While the general advice for people is to go to their doctors when they are feeling unwell, many end up feeling like their issues were not taken seriously. Whether it is the way their concerns were handled or the way the practitioner spoke to them, people end up feeling dejected, dismissing the trust people have in doctors.

According to a 2024 survey, two-fifths of patients leave their doctor’s appointments without being able to discuss all their concerns. So, how does one ensure their appointments do not go to waste. An NHS doctor, Dr. Karan Rajan or more popularly known as Dr. Raj on social media says that if this happens, there are three simple questions you should think about asking.

These questions can help make sure your doctor takes your concerns seriously and that you feel properly heard during your appointment. It's important to feel like your doctor understands what you're going through.

Essential Questions to Ask Your GP

Dr. Raj suggests three specific questions that you should ask your doctor if you feel like they are not taking your health concerns seriously.

The first question is, "What else could this be?" This helps your doctor think about other possible reasons for your symptoms.

The second question is, "Are there any tests we haven't done yet?" This makes sure all possible tests are considered.

The third question is, "Can you explain why you think this is normal for me?" This encourages your doctor to explain their reasoning.

Other Helpful Tips To Ensure Proper Care From Our End

Besides asking these important questions, Dr Raj also gives four other helpful tips to make sure your doctor properly listens to your health concerns. These tips are things you can do before, during, and after your appointment to help make sure you feel heard and that your health issues are taken seriously. These extra steps can make a big difference in how well your doctor understands what's happening with your health.

Keep a Detailed Symptom Diary

You must keep track of all your symptoms carefully. Note when they occur, their severity, what makes them better or worse, and how they impact your daily life. Share this record with your doctor. Use clear, specific language to describe your feelings, rather than vague terms like "tired."

Don't Hesitate to Ask for a Specialist Referral

If you feel your doctor isn't taking your concerns seriously, you have the right to request a specialist. These doctors have in-depth knowledge of specific health areas. Try politely asking for a referral if you'd feel more comfortable having a specialist's opinion, for example, for persistent muscle pain.

Bring a Supportive Friend or Family Member

Bringing someone you trust to your appointments, especially if you feel unheard. They can offer support, help ensure all your questions are asked, and aid in remembering what the doctor says. Their presence can also help if you feel your concerns are being dismissed.

Know Your Patient Rights and Seek Support

Knowing your rights as a patient, including the right to a second opinion and access to your medical records. Don't hesitate to use these rights. For complex or chronic conditions, consider connecting with patient advocacy groups or online communities for valuable advice and support from others with similar experiences.

Who doesn't love the sight of green buds forming on trees? Or lavender flowers blossoming everywhere? Springtime is always welcome when it arrives…but for a growing segment of people, allergies are a miserable side effect.

Seasonal allergies can occur because of the types of plants that are blooming and fertilising in a given area during a particular time of year. A person experiencing allergies may find themselves with a sniffling nose and watery, itchy eyes. But when is allergy season? And how should you prepare for those seasonal allergies hit?

Which Seasons Are Most Prone To Seasonal Allergies?

Naturally, the most common timeframe for seasonal allergies is during the 'pollen' months, meaning certain plants are pollinating to allow for fertilisation. While there isn't an exact month to pinpoint when seasonal allergies are worst, the most common months are these types of allergies are the worst, the most common months people will experience these types of alllergies are between March and September.

Which allergy you'll be hit with will depend on which pollen you are allergic to. So, that brings us to the question of the most common allergens. Pollen season looks different in different parts of the country. It largely depends on the plants that are native to your region. In the northern United States (US), for example, the three most common pollens are:

• tree pollen
• grass pollen
• weed pollen

Therefore, people allergic to tree pollen will experience symptoms from March through April. Those allergic to grass pollen experience symptoms from late May through July. People allergic to ragweed pollen experience symptoms in August and September.

Keep These Items In Your Toolkit To Battle Seasonal Health

Nasal sprays: While many allergy sufferers turn to antihistamines first, nasal sprays should be the primary daily treatment. Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, relieving congestion over time. However, they do not provide immediate relief and must be used consistently for several days or up to two weeks for full effectiveness.

Oral antihistamines: Antihistamines in liquid or pill form provide quick relief from seasonal allergy symptoms. For children with severe symptoms, combining antihistamines with a nasal spray can be even more effective. Non-sedating antihistamines such as cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine are preferred, as they start working within 30 minutes and offer relief for 24 hours. In contrast, diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness and lasts only six hours.

