126 AWW.COM.AU AUGUST 2017
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL SUESSE.[ Medical Q&A ]
Ask the doctor
Professor Kerryn Phelps answers readers’ questions about high cholesterol, facial
hair, mental health and more, plus why kids under one shouldn’t drink fruit juice.
Q
I have noticed in recent photos that my
right eye looks a little lazy. I don’t have
any major problems with vision, but it
isn’t as clear as my left eye. I am only 26 years
old. Should I see an ophthalmologist? What
could be causing this? P.T. , N S W.
You need to see your GP urgently. A unilateral
change of vision or a recent alteration in the
alignment of your eyes may be benign, but
it could also signal a serious cause such as a
nerve palsy or a brain tumour.
Q
My mother has developed lots of hair
on her face, particularly on her chin,
following menopause a few years ago.
Is there medication that can stop this from
happening? R.S., Qld.
She will need to be checked for excess cortisol
or testosterone. Unfortunately, facial hair is a
common problem for post-menopausal women
and is caused by changes in hormones. It can be
tricky to treat. Coarser hairs can be plucked with
tweezers as they emerge. The more profuse fine
hair growth may be slowed down by topical
cream. Waxing is another possibility. Bleaching
can reduce the visual effect.
Q
I am in my 30s and my knees have
been “locking up” for about six months.
I am worried about getting arthritis
because it runs in my family. I was told to stop
any impactful exercise, which I have. Could
there be other remedies for this? S.K., NSW.
Locking suggests cartilage damage, which may
need to be investigated with an MRI and an
opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon. Your GP
can investigate the many possible varieties of
arthritis. Stiffness can be relieved by stretching
exercises and yoga. Reduce your bodyweight
to the lower end of your healthy weight range.
Some supplements, such as glucosamine, fish
oil or turmeric can help.
Q
I think my son is suffering from bipolar
disorder because his mood changes
a lot. He has become quite depressed
following the end of a relationship. He doesn’t
like to talk. How can I help him? K.L., Vic.
Letting him know you are concerned and there
to help is important. If he has a GP he trusts,
encourage him to go for a chat and they may
arrange a visit to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Encourage him to do activities he enjoys and
spend time with supportive friends. If he is
reluctant to talk, direct him to the website
for beyondblue at beyondblue.org.au.Q
I was diagnosed with high cholesterol
at the end of last year, despite eating
well and exercising a few times a
week. I have switched my butter to one that
lowers cholesterol, but I’m not sure how
much of a difference this makes. What else
can I do? G.D., SA.
Elevated cholesterol is a risk factor for
cardiovascular disease. You need to carefully
analyse your diet. A dietitian can help you with
this. Butter is one food that can contribute to
elevated cholesterol, but animal fats and trans
fats should be avoided. Plant foods (vegetables,
whole grains, oats) and fish are important in
your diet. Regular exercise can help, too.Q
My five-year-old son has a plantar wart
on his foot that doesn’t appear to be
going away despite using salicylic acid
from the chemist. It is quite painful. Is there
anything else you suggest or should we go
to the doctor to get it removed? N.F., Vic.
Plantar warts can be very persistent. The
salicylic acid can burn normal skin around
the wart and that is painful. His GP could try
freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, but this
is also painful and often needs to be repeated.
Plenty of vegetables and fruit in his diet, and
an appropriate dose of oral zinc and vitamin C
supplements to boost his immune system, may
help eradicate the wart.Kids’ juice warning
A new recommendation that children under
one year should drink no fruit juice at all was
recently announced by the American
Academy of Pediatrics. The concern is about
dental health, risk of becoming overweight
and diarrhoea. The advice does not refer to
eating whole fruits and vegetables.HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have a question for
Professor Kerryn Phelps,
write to: Ask The Doctor,
GPO Box 4178, Sydney,
NSW 2001 or email
openline@bauer-media.
com.au. Letters cannot
be answered personally.
See the Contents page in
this issue for the location
of Bauer Media Limited’s
Privacy Notice.