Dr. ABBAS 

Sexual Frequency
Q. I am 23 years old and my partner is 29 years. Is it possible to have too much sex? My partner and I make love at least twice per day. My partner masturbates even though we have a very active sex life. My partner wants only intercourse. He says that he is not interested in foreplay. What can I do?
Concerned Reader, Lindi.

A. You cannot hurt yourself by having a lot of sex and it can certainly bring you a great deal of pleasure. If you or your body did not want frequent sex, you would find yourself making excuses to avoid it. Masturbation gives your partner a different type of satisfaction. It is a method of calming anxiety, which has nothing to do with sex with a partner. Masturbation serves a specific function such as helping your partner maybe go to sleep. Your partner has a very high sex drive and masturbation feels like the safest way to fulfil it without being unfaithful.
You could tell him that you know that you can have enjoyable orgasms if you are given the chance to become really aroused. Ask him if he would stimulate your sensitive parts by hand before you start having intercourse. If he would not agree to this or to any other kind of adjustment to your sexual routine there is not a great deal you can do except concede that his love making skills are primitive.

Blood Pressure
Q. I am 38 years old and recently was diagnosed to have high blood pressure. What one can do to reduce the risk of high blood pressure?
Concerned Reader, Arusha.

A. The most important thing is to watch your weight. Keep weight down helps keep blood pressure down. Try to limit alcoholic drinks. They are high in calories and can increase your blood pressure. Try to limit your salt intake. Avoid eating excessive amount of salty foods, replace salt in cooking with herbs and spices, and minimize the amount of salt added to your food at the table. Regular exercise helps control stress; helps keep your blood pressure normal and your whole system in tiptop condition. Try to walk as much as possible and be as active as you can. Smoking temporarily raises your blood pressure. It also adds to the damage that high blood pressure may cause to your heart and blood vessels. If possible avoid situations, which cause stress, anxiety or worry. You may manage to win an argument, but your blood pressure will soar. Remember to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Learn to relax and not let life get you uptight – take few deep breaths and keep it all in prospective.

Paralysis
Q. My father recently became paralysed. We are so worried and wonder why he became paralysed? Kindly can you briefly inform us about paralysis?
Concerned Reader, DSM.

A. Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move the muscles resulting from a disorder of the nervous system or of the muscles. Paralysis may be either temporary or permanent. The whole body can be paralyzed, although paralysis may affect only one part of the body, or only one muscle. Paralysis is either slack (chiefly as a result of neural conditions) or spastic (conditions of the spinal cord or brain), depending on the cause. In slack paralysis the muscles are limp and eventually atrophy. The motor nerves are affected and in consequences the relevant muscles receive little or no stimulus. The causes are conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy or poliomyelitis. Disorders of the nerve roots of the spinal cord include slip disc, which are common in old age group. Nerves can also be affected in the course of a disease as in certain forms of neuritis.
Slack paralysis can also occur in serious muscular diseases. The extent of the paralysis and the course of the disorder depend on the underlying cause. Treatment is also directly related towards the cause. Physiotherapy is of importance in order to keep the muscles in optimum condition and to combat stiffening of the joints. Other aids can sometimes be useful.
In spastic paralysis, loss of strength is accompanied by increased muscular tension. As a result of a disturbance in the brain or spinal cord the motor nerves are no longer inhibited. They are normally continuously active, but kept in check by these higher centres. If the connection between these nerves and the brain is disturbed, the inhibition is removed and increased muscular tension occurs in addition to loss in strength. This can cause serious stiffness of the muscles. In this condition the arm is inclined to bend and the leg to stretch. Spastic paralysis is caused by local brain disorder such as bleeding in the brain or tumour in the brain. The course of disorder depends on the nature and extent of the condition. Treatment is directed towards underling cause. Physiotherapy is necessary in order to exercise the muscles and prevent contracture of the muscles.