The outpatient services of Limuru cottage hospital is a 24 hrs service department where patients receive diagnoses, care and treatment as outpatients since they do not require a bed or the need to stay at the facility overnight. It can also be referred to as an outpatient clinic as it is designed to mostly take care of the outpatients.
Read on to learn more about our outpatient services.
Table of Contents
- Outpatient services
- Types of Outpatient services
- Our services
- Doctor’s Consultation
- When to Consult a Doctor
- Family Planning Services
- Common family planning methods
- Laboratory Services
- Pharmacy services
- Our Pharmacy Services
- General Clinic
- Services offered
- General Clinic Staff
- Specialized Clinics
- Our Specialized clinics
- Diabetes Overview
- Diabetes signs to be wary of
- Diabetes Precautions to take
- Hypertension overview
- Hypertension symptoms to be wary of
- Hypertension Management
- Importance of Pediatrics
- Obstetrics
- Gynaecology
- Types of Dentists
- Questions to expect on your first Antenatal visit
- Risks of lack of Antenatal Care
- Importance of Antenatal care
- Causes of Mental illness
- Types of Mental health disorders
- Signs of Mental illness
- Treatment of Mental illness
- Frequently Asked Questions About Outpatient Services
- What is outpatient?
- What services are offered by the outpatient department?
- What does a consultation with a doctor mean?
- What do doctors do at a consultation?
- What is included in family planning?
- What is best for family planning?
- What are laboratory services?
- What is a Lab doctor called?
- What are pharmacy services?
- What is the purpose of the clinic?
- What happens in a clinic?
- What are specialized clinics?
- Is there a link between diabetes and hypertension?
- Can diabetes and high blood pressure be cured?
- What is pediatric age?
- What is the difference between obstetrics and gynaecology?
- What does dental mean?
- What do dentists do?
- What does antenatal mean in pregnancy?
- When should a pregnant woman start antenatal?
- What happens during antenatal?
- What is mental health?
- What are the causes of mental illness?
This is the most important department in our hospital since it is also combined with the in-patient department where we have a number of surgeons and physicians/doctors who attend and offer treatment to the in-patients in the wards at any given time. Most of the patients that come here are first attended to as outpatients before being taken in as in-patients if need be and it is the same place they can return to at a later date for a review if needed.
Our outpatient services department is strategically located next to the entrance of the hospital for easy access. It is well equipped with a reception where patients first register with their details, pay for consultation and proceed to take seats where they wait to be attended to by the doctors. There is also a well equipped first aid station with nurses on duty where patients are first attended to in case of emergencies, We also have wheelchairs and stretchers on standby for non-ambulance services.
Outpatient services
The outpatient services department of every hospital offers a number of services to patients which include but are not limited to:
- Cervical Cancer screening and treatment
- Couples’ testing and counselling
- Health Education depends on patients’ needs
- Minor Surgeries
- Preventive care
- Routine Physical check-ups
- Nutritional Care for different patient groups
- X-rays and other imaging procedures
Types of Outpatient services
There are different types of Outpatient services depending on the facility;
- Emergency Outpatient; This is where a person requires emergency care as a result of a sudden accident or severe illness.
- General outpatient; This is a person that comes to the outpatient services department on their own and is given diagnostic or therapeutic services as an outpatient.
- Referral Outpatient; Is where a person visits the outpatient services department of a facility having been referred by a private practitioner or a doctor from another facility for a specific diagnosis, treatment or a second opinion.
- Outpatient Visit; This is a visit by a person to the outpatient services department either as a new outpatient or a repeat outpatient
Our services
Doctor’s Consultation
We have doctor’s rooms in our outpatient services department where patients come and have an in-depth consultation with the doctor or the physician on duty about their symptoms or ailment. The doctor will then conduct a general examination depending on their particular needs after which they will also ask to examine their health history records before they proceed to either authorize further checks like an ultrasound, X-ray or laboratory tests to determine the extent of the illness before they recommend treatment based on the examination report.
This is to mean that the doctors at the outpatient services department work closely with the laboratory, pharmacy and radiology units where messages are relayed from one department to the next as the need arises through the medical system in use.
Our doctors at the outpatient services department are also mandated to look after the patients throughout the treatment or their stay at the hospital if they are recommended and further taken in as in-patients. In case a patient is scheduled for a surgery, the doctors at this point will also discuss in-depth with the patient what to generally expect as they are fully aware of the anxiety that may arise and it is their duty to make patients calm and comfortable before, during and after the procedure.
