INSTANT appointment
Pain in my side
QDuring ovulation, I have a sharp pain in my right side. Is this normal? Jenny, Yeovil
ASome women experience pain during ovulation. This is called Mittelschmerz or ovulation pain and it can occur just before, during or after ovulation.
The pain may be felt on one side of the body during one month and switch to the other side another month. However, it can also occur on the same side for several months.
It usually lasts 24 to 48 hours and may feel like a sharp cramping pain.
In some cases, it can feel like a quite severe pain, although this is rare.
Other causes of lower abdominal pain include ovarian cysts. There are two main types of cysts.
Firstly, there are functional ovarian cysts, which are the most common type. These develop as part of the menstrual
cycle, are short-lived and harmless and usually settle on their own.
Then there are pathological cysts which are caused by abnormal cell growth or from underlying conditions such as endometriosis.
However, if you are experiencing prolonged and severe pain that does not settle, you should see your doctor for further investigation and advice.
Never-fading pain
QI have constant tension between my shoulder blades. Even after exercise, the pain doesn’t go away. What could this be? Laura, Southend-on-Sea
APain between the shoulder blades could be from musculoskeletal conditions, including muscle strain and poor posture. Exercise and physiotherapy may ease this.
However, there are other conditions which may need to be considered if the pain and tension does not settle. These conditions include:
•Scoliosis – sideways curvature of the spine. This does not always cause pain, but you may notice yourself leaning to one side or having uneven shoulders.
•Ankylosing spondylitis – a type of inflammatory arthritis which causes back pain and stiffness that does improve with exercise or rest.
•Bulging or herniated discs – herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but they usually affect the lower back. It is a common cause of lower back pain and sciatica.
While these conditions could be the cause, any ongoing pain should be investigated for other causes, too, including lung-related conditions.
Halted healing
QMy eight-year-old fell over in the playground a few weeks ago, but the cuts on his knees still haven’t healed. Should I be worried? Chrissie, Totnes
AFirstly, it’s important to keep th
