Ask our Doc
Don’t be shy – Chat’s Dr Martin Edwards is a family gp who’s seen it all before…
Boozy calories
Q I thought alcohol was really calorific? I gave it up for Lent, but hardly lost any weight! Katharina, 37
aAlcohol is high in calories but, unlike foods such as sugar, sometimes not all those calories seem to be absorbed by the body. It depends on genes, how regularly you drink and how much fat you eat. But too much will still put on weight!
Soggy clothes
Q If I wear clothes damp from the wash, Mum says I’ll catch pneumonia! Can that be right? Ellie, 22
Slow pee
Q Even if I’m desperate to pee, it takes ages to start. Is something wrong? Terry, 61
aProbably a blockage, perhaps due to an enlarged prostate. Valves in the urethra are usually closed until a little urine enters and triggers them to open. The blockage means they’re slow to trigger. See your GP.
aFor once, mum doesn’t know best! Damp clothes might feel uncomfortable and chilly, but it’s a myth that they make you more prone to infections such as colds or pneumonia. Chafing, eczema and skin infections are a risk, though, so it might pay to leave them drying for a little longer!
Knee pain
Q My GP’S diagnosed me with ‘anterior knee pain’. What does this actually mean? Sal, 49
aSeveral things can cause pain around or under your kneecap, so doctors lump them together as anterior knee pain. Inflamed cartilage lining the underside of the kneecap is one common cause. Treatment usually means strengthening your thigh muscles.
‘Erm, it’sa bit... personal’ Lost tampon
Q I’ve lost a tampon inside me, and can’t feel the string. What can I do? I don’t want to see a doctor. India, 26
aA ‘lost’ tampon is stuck at the top of your vagina, and can’t move to anywhere else. But it will soon become infected, causing a smelly discharge, so it’s important to remove it. If reaching for the string with your fingers while squatting doesn’t work, see your GP or sexualhealth clinic.
Lumpy nipples
Q I’ve little, round lumps on my areolas, mainly on one side. Is it normal? Imogen, 32
aThese oil-making glands are more obvious in some women, and it’s quite normal for them to be larger on one side. There’s not much you can do to shrink them, other than keeping your nipples moisturised. Surgery is an option, but might leave small scars.