For the previous week or so I’ve had a relentless muscle twitch on the underside of my proper thigh, which is most noticeable when I’m at relaxation. My stress ranges are excessive, as my spouse has been very poorly. Additionally, I take a drug referred to as allopurinol for my gout. Might both of those be the trigger?
WE all get unusual muscle twitches once in a while – mostly affecting the eyelid after we are drained. These usually happen on and off for a number of hours, and whereas annoying, typically aren’t something to fret about.
Twitches within the legs are widespread too. A rule of thumb could be to not fear in the event that they final lower than two weeks and usually are not related to another signs, for instance ache, weak spot or numbness.
At present’s reader is looking for recommendation having developed a muscle twitch since he began caring for his spouse who’s unwell. The reader fears the twitch may be a response to his gout remedy
Some sufferers do certainly discover they’re linked to tiredness, stress and nervousness. Excessive intakes of caffeine or alcohol additionally appear to be an element – these substances have an effect on the nervous system, and one outcome will be little twitches and shakes.
Within the first week of an ongoing twitch, I might advise relaxation and rest in addition to stretching for the hamstrings if the again of the thigh is affected. A therapeutic massage may also assist.
Sure medicines, together with some blood stress drugs, may cause twitching, though it’s not considered a aspect impact of allopurinol. If the issue persists, a GP might suggest electrophysiology checks, to take a look at the operate of the nerves and muscle tissues.
Uncommon situations inflicting muscle twitches embody dystonias, a bunch of movement-related issues which characteristic cramps, spasms, tremors and twisting.
A really uncommon trigger is motor neurone illness, though this might normally be accompanied with different signs early on, similar to leg weak spot or cramps.
My physician has identified my bowel issues as bile acid malabsorption, however didn’t actually clarify what it means or whether or not there are particular meals I ought to keep away from. Are you able to assist?
Bile acid malabsorption is a situation that happens when your intestines can’t take up bile salts correctly. These salts digest fats from meals and are launched from the gall bladder into the bowel, earlier than being absorbed again into the physique additional alongside the intestine.
Extra from Dr Ellie Cannon for The Mail on Sunday…
If this intestine space is broken, or not functioning correctly, the bile salts can find yourself within the colon, the final a part of the bowel the place faeces are shaped. This attracts extra water into the decrease bowel, leading to diarrhoea.
It’s typically mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome.
Bile acid malabsorption is normally identified by a gastroenterologist. It may be brought on by bowel surgical procedure, Crohn’s illness, coeliac illness or bacterial overgrowth within the gut – a situation the place the small gut turns into colonised with dangerous micro organism.
However for some folks, there’s merely no apparent trigger.
A strict low-fat weight-reduction plan may help, however ought to solely be undertaken with recommendation from a professional dietician. This type of weight-reduction plan is just not advisable for anyone with a historical past of weight reduction, or low physique weight, as fats is a vital supply of power.
A specialist dietician can also suggest switching to meals or dietary supplements containing fat referred to as medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs.
These fat, usually present in meals similar to cow’s milk or coconut oil, assist as they don’t want bile salts to be digested, probably averting the issue. Medicines to cease the bile acid irritating the intestines are normally taken as powder or tablets however you could want to remain on them for all times.
My husband has been having annual screening for his belly aortic aneurysm, however his final one was cancelled because of Covid. Ought to I be anxious by the delay?
belly aortic aneurysm is a probably deadly downside the place the principle artery of the physique, the aorta, varieties a bulge the place there’s a weak spot within the artery wall.
If this ruptures, it’s virtually at all times deadly. The issue is there are hardly ever any warning indicators that it’s about to.
For causes which stay unclear, it impacts 4 occasions as many males as ladies, killing about 6,000 males a yr within the UK. In 2009, the Authorities arrange a screening programme to measure the aorta in all males as soon as they flip 65.
Screening is carried out with an ultrasound of the stomach, and in males who’re discovered to have an aorta lower than 3cm in diameter (simply over an inch), no additional screening is obtainable.
Whether it is above 3cm however lower than 4.4cm (about an 1.5in), this can be a small aneurysm and common screening can be supplied – normally yearly – to observe for swelling.
If somebody is normally screened yearly, it means they could possibly be in danger, so ongoing screening is absolutely necessary. I might suggest contacting the native service (search on-line for NHS AAA screening programme) and see when it’s now due. If it’s more likely to be a really lengthy delay, converse to a GP about arranging a scan.
No extra doomscrolling for me!
In direction of the tip of final yr, I discovered I used to be spending an excessive amount of time on social media. I had turn into the final word ‘doomscroller’, continually looking for information about Covid.
In my thoughts, I used to be doing it to unwind, however in reality it was having the alternative impact. So sufficient was sufficient. With the assistance of my teenage youngsters, I arrange an app on my cell – referred to as Display Time – which measures how lengthy you spend doing particular issues.
I’ve advised it notably to restrict my time on Twitter. It turns the Twitter app off after an hour of whole use, which I believed was beneficiant. Think about my shock when on New 12 months’s Day, Twitter stop mid-morning.
I dread to suppose what number of hours I spent in 2021 studying depressing information. Right here’s hoping for a extra enjoyable, constructive and productive 2022.
So Novak… which of those exemptions applies to you?
I can’t consider a single motive that may exempt tennis star Novak Djokovic , or anybody else, from being vaccinated towards Covid.
Uncommon allergy symptoms might imply somebody can’t have a Pfizer jab, however they might have an AstraZeneca one as an alternative. A historical past of blood clots might cease somebody having an AstraZeneca vaccine, to allow them to have a Moderna one.
I can’t consider a single motive that may exempt tennis star Novak Djokovic , or anybody else, from being vaccinated towards Covid
In case you are because of endure mind surgical procedure, you is perhaps suggested to postpone having a jab, simply in case you endure a response which may complicate your remedy. In case you are having sure most cancers remedies, you could want to attend, as some most cancers medicine could make the jab much less efficient. If you happen to’ve had Covid, you need to wait a month earlier than having the shot.
We give these vaccines to people who find themselves dwelling with extraordinarily complicated well being issues and people who are extremely frail, and it’s been a lifesaver to them.
Those that insist it’s their proper to not get vaccinated have the luxurious of doing so. What they received’t have the luxurious of is journey to nations the place vaccination is a requirement for entry.