THE DOC REPLIES

What is myasthenia gravis and but brings up milk with every how would I know I have it? feed. I’m worried he’s not

Myasthenia gravis is an getting enough food. auto-immune disorder which It is normal for babies to affects the way messages are “posset”, or bring back a bit transferred between nerves. of food, but this should Typically, those who have it gradually lessen as they grow find their muscles are easily older as the stomach fatigued, and this feeling capacity increases and the become worse as the day valve between stomach and goes on. Breathing and gullet tightens. It is important swallowing may become to check he is growing more difficult, and the eye normally. Your grandson’s muscles are also commonly health visitor can check this affected. The diagnosis of this on a growth chart. condition is confirmed by something called My left eyelid has become electro-diagnostic testing slightly drooped. It’s quite which measures the presence annoying, not to mention that of serum auto-antibodies in it doesn’t look great. What the blood. could have caused this?

Infections, styes, trapped I take an aspirin a day to thin eyelashes and contact my blood as I heard years allergies can cause ago it was good for the heart an eyelid to begin – is this sensible? I’m 67. drooping. There

Taking aspirin daily without are also some I cannot think of medical advice is not medical any benefit that advisable as, for some conditions cracking fingers will people, the risk of stomach involving the nerve have. It is certainly bleeding outweighs any to the eyes which

likely to put stress in protection to the heart. can cause this too. People who have had a heart the finger joints and, if it

Your family doctor, attack or stroke often have to annoys your wife, perhaps

optician or pharmacist could take aspirin a day on medical it is time that you stopped?

advise as an initial step. advice. How do you cure a dripping

I’ve started to cycle to work I read that nicotine is a nose? I’m in my 60s and even

every morning. I’m feeling a stimulant – so why does it sinus sprays from the

lot healthier but I pass through calm me down? lots of traffic – is it worth pharmacy won’t help clear

Nicotine stimulates some getting a mask to stop my nasal passage. parts of the nervous system breathing in traffic fumes? Persistent dripping requires which in turn allows others to The benefits of fitness an examination of the nasal relax. Overall, however, it is a through cycling are often passages to look for any harmful substance and should

partly offset for those in the treatable causes particularly if be avoided – unless in the

city by the exposure to traffic sinus sprays have not helped. context of nicotine

fumes, especially diesel from Try collecting some of the fluid replacement therapy for

buses or lorries. Masks cut out for your doctor as simple smoking cessation.

soot particles, but it’s only the chemical testing of this would My grandson is three months more expensive ones that cut be a guide as the cause.

Unfortunately The Doc can’t directly reply to individual letters. When in doubt speak to your GP