We examined the complaints of adult patients with ‘weak’ sho symptoms using their first-visit medical questionnaires. Our subjects were 39 patients (3 males and 36 females) who fatigued easily, and who had a weak constitution with stress and the changing of seasons.Over 60% of these ‘weak’ patients complained of excessive sensitivity to cold. The majority had stiff shoulders, a stiff neck, low back pain, sleeplessness, headache, fatigue of the eyes and vertigo. Their gastrointestinal constitutions were poor because of over eating.Although we understood many of the complains these ‘weak’ patients had through their medical questionnaires, their chief complaints were various. We hope these results are useful in understanding treatments for patients with ‘weak’ sho.
seconds ; Weak ; Complaint, NOS ; Sleeplessness ; Financially poor

This descriptive study was conducted in the Diabetes Clinic of the Port Moresby General Hospital for 6 months, from July to December 2002. The aim was to document the usage and effects of betelnut chewing in diabetic patients. 210 patients were randomly selected from the list of patients in the appointment book, using a random number table. Betelnut chewing caused hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus in animal models. It was significantly associated with high fasting capillary blood glucose and was an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, the majority of patients with diabetes were in the older age group (> or = 45 years) and many of them were overweight or obese. The majority of patients had lived in the city of Port Moresby for many years before their diagnosis. 74% of diabetic patients chewed betelnut before their diagnosis and had continued the habit while undergoing treatment for diabetes. The majority (80%) of patients had poor glycaemic control as indicated by the high mean of their most recent blood glucose, which was 13.0 mmol/l in male and 13.1 mmol/l in female patients; these levels were not much lower than those at diagnosis. The mean follow-up of patients in the clinic was 6.2 years. On the balance of evidence, betelnut is a contributing factor to the poor glycaemic control in diabetic patients attending Port Moresby General Hospital.
Mores ; Port - alcoholic beverage ; Financially poor ; control ; Mastication

The Tari oral health study was conducted in 1985 and aimed to provide an oral health profile of a rural highlands community. The sample was selected from the database of the Tari Research Unit, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea and consisted of 815 Huli people aged from 3 to 64 years, in seven age groups, who were examined for oral health status and had completed an interview-questionnaire. A wide range of oral health status was seen, ranging from excellent to very poor. Dental caries and periodontal disease were common in the population. Oral habits such as smoking and betelnut chewing were associated with an increase in leukoplakia, which may lead to oral cancer in some people. Dental caries varied in prevalence and severity. Higher decayed, missing and filled teeth scores in the primary teeth of young children were associated with defective tooth formation (hypoplasia) linked to maternal and childhood illnesses and nutritional deficiencies. Older adults had the worst oral health, with the 45-64 year old group having a caries prevalence of 95% and a decayed, missing and filled teeth score of 14.7. Root surface caries, seen as a consequence of poor oral hygiene and gum recession, was the major site of caries attack in the older Hull. The public oral health services are unable to reach a large proportion of the rural population, and people continue to use traditional herbal and folk remedies. Many seek the skills of local tooth extractors who use six-inch nails with no anaesthetic.
Oral health ; Tooth ; Financially poor ; Caries, NOS ; Prevalence aspects