Chat health
Don’t be shy – Chat’s Dr Martin Edwards is a family GP who’s seen it all before…
Thumping heart
Q Sometimes during sex I can get palpitations, where my heart thumps. Could I have a heart attack? Imogen, 24
APalpitations mean any unusual awareness of your heart beat. Most are harmless, but see a doctor if they’re frequent, occur with exercise or you have other symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness.
Odd legs
Q My physiotherapist says my back pain is due to the fact I have one leg longer than the other! Isn’t that weird? Chloe, 27
AIt’s quite common, though a difference of less than a couple of centimetres doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. More than this can lead to back pain and arthritis. Treatment usually means a raised shoe or, possibly, leglengthening surgery.
Food worries
Q I love a barbecue, but my daughters won’t eat anything I’ve cooked, as they say it’s never safe! Candice, 43
AThat’s a little picky! Barbecued food is quite safe provided you take care. Don’t cook until the coals are glowing, don’t contaminate cooked meat with raw, and cook everything all the way through. Safest of all is to precook food in your oven first.