The Doc Replies

Can coffee raise my heart rate? I took two cups before my blood pressure was measured and am worried it gave a false reading to the doctor.

Coffee contains a reasonably high amount of caffeine which can raise your heart rate and blood pressure. It may be possible for your doctor to arrange for blood pressure monitoring over a period of time to ascertain an average. It feels like my left leg is always tapping. Could I have restless legs?

Normally both legs are affected. You feel that you have to move your legs all of the time. There could be other causes for the tapping and I recommend you be assessed by your GP. I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Can I take my medicine abroad safely?

Type 2 diabetes can be treated in a variety of ways but sometimes insulin is required. It is a good idea to check with your airline for any restrictions. In general, most drugs taken in tablet form can be carried easily if travelling to other similar countries to the UK. There tend to be tighter rules around injections. If something is required from your doctor it is usually straightforward to get a summary print-out of the medicines you are taking and why. This is not an NHS service, though, so there may be a charge. My granddaughter has glasses for a lazy eye. Will they correct the problem?

Lazy eye is usually treated by orthoptists and the aim is to treat the underlying problem. Glasses can help with visual correction, and will likely help.