Also if the patients do not require surgery, our doctors will fully explain the medical and non-surgery treatment options available and further discuss the treatment process and what it will mean to the patient. Our doctors at the outpatient services department are responsible for the patient’s total comfort during the entire treatment process based on the various needs.
When to Consult a Doctor
It is important to plan to consult a doctor if a person has certain symptoms like;
- A persistent cough that has lasted for two weeks or more
- A fever that doesn’t subside or go away
- Allergic reaction after a procedure or starting a new medication
- Back pains
- Changes in mood or confusion
- Change in bowel movement or urination
- Confusion or mood swings
- Digestive problems
- Diarrhoea
- Mental health issues
- Persistent headache
- Sudden weight loss without explanation
- Shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal, chest or pelvic pain/discomfort.
Family Planning Services
Family planning services are offered at our outpatient services department in regards to pregnancy planning, improvement and spacing as well as preventative measures and unintended pregnancies. The availability of family planning services at our hospital is important as it enables individuals to make informed decisions in regards to birth spacing and family size and helps improve health outcomes for infants, children, women and the entire family.
The family planning services offered at our outpatient services department by our doctors and nurses include but are not limited to:
- Contraceptive services
- Basic infertility services
- Sexually transmitted diseases services
- Pregnancy testing and counselling
- General pregnancy guidance including preconception health services
- Sexually transmitted infections(STIs) and human immunodeficiency (HIV) prevention education, counselling, testing, and referral.
- Broader reproductive health services, including patient education and counselling
- Breast and pelvic examinations
- Breast and cervical cancer screening
Common family planning methods
There are many family planning methods available in the market today, which are the different types of birth control that are used to prevent pregnancies and it is advisable to always consult your doctor or physician before settling on any so that they can first evaluate and advise on the best method to use. People will always have a preference maybe because of the costs involved, availability, and in some cases because of health issues.
Below are some of the readily available and affordable family planning methods (Birth control) commonly used;
- Barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps
- IUDs and Implants are the most convenient and popular as they are very effective by almost 100 %
- The daily/monthly pills
- Injections (Depo Provera)
- Permanent contraception(Tubal ligation and vasectomy)
- Patch
- Withdrawal method
- Vaginal Ring
Laboratory Services
Laboratory services are the services offered in the laboratory to collect, test clinical specimens from patients, record and deliver lab tests results by the laboratory specialists to assist in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, as directed by the doctors and physicians thus enabling them to offer treatment as well as prevention of various ailments/diseases and other medical conditions as per the laboratory reports generated.
Our Laboratories across our branches at the Outpatient services department are equipped with well trained Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA), Laboratory Assistants (LA) and pathologists who work together to ensure efficient service delivery in the Laboratory department by observing, recording and analyzing the results thus enabling them to make informed conclusions. They also have modern laboratory equipment that makes the department very efficient in specimen diagnosis hence producing accurate, precise, relevant and comprehensive data that is used for the medical management of the patients.
The range of laboratory tests done at our laboratories includes but is not limited to:
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Testing
- Blood bank and transfusion
- Basic Metabolic Panel(BMP)
- Complete Blood Count(CBC)
- Endoscopy
- Urinalysis
- Phlebotomy, drawing of blood from the veins for laboratory testing
- Stool analysis test
- Sexually Transmitted Disease(STD) Testing
- Saliva test
Pharmacy services
These are services offered by pharmacists which include;
- Compounding
- Early screening and testing
- Emergency care like emergency contraception and minor illness management
- Medication management like procurement of drugs, medicine use review, unit dose packaging
- Vaccination
Led by a team of highly qualified pharmacists, our pharmacy department boasts of the quality of professional services it offers to clients, both outpatients and in-patients in all our branches across the region.
Our pharmacy aims at achieving;
- Better quality care for all patients across our branches
- Better health outcome
- Lower costs at all times across our branches
The pharmacy is also responsible for ensuring that the medicine being dispensed is of good quality and this is achieved by purchasing only from verified suppliers and making sure that they undergo a vetting and approval process by recognized and certified government bodies before they are stocked in all our branches.
