I am 77 years old and have had uncontrollable bleeding for six months. Neither my GP nor my dentist know what the problem is. The only medicine I take is omeprazole for heartburn. What is wrong with me?
Dr. Ellie answers: Excessive salivation is an annoying symptom and can also irritate the mouth area and cause chapped lips and skin infections. The good news is that there are ways to treat it.
The cause of dripping is usually a dental problem, such as cavities or gum disease.
But if a dentist has investigated and found no problems, that pretty much rules this out.
A dental problem, such as cavities or gum disease, is often the cause of the drip.
Acid reflux can also cause excessive salivation. The heartburn medication omeprazole should combat this, but it may not be effective in controlling the problem, so it might be worth speaking to a GP about changing medication.
Drooling can sometimes be caused by a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis, although it would usually be accompanied by other symptoms, such as tremors, fatigue and loss of balance.
One option for a patient with this problem would be to consult a speech and language therapist, who may be able to identify a problem with the swallowing muscles that could be causing the drooling.
They should also be able to offer exercises that help relieve symptoms. A GP can refer patients to one of these specialists.
There are also medications that help combat excessive salivation. These are typically used to treat patients who have excess saliva, but there is no reason why someone with salivation problems cannot try them as well.
Again, a GP should be able to prescribe these treatments.
I have a small lump just below my shoulder that hurts several times a day. I have been putting off going to the doctor because I don’t want to have unnecessary tests done. What should I do?
Dr. Ellie answers: Anything that causes daily bouts of pain should be examined by a doctor. Even if the underlying cause is not life-threatening, there is no reason anyone should have to endure this level of suffering.
Since lumps can be a sign of cancer, they should always be examined by a primary care physician.
However, cancerous lumps tend to change shape or grow over time. If one has been present for several years without changing, it is unlikely to be cancer.
A more common cause of skin lumps would be a cyst (a sac of fluid) or lipoma (a collection of fat) that forms under the skin. The NHS would not usually remove a non-cancerous growth. But if it is causing pain, surgery may be an option.
The investigation of a lump can be done with a simple and painless ultrasound.
Generally, a GP can refer you to a specialist and the wait should not be too long. In exceptional cases, a sample can be taken with a needle.
In the meantime, it is worth discussing pain relief options with a GP or pharmacist.
I suffer from restless legs syndrome. I take ropinirole and pramipexole, but they don’t seem to help. Can you suggest any other treatments?
Dr. Ellie answers: Restless legs syndrome is a difficult condition to treat because doctors don’t fully understand it.
Those affected feel the need to move their legs, usually in the evening and at night. They may also have a tingling sensation or cramps.
There is some evidence that it may be related to iron deficiency, but this is not true for all patients.
We know that smoking, alcohol and caffeine make things worse, so it’s important to limit your intake of these substances.
Exercise also seems to help reduce symptoms, so I often recommend that patients go for a walk and do leg stretches once a day.
An increasing number of medications are being prescribed to treat restless legs syndrome, including pramipexole and ropinirole, originally Parkinson’s drugs, which help combat the tremors experienced by patients.
Research also suggests that the painkillers gabapentin and pregabalin help reduce the severity of symptoms.
Often the most difficult part of living with this uncomfortable condition is that it leads to a loss of sleep, which is not only distressing but can also cause further health problems.
GPs may prescribe the painkiller codeine to relieve leg pain and improve sleep quality. If patients are already taking the maximum dose, they may need to be referred to a sleep specialist.
Reducing the time we spend on our cellphones can help those suffering from anxiety and depression (photo of the model)
Have you tried getting rid of your phone?
I spend way too much time on my phone, so I decided to put it away during the holidays. I must say that this digital detox was a huge success.
Instead of answering work emails and browsing social media, I focused on enjoying the sea and the sun.
Within a short time I felt a noticeable drop in my anxiety levels and my sleep quality improved.
Of course, in the real world we can’t forget about our phones – they are an integral part of modern life – but I’m concerned that we’re spending too much time glued to screens.
When patients tell me they suffer from anxiety and depression, one of the first things I suggest is reducing the time they spend on their mobile phone.
Do you think you might be addicted to your phone? Have you tried getting rid of it? How did it go? Let me know what you think via the email address below.
Do you have any questions for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
Dr. Cannon is unable to engage in personal correspondence and her responses should be taken in a general context.
