DR ELLIE CANNON: Could my eye disease jabs be the reason for frequent dizziness?

I have macular eye disease and the treatment is injections in my eyes. I also get dizziness that makes me fall, and sometimes I get very sick too. My doctor prescribes all kinds of pills but they don’t help. Could my problem have something to do with the injections? i am 83.

It is not uncommon for patients who become dizzy to fall frequently.

Doctors call such events “drop attacks,” and they should be investigated at any age. But falling is of particular concern for the elderly, as it is a leading cause of disability, hospitalization and bone fractures.

A consultation with a general practitioner or ophthalmologist is crucial to see if there are alternative medicines and to determine the risks of going off medication altogether.

When vertigo or a bout of vertigo is accompanied by vomiting, the problem may be the inner ear disorder, Meniere’s disease. There may be other symptoms, such as changes in hearing, tinnitus, and even a feeling of blocked ears. In Meniere’s disease, dizziness usually lasts about three hours. However, it may take several days for the symptoms to completely disappear. There is no specific test for Meniere’s disease and unfortunately there is no cure. Instead, patients are given tablets to control dizziness and vomiting, while antihistamines can be used to reduce the feeling of dizziness.

Meniere’s is a difficult condition to live with and it can have a debilitating impact on a person’s quality of life. Support is available from the Meniere’s Society on 01306 876883 or through its website, menieres.org.uk.

I am 77 and have a terrible problem when I get bitten by mosquitoes. No matter where I am on vacation, the bites tend to spread all the way down my arms and legs and eventually I need steroid injections to calm the itching and swelling. I take the antihistamine loratadine daily and try to use mosquito repellent most days while I’m away. I want to travel more, but I now feel like I can’t. Can you help?

Some people are very affected by mosquito bites, and many factors play a role in the degree to which a person is affected, including skin type, previous reactions and genetics. The easiest way to handle this problem is to avoid getting bitten in the first place.

Cover yourself with sleeves, socks and pants first – early evening is an important time to do this. Also, avoid using fragrances such as perfume and scented toiletries, as they attract insects. In tropical countries, insect nets are a good idea to avoid being bitten at night. In countries where it is advised, you should also take antimalarial tablets.

Wherever you are, insect repellent with 50 percent of the active ingredient DEET is most effective.

Taking antihistamine tablets can help reduce the body’s response to bites.

Non-drowsy types, designed to be taken during the day, are the best option as you can take them more than once a day with your doctor’s approval.

A good bite cream will also help reduce reactions — the most effective contain a steroid or antihistamine, and you can buy over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone creams to put on bites that are starting to swell. Some people claim that taking a vitamin B supplement helps prevent bites – there’s little scientific basis for this, but a daily tablet won’t cause any problems, so it’s worth a try.

In the past year I have noticed that small bumps have formed around my eyes. They don’t hurt, but they erode my self-confidence. I would like to have them removed, but I am afraid that I will damage my sight. i am 72.

Removing anything from the skin carries the possibility of scarring and damage to the area – even if it’s a minor procedure – and it’s true that any surgery involving the eyes can affect vision.

That said, many thousands of eye procedures and surgeries are performed in the UK every year and are highly successful.

Bumps around the eye usually form near the lash line. They can mean a number of things. The most common type of bump is a stye – an infection in the eyelash follicles. These are normally very painful. Another is a chalazion, which is when the glands of the eyelids become clogged. They can arise from a stye that is no longer infected.

A condition called blepharitis, in which the eyelids are generally inflamed and crusty, may also be to blame. The treatment consists of warming, massaging and cleaning the eyelids – possibly with a warm washcloth – to remove the oils and crusts and allow the follicles to drain.

Something called milia can also form near the lash lines. These are small, protein-filled bumps that often go away on their own.

The risks and benefits of each procedure should be weighed with a professional.

When is the right time to move on?

Is it ever right to start another romantic relationship if your husband or wife has dementia and can barely recognize you?

It’s a question I’ve been pondering after reading last week about the divorce from Wolfgang Porsche, the billionaire executive of the luxury car company.

The 79-year-old divorced his partner of 16 years two years after she was diagnosed, according to last week’s reports. He could not cope with the changes in her behavior and has reportedly moved in with a new 59-year-old girlfriend, Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen.

Your immediate reaction may be one of disgust. But caring for a loved one as they slowly slip away from you is hard. I know dementia patients who insist that their partner find someone else when they become desperately ill.

There are others who don’t consider a relationship after their partner dies because it would feel wrong.

Have you been accused of going too fast? Or maybe you never want to?

Whatever your experience, write and tell me at the email address below.

Wolfgang Porsche, pictured right, with Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen, left, reportedly divorced his ex-wife two years after she was diagnosed with dementia