Latest news with #OliviaWest
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I get a burning sensation around my right breast when I go for a walk – should I be worried?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AROUND 1.2billion prescriptions are dispensed here yearly. Almost half of the calls to pharmacies are from patients asking if their medicine is ready. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns Credit: Olivia West But it has just got a lot easier to find this information via the NHS app. Millions can now track if their prescription is ready to collect or has been dispatched. It is a new feature that NHS England says nearly 1,500 high street chemists are offering. The NHS app, which now has 37.4million users has made ordering prescriptions streamlined. About 5.5million repeat prescriptions are ordered through the app each month. These are sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy. Digital prescription barcodes are created for those who do not have a nominated pharmacy. Scotland is developing its own app, Digital Front Door, which is expected by the end of this year. These apps help free up time for both GPs and pharmacists so they can see more patients. Here's a selection of what readers asked me this week. Cardiologist explains when chest pains aren't a heart attack FEAR OVER IRON LEVEL Q: FOR the past two and a half years, my nine-year-old daughter has struggled with increasing her iron levels. She has been on iron supplements, increased vitamin C and iron-rich foods. Although her iron levels have gone from eight to 33, at the highest, it has recently taken another dip. She is often tired but has ten hours of sleep each night and she has very little stamina for any physical activity. She is not overweight or inactive, though. We are frustrated at getting no real answers or solutions. What more can we do? A: It sounds as though you are taking some sensible steps to try to help your daughter overcome her iron deficiency, but the problem keeps coming back. My assumption is that the numbers you have shown are a measurement of her ferritin levels, an indication of iron stores and the most reliable initial blood test for iron deficiency. In general, a ferritin level of less than 15 micrograms/L indicates there is very little iron available for use in the body, while levels of less than 30 micrograms/L means there is less iron available for various functions, including red blood cell production. If left untreated, this can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, so it is important to get to the bottom of this. An inadequate diet is the commonest cause of iron deficiency, but it sounds as though your daughter is eating plenty of iron-rich foods and taking vitamin C, which helps the body to absorb iron. Some conditions of the gut lead to poor absorption of nutrients, for example, coeliac disease. Has she been tested for this? Also conditions which cause the body to lose small amounts of blood can cause iron deficiency. Periods are an obvious cause, but your daughter is too young (but this could exacerbate the problem in the future). Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and colitis) and even taking anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) frequently can cause small but persistent blood loss. It sounds as though your daughter will need to restart some oral iron medication again while these are investigated. When the blood level is back to normal, the iron treatment should continue for at least three months to build up iron in the body. If the problem persists with no clear answers, then she may need to be referred to a paediatrician for further investigations. WALKING IS SO PAINFUL, BUT WHY? Q: I AM a male, 73, and I get a burning sensation around my right breast to my right shoulder blade when I go for a walk. This can stay a few minutes, then go. It doesn't normally return until the next time I go for a walk. 3 Dr Zoe helps a reader who gets a burning sensation in his right breast while walking Credit: Getty I have had scans and tests, which found nothing. It's been like this for a few years and is very uncomfortable. A: Any pain in the chest area or back which is brought on by physical exertion and alleviated by rest should be considered to be angina until proven otherwise. Angina is a symptom of heart disease. Because the arteries are narrowed by plaque build-up, not enough oxygen-rich blood can get to the heart muscle when it is working hard. Angina can feel like pain, pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest, and it may also radiate to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. It is triggered by activities that increase the workload of the heart, such as walking, climbing stairs, or even emotional stress. You mention having had tests, but were you referred to a specialist chest pain service? In a patient with suspected angina, you would typically have blood tests and an ECG and usually a coronary angiogram or a myocardial perfusion scan. Sometimes a GP can rule out angina based on their thorough history-taking and examination, for example, they can tell that the pain is musculoskeletal in origin. Other times it is very clear that angina is the diagnosis and medication can be started immediately. Other potential causes include pain originating from muscles and joints or compression of nerves. Tip of the week CANCER Research UK says most men get skin cancer on their torso, while women get it on their legs. Last week, they urged caution over baring skin in sunny weather. This means in this hot spell, you should at least generously apply SPF 30+ throughout the day. Q: I HAVE had pain in my lower abdomen for approximately two months. I have very little pain, if any, when lying down or slouching. 