The pharmacy department of our hospital has three outpatient pharmacies services across all our branches;
1. The Outpatient Center in Limuru Town.
2. the Maternity Annex in Limuru Town.
3. The Kentmere Annex in the Tigoni/ Kentmere area.
Our pharmacy department also prides itself on its ability to ensure a surplus supply of prescription medicines at low prices at all times and this is achieved by always purchasing in bulk from verified suppliers.
Our Pharmacy Services
Our pharmacists across all our Outpatient services department branches are mandated to;
- Prescribe medication that doesn’t require diagnosis if need be
- Prescribe medication for certain minor conditions like colds, cuts and bruises
- Prescribe certain medication in case of an emergency to stabilize a patient
- Modify a prescription by adjusting its quantity or dose
- Adjust a prescription in case of a supply shortage or disruption
- Administer medication to demonstrate its usage
- Administer medication in the case for vaccination/immunization purposes
General Clinic
This is where we have clinical rooms in the outpatient services department where a doctor or nurse will discuss the purpose of the visit with the patient as they examine the patient of the symptoms presented in order to diagnose for treatment or management care as required. They may also ask about your medical history, weigh you or check your blood pressure.
Services offered
Our general clinic at the outpatient services department offers diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventative services to patients depending on their various needs/symptoms such as:
- Treatment for common illnesses like colds, the flu or sexually transmitted infections(STIs)
- Treatment of some injuries; such as minor cuts or burns
- Care for minor symptoms; such as sore throat, cough, or nasal congestion
- Screening and treatment of conditions like; High cholesterol, High blood pressure or diabetes
- Laboratory tests; such as blood tests and urine tests
- All types of vaccinations
General Clinic Staff
Our general clinic at the Outpatient Services department is made up of;
- General Medical Doctors in various fields such as; Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and also Pediatrics.
- Assistant Physicians and Nurse Practitioners who offer services at little or no cost depending on the nature of the illness and or diagnosis.
- Registered Nurses
- Specialized Doctors such as Gynecologists, Cardiologists or Dermatologists
- Mental health professionals like Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Social Workers
- Physical therapists
Specialized Clinics
These are clinics that are only focused on certain areas of medicine with healthcare professionals that are solely trained in those specific medical fields.
Our Specialized clinics
Our department of Specialized Clinics in the Outpatient services department has several clinics that offer specialized care and treatment to our patients, which also means it is staffed with highly specialized medical professionals in various fields.
Diabetes and Hypertension Clinic
This is a clinic where patients meet highly qualified medical professionals that check their health status and offer them high expertise advice on how to manage their diabetes and hypertension.
Diabetes Overview
Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream (Diabetes Mellitus). Glucose is very important as it fuels our bodies and we mostly get it from the foods we eat. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas and it is the one that converts the food we eat to the energy needed by our bodies in order for them to function properly.
When our bodies fail to convert the food into energy, our bodies get deprived of energy and in the process build up sugar in the bloodstream (Hypoglycemia) which is associated with damage and failure of various organs and tissues in our bodies. If not attended to vigorously, diabetes can lead to serious health complications like blindness and kidney failure.
Diabetes signs to be wary of
- Blurred vision
- Excessive hunger
- Excessive weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- The urge to constantly urinate
The symptoms may be gradual or sudden but may persist over time in which a patient is advised to seek medical help for proper diagnosis.
Diabetes Precautions to take
- For you to lower your chances of suffering from diabetes, it is important to always check and maintain a proper body weight
- Monitor and report abnormal swelling feet to the doctor
- Have regular Cholesterol and sugar checkups and maintain records
- It is advisable to have E.C.G done at least once every year
Hypertension overview
Hypertension is very common these days and it occurs when there is a lot of pressure in the blood vessels. It is normal for the blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day, but if it doesn’t stabilize and remains up then that shows the onset of blood pressure.
Hypertension symptoms to be wary of
- Confusion or extreme fatigue
- Blood traces in urine
- Breathing difficulties and or chest pains
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Migraine
- Nausea
Hypertension is known to affect 70% of patients with diabetes and is twice as common as in those without thus increasing their risk of having vascular complications as well as increasing the chances of contracting chronic kidney disorders. Pregnant women with diabetes and hypertension are at a higher risk of contracting pre-eclampsia and it is recommended that both should be diagnosed early and treated aggressively to avert the risk of vascular diseases and even death.
