Ask the doctor

Dr Elise Dallas is a GP whose expertise you can trust

Antibiotics save lives, but they also come with a raft of potential serious side effects in children and adults. Cate Montana rounds up the evidence and offers some effective alternatives

DON’T WANT TO TAKE SLEEPING PILLS Q My daughter was recently involved in a car accident and she’s still in intensive care. It’s all been very distressing. My GP prescribed me some sleeping pills, but

Q My husband snores really badly, so I wear earplugs at night. When I took them out the other morning, there was a funny popping sound in my left ear, and ever since that ear has felt itchy and sore.

Joanna Evans helps you find antibiotic-friendly probiotics, herbal tinctures and light therapy lamps

Q My mum is 87 and lives alone – she is on several medications. I usually order and collect her prescriptions for her and I have noticed that she seems to be reordering some more frequently than other