NONE of us wants to feel like a burden, whether on our family, our friends or the NHS.
So I do understand why so many readers write in to say they don’t like to bother their GP or pharmacist, or waste anyone’s time.
NHS GP Dr Zoe Williams answers health questions sent in by readersThe Sun
But if you are concerned about a new or existing health issue, please listen to your body and speak to a medical professional.
We would far rather you get checked out than suffer silently!
And while the NHS is under pressure, as I explain below, it is open and here for you.
Here’s what you asked me this week . . .
Q) I READ your answer concerning the person with the nasty rash on their arm (Sun Health, Aug 1).
It’s unacceptable they should be waiting over three months to see a GP, who should refer them to a dermatology clinic.
In this case, do you not feel you should have advised them to go to A&E?
A) A&E stands for accident and emergency, neither of which applied to the reader who wrote to me about the ten-week history of a rash on their arm.
While I share your sentiment that a three-month wait to see a GP is too long, going to A&E instead puts added pressure on a strained emergency service, and that means people who are in severe pain, very unwell or have an injury or other emergency must wait longer.
I attended A&E last week myself, as I had an eye emergency which caused me blurred vision and a lot of pain.
I was extremely grateful to be in and out of there in under four hours and received wonderful treatment, and I’m relieved to say the issue has now been resolved.
But the advanced nurse practitioner who looked after me explained that had it been the day before, I would have waited at least eight hours to be treated.
More suitable options for the person with the arm rash would be to get pharmacist advice, visit a walk-in centre, try an e-consult with their GP or, failing all that, contact NHS 111 for guidance.
General practice is in crisis, as we have a severe lack of GPs in the system and are losing doctors due to poor working conditions, or they’re working fewer hours in order to maintain their own mental health and prevent burnout.
A day in the life of a GP is very different from how it was when I qualified more than a decade ago.
We need solutions to support the GP system, but I don’t see any imminent change, sadly.
Q) I HAD pain in my stomach and back almost five weeks ago which made me vomit so much, my daughter called 111.
A nurse advised me to go to A&E, where I was given anti- sickness meds and a CT scan.
Apart from a blood infection, they found nothing on the scan, so they sent me home.
Since then I’ve been back and forward to my GP with pain in my back and lower right side.
Urine tests show blood, sugar and bacteria.
I’ve had three lots of antibiotics and been diagnosed with renal colic or a kidney stone.
Last time I rang for an appointment I was told to go to A&E, as there’s nothing they can do for me apart from giving me more Oramorph painkillers.
I’m not happy about taking it, but sometimes the pain is so bad I have no choice.
I’m on a lot of pain medication as I’m waiting for double knee replacements.
I’m also worried because I’ve lost 3st this year without trying.
Do you think it’s renal colic or a kidney stone? And how long do you think the pain will last?
A) I’m so glad you’ve written in.
All too often people like you think they’re being difficult or asking too much when the NHS was set up to care for everyone equally.
You definitely need a clear diagnosis and it sounds as though this will likely warrant specialist referral and further investigation if the CT scan did not see a stone.
Renal colic is when a stone from the kidney gets stuck in the ureter — the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.
The main symptom of this is usually severe pain that comes in waves of severity, often with nausea.
Occasionally, kidney stones can be missed on a CT scan. Studies have found that scans can correctly identify stones more than 95 per cent of the time, and confirm that no stones are present more than 98 per cent of the time.
An ultrasound scan can also identify kidney stones, and your GP should be able to refer you for this. Your weight loss strikes me as a concern though — 3st is a lot of weight to lose without trying.
If it’s been five weeks since your last blood tests, these should be repeated — it’s important to get your symptoms diagnosed.
Please update your GP that you are no better.
Why not write exactly what you wrote to me in an email or an e-consult?
If you get another attack of severe pain, it is absolutely appropriate to go to A&E.
Please keep pursuing a diagnosis, treatment and tests, and tell me how you get on.
And if you need any more advice or help, please do get in touch again.
A lazy bowel needs action
Q) I HAVE terrible trouble with my stomach, bowels and a hernia.
I am 65 and have had bowel problems for years.
I have bloating, which makes me feel really poorly.
I am waiting on a hernia operation, have been doing enemas, taking Laxido and other laxatives.
When they work, I can’t leave the house as I can’t get off the loo, and I feel really weak and ill.
A consultant told me I have a very lazy bowel, but gave no treatment or explanation. Please can you help me?
A) While you’re medicating with over-the-counter laxatives, perhaps you haven’t had a clear explanation of what else you can do to help.
We do know people with bowel issues can benefit from a specific focus on physical activity, hydration and fibre.
Exercise might be the last thing you want to do, but the science behind it is sound.
The digestive system is made up in part from the large and small intestine.
The combined length of these is around 15 feet.
Food has to travel through these tubes, which are coiled and folded, using a process that pushes it through the bowel.
This may not be as effective in some as it is in others, but when you stand up, stretch or wriggle on the spot, it moves your intestines around and really aids movement of the food, then poo, through the digestive tract.
This explains why exercise is so good at aiding gut function.
So try moving around for a few minutes several times a day, and drinking lots of water and eating fibre will help too.