The Doc Replies

I have a habit of sleepwalking – should my husband wake me while I’m doing it?

The best thing to do if you see someone sleepwalking is to make sure they are safe. Gently guide them back to bed and reassure them. Sometimes waking the person – again, gently – after they have fully come out of the episode, before settling them back to sleep, will prevent it happening again in the same deep sleep cycle. Don’t startle the sleepwalker, and don’t try to restrain them unless they are in danger as they may lash out.

My grandson has a lazy eye. How successful is the treatment for it these days?

Lazy eye, or squint, is a relatively common condition and is treated by orthoptists and ophthalmologists. Depending on severity, the treatment tends to be much more successful than in the past when the condition was left alone. I would recommend he sees a specialist.

My GP told me I need to up my vitamin D intake. What’s the best way to do this?

Try over-the-counter supplements which are available in health food stores and pharmacies. The other way to do this is through dietary methods such as your intake of leafy green vegetables and oily fish.

I’ve had a cough for more than two months now, and recently I started coughing up a little blood. Could this be a chest infection?

This could be a chest infection. However, if a cough has been going on for six weeks and particularly if you are coughing up blood you should arrange a visit to your GP for an examination and they will probably arrange a chest X-ray.

Unfortunately the Doc can’t directly respond to each query, or guarantee a reply. When in doubt contact your own GP