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Your support makes all the difference.When I returned from holiday my chest and back were covered with small, white round patches which completely ruined my suntan. What are they and how can I get rid of them?
You probably have pityriasis versicolor, a fungal infection of the skin caused by a yeast with the delightful name of Malassezia furfur. You may have had it for quite a long time, but it has only became noticeable because of your suntan. The yeast effects the pigmentation of the skin. The rash that it causes is usually white on brown skin, and brown on white skin, and it can be slightly scaly. You can treat it with anti-fungal creams (Canesten or Daktarin) from the chemist, or by dabbing Selsun shampoo on the spots and leaving it on for 24 hours before washing it off. It is often quite difficult to eradicate, so be persistent.
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Is there any effective way to treat snoring? I've tried sewing a cotton reel into the back of my husband's pyjamas, but that has only succeeded in giving him a sore back.
Snoring is common and, unlike most medical problems, it causes more suffering to others than to the person who has is affected by it. One research study showed that five to 10 per cent of people snore loudly enough to be heard in the next room. It can be caused by big tonsils or a small, receding chin that allows the jaw to slide backwards. Some people who snore have sleep apnoea, which causes them to stop breathing for short periods while they are asleep. Too much alcohol and some sedative drugs can also contribute to snoring. If you are overweight, it may make you snore. Correcting any of these causes may help snoring. For people with a jaw problem, it is possible to have a custom-made splint fitted to hold the jaw forwards, and this can be very effective. Some ear, nose and throat specialists have a special interest in snoring problems. If yours is severe it might be worth getting some specialist advice.
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I am awakened every hour or two at night by the need to empty my bladder, although it is not full. During the day I am fine. Why this difference between day and night? And where is the "water" stored which keeps re- filling my bladder. I am over 80 and had my prostate removed many years ago.
There are likely to be at least two separate factors contributing to your problem. First is your bladder, which sounds as though it has become rather irritable. This means that the bladder wants to empty itself even when it is not full. For some reason this is often worse at night, perhaps because there is nothing to distract from the sensation of wanting to go to the toilet. The second factor is related to how your body controls the production of urine. Normally, the amount of urine we produce is reduced at night, but this natural day-night rhythm can be less pronounced as you get older. The water isn't stored - it is continually being filtered out of your bloodstream by the kidneys.
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