THE DOC REPLIES
My son developed tennis elbow after becoming inspired by Andy Murray to take up the sport. What’s the best way to treat it?
Tennis elbow is a type of bursitis. This is an inflammation of a fluid-filled area next to a joint. It is caused by repetitive use, and usually alleviated by rest. Your son should see a healthcare professional to have the diagnosis confirmed and a treatment plan discussed. He could visit a GP or a physiotherapist for advice. Usually, rest and antiinflammatory medications will settle things in mild cases. Occasionally, other treatments are necessary – this would be done by a physio.
How do I leave my body for medical research? Can I speak to my local surgery?
You should contact your local university who will tell you the process for donating a body for medical research. If you decide to go through with it, once the forms are completed you will be given information to give to your GP so that it can be recorded in his records.
I was made redundant recently and since then I’ve fallen into a bit of a pit. I can’t motivate myself to do much and I feel worthless. Should I speak to my GP?
The answer is very definitely yes. Life often throws us difficult situations and clearly redundancy is a very important one. It is not surprising that you are reacting to this and it may be that your reaction is “normal”, or it may be that you are depressed. Your GP will hopefully help you to discover if this is normal, if you need treatment and what might be useful to help. Do not feel embarrassed about going, this is the sort of thing that GPs deal with all the time.
Does wholemeal bread lose any nutritional value when toasted? I eat at least four slices a day.
I am not aware of any nutritional detriment when toasting bread. Carry on as normal, as long as you’re getting five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
I have had two heart attacks and my wife thinks I might now be banned from driving. Is this true?
No, this is not true. Have a look at the DVLA website which is comprehensive and fairly easy to use. There are guidelines about many illnesses, including heart attacks, and when not to drives. However, most people who have a heart attack can return to driving after a short time as long as there are no complications that would affect the ability to drive.
My doctor told me I have an arachnoid cyst? Is this something to do with spiders?
No, they are nothing to do with spiders. They are fluidfilled cysts within the nervous system which are usually harmless. Occasionally, if they become too large, they require surgery.
My mother wants a budgie – but I’m sure I read they can spread disease.
In general, budgies are safe and companionable pets. In rare situations you can get infections that affect the lungs. It is something that needs to be borne in mind if someone keeping birds at home develops lung disease.
After work I find it impossible to calm down. It’s a tense job but I’m tense for hours after I get home. How can I calm down?
I think it might be worth talking to a healthcare professional to decide if your tension is understandable, or whether you are a bit anxious or unwell. It is actually good for the body and brain to be stressed. We perform if we are under a degree of stress. It is also very normal to worry about work sometimes in free time, especially if something particularly stressful has been going on. It is not, however, usual for it to completely dominate leisure time. It may be simply that you have to address your own work/life balance. It is possible you need to look at what you do for relaxation. It may be that you are working too hard and have become a bit unwell. Talk with a professional.