INSTANT+ APPOINTMENT
With Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (www.doctorfox.co.uk)
Going vegan
QI’ve just switched to a vegan diet and it’s upsetting my stomach. Will this stop over time or should I incorporate meat and dairy back into my diet again? Hattie, Liverpool
AThe vegan diet means not eating any animal products or products derived from animals – so
Painful problem
QI suffer with piles and it’s really uncomfortable. Are there any home remedies that will help prevent it? Tina, Cambridge
APiles can be very painful and cause much distress. You may feel a lump in the rectal area, but you can have piles tucked up inside the anal canal and not know they are there. If you have had bleeding from your rectum it’s vital you see your GP. Don’t be embarrassed, your GP is there to help you. To manage piles at home you should eat a high fibre diet and drink plenty of water. Another remedy is to soak in a hot bath before applying any local treatments. You should use pain killers, laxatives, creams, and suppositories as advised by your GP. no meat, fish, eggs, or dairy. However, you can eat copious amounts of fruits and veg, plus alternative protein sources such as soy, tofu, and tempeh. This should be very good for your gut, but your GI tract needs to adjust. Be patient. Drink plenty of water. Limit the amounts of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and sprouts. Use canned pulses, rather than fresh ones you need to soak, and pour away the liquid in the can. Plant-based diets are linked to improved health and longevity. They are also important for the planet. Don’t give up too soon!
Recurrent infection
QI keep getting cystitis. What’s the best way to treat it? Leah, Somerset
ACystitis is an infection in the bladder known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Some women get recurrent infections, for unknown reasons. See your GP for a proper diagnosis - this may not be a UTI, it could be something else. You should also have an STI check, as some STI’S can cause urinary symptoms. Don’t use any perfumed products on your genital area – women very commonly have skin sensitivity to hygiene products such as shower gels. Make sure you always wipe yourself front to back - and not vice versa after passing urine, get up and pass urine immediately after having sex and drink plenty of water. If you are peri or postmenopausal - speak to your GP about using topical estrogen cream or pessaries.