THE DOC REPLIES

I’M troubled by tinnitus but find listening to quiet music on headphones helps me drop off at night. Is this a safe method for combating the annoying ringing sound?

Yes, carrying on doing this is a good way of coping with tinnitus, which can be a very unpleasant symptom to deal with. That the music is quiet ensures there will be no risks with regards to hearing. I often recommend distraction as a good technique for dealing with tinnitus.

I’M due for a mammogram but I’m dreading going to my appointment because I found it very painful last time. Do you have any advice?

Mammograms can be uncomfortable procedures. Something which may be helpful would be taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen – as long as you don’t have any reason not to take it, like asthma or stomach problems. This may help to reduce the discomfort.

WOULD you recommend laser eye surgery for short-sightedness? I was thinking of giving it a go but a friend said there was a risk of blindness.

There are a number of different laser eye surgery options. Complications occur in fewer than 5% of cases. Some people have a problem with dry eyes in the months after surgery and other people might experience glare or halo effects when driving at night in the weeks or months after treatment. This is more likely if a high degree of long or short-sightedness is corrected. In some very rare cases, too much thinning of the eye wall can make the shape of the eye unstable after treatment. Severe loss of vision is very rare, however. It would be important to discuss the complications with your surgeon prior to commencing any treatment.

I HAVE COPD and use the inhaler I’ve been given 20 to 30 times a day. I was told to keep it to around eight puffs per day.

It sounds like you’re using a reliever inhaler, possibly a blue inhaler called Salbutamol. This is too much and will not be doing any good. You should certainly see your GP. There are many other options for other inhalers which you can use regularly.

I’M pregnant and am troubled by heartburn. Do you have any tips?

Heartburn is a very common symptom in pregnancy. Over-the-counter treatments, with products such as Gaviscon, can be very helpful. Also, avoid any foods which have high acidity – like lemons – or are very spicy. If your symptoms are not controlled with this then I would suggest visiting your GP for some further help.

WHAT’S the best way to get rid of corns on the feet?

Superficial corns can be dealt with by a pumice stone. However if they are more deep and painful I would recommend visiting a Podiatrist for further advice on how to remove them.

I have gout pain which the doctor gave me painkillers for. Should I change my diet?

It may be helpful to change your diet if you eat a lot of red meat or if you drink a lot of alcohol. These are the two most common dietary factors which contribute to gout.

IS there a vaccine against dust mites? I’m troubled by them and would love to be able to treat it somehow.

Desensitisation therapy is sometimes used in dust mite allergy where the symptoms are very severe and the usual recommendations for treatment have failed. It takes time and needs to be carried out by a consultant doctor who specialises in the area. Your GP will be able to give you advice.

CAN I use clove oil for toothache?

Toothache can generally be a symptom of decay and I would recommend that you attend the dentist for further assessment. However, if your dentist is not able to see you immediately, using some clove oil may help to relieve the symptoms of pain until you can be seen.