q My lipid profile is terrible, and my cholesterol is high. I was prescribed statins. I read that they have a lot of side effects.

You need to follow your doctor’s advice. Statins are excellent drugs. They lower your cholesterol, shrink fatty plaques and prevent plaque rupture, tackling the main cause of heart attacks. Less than 5 per cent of patients have side effects from statins, and most people only suffer from fatigue and muscle pains. Serious side effects are rare. If you wish to reduce your statin dose or stop it altogether:

n Try reaching ideal body weight

n Cut trans fats from your diet

n Reduce oil intake to 500ml per month

n Make 4-6 helpings of fruits and vegetables a part of your meals

n Add garlic, flax seeds and Vitamin C to diet

n Substitute green tea for your morning coffee

n Exercise aerobically for 40 minutes a day.

Then re-evaluate your lipid profile but consult a physician before stopping or changing medication.

Toe turn q My big toe is suddenly turning inwards toward the second toe.

This condition is called hallux and occurs because of wearing tight shoes. Wearing a “toe separator” in the early stages often helps. Also, try walking barefoot as much as possible. Surgical correction may be required if it is painful or interferes with your gait.

BP in pregnancy q I am pregnant, and my blood pressure has gone up. My doctor prescribed some tablets. I don’t want to take it as it might affect the baby.

Untreated hypertension during pregnancy reduces blood flow to the placenta. As a result, the foetus might receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients. This can lead to slow growth (intrauterine growth retardation), low birth weight or premature birth.

Your doctor has probably carefully prescribed appropriate medication that will not affect the baby. It is best that you follow her advice.

Skipping breakfast q In an attempt to lose weight, I regularly skip breakfast. By 11am I am so hungry that I end up eating high-calorie snacks.

Missing meals is not the answer to weight loss. Weight loss is based on mathematics. You need to calculate your total caloric requirement for the day. You need to work out and attain a negative balance of 500 calories. It would help if you eat your meals on time. Try eating breakfast with some protein, a few nuts and a fruit. This may prevent the 11am craving.

Itchy ears q My ears itch a lot. What should I do?

Everyone’s ears itch at some time or another, and in some people, the ears itch all the time. There may be many reasons: a build up of wax, a fungal infection, water in the ear due to swimming or allergies.

Whatever the reason, do not scratch inside the ear. Do not use pencils, keys or earbuds in the ear. They will push the wax further into the ear. They may damage the skin or bones of the ear. Consult a physician to determine why you have the itching a so that you can receive a specific remedy. For temporary relief, press the outer ear to help control the itching.

Irregular periods q After years of menstruating like clockwork, I have started getting heavy, irregular periods. Though I realise it may be because of menopause, I am worried.

You need a complete physical exam just a scan won’t work) and blood tests to evaluate your problem. Although it may be just the hormonal imbalances normal with perimenopause, you need to rule out systemic diseases like thyroid malfunctions. Also, the uterus may be enlarged and have fibroids or polyps, or there may be cysts or
tumours in the ovary.

The writer has a family practice at Vellore and is the author of Staying Healthy in Modern India. If you have any questions on health issues please write to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in