HEART disease is the world’s biggest killer.
It includes conditions that narrow or block blood vessels and can cause heart attack or stroke.
Sun columnist Dr Zoe answers your health queries[/caption]
While we know they are emergencies, many people aren’t aware that their daily habits can have a profound impact on their heart health.
Things that increase your risk include smoking, stress, alcohol, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, having obesity, diabetes, and not being active.
High blood pressure and cholesterol are often referred to as “silent killers” because in many cases they don’t cause symptoms so can be hard to spot.
If you think you may have either, speak to a pharmacist or your GP – Over 40s are entitled to free NHS health checks which test both and many chemists offer free blood pressure checks for over 40s, while a blood test is needed to detect high cholesterol.
Lifestyle adjustments can help manage both, alongside, when necessary, medication. It’s not about a complete overhaul of your life, it’s about small, consistent changes.
Quit smoking, use less table salt, add an extra serving of veg to your meals, or swap a night in front of the TV for a brisk walk.
If you fear you’re suffering symptoms of heart attack or stroke, which include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or numbness in the face or arm, sudden confusion and trouble speaking, dial 999 immediately or get to A&E.
Here’s a selection of what readers asked me this week . . .
At a loss over year-long discomfort
A reader has had discomfort down below for a year[/caption]
Q: I AM 68 years old and have had discomfort down below for a year.
I treated myself with Vagisil and Dr Wolff moisturising cream, to no avail.
My GP sent me for blood tests, which were fine. A urine sample was also clear.
When examined, my doctor said it was dryness and gave me an Estriol pessary, which didn’t do anything, and then Prasterone.
I am at my wits’ end and feel permanently bruised in the outside area.
A: Ongoing genital discomfort can be distressing, especially when treatments haven’t provided relief.
At 68, the most common cause of these symptoms is genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which includes vulvovaginal atrophy (thinning, dryness, irritation) due to low oestrogen.
Estriol and Prasterone are both treatments for GSM, but sometimes local oestrogen needs several months to work or is more effective if given as a different formulation (cream vs tablet vs ring).
If they haven’t helped, it’s worth considering what else could be going on.
The next diagnosis to consider is Lichen sclerosus, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that most commonly affects the genitals and anus. It can lead to itching, pain, thinning skin and scarring, which may cause difficulties with going to the loo or sexual intercourse.
The cause is not fully understood, but is thought to be an autoimmune reaction and most commonly presents in women after menopause.
Treatment typically involves potent topical steroids to manage symptoms, as well as monitoring because, very rarely, women with LS can develop vulval skin cancer.
If you think this sounds like what you have, it’s important to have it diagnosed and treated.
Unfortunately, LS is often missed or misdiagnosed, so my advice would be to ask to see a doctor or nurse who specialises in women’s health.
They should do a vulval skin examination.
Other potential causes include vulvodynia (chronic vulval pain without a clear cause, that can feel like bruising or burning); chronic vulvitis (inflammation due to irritants, soaps, laundry detergents or incontinence pads); infections (candida, bacterial or viral); or dermatological conditions (eczema, psoriasis or contact dermatitis).
Q: I HAVE had four lots of antibiotics over the last eight weeks for a UTI.
My urine test results are not being read for days.
A reader is worried about their test results[/caption]
On Friday, I rang for the latest results and was told they are back, but not read. I was told the same on Monday and Tuesday.
I am getting worried now, having had previous problems.
Two years ago I had kidney stones and nephrostomies, and had a stent fitted after that.
A: It’s entirely understandable that you would be worried and it must be very frustrating to know that the results are there, but you can’t access them.
Often it is the case that the receptionist would be able to share the result with you if it was normal.
It’s worth asking if they can reassure you of a normal result.
If you had an infection, I would expect the practice to contact you and act accordingly, with antibiotics prescribed.
This does make me wonder if the result is somewhere in between.
Sometimes urinalysis reports come back as inconclusive – an example is where there is mixed growth of bacteria thought to be due to contamination, rather than infection, and this is best interpreted by the doctor who knows you and the backstory.
My advice as to what you should do right now depends somewhat on your symptoms.
If you remain well but still have blood in your urine and recurrent urgency, you should not wait – call your GP practice again and explain your history of kidney stones, repeated antibiotics, and visible blood.
Ask for an urgent appointment with any available GP, not just the one you were originally assigned.
If the practice cannot offer an urgent review, consider calling 111 for further advice.
If you develop fever, chills, flank pain (around your sides/back), nausea/vomiting, or feel acutely unwell, go to A&E as these could be signs of kidney infection or sepsis.
Long-term, you will likely need investigations to look for any kidney stones or other structural abnormalities that could be increasing susceptibility to UTIs, and if the blood remains in the urine, a urology referral.
Tip of the week
SEE a “Pharmacist First” for issues such as UTI, shingles, sore throat, sinusitis, insect bite, impetigo, ear and eye infections or a cold.
If your symptoms persist or get worse, make sure to see a GP.
Eczema is so persistant
A reader has had eczema since childhood[/caption]
Q: Am I ever going to grow out of my eczema?
I’ve had it since childhood and have it under control, but the last bits seem to be staying! I’ve stopped using creams and I’m using baby oil as it has less chemicals in it.
A: Many children with eczema do see it improve as they get older, but not all.
Common triggers include stress, weather changes, harsh soaps, allergens like pollen and certain fabrics.
For some, it persists into adulthood, though often in a milder, more manageable form. You may be someone who has a tendency toward chronic eczema, meaning you may never be cured.
But with the correct management, you may be able to achieve clear skin or minimal eczema symptoms most of the time.
Stopping medicated creams too soon, before the skin has fully healed, can cause eczema to bounce back.
I wonder if persisting slightly longer in your case might just help – but please check this with your own doctor or nurse.
Moisturising the skin is of high importance, even when the skin is healthy, as it prevents future flare-ups.
While baby oil locks in moisture, it doesn’t actually add hydration (since it’s mineral oil without water).
Many people with eczema do better with fragrance-free, thick emollient creams/ointments.
It can take a bit of trial and error to work out which emollients are best for you, so buy the small pots as a trial.
Apply while skin is still damp as this helps trap in moisture.
If your eczema patches are not healing or show signs of infection (red, weepy, painful), check back in with your GP.
