the doc replies

There’s a crackling noise when I cough. Should I get this checked out by the GP? Any cough persisting for three weeks is worth getting checked by your GP. The crackling noise is often just related to some fluid in the upper airways and not normally a concern on its own. I’m 80 and have apparently lost my sense of taste or smell. Is this something to speak to the GP about? This is definitely worth discussing with your GP. A loss of smell or taste is quite common. If you lose your smell due to things like nasal congestion or sinusitis then often taste is affected and your GP will want to examine you to make sure there are no blockages. Thankfully it is not normally due to anything serious. How much salt is too much? I like a lot on my food but it hasn’t done me any harm – yet. Adults should eat no more than about a teaspoon of salt a day, around 6g. We can underestimate how much salt we take in on a day-to-day basis as it is often hidden in processed foods. There is good information on the NHS website which can help you cut down – have a look. My blood group is B negative. How rare is this group? Will I have any trouble donating? Group B negative is one of the rarer blood types, and 1.5% of the population – which is one in 67 people – have this blood group. You would have no problem donating as a result of your blood group; in fact it would be quite the opposite, it is extremely important to keep the blood supplies at a good level, especially of rare blood groups.