Healthcare: Ask Dr Max

HEALTHCARE
Ask Dr Max

Ever since I read about a young woman who died on board a flight due to DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), I've been worried. I fly frequently, and travel abroad at least twice a month. What can I do to protect myself against DVT?

DVT is a condition where blood clots are formed in the veins, mainly in the calf and the pelvis. When these blood clots dislodge themselves, they can end up in the brain and the lungs leading to extremely serious consequences. DVT has certain predisposing factors. These are pregnancy, prolonged immobilisation, use of oral contraceptive pills, high lipid levels in the blood, etc. Any of these factors can increase the chances of blood clots forming in the veins.

The lady in question is very likely to have been in the high-risk category. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are a good way to avoid DVT. A thorough physical examination by a doctor and certain blood investigations can also help in avoiding DVT.

We have a peculiar problem at our company. Our Chief Financial Officer, 51, recently underwent a bypass surgery. He's now back at work, but we are uncertain of how much stress he can put up with. He claims he is fine, but there are still concerns in the board that a post as critical as the CFO's needs someone who's clearly fit. What is your medical opinion on this?

If the patient has no symptoms of coronary heart disease and if his Tread Mill Test (TMT) or stress ECG, which is a test to check the changes in the ECG level during physical stress after surgery, is normal then he can resume his normal duties as soon as possible. If the TMT is normal then he is certainly fit to resume his duties.

I am a 46-year-old executive in a foreign bank. I'm told most people of my age are susceptible to prostrate cancer. Is there something I can do to lessen the risk? And how will I know if I've got prostate cancer?

I would like to reassure you that most people your age are not likely to suffer from prostrate cancer. Prostrate cancer is rare below the age of 40 years, and the risk of developing this disease increases with age. It is maximum among those who fall in the 70-80 age bracket. No definite factors have been defined which may help in decreasing the risk of prostrate cancer, although the male hormone, a high fat diet, and genetic roles have been implicated as some of them. Symptoms of prostrate cancer may be acute retention of urine, passing blood in urine or incontinence, i.e. no control over passing of urine.

Usually prostrate cancer can be discovered by a digital rectal examination during a medical check up or during ultrasound sonography for the prostrate (specially trans rectal ultrasound). It may even be confirmed by a simple needle biopsy. Another way is to estimate the Prostrate Specific Antagen (PSA) in blood through a simple blood test.

I am a 40-year-old director in an infotech company. I have a 13-year-old daughter who has taken our (my husband and my) divorce very badly. I think she is suffering from depression because she does not eat properly, her school grades have gone down drastically, and now even the school authorities have started complaining. What are the symptoms of depression among adolescents? How can this be best handled?

Depression during adolescence is more like an adult-onset depression. It can manifest itself as a bout of sadness, unhappiness, or as a total loss of interest and pleasure. Other signs and symptoms include a change in appetite or sleep behaviour. Typical indicators of adolescent behaviour are school performance, interactions with friends and family.

The symptoms of depression in the adolescent, therefore, may include poor school performance, increased absenteeism, and the use of alcohol and drugs. Some adolescents may also display an aggressive behaviour, accident proneness, and promiscuity. There may even be a possibility of an underlying suicidal potential. However, many adolescents with these kind of behaviour patterns are unaware that they are actually depressed. If depression is truly suspected, it is best handled by a professional like a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

Responses have been provided by Max Healthcare's panel of specialists. The views expressed should not be construed as medical opinion and is for reference only. BT and/or the author will not be responsible for any decision taken by readers on the basis of these views. Send in your queries to letters. bt@intoday.com and mention Dr Max in the subject bar.

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