DR. ELLIE CANNON: Can the sting of my eye disease cause frequent dizziness?

I have macular eye disease and the treatment is injections in my eyes. I also get dizziness that makes me fall and sometimes I get very sick. My doctor prescribes all kinds of pills but they don’t help. Could my problem have something to do with the injections? i am 83

It is not unusual for patients experiencing dizziness to fall frequently.

Doctors call such events “seizures,” and they should be evaluated at any age. However, falls are of particular concern to older people, as they are a leading cause of disability, hospitalization and fractures.

A consultation with a family doctor or ophthalmologist is of crucial importance to see if alternative medications are available and to fully assess the risks of discontinuing medication.

If dizziness or a dizziness is accompanied by vomiting, the problem may be inner ear disease, Meniere’s disease. There may be other symptoms such as hearing changes, tinnitus and even a feeling of blocked ear. In Meniere’s disease, dizziness usually lasts about three hours. However, it may take a few days for the symptoms to completely disappear. There is no specific test for Meniere’s disease and unfortunately there is no cure. Instead, patients are given pills to control dizziness and vomiting, while antihistamines can be used to reduce dizziness.

Meniere’s disease is a difficult condition to live with and it can affect a person’s quality of life. Support is available from the Meniere’s Society on 01306 876883 or via their website menieres.org.uk.

I am 77 and I have a terrible problem when bitten by mosquitoes. No matter where I vacation, the bites tend to spread over my arms and legs, and eventually I need steroid injections to relieve the itching and swelling. I take the antihistamine loratadine daily and try to use mosquito repellent most days while away. I want to travel more, but now I feel like I can’t. can you help

Some people are very affected by mosquito bites, and many factors play a role in how affected a person is, including skin type, previous reactions, and genetics. The easiest way to solve this problem is to avoid getting bitten in the first place.

Cover yourself first with sleeves, socks and trousers – early evening is an important time for this. Also avoid using fragrances such as perfume and scented toiletries as they attract insects. In tropical countries, insect nets are a good idea to avoid being bitten at night. In countries where it is recommended, you should also take antimalarial tablets.

Wherever you are, insect repellent with 50 percent of the active ingredient DEET is most effective.

Taking antihistamine pills can help reduce the body’s reaction to bites.

Non-drowsy types designed to be taken during the day are the best option, as you can take them more than once a day with your doctor’s approval.

A good bite cream will also help reduce reactions – the most effective will contain a steroid or antihistamine, and you can buy over the counter 1% hydrocortisone creams to treat bites that start to swell. Some people claim that taking a B vitamin supplement helps prevent bites – there is little scientific evidence for this, but a daily pill does not cause any problems, so it is worth a try.

Over the past year, I have noticed that small bumps have formed around my eyes. They don’t hurt, but they undermine my confidence. I would like to have them removed but I am afraid that I will damage my vision. i am 72

Removing objects from the skin carries the potential for scarring and damage to that area—even if it’s a minor procedure—and it’s true that any surgery involving the eyes can affect vision.

However, many thousands of eye surgeries and operations are carried out in the UK every year and are very successful.

Lumps around the eye usually form near the lash line. They can mean a number of things. The most common type of bump is a stye – an infection in the eyelash follicles. It is usually very painful. Another is a chalazion, where the glands of the eyelids are blocked. They can arise as a result of a stem that is no longer infected.

A condition called blepharitis, in which the eyelids are generally inflamed and crusted, may also be to blame. The treatment consists of heating, massaging and cleaning the eyelids—possibly with a warm washcloth—to remove oils and crusts and drain the follicles.

Something called milia can also form near the lash lines. These are small, protein-filled bumps that often go away on their own.

The risks and benefits of each procedure should be weighed with a professional.

When is the right time to move on?

Is it ever right to start another romantic relationship when your husband or wife has dementia and barely recognizes you?

That’s a question I wondered after reading last week about the divorce of Wolfgang Porsche, the billionaire CEO of the luxury car company.

The 79-year-old split from his partner, 16, two years after the diagnosis, according to reports last week. Unable to cope with the changes in her behavior, he reportedly moved in with a new 59-year-old girlfriend, Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen.

Your immediate reaction may be disgust. But caring for a loved one who slips away is difficult. I know people with dementia who insist that their partner find someone else when they become seriously ill.

There are others who do not consider a relationship after the death of their partner because it would feel wrong.

Have you been charged with speeding? Or maybe you never want to?

Whatever your experience, write to me and let me know at the email address below.

Wolfgang Porsche, right, with Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen, left, are said to be divorcing his ex-wife two years after they were diagnosed with dementia.