The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

I have heard diet can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, an incurable, progressive disease. Cells in the cerebral cortex of the brain stop working properly, leading to problems with memory and other brain functions. The main risk factor is increasing age. It can also run in families, and serious head injuries also seem to increase the risk.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing dementia. A healthy, balanced diet is important – such as a Mediterranean-type diet, with plenty of green leafy vegetables and oily fish, but limiting sugar and salt. Regular exercise is also advised and moderate alcohol intake – or stopping altogether – and giving up smoking. Keeping your mind active is a good idea too.

If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, medication can help, although the difference it might make is likely to be limited. While there is no cure it is important to make sure the correct support is in place. Alzheimer Scotland offers a 24-hour free dementia helpline on 0808 808 3000 or visit alzscot.org.

I’ve been told that taking lemon in water can help prevent kidney stones. Is this true?

Yes. Studies have suggested the natural, squeezed juice of two lemons a day can increase citrate levels in urine. Citrate binds to calcium and may help reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.

The most important thing to remember is to drink plenty of fluid all of the time, water is best but tea and coffee are also OK. This is because you are aiming to prevent concentrated waste products that form stones.

If your urine looks dark it is too concentrated, you want it as pale as possible.

I suffer from migraines. Are there alternative therapies I can use?

There are lots of good conventional medical treatments for migraines, and also for prevention. So they are worth looking at first with your GP. But if you want to consider alternative or complementary therapies, the Migraine Trust has a good website that explores some of these and research done around them.

The Doc Replies

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