The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

Why does my fear of heights spark a physical reaction?

Although often mislabelled vertigo (which is in fact a form of dizziness), the correct term for an intense fear of heights is acrophobia. It results in panic and severe anxiety. Other physical symptoms can be palpitations, chest pain or tightness and feeling short of breath and these are caused by adrenaline, which is your fight of flight hormone. You can also become sweaty, dizzy and feel quite shaky. A person who has acrophobia would also worry about encountering heights, and may not be able to visit a friend who lives in a top floor flat, for example.

You might not need treatment if you only feel fear when encountering extreme heights, but if it is impacting everyday life then you should consider it. There are psychological treatments available – for example, exposure therapy. You work with a therapist and gradually expose yourself to what you are afraid of. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, may look at negative thoughts about heights and help you reframe them, while medication can help with the physical symptoms.

My eyes stream whenever I prepare onions, why and how can I stop it?

When you are cutting an onion, you are effectively ripping open its cells, and that leads to a release of chemicals into the air. It is thought to be a defence mechanism from the plant to stop humans and animals trying to eat it. Washing the onion prior to cutting can make a difference, as can putting on an extractor fan as you chop. Simply walking away from the onion for a few minutes can help too.

My grandson was born with a cleft palate and has to have surgery. What is involved?

A cleft palate or lip happens when parts of the face did not join up properly when developing in the womb. There can be issues with feeding and speech, with treatment depending on the extent of the cleft. Surgery for a cleft lip is usually at three to six months and surgery for a cleft palate is around six to 12 months, with follow ups in speech assessment and orthodontics.

The Doc Replies

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