Retail therapies
the spine.This is particularly likely if you have other symptoms of this, such as a stiff or painful neck.
Compression can also occur where the nerve supplying the centre of the hand goes under the tight ligament band at the wrist, a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. However, this is more common in younger people.
Another common cause of finger tingling is peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in the lower arm and hand are inflamed or damaged. This can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid, or diabetes, where the high blood sugar level damages nerves.
Other causes can include too much alcohol and poor kidney function, but sometimes no underlying reason can be found.
It can be helpful to do basic blood tests and, if you do have neck symptoms, an X-ray of your cervical spine. Nerve conduction studies, which see how well nerves are working, can also be useful.
I suggest you contact your doctor again to see if these can be arranged.
QMY 83-year-old father has dementia and I’m his main carer. Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed he has become quite withdrawn and is eating less and less.
At first I thought it was because he wasn’t getting his daily walks around the park, but even though we have started to go outside now, his behaviour hasn’t changed.
I’ve tried tempting him with his
AYOUR GP has done tests to check for an underlying physical condition that could cause loss of appetite, but it would be worth checking his mouth as well. Dental problems, including inflamed gums, can make eating uncomfortable, and also cause a bad taste in the mouth.
Another common cause of appetite loss is constipation, so it would be worth checking how often he goes and whether his stools are hard, though I realise this isn’t always easy.
Though loss of appetite can occur in dementia, it can also be a symptom of depression, which can also be an issue in dementia as an affected patient may not be able to describe how they feel.
I suggest you talk to your GP again as a trial of antidepressant medication may be helpful.
The social prescriber at your practice may also be able to give you some advice and support – your GP will be able to arrange this appointment too.
If you have a health question for Dr Leonard, email her in confidence at yourhealth@express.co.uk. Dr Leonard regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence or reply to everyone.
ANYONE who needs a good tune to motivate them while they exercise should check out the Adidas Sport RPT-01 headphones (£139.99, adidasheadphones.com). They are wireless, offer up to 40 hours playtime and come with washable knitted ear cushions and headband so you won’t spoil them while working up a sweat.
WINDY or showery conditions shouldn’t stop you getting out for your daily jog.
The Columbia Men’s FKT Windbreaker jacket (£70, columbia sportswear.co.uk) is super lightweight and nonrestrictive as well as water and stain repellent, making it ideal for evening runs when the weather is changeable.