Hypertension Management
Hypertension is mostly managed by general lifestyle changes that the doctor will recommend like:
- Always eating a balanced, heart-healthy diet
- Exercising or increasing physical activity
- Limiting alcohol intake and smoking
- Checking and maintaining a healthy weight, and losing weight if you’re overweight or obese
- Limit sodium/salt intake in your diet
- Managing stress levels
- Monitoring blood pressure at all times at home
Our Diabetes and Hypertension Clinic in the outpatient services department is well staffed with highly qualified endocrinologists – these are doctors who have specialized training in treating patients with diabetes and or Hypertension and are always on standby to attend to our patients. The clinics are also equipped with modern state of the art equipment that aids in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension patients across our branches in the region.
Paediatrics
Paediatrics in outpatient services is the department of medicine that deals with the health and general medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from when they are born till they become young adults (18yrs). It is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘The healer of children and it is a relatively new medical field since the early 19th Century.
A Pediatrician is a medical professional who is trained in taking care of a wide range of patients from infants, children, adolescents, and young adults by prevention, early detection, treatment and management of medical problems at the maternity units, neonatal intensive care units, special care baby/children departments or at the accident and emergency departments of health facilities including but not limited to;
- Any developmental stagnation and anomalies
- Behavioural problems
- Functional abnormalities
- Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression
Importance of Pediatrics
The main aim of the Pediatrics department is to reduce the rate of infant and child mortality, curb the spread of communicable/infectious diseases, ensure good healthy disease-free lifestyles and help ease the suffering of children and adolescents with dreadful medical conditions.
Our Pediatrics units at the Outpatient services department across our branches are well-staffed with Pediatricians who work closely with other medical practitioners to ensure they take care of the children by offering them the medical assistance they require. They offer treatment and management of the following;
- Injuries
- All forms of infections
- Childhood diabetes symptoms and treatment
- Genetic and congenital disorders
- Cancers
- Organ ailments and dysfunction
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Also known as OB/GYN, It is the field of medicine mandated with the care of women throughout pregnancy and childbirth as well as the detection, treatment and management of infections of the female reproductive parts. It also specializes in other women’s health issues like; Birth control(Contraception), Hormone issues, Menopause, and Infertility problems just to mention a few.
Our Outpatient services department across our branches are well staffed with highly qualified and professional Obstetrics and Gynecologists who take care of the infants, children, adolescents, young adults, pregnant and nursing mothers as well as other female patients by addressing their general health needs, like checking for mental health issues, filling prescriptions for common ailments, recommending treatment and offering them preventive care against diseases and infections.
Obstetrics
An Obstetrician mainly specializes in all the areas of pregnancy from prenatal care all the way to post-natal care (Obstetrics). They are trained to deliver babies and can also help by providing therapies that enable women to get pregnant through the different fertility treatments available. In case a mother delivers a premature baby, the obstetrician will offer care and guidance at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), therefore their main role is to help mothers have a healthy and successful pregnancy as well as deliver healthy babies safely.
Obstetricians are also well trained to handle pregnancy difficulties that may arise like;
- Delivery through caesarean section
- Ectopic pregnancy; where the fetus attaches and grows outside the uterus
- Fetal distress due to various reasons
- Issues with the placenta
- Pre-eclampsia; is caused by high blood pressure in expectant women
Obstetricians are also trained to deal with mothers who have successfully delivered their babies but are dealing with problems like post-partum depression.
Gynaecology
A Gynecologist specializes in the female reproductive health issues from the first time they have their period up to post-menopause. These may be sexual issues like contraceptives, responsible sexual behaviours as well as how they can protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
They also deal with any issues that may affect the female reproductive system such as the cervix, Fallopian tubes, ovaries or vagina by diagnosis and offering treatment as needed. They also specialize in performing screenings like breast exams, pap smears, pelvic exams as well as tubal ligation hysterectomies.
Gynaecologists are trained to diagnose and treat;
- Cancers of the reproductive system
- Conditions that bring about pain during sex
- Irregular menstruation
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine fibroid
- Vaginal infections
Dental
Dentistry, also known as Dental medicine and Oral medicine is the field of medicine that entails the study, detection, preventive measures, and treatment of infections and disorders of the oral cavity (mouth). The specialist doctors in this field are known as dentists and they mostly operate in dental clinic units of hospitals and other health-related institutions where they perform dental procedures and treatment on patients’ teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth.
