Can you recommend a natural sleep regimen? I wake up many times during the night and can’t sleep for at least two hours. I am healthy and healthy he is a 52 year old male.
The unfortunate truth about sleep problems is that often there are no easy solutions. It may take time and patience to arrive at a long-term solution that works.
If people wake up in the middle of the night, doctors first look at obvious factors that interfere with sleep. These include consuming too much caffeine during the day, needing to go to the bathroom at night, and exercising in the evening. It may be too strong.
Sleep environment is also very important. Doctors call this sleep hygiene, but it has nothing to do with cleanliness. Consider factors such as how dark your bedroom is, is it a comfortable temperature, and is it quiet enough.
Most people don’t realize that they tend to sleep better in rooms that are slightly cooler. You can also take a relaxing bath before going to bed.
Make sure you aren’t staring at the screen (phone or TV) right before you drift as it can be irritating.
“I keep waking up in the middle of the night and can’t fall asleep for at least two hours.” (Model posing)
Anxiety and stress are also common causes of insomnia. In this case, sleep problems are unlikely to go away unless the underlying problem is addressed.
There are certain types of psychotherapy recommended for sleep problems. This is called CBT-I and aims to reduce the anxiety of not being able to sleep, which exacerbates the problem.
Therapists also help patients identify and manage the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that contribute to their insomnia. Such advice is available through a local psychological NHS service called IAPT. You should be able to.
As for natural remedies, it may be worth trying over-the-counter medications such as valerian or antihistamines. is also helpful.
Can you solve a very annoying problem? I am a healthy active 76 year old female with no health issues. But recently, I noticed that when I empty my bladder, it smells bad. there is no pain. Fear of going to the toilet in public places.
“I’m a fit, active 76 year old female with no health issues, but recently I’ve noticed that when I empty my bladder it smells bad.” (Photo courtesy of the model)
A smell after flushing is usually a sign of a urinary tract infection.
However, these usually cause other symptoms, such as pain and the need to empty the bladder frequently.
The easiest way to find out if you have an infection is to ask your GP to do a urine test.
More from Dr. Ellie Cannon in The Mail on Sunday…
This may include two tests. First, a dipstick test done at surgery looks for changes in blood cells and urine that suggest the presence of bacteria.
The sample is then sent to a laboratory for secondary testing, specifically looking for bacteria.
Older women may have asymptomatic bacteriuria. Many bacteria start growing in the urinary tract but do not cause infection. This is confirmed in the second test.
A change in urine odor may also result from discharge. This is more likely to occur after menopause due to changes in vulvar tissue.
Certain medications, such as vitamin supplements and penicillin, can also change the smell of urine. Please consult your pharmacist about this.
Being dehydrated can be a factor so you can eat certain foods that contain asparagus.
It’s worth drinking more water and seeing if that fixes the problem.
I recently had Covid and since then I have had excruciating pain in my lower and upper thighs. Is there anything that can speed up my recovery? I am 77 years old.
Viruses are well known to cause a variety of problems, including those that affect muscles. This sounds like reactive myositis – muscle inflammation that occurs after an infection such as Covid.
Typical symptoms include tender muscle weakness and pain. The thigh muscles are often affected, as are the shoulders and hips.
Muscle pain is one of the commonly recognized symptoms due to the prolonged COVID-19.
Experts recommend doing activities such as stretching and yoga to increase flexibility, and strength training to build muscle.
Pace yourself is an important part of recovery. Start with low-level activities and build up gradually.
Myositis occurs as a result of the immune system’s efforts to fight viruses as the body’s fighter cells cause inflammation within the muscles.
It can also present as a chronic autoimmune disease. It may be a coincidence that it happened at the same time as Covid, or the virus may have caused it.
If symptoms persist for months, it may be worth seeing your doctor for blood tests to confirm the diagnosis and look for muscle damage.
Steroid tablets are often used for chronic myositis to reduce inflammation in the body.
Are you one of a growing army of booster deniers?
Have you got your latest Covid booster yet? Everyone over the age of 65 is eligible to receive an extra dose starting in early September to protect against the inevitable winter waves.
Health care workers, pregnant women, and those who are highly vulnerable to Covid can also become infected. But apparently many people in this group still don’t have their own.
Some say they’ve had four or five by now and don’t want to jab anymore, some haven’t even been invited.
Have you got your latest Covid booster yet?
That’s not a good sign, given the rest of the over-50s who will be called up in the coming weeks.
With the double whammy of Covid and flu expected to weigh on the NHS this winter, further increased protection is crucial. I was duly boosted – and all it cost me was a few days of minor arm pain.
I would like to know if you already have the booster. If not, why? write and tell me
Cheap drugs miss targets
Are you familiar with the drug Humira? or adalimumab, using its generic name.
It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs and is used to treat conditions involving the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis and bowel disease.
But Humira is branded and tearfully expensive, so since 2018, the health service has been offering patients cheaper generic versions of the drug called biosimilars.
However, I have heard that some patients find the cheaper version less effective. I’ve been told I can’t and I’m in a lot of pain.
I would like to know how you turned it on. Please write and tell me.
