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I'm active, fit and healthy, but in February I started having heart palpitations - and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Since then I have been taking blood thinning tablets. Strangely, my pulse seems to have returned to normal. Should I stop treatment?
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AF, is a common heart rhythm problem in which the beating pattern becomes very fast and irregular. There are different types of the condition.
One, called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, features sporadic periods of irregular heartbeats that last only a few days - but always come back. There is also what is called continuous atrial fibrillation, which never goes away without treatment.
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AF, is a common heart rhythm problem in which the beating pattern becomes very fast and irregular. There are different types of the condition. (file image)
Most people with atrial fibrillation also have another problem, including high blood pressure, a history of a heart attack, or lifelong heart disease. Some have other health problems – like diabetes or a bad infection.
Drinking a lot of caffeine or alcohol also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation.
The condition is serious because the heart's irregular pulsing increases the risk of life-threatening blood clots and stroke. And those who experience short bouts of it are just as likely to suffer these complications as those with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Doctors treat the condition by controlling blood pressure and preventing blood clots with blood-thinning medications - so patients should definitely continue taking the tablets.
My 79 year old wife has been suffering from urinary tract infections for two years. Antibiotics helped relieve the symptoms, but did not get rid of the problem. She also has HRT patches which I have read are said to help with such problems. Is there anything else that can be done?
Urinary tract infections are incredibly common – especially in older people. But it's really important that patients see a GP if they think they have an infection because there could be other factors causing the symptoms. When patients develop a urinary tract infection, they feel the need to go to the bathroom frequently and experience burning or pain when urinating.
Sometimes they notice a strong smell in the toilet or that the water they pass is cloudy.
A GP will carry out a so-called dipstick test to detect the infection. But there are other, more detailed tests that involve sending a sample to a lab to find out exactly which bacteria are involved.
Doctors need to know the type of bacteria lurking around so they know which antibiotics to prescribe. But recurring symptoms that appear to be a urinary tract infection may be due to something else. Crucially, it could be a sign of ovarian cancer and other gynecological cancers.
The bladder sits very close to the uterus and other organs. A problem with these organs can irritate the bladder and cause UTI-like symptoms. An ultrasound scan of the pelvic area would give a good indication of possible problems with these organs as well as the bladder and kidneys.
Changes after menopause can cause symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection, especially because a lack of estrogen makes the tissues in the intimate area dry and irritated. If the infections are recurring, doctors may suggest preventative antibiotics.
This involves taking a daily low dose on a long-term basis and has been proven to be highly effective.
Can statins cause prickly heat? Since my husband started taking atorvastatin in September 2019, he has been experiencing extremely severe stinging heat. It happens every time we go abroad - nothing calms it down.
Prickly heat rash is a very unpleasant reaction to very hot climates. It is caused by excessive sweating: Sweat gets trapped in the glands under the skin and triggers small, raised, itchy patches. But it should not be confused with another, similar condition called a polymorphic light flare.
This problem is caused by the skin's reaction to sunlight - resulting in an itchy, burning rash.
There are key differences.
The polymorphic light flare results from sunlight itself and not just from heat. It also causes blisters, burning, or blotches with raised pink or red spots. The reaction occurs when people have not been exposed to sunlight for a long time, and symptoms may worsen with further exposure to sunlight.
After a while, the skin of people with polymorphic light flare becomes resistant to the sun - patients find that they can stay outside longer. But the affected areas of skin can become hard, and these spots can be difficult to remove.
Patients can avoid this by covering rash-prone areas with loose clothing and a good sunscreen. Using a sunscreen with SPF 50 and a high UV protection factor is important. Dermatologists recommend creams, steroid pills, or antihistamines to stop the itchy, burning sensation.
Experts may also recommend increasing sun resistance at home before traveling. This includes getting out in the sun for a short time each summer to build tolerance.
Medications, including statins, can cause photosensitivity and skin reactions in the sun.
This may be the case if the reaction occurred soon after you started taking the medication - but it may be difficult to pinpoint a direct trigger.
Leave stupid ideas behind and get serious, Mr. Khan
Earlier this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan (above) toured California to explore, among other things, whether London should follow his lead in legalizing cannabis
I'm tired of politicians using taxpayers' money to fund stupid public health ideas.
Earlier this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan toured California to explore, among other things, whether London should follow his lead in legalizing cannabis.
Now he wants to explore the possible benefits of decriminalizing the drug. Last week it was revealed that this five-day trip cost £35,000. Almost £3,000 of that went on business class flights.
I could have answered him for free: No, we shouldn't legalize cannabis. Colleagues are already reporting an increase in young patients with mental health problems because they smoked too much dope.
Accumulating evidence shows links between psychosis and frequent cannabis use, and doctors in California are warning of a coming crisis in weed-related complications - as described in the latest report by LA-based MoS deputy health editor Eve Simmons.
Perhaps that £35,000 could have been invested in recruiting more doctors and nurses or tackling knife crime on London's streets - serious public health ideas.
A dirty grill is gross but safe
Last month I warned about the dangers of food poisoning during grilling season - with widespread cases of meat contamination. Now some readers have written to me and asked about another potential risk: dirty grills.
They seem concerned that bacteria lurking on the shelves could cause similar infections. Although they may be disgusting, dirty grill grates do not pose the same risk of food poisoning as meat that is not cooked properly.
Bacteria lurking on the grates are immediately killed by the hot flames. The problem lies in bacteria-contaminated meat that doesn't get hot enough to destroy the bugs.
While we're back on the topic, here's another tip: Try not to dip meat - whether raw or cooked - in dips and marinades.
It can easily lead to a multitude of errors that spread throughout the spread.
Although they may be disgusting, dirty grill grates do not pose the same risk of food poisoning as meat that is not cooked properly