Dentists also advise patients on the general precautions to take in taking care of their teeth, gums and the mouth as well as on different diet options that affect oral health.
Our Dental clinics in the Outpatient services department are well staffed with professional dentists whose main mission is to ensure that they provide patients with excellent dental services with maximum comfort, compassion, and safety while making it all fun.
For efficient dental services at our Outpatient services department, we have made sure to acquire all the modern state of the art dental equipment across our dental clinics which also enables us to have friendly prices for our patients at all times. Come and experience our first-class dental services at the best prices around.
Types of Dentists
Dentists can choose an area of speciality within the available Dental clinical areas in their time of study which are;
- Endodontist; This a Dentist who is a root canal expert
- A general dentist; Is a dentist who can perform any dentistry procedure within the dental clinic.
- Orthodontist; This is a Dentist who specializes in the treatment of teeth and jaws.
- Periodontist; This is a Dentist who specializes in patients that have issues with their gums, bones and tissues that support the teeth.
- Oral surgeon; This a Dentist also known as a maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in wisdom tooth extraction, corrective jaw surgery, facial trauma surgery in accidents as well as implants and bone grafts and implant procedures.
- A prosthodontist, Is a Dentist who specializes in making removable or non-removable replacement teeth for patients in need.
- Pedodontist, Also a Pediatric Dentist, is a specialist Dentist for children.
Antenatal
Also known as Prenatal care, it is a type of preventive care given to pregnant women by a midwife or obstetrician to protect them and their unborn children throughout the pregnancy, before and during birth. On the first Antenatal visit, some regular medical checkups will be conducted, like blood pressure to prevent pre-eclampsia, blood tests to check for anaemia or any sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urine test to check for a urinary tract infection, immunization against tetanus, as well as provision of micro-nutrient supplements while advising women on the precautions to take to sustain a healthy pregnancy.
This is also where pregnant women are provided with HIV testing and medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission and in case they are in places where malaria is prevalent, they are provided with medication and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent the deadly disease.
Our Antenatal clinics at the Outpatient services department are staffed with both midwives and obstetricians who help and take care of pregnant women throughout their pregnancy journey, during birth and after birth by offering them the professional medical care they require at pocket-friendly prices.
We are well equipped for Normal delivery, minor surgeries, and c-sections at all our branches.
Our midwives and or Obstetricians will attend to you by;
- Checking your health and that of the unborn child.
- They will give you vital information about healthy eating, weight gain expectations and exercise for a healthy pregnancy.
- Discuss with you the various options and choices available for you during pregnancy, labour and birth.
- Letting you know if your pregnancy is high risk and the precautions you can take to avert the situation.
- Offer antenatal classes like breastfeeding workshops.
Questions to expect on your first Antenatal visit
It is advisable to start antenatal clinic as soon as you suspect or find out that you’re pregnant or even 6-8 weeks into your pregnancy. Our midwives or Obstetricians at the Outpatient services department will first confirm your pregnancy then proceed to ask about the following;
- The date of start of your last period
- Your health; any previous illnesses or operations or if you’re allergic to any medicines
- Your lifestyle; whether you smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs or de[pressed about anything so that they can offer you the professional support you might need.
- Any previous pregnancies and miscarriages
- Ethnic origins, yours and your partner to ascertain the possibilities of your child having any hereditary conditions
- History of twins in your family
After the first Antenatal visit, the midwife will advise and give a schedule for the subsequent visits throughout the pregnancy period.
Risks of lack of Antenatal Care
Mothers who have little or no Antenatal care are at a higher risk of having medical complications together with their unborn children like;
- Preterm births
- Stillbirths
- Low weight infants at birth
- Maternal and child deaths
- Suffering from pre-eclampsia
Importance of Antenatal care
It is important for women to start Antenatal care as early as they suspect or find out that they are pregnant or between 6-8 weeks into the pregnancy as this allows for early discernment, care and prevention of medical complications that could affect both the mother and her unborn child thus saving lives. During this period, monitoring the health of the baby and the mother is very crucial and will be achieved by the following;
- Advice on the best nutrition for both the mother and her unborn child; a balanced diet is key to achieving this. The mother will also be given supplements like folic acid, multivitamins, calcium, and iron for the baby’s healthy growth.
