DR ELLIE: If you can’t stop drooling, it could have a surprising cause
I am 77 and have been having uncontrollable dripping for the past 6 months. Neither my GP nor my dentist know what the problem is. The only medication I take is omeprazole for heartburn. What is wrong with me?
Dr. Ellie responds: Excessive salivation is an annoying symptom and can also cause irritation around the mouth, which can lead to chapped lips and skin infections. The good news is that there are ways to treat it.
Most often, a dental problem is the cause of dripping. Think of tooth decay or gum disease.
But if a dentist has examined the problem and found no problem, then the problem is essentially ruled out.
A dental problem, such as tooth decay or gum disease, is usually the cause of dribbling
Heartburn can also lead to excessive salivation. The heartburn medication omeprazole should help with this, but it may not be effective in controlling the problem, so it may be worth discussing a change of medication with your GP.
Dribbling can sometimes be caused by a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis. However, it is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as tremors, fatigue and loss of balance.
One option for a patient with this problem is to see a speech therapist, who may be able to diagnose a swallowing muscle problem that could be causing the dribbling.
They should also be able to provide exercises that help relieve symptoms. A GP can refer patients to one of these specialists.
There are also medications to help with excessive salivation. These are usually used to treat patients with excessive salivation, but there is no reason why someone with a drip problem could not try them as well.
Here too, a GP should be able to prescribe these treatments.
I have a small lump just below my shoulder that becomes painful several times a day. I have postponed going to the doctor because I don’t want unnecessary tests. What should I do?
Dr. Ellie responds: Anything that causes daily attacks of pain should be evaluated by a doctor. Even if the underlying cause is not life-threatening, there is no reason why anyone should have to endure this level of suffering.
Because lumps can be a sign of cancer, they should always be examined by a doctor.
However, cancerous lumps often change shape or grow over time. If one has been present for several years without changing, it is unlikely to be cancer.
A more common cause of skin lumps would be a cyst (a sac of fluid) or a lipoma (a collection of fat) that forms under the skin. Normally the NHS would not remove a non-cancerous growth. However, if it is causing pain, surgery may be an option.
A lump can be examined easily and painlessly with an ultrasound.
A GP can usually refer you for this and the waiting time should not be too long. In rare cases a sample can be taken with a needle.
In the meantime, it is worth discussing pain management options with a GP or pharmacist.
I suffer from restless leg syndrome. I am taking ropinirole and pramipexole but this does not seem to help. Can you suggest any other treatments?
Dr. Ellie responds: Restless legs syndrome is a difficult condition to treat because doctors do not fully understand it.
Patients experience a need to move their legs, usually in the evening and at night. They may also experience a tingling or cramping sensation.
There are indications that it is related to iron deficiency, but this does not apply to all patients.
We know that smoking, alcohol and caffeine aggravate the symptoms. That is why it is important to limit the intake of these substances.
Exercise also seems to reduce symptoms, so I often advise patients to take a walk and stretch their legs once a day.
More and more medications are being prescribed to treat restless legs syndrome. These include pramipexole and ropinirole, originally Parkinson’s drugs, which help to control the shaking that patients experience.
Research also shows that the painkillers gabapentin and pregabalin help reduce the severity of symptoms.
The hardest part of living with this annoying condition is that it often leads to sleep deprivation, which is not only annoying but can also lead to further health problems.
GPs may prescribe the painkiller codeine to relieve aching legs and improve sleep quality. If patients are already taking the maximum dose, a referral to a sleep specialist may be necessary.
Limiting the time people spend on their cell phones can help with anxiety and depression (photo posed by model)
Have you tried throwing away your phone?
I spend way too much time on my phone, so I decided to hide it in a drawer during my vacation. This digital detox was, I have to say, a huge success.
Instead of answering work emails and scrolling through social media, I enjoyed the sea and the sun.
Within no time I felt a noticeable decrease in my anxiety and the quality of my sleep improved.
Of course, in the real world we can’t forget about our phones – they’re an integral part of modern life. But I worry that we’re all spending too much time glued to our screens.
When patients tell me they suffer from anxiety and depression, the first thing I advise them to do is spend less time on their cell phones.
Do you think you’re addicted to your phone? Have you tried to quit – and how did it go? Let me know what you think via the email address below.
Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Please email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
Dr. Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her responses must be read in a general context.