DR ELLIE CANNON: Why am I so cold, even when I’m inside with the heat on?

My body freezes all the time. I’ll be sitting in my living room with the central heating on and get pangs of cold. 

It’s stopping me leaving the house, as I can wear two thick coats and still be shivering. Are you having trouble with your body?

A doctor should be consulted if there is a significant change in your body.

My first thought would be whether there was a problem with the thyroid gland – a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck that’s responsible for regulating the metabolism.

Thyroid problems can cause temperature changes. 

If it becomes underactive – producing less of the hormones it usually produces – you will start to feel the cold much more so than before.

These symptoms can be sudden and include tiredness, weight gain, bowel habits changes and concentration issues.

A blood test can be arranged by a GP to diagnose thyroid disease. The feeling of the cold could also be caused by anaemia (if the blood doesn’t have enough red cells).

These symptoms are often caused by a low iron intake or a loss of blood volume during menstruation. This can also be diagnosed by blood tests done with a GP.

A doctor should be consulted if there is a significant change in your body. [File photograph]

You could also get a cold from medications such as blood-thinners or beta-blockers, or significant weight loss. 

People suffering from anorexia often feel cold and irritable due to the lack of body fat.

There are certain blood-vessel conditions that are linked to extreme cold, such as Raynaud’s disease or peripheral artery disease, but this tends to be a specific feeling of cold and numbness in the fingers and toes

Recently, I visited my GP because I noticed four bumps just above my ear. My GP said they were age-related – I’m 77 – and harmless. 

But my barber still seems concerned. They could be removed.

It is wise to be suspicious of lumps and often it’s our barbers or beauticians who notice them first. 

Most common lumps found on scalps are skin cysts or sebaceous cysts. 

These occur when fluid builds up in a small pocket beneath the skin – when the process of skin-shedding and renewal doesn’t happen as it should in a small area, leading to dead skin cells and oils accumulating.

It is vital, though, that a doctor has seen the lumps – this could simply be via a good-quality photo – and diagnosed them properly, as skin cancer has to be ruled out

It’s thought almost everyone has at least one at some point. 

They are usually harmless and do not cause any problems so we recommend that you leave them. They will often go away on their own.

A GP may refer them for removal if they become very noticeable, uncomfortable or large. 

A small cut will be made at the top of each cyst. The contents are then removed under local anaesthesia. You may experience a slight scarring.

The cause of lumps on scalps other than cysts is senile Keratosis. 

These lumps are rough and can be found in any person. They are common enough that almost everyone over 60 has at least one.

It is vital, though, that a doctor has seen them – this could simply be via a good-quality photo – and diagnosed them properly, as skin cancer has to be ruled out.

My 5-year-old granddaughter has trouble using the bathroom. 

As I watch her cry, it is clear that she has a tendency to strain for quite a while. Do her parents feed her poor food habits?

Children are more likely to experience constipation than adults. 

These are all causes. 

This problem could run in the family, suggesting that there may be an genetic component.

The condition affects as many as a third to three-quarters of all primary-school-age children.

Constipation can sometimes be caused by underlying medical conditions. If constipation is persistent and lasts a while, it’s worth talking to your doctor.

A minimum of one litre should be consumed by children of this age, along with a little more liquid each day, including water. [Stock image]

There are many good food options, including fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals high in fibre, and other healthy foods.

A minimum of one litre should be consumed by children of this age, along with a little more liquid each day, including water. 

For a period of time, a doctor may prescribe a macrogol or a similar laxative to aid in establishing a routine and relearning comfortable habits. 

It’s important that a child learns to be comfortable and at ease with going to the toilet, which is why improving quickly is crucial.

There is an excellent children’s bowel and bladder charity called ERIC that offers advice to families with bowel difficulties, including constipation.

A wall chart that can be used to mark every child’s trip to the loo and rewards such as praise or stickers may prove helpful for five year-olds.

You had two jabs. Still needing a booster 

A few people have asked me whether they need a booster if they’ve been double-jabbed and then caught Covid.

Well, it’s true to say that people in this situation have been ‘boosted’ by contracting the virus. 

Two doses plus the infection may give you greater immunity than one.

But we don’t know how long that immunity lasts, and we don’t know if that is superior to the immunity from three doses (the first two, plus a booster).

Research suggests that two doses plus the infection of vaccines give superior immunity to either one or both.

Basically, there are so many question marks about this right now that it’s safest just to get the booster.

Some might suffer side effects, as with the initial doses, but unlike Covid, they’re pretty harmless.

If you’re in line for a booster, it’s because Covid poses more of a risk to you, so do the sensible thing. Take the shot!

Talk is good, but it’s better to take pills.

The addition of a line of guidance to the guidelines for treatment depression was the subject of much discussion last week.

Doctors are now advised to offer non-drug treatment options, including talking therapy and meditation, prior to prescribing antidepressants. This is because of the potential for withdrawal symptoms and side effects.

This practice isn’t new. All doctors I know aim to achieve this. 

Doctors are now advised to offer non-drug treatment options, including talking therapy and meditation, prior to prescribing antidepressants. This is because of the potential for withdrawal symptoms and side effects.

In cases where we don’t, it’s not because we can’t be bothered to offer other treatments, it’s because no other treatments are available.

Demand for psychological therapy is at an all-time high and there isn’t enough to go round – a quarter of patients are waiting more than three months for a first therapy appointment, according to the most recent NHS figures.

Patients can take antidepressants to help them cope during a crisis or while waiting for the right spot.

I was, however, pleased to see an important stipulation in the new guidance – doctors have to honour patients’ choices, including a preference for medication over therapy.

For many, this is true. Antidepressants are not always the best option, but they can be very helpful. Many times, antidepressants can be lifesaving.