Some of the conditions that the practice deals with include the following:
Diabetes is one of the greatest pandemics of the twentieth century and affects about 4.2 million people in South Africa. Even scarier is the large proportion of people currently undiagnosed, almost 45%. There are two types of diabetes with two very different causes and management approaches.
Type 1 diabetes is due to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin. These patients need insulin therapy to replace the deficient insulin. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and obesity but can also be genetic. These patients are often insulin resistant and lifestyle modifications and therapy that target insulin resistance are needed to control the elevated blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe complications such as visual problems, chronic kidney disease and nerve damage.
Symptoms of diabetes include abnormal weight loss, frequent urination and being thirsty all the time. Current guidelines recommend screening for diabetes from the age of 35 years or even earlier if an individual has risk factors such as being overweight or living a sedentary lifestyle. The diagnosis can easily be made using a simple finger prick test at your doctor or pharmacy.
Just like diabetes, obesity is a major problem in South Africa and around 30% of men and almost 70% of women in South Africa are affected. Obesity refers to excess body weight and is often associated with an increased abdominal circumference
The causes of obesity are similar to those for Type 2 diabetes, including excess calorie intake and lack of exercise. Ongoing research has also revealed genetic factors and other complex pathways contributing to obesity.
Obesity increases your risk of developing diabetes and having a heart attack or stroke. Poor sleep, joint problems, high blood pressure and certain cancers could also result from being obese. Losing weight can be very difficult and many people need additional support such as medical therapy under specialist care.
The thyroid gland regulates multiple processes in the body and controls the metabolism. The thyroid gland can either produce excess hormones (hyperthyroidism) or fail to produce enough (called hypothyroidism). Both these conditions can have serious health consequences and can easily be diagnosed with a blood test.
Hypothyroidism is common in older individuals and is mostly due to autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland and can be hereditary. People suffering from hypothyroidism might complain of tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold all the time or non-specific skin and hair changes. Hypothyroidism is treated by medically replacing the deficient thyroid hormone and monitoring the response to therapy.
Hyperthyroidism is less common. It can be caused by an autoimmune disease or by thyroid lesions that produce too much hormone. Patients suffering from an overactive thyroid often complain of anxiety, heart palpitations, sweating, and losing weight. There are many treatment options available to correct the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Therapies such as iodine ablation, medical treatment or surgery need to be discussed with your doctor.
Osteoporosis is the weakening of the bone structure and can lead to fractures. The condition affects about 1 in every 5 women in South Africa. Although less common, men can also be affected.
Many factors contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Older age, smoking, hormone abnormalities like early menopause, hyperthyroidism and cortisol excess and the use of certain medications can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for all females above the age of 65 years or sooner if they have any risk factors. The diagnosis is often made following a Bone Mineral Density (DEXA) scan. Proper treatment of osteoporosis can reduce the risk of fractures and improve quality of life.
© 2022 Dr Theunis Botha | Privacy Policy | Website Disclaimer | Cookie Policy | POPIA
Website designed by IMEDPRAC (Pty) Ltd.