to you ?

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲, your doctor should (and must) be your first port of call, for that sore that doesn’t heal, that gnawing pain that does not go away, that change in your bowel habits, that lump that is slowly getting bigger, that spot that everyone has been nagging you to have checked-out, and the lethargy that doesn’t improve with sleep.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 and most importantly, early diagnosis is a life-saver.

𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 – 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.

𝙄𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙖 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 ?

There are broadly speaking three different types of skin cancers:

𝗕𝗖𝗖 – 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗮. This never kills BUT if left alone long enough, becomes an unsightly destructive sore ( This is also known as a rodent ulcer).
𝗦𝗖𝗖 – 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗮. This cancer, if left untreated for too long can potentially cause death. This cancer can often develop from sun-spots.
𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗮. This skin cancer can kill if left untreated.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙁𝙤𝙧 ?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 “𝗨𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴” 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻
Any spot, freckle or mole that looks completely different from all the others should be checked out.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀
Any spot, freckle, or mole that changes over time should be checked out as it may be a potential problem. Look for changes in:
S͟y͟m͟m͟e͟t͟r͟y͟ – cancer is normally asymmetrical
B͟o͟r͟d͟e͟r͟ – borders change over time, watch out for the irregular or ragged border
C͟o͟l͟o͟u͟r͟ – more than two colours in a spot, freckle or mole is a potential problem
D͟i͟a͟m͟e͟t͟e͟r͟ – traditionally, lesions larger than 5mm should be checked out. But do not be stuck on the requirement of diameter, if any of the other signs are present, then the spot, freckle or mole should ideally be checked out by a Doctor.

𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹
Any minor injury to the skin should normally be healed within a month at the most. If it does not heal it needs attention.

𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀
Rough spots that come back after having been scratched off are a potential problem.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀
Moles that become itchy, painful, inflamed or start bleeding are a cause for concern.

𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙉𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡:
Any spot that changes or does not heal should be checked out.

𝘽𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙣-𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 -use loads of sun-block and exercise a high degree of caution between 11am and 3pm. Skin Cancer can be avoided, and it can definitely be cured if caught early.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙨.

So humbled that my three children would want to follow in my footsteps. Exceptionally proud of their achievements as Jayden finishes off his second year of Med School and my twins, Shae and Chris their first year of Med School.

HRT IN MENOPAUSE – “TO HORMONISE OR NOT TO HORMONISE”

There has been a great deal of debate the past few years on whether menopausal women should in fact take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or as it is also known Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT).

The revised global consensus statement endorsed by seven major international menopause related organizations clearly states that MHT in menopausal women is advantageous and that the benefits outweigh the risks.

The advantages include:

• If started early, oestrogen mono therapy (meaning oestrogen on its own) REDUCES the risk of heart attacks.

• Oestrogen on its own also REDUCES the risk of breast cancer. Please note that it is the combination pill that contains both oestrogen and progestogen that can potentially increase the risk of breast cancer.(the increased risk is however so low that all other factors being equal, the benefits still outweigh the risk if HRT treatment is started early)

• MHT reduces the incidence of osteoporosis related fractures.

• Research shows that women on Oestrogen mono therapy tend to live longer.

• Oestrogen, when started early reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

• MHT is the best treatment for symptomatic relief of the following menopause related symptoms :
o Hot flushes
o Joint & Muscle pain
o Mood changes
o Sleep disturbances
o Sexual dysfunction

Importantly, in order to receive the full benefits of MHT, a woman needs to have started hormone replacement therapy (i) before the age of 60 (sixty) and (ii) within 10 (ten) years of entering into menopause. Prof. Tobie de Villiers, a Past-President of the International Menopause Society, believes that “if used properly, MHT will give significantly more benefits than harm”.

Chat to your Doctor.

It is estimated that an OSTEOPOROTIC FRACTURE TAKES PLACE EVERY THREE SECONDS somewhere in the World. That computes to twenty fractures per minute.

Are you at Risk?

