Dr. ABBAS 

Osteoporosis

Q. My grand mother 82 years old recently sustained sudden severe back pain when she was praying. She was diagnosed to have a fractured back bone. We are very surprised that bones can break like this. Can you briefly explain this to us?
Concerned Reader, DSM.

A. A. Your grandmother is suffering from osteoporosis. This is the condition in which bone breaks down more rapidly than it is produced. Calcification of bone is normal. The various structures in the bone are thinner and therefore weaker and fractures easily occur; vertebrae can collapse causing lack of height, kyphosis and backache. Osteoporosis has many causes, the commonest of which is lack of load on the bone, for example in patients bedridden for a long time or older people with restricted movements. The condition is encouraged in older women by decrease in female hormone production after the menopause. Osteoporosis is one of the most important causes of hip fractures in older people. In modern times weightlessness can cause deficient bone loading. The condition is also associated with certain disorders such as thyroid disorders, corticosteroid levels; the latter are used in the treatment of various illnesses, but can also be produced in excess by the body. Treatment of osteoporosis can consists of increased activity such as exercises for the elderly, avoiding long term confinement to bed, a diet high in vitamin, calcium, phosphate and protein, and administration of hormones. Certain resultant bones such as collapsed vertebrae cannot be cured; painkillers may be prescribed.
  

Do it Yourself

Q. We had a discussion at our school about sexuality and were surprised to find a high incidence of masturbation among the girls here. The boys are surprised because they thought girls did not masturbate. Boys have to masturbate regularly because of the build up of sperm. Girls do not have this problem. Can you briefly explain it to us? Do females masturbate? Why do we girls need to masturbate?
 Concern Reader, DSM.

A. The list of euphemisms for male masturbation is almost endless. Women do not have the same range of vocabulary in this area. This is probably because it is relatively recently that female masturbation has been recognized and acceptable. Men are less able to discuss psychosexual matters and commonly use different expressions to describe sex organs, masturbation and intercourse itself. Sperms are produced by the testes and are carried by the vas deferens to the prostate at the base of the penis. The bulk of the material actually ejected comes from the prostate, epididymal and Cowper’s glands, not from the testes. Sperms are produced at a more or less constant rate and stored for a short while in the epididymis. Any that are not ejected are reabsorbed and recycled, similarly for the rest of the secretions. The testicles of boys not masturbating on a regular basis will not explode. The reason why men and women masturbate is simple. It is for sexual pleasure. Deafness and poor vision are not recognized complications of masturbation.

Pancreatitis
Q. My husband is 48 years old and used to drink heavily alcohol along with his friends. Recently he was diagnosed to have pancreatitis. Can you let us know briefly what this means and what is the prognosis of this disease?
Concerned Reader, DSM.

A. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas, a serious abdominal condition. The pancreas is the gland opening into the duodenum. The bile duct flows into the exit from the pancreas, which produce digestive enzymes to break down protein, fat and carbohydrate in the intestine so they can be absorbed. The pancreas also produces hormones (insulin and glucagon), which pass directly into the blood stream to regulate blood sugar levels. The enzymes produced by the pancreas for the breaking down of the protein are activated within the gland (which normally happens in the intestine), with the result that the protein in the cells of the pancreas is broken down. The direct mechanism, which causes this, is not always known. Several conditions which can lead to pancreatitis are mumps, gallstones, alcohol abuse as in your husband’s case and injury. Sometimes there is no clear cause. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis are sudden with severe pain, often radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and the patient may end up in shock. Attacks usually get worse after taking a large quantity of alcohol or a heavy, fatty meal. He needs to stop alcohol and avoid taking a great deal of fat-containing meals. The condition can be completely cured, but sometimes pancreatic cysts and abscesses remain. It can be fatal. In approximately 10 percent of cases chronic infection can result in persistent attacks of pain and digestive difficulties. Progressive destruction of pancreatic tissue leads to inadequate enzyme production, causing diarrhoea and wasting. Shortage of insulin can lead to diabetes.