At what point does our children’s use of social media become a concern?
It is inevitable that our children will have phones and social media accounts.
But the harm it can cause was further highlighted last week when a study showed that using TikTok can increase the risk of eating disorders.
After women ages 18 to 28 watched videos about weight loss tips, slim waists and exercise for eight minutes, body image satisfaction “significantly decreased” compared to women who watched videos about nature, cooking and animals.
He reiterates that it is a good idea for parents to regularly check the type of content their children are watching.
I hope it’s just choreography and funny jokes.
It’s a good idea to make sure your kids get away from their phones often enough to get in touch with reality, too.
Here’s a selection of what readers asked me this week. . .
The combination of pills makes me dizzy
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Q) I was prescribed amlodipine, losartan and bisoprolol and was told it’s okay to take them all at once.
I do this first thing in the morning, but I find it makes me dizzy and dizzy for a few hours.
What can I do? Or is it to be expected? I am a 77 year old man.
A) All three of these medications are used to treat high blood pressure (among other things) and each works differently.
Amlodipine, which can also be taken to prevent angina symptoms, and losartan, which can also treat heart failure and protect the kidneys, relax blood vessels, but through different mechanisms.
Bisoprolol, also used for angina and heart failure, is a type of beta blocker that works by decreasing the frequency and strength of the heartbeat.
If a person requires medication to lower blood pressure, one medication is usually started initially and the dose can then be increased.
If the highest dose does not achieve a healthy blood pressure, a second medication may be introduced and then a third.
But people’s natural blood pressure may begin to improve on its own over time and the need for medication may decrease.
This can happen as people age, if they lose weight or if they make positive lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active, improving their diet or living with less stress.
It may be that your blood pressure has decreased over time. I would expect you to check your blood pressure regularly, but it might be worth investing in your own machine so you can have it checked while you have these symptoms.
Low blood pressure can certainly cause symptoms of lightheadedness and dizziness.
If low blood pressure is confirmed, your doctor should review your medications and reduce or stop at least one medication.
Alternatively, ask your doctor to arrange a 24-hour blood pressure monitor to get a better idea of what your blood pressure is like.
Urgent check has been canceled
Q) I had an ultrasound in gynecology which showed that I had a 22mm thickened endometrium with some cystic components.
My doctor said she would refer me urgently. But I’ve since been told that I don’t meet the criteria for a two-week wait, and since I’m not post-menopausal, that excluded me anyway.
It feels like November before I’m seen. I am very worried that it will be a very long wait.
A) There are two types of referral processes that we can use as GPs.
There is an “urgent” referral route of two weeks waiting due to suspected cancer or a routine referral route.
Both can follow various paths to sub-departments within the hospital department.
A thickened endometrial lining in a postmenopausal woman would qualify her for suspected cancer, because once a woman no longer menstruates, there is no good reason for the lining of the uterus to thicken.
Therefore, endometrial cancer – or changes in the cells that could develop into cancer – must be excluded.
In women who are still menstruating, some variation in the lining is normal, as it changes throughout the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Therefore, it tends to be less of a concern and generally does not qualify for the two-week wait.
But ten percent of endometrial cancers occur in premenopausal women. The big question in your case, therefore, is whether your thickened endometrium is suspected of cancer or precancerous changes.
The 22mm measurement is thicker than would be expected at any point in the cycle.
Despite this, non-cancerous causes are still more likely.
If there is an excessive amount of estrogen compared to progesterone, it can lead to excessive cell growth or the development of abnormal cells in the lining of the uterus, which is known as hyperplasia.
My advice to you is to go back to your GP and see if they will refer you for a repeat ultrasound – to be scheduled just after your period – which is when the endometrial lining should be at its thinnest.
If the lining remains much thicker than expected at this stage, then further investigation will definitely be necessary, and your GP may be able to update your referral or even speak to the hospital’s gynecology team for advice.
Tip of the week
Did you know that simple balance exercises every day can significantly reduce your risk of falls?
Try standing on one leg while brushing your teeth – left leg in the morning, right leg at night. Or get into the habit of putting your socks on while you get up. Do this next to the bed in case you tip over!
Nothing seems to help my rash
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P) I’ve had a rash for a few months now, which started small on my leg. Now it covers my body.
I visited my doctor and they said it’s not shingles (I’m 85).
I have been prescribed several creams as well as antihistamines and steroid tablets but nothing seems to help. It’s red, itchy and painful. I don’t sleep and this is now affecting my quality of life. Can you help?
A) Thank you for sharing the images, which show a red, bumpy, patchy rash that appears to be present on every part of your body.
I couldn’t see if it’s on your face too?
I agree that it is not shingles, as shingles is not that widespread and is always on one side of the body (left or right), not both.
I can see why your doctor would have tried treatment for allergic causes such as dermatitis.
But it certainly appears that these treatments have not been successful.
Although rashes can be caused by diseases that originate in the skin, they can also be a symptom of a disease that comes from within the body, called a “systemic disease.”
There are many systemic diseases that can cause widespread skin rashes. These range from infections to autoimmune conditions and even some underlying cancers, so it is important to return to your family doctor for further investigations.
If no cause is found, you may need to be referred to a dermatologist who can do a skin biopsy, which can help identify the cause of the rash.
In the meantime, I understand this is having a significant impact on your quality of life, so here is some advice on how to treat inflamed skin.
Use an emollient as a soap substitute, as harsh soaps can irritate the skin.
Keep baths and showers relatively short, with warm water rather than hot.
Oatmeal is naturally soothing for the skin and a bath can be prepared by placing a handful of oatmeal in a sock and running it under the tap while running it so that the water passes through the oatmeal.
This should make the water appear a little milky and cloudy.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
