Ask Ali
Alison Cullen is a Nutritional Therapist with a special interest in Phytotherapy.
Ali will endeavour to give the best advice based on the information provided. However, it is always advisable to have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor or health care practitioner to obtain a diagnosis of any health matter which is concerning you.
QThere must be something amiss with my digestive process for I seem to pass endless volumes of wind and can’t imagine where it can come from. I am 82, fit and take various vitamins but maybe should take something else as well?
A A problem with excess wind, such as you describe, can be caused by slow bowel function (one or fewer bowel movements daily) or poor digestive enzyme production.
If the former is present, take Lepicol or a mild laxative until two bowel movements daily are established. If this is not the case, take Yarrow 10 minutes before each meal. This will increase the power of your digestive enzyme secretion.
Q I am 53 years old, quite fit and in generally good health. I am tall and slim and have been slender all my life so my problem is not caused by obesity.
I am developing unsightly thread veins on the backs of my calves and also behind my knees. Is there anything I can do to address this problem without resorting to surgery? I follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and fresh vegetables and drink three to four pints of water every day. I am also a non-smoker.
A Taking one Horse Chestnut tablet (Aesculus) with food over a three to six month period will strengthen your veins and reduce the likelihood of this condition developing further.
Q I have a problem with having to get up in the night to go to the toilet, which is ruining my sleep. I have had to get up once or twice for some years, but now the number of times is increasing. I am an otherwise fit and healthy 57- year-old man, apart from now being rather tired a lot of the time, from the lack of good sleep.
A As they age, most men get urinary problems, due to the enlargement of the prostate gland, making it harder for urine to leave the bladder easily and completely. It is essential that you check with your GP to ensure the underlying reason for the problem. If a benign enlargement of the prostate is confirmed, consider taking the herb Saw Palmetto. Once the symptoms have reduced, you can continue with a maintenance dose to stop the problem from recurring, which it tends to do. Drink plenty of still water and avoid coffee and fizzy drinks, which irritate your bladder.
Remember that changes should be checked with a doctor.
We regret that it is not possible for us to print answers to all the letters Ali receives. Remember that back issues of Healthy Way articles and Ask Ali are available on this website.
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