The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

I struggle to sleep at night. Do I have insomnia?

A third of adults do not get as much sleep as they would like. This can lead to symptoms like tiredness, irritability and poor concentration, which can interfere with everyday life. Insomnia can be one sign of underlying anxiety and depression. If a patient is very overweight, they might have sleep apnoea – when the large airways narrow, waking them up. People often think alcohol helps you sleep, but it can wake you later in the night. And remember that things like some fizzy drinks, chocolate and cigarettes are stimulants and can upset sleep.

It is important you exercise during the day and consistently get up and go to bed at the same time, even at the weekends. Don’t clock-watch when trying to get to sleep. Sleeping tablets are only short-term solutions to short-term problems and are not recommended for general use.

My teenage grandson sweats profusely and strong deodorants don’t help. What can be done?

I would try to rule out if there was any underlying health condition like an overactive thyroid. But with a teenage boy the sweating is usually not the result of something serious. Make sure he wears loose-fitting clothes and has socks that absorb moisture well. Pharmacists can provide stronger antiperspirants and clothing protection like sweat shields. If this does not work, his GP may refer him to a dermatologist.

I am fully vaccinated but caught Covid. Should I be concerned I have underlying health condition that caused the vaccine not to fully protect me?

A recent study suggested health care workers who were fully vaccinated and caught Covid seemed to have lower levels of antibodies. People with a weakened immune system are at higher risk from the virus, even if vaccinated. However, just because you caught Covid after being vaccinated does not mean you have a weakened immune system, and you do not need to get tested for that if you are otherwise well. This is also not a reason skip the vaccine – every study has shown full vaccination against Covid gives high levels of protection against death and serious disease, even if you catch the virus.

The Doc Replies

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