healthwise

Dear Doctor Dara...

healthwise

Published: Mon 2 Aug 2021, 2:02 PM

In a new monthly column, Dr Dara Hume answers readers' questions on all matters health...

Afraid of crowds

Dr Dara: Unfortunately the pandemic has had a very significant impact on the mental health of our youngsters, and in different ways for different age groups. For the smallies, it can mean being frightened of the 'bug’, scary dreams, or being clingier to parents as they weren’t seeing anyone else for a long time. For the pre adolescents (like your little one Susan), being frightened of mixing with other kids, losing basic social skills through long periods without seeing their friends, afraid of ‘bringing the bug home to Granny’, while now not as relevant, still resonate with younger adults. Teenagers really struggled with home schooling, not seeing their friends, hanging out etc - all the things that were completely normal to them pre Covid.

I think the solution Susan is communication. Chat to them, let them know you’re there to talk about anything. Try not to appear shocked, no matter what they come out with! And sometimes, just listen, and not offer advice (this can sometimes be the hardest thing to do!).

If you or any other readers have serious concerns about your child’s mental health - for example they’ve become withdrawn, no interest in things, staying in their room all day, not interacting with family or friends, or expressing death wishes or suicidal ideas - please talk to your GP.

Back pain

Dr Dara: Hi Bridget. I have to assume he was never in an accident, or actually injured his back, as then he would surely have sought help. Low back pain is incredibly common, and can be acute (new, after a fall, accident, lifting or pulling something ), or chronic (long standing, as in your husband's case Bridget). Ideally he should see his GP/Physiotherapist for a back review to see what exactly the problem is, to outrule any potentially serious causes, to see what level of the spine it originates in, and to form a management plan. If he is taking painkillers, he certainly needs to be seen.

However there are some things he can do in the meantime, that are also helpful for anyone with back pain.

Posture is key - sitting upright in his car seat (where all of his spine from bum to neck is touched by car seat); seated in a chair with good support, like a kitchen chair, rather than sinking into a soft couch with no support. Or add a firm cushion to his lower back on the couch.

Keep moving - our joints need to be moved to keep supple, so every hour, get up from his desk, or if driving, get out of the car and move around for a few minutes.

Ensure you have a good supportive mattress and one pillow to cradle the head.

Also too every morning before getting out of bed, get him to lie on his back, hands behind each knee in turn, draw the knee up to the chest, hold for 20 secs and release. Then out of bed, stretch spine forwards, bending towards the toes, nice and easy, to loosen up the soft tissues.

I think you need to tell him you’re worried about him Bridget, perhaps make the appointment yourself. Most men that I see in my surgery tell me that ‘herself made the appointment’, or ‘herself was nagging me to come in’. Most back pain is not worrying, but certain times it can be, especially if it’s unexplained, associated with weight loss, or a previous cancer, so it’s crucial to get a firm diagnosis.