When I was lifting things at work, two years ago I injured my sciatic nerve. After I returned from work, the same thing happened again. The same leg became swollen in the heat. Nobody seems to understand why.
I’m 73 and until this happened was fit and healthy. It was not a major problem. However, it made me stop working. While I love walking, I am unable to walk long distances.
Janet Middleton, Dawlish, Devon.
Many readers are familiar with sciatica, which is pain radiating from one end of the leg to the other. It’s caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, which is responsible for supplying the sense of feeling and movement to the legs.
Sciatica, which can occur in many cases, is caused by a slip disc. The jelly-like, soft substance within the disc bursts and presses onto the nerve.
But while it might seem logical that the chronic pain in your right leg is somehow linked with the swelling in that leg on your holiday, I suspect it was the flight itself that was the problem — specifically, the immobility posed by the flight. (I’m assuming you flew to your destination, as you explain in your longer letter you travelled to somewhere ‘warm’.)
Long periods of sitting still can increase your risk for developing deep vein thrombosis, which is when blood clots form in deeper veins.
![While it might seem logical that the chronic pain in your right leg is somehow linked with the swelling in that leg on your holiday, I suspect it was the flight itself that was the problem. A stock image is used above [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/13/22/51748597-10305771-image-m-2_1639436081835.jpg)
It might make sense that your chronic right-leg pain could have been caused by the swelling of your leg from your holiday. However, my suspicion is that it was your flight. The above image was taken from a stock photograph [File photo]
The blood flow in these veins is slower than in the arteries (where it’s more rapid because of the force of the contractions pushing it out from the heart).
When you’re immobile, it reduces this already slow blood flow, causing clots to form in some people. People most at-risk include the elderly and smokers.
Sometimes, symptoms are not apparent, but swelling is the main sign.
It is possible for the clot (or parts thereof) to break free and travel to and from the heart.
This swelling can be checked with an ultrasound scan on your leg. But, two years on, this won’t be of use in your case.

I suspect it was the flight itself that was the problem — specifically, the immobility posed by the flight. (I’m assuming you flew to your destination, as you explain in your longer letter you travelled to somewhere ‘warm’.)
These two issues, DVT and sciatica, could possibly be why you are still having difficulty walking long distances. If you’re planning any more long flights (those of less than four hours are said to be less risky for a DVT), it’s important to avoid becoming dehydrated, as this ‘thickens’ the blood.
Also, you should wear full-length, well-fitted compression socks. They should not be too tight that they exert pressure on both your legs. This will help to maintain a healthy blood flow.
This is something a competent chemist could advise. During the flight, ensure you get up at least once an hour.
Blood thinners — such as heparin — are usually prescribed to those with a DVT before travelling.
If you experience the same symptoms again, it is important to schedule a scan via your GP as quickly as possible.
Following breast cancer surgery I am on Arimidex. My hair is starting to fall out. Are there any ways to get my hair back?
Zeyna Ansari, via email.
Arimidex, a therapy for hormone receptor positive breast cancer is prescribed to women who are postmenopausal. This therapy works by suppressing the oestrogen.
The medication, usually in the form of a tablet and prescribed for five year after another treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. surgery, radiotherapy or sometimes chemotherapy) and common side-effects are similar to symptoms of the menopause — hot flushes, sleep disturbance, low energy and sometimes mood changes.
As the medication suppresses oestrogen, it can also cause hair thinning, as women’s hair health (like other tissues) depends on it.
Suppressing oestrogen means a woman’s natural androgen (a hormone that plays a role in male traits and is produced in the adrenal glands and ovaries) becomes dominant, causing an effect that mimics male pattern hair loss.
Two options are available to you: nutritional supplements or topical medications
The first supplement to try is vitamin C, which lab studies have suggested can reduce the effect of androgen on hair follicles (it’s thought to have a protective role in breast cancer, coronary artery disease and osteoporosis, too).
Both omega-3 and 6 fatty acids were also shown to increase hair growth. It could be because they have anti-inflammatory or cell-protective properties on the scalp tissue.
A 5-alpha reductase inhibit (e.g. finasteride, dutasteride) is another option. It can be applied to the skin as a lotion.
These drugs block male hormones from acting on hair follicles.
Hims Topical Finasteride With Minoxidil is another topical product that blocks the effects of androgens upon hair follicles. It may be the best because of its dual-pronged effect.
Speak to Dr Scurr
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