Capsules have stopped my coronary heart flutter so do I nonetheless want them?
I’m energetic, match and wholesome however, in February, I began having a coronary heart flutter – and was recognized with atrial fibrillation. Since then I’ve been on blood-thinning tablets. Weirdly, my pulse appears to have returned to regular. Shall I cease therapy?
Atrial fibrillation, also referred to as AF, is a standard heart-rhythm drawback wherein the beating sample turns into very quick and irregular. There are a number of several types of the situation.
One, referred to as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, options sporadic durations of irregular heartbeats which final only a few days – however maintain recurring. There’s additionally what’s generally known as steady atrial fibrillation, which by no means goes away with out therapy.
Atrial fibrillation, also referred to as AF, is a standard heart-rhythm drawback wherein the beating sample turns into very quick and irregular. There are a number of several types of the situation. (File picture)
Most individuals with atrial fibrillation even have one other drawback, together with hypertension, a historical past of coronary heart assault or a lifelong coronary heart situation. Some produce other well being issues – like diabetes or a foul an infection.
Consuming a number of caffeine or alcohol additionally will increase the chance of atrial fibrillation.
The situation is critical as a result of the erratic pulsating of the center will increase the chance of life-threatening blood clots and strokes. And those that endure brief bouts of this are simply as more likely to endure these issues as these with steady atrial fibrillation.
Medical doctors deal with the situation by controlling blood strain and stopping clots utilizing blood-thinning remedy – so sufferers ought to undoubtedly maintain taking the tablets.
My 79-year-old spouse has suffered urinary tract infections for the previous two years. Antibiotics have helped ease the discomfort however don’t eliminate the issue. She has HRT patches too, which I’ve learn are supposed to assist with issues like this. Can the rest be carried out?
Urinary tract infections are extremely frequent – particularly in aged folks. However it’s actually necessary that sufferers see a GP in the event that they suppose they’ve an an infection, as a result of there is perhaps different elements which can be inflicting the signs. When sufferers develop a urinary tract an infection, they really feel the necessity to go to the bathroom usually, and endure burning or soreness when urinating.
Typically they discover a robust scent in the bathroom, or that the water they cross is cloudy.
A GP will carry out one thing referred to as a dipstick take a look at to identify the an infection. However there are different, extra detailed assessments which contain sending a pattern off to a lab to search out out precisely which micro organism is the difficulty.
Medical doctors must know the kind of micro organism which can be lurking round so that they know which antibiotics to prescribe. However recurrent signs that appear to be a urinary tract an infection could also be attributable to one thing else. Crucially, it might be an indication of ovarian and different gynaecological cancers.
The bladder sits very near the womb and different organs. An issue with these organs can irritate the bladder, inflicting UTI-like signs. An ultrasound scan of the pelvis space would give a superb indication of potential issues with these organs, in addition to the bladder and kidneys.
Adjustments after the menopause may cause signs much like a UTI, largely as a result of an absence of oestrogen makes the tissues within the intimate space dry and irritated. If the difficulty is recurrent infections, docs might recommend preventative antibiotics.
This entails taking a every day low dose on a long-term foundation, and has been confirmed to be extremely efficient.
Can statins trigger prickly warmth rash? Ever since my husband began taking atorvastatin in September 2019, he’s suffered excessive extreme prickly warmth. It occurs each time we go overseas – nothing soothes it.
Prickly warmth rash is a really uncomfortable response to very popular climates. It’s brought on by extreme sweating: sweat will get trapped within the glands beneath the pores and skin, triggering small, raised, itchy spots. However it’s not to be confused with one other, related situation referred to as polymorphic mild eruption.
This drawback is brought on by the pores and skin’s response to daylight – inflicting an itchy, burning rash.
There are key variations.
Polymorphic mild eruption outcomes from daylight itself fairly than simply warmth. It additionally causes blisters, burning or patches of raised pink or purple spots. The response occurs when victims haven’t been uncovered to daylight in an extended whereas, and signs can worsen in additional daylight.
After some time, the pores and skin of individuals with polymorphic mild eruption turns into proof against the solar – sufferers discover they’ll keep out for longer. However the affected areas of pores and skin can develop into onerous, and these patches will be troublesome to eliminate.
Sufferers can keep away from it by overlaying the areas susceptible to rashes with loose-covering clothes and a superb solar cream. Utilizing an SPF50 solar block with a excessive UV-protection score is necessary. Dermatologists suggest cream, steroid tablets or antihistamines to cease the itchy, burning feeling.
Specialists can also recommend growing your resistance to the solar at house earlier than travelling. This entails being within the sunshine for brief durations each summer time to construct up tolerance.
Medicine together with statins may cause photosensitivity and reactions of the pores and skin within the solar.
This can be the case if the response appeared shortly after the course of medication started – however it may be troublesome to pinpoint a direct set off.
Ditch foolish concepts and get critical, Mr Khan
Earlier this yr London Mayor Sadiq Khan (above) toured California to, amongst different issues, discover if London ought to comply with its lead in legalising hashish
I’m sick of politicians utilizing taxpayers’ cash to fund foolish public well being concepts.
Earlier this yr London Mayor Sadiq Khan toured California to, amongst different issues, discover if London ought to comply with its lead in legalising hashish.
Now he needs to research potential advantages of decriminalising the drug. Final week it was revealed this five-day journey price £35,000. Practically £3,000 of that went on business-class flights.
I may have given him a solution at no cost: no, we shouldn’t legalise hashish. Colleagues are already reporting a rise in younger sufferers struggling psychological well being issues attributable to smoking an excessive amount of dope.
Loads of proof reveals hyperlinks between psychosis and frequent hashish use, and docs in California are warning about an impending disaster in weed-related issues – as detailed in MoS deputy well being editor Eve Simmons’s latest report from LA.
Maybe that £35k may have been invested in recruiting extra docs and nurses, or cracking down on knife crime on London’s streets – critical public well being concepts.
A unclean grill is yucky however protected
Final month I warned of the risks of meals poisoning throughout barbecue season – with instances of meat contamination rife. Now some readers have written to ask me about one other potential threat: soiled grills.
It appears you might be involved that micro organism lurking on the racks may cause related infections. Whereas they could be offputting, soiled grill racks don’t pose the identical threat of meals poisoning as meat that isn’t cooked correctly.
Any micro organism lurking on racks shall be killed off immediately by the new flames. The issue lies with meat contaminated with micro organism that doesn’t get scorching sufficient to destroy the bugs.
Whereas we’re again on the topic, right here’s one other tip: strive to not dip meat – uncooked or cooked – in dips and marinades.
It might probably simply result in a number of bugs making their manner throughout the complete unfold.
Whereas they could be offputting, soiled grill racks don’t pose the identical threat of meals poisoning as meat that isn’t cooked correctly
Supply: | This text initially belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
