THE DOC REPLIES

MY wife died of something called oesophageal varices following a battle with cancer. What are they?

Oseophageal varices are abnormal enlarged veins around the lower part of the oesophagus or gullet. They are usually as a result of problems with the liver when the normal blood supply to the liver becomes obstructed. In your wife’s case if she had cancer it may be that it had spread to the liver which went on to cause problems there. The dilated veins at the lower end of the oesophagus tend to be quite fragile and are prone to bleeding – which can be life-threatening.

MY grandson has grommets in his ears to help him hear. What are they and when will they be removed?

Grommets are small tubes which are inserted into the ear drums. They are used to help with drainage. Children who have recurrent ear infections may develop a condition called glue ear where thick mucus collects behind the ear drum, reducing the hearing. Grommets help to relieve this and generally they gradually work their way out over time, so don’t generally need to be removed.

I’VE been told I have a blocked fallopian tube. Why could this be?

Blocked fallopian tubes can occur for a variety of reasons and the most common cause is a history of infection or pelvic inflammatory disease, but conditions such as endometriosis or previous surgery can sometimes result in blocked tubes.

I have a calcified pancreas and wondered if I can smoke or drink.

If you have problems with your pancreas then I would recommend that you avoid smoking and alcohol completely. Alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas and smoking has been linked to pancreatic disease such as pancreatitis and cancer, as well as all the other health risks associated with smoking.

MY friend has booked in to get dental treatment in eastern Europe. As a professional would you recommend this?

Professionally, and personally, I would not recommend having dental treatment done in eastern Europe. Dental practice there may not be as wellregulated as in the UK and should anything go wrong it may be difficult to make a claim. I suggest your friend speaks to their dentist here to ask for advice about treatment.

MY doctor has put me on steroids for bronchitis. What good will this do for a breathing problem?

Steroids are often used for bronchitis, usually in short courses for acute episodes. However, some patients end up on a low dose for a longer term. Steroids work by dampening down the inflammation in your chest and should improve your breathing.

MY hands have a very bad reaction to the cold. When touching something from the freezer they turn purple and go sore and stiff. Any ideas?

It sounds as if you may have Raynaud’s disease which is a condition where the small blood vessels in the extremities are sensitive to the cold and tend to constrict when exposed to cold, resulting in colour changes and pain. Avoidance is the first way of dealing with this and wearing gloves when you are going to be in the cold. There are some medications which can help.

DOES cod liver oil work?

Cod liver oil is a dietary supplement that may have anti-inflammatory properties and help with the pain of arthritis. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Much of the evidence is anecdotal. If you are eating a healthy diet which contains oily fish then you are probably getting enough of these nutrients and it is important if you are taking supplements to stick to the recommended dose. It also contains Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Too much Vitamin A can cause harm. Pregnant women should avoid this.