Ask the Doctor - January Scotland on Sunday column

Sunday 30 January - Varicose Veins

Mr Zahid Raza is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals.

Varicose veins are very common and can affect up to a fifth of the general population. Apart from their unsightly appearance, they can cause the sufferer discomfort from aching legs, itchiness and even ulcers. Varicose veins are caused by “faulty” valves which allow blood to pool in the leg. Treatment of varicose veins has changed dramatically over the past few years. Apart from open surgery which involved “stripping out” varicose veins, they can also be treated by radiofrequency ablation.

Compared to surgery, radiofrequency ablation often has a much shorter recovery period. Return to work is far quicker and the amount of bruising and scar formation is minimal. It can also be carried out while you are awake. A wire is inserted into the offending vein using ultrasound guidance and the vein is heated and destroyed. Most patients can return to work the following day.

Sunday 23rd January - Liposuction

Mr Ken Stewart is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals.

Many of us are currently feeling the effects of a little festive overindulgence. Gym membership soars every New Year and sales of fad diet books flourish. There is no doubt that achieving a healthy weight and higher level of fitness is the healthy option.  Sometimes however, in the wake of a weight-loss regime, one can be left with areas of excess that just won’t shift.

Furthermore, more significant weight loss can leave behind excess skin that cannot be tightened by potions “seen on TV”. In both these situations, plastic surgery may help. A little liposuction can reach the parts that you personal fitness instructor cannot and should not touch. For loose skin, tummy tucks, breast uplift, facelifts, thigh lifts and arm reductions are routine surgery.

So if post-exercise, you’re still hanging over your pants, a flat tummy is still achievable.

Sunday 16th January - Sperm Donor

Ms Jaime Oswald is a Clinical Embryologist at IVF Scotland, Spire Shawfair Park Hospital.

Becoming a sperm donor does indeed have life long implications that must be considered very carefully. Children born as a result of donation made after the 1^st April 2005 have the right to access identifying information about their donor once they turn 18 years of age. Most donor conceived children are generally only interested in gaining information about their genetic identity rather than forming a relationship with the ‘biological father’. A study has shown that a third of offspring surveyed had contacted their donor siblings, whereas only 9% had contacted the actual donor.

If, when a child reaches 18 they wish to meet their biological father, they would contact the clinic or the HFEA. The clinic has an obligation to notify the donor that this request has been made. So it will not be a “surprise” when the donor offspring do make the call.

Sunday 9th January - Tennis Elbow

Mr Jeff Reid is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals.

Tennis Elbow, or Lateral Epicondylitis, is a painful degeneration of the tendons of the forearm muscles, where they are anchored to a small bump of bone on the side of the elbow.  The pain is felt on the outside of the elbow and sometimes part way down the forearm.  It is a very common condition, affecting men and women equally, usually from ages 30 to 60.  It is often made worse by gripping, reaching or repetitive activities. 

The mainstay of treatment is rest, physiotherapy and pain relieving tablets.  Steroid injections are also used for more severe cases, although recent research has suggested steroid injections may make the pain worse in the long run. 

Surgery is often required for pain that fails to improve with simple measures.  This small operation is done as a day case, allows movement and light use immediately, and has a very high success rate.

Sunday 2nd January - Weight Loss

Lorna Hunter is a Specialist Bariatric nurse at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals.

Weight gain occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure causing the body to gain weight. The only way to successful weight loss is to decrease your intake of calories and increase your level of activity. Unfortunately however, the theory is often a lot simpler than putting this into practice.

When conservative methods of weight loss have been exhausted, certain people may benefit from weight loss surgery. This should be viewed as the beginning of a major life style change, which requires a life long commitment to leading a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating habits, exercise and nutritional awareness are all important in optimising weight loss following surgery.

Here at Spire Murrayfield hospital we offer various procedures and have a specialist multi-disciplinary team approach to weight loss, with full pre procedure assessment and a post procedure interactive follow up regime.

One of the most remarkable effects following weight loss surgery is the dramatic improvement or total resolution of disease associated with obesity.

There are also major improvement in psychological problems, such as body image, self esteem, self confidence and few symptoms of depression.