q I often wake up with a stiff neck. It is uncomfortable, and I find it difficult to turn my head.

It can happen if you work or sit with your head tilted slightly in front of your shoulders. This stresses the muscles at the back of the neck and between the shoulder blades. Overuse (particularly computer time) leads to injury, chronic depletion of chemicals, pain and fatigue.

You could try taking an analgesic like paracetamol or an NSAID like ibuprofen. Apply heat or ice (whichever feels better) to the area and stretch. An easy stretch is to bend your head down to look into your left armpit. Hold the position for a count of 20. Repeat five times. This stretches the muscles that run from the bottom of your skull to the shoulder blade. Repeat the stretch on the other side.

Grey hair q I am 35 years old and going grey fast. I have had some stressful events in my life. Is the greying because of that?

Although some studies do show that stressful events can deplete a body chemical called noradrenaline, which leads to a loss of pigment cells in the hair turning it white, grey hair is more likely to be genetic. It can also be due to deficiencies in iron, calcium, vitamins B12 and D, thyroid deficiency and smoking. Get yourself checked for these deficiencies.

Shoulder pain q My shoulder hurt so I went to an orthopaedic surgeon. After X-rays, he said there was nothing wrong with the joint.

Shoulder pain, especially on one side, may not arise from the shoulder itself. It may be due to diabetes. This is a fairly common condition called a “frozen shoulder”. So, check your blood sugar level. It may also be due to elevated uric acid levels. It can be referred pain due to problems in the neck bones, heart disease or even gallbladder disease. If your shoulder joint is completely normal, get a complete evaluation done for the other issues.

Pills that stick q Whenever I take tablets, I feel that they stick in my throat. I am 25 years old.

Oval and heavier pills pass through more easily than capsules or smaller, lighter pills. When you feel that the pills stick, you may be right. Capsules of antibiotics are particularly likely to cause problems. Always have at least half a cup of water when you swallow medication and sit up straight for at least 10 minutes afterwards.

Sleep aid q I have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. I heard about melatonin. Is it safe? I don’t want to become addicted to sleeping tablets.

We can sleep at night and stay awake during the day because our brain works on a circadian rhythm or internal clock, which is influenced by sunlight. The circadian rhythm is controlled by a hormone called melatonin, the levels of which vary with light and darkness. Its production decreases with increasing age, jetlag, or night shifts. This hormone is available as a OTC tablet. Long-term use is not advised. Use it only until your rhythm is reset. It is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating mothers or if there is an autoimmune disease or epilepsy.

Heat blister q I developed a blister on my hand after I touched a hot vessel. What should I do?

If the fluid inside the blister is clear, it is not infected. Do not pop it; the liquid will be reabsorbed by itself. If it bursts on its own, wash it with soap and water and then apply an antibiotic ointment, such as neosporin or mupirocin. Try to leave it open as much as possible. If the surrounding skin is red, there is pain or the contents are cloudy, you may need antibiotics. Please consult a physician.

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