Health Check

Your sticky body issues sorted at our write-in clinic

Vinegar plates

“My feet smell like cider vinegar and sweat all the time. I use all the deodorants and dry them properly, but the smell just cuts through everything. Is there some kind of ‘final solution’ for my feet?”

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Name witheld, Pune

Blame your socks, says Dr Alexander McFarlane of Thanksdr.co.uk, a website that provides online access to experienced British doctors 24/7. “Your feet were designed to be naked,” explains the medic. “And when they were the ‘waste’ products that cause feet to smell would be blown or washed away. Because of socks and shoes this can’t happen, so brevibacteria [a cheesy, vinegar-smelling type of bacteria] flourish, digesting the dead skin stuck on your feet and making your plates of meat pong.”

The good news is the answer to your problem doesn’t involve you dodging dog shit in bare feet. “The solution is easy and cheap,” continues Dr McFarlane. “Invest in rich cotton socks – they are the best for helping air circulate – and continue washing your feet with soap. Rinse them, then soak them in a bowl of warm water containing two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda for at least five minutes. Let the feet dry in the air with the bicarbonate of soda on them and avoid putting on your socks for as long as possible.” Do this every night et voila! Your smelly feet will resemble a rose garden within days. Enjoy!

That shrinking feeling

Everyone says eating under 1,000 calories a day is unhealthy, but I did it for four weeks, got slim and feel ace. Is it really that bad for you?

Anurag Batra, Mumbai

Like Dr Raj Persaud asking the BMA for a reference, you’ve got the entire medical community scandalised. “Creating your own very low calorie diet (VLCD) is dangerous”

There’s a high risk of developing deficiencies, particularly in vitamins and trace metals – this can cause sudden death (eg though cardiac dysthrythmia). If there is insufficient protein, it could compromise both the immune system and cardiac and skeletal muscle function; you could end up with a multi organ failure.” That clear enough? It’s a fry-up for you my lad.

Sprint finish

I go running at the same time every day – 6.30am – don’t drink alcohol, and eat healthily, so why is it that my legs sometimes feel ‘dead’?

Bharat Sinha, Mumbai

“It could be a number of things,” surmises Bupa physiotherapist, Simon Fairthor (bupa.co.uk). Helpful, eh? But, wait, there’s more. “The major causes of ‘dead’ legs are: pressure on the spinal nerves of the back; anaemia; compartment syndrome; or rhabdomyolysis. Pressure on your spinal nerves could be down to your mattress not providing your back with enough support. Check if this is the case by running in the afternoon or evening. If you find it easier at these times, head to a bed shop. Anaemia is a lack of iron in the blood. You can combat this by checking your diet and hydration levels to ensure you are getting enough iron and are well hydrated. Compartment syndrome – when the muscle swells with blood during exercise– and rhabdomyolysis – the breakdown of skeletal muscle– are more serious, however, so if altering your diet, time of exercise and mattress don’t improve things consult a sports physiotherapist or sports physician.”

Silver surfer

I’m greying faster than a Bollywood hero. It can’t be down to stress as my job is a breeze, so why am I getting these ‘natural highlights’?

Miles, via email

Time to think outside the box, says Dr Rajendra Sharma of diagnosticclinic.com. “There is no conventional treatment for premature greying and no simple herbal option, either,” he explains. So instead try investigating if there’s any mineral deficiency in your barnet at a laboratory that does hair analysis. Or turn to Eastern philosophy: “The Chinese suggests that grey hair is an issue of deficient Qi [‘Chi’],” reveals the Doc. “There are many ways to improve this – including taking up marital arts or having a Chinese massage – but to find out the one that suits you best consult a Chinese medical practitioner.”

Face ache

I want to have Botox – is it dangerous? I’ve heard that your face stiffens up and you can’t smile.

Anil, Chandigarh

Cosmetic surgeon Dr Hicham Mouallem can’t wait to get to grips with you, needle and mirror in hand. “Botox is not dangerous, actually it is very common to use it for aesthetic treatments. If it’s done by an expert it produces some fabulous results.” If you do want to take the plunger, as it were, expect to pay Rs 18,075 for “each area”, as Dr Moaullem explains. And that’s not all: “Should the patient want two areas done, we offer Rs 3,650 off,” says the entrepreneurial face quack.

Grinderman

I grind my teeth at night and it’s giving me headaches and a sore jaw. I’m worried that my teeth will disappear. How can I stop it?

Anil Chopra, New Delhi

Congratulations, you’re suffering from ‘bruxism’, and the good news is you’re not alone. “It affects around one in ten of us,” reckons British Dental Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter. The bad news is that your peg gnashing habit can lead to “joint damage, jaw-ache and even make your teeth wear away”. You need to go see the dentist while you’ve still got a tongue in your head. As Dr Carter says, “Treatment depends on the cause, but your dentist will be able to recommend whatever is most suitable for you.”

From the August 2010 issue of FHM India.