- Monitoring the child’s development; the doctor will monitor the baby’s development in the womb during every Antenatal check-up. Ultrasounds scans may also be recommended to check the condition and size of the fetus.
- Screening both the mother and her unborn child; by testing for blood pressure and diabetes to avert the risk of the mother developing pre-eclampsia which can be fatal.
- Relevant Immunization; the tetanus toxoid vaccine is given to pregnant women as it protects both the mother and child during delivery. Flu shots are also given as they give immunity to the unborn child through its mother.
- Antenatal Lessons; these may be given to first-time mothers and their partners to help them cope with the pregnancy and delivery and to prepare for the task of being first-time parents.
- Planned Testing; testing is very important during pregnancy, some conditions that can be discovered during testing include; Diabetes, Human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV), Hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The outcome will determine whether a mother is safe to deliver vaginally they will need to undergo a C-section.
- General Health Education; The Midwife or Obstetrician is mandated with the task of enlightening the mother about the importance of breastfeeding and how to take care of a newborn as well as the importance of taking care of their health throughout the pregnancy.
Mental health
Mental Health is a condition of good health where an individual realizes their own capabilities, can tolerate the stresses of life, can work fruitfully and is able to make a positive impact on their immediate community. When this is lacking then a person is said to be suffering from mental illness. Satisfactory Mental Health is not just about avoiding continuous problems but about looking after your prolonged well being and general happiness.
Mental illness is a state that affects a person’s feelings, thinking or general mood, these conditions are the ones that affect daily life as well as how someone relates with others. If you have or suspect to be suffering from mental illness, the first step should be trying to find the root cause or seeking professional help.
We have a mental health clinic in the Outpatient services department of each of our health facilities, with qualified health professionals (psychiatrists and psychologists) whose main mission is to help mental illness patients recover by guiding and offering them the appropriate treatment and management they require. Here, we take mental health illness very seriously and we are always on the alert to help you look and feel good about yourself.
Causes of Mental illness
The following factors are the leading cause of mental illness in today’s world;
- Education level.
- A financial crisis or belonging to a marginalized ethnic group increases the risk of mental health illness.
- Certain genes and gene variants are known to increase the chances of mental illness in some people.
- Underlying chronic health problems like diabetes and cancer may contribute to one developing a mental disorder.
- Occupation.
- Socioeconomic conditions like availability of work in one’s local area.
- Age is also a contributing factor to mental illness.
Types of Mental health disorders
- Anxiety Disorders; These are the most common types of mental illnesses these days. People suffering from anxiety disorders have extreme fear because of certain situations or conditions around them and will always avoid these triggering factors to their anxiety.
- Panic Disorders; People with panic disorders suffer from regular nervousness attacks which entail sudden engulfing fear or sometimes a sense of impending calamity or even death.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD); People suffering from OCD have infatuations and urges for certain things, they experience repetitive stressful thoughts and strong urges to repeat things.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD); PTSD occurs from constant sensations of trauma and fear, like witnessing grave and traumatic events. In such an occurrence, the person will constantly think that his life and that of others around them are in serious danger.
- Mood Disorders; Also known as depressive disorders, people with mood disorders suffer from sudden mood swings mainly due to depression.
Signs of Mental illness
There are no known lab tests that can be done to ascertain whether a person is suffering from mental illness, but there are leading signs that can tell that a person is having or suffering from mental illness like;
- Avoiding/under-involvement in activities and things that they usually enjoy doing
- Being delusional
- Feeling hopeless and mood swings
- Shutting from the real world; family, friends, colleagues
- Showing signs of confusion
- Skipping work or school
- Substance abuse like alcohol and or drugs
- Overeating or Undereating
Treatment of Mental illness
Management and treatment of Mental illness depends on individuals and differs from one person to the other depending on their type of illness and the work they put into it for recovery. There are various options that a person can settle on at the various stages of life, some are friendly while some are not. The most important thing to do is engage a doctor who will assess the level of mental illness and recommend a suitable treatment plan.
Some of the treatment options available are;
- Talking therapies; A person with mental illness can choose to talk to either a psychiatrist, psychologist or a psychotherapist to help them understand the cause of their mental illness and help them work towards identifying ways to make them live positively and reduce the danger of segregation and self-harm.