3 Dr Zoe helps a reader who pain in my lower abdomen for approximately two months Credit: Getty The pain starts almost immediately when I am sitting upright or standing. It can be severe. I am 72 and otherwise reasonably healthy. When I walk, I feel that I have to press/hold my abdomen in. A CT scan and blood/poo tests have come back clear. I have asked my GP if there is any referral he could make, and he says no. I am desperate and willing to pay privately if absolutely necessary, but don't know which type of specialist I should see. Could the problem be muscular somehow? I do also get lower back pain sometimes when bending. A: It sounds as though you definitely need some help from somewhere. As your abdominal pain is made worse by standing or sitting upright and alleviated by lying down or slouching, it suggests that either posture or the pressure within the abdominal cavity plays a role in causing the pain. It's worth checking that your GP is confident that they have ruled out any serious disease with the CT scan and other tests, including hernias, inflammatory bowel disease, ovarian or bowel cancer. If you have an inkling that the pain might be muscular, it might be worth seeing a physiotherapist who would be able to assess this issue. It is possible to have abdominal pain from a herniated disc or nerves being trapped around the spine, too, which a physio can also assess for. If the physio does not believe this to be the cause of the pain, then a gastroenterologist or general surgeon might be the next best step. It is also possible for nerves in the abdominal wall to become entrapped and this can be made worse by certain movements or postures. Finally, if you have had abdominal surgery in the past, then it is possible to have developed adhesions from scar tissue that causes pain Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I'm suffering from neuralgia in my head after having shingles for seven or eight weeks – help!
Q) I AM suffering from neuralgia in my head after having shingles for seven or eight weeks. Do you have a cure for the pain, which is now in the left hand side of my face, affecting my eye and my tongue? My head is sore from the nape of my neck to the top of my head. Advertisement 1 Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns Credit: Olivia West A) Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. It's a long-lasting pain that affects areas where shingles rashes were present, including the eye and potentially the tongue. It usually gets better eventually, but can vary from a few months to over a year. Different types of Advertisement Medicines to treat nerve pain would usually be tried next , such as amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin or pregabalin. These may not work straight away – the dose is usually increased gradually over weeks until it becomes effective. It's important to be aware of the potential side-effects before starting them. Plasters containing lidocaine (a local anaesthetic) can help some people manage pain of the skin, but not the eye or tongue. Advertisement Most read in Health Others benefit more from Andi Peters says he's in 'worst pain ever' as he calls into Lorraine from shingles sick bed Live fat jab Q&A DO you have a question about weight-loss jabs such as Ozempic? Are you curious about side- effects, whether they could be right for you, or how to best eat while on them? Send me your questions for a Live Q&A on the hot topic. No question is too big, small or silly. Send your questions to the address below. Advertisement Send your questions for Dr Zoe to: health@
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Turn garden into a holiday, our Sun Gardening editor explains how to create zones
Plus even more money-saving gardening tips FEEL THE VIBE Turn garden into a holiday, our Sun Gardening editor explains how to create zones Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NOWADAYS it's perfectly normal to consider your outside space as an extra room of your house. Not only does a fabulous garden add value to your property, it can improve your mental health and help you keep fit. 6 Our Sun Gardening Editor breaks down everything you need to know Credit: Olivia West 6 Zoe Claymore designed a garden at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show Credit: Alamy It is a place where you can relax, play, work out and party — all without leaving the boundaries of your property. And with a few clever additions — along with a bit of elbow grease and bargain buys — you can transform your outside space in time for summer, with minimum spend. We've got enough tips and tricks to make sure that every moment outside