The following people should be screened for osteoporosis :

*All women over 65 years of age
*Any woman who has had a parent that suffered a hip fracture
*Any adult who sustains a fragility fracture - i.e. a fracture when falling from a standing height
*People who have been on cortisone treatment for longer than three months
*People who consume more than 3 units of alcohol per day
*Those who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease
*Those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis
*Cigarette Smokers

If you fall into any of the above categories, discuss with your doctor. The best screening for osteoporosis is done with a bone density scan. There are a number of treatments available to counteract the thinning of bone caused by osteoporosis.

Remember:
Prevention of a Fracture is Better than Cure

Diabetes as the second most common cause of death in South Africa (Stats South Africa 2016). It doesn’t have to be this way.

Concerningly though, 50% of people living with Diabetes don’t even know that they have Diabetes.

So what should you do ?

Firstly, know your Diabetic status by having your sugar levels checked annually.

If you have been diagnosed as a Pre-diabetic, aside from working closely with your Doctor, the other things to do are:

* Lose 5% of your body weight if your BMI is higher than 25
* Consult a Dietician
* Reduce your fat intake
* Increase your fibre intake
* Exercise for 30 minutes (5 days per week)
* Monitor your sugar levels every six months
* Monitor your cholesterol levels annually

If you have been diagnosed as a Diabetic:

* Take your medication as prescribed
* Take daily readings of your sugar levels ( a fasting pre-breakfast reading every day, and a second reading either just before lunch, or just before supper, or at bedtime - alternate these second measuring times so that you can form a pattern of what happens to your sugar levels during the day)
* If your BMI is higher than 25, try to lose 5% of your body weight
* Consult a Dietician
* Reduce your fat intake
* Increase your fibre intake
* Exercise for 30 minutes (5 days per week)
* Monitor your cholesterol levels annually
* Check your feet daily for sores
* Have an annual eye test

Does your child wake up grumpy & irritable?
Does your child sniff a lot?
Does your child snore at night?

If you said yes to any of the above, chances are that your child is suffering from an allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is one of the more common chronic diseases and although research has shown it to be a benign disease, having allergic rhinitis can negatively impact on a child’s schoolwork, as well as their general cognitive functioning & productivity.

It can also cause fatigue, irritability, in some cases a loss of taste & appetite, as well as aggravate a child’s ADD symptoms.

Please Don’t Let Your Child Suffer Unnecessarily, Seek Advice From Your Child’s Doctor For Available Treatment Options For This Condition.

,

WHEN IT COMES TO ASTHMA YOU NEED TO BE SMART

FOR WORLD ASTHMA DAY ON THE 3 MAY, the best take home message I would want to share with Asthmatics is that the old preventer-reliever approach is no longer advocated. Neither is any over-the counter "puffer" .

The SMART Approach which stands for " Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy" is the way to go for Asthmatics. It is one pump that does the work of two. International research shows that the SMART approach reduces the number of severe asthma attacks by at least 60% when compared to the older approaches for handling asthma.

If you are on two different asthma pumps and you need to use your “reliever” pump more than once per week, you really should ask your doctor about the SMART approach for the treatment of Asthma.

To All The Diabetic Patients Out There ...

Over the years, I have found that a number of Diabetic Patients do not take their condition seriously and think of it as being just "a touch of sugar". This is incorrect thinking. Diabetes IS a serious condition that if not properly managed will reduce your life expectancy.

Please do not play with your condition. Work with your Doctor and get your sugar under control.

To all my patients - Wishing you a Happy Women's Day

Ode to the Woman of Africa - I penned this Ode while contemplating the myriad of women from all walks of life that have come across my path both in my personal and professional life. Each one of them, a reflection of a much bigger picture of the amazing women of South Africa. So grateful that this country is my Home.

To all my Sisters out there - Happy Women's Day



www.traceyleighwessels.com

I am so proud of my Attorney-Mediator wife who has not only helped me to manage my new Medical Practice over this period of Lockdown, but has also managed her work, our family, and contributing towards a very good cause.

Dr. Johann Wessels (formerly Practising at Bluff Medical Centre) wishes to advise all his patients that he has moved his Medical Practice to Medical Centre West, Life Entabeni Hospital. Bookings are by appointment. All Major Medical Aids are accepted. Dr. Wessels'can be contacted on 031 0070549.