From peeing at night to feeling ‘windy’ – the 7 times that niggle is more than just a niggle
ACHES, pains, clicks and creaks – we all experience little health irritations.
They seem to creep up on us until, all of a sudden, we’re wondering how long they have been there and if we should be concerned.
Whether you are constantly bloated and gassy or you have pain on the sole of your foot, here a panel of experts explain to Lucy Gornall what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to pesky niggles.
Foot pain
IT’S easy to assume that foot pain is simply a result of walking or standing more than usual.
Until, that is, you realise it is getting worse.
Pain in the heel could be plantar fasciitis, according to Rashida Damanwala, a specialist physiotherapist at Sprint Physiotherapy.
That’s when the tendon along the bottom of your foot becomes irritated or inflamed.
Rashida says: “Icing the area is best. Wear comfy footwear – softer soles with good arch support and a slight heel.
“Supportive trainers are ideal. And try to keep the area as mobile as the pain allows.”
She adds: “Serious causes could be a stress fracture. If after around three weeks the pain remains unchanged or gets worse, it may be time to seek advice from a doctor or physio.”
Peeing at night
NOCTURIA, the medical name for peeing during the night, affects more than half of men and women aged 60 and older.
While common with age, this night-time niggle may indicate prostate problems in men.
It’s also a symptom of prostate cancer, along with feeling like the bladder has not fully emptied and straining while urinating.
Nocturia may also be caused by diabetes, which increases thirst and toilet trips.
Serious conditions aside, GP and TV presenter Dr Hilary Jones, says: “Drinking too much fluid, especially caffeinated drinks, in the afternoon or evening, for example, can have an impact.
“Medications such as water tablets, otherwise known as diuretics, for heart conditions or oedema of the legs, will produce more urine too.”
Dr Jones suggests taking diuretic medications in the morning and at least six hours before bed.
Sensitive teeth
OUCH! Tooth sensitivity can repeatedly catch you throughout the day, even if you are just hit by a cold gust of wind.
Dr Joe Bansal, a cosmetic restorative dentist with the London Smiling practice, says exposed tooth surfaces, which can occur with receding gums, cause sensitivity.
He adds: “The root surface is not covered by enamel and is porous, and these pores will run towards the nerve, causing this short, sharp, transient pain.
“This can be fixed by using any mainstream sensitive toothpaste, and most can be applied topically to the affected area after brushing for a more targeted approach.
“Using an electric toothbrush can also help prevent further gum recession.”
Smoking and poor oral health habits can cause receding gums, as well as tooth decay.
Dr Bansal says: “When there is a hole in a tooth, the inner areas are exposed to bacteria and this can cause sensitivity.
“This may become worse with sweet and acidic foods and drinks as this allows the bacteria to thrive.
“When there is decay, sadly no home treatments will help and a dental visit would be advised.”
Bloating
WHILE some bloating is normal, such as after a big meal, regular bloating could indicate a problem.
Dr Ann Nainan (thetravellingdoc.com) says that it might be down to eating certain foods that create gas in your stomach, or if you’ve swallowed a lot of air while eating (usually if you’re talking or rushing what you’re munching).
But you may also be constipated or intolerant to some foods. Dr Nainan says: “Sometimes there could be more serious reasons, like inflammatory bowel disease or, more rarely, cancer.”
Bloating is a key early sign of ovarian cancer, and potentially bowel and stomach cancers.
“If you’re feeling bloated frequently, it worsens, you are losing weight or you have additional symptoms, such as blood in your poo, it’s best to talk to a doctor,” she says.
A smell ‘down there’
AN occasional odour “down below” is normal for women. But if the smell of your discharge becomes offputting, particularly if it is fishy, it may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
This affects one in three women, according to Dr Jo Bailey, a consultant gynaecologist at VJJ Health.
She says: “The main symptoms of BV are a distinct fishy odour, an abnormal discharge, usually white or grey, and discomfort, soreness or itching.
Some women mistake it for thrush [which typically does not smell]. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from your doctor.”
BV can occur after having a contraceptive IUD fitted, leaving tampons in for too long or using perfumed products, such as soap, in the vagina.
Dr Bailey says: “It’s best to seek medical advice for proper management if symptoms continue or over-the-counter treatment hasn’t helped.”
Windy afternoon
GAS in the afternoon could be caused by a lunch that was high in carbs or fibre.
“Also, if you eat or drink too fast or are stressed, you might swallow more air without knowing, or eat more or different food than usual,” says Dr Ann Nainan.
“Sometimes, problems such as IBS or not being able to handle lactose in dairy foods can make you gassy, too.”
Dr Nainan suggests keeping a food and toilet diary to spot triggers, and make food changes accordingly, eating slowly and avoiding fizzy drinks and processed foods.
She adds: “For some people, changing what they eat or using medicines they can buy without a prescription can help with afternoon gassiness.
“If it keeps happening, or gets worse, or you have more symptoms, such as changes in your poo habits and changes in weight, see a doctor.”
Pain when you eat
IF you’ve noticed that eating has become a little harder, sore gums or an ulcer could be the cause.
Dentist Dr Joe Bansal says: “Good brushing and homecare may improve sore gums but, if this does not subside, a hygiene visit may be necessary.
Using a numbing cream can help with ulcers, as well as avoiding acidic or spicy foods.
“If this has not healed within a couple of weeks, a dentist visit is advised as sometimes this can be a sign of something more sinister.”
Most ulcers are harmless and triggered by feeling under the weather, stress and poor diet, but they could signal a vitamin deficiency, Crohn’s disease, a weakened immune system and more.
Difficulty eating could also be due to a new crack in your tooth. Book an appointment with your dentist if the pain persists or gets worse.
Cancer screenings in England
CATCHING cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and a huge part of that is attending regular screenings.
NHS programmes can help diagnose the disease, or risk of it, and improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
There are three national screening programmes in England: cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening.
“If you are eligible, please make every effort to have your screening test as they can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. ,” the NHS says.
“Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.”
Cervical screening
This is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64.
Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier.
During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Those that test positive are then analysed further.
Breast screening
Breast screenings, which involve an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel, are usually offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England.
But the NHS is trialling them for women under 50 if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Bowel screening
This test detects whether patients are showing any early signs of cancer.
Men and women aged 60 to 74 are sent an at-home test kit every two years.
This involves providing a small poo sample to be checked for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by cancer.
Source: NHS