Experts Answer Five Serious Questions People are Too Shy to Ask their Doctors

Sometimes when we go meet the doctor, we become too shy to a fault, and refuse to share personal problems with them. Some of these questions have been addressed.

 

File photo used only for illustrative purpose

 

When it comes to speaking to doctors , there are some information we will offer up willingly - whether we smoke, what our general health is like and describing the coughs and sneezes you've been having.

 

But there are some things we're all too embarrassed to talk to our doctors about, even though they're medical professionals and have seen it all before.

 

For those questions we usually resort to Google, which might lead us to forums where people who aren't exactly qualified try to help.

 

Health experts were asked to identify five questions women are too uncomfortable to talk to their doctors about, and offer advice on the matter.

 

Please note: if you are concerned about your health always consult a medical professional.

 

1. "My feet sweat and get quite smelly, especially in the warmer months. What can I do?"

 

Sweating from the soles of the feet is quite natural, in fact the feet contain more sweat glands than any other part of the body, even your armpits.

 

Sweating keeps the skin supple and helps stop it from drying out and cracking. With a rise in temperature during the warmer months, the body cools itself by increased sweating. However if the sweat accumulates on your skin, then bacteria can build up and cause smelly feet.

 

Michael Ratcliffe, Podiatrist at Carnation Footcare explained how we can control the sweating in our feet and to keep them smelling fresh.

 

"Maintain good foot hygiene – wash your feet daily with a mild soap, drying carefully and applying a foot cream afterwards, keep your toenails cut short and gently remove build ups of hard, dead skin using a foot file.

"Pay attention to hosiery and footwear – alternate your shoes daily to allow them to dry out, avoid tight fitting shoes, wear hosiery made of natural fibres to absorb moisture and wear sandals in warmer weather

"Use footcare products such as an anti-perspirant to help limit sweating. Carnation Footcare's Fresh Foot Spray includes citronella and geranium oil."

2. "Why do I have bad breath?"

 

Dehydration is one of the most common reasons of bad breath. If you are one of those people, who survive on coffee and forget about topping up their water bottle you are most likely to develop bad breath during the day.

 

Nutritionist Cassandra Barns explains: “Our saliva is a natural antiseptic and it plays a crucial role in breaking down food particles trapped within dental crevices and protecting teeth from bacterial decay.

"However, in order for your body to produce enough of it, you must be drinking plenty of water throughout the day, otherwise microbes in our mouth will feed on food pieces and release by-products, causing odor at the same time."

 

Sometimes, bad breath could be coming from your gut.

 

She adds: “If your digestive tract is sluggish and you suffer from bowel problems then you are more prone to ‘morning breath’.

"An imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in your gut, as well as an excess of gas in your body can cause an unpleasant odor. To nip the problem in the bud take probiotics regularly, which will directly target harmful bacteria. Try Pro-Ven 25 Billion (Boots, £13.95),”

 

3. "Why does my vagina smell funny?"

 

Nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville explains: “The vagina is normally colonized with healthy bacteria, but if something disrupts the ecosystem, then unhealthy bacteria like Bacterial Vaginosis can take over.

"Scientists are not sure what causes this imbalance, but when this infection is present the normal –slightly acidic – quality of the vagina changes to become more alkaline.

"It is suggested that a sudden shift in balance from acid to alkaline allows other bacteria to take hold. Symptoms include itching, soreness and redness as well as grey or yellow vaginal discharge with a fishy smell, especially after sex."

 

Unfortunately, you can’t cure it yourself. She adds: “If you are suffering any irritation around the vagina, or if you have an unusual discharge, it is very important that you see your Doctor."

 

4. "I am never in the mood. What could be causing my low libido?"

 

Dr Glenville says: “Many factors can cause a drop in sex drive and these can include tiredness, stress, depression, too much alcohol, post-natal depression, menopause, low thyroid function and certain medications e.g. antidepressants can be a problem, as well as ironically the contraceptive pill.

“You may not feel so sexy and attractive if you have gained weight, but remember that for most partners this is not an issue and will often be something that you think about and they don't.

“One other important issue for a good sex life is your general health. If you don’t feel healthy, it's extremely hard to feel sexy.

"So, as a first stop, make sure you eat a healthy diet. Eat or take a supplement of healthy Omega 3 fats, which come from oily fish and eggs.

"Fats are important for overcoming low libido because sex hormones (such as testosterone) are manufactured from the cholesterol contained within those foods. Fats will also help to keep tissues like the vagina lubricated and soft.

"Certain nutrients and herbs can be extremely helpful if your sex drives needs a boost. Think: Zinc, the amino acid l-arginine, Vitamin B3, Siberian Ginseng and Rhodiola."

 

5. "Is it normal that I wee a little bit when laughing or sneezing?"

 

Bladder weakness, also known as incontinence, can affect women of all ages. Urge Incontinence is where there is a sudden need to pass urine and the woman may not be able to get to the toilet in time. It is usually caused by an overactive or irritable bladder. There is also stress incontinence.

 

This is the most common form and causes women to leak urine when they laugh, cough, exercise or sneeze. It affects us more as women, than it does men, largely because of our anatomy.

 

The first thing to do to try and improve stress incontinence is to perform pelvic floor exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor.

 

Lynne Robinson, Pilates guru, founder of Body Control Pilates and author of Pilates for Life recommends Pilates to support your pelvic floor muscles.

 

She said: “To get the best results it is very important that you work the right muscles in the right way. It is very easy to get it wrong.

"This is why specialist help is always best, if possible, although at the end of the day you will have to do the exercises yourself.

"You will need to do different types of exercises as pelvic-floor muscles have different types of fibres (slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibre) and you will need to work both.”

 

Dr Glenville adds that herbs can be really useful, too. She said: "Horsetail contains good amounts of silica that helps strengthen connective tissue generally in the body and also around the bladder.

 

"Silica is found in foods such as carrots, apples, onions, pumpkin, fish, almonds and unrefined grains."

 

This advice is provided by experts in nutrition, podiatry and Pilates. If you are concerned about your health, always consult a medical professional.

 

- Mirror Online