Eye drops: For itchy, watery eyes, allergy eye drops containing olopatadine can help prevent histamine release, the primary trigger for eye irritation. These drops are available in different concentrations, with higher doses recommended for children with severe symptoms. Natural tears and warm compresses can also provide soothing relief.

Beyond medications: If over-the-counter medications are not sufficient, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be an option. While most health experts do not recommend allergy shots for children under five, school-age children and adolescents with persistent symptoms may benefit from desensitization therapy. Sublingual immunotherapy, approved for grass, weed, and dust mite allergies, offers another treatment alternative.

A new wave of tobacco products is rapidly gaining traction worldwide, but questions about their impact on health remain unanswered. Heated tobacco products, such as IQOS, Ploom, and glo, are being marketed as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Unlike conventional cigarettes that burn tobacco, these devices heat it to produce a vapour rather than smoke.

Ben Taylor, an IT consultant and longtime smoker, was intrigued by IQOS, a pen-shaped electronic device developed by Philip Morris International (PMI). After struggling to switch to vaping, he found that heated tobacco products provided a closer experience to smoking without the unpleasant aftertaste of vaping. Taylor reported that his chronic cough vanished after switching, yet he remains uncertain about the potential long-term health effects.

Despite industry claims of reduced harm, health experts caution against accepting these products as safe alternatives. Epidemiologist Silvano Gallus, who has been monitoring the spread of heated tobacco in Italy, warns that they are often marketed to young adults through celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns. PMI, Japan Tobacco International (JTI), and British American Tobacco (BAT) maintain that they target adult smokers, but concerns persist that heated tobacco products may serve as a gateway to smoking for non-smokers, particularly youth.

Research funded by tobacco companies suggests that heated tobacco emits fewer harmful compounds than cigarette smoke, yet independent studies reveal that these products still release dangerous toxins. For instance, chemical engineer Efthimios Zervas found that while some toxins were reduced, others, such as carbonyl methylglyoxal, were present in higher concentrations. Moreover, a 2024 study in Italy found that non-smokers who started using heated tobacco were 5.8 times more likely to transition to smoking cigarettes within six months.

Public health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have expressed concerns about the potential for dual use, where smokers use both cigarettes and heated tobacco products. WHO also noted that heated tobacco products are marketed as cost-effective alternatives, potentially undermining efforts to reduce tobacco use.

As heated tobacco devices return to the US market in 2025, experts emphasise the need for robust, independent research to assess long-term health effects. Until then, they advise consumers to remain cautious and consider quitting tobacco use entirely.

A common nighttime habit that many men overlook could potentially be a warning sign of prostate cancer, a deadly disease affecting approximately 55,000 men in the UK each year, according to Cancer Research UK. Prostate cancer primarily impacts the prostate gland, a small, walnut-sized organ that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Symptoms typically only emerge once the tumour has grown enough to exert pressure on the urethra, making early detection crucial.

Dr. Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist at the Proton Therapy Centre, while getting up to urinate during the night, known as nocturia, is a common occurrence as men age, sudden changes in urinary habits should not be ignored. "If you notice changes to your toilet habits, such as a new need to empty your bladder more often, then it’s always worth getting checked out," he advises.

Nocturia Itself Isn't A Cause Of Concern

Nocturia itself is not always a cause for concern, as it can be linked to various benign conditions, including benign prostate enlargement, a non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate gland. However, Dr. Kubes emphasises that other symptoms, such as difficulty starting to pee, a weak urine flow, straining during urination, or feeling as if the bladder has not fully emptied, could indicate a more serious issue.

"The same goes for any other changes in urinary habits that are unusual for you," he notes. "It's always a good idea to discuss these changes with your doctor so they can investigate the cause and rule out something sinister." Men over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly those with a family history of the disease or those from the Black community. Dr. Kubes urges men to be vigilant about any changes in their urinary patterns and to seek medical advice promptly.

While nocturia may simply be a part of ageing, persistent or worsening symptoms could be a signal that something more serious is at play. Early detection and intervention remain key to effective treatment and better outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted their path a bit in recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumours. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumour progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumour progression.

Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Trouble urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine
• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen
• Bone pain
• Losing weight without trying
• Erectile dysfunction

Prostate cancer treatment and management vary based on the stage and severity of the disease. Early-stage cancer may be monitored through active surveillance, involving regular check-ups without immediate intervention. More advanced cases may require surgery to remove the prostate gland, radiation therapy to target cancer cells, or hormone therapy to reduce testosterone levels that fuel cancer growth. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies may also be employed in metastatic cases. Lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, can support overall health during treatment. Early detection and timely intervention significantly improve treatment outcomes.