Ask the Doctor - March columns

Sunday 28th March - Allergy

My eyes have been watery, my nose is itchy and my asthma has been playing up lately. Could I be suffering from hayfever at this time of year? Gillian, Peebles

Ray Kelleher is a Consultant ENT surgeon at Spire Murrayfield Hospital.

Hay fever is an allergic condition caused by pollens (allergens) from flowering plants.  Symptoms include itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, runny and irritable nose, nasal blockage, coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks. There can be single or multiple allergens. Diagnosis can be made on a blood test or by skin prick testing. 

Prevention is always better than cure - try to avoid contact with the offending pollen.  On days with high pollen counts, reduce exposure by not cutting the grass, staying indoors and closing the windows. When driving using air-con/pollen filters also help prevent and reduce symptoms.  

Medical treatment includes eye drops, nasal steroid sprays, nasal saline douches, oral antihistamines and oral steroids. Start taking antihistamines well before symptoms develop for them to be most effective. If nasal symptoms persist, referral to an ENT specialist may be required.  

Sunday 21st March - Varicose veins

I have varicose veins on my legs.  Do I have to have an operation to get rid of them? Karen, Dalkeith

Mr Rod Chalmers is a Vascular Consultant Surgeon at Spire Murrayfield Hospital. 

Varicose veins are common and affect 10-20% of men and women.

If the valves of the veins just under the skin don’t work properly, over time, they can become swollen and unsightly:  these are varicose veins.

The traditional treatment involved an operation where the veins were “stripped” out via surgical incisions. Nowadays, it is possible to achieve the same result using a technique called VNUS closure (also known as radiofrequency ablation).  Under ultrasound control, a catheter is passed up the vein in the thigh through a needle puncture and the vein closed using heat.  The procedure can be done under general or local anaesthetic.  All the varicose veins are removed at the same time through tiny skin incisions.  Recovery is rapid and most patients are back to normal activities in 24 hours.  Over 80% of patients with varicose veins can be treated in this way, including those who have had surgery before. 

A free varicose vein information evening, is open to the public, at Spire Murrayfield on Saturday 27th March at 1pm. Telephone 0131 316 2507 to book a place. 

Sunday 14th March - Fat fillers

I’ve been considering a face lift but I’m not sure it’s right for me; what non-surgical treatments are available? Marion, Edinburgh

Mr Ken Stewart is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Spire Murrayfield Hospital.

In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in both non-surgical facial rejuvenation and in surgical procedures involving smaller cuts and smaller scars. For the forehead and area around the eyes the use of muscle relaxing Botox injections has real merit. The alternative would be a brow lift and upper and lower eyelid tucks. For the cheeks we have the option of injecting temporary filler or using the most natural filler known - your own fat. We can borrow a little fat from your tummy and inject it into selected areas. This restores volume and rejuvenates. An alterative might be the so-called “mini” face list (sometimes called a MACS lift). This allows us to counteract gravity by lifting the facial features in a vertical direction. It is still surgery but the scars are shorter.

Come and see a plastic surgeon with real expertise and training. We have a patient open day on March 27th, visit www.spirehealthcare.com/edinburgh for more information or contact 0131 316 2507 or cserice-ed@spirehealthcare.com to register. You can also discover more about cosmetic surgery by visiting www.beyou.co.uk

Sunday 7th March - Prostate cancer

What are the symptoms and risk factors of prostate cancer? Graham, Edinburgh

Alan McNeill is a Consultant Urological Surgeon who practices at Spire Murrayfield Hospital.

For more information, visit www.prostatescotland.org.uk Although prostate cancer affects 1 in 12 men during their lifetime, 1 in 2 men will develop benign enlargement of their prostate. Consequently most men who experience urinary symptoms associated with prostate enlargement will not have cancer. The symptoms to look out for include frequent visits to the loo, or getting up at night to pass urine and having to rush to get there; and a period of pause before starting to pass urine, having a slow flow of urine and dribbling at the end. If you have a family history of prostate cancer then your own risk of having prostate cancer is increased and you should see your GP to discuss whether or not you should be tested. If your doctor is concerned then they will arrange for you to see a urologist. You should not be concerned as there are good treatments available for all prostate diseases and prostate cancer is curable if detected early.