ASK DR ZOE
Can I take antihistamines for hay fever if I’m pregnant? Dr Zoe Williams reveals all
Dr Zoe also helps a reader who has developed pain in their right shoulder
HOW much water do you drink every day?
I was surprised to see that 45 per cent of Brits have just one glass daily – way below the recommended eight.
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The research, by water bottle brand Air Up, also revealed 21 per cent are dehydrated, as evidenced by the colour of their urine.
Light yellow pee – like champagne – is the ideal colour, and apple juice colour suffices.
Pale ale is mildly dehydrated, while honey colour or darker is dehydrated.
Completely clear-coloured urine may indicate being overly hydrated.
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Dehydration is something many Brits are living with, without even realising it – it might explain why you feel tired, weak, lightheaded, hungry or foggy.
Water does more than you probably realise; it helps us to focus, digest food, move muscles and lubricate the joints.
When dehydration is serious – and requires medical help – you may experience severe dizziness, a weak or rapid pulse, drowsiness or fainting.
Older adults may be more prone to dehydration due to changes in thirst sensation and kidney function.
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Try consuming hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables if sipping water is a struggle.
I also want to point out that blood in the urine is always worth a visit to the GP.
What is hay fever: Hayfever season strikes early as mild winter sparks early pollen 'explosion'
And urinating more often than usual could also indicate a medical condition such as diabetes or an enlarged prostate, as well as prostate cancer.
Here’s a selection of what readers have been asking me this week . . .
HAY FEVER MEDS SAFE FOR BABY?
Q) I GET terrible hay fever and usually take antihistamines, starting around now, before my symptoms begin in early May.
But I’m pregnant at the moment and not sure what I can take.
Can you please let me know what is safe?
A) Firstly, you are absolutely spot on with timings.
Grass pollen season is on its way next month, and starting hay fever medication a couple of weeks before you expect your symptoms to kick in is the most effective treatment.
That way you can help prevent the allergic reaction before it even starts.
Steroid nasal sprays and anti-allergy eye drops are both completely safe to use during pregnancy as the medicines are not absorbed into your bloodstream.
They just act on the local areas where they are applied.
Make sure you ask the pharmacist to show you how to properly use the nasal spray because many people get it wrong.
When it comes to antihistamine tablets, most manufacturers advise avoiding their use during pregnancy and breastfeeding because clinical trials have not been done on expectant mums to ensure their safety.
However, there is no existing evidence of any adverse effect on the baby.
And many, many women have taken them during pregnancy.
It is best to try the nasal sprays and eye drops as first line and, if they are not doing the job, have a chat with your own GP.
They can help you weigh up whether the benefits of treatment likely outweigh any possible risks in your case.
Top hay fever remedies you need now
As the sun starts to shine - here are some of the top allergy remedies that should make your time outside easier
1. Go to your pharmacist - they can help with the right treatment for you
2. Wear sunglasses - this stops pollen getting in
3. Take a shower - this stops pollen sticking to you
4. Use a balm - this creates a pollen block
5. Have a pollen-free space
6. Enjoy coastal areas - try and stick to places that are less grassy
Q) I WAS sawing branches last week and since then I’ve had pain in the right side of my chest.
I’ve tried ibuprofen and co-codamol to no avail, and the pain is now affecting my sleep.
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I’ve got a doctor’s appointment soon but, in the meantime, could you give me advice?
A) Sawing branches involves repetitive and strenuous movements of the arms, shoulder and chest muscles.
This great physical exertion can lead to muscle strain.
You can also sometimes get costochondritis, which is inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum), and it can cause sharp chest pain.
It is also important to consider whether the chest pain could be coming from your heart or lungs, and you perhaps coincidentally started feeling it after sawing.
Well done for making the right decision to see your GP for further assessment and examination.
In the meantime, I would advise that you avoid strenuous activities that exacerbate the pain.
But do keep moving and stretching to prevent stiffness from setting in. You can also try a hot or cold compress, depending on which of these feels better for you.
As always, if the pain becomes unbearable or you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing or dizziness, please call 111 or 999, as this could indicate a heart attack.
Tip of the week
BEING kind to yourself is an essential aspect of overall health.
Treat yourself with the same kindness you would a friend, and you may be able to overcome obstacles such as smoking addiction, over-eating or financial woes better than if you were feeling “guilty”.
Could statin cause shoulder pain?
Q) I AM 77 and, since I started taking 20mg of statin, I have developed pain in my right shoulder.
I’ve tried massaging it without success.
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A) There are lots of potential causes of a painful right shoulder. But if it is a muscle pain that coincides with starting a statin medication, it is important to let your GP know straight away.
Statins are used to lower cholesterol in the blood. But like all medicines, they do have a potential risk of side effects.
For most people, the benefits – which include reducing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes – will outweigh any risk.
But it is important to be on the lookout for side effects and to report them to the GP straight away. Muscle pains are a common side effect of statins and symptoms can range from very mild to severe.
If there is inflammation in the muscle (myositis), it can also cause muscle weakness and cramps.
So if your GP suspects the statin could be the cause, they will likely do a blood test to check for creatine kinase, a substance that is released into the blood when muscles are damaged or inflamed.
There are some alternative cholesterol-lowering medications if your doctor advises against continuing the statin.
Some people are more at risk of experiencing statin-induced muscle pain.
The older you are, the more likely it is, and it is more common in females, thin people and those who have other medical conditions such as diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney or liver disease.
If severe muscle pain starts following a statin, stop the medication immediately and seek urgent medical attention, such as at A&E.
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There is a rare but important condition called rhabdomyolysis, in which the muscles break down. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Signs include muscle swelling, tenderness, weakness or soreness and dark urine.