WE can all really feel embarrassed typically, however one place the place you actually by no means have to really feel awkward is in entrance of your GP.
After all, that is simpler mentioned than completed when you find yourself anxious about one thing, particularly a drawback affecting an intimate physique half.
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However I need you to know that we GPs aren’t squeamish.
We’re used to seeing our bodies of all styles and sizes.
In case you are anxious about seeing your GP, you possibly can all the time particularly ask for a male or feminine practitioner – whichever you are feeling most snug talking to – and surgical procedures will do their greatest to accommodate this.
You may as well take somebody together with you to the appointment, or request a chaperone.
No matter you do, please don’t let embarrassment get in the way in which of looking for assist.
Listed below are among the questions readers requested me this week . . .
Q) I AM 76 and a widow for the final 18 months. I’m on Calceos and alendronic acid. I endure horrible wind as I stroll or transfer and it may possibly occur at any time.
I get a whole lot of train strolling the canine twice a day, gardening and I’m all the time on the go. I’ve all the time eaten loads of fruit and veg and I don’t drink fizzy drinks.
After wanting on-line, I’ve stopped chewing gum. I’ve swapped Fruit & Fibre for 2 boiled eggs for breakfast.
I’ve given up greens, onions and such like. I ended consuming beef stew and soup and something with a number of veg.
I don’t know what else to do as I’ve all the time eaten healthily. I’ve even tried not consuming earlier than I am going anyplace. I’ve taken Alka-Seltzer, settlers and such like.
The physician gave me omeprazole and Busco-pan which have completed no good. I’ve additionally completed blood exams, and a stool pattern was all clear.
I ponder if you happen to can throw a lightweight on this as now I keep away from going anyplace in case I’m proven up.
A) It’s all the time beautiful to listen to from people who find themselves so clued up in their very own well being. You might have taken a whole lot of constructive steps, completed your individual analysis and obtained your GP on board early too.
Nevertheless, I’d advise you to reintroduce the greens now, particularly as a trial of lowering them has not helped.
I perceive why you tried a low fibre weight loss program, as typically dieticians will advocate this in sufferers with irritable bowel syndrome, however that is often solely advisable when the IBS prognosis is confirmed and there may be dietician assist as a result of fibre is so essential for therefore many facets of well being.
So, what’s the subsequent plan together with your GP now they’ve dominated out something regarding with blood and stool exams?
They might take a look at potential side-effects of your medicine.
Alendronic acid and omeprazole can each trigger flatulence, so it’s value chatting to your GP to see in the event that they assume it will be alright to have a trial interval with out these, to see in the event that they may be contributing to the issue.
Have you ever tried lowering your meal sizes however rising the frequency? This can assist with wind.
Consuming slowly and totally chewing your meals can assist with digestion too, as can peppermint tea or peppermint oil capsules.
Fizzy drinks and chewing gum are each methods through which individuals swallow air with out realising — resulting in wind — however it’s doable you’re swallowing air whilst you’re sleeping too, which is troublesome to keep away from. It’s value remembering it’s not unusual to cross wind round 15 occasions a day.
I’d encourage you to proceed exploring the difficulty together with your GP although.
You’re nonetheless very just lately widowed and it’s essential you don’t let your social circle cut back in dimension — your psychological well being is significant. Please proceed to pursue an answer and communicate to let me understand how you get on.
Q) I’VE been having a number of urine infections and itchiness inside my urethra.
Now my foreskin has retreated inside and I’m unable to tug it again.
I’ve had antibiotics and cream however nonetheless nothing works.
A) Thanks for writing in. I see sufferers in clinic who’ve let genital points worsen as a result of they’re embarrassed, however medical doctors will not be phased by it.
You sound like you possibly can have phimosis, which is the lack to retract the foreskin across the head of the penis.
An infection, irritation and a situation known as lichen sclerosus are all doable causes of those signs.
It is very important replace your GP concerning the foreskin changing into caught, as this could probably immediate a referral to a specialist.
It’s additionally essential to ship a urine pattern and do exams for STIs too.
Massive prostate an issue?
Q) I HAVE a benign, considerably enlarged prostate.
I’ve a PSA blood take a look at each six months and the outcomes differ, which I’m informed is to be anticipated.
Final yr I additionally had an MRI scan.
My urologist says if the readings rise on the subsequent blood take a look at in October, I ought to have one other scan and possibly a biopsy.
My query is, is it inevitable that in the end it will change into malignant? And in addition, is there something I can do to forestall this?
A) Benign prostatic hypertrophy, also referred to as hyperplasia, is quite common, and prevalence will increase with age. It’s estimated that it could have an effect on three in 4 males of their sixties.
BPH doesn’t grow to be most cancers, however you possibly can have an enlarged prostate similtaneously having areas within the prostate gland that comprise most cancers cells.
When a PSA (prostate particular antigen) blood take a look at is raised, this may very well be resulting from BPH or prostate most cancers (or each), or it may very well be brought on by irritation or an infection.
An elevated PSA consequence often results in both lively surveillance or additional investigations (MRI and/or biopsies of the prostate gland).
The primary danger elements for getting prostate most cancers are age and genetics, however a nutritious diet and common train may assist decrease your danger of being identified with superior or aggressive prostate most cancers.
Your urologist appears like they’re doing every part they need to do and having BPH doesn’t imply you usually tend to get prostate most cancers, so attempt to not fear.
