QUESTION 1

Dear Doctor,

Is there any form of herbal medication known to have confirmed positive effects to diabetes?

Tan Kar Woei
 

ANSWER:

Dear Kar Woei,

Many herbs supposedly have glucose-lowering effects, but there are not enough data on any herb to recommend it for use in people with diabetes. Herbs are not considered drugs by many drug regulatory agencies (like Singapore's HSA and US FDA) and therefore are not tested for quality or content. Therefore, products can be promoted as helping health conditions without having to show evidence of this. You should discuss any herbal dietary supplements with your doctor or dietitian before trying them. Some may interact poorly with your diabetes medication.

Common herbs that have been reported to be helpful are: Asian Ginseng, Cinnamon, Gymnema Sylvestre, Onion, Garlic, Bittergourd.

– Dr Kevin Tan

QUESTION 2

Dear Doctor,

Of late, my 4-year old son has been passing urine very frequently – sometimes as often as every hour. He tells me the urge is strong and yet the amount of urine passed is very little. Is this something I should seek medical attention for?

Sara Heng
 

ANSWER:

Dear Sara,

If his symptoms persist, you should see your doctor to rule out a urine infection that is causing him to want to pass urine so frequently. This can easily be done by taking a urine sample and sending it to be tested for infection.

– Dr Lim Kwang Hsien

QUESTION 3

Dear Doctor,

My son, Ryan, is 5 years old but still wears diapers at night when he sleeps. He can wake up to go to the toilet during afternoon naps but not at night. We have tried many ways to train him not to wet his bed including waking him up, limiting his liquid intake and giving rewards but nothing has worked. Please help.

Evelyn Chow
 

ANSWER:

Dear Evelyn,

Most children can be trained not to wet their beds night by the age of 5. There are other methods to train Ryan in addition to what you are already doing (waking him at night to pass urine, limiting fluids after dinner and passing urine before sleeping). These include the use of certain medications, as well as an alarm clock that wakes him up whenever he wets his bed. In addition, you might want to do a urine test as a precaution. Do speak to your paediatrician who will be able to conduct these tests.

– Dr Lim Kwang Hsien

QUESTION 4

Dear Doctor,

My 3-year old daughter just started nursery this year. She still seems anxious about the new school environment and refuses to use the school toilet even though the entire class is brought to the toilet at least twice daily. As a result, she has wet her trousers once or twice every day for the last two weeks without fail. Even when her teacher seats her on the toilet bowl, nothing comes out. She has no trouble using the toilet at home all by herself though. Is this normal? Should I make her wear a diaper to school?

Jessamine J P
 

ANSWER:

Dear Jessamine,

As you so rightly pointed out, Joline is going through a period where she is adapting to a new environment. Going to school is a stressful transition for her and sometimes her refusing to pass urine at the school's toilet is a manifestation of her inability to cope. Try finding out what is bothering Joline either through play therapy, drawings or simply asking her. Some children may not like the school's toilet, others may not like the fact that all the other children use the same toilet at the same time. If she is toilet-trained at home, then it is likely that there is nothing medically wrong with her. Speak to your daughter's teacher and try to identify the problem and plan what would be the best way to help her cope with her new school. In the meantime, wearing diapers may be a transitional solution to help her cope.

– Dr Lim Kwang Hsien