THE DOC REPLIES
My husband died last year and since then I’ve not felt the same. I can’t take any joy in things and find myself getting very upset for no reason. What should I do?
I am sorry to hear about your husband. Grief can affect us all in very different ways and it is totally normal not to feel the same even at this stage since the bereavement of someone so close. We all have different circumstances and different ways of dealing with things like this. Some people prefer their own company, others like to speak to close friends and family, and other people need to get help from other sources. I think at this stage if you are still feeling the way you do it may be worth you looking at getting some help from other sources. You could see your GP and discuss with them the way forward. NHS Inform website has some good guidance and advice on grief reactions. CRUSE is a charity that specialises in bereavement counselling. My first grandchild is beautiful – but appears to have cradle cap. Is it painful?
Cradle cap is a crusty, scaly or greasy rash that usually appears on baby’s scalp. In most cases with babies it tends to settle itself down, but it seems to upset parents and relatives much more than baby. It is certainly not painful. I recommend gentle treatment with a very mild shampoo, and being very gentle when drying baby’s head. Applying olive oil, then gently pat drying baby’s head after a few minutes, can help. If the condition is persistent see your health visitor. I have developed eczema and my husband suggested we get rid of our two dogs as they may have caused it. Could he be right?
It’s possible your dogs may have caused or exacerbated your condition but I wouldn’t necessarily look to get rid of them without trying to manage your eczema. You may be able and rule out any other potential causes of eczema. Speak to your GP. I have a dry left eye at night as a result of Bell’s Palsy, which prevents me from closing my eye properly. Any tips?
Bell’s Palsy in a lot of cases can settle itself down. However it sounds like in your condition you have been left with some muscle weakness which has left your eye open at night. This can affect the health of the outer part of the eye itself and also make you more prone to infections and irritation. We would usually recommend regular lubricant drops and often at night we would recommend something a bit thicker like a gel to protect your eye overnight. It is certainly worth seeing your optician or doctor about this. I take an SSRI for feelings of depression and anxiety. While it has helped I still have times where I feel things are a struggle. Would you recommend increasing my dose?
SSRIs, or Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are types of antidepressants and are also used for anxiety problems. They are commonly used around the world and in most cases very safe when prescribed appropriately and taken as prescribed. It sometimes happens that when we as doctors prescribe these sorts of medications that an increase in dose is required when it’s appropriate. But I wouldn’t recommend increasing your dosage without speaking to your doctor first and making a plan for the future regarding your medication. Good luck. What’s the best way to deal with toddler tantrums?
This is a very interesting question. Lots of toddlers have tantrums and people describe various things such as the terrible twos and so on. These days, thankfully, there are many books, web forums, and blogs that give parents advice on how to deal with these problems. In simple terms, I would recommend consistency and being firm but fair with a child. Sadly, toddler tantrums do not cease overnight and take time and consistency in approach. In most cases though things settle down as your child gets older.