Medical Hotline with Dr James Wright

facial treatment
A patchy, reddened face may be rosacea, an adult form of teenage acne, with redness, pimples and blemishes. Wash daily using a non-alkaline soap, then dab dry with a soft towel. Gently rub in Rozex (script only), or Eryacne or Differin, which are used to treat acne. Sensible eating, having plenty of exercise, adequate rest and freedom from stress may also help it pass. But if it persists, check with the skin specialist, for it may be lupus, which often presents as a red facial “butterfly” rash.

natural BP controls
A non-drug treatment of high-blood pressure is possible. Begin by shedding excess weight, exercising more, drinking less alcohol or abstaining, cutting salt from foods, and avoiding salty snacks. Taken together this regimen may reduce your BP by up to 30 points within weeks. And it doesn’t cost you a cent. And new research (on 48 stockbrokers) reveals that owning a pet will also lower stress-related high BP (although a pet will definitely cost you). But, seriously, if your BP remains persistently high, then visit your GP. You could also buy your own BP machine and three times daily for a month record your BP to show your doctor. Sometimes a person’s BP can be quite normal, but skyrocket the moment they enter the surgery—a syndrome referred to as “white-coat hypertension”!

no worries
Some women will suffer a very swollen arm for up to a year following a mastectomy for cancer. However, this is relatively common and to be expected, as the lymph glands in the armpit are also often removed. Body fluid called lymph circulates through tissue spaces, but not in vessels, and collects in lymph glands. As these have been removed from your armpit, there is nowhere for the fluid to go. Some physiotherapists specialise in this field and occupational therapy can assist.

don’t wait!
A recurring loose bowel action is distressing, but maybe due to nothing more than dietetic indiscretion. The condition can be halted within 24-36 hours through starvation and drinking plenty of fluids (ideally Moores ultra-pure distilled water). If the condition persists, it may be an infection, with giardia as the most likely culprit. To deal with that, take four Fasigyn tablets at once, or Flagyl for a week (prescription needed). Recurrences are common, as this bug is transmitted via contaminated drinking water.
If these suggestions fail, seek a referral to a gastroenterologist. A colonoscopy may indicate some hidden mystery, such as an ulcer, diverticular disease, Crohn’s or cancer. Never ignore persisting symptoms in this area.

twitch ’n’ itch
Restless legs that twitch, itch or tickle are annoying. This compulsion to move is known as restless-legs syndrome (RLS). Although its cause hasn’t been identified—a lack of dopamine in the brain or difficulty with metabolising iron has been suggested—there are a few things you can do to minimise it: Avoid caffeine or alcohol of an evening, or at work, walk around your office regularly, stretch and massage leg muscles occasionally, and take regular exercise.

stroke potential

Q: A recent ultrasound showed “plaque” in my carotids. Am I heading for a stroke? I feel OK.

A: The carotid artery taking blood from the aorta divides in the neck. One part supplies the outside part of head, the other the brain. Cholesterol and debris often build up at the V division. If this reaches 70 per cent, an operation called an endarterectomy is performed to clear the debris. Less than 70 per cent, doctors commonly prescribe half an aspirin daily, which thins the blood. But the greater the blockage, yes, the higher is your risk of a stroke.

Extract from Signs of the Times, June 2003.

Home - Archive - Topics - Podcast - Subscribe - Special Offers - About Signs - Contact Us - Links