My hair has been falling out for well over a year, even though I’ve spoken to a trichologist. Two years ago I became constipated and, after trying various medications, my consultant says there is nothing more he can do. Is my hair loss caused by my poor bowel health? Pauline Tuckley, via email. The two … Read more
I’ve suffered from burning mouth syndrome for about 25 to 30 years. No one seems to be able to help. I am 78 years old. Can you suggest anything? Margaret Wheddon, via email. Burning mouth syndrome is a poorly understood condition and your experience with it must be debilitating. As there are no tests for … Read more
I constantly get red spots on my nose, which are very tender. No sooner do they calm down than they return in the same area. My doctor prescribed Rozex gel but it hardly makes any difference. I’m 75 and otherwise healthy. Patricia Harris, via email. This is most likely to be a form of rosacea, … Read more
I have itchy, red eyes and small red bumps on the edges of my eyelid and inside. The optometrist diagnosed blepharitis and a chalazion and gave me antibiotic ointment. There are still some flakes. Could Manuka honey help? Janet Nichols, via email. Blepharitis is a common condition characterised by inflammation of the eyelid edges and … Read more
My 66-year-old father has developed insomnia. He has no serious underlying medical problems, but takes ramipril. Could it be stress-related or linked to the ‘manopause’? S. Smith, North London. We all have a strong biological drive to sleep, peaking in childhood and young adulthood. The sleep pattern tends to go off the rails later in … Read more
I have hypnic headaches (the ‘alarm clock’ headache). None of my medications has eliminated these, and last year an MRI scan was clear. Could an optical nerve block help? Name and address supplied. Hypnic headaches have a unique characteristic — they only occur during sleep, causing those affected to wake up (hence the name ‘alarm … Read more
I’ve had shingles for six weeks. It’s no longer contagious but is very painful. My doctor has prescribed medications but they all make me sick. Is there anything that can reduce the nerve pain? Jenny Johnson, Chesterfield, Derbyshire How miserable for you to be suffering still with nerve pain. But fortunately, it is treatable. Long-term … Read more
Three years ago, I started noticing an unpleasant smell that no one else could detect. A neurosurgeon suggested it was phantosmia and that it would go; other specialists have been unable to explain it. I am 53. Have you come across anything like this? Lindsay Bruce, via email. Your symptom, although uncommon, is certainly not … Read more
I have recurring mouth ulcers, which my research suggests is something called Sutton disease II. My doctors haven’t mentioned this, though. I am otherwise healthy but the ulcers make me feel run down and treatments don’t work. I am 57. Dave Keeping, via email. Mouth ulcers are a common, often recurrent, problem and I am … Read more
I suffer from spinal stenosis and even a half-hour walk makes the pain much worse. Should I persevere? Denis O’Brien, Durham. Spinal stenosis, a condition in which the space around the spinal cord narrows, affects around one in ten people. It is often caused by wear and tear of the spine. As a result the … Read more