- Medication; Depending on the level or type of mental illness that a person is suffering from, some type of medication may be recommended to help enhance their symptoms thus making them resume a normal schedule as they continue working on their mental health wellness. Some of the medications include; anxiolytic drugs, antidepressants or antipsychotics.
- Self-help remedies; The road to recovery from mental illness is based on the individual effort a person puts in to make them look and feel better, and this will mean making some difficult changes to help towards recovery like; Reducing alcohol intake, drugs or smoking, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, taking a break from work or mending personal relationships that may be contributing to their stress levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outpatient Services
What is outpatient?
This is a patient who visits a hospital or a health facility for diagnosis and treatment without the need for staying overnight.
What services are offered by the outpatient department?
The outpatient department offers several services to patients like; health education, couples guidance and counseling, cancer screening and treatment, preventive care, routine physical check-up, minor surgeries, just to mention but a few.
What does a consultation with a doctor mean?
It is the act of deliberation between the doctor and the patient in search of a diagnosis and treatment in regards to the symptoms presented.
What do doctors do at a consultation?
Once the doctor listens to and assesses the patient’s symptoms, they will come up with a care and treatment plan from the conclusions drawn.
What is included in family planning?
A number of things are included in family planning like; contraceptive services, basic infertility services, sexually transmitted infections services, pregnancy testing and counselling, pregnancy guidance, and general reproductive health services.
What is best for family planning?
The best family planning methods to use are implants and intra-uterine devices (IUDs) as they are the most effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies.
What are laboratory services?
These are the services offered in the laboratory to collect, and test clinical specimens from patients, recording and delivery of lab test results by the laboratory specialists to assist in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, and monitoring of cases presented to them.
What is a Lab doctor called?
Lab doctors are called Pathologists and they work with general medical professionals and specialists by performing laboratory tests to diagnose and treat diseases.
What are pharmacy services?
These are services offered by pharmacists which include; counselling, dispensing, prescription monitoring, procurement, supply chain management, drug utilization evaluation and to provide professional services.
What is the purpose of the clinic?
The purpose of the clinic is to offer organized medical services to outpatients such as; diagnosis, curative and preventive services.
What happens in a clinic?
A doctor or nurse will discuss the purpose of the visit with the patient as they examine the patient of the symptoms presented in order to diagnose for treatment or management care as required. They may also ask about your medical history, weigh you or check your blood pressure.
What are specialized clinics?
These are clinics that are only focused on certain areas of medicine with healthcare professionals that are solely trained in those specific medical fields like diabetes clinics, dental clinics, paediatrics clinics, obstetrics/gynaecology clinics, and antenatal clinics.
Is there a link between diabetes and hypertension?
Hypertension is known to affect 70% of patients with diabetes and is twice as common as in those without.
Can diabetes and high blood pressure be cured?
Diabetes and hypertension can both be managed through lifestyle changes like; regular exercise, eating a healthy, balanced diet, quitting alcohol and smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring blood pressure at all times at home.
What is pediatric age?
The recommended pediatric age is newborn up to 8 years old. These are infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
What is the difference between obstetrics and gynaecology?
Obstetrics is the medical field that deals with the care of women during pregnancy, and childbirth up to postpartum while gynaecology is the medical field that specializes in the female reproductive health issues from the first time they have their period up to post-menopause.
What does dental mean?
It is the medical field relating to teeth or dentistry (dental medicine and oral medicine).
What do dentists do?
They perform dental procedures and treatments on patients’ teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth.
What does antenatal mean in pregnancy?
It is the medical care women receive during the pregnancy period.
When should a pregnant woman start antenatal?
It is advisable for pregnant women to start attending antenatal clinics from the time they suspect or find out that they are pregnant or anywhere from 6-8 weeks into the pregnancy.
What happens during antenatal?
The midwife or obstetrician will do some antenatal checks that include checking the blood pressure, and doing urine tests and then they will go ahead and guide on how to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
What is mental health?
It is a condition of good health where an individual realizes their own capabilities, can tolerate the stresses of life, can work fruitfully and is able to make a positive impact on their immediate community.
What are the causes of mental illness?
Mental illness may be caused by; a financial crisis or being from a marginalized ethnic group, education level, age can also be a contributing factor to mental illness, personal problems like divorce, death of a loved one, underlying chronic health problems like diabetes, cancer.