The advice you need
Disclaimer: Medical advice is for guidance only and does not substitute seeing a doctor. If you have concerns, a face-to-face appointment with a doctor is recommended. Images: Getty
Ask our doc
With Cheryl Lythgoe, Head Matron for Benenden Health.
Sky high
Q After a blood test, my husband has been told his blood pressure is too high. He has been given medication, what else can he do to lower it?
A When looking to reduce blood pressure it is important to aim to have a healthy weight. This usually means getting your BMI within a healthy range between 20-25. Your husband should focus on eating a healthy balanced diet which contains lots of vibrant and colourful foods and try to stay away from ‘beige’ and processed food.
I recommend cutting down on salt also, limiting to less than six grams a day – about one level teaspoon.
Keep alcohol levels down to two to three units a day, which is a mediumsized glass of wine, and don’t go over 14 units a week. I recommend having at least three alcohol free days a week.
Your husband should try increase the amount of time that he moves and aim to be active for at least 150 minutes per week – that’s 20 minutes every day! This could be gardening, walking or sports!
Close up
Q I’m struggling to focus on things up close, like reading and knitting, as I get intense migraines when concentrating for long periods of time. How can I stop this?
AAs part of the natural ageing process there is a common condition called presbyopia, which is a long sight eye condition.
Presbyopia affects closeup work that we perform like reading and knitting.
This can be rectified with corrective lenses. Symptoms of long sightedness can include headaches and tired eyes, so it sounds like you need an eye test to check your vision.
I’d suggest that you have a good degree of light when working, take regular breaks – especially from screens – and stay hydrated.
Remember the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds.
Fussy flu
Q I’ve had an endless snotty nose and cough for over a month which no cold and flu medication seems to fix. This is starting to disrupt my sleep and energy levels, too. What can I do to get over it?
A A cough and a snotty nose could be down to many factors, one of the most common is allergic rhinitis which is triggered by an environmental allergen such as pollen, mold, or dust mites.
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