DR ELLIE CANNON: I was told I had gallstones. So why am I not being treated?

Last year I had an ultrasound of my abdomen and it showed gallstones. This was told to me over the phone by an observer who didn’t say much else. Should I do something about it? I am male, 75 and not overweight.

Gallstones are small, hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a sac in the liver that stores the digestive juices called bile.

They are mostly made up of cholesterol, and eight out of 10 people with gallstones will never know they have them because they cause no symptoms.

If someone has gallstones without symptoms, there is no reason to treat them.

They usually occur in women over 40 who are overweight and eat a diet high in fat and processed sugar.

Oddly enough, they can also occur in people who lose weight quickly and drastically.

Gallstones cause problems when they get stuck in the opening of the gallbladder, causing severe pain known as bile spasms.

They can also cause infection or inflammation in the gallbladder and also in the pancreas, a gland that sits next to it. Both can be very serious conditions and usually require hospital treatment.

If the stones become troublesome, the gallbladder is removed completely surgically – usually by means of keyhole surgery.

When the gallbladder is removed, the liver still produces enough bile to break down dietary fats, which is its primary function. But instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it constantly seeps into the digestive system.

Some people experience side effects such as bloating or diarrhea after surgery, although these usually get better within a few weeks.

Since bile is released in response to eating fatty foods, choosing a low-fat diet can help prevent biliary colic in some people.

I was recently diagnosed with something called peripheral neuropathy which causes pain and tingling in my feet. A friend told me that vitamin B supplements might help. is she right

Peripheral neuropathy develops as a result of nerve damage in the extremities of the body, such as the hands and feet. Diabetes is the most common cause, as high blood sugar levels cause nerve damage.

Other triggers include chemotherapy, a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid, HIV medications, and alcoholism.

Nerves can also be damaged by injuries, viral infections such as shingles, and certain chronic inflammatory diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Depending on which nerves are affected, you may experience a range of symptoms, including tingling, burning, numbness or loss of feeling in your hands and feet. If motor nerves are affected, it leads to muscle weakness, cramps, twitching and even paralysis. Bladder control and erectile dysfunction can also be symptoms.

Doctors perform a variety of blood tests to look for a cause of peripheral neuropathy, often in addition to nerve conduction tests. These are specialist tests in the hospital to see which nerves are working and which are not.

Treatment always depends on the underlying cause, e.g. B. improved diabetes treatment or physical therapy to repair nerve damage caused by an injury. Vitamin B12 will normally only be offered if a deficiency has been confirmed by a blood test.

IS there an alkaline diet that can speed recovery when IBS strikes?

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, usually causes symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. It usually comes and goes over time and can last for days, weeks or months.

When someone has an IBS flare, it is often related to a trigger. This can be a specific food, such as dairy, alcohol, caffeine or fatty foods, but it can also be triggers outside of food, such as stress, anxiety, antibiotics or an infection.

Official guidelines recommend a 12-week cycle of probiotics to replace any gut-friendly bacteria destroyed by an infection or food trigger.

You should talk to a pharmacist about this.

Dietary changes depend on which of the symptoms are most pronounced.

For example, someone with IBS whose diarrhea is common should reduce their intake of fiber, such as whole grains or high-fiber breads, and also cut back on carbonated beverages and gassy foods, such as certain vegetables.

On the other hand, someone with significant IBS constipation should gradually increase their fiber intake with soluble fiber such as Fybogel supplements, or gradually add oats and flaxseed to their diet.

People with IBS may be advised to follow a low-FODMAP diet. This means cutting out foods like artificial sweeteners, legumes and certain green vegetables that ferment in the gut.

It is best to follow this diet under the guidance of a nutritionist. It can also be a helpful process to identify which foods are particularly problematic and trigger your flare-ups.

The flu is hard on young people, but time is the best healer

My practice is full of young adults who have the flu and don’t seem to have a clue how to take care of themselves.

Flu can be a serious illness for the elderly or frail and other high-risk groups who need to be vaccinated, but for those of us who are otherwise healthy, the main treatment is to look after ourselves at home.

And it takes time – a flu attack can last up to ten days.

My practice is full of young adults who have the flu and don’t seem to have a clue how to take care of themselves

During this time, you should rest, drink plenty of fluids (no alcohol, of course) and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not on an empty stomach – unless you want indigestion) for the pain.

GPs don’t have to prescribe anything for the flu, but pharmacists have good options for congestion, discomfort and fever.

Usually, the most important treatment is simply time.

Think outside the box of pills

I like to think that I am open – with a healthy dose of skepticism – to alternative medicine’s ability to treat disease or relieve symptoms.

Generally, they do not stand up to scientific scrutiny or are not well studied. But when patients tell me something works for them and it’s harmless, I say go for it.

That’s why I was interested when a friend told me that a gluten-free diet seemed to help end her menopausal hot flashes in just four months.

She also lost her “transition belly” and is happy to have found a solution without medication.

There is no evidence that a gluten-free diet can help with menopausal symptoms, but there may be some truth to it. Let me know if you’ve had anything out of the ordinary that made your menopause a little easier.