will feel like a little holiday . . . One way of making the most of your garden is by creating various zones, each bringing a different vibe. Something as simple as a line of large pots brimming with tall, structured flowers can partition an area off with minimal effort. And one of the best things about late May is that for the vast majority of the country the chance of any frost has generally passed. So you can go full steam ahead with planting. An easy and cheap way of filling your outside space with colourful blooms is by using summer bulbs. Zoe Claymore, who has designed a garden at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, told me: 'You can plant bulbs now to fill gaps in your borders. "You don't need a large garden to plant them. Cheap and easy ways to transform your garden including painting fences black "If you rent or garden on a balcony you can simply pop them into a pot, and within a few months you will have gorgeous blooms. They are also a win for the sustainable gardener. "By buying bulbs you are saving money compared with potted perennials but also they have a comparatively low footprint on the planet — lower transport haulage because their weight and size is less, and there is no worry about what type of compost they are planted in or the plastic pot.' She added: 'My top three bulbs include dahlias — technically it's a tuber but still a summer classic; crocosmia — I've planted them in drifts in my own garden; and gladioli — fabulous cut flowers, and my allotment neighbour steals the show with them.' To keep costs down, go for a big bag of mixed summer bulbs as opposed to buying lots of different packets. You can usually find big bags of them in the entrance to most Lidl supermarkets. And it's easy to grab a bargain online. B&Q is currently offering a YouGarden bag of three hundred bulbs of seven mixed varieties for £14.99. When it comes to making a planting plan, it's important to remember that summer bulbs like lots and lots of sunshine. But if you're limited on space, they look great in containers, which you can move around the garden as and when you fancy. Use in a cluster to bring light and colour to a corner. Or try lines to zone off an area of your garden. You can repurpose all sorts of old items to create planters — think old buckets, saucepans, watering cans, even wellies and old tins with the labels off. All can be filled with soil and flowers. Just make sure they have drainage holes at the bottom. But if you don't have time to get creative, Home Bargains is selling 30cm Venetian square planters for £1.99. Fill a few of those with colourful blooms, put them in a line and you've got the perfect privacy fence. You can also zone off areas with Poundland's £2.50 metal flower climbing aids. Put one in a pot and grow sweet peas up it for a metre-high, fragrant barrier. So all it takes is a few choice items and a bit of imagination — and there's no limits to where your garden can take you. 8 TIPS FOR FAB DAYS OUT AT BARGAIN PRICES ENTERTAINING the kids over the May holiday costs parents £323 on average, according to credit reporting agency Equifax. But few of us have that kind of cash to spare. So here are eight easy ways to keep your costs down this half-term . . . HALF-PRICE AND CHEAP DEALS 1. ON Universal Credit? You're entitled to tickets to top attractions such as the Eden Project and the Tower of London from just £1. Search for a full list. 2. ENJOY a very mini mini-break with a Butlin's Day Pass. Valid at Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis, prices start at £19 for kids and £27 for adults, with under-twos free. See 3. EAT out for less. Farmhouse Inns is offering a half-term deal where up to two kids get a free small main plus a scoop of ice cream when you buy an adult main. See 4. TAKE advantage of National Rail's Days Out two for one deal with up to half-price entry at top attractions, hotels and theatres around the UK. See FREE ACTIVITIES 5. ORGANISE a clear-out for cash. Spend the first weekend of the holiday decluttering. Get the kids to sort out old toys, books, games and clothes. Sell what you can in a yard sale then list the rest on Vinted or Facebook. Use the cash you make for a day out at the end of the holiday. 6. CHECK out your local council's clubs and activities. Most councils put on free or low-cost activities, from sports clubs to arts and crafts or theatre workshops. Visit your council website for up-to-date information. 