Q: I feel really exhausted all the time. In fact sometimes I'm so tired I fall asleep at my desk and in the evenings all I want to do is go home, eat and go to bed. It's killing my social life and making me feel so depressed. I eat well, exercise and I don't feel that stressed, although I am a bit worried about losing my job in the current climate. Why do I feel like this? Susan, 33
A: Your tiredness could be due to an underactive thyroid gland, anaemia, glandular fever, or there's a slim chance it could be a chronic disorder such as ME. You also mention depression, which might be the cause rather than the consequence of the tiredness. Depression can cause sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, anxiety and low self-esteem. I suggest visiting your doctor who can carry out some simple tests for some of the conditions I mentioned, but, if all is well, I would step up your exercise routine and try taking a natural stimulant to boost energy levels, such as coenzyme Q10, guarana or ginseng - which are all available from health food shops.
Q: A few months ago my husband started to get white patches on his face and then it spread to his hands. He went to his GP, who referred him to a dermatologist, but the cream prescribed didn't work. Is there any other kind of specialist you could recommend or any other creams he should try? Sarah, 43
A: These patches of de-pigmented white skin are called vitiligo, and normally appear on the face and hands first and can gradually spread. It usually starts before the age of 20 and can be genetic. The underlying cause is an autoimmune disorder, when your body makes antibodies that attack your pigment-producing cells. Sunbathing makes it worse as the patches will look whiter. In three out of 10 cases the colour will return, but in the rest there's no effective treatment, although you can disguise the problem with camouflage cream such as Keromask, which is available nationwide.
HEALTH HERO: SALT
Salt might be bad for your health when sprinkled on chips, but sitting in a room full of the stuff could help asthma sufferers. Underground salt caves have long been used to treat respiratory conditions in Eastern Europe - where it's believed inhaling the salty air helps clear the airways and reduce inflammation.
Now halotherapy, as it's known, is available here - albeit in a man-made salt-encrusted chamber in a London clinic. And this side-effect-free treatment can be used to help treat a range of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and bronchitis. Sessions cost £35. Visit Saltcave.co.uk for details.
FACT Vs FICTION:
Burnt food gives you cancer: FACT
Not quite, but it does contribute. If you burn saturated fat, for example as found in sausages, the blackened meat turns into carcinogenic free radicals. When these enter the body, they can disrupt cells and, at worst, lead to the formation of cancerous tumours. The same applies for over-smoked meats, so have them in moderation, and cook slowly.
Email your health questions to drhilary@fabulousmag.co.uk
COMPILED BY JO UPCRAFT, BETH GIBBONS PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY, GETTY
This article has 6 comments
about 4 months ago i tore my calve muscle , my gp told me to rest it for 1 to 2 weeks ,this i did and after 2 weeks it was ok , but now i am waking up every morning with cramp in this muscle ,is this common or should i make an appointment to see my gp
By steve. Posted November 3 2009 at 7:12 PM.
I want to know if something is wrong with me ? i have been having pregnance symptoms for the last 2 weeks. Feelin sick, always tired, doing the toilet more often, sore stomach and back, my breasts feel heavy and im always very hot. I had intercourse 6 days before my period came but was wondering is there still a chance i could be pregnant.
By Megan. Posted November 2 2009 at 5:10 PM.
My husband had a operation in july,he had to have a cafita put in after only for a few hours.But ever since then he can not get a proper erection. Could it have anything to do with the cafita as he was ok before the op.(he had a shoulder replacment) He will not go and see ur G P.
By john smith. Posted November 1 2009 at 5:07 PM.
My husband is 63 yrs old, in June of this year while cat napping in the chair he had what appeared to be a fit and to me seemed very severe, he was onconscious for about 20 mins and brought round by the ambulance men with oxygen, on his admission to hospital he had CT head and CT chest both normal, OP EEG and OP 24 hr ECG all normal and told it was probably a one off and would not happen again. 4 months to the day while sleeping at night in bed, he had a repeat but much milder. I called the ambulance and he was admitted to hospital. It seems to come from his right side somehow. We have been referred to a Respiratory Specialist who also deals with sleep associated problems. The appointment is not till the 30th December and inbetween there will probably be some tests to be done. We have heard through friends and their people they have known, it doesnt seem to be that uncommon, these episodes and different ages. But my concern is that its happened again and in previous cases seems to be a one off. I had just began to relax with it all and now feel I'm back to square one, my husband is oblivious when he regains consciousness, other than feeling why its happening.
I would appreciate any advice.
By Anita Grierson. Posted October 25 2009 at 2:44 PM.
I feel I had to write to you after reading what I read about bunions Issue 81 august 23rd.2009.
I myself had a bunion operation in 2005, I did everything that I was told to do, but ended up with DVT all because the surgeon didnt think I needed an thinning blood injection, I could have lost my life.I now am having a operation in October and am terrified, as was told after the bunion op that I would be more prone to blood clots. I was on warfrin for 8 months, and my foot hasn't been right since the operation, I have a bunion on my other foot but I will suffer.I couldn't go through all that again. So please dont advise people to have the operation,saying they wont regret it, I wish I had never had it done, as I am left with an aching foot as the bone as re grown and I have to wear pressure stockings all the time.I contacted the hospital where I had it done and was told it was on the form that it could cause life threatening results.
Anne Westerman!
By anne westeman. Posted September 1 2009 at 12:27 AM.
hi im a guy of 51 i weight wbout 85kg my height is 5ft 7. i know im a wee bit over weight . im pretty trendy for my age i look younger . my problem is my man boobs they are horrible . its really getting me down i dont know what to do . i dont have the spare cash to go to a gym right now have u any tips that could help . many thanks . i like reading ur page in the n.of.t.w
By james cross. Posted August 31 2009 at 10:03 PM.