Ask the doctor: readers’ health questions answered

Professor Kerryn Phelps answers questions on fertility, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety following cancer, the Pill and helping your children to eat better.

My husband and I, in our early 30s, have been trying to conceive for five months. My GP said to keep trying for a few months before going for tests. I read the plant vitex agnus-castus can help fertility. T.M., QLD.

Your GP is right to advise you to let nature take its course for a while. However, you could arrange a sperm analysis as a first step. The next step is to arrange ovulation tracking. Then make a plan for fertility investigations once you’ve been trying for about a year. Vitex can help with gynaecological problems, including fertility.

My partner is 65. He doesn’t drink much before bed, but has to go to the toilet about three times a night, then says he is tired. What could be causing this? S.S., NSW.

He needs to see his doctor. His symptoms could be caused by an enlarged prostate, or be a sign of prostate cancer or kidney or heart disease. It could signal the onset of diabetes. He may have sleep apnoea. His tiredness could be related to disturbed sleep, or to an underlying disease.

I’m struggling to get my four-year-old to eat anything other than white bread, chips and fish fingers. I give him a multi-vitamin, but I’m concerned he’s missing out on nutrients. What should I do? K.K., WA.

Your son will not starve himself, so be firm. Try making healthy fish fingers by crumbing your own fish fillets and cooking them in olive oil. Similarly, you can make “chips” out of vegetables like sweet potato, beetroot, or parsnip. You can also hide vegetables in mash or bolognese. Try making a smoothie with several fruits in it.

My mother and grandmother have rheumatoid arthritis and are in severe pain. I’m worried I’m going to get the condition. What can I do to prevent it? R.L., Vic.

Your family history increases your statistical risk, but the cause involves complex environmental as well as genetic factors. There is no certain way of preventing RA so early detection and treatment is important. General advice on healthy lifestyle applies, so avoid smoking, alcohol and obesity, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, include Omega-3-rich foods in your diet. Maintain your vitamin D levels.

I’ve had tinnitus for months and it’s affecting my work. It also makes sleep difficult. Can it be cured? P.T., Tas.

Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears and it is really annoying. It occurs in about 15 per cent of adults. Start with the basics: a visit to your doctor to look in your ears. It may be a simple problem such as ear wax, which can be removed. Some medications, such as aspirin, other anti-inflammatories, some antidepressants and blood pressure medications can cause tinnitus. Your doctor is likely to refer you for a hearing test and depending on the result, further investigations, which might include blood tests and an MRI. The herb ginkgo biloba helps in some cases.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage II bowel cancer. I had surgery and the prognosis was good. I’m in remission, but am anxious the cancer will return. M.D., SA.

This is a common delayed reaction to a cancer diagnosis. Go back to your oncologist at your next visit and ask them to go through your original pathology and explain it to you. Make sure you understand the follow-up plan they have in place for you. A psychologist would help you to redirect your anxious thoughts.

My 25-year-old daughter has recently come off the Pill. She’s lost weight and has mild acne. Are these related to her hormones re-balancing? J.C., SA.

The Pill could have been contributing to extra weight and controlling hormonal acne. She could try a herb, vitex agnus-castus. The Pill can deplete B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Short-term, vitamin C and zinc supplements may help her acne.