My husband has got a very sore backside – help! Dr Zoe Williams answers readers’ health woes
THE King's diagnosis of an enlarged prostate helps to remind us all that this condition can befall any man.
His Royal Highness was rightly praised for breaking with royal tradition to share the details of his upcoming surgery.
Cancer charities hailed the monarch for helping to 'shine a light' on a condition often seen as taboo.
The reality is around one in three blokes over 50 will develop this change in their prostate - a walnut-sized gland that sits behind the bladder.
Signs of an enlarged prostate include frequently needing to pee and needing to rush to the toilet, difficulty urinating and emptying your bladder, and a weak flow.
It's important to see your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
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Your GP can give you lifestyle tips such as drinking fewer fizzy drinks and less caffeine, but can also consider if you might need medication.
Remember, this is not a serious threat to your health but you should not ignore it because the symptoms are similar to those of prostate cancer.
So, if you're worried, speak to your GP - there's no need to be embarrassed.
Here’s a selection of readers’ questions this week…
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Q: MY husband has a very sore backside.
He’s been using Conotrane cream but with little effect.
Is there anything you could recommend to relieve the soreness?
He has to spend a lot of time sitting because he has a bad back.
A: You don’t mention which part of his backside?
If it’s sore between his cheeks sitting isn’t likely to be the cause.
If it’s on his cheeks, where the seat bones are, or at the base of the spine (sacrum), then it could be something like a pressure ulcer, which can be caused by sitting in the same position for too long.
Conotrane is a cream that can be prescribed to protect the skin from moisture, irritants, chafing and bacteria.
It’s also used for pressure sores, which is what I suspect could be the issue here.
If this is the case, there are special cushions and mattresses which may go some way toward helping to heal them – and prevent any more from developing.
The NHS uses Enora inflatable cushions and you can look on Amazon for cheaper alternatives.
The most important thing is to change position frequently, so alternate between sitting straight and propped up slightly to the side. Cushions can help with this.
You should see the nurse at your GP surgery – or a district nurse if he is housebound – who can assess, treat and refer to a tissue viability nurse if required.
Q: I’M a type 1 diabetic, but my diabetes is not very well controlled and despite doing my best, my diet is full of rubbish.
I eat sweets, chocolate biscuits, cakes and crisps. I carry all my extra weight around the stomach and I feel it is putting stress on my lower back.
I’ve been trying to be good – I haven’t eaten anything sweet for five days.
How can I lose weight fast?
A: Like a lot of people that want to lose weight, you are ditching the things that you think of as “bad”.
But these tend to be the things you enjoy most.
This requires a great amount of willpower, which is possible to muster for short periods of time, but impossible to maintain forever.
Weight loss is difficult, and it’s hard to give blanket advice, as what may work for one person won’t for another.
There are more than 100 factors that influence our body size, ranging from genetics to postcode (yes, you read that correctly) and any health conditions or medications we take, such as type 1 diabetes and insulin.
You will be more likely to succeed if you have support from the right type of healthcare professional.
It’s worth speaking to your GP surgery as they may be able to refer you to a dietitian or a weight management service.
I will share one tip. Switch focus away from what you “should not eat” towards “what you should” eat.
Change your mindset from “blaming yourself” towards “nourishing your body because it deserves it”.
Your body will thrive and be healthier if you consume at least five portions of veg a day, eat at least 30g of fibre a day and hydrate sufficiently by drinking approximately two litres of fluid each day.
Healthy sources of protein like beans, pulses, nuts, eggs, chicken and fish, can keep you feeling full and help you maintain glucose control.
This shift towards nourishing your body and a positive mindset are possible to maintain long term.
Even if you don’t lose weight with this approach, you are likely to have better diabetes control and be generally healthier and happier.
And think of those sweets and biscuits as an occasional treat and savour them when you have them.
Good luck.
Q: WHEN I apply for travel insurance, do I need to disclose that I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease?
If I do mention it the premium will increase.
I am 75, have low cholesterol and have made lifestyle changes that have improved my blood glucose.
I also have type 2 diabetes.
A: While I’m not an insurance expert, the cover is only valid if you disclose everything you’re asked to when you take it out.
Omitting conditions to keep the premium down isn’t something anyone should consider.
If you needed to make a claim based on your CKD and you had failed to disclose the condition, or the extent of it, your insurance wouldn’t be valid.
We know there’s no cure for CKD but that it can be managed.
And if it is stable right now, there is no need for concern or significantly increased like-lihood of you needing medical attention abroad, so I would expect this to be reflected in the premium.
My opinion is that it’s definitely something you should disclose.
They will want to know the latest extent of your CKD.
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So it might be worth checking with your GP so you have accurate information, especially if you think some aspects of your health may have improved with lifestyle changes recently, as it could have a bearing.
Remember to get quotes from multiple companies, or use a comparison website, where sometimes you can also benefit from additional discounts.
Tip of the week
EAT real food. If you’re guilty of putting beige food in the air fryer, try ditching one convenience meal a week for something homemade.
You can batch-cook simple things at the weekend or wrap a chicken breast in greaseproof paper with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and herbs for an easy Mediterranean chicken.
Studies find higher rates of disease in later years in people who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods.