The Doc Replies

I’ve been plagued by bouts of sneezing when I’m lying in bed at night – up to 50 times. Any ideas?

Sneezing can be an irritating symptom and is often related to allergies. It may be that there is something within the bedroom – pets, for example – that is leading to this annoying symptom. The best thing is to remove the thing that is causing the allergy. An example of this is closing the window at night when you have a hay fever problem. However, sometimes the allergy-causing agents, known as allergens, are just too troublesome to move and steroid nasal sprays can be very helpful along with antihistamines.

My neighbours have started keeping hens, but the smell is intolerable. Could it be damaging my health? The wind tends to blow from their garden to mine.

Hens would rarely cause problems to neighbouring households but there can be associated bacterial illnesses and rare respiratory illnesses that can be caused by contact with chickens. Generally though the symptoms you describe are a nuisance rather than a danger to your health.

Once every two or three months I’m plagued by a mouthful of ulcers. Could it be a vitamin deficiency?

Mouth ulcers have multiple causes but if they’re recurring then it is certainly worthwhile seeing your doctor. Try to go to the surgery during an episode, so that the GP can classify the type of ulcer that you have. They can then suggest if further investigation is needed with you. As you say, some vitamin deficiencies can cause these ulcers.