Ask the doctor

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

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.

Q My husband was diagnosed with gout earlier on this year, which came as a bit of a surprise as we wouldn’t consider ourselves as the type who overindulge. He has been offered strong anti-inflammatory

A Flushing is a symptom – so treatment will depend on what’s causing it. Sadly, most women of a certain age have gone through the hot flushes of menopause – often accompanied by night sweats, vaginal

Q I don’t check my breasts regularly. When my female partner was advised to have a mammogram, I got worried, felt around and, unfortunately, I seem to have a lump. But when I mentioned it to her, she