Dr Hilary Jones is a GP, and GMTV's resident health and medical advisor. Since joining the station in 1993, he has been dispensing advice to viewers. Here he answers some of your health questions.
Every summer my children spend time at our local pool, but this makes them prone to ear infections. Any advice?
Mary, Oxford
Dr Hilary: Swimmer's ear is a common problem caused by constant wetness inside the ear canal and infection by germs, such as pseudomonos, which are transmitted in chlorinated water.
Thorough drying after every swim is recommended. Even better, there are specially moulded earplugs custom-made for each individual that can keep water out. People who make earpieces for TV presenters provide this service.
A few members of my immediate family have suffered from ovarian cancer and I'm worried I might be at risk. What signs should I be looking out for, and how can I stop myself from getting the disease?
Jennifer, Hull
Dr Hilary: Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women with 6,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. The facts show that one in 10 cases are thought to be inherited by way of the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes - also responsible for 5-10% of breast cancer cases.
So if several of your parents and siblings have had either ovarian or breast cancer - and especially if they were diagnosed at a young age - you should ask your GP about counselling, and definitely have early transvaginal ultrasound tests and a blood test to measure a protein called CA 125 found in greater concentration in tumour cells.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer often manifest themselves late in the disease but it's important to always be on the lookout for any unexplained symptoms, such as persistent bloating, pain during your lovemaking sessions or any abnormal vaginal bleeding.
My big toenail has gone yellow and started flaking and lifting up. What is this and how can I treat it?
Simon, Wrexham
Dr Hilary: This is almost certainly a fungal nail infection. It is extremely common, unsightly and although generally harmless, difficult to eradicate. Your GP can rule out other possibilities such as psoriasis - which tends to affect lots of nails not just one or two - by taking a good look and if necessary sending a clipping sample for analysis.
There are special lotions you can paint on every day but unless the infection is very mild you almost certainly will not see any improvement unless you take antifungal tablets for several months. Remember to ask your doctor about possible side effects.
I keep hearing about probiotics and seeing them on labels at the supermarket but what are they?
Adam, Brighton
Dr Hilary: You'll have heard of antibiotics and you'll probably know that they can give you an upset stomach with tummy gripes, as a result of them killing off the healthy and friendly bacteria in the gut, as well as the nasty ones? Well, probiotics do the opposite. They replenish the friendly bacteria which are vital for digestion and the production and absorption of vitamins. They're useful after a bout of food poisoning or viral gastro-extrentis and have shown to help the vulnerable elderly in hospital avoiding superbugs such as C difficile. In fit young adults they may also help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as bloating and constipation.
My hands are always clammy and I get sweat patches under my arms even though I apply deodorant about four times a day. Can you help? Anna, Cambridge
Dr Hilary: Excess sweating - hyperhidrosis - can be distressing since it can affect the daily activities that most people take for granted. However, this condition can be significantly reduced on the palms of your hands and in the armpits with the use of aluminium chloride anti-perspirants such as Anhydrol Forte or Dridor. Used at night and washed off in the morning as a stand-alone treatment, it can really help the clamminess and damp patches for many people. Failing that, Botox injections into the skin of the armpits are worth considering. They paralyse the nerves which make the sweat glands sweat.
Bladder weakness has been a problem since I became a mum. Is surgery the answer? Fay, London
Dr Hilary: Giving birth by natural vaginal delivery does have a habit of stretching the pelvic floor muscles, leading to bladder weakness. It's vital to exercise your pelvic floor muscles regularly to tone up those muscles which naturally support the bladder and prevent the urethra - your water pipe to the outside - becoming exposed to tissue irritation through sex or infection.
Sometimes tablets can be useful but if not, a new procedure called tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) can be done with a single overnight stay, which is a simple and effective remedy in many cases.
I'm pregnant but I know my mum will interfere after the birth. How can I tell her to butt out politely?
Nicole, Glasgow
Dr Hilary: She means well but her ideas will be different to yours. You don't need a source of conflict at a time when you'll vulnerable. So be assertive but don't exclude her. Welcome her help but on your own terms. Get her to help with the practical things - cleaning, the shopping, the laundry, but looking after your baby is just your job. If she tries to muscle in get help from your partner. Establish this pattern early and she'll be an invaluable source of help.
I'm constipated all the time and it's horrible. What do you think could be causing it and how can I stay regular? Sophie, Nottingham
Dr Hilary: Constipation is only an issue if it's uncomfortable, painful or causes bloating. Start by eating more fibre in the form of fresh fruit and veg and drink two to three litres of water daily. If you don't drink enough your bowel reabsorbs water from your gut causing hard motions. If necessary, a gentle osmotic laxative, such as Lactulose or Fybogel taken occasionally can be useful.
Got a health question? Visit NHS Direct
NHS Direct is an invaluable resource that gives you health information and advice about most existing conditions and symptoms.
On the website there's a Self-help Guide that asks you what symptoms you have and then lists specific questions about what might be wrong. It then directs you to the service you need, depending on the severity of your symptoms. You can either search in the A-Z list or look at the body map illustration to find out what is wrong.
Alternatively, if you need help from health experts, then you can phone NHS Direct. Initially, when you call your problem will be assessed and you will be advised on the best course of action. You may be given advice on what you can do at home or told to see a pharmacist. Or you may be advised to see a doctor and, if it is serious, the advisor can access the ambulance service for you. For details go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 4647.
