Help, my baby has no teeth

If a baby has not erupted teeth by 18 months, parents should seek the advice of a dental practitioner.  

In Summary

Infants born with low weight and premature babies may have teeth erupting later than usual. Seek dental help in case of unusual delay.

Dear Doctor:At one year old, my child has no teeth. Is there a problem?

Dear Monique: The time at which babies begin to grow teeth (tooth eruption) differs from baby to baby with some normal babies being born with a tooth while others may even reach their first birthday without any teeth.
Around six months, a baby may have lower middle teeth (incisor) erupting. Low birth weight and premature babies, however, may have teeth erupting later than usual. That said, if a baby reaches 18 months without any tooth eruption, it should be referred to a dentist.

Dear Doctor: Each time I get into my periods, my navel gets swollen. I have witnessed this for six months now. I got pregnant last year and it got swollen for the first time.

Dear Annetta: Pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall so that some women with a small, unnoticeable swelling due to a hernia may have it swell noticeably.
A swelling during periods may be due to tissues that respond to period hormones (endometriosis).These tissues which may have accidentally been implanted around the umbilicus from the womb at the time of a caesarean section can bleed and cause a swelling around period time. You may have had a hernia due to pregnancy and endometriosis after a caesarean section though endometriosis can develop for unknown reasons even without a caesarean section.
You need to be checked by a medical worker to clearly establish the cause and, therefore, get appropriate remedy.
Dear Doctor: My anus itches a lot and yet I have used zepar for worms without success. Could it be cancer?

Dear Elias: Itching of the anus (pruritus ani) can be a source of embarrassment especially if one has to scratch in public.
The itching may have many causes which require investigating and addressing to stop, though this may be difficult if the problem is of psychological origin.

Though poor hygiene is mostly blamed, vigorous cleaning with soap may irritate the area causing further itching. A common cause of itching is excessive moisture in the anal area due to sweating or residual stool around the anal area. Excessive moisture may also soften anal skin risking skin infections which include bacteria and fungi which in turn also cause itching. People with big buttocks are especially prone to anal itches because they may retain moisture leading to softening the skin as well.

Many Ugandans will self-prescribe drugs for worms since worms are a common cause of such itching. Discharges from the anus related to drugs for constipation or infections like anal warts or discharges from the vaginal canal apart from spreading infection may make the anus wet leading to itching.
An allergy to applications including soaps or those used by homosexuals or a general allergy can cause pruritus ani. Skin conditions like psoriasis and anal piles might require people to wear gloves at night lest they unknowingly scratch and seriously injure the anus.

Proper treatment requires an anal examination and other investigations to address the cause. It is important, however, to avoid scratching and to keep the area dry by wearing dry cotton pants.
Applications including perfumed soaps, and unprescribed creams should be avoided. Strapping the buttocks apart may be considered for those whose big bottoms keep the anal area moist.

Dear Doctor: I am 42 years old with heavy periods. Am I getting menopause early because I started periods early at 10 years?

Amony

Dear Amony: Menopause is the permanent cessation of periods because the eggs in the ovaries are completely finished.
The release of ova results in the release of hormones that cause the creation of the inner lining of the womb that is subsequently shed as a period in case pregnancy does not take place.
Menopause though may occur earlier, usually takes place naturally in the late 40s or early 50s and may not be predicted from the age one may have started her periods because this largely depends on genetics. The age one’s mother or grandmother stopped her periods may have a relation with when she stops periods. Cutting out the womb and or ovaries, smoking and treatment using drugs for cancer may all bring on menopause earlier.

Though menopause comes when the ovary’s eggs are exhausted, starting a period earlier in life will not mathematically mean the eggs will get exhausted earlier. Likewise having many pregnancies or using contraception which all result in no ovulation taking place will not preserve eggs and cause menopause to come later than expected.
Missing periods naturally for at least one year in one’s midlife may mean menopause but heavy periods may indicate a serious problem like fibroids or cancer of the womb or its opening (cervix) requiring investigating and managing properly.