IT may feel too early to talk about hay fever, but it is actually the perfect time.
To avoid getting floored by symptoms as soon as the pollen count ticks up, prepare now.
2
Around 49 per cent of people suffer symptoms, according to Allergy UK, and the majority of those are allergic to grass pollen.
The grass pollen season starts from mid-May, with a first peak in early June, the Met Office says.
Some people may have already had hay fever due to tree pollen, which is typically around from late March to mid-May.
It’s recommended to start taking antihistamines early, because they can take up to a month to reach full effectiveness.
There are two main types, and a pharmacist can help you choose the best for you: Drowsy, which may be suitable for night-time sufferers, and non-drowsy, better for daytime use.
Check for own-brand antihistamines too, as these are cheaper than branded versions but work out just the same.
Meanwhile, here’s some of what readers asked me this week . . .
I HAVE A WEE PROBLEM
Q: I AM a 48-year-old male and I am seeking advice regarding ongoing bladder issues.
Since my twenties, I have struggled with continence problems.
In my clubbing days, I would often find myself spending more time in the toilets than on the dancefloor, needing to urinate frequently after just a few drinks.
Although it was embarrassing back then, it has become more concerning as I’ve grown older.
Over the last few years, I have noticed that I am waking up two–four times a night to urinate.
On some occasions, I have even woken up to find I have wet myself, which is quite distressing.
I don’t drink a large amount of fluids overall – I rarely feel thirsty – although I do tend to drink cola during the day.
I also often feel very tired, which may be related to the frequent night-time awakenings.
I would like to increase my water intake to improve my overall health, but I am worried that it would make the frequent urination even worse.
Additionally, when attending events like the theatre, I have to be careful to use the toilet beforehand, as I often feel a sudden need to urinate once I stand up.
I am not currently taking any medications.
I would appreciate any advice, investigations or treatments that might help improve my symptoms.
A: Have you ever been to a doctor to have this investigated and treated?
Firstly it would be important to assess the reasons why you have this issue, including blood tests and likely an ultrasound scan to check the health of the kidneys and look for any obstructions in the urinary tract.
An overactive bladder, weak pelvic floor and an enlarged prostate gland are just some of the other potential causes of your symptoms.
Once some answers have been found, then it is likely that there would be some way of improving your symptoms.
In the meantime drinking cola could be exacerbating the problem for you, as both caffeinated and fizzy drinks can irritate the bladder, so switching out cola for water would be a great first step.
Starting to do pelvic floor exercises three times a day can improve bladder weakness in a matter of weeks.
Check out the Squeezy app for men, which can guide you with this.
I’M HAVING PROBLEMS RELATED TO GRAVES’ DISEASE
Q: I WAS diagnosed with Graves’ disease about 17 years ago. I’m female and I’ve had quite a few problems related to this.
I’ve had anaemia since I was a child. I’m now 65, and currently get vitamin B injections every three months.
Six years ago I had a right parathyroid removed, and recently I had a review and I’ve been told all’s well and the results of my blood test were fine.
But over the last two years I have put on a lot of weight. I’m just under 15st at 5ft 5.
I am experiencing brain fog too. I avoid people because I can’t stay focused. My thinking is all over the place.
I am thinking about weight-loss injections but I don’t know if they would be suitable for me with this condition.
I take 100mg of levothyroxine daily. I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
A: It sounds like you’ve been through a lot over the past couple of years. These symptoms can understandably feel overwhelming, particularly when they begin to affect your confidence and daily life.
Both brain fog and weight gain can be a symptom of insufficient thyroid hormone, and sometimes people can benefit from taking a slightly higher dose, even if blood tests do show normal levels.
So this may be something to explore with your GP or ask your GP to consult your endocrinologist for guidance. It is important to rule out other potential contributors to your symptoms, which may include your Graves’ disease, anaemia, or other autoimmune conditions, menopause or stress.
Weight loss injections, such as Mounjaro, have no known interactions with thyroid medications like levothyroxine.
However, hypothyroidism can affect your metabolism and make weight loss more challenging and the injections may alter absorption of the levothyroxine. So it would be important for your thyroid levels to be closely monitored and for your GP to be aware you’re taking the injections.
Even with these jabs, sustainable results are best achieved when combined with a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity. So please explore lifestyle changes to support both your physical and mental health even if you do consider the weight loss injection route.
PULSE TINGLING IS A REAL WORRY
Q: I AM a male currently experiencing weird symptoms which have been worrying me. I get pulse-like sensations running through my body, from my legs right up through my head.
2
To visualise it, it would look like a sonic pulse through water. I’m baffled, as I feel a bit uneasy on my feet when it happens.
I’m currently prescribed Sertraline (100mg) for depression and anxiety.
I’m 52 and in decent physical shape, 12st 7lb and 5ft 10in. Thank you.
A: While your symptom does sound quite unusual I have heard this description before.
These strange sensations of surges, which sometimes people also describe as “like electricity”, can be a symptom of anxiety, certain neurological conditions or medication side effects – especially as a withdrawal symptom when SSRI antidepressants (such as Sertraline) are stopped or doses are missed.
Anxiety and chronic stress can also cause these types of symptoms.
Stress chemicals like adrenalin and cortisol can affect the nervous system and create unusual sensory experiences.
Most people find that these symptoms resolve when walking.
Hormonal changes can also affect the nervous system.
For any female readers with the same problem, I have heard patients describe these symptoms when going through the menopause transition.
If none of this rings true for you – and especially if the symptoms seem to be progressing – it is worth considering whether an underlying neurological condition could be the cause, and seeing your GP.
If you think that this may be the cause in your case it is worth exploring some techniques to calm the nervous system, such as box-breathing, meditation, gentle yoga or simply going for a walk.
Feeling unsteady on your feet may also indicate an inner ear problem or something affecting your balance system.
SHINGLES VACCINE ‘CAN LOWER THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE’
THE shingles vaccine lowers the risk of a heart attack or stroke for up to eight years, new research shows.
People given a jab to protect against the painful rash illness have a 23 per cent lower risk of potentially deadly cardiovascular events.
The findings, involving more than 1.2 million people, were published in the European Heart Journal.
The protective effect was particularly pronounced for men, people under the age of 60 and those with unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and lack of exercise.
Study leader Professor Dong Keon Yon, of Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, South Korea, said: “Shingles causes a painful rash and can lead to serious complications, especially in older adults and those with weak immune systems.
“Previous research shows that, without vaccination, about 30 per cent of people may develop shingles in their lifetime. In addition to the rash, shingles has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems.”
The data from adults aged 50 or older living in South Korea showed that those who got the jab had a 26 per cent lower risk of “major” cardiovascular events – a stroke, heart attack or death from heart disease – a 26 per cent lower risk of heart failure and a 22 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease.
The protective effect was strongest two to three years after the vaccine was given, but researchers found that protection lasted for up to eight years.
Professor Yon said: “There are several reasons why the shingles vaccine may help reduce heart disease.
“A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks. However, as this study is based on an Asian cohort, the results may not apply to all populations.
“This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years.”
The vaccine was a live zoster vaccine, meaning it contained a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles.
The research team plans to study the non-live type of vaccine that is offered in many countries, including the UK.
The Shingrix vaccine is offered free on the NHS to everyone in their 70s, as well as some over-65s following an expansion in 2023. But uptake is low, with fewer than half of eligible people in the UK taking up the offer.