7. SET up a toy swap shop. Invite friends round for a big playdate. Everyone should bring at least one item they'd like to swap, so each child gets a 'new' toy for half-term. Set rules on whether you keep the new toy or return it once the holiday is over. 8. GET into more than 200 leading attractions for free with a Blue Peter badge. Find out how to earn one at All ready for your day out? Find the full list at GROW ZONE 6 300 mixed bulbs, £14.99, B&Q Credit: YOU can dedicate an area solely for growing fruit and veg, which will also save you money on your supermarket spend. And because your soil will now be nice and warm, you can plant seeds straight into it instead of faffing around with transplanting seedlings. Vegetables including sweetcorn, carrots, courgettes, runner beans and beetroot are all good to get in the ground now. When you're digging out an area for growing, it's worth adding some compost to improve your soil quality. Most Lidl stores will have packets of seeds on a stand, at a very reasonable £1.49 per pack. Just make sure you read the instructions. And their compost is really reliable, too. It's always worth checking local social media sites for seed-swapping events as well. And you never know what you'll find on Facebook Marketplace, shop noticeboards or car boot sales. There's often people giving away plug plants after they've grown so many seedlings in their greenhouses that they've got nowhere to put them. Plug plants are established plants that are ready to transplant into larger pots or directly into your garden. Growers often have too many tomatoes and courgettes and are willing to part with them for practically pennies. Facebook and car boot sales are also great places to pick up second-hand garden equipment super cheap. Fruit trees are another perfect addition to any garden. Not only will they save you money on supermarket offerings, but once established you can use them to help with zoning. Dwarf varieties of apples, pears, cherries, plums and peaches are particularly well-suited to pots, as are fig trees and blueberries. And never underestimate how tall a banana tree can grow in your garden. It's highly unlikely you'll get any fruit, but they're the perfect way of bringing a touch of the tropical to your outside space. Online plant outlet Dobies is selling Musa Basjoo banana plants for £12.99. HOLIDAY ZONE 6 Curtain lights, B&M, £12 Credit: B&M IF you fancy splashing about like you're on holiday, why not grab a paddling pool for your outside space? Place it on top of an outdoor rug if your area is paved to prevent any chance of punctures. Argos is selling a 7ft long Bestway rectangular pool for £20. The British weather isn't always the most reliable, so a great way of creating a sheltered corner is with a canopy, overhead awning or parasol. To keep costs down try a shade sail. These three-cornered covers can be tied to existing structures in your garden or on to bamboo or sticks in the ground. B&Q has a 3m grey shade sail from GoodHome for £15. Another way of zoning your garden while also creating some serious holiday vibes is by stringing up solar lights. Use them to brighten up a shadowy area of the garden, to highlight a particular corner or simply to surround an eating area. Not only are they free to power, they really can whisk you away from the day to day. Lidl's Livarno range is great, but you can also get bargains from B&M, Poundland, B&Q and Homebase. I bought B&M's £12 solar-powered curtain lights three years ago – and they're still going strong. To create a French feel, plant vines to grow up a pergola or poles stuck in the ground. You can use wire strung between and on top of them to create a frame for the vines to grow up. Try Himrod grape plants for £5.99 from Wilko. Chuck in a cheap bistro set and before you know it you've created a chic Provencal corner to escape to. The Range is selling a black Pisa Bistro set for £49.99. If you want a truly relaxing oasis, think about a garden fountain. The sound of running water can aid rest and relaxation and definitely brings some island vibes to your outside space. Hydria has a really classy chargeable fountain set that can be put in any pot, which means you can move it around the garden as you see fit. You get months of tinkling water, with no solar panels, cords or plumbing required. The Hydria Leaf Cascade is currently on sale for £132, which is 26 per cent off, with free delivery. CHILLOUT ZONE 6 Outdoor cushion, Dunelm, £3 Credit: Dunelm IF you are creating a chillout area in your garden, consider an outdoor rug. They've gone up in quality and down in price – and are the perfect way to bring an attractive soft texture to your outside space. Temu's extra-large reversible outdoor mat in black and white is a great buy at £12.63. Then chuck a few brightly coloured outdoor cushions on any garden furniture and it will brighten up that spot no end. Dunelm has got some swanky, silky-looking numbers for £3. FITNESS ZONE 6 Decathlon exercise mat, £3.99 Credit: Decathlon CREATING a simple workout space – with a yoga mat surrounded by pots of flowers to provide a relaxing corner to do your exercises in. When you're stretching on the floor and the flowers are at nose height, it's easy to imagine you are elsewhere. Decathlon is selling a Comfort Fitness mat for £3.99 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
What do YOU want to know about fat jabs? Dr Zoe calls for readers to send in questions for Live Q&A
