Health

Real-life issues and medical advice

I have asthma and struggle more with the condition in warm weather, especially when the pollen count is high. I’ve been prescribed a Fostair inhaler. I also have Ventolin, which I rarely take but could it help?

Asthma is an intermittent cough and wheeze that is due to inflammation in the airways. This makes the muscles around the airways contract causing them to narrow.

Treatments include preventer inhalers, like Fostair, which contains a steroid that takes a week or two to take effect.

It’s important that you take it regularly. It’s sometimes used alongside reliever inhalers like Ventolin that do provide immediate relief of symptoms, relaxing the muscles around the airways. However if you are using the reliever inhaler too much it may mean the dose of your preventer inhaler needs to be increased.

Inhalers must be used correctly. If you are unsure check with your asthma nurse.

I’ve just been prescribed antibiotics. For how long will I be infectious after taking them?

The general rule is that you will be infectious for about 24 hours after taking them. However, this can be affected by other medication you may be taking. Vomiting or diarrhoea can also mean you will absorb less of the antibiotic and may remain infectious for longer. Your GP can advise.

My husband’s left eye is often painful to open, sensitive to the light and waters excessively. An optician previously detected an abrasion and treated it with cream, which helped but the symptoms returned. What should he do?

Your doctor could give a local anaesthetic to ease the discomfort, but if this is a recurrent problem it needs proper assessment as the initial diagnosis could be wrong. Your husband should telephone the optician who will arrange for him to be seen.

During lockdown this may be at an opthalmology hub where optometrists will be wearing personal protective equipment.