Q: In the last couple of months, my tongue has become fuzzy and it feels like it's been burnt. I love my food, but now everything I eat tastes funny. What's happened and how can I make it go away? Amy, 40
A: Having a furry tongue is very common, so don't worry. It's normally associated with an alteration in taste or a burning sensation. The tongue can turn yellow, white or even black in colour, while flat, glossy patches that look like a map of the world - referred to by doctors as 'geographical tongue' - can appear.
It could simply be that you're dehydrated. Other causes include indigestion, smoking, nasal congestion, poor dental hygiene or a fungal infection such as thrush brought on by antibiotics. Use a tongue scraper and a mouthwash, such as Dentyl pH or Retardex, and see your GP to rule out thrush or an iron deficiency. If no medical cause is found, I recommend you see your dentist.
Q: Occasionally when I'm in the middle of doing something, my heart will suddenly start racing and I feel out of breath and light-headed. It passes after a minute, but I'm worried I have a heart problem, especially as my dad died of a heart attack at 53. Rachel, 27
A: These sound like palpitations, which are very common and usually harmless. They can be brought on by stress, anxiety or stimulants like nicotine and caffeine. Because of your family history, I'd recommend you go to your doctor and have some tests done. Your GP can arrange a 24-hour ECG to monitor your heart rate and rhythm, a cholesterol test, and an echocardiogram to detect any heart muscle or valve abnormalities, which can cause problems if undiagnosed. You also need to exclude any inherited condition such as hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol), which affects one in 500 people. If all is well, you can carry on as normal.
HEALTH HERO: CYCLING
Hit the saddle and you'll do more than pedal off a few pounds - you could save yourself a fortune on headache pills. According to a new Swedish study, women who cycled three times a week for three months saw a 90 per cent reduction in the frequency of attacks - and didn't need to pop as many pills. The researchers put this down to the pain-relieving effects of endorphins released during exercise. So get on yer bike!
FACT vs FICTION
Ibuprofen can give you stomach ulcers: FACT
Ibuprofen
(found in painkillers such as Nurofen) can, like most non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, irritate and erode the lining of the stomach and
mouth. In fact, this is one of the most common reasons for hospital
admissions in elderly patients who take it long term for pain relief.
Ibuprofen is effective, but you should always take it with or after a meal,
preferably for no more than a few days at a time.
Email your health questions to drhilary@fabulousmag.co.uk
COMPILED BY JO UPCRAFT, BETH GIBBONS PHOTOGRAPHY: DK IMAGES, GETTY IMAGES
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