This results in an upheaval for the whole family, especially the child. Parents need to prepare the child for the move, emphasising its positive aspects. Reassure the child that he will be able to maintain contact with all his old friends (provided this is possible, of course). For some time after the move, depending on the age of the child, he may feel a little insecure in his new surroundings. He may have separation anxiety about his parents or may want a night light kept on. It is important for parents to provide reassurance and support at this time.

This is stressful for a child at any age. He will have to get used to a new school environment and teacher, as well as leaving old friends and making new ones. Parents need to support the child during this time, and keep emphasising the positive aspects of the move.

Going away on holiday

Some children will find going on holiday stressful because of the change in routine. There will be a different environment, a different room, a different bed. Younger children may be insecure for a while. They should be encouraged to take a well-loved cuddly doll or bear, or a selection of favourite toys or books.

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Whatever means you use to control it, your pain will be more of a problem at some times than at others. It will probably seem much worse when you are bored, lonely, depressed, anxious, frightened, physically tired or lying awake at night (the worst)! On the other hand, your pain is likely to seem less of a problem when you are in comfortable surroundings, have pleasant company, are keeping your mind occupied, sleeping well at night and at peace with yourself and your situation.

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It affects a little fewer than one in 200 people and does seem to run in families. It causes no serious problems but many sufferers are concerned by the appearance and because the skin which has lost its pigment may be easily burned.

Sometimes there is spontaneous repigmentation and the process may be assisted by the taking of drugs called psoralens and exposing the skin to ultra-violet light.

Treatment with UV light and psoralens is time-

consuming but those who are distressed by their condition may be willing to pay the price.

Those big, black, raised warts which appear in middle-age are unsightly and may frighten the owner into thinking they are malignant melanomas, a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer.

These are usually seborrhoeic warts. They are raised, with a bumpy surface and feel greasy to touch. They vary in color from grey through brown to black.

They may occur anywhere on the body but the front and particularly the back of the trunk are the favored sites.

Seborrhoeic warts rarely appear before the forties, may be single or dozens may be present. Treatment is only indicated for cosmetic reasons as they do not become cancerous.

They may be treated by the application of intense cold from liquid nitrogen or by heat from an electric cautery.

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Foot strain can develop in those who stand all day. This can be related to obesity, when the feet have to carry extra weight or to weakness of the foot.

Walking seems to develop the strength of the muscles and ligaments and doesn’t so readily lead to painful conditions. Arch supports and exercises can be of great benefit. So can losing weight.

Pain felt in the heel on walking may be due to plantar fasciitis. There is a sheet of fascia or connective tissue which runs the length of the sole and is attached to the ball of the foot at the front and to the calcaneum or heel bone at the back.

Inflammation, or even a tear, may develop where it attaches to the heel bone and may cause bone to grow out into the fascia, leading to a spur of bone projecting forward and being seen on X-ray.

The calcanean spur was once thought to be the cause of the problem and was often removed by operation. We now know it is result rather than cause.

This condition is treated by rest, by wearing a pad in the shoe to cushion the heel or by using anti-inflammatory drugs. An injection of a cortisone derivative directly into the tender area works well.

Look after your feet. If they do start to cause trouble, seek professional help early so as to minimise the problem.

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You can quickly relieve any uncomfortable symptoms by drinking plenty of water, by making up barley water or by obtaining potassium citrate in its various forms from the chemist. But you should still see your doctor and take antibiotics in the correct dose for the correct length of time to get rid of any infection.

Many women who suffer from frequency and irritation will not show evidence of infection in the bladder and, therefore, cannot be said to suffer from cystitis, although the symptoms are the same. Many of these women have been labelled as neurotic and tranquillisers prescribed.

Examination of the urethra and bladder may reveal the true diagnosis or it may rest on the history alone. They suffer from what is more correctly called the urethral syndrome.

Symptoms may be precipitated by intercourse.

This condition often responds to dilatation or stretching of the urethra — a simple procedure which can be easily done in the doctor’s rooms.

Certainly you do not have to put up with repeated discomfort, as proper treatment is available.

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Yes, there are several studies which show a good correlation between values for the same foods obtained in healthy people and people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2). This is no surprise because the degree of glucose intolerance is allowed for in the calculation of G.I. factors.

Do low G.I. foods need to be eaten at every meal in order for people to see a benefit?

No, because the effect of a low G.I. food carries over to the next meal, reducing its glycaemic impact. This applies even when the low G.I. meal is eaten for dinner. Its effect carries over to breakfast the following morning. But, it is sensible to try to eat at least two low G.I. meals each day.

One study gave carrots a G.I. factor of 95. Does this mean that a person with diabetes shouldn’t eat carrots?

The quantity of carrots that gives the 50 grams of carbohydrate portion (as required in standardised G.I. factor testing) is enormous because it contains only about 7 per cent carbohydrate. In fact, about 700 grams of carrots were tested. This is much greater than the amount you would normally eat (about 100 grams).

Even with a G.I. factor of 95, a normal serve of carrots would contribute only a small amount to the rise in blood sugar. Carrots and other foods like tomatoes, onions and salad vegetables that contain only a small amount of carbohydrate should be seen as ‘free’ foods for people with diabetes.

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Exercise responses can also be quite different. Because of the lower levels of aerobic capacity and different rates of substrate utilisation in the more obese, long duration activity and increased ‘incidental’ exercise at a much lower intensity than is used for the leaner and more fit is recommended for optimal fat burning. There is a case for regarding the morbidly obese as a different population to normal and overfat people in their responses to exercise. The physiological changes that occur with this type of obesity are most likely to be genetically based or associated with long term obesity, and this may provide dues as to the type of exercise and dietary prescription required for optimal fat losses in the future.

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