DR ELLIE CANNON: Is there a natural remedy to tackle my dreadful insomnia?

Are you able to advocate any pure sleep cures? I maintain waking up in the course of the night time and might’t get again to sleep for at the very least two hours. I’m a wholesome and match 52 yr previous male.

The unhappy fact about sleep issues is that there’s usually no straightforward resolution. It could take time and endurance to provide you with a long-term resolution that works.

If a affected person wakes up in the course of the night time, docs will first have a look at apparent components which are disrupting sleep. This contains an excessive amount of caffeine in the course of the day, needing to go to the toilet at night time, and exercising at night time. Bodily exercise will help you sleep, however it may be too stimulating should you do it proper earlier than mattress.

The sleeping setting can also be crucial. Docs name it sleep hygiene – though it has nothing to do with cleanliness. This entails contemplating components equivalent to how darkish the room is, whether or not the temperature is comfy, and whether or not it’s quiet sufficient.

Most individuals do not realize that we are inclined to sleep higher in a barely cooler room. An eye fixed masks and earplugs can even assist, or take a soothing bathtub earlier than mattress.

Be sure to do not stare at screens (telephones or TVs) simply earlier than you fall asleep, as it may be stimulating.

Anxiousness and stress are additionally widespread causes of insomnia. If that’s the case, the sleep disturbance is unlikely to resolve itself except the underlying downside is resolved.

There’s a particular kind of psychological remedy advisable for sleep issues. It is known as CBT-I and goals to scale back the anxiousness of not having the ability to go to sleep, which makes the issue worse.

A therapist can even assist sufferers establish ideas, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to insomnia and handle them. This recommendation must be accessible by way of native NHS psychological providers, known as IAPT.

As for pure cures, it might be price attempting an over-the-counter medicine — like valerian — or an antihistamine. These should not usually advisable for sleep points, however some individuals discover them useful. Massages and rest remedies can even assist.

Are you able to assist with a really embarrassing downside? I’m a match and energetic 76 yr previous feminine with no well being points. However not too long ago, I observed an disagreeable scent after I empty my bladder. There isn’t any ache. I’m afraid to go to the bathroom in a public place.

“I’m a match and energetic 76 yr previous feminine with no well being points. However not too long ago I observed an disagreeable scent after I empty my bladder’ (photograph posed by mannequin)

An odor after passing water is normally a telltale signal of a urinary tract an infection.

Nevertheless, these usually trigger different signs, together with ache and the necessity to empty the bladder fairly often.

The best solution to discover out whether it is an an infection is to ask the GP’s workplace to do a urine take a look at.

This might contain two exams. First, a dipstick take a look at, carried out within the surgical procedure, which seems for blood cells and modifications within the urine suggesting the presence of micro organism.

Then, a secondary take a look at during which the pattern is shipped to the laboratory to look particularly for micro organism.

Older girls could have asymptomatic bacteriuria: many micro organism start to develop within the urinary tract however don’t trigger an infection. This is able to be confirmed with the second take a look at.

Modifications within the scent of urine may also be attributable to vaginal discharge. That is extra more likely to occur after menopause, attributable to modifications within the vulvar tissues.

Sure drugs, equivalent to vitamin dietary supplements or penicillin, can even alter the scent of urine – ask your pharmacist.

Dehydration is usually a issue, as can consuming sure meals, together with asparagus.

It is price consuming extra water and seeing if that fixes the issue.

I had Covid not too long ago and since then I’ve had excruciating ache in my decrease and higher thighs. The ache and spasms have subsided, however I nonetheless need to take painkillers day by day to manage. Is there something that may pace up my restoration? I’m 77 years previous.

Viruses are well-known for triggering a variety of issues, together with these affecting the muscle mass. It seems like reactive myositis – irritation of the muscle mass that develops after an an infection equivalent to Covid.

Typical signs embody weak, sore muscle mass which are tender. The thigh muscle mass are sometimes affected, as are the shoulders or hips.

Muscle aches are probably the most generally acknowledged signs of lengthy Covid.

Specialists advocate actions like stretching and yoga to enhance flexibility, in addition to energy work to construct muscle.

Rhythm is a crucial a part of restoration. Begin at a low stage of exercise, then steadily enhance.

Myositis happens because of the immune system’s effort to combat off the virus, because the physique’s combating cells set off irritation within the muscle mass.

It could additionally develop as a power autoimmune illness. It might be coincidence that it occurred concurrently Covid, or the virus could have triggered it.

If signs have persevered for months, it might be price asking your GP for blood exams to verify the prognosis and test for muscle harm.

Steroid tablets are sometimes used for the power kind of myositis, to scale back irritation within the physique.

Are you a part of the rising military of recall refuseniks?

Have you ever had your final Covid reminder but? Anybody over the age of 65 has been entitled for the reason that starting of September to an extra dose to guard themselves from the inevitable winter wave.

Well being care staff, pregnant girls and people who find themselves very susceptible to Covid can even have one. However apparently lots of people on this group haven’t got theirs but.

I heard some say they did not need one other jab, having already had 4 or 5, and a few weren’t even invited.

Have you ever had your final Covid reminder but?

This does not bode properly, provided that we now have the remainder of the 50+ to go, who can be known as upon within the weeks to come back.

The additional increase in safety is essential, with a double whammy of Covid and flu set to hit the NHS this winter. I am formally boosted – and all it price me was a barely sore arm for a number of days.

I need to know should you’ve had your recall but. and if not, why not? Write and inform me.

Low cost medicine miss their mark

Are you aware the drugs Humira? Or adalimumab, to make use of its generic title.

It is among the mostly prescribed drugs and is used to deal with circumstances involving the immune system, equivalent to rheumatoid arthritis and bowel illness.

However Humira is branded, which makes it extraordinarily costly, so since 2018 the well being service has been providing sufferers generic, cheaper variations of the drug, known as biosimilars.

However I’ve heard that some sufferers discover the cheaper variations much less efficient. A buddy, a person in his 50s who suffers from extreme arthritis, was informed he could not return to Humira as a result of it was too costly, which brought about him horrible ache.

I need to know the way you are doing with the swap. Please write and inform me.