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN it comes to issues of obesity, there is no doubt that so-called fat jabs have turned the tide on treatment options. Even if you are not on them, the chances are you will be curious. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns Credit: Olivia West As a GP, I understand both the intense interest and also the reservations people may have. That's why I am calling on Sun readers to send in their questions about the jabs to me. No question is too big, too small – or silly! From how much weight you can expect to lose to the long-term side effects, I get asked questions every day about the GLP-1 jabs, Wegovy and Mounjaro. These drugs have been hailed as game-changers because they allow for drastic results. But anyone considering them should make an informed decision. These are medicines, after all, meaning they have potential side-effects and complications. There is no single solution to tackling obesity. They are more of a tool in a large toolbox, and a pricey one at that. Email me at health@ and I will answer questions in a Live Q&A on The Sun's website. Meanwhile, here's what readers have asked me this week . . . Sun Health Explainer: Fat jabs PROSTATITIS PUZZLER Q: MY father is in his mid-70s and has non-bacterial prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). He has researched it online, asked his doctor and pharmacist for advice on how to care for it, but doesn't seem to get much help. He has tried avoiding alcohol and limiting caffeine. Some days it's worse than others, particularly when he's stressed. Because of this, it makes him more stressed, and it remains bad for a fair number of days or continues to flare up. It is like a vicious cycle. A: Chronic prostatitis can have a huge impact on quality of life. Symptoms vary and it can be challenging to treat. You haven't mentioned which symptoms your father has, but they may include urinary symptoms, such as pain, peeing frequently, needing to go urgently, a poor stream or hesitancy when trying to pass urine. The condition can also cause pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, rectum, penis and testicles. If prostatitis has been present for longer than three months, it is classified as chronic. In about ten per cent of cases there is bacterial infection, but as with your father, in the majority of cases there is not. In the absence of infection, sometimes a single course of antibiotics is still advised. Tamsulosin can also help. It's a type of drug called an alpha blocker, and can help relax muscles in the prostate and bladder, easing urination and potentially reducing symptoms associated with chronic prostatitis. Painkillers can help, as can stool softener medication if bowel movements cause pain. There are some self-help measures: Staying hydrated, avoiding bladder irritants (caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks), and engaging in regular physical activity, as well as pelvic floor exercise. Finally, stress is a huge factor and you're already one step ahead here because you have identified this. We often feel that we cannot do much to manage the stress factors in our life, but we can take steps to help our bodies deal better with them. Spending time in nature, doing breath-ing exercises (have a look at box-breathing), meditation, reading a good book, taking part in yoga, or gardening will help. If symptoms are severe or persisting, then a referral to a urologist might be necessary. Fortunately, in most cases, the trend is for symptoms to improve over months or years. What are hard lumps on my hand? Q: I'm a 60-year-old female and on my right hand in line with the fourth finger there are two hard lumps/nodules. The second lump seems to have a shaft coming from it, which is going toward my wrist. 4 Dr Zoe helps a reader with lumps on her hands Credit: Getty I was wondering if you had any idea what they are, they are not sore but can be uncomfortable to press or if I stretch my hand to its full width. The problem with my hand nodules have been there a while now, I'm mainly curious as to what they are and if they will be a cause for concern at some point. A: My educated guess from your description would be that you have ganglion cysts. A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled swelling that usually develops near a joint or tendon. The cyst can range from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball. These are not anything to be concerned about unless they are causing significant pain or affecting your ability to use your hand properly. There are two old-fashioned ways that people used to attempt to treat ganglion cysts themselves. The first was hitting the cyst with a heavy object, often a Bible, to cause it to rupture. This can cause injuries to the hand or wrist and bleeding and scarring, so please don't do it. The other, which is also dangerous, was popping the cyst with a needle. This can cause infection and the cysts tend to come back following this method, if not done by a professional. In your case it sounds like they can probably be ignored as they're not causing too much of a problem, but if at some point they do, please have them dealt with by a qualified healthcare professional. I'd advise you to have a little look at some images online to see what they look like. If following this you feel that yours are ganglion cysts, you don't really need to do anything further. But if you're still uncertain, it's worth getting them checked out at your GP practice. VAPES MOST ADDICTIVE VAPING is more addictive than nicotine gum and has a 'high potential for abuse', experts warn. A study by West Virginia University in the US found that young people enjoy vaping more than chewing gum, which makes the practice more addictive. 