www.womanthismonth.com 67 June 2013 | Managing Bruxism BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL Do you wake up with pain around your jaw line or suffer from severe headaches? If you don’t know the cause, there may be an underlying issue you’re missing. Characterised by the grinding of the teeth and typically includes the clenching of the jaw, Bruxism is one of the most common sleep disorders. In most cases the condition is mild enough not to be a health problem; but when it regularly occurs during sleep, it can be cause for alert. “Most people are not aware that they are suffering from the illness and studies even show that only an estimated five per cent go on to develop symptoms that are noticeable,” says Bahrain Specialist Hospital’s (BSH) general dentist Dr Ghada Al Anni. Some of the symptoms include anxiety, stress, tension, earache, eating disorders, migraines, loose teeth, neck pain and insomnia. Usually it’s a sleeping partner that notices the behaviour first. Since the condition is not the only cause of toothaches, it is hard to diagnose with visual evidence. Testing methods used at BSH include electromyography measurements and biofeedback headbands. Curing the cause can permanently rid a patient of the symptoms; two of the most common treatments are the use of dental guards and splints. “These can reduce tooth abrasion where guards protect the teeth and can reduce muscle strain by allowing the upper and lower jaw to move easily with respect to each other,” adds the doctor. Botox has also proven to lessen Bruxism’s effects. An extremely diluted serum is injected to weaken or partially paralyse muscles to prevent clinching and chewing. Call 17 812-000. Dr Ghada Al Anni Summer Safety AMERICAN MISSION HOSPITAL Bahrain’s summer can take a toll on the healthiest adult; imagine what it can do to a new born baby. Exposure to prolonged amounts of heat and humidity, without relief or adequate fluid, can cause various types of heat-related illnesses. One of the most common conditions faced at American Mission Hospital (AMH) during summer is heat cramps, the mildest form of heat injury which results in painful muscle spasms. Exhaustion, on the other hand, is a more severe condition that results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs as a result of excessive sweating due to a combination of an inadequate fluid intake and salt replacement. “If left untreated, this can lead to heat stroke, which occurs when the body’s self-regulating system is overwhelmed by high temperatures. It is a lifethreatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention,” says Dr Mohammad Hourani, a paediatric specialist at AMH The hospital’s advanced facilities are fully equipped to deal with all matters of general paediatrics and neonatology. Another common problem during summer is sunburn, which can be alleviated by using ibuprofen to ease the pain, if the child is older than six months. Applying steroid cream for two days on the affected areas is another effective form of relief. “Where sunburns are fairly severe, take a cool bath for ten minutes; but do not use soap to wash your body,” advises Dr Mohammad. If the sunburn results in blisters, these should be left alone to avoid infection. Should the pain become unbearable, then you should consult a doctor. Call 17 248110/121. Dr Mohammad Hourani Showcase
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