The doc replies

What causes poor circulation?

Lots of things can cause poor circulation. Some of these, such as smoking, can be helped with alterations in lifestyle – stopping smoking being the obvious one. Some people feel they have cold hands, but most of the time this is entirely normal. However, sometimes this can become bothersome when people experience hot aches as their hands warm up. If this is happening then it is worth speaking to your pharmacist or doctor. If your arteries have a build up of plaque then this can cause poor circulation – improving your diet can help with this. It might also be worth having your cholesterol checked.

What is an intestinal metaplasia?

This is thought to be something we call a pre-cancerous lesion. It is actually a relatively common finding on routine endoscopy, but is thought to carry a small increased risk of developing cancer.

Are so-called detox diets safe?

There is a wide range of diets that are referred to as detox diets. Some can be quite extreme in nature and lead to excluding vital aspects of a balanced diet. There is no evidence to support detox diets. They often cause weight loss, but this is mainly due to the limited foods that are consumed. Our bodies actually detox themselves using organs such as the liver, kidneys and even the skin.

My calves become swollen in the evening. Is this worth getting checked out? Calves becoming swollen in the evening is often due to fluid retention. This can be due to many different reasons and it is probably worth seeing your GP for a chat.