The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

What is sleep apnoea?

Its full name is obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and it is when your breathing stops for short spells while you are asleep. It tends to occur in heavy snorers and often makes sufferers sleepy during their waking hours, as it causes the person to wake frequently.

It classically occurs in overweight, middle-aged men. When you are asleep, your muscles relax which is usually not a cause for concern, but in sleep apnoea your throat muscles relax so much that there is a narrowing or complete obstruction of your airway. This results in your oxygen levels going down, and your brain waking you up in an effort to breathe more fully, which can cause you to snore and/or snort loudly. This can happen to everyone once in a while, but to be diagnosed with sleep apnoea you have to stop breathing for 10 seconds at least five times per hour of sleep. Things can make it more likely to occur, like drinking alcohol, taking sedatives, or sleeping on your back rather than your side. For people with significant sleep apnoea, the best treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, where air is puffed into your nose through a mask. The improvement in sleep quality in patients is dramatic in many cases.

How do I tell if I have piles or something more serious?

Piles, or haemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the back passage that can feel lumpy, and the most common symptom is fresh red bleeding after emptying the bowels. To avoid piles, a high fibre diet is essential to avoid constipation. To deal with symptoms, a warm bath or ice packs can help with itching and discomfort. Bleeding from the back package should be checked out by your GP, especially if it is persistent.

What can I do about excessive dandruff ?

Dandruff is dry flakes of skin that come from the scalp which may cause itchiness. Anti-dandruff shampoo can help- look for ingredients called ketoconazole, which is an anti-fungal, selenium sulphide or salicylic acid. Try it for a month and if it doesn’t help or your scalp feels inflamed, speak to your GP as you may have an underlying skin condition.