Your HEALTH
Got a medical problem or need health advice? Ask GP Dr Pixie Mckenna
Q
I’m 58 and think I’m going deaf.
It’s annoying my family and frustrating me, as it’s difficult to hear in a crowded room. Any clues as to why this might be happening?
A
You’re not alone – one in six people in the UK have some degree of hearing impairment. Wax can be a common culprit! If the ear canal is clogged up with wax, it’s easily seen when your doctor looks into your ear. It can be removed by using softening drops – which are available at the pharmacy – or by ear syringing or suction (the latter has to be carried out by a healthcare professional).
A perforated eardrum can also cause deafness. This can occur due to trauma, for example excessive cotton bud use, exposure to loud noise or an ear infection. There is usually (but not always) pain prior to this. Recurrent ear infections can also cause deafness, and other external factors may contribute. There are more than 100 prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can result in hearing loss.
There may also be a genetic link – some people have deafness running in their families. This occurs if a person inherits a mutated gene or genes that can cause hearing loss.
Although you think that this has gone on for a few months, hearing loss can be quite subtle so it might have been lingering for much longer. Most people start to lose a small amount of hearing once they hit 40. Noise exposure, such as from factory work or nightclubs, can accelerate this.
My impression is that this is either wax or old age. The answer lies inside your ear, so get your doctor to take a look.
Q
I had a mole removed from my back – thankfully, it was not cancer. It started to heal well, but now I have a thick red scar, which is bigger than the original cut! What is it and can I have it removed, as it’s horrible?
A
This sounds like a keloid scar. This type of scar occurs due to an abnormal response to healing after surgery, an injury or even ear-piercing. The scar tends to be bigger than the original cut and is smooth, firm and of rubbery consistency. It can be skin coloured or a pinky red. The darker your skin, the more likely you are to get keloid scars, and women tend to be more susceptible. Typical locations are the back, chest, shoulders, limbs and earlobes. Unfortunately, a surgical fix isn’t an option, as it’s likely to lead to further keloid scarring.
Treatment with silicone gel or strips placed over the scar for eight to 12 hours per day helps flatten the scar and make it less obvious. Another option is to inject steroids into the scar at monthly intervals for four to six months. This isn’t without its side effects, so is not the first option.
Keloids are tricky to treat so if you are susceptible, you should avoid surgical procedure unless absolutely necessary. For a quick fix for summer, camouflage make-up works very well if correctly colour-matched.
Q
Please help! I have a new partner and keep getting cystitis after sex. It’s really putting me off intimacy. How can I prevent it?
A
There’s a 50/50 chance as a female that you will get a bout of cystitis at some point in your life. Women in their late 20s and mid 50s often succumb to recurrent infections. Underlying kidney problems, hormonal changes such as the menopause, and having sex can provoke it. To break the cycle, drink lots of fluids, never douche or over cleanse the genital area, wipe from front to back, wear loose cotton undies (so ditch the fancy pants!), and avoid ‘holding on’ if you need to pee.
There’s evidence to both support and refute claims that cranberry extract helps – if it works for you, it’s worth a try. Avoid citrus juices, alcohol and caffeine when you have an infection. Your pharmacist can recommend products to help. See your GP so they can send a urine specimen and prescribe antibiotics where appropriate. Recurrent infections can be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes or other issues.
It’s worth noting that undiagnosed chlamydia may cause similar symptoms. Finally, topical oestrogen may help. This can be used in addition to HRT.