4 Vaping is more addictive than nicotine gum and has a 'high potential for abuse' Credit: Alamy E-cigarettes were intended to help smokers quit tobacco and reduce their risk of cancer. However, use of the gadgets rocketed among people who had never smoked and it has become an addiction in its own right. The study tested the effects of e-cigs and nicotine gum in a group of 16 current or former smokers aged 18 to 24. They had no nicotine overnight, and in the morning chewed nicotine gum or used a vape, before answering questions about cravings. Results showed people who used vapes rated their cravings and withdrawal feelings to be worse than gum users. This suggests e-cigs have a stronger effect which may make it easier to get hooked. Study author, PhD student Andrea Milstred, said in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research: 'Electronic cigarettes have great potential to produce addiction in populations that are otherwise naive to nicotine. 'This often includes youth and young adults.' The UK Government is banning disposable vapes from June 1 in a bid to make them less appealing to teenagers and young people. BEST CARE AT CHEMIST FOUR in ten people found it difficult to see a GP last winter, and one in five struggled with A&E, polling found. Community Pharmacy England said people find chemists the easiest place to get treatment, with just five per cent having trouble dealing with them. That compared with 37 per cent for family doctors or 18 per cent at casualty. The CPE said the figures show ministers and the public should make better use of pharmacies to take pressure off the health service frontline. Patients with coughs, colds, asthma and infections should be helped there as a first point of call, it said. Henry Gregg, of the Taskforce for Lung Health, said: 'Last winter was the busiest year on record for emergency services and lung disease is the leading driver of emergency admissions and winter pressures in the NHS. 'Expanding the use of community pharmacies can reduce the number of respiratory emergency admissions and prevent another winter NHS crisis.' Chemists have already been given powers to manage simple conditions like impetigo (a bacterial skin infection), sore throats, earache, shingles and urinary tract infections. NHS England estimates that up to 40 per cent of A&E visits are unnecessary and could be treated somewhere else. Alastair Buxton at Community Pharmacy England, said: 'Empowering pharmacies could provide the lifeline that our creaking health system needs.' Tip of the week IF you are prone to cold sores, try lemon balm extract or cream on the area where you feel the tingling sensation. It has anti-viral properties and can help reduce the severity and duration of cold sores. Menthol balm also works wonders on bites from midges or mosquitoes Q: I AM a 74-year-old man with hypertension, arthritis and type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in 2010. Ever since then, I have suffered from chilblains in my big toes every winter but I've been able to manage them reasonably well. 4 Dr Zoe helps a reader with hypertension, arthritis and type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in 2010. Credit: Getty However, last winter my big toes and several small ones were adversely affected and seriously blistered. They were extremely painful and made walking very difficult. A GP was concerned by the state of my toes. The blisters have healed, but some of my toes remain painful, and one is deformed. A Doppler ultrasound test revealed the circulation in my feet is inadequate. The GP says that nothing can be done to boost the bloodflow to them. I am dreading the coming winter, and would be grateful for your advice. A: It sounds as though you have been diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, a type of cardiovascular disease where the blood vessels that supply the extremities have narrowed. In your case, this means bloodflow to the feet is restricted, and that puts you at higher risk of getting chilblains. Other conditions that increase the risk of chilblains are smoking, diabetes and connective tissue disorders such as lupus. I applaud you for having the foresight to try to improve the issue now. Quitting smoking (if you smoke) and exercise are the most important lifestyle changes you can make. Ideally, you would attend a specially designed NHS structured exercise programme if this is available in your area. PAD needs to be treated with medication because those who have it also have a significantly higher risk of future cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. Secondary prevention medications, along with lifestyle modifications, help reduce this risk and improve overall health. Speak to your GP about medicine to thin the blood, reduce blood pressure and minimise cholesterol. When it comes to specifically helping the bloodflow to your feet in winter, calcium channel blockers can help. But it may also be advisable to seek referral to a vascular surgeon as sometimes surgery is the best treatment for people with PAD. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
For 18 months I have been going back and forth to my GP with folliculitis – please help!
