The Doc Replies

I travel about a lot for my job so eat very irregularly. I’ve started to get a burning feeling in my stomach. Could I have an ulcer?

Often, when people travel with work, the meals they eat are richer and are taken later in the evening. It could well be that you have an ulcer or inflammation of the stomach. Best to avoid spicy food, and don’t drink too much caffeine. You shouldn’t smoke or take too much alcohol. If the symptoms persist, it is certainly worth seeing your doctor.

I drink six cups of coffee a day. Is this too much? What is the recommended amount?

There has been some debate around the health effects of coffee. Recently, there were reports that drinking three cups of coffee per day can prolong life. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant and can obviously make us feel awake, but it can also cause anxiousness, irritability and, in extreme cases, raise blood pressure. I would say that two or three cups of coffee per day for most people is a perfectly reasonable amount. Six cups, though, is perhaps pushing it.

Does garlic have any medicinal properties? I take tablets but I’m not sure if they do much good.

Medicinal effects of garlic are a little bit controversial. Garlic is said to help with blood pressure, cholesterol and some sources say that it can help prevent or treat colds. The evidence is variable and for most people garlic is something tasty to flavour meals. In terms of supplements it is difficult to definitively say if they are going to help you in the long run, though. Unfortunately the Doc can’t directly respond to each query, or guarantee a reply. When in doubt contact your own GP