FOR many, opening up about our mental health is difficult. One in three of us has decided against seeking mental health support, due to the stigma that still surrounds the issue, a survey by BetterHelp found. 3 Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns Credit: Olivia West I want to reassure you that your GP is there to help you navigate mental health issues. They are issues we hear about daily. And what better time to help yourself than Mental Health Awareness Week, which began yesterday? Run by the Mental Health Foundation, this year's theme is 'community' – celebrating the support networks that help us to thrive and feel more connected. These could be a group at work, a hobby club, volunteering or even a fan group. Do you have somewhere you can go that gives you a sense of belonging? Where people can support you through difficult times? It's not always a case of diving deep into difficult conversations – sometimes just knowing others are there can help. Meanwhile, here is a selection of what readers have asked me this week . . . Loose Women's Frankie Bridge shares health update after speaking out on depression battle admitting 'I was questioning the point of life' SKIN WOE SO DRAINING Q) FOR nearly 18 months I have been going back and forth to my GP with folliculitis. At first, I was given Nizoral 2% cream. Three months later, the folliculitis hadn't cleared up and I was given more cream. One year later, it still hadn't completely gone and I was given Nizoral shampoo as well. However, some of the condition still remains and it has started to appear on my face where hair grows. I have seen three GPs at my surgery. I don't want to keep taking their time, plus this is starting to wear me down. It's difficult to see a GP since Covid. The practice has the same number of GPs as five years ago, and I know my town has grown. A) Folliculitis is a common skin condition where hair follicles become inflamed. It is visible as small red bumps, pimples, or pustules around hair follicles, and may be accompanied by itching or pain. It can be caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections. There is also a condition called pseudo-folliculitis, or 'razor bumps', which is caused by shaving, and ingrown hairs getting trapped and growing underneath the surface of skin, which causes inflammation. This is more common in those with afro hair as hairs curl back before exiting the skin. The active ingredient in Nizoral cream and shampoo is ketoconazole, an antifungal. While folliculitis can be caused by fungal infection, it is more common for it to be caused by bacteria. In the majority of cases, a bacteria called Staph aureus is responsible. This usually lives on the skin without causing harm, but can lead to infection in the hair follicles. If you think it could be bacterial, the pharmacy can sell you an antiseptic cream or wash with chlorhexidine. If that doesn't work, you may need to progress to antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics. If a fungal cause has been confirmed, then oral antifungals might be the next step. I hope this helps, and please do let me know how you get on. Q) AFTER you revealed last week how a study suggested the shingles jab cuts risk of stroke and heart attack, I want to tell my story. I was pressured by my surgery to go for the Shingrix jab, which protects against shingles. 3 Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus Credit: Getty This is despite telling staff I never had any childhood illnesses or a varicella vaccine (which protects against chickenpox). I suffered three days of nasty side-effects – yet there was no benefit, as I never had chickenpox. I am 78 and concerned this jab could be harmful. Maybe people should be told that, if you never had chickenpox or a live chickenpox vaccine, you can't get shingles. A) You are correct that shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. The varicella-zoster virus is a member of the herpes virus family that causes both chickenpox and shingles. It causes chickenpox at the time you are infected, then the virus lies dormant in nerves that supply the skin. If the virus reactivates, you get shingles in the area of skin that is supplied by that particular nerve. The NHS shingles vaccination programme in England was introduced in 2013. It has evolved with the introduction of Shingrix in 2021. Eligibility for it has been expanding and now includes all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. In people like yourself, it is still generally advised to get the shingles vaccination if you are in an eligible group. This is because many people who have had chickenpox may not remember it, or maybe had a mild infection without anyone realising it. So the shingles vaccine can still provide protection even if you never had a documented case of chickenpox. You are right that you cannot get shingles without having had chickenpox – but if exposed to someone with shingles, you could get chickenpox. Tip of the week DID you know that a feeling of anxiety can be a sign of a heart attack? Some sufferers have described it as an 'impending doom'. However, it's not as well known as other symptoms – chest pain, jaw, neck or back discomfort, shortness of breath or feeling lightheaded. Trouble swallowing is a concern Q) I AM 45, and about three weeks ago I had a choking episode at work, while eating a grape. I coughed up the grape, but my throat went into spasm, and I needed back slaps. 3 Throat pain and increased belching can be normal following an episode of choking Credit: Getty A few days later, I felt like one of my medication tablets was stuck in my throat. I have seen my GP, who has temporarily prescribed 20mg of esomeprazole twice a day, as I have been left with constant belching. I have also seen a private ear, nose and throat doctor for peace of mind. They did an endoscopy, and my throat is normal. I have lost a stone since the episode as I am now struggling to eat. A) Throat pain and increased belching can be normal following an episode of choking, caused by any trauma, spasm and injury from the incident. Feeling like your medication is stuck in your throat could also be due to the inflammation left behind following the choking episode. But three weeks does sound like quite a long time, and your weight loss is certainly concerning, so you should return to your GP. Do you have actual difficulty swallowing, aside from any pain or discomfort? If you do, then this is not to be ignored. We call difficulty swallowing 'dysphagia' and it should always be investigated, especially when there is also weight loss. While your ENT examination of the throat is somewhat reassuring, their cameras sometimes only see as far as the voice box, and swallowing difficulties may be due to an issue lower down – either in the oesophagus or stomach. It's worth checking if your ENT doctor did see as far down as this, and if not, you may need to be referred for further tests by your GP.
