Dr Pixie first receives a visit from 30 year old Melanie whose been having bladder problems for two years. She simply can’t urinate. Having resorted to a catheter, Melanie found herself getting infections at least once a month. The condition was having a severe impact on her quality of life, as she didn’t dare leave the house in case of a bladder related accident and the catheter was, unusually, causing her pain. Dr Pixie sends Melanie to see urinary specialist Elizabeth Adams who puts her on the waiting list for sacral nerve stimulation – a revolutionary procedure which involves fitting a pacemaker that will produce contractions in her pelvis, hopefully enabling her bladder to work again.
Dr Christian met Adrian who suffered from severe piles or haemorrhoids. After Dr Christian examines the afflicted area he also notes a possible rectum prolapse and sends him to Dr Tariq Ismail who conducts a new procedure called Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation (Halo). After just two hours there was already a visible improvement and a few weeks later the piles had vanished altogether.
To see a more detailed version of Adrian’s operation, go here >
Peter dropped in on Dr Dawn to discuss a sore mole on his groin. Noting that the mole hadn’t changed colour, grown in size or started to itch or bleed Dr Dawn reassured Peter that the mole was no cause for concern.
84 year old Audrey popped in to see Dr Pixie over her agonising all over itching that had been tormenting her for 3-years. Dr Pixie diagnoses the relatively common Pruritis, which causes people to constantly itch and scratch. Noting how difficult the condition can be to treat Dr Pixie sends Audrey to psychiatrist Dr David Ryan who thinks the itching could be psychological and most likely a by-product of depression. He suggests that Audrey gets out of the house more and thinks some social interaction could do her the world of good. Audrey takes heed of the advice and attends a local age concern group which would hopefully set her on the road to recovery.
Having given birth 11 months ago Jodie had an episiotomy and also suffered a third degree tear which was still causing her pain, particularly during intercourse. Noting the rarity of the situation Dr Pixie emphasises that Jodie needs real commitment to shift it and sends her to see gynaecologist Dr Wendy Noble who prescribes a cream laced with oestrogen which because of Jodie’s frequent application managed to successfully ease the pain.
This weeks Living With strand, which sheds light on chronic conditions, follows Sarah, an 18 year old student who suffers from the mental illness Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) an anxiety condition that affects 3% of the population. The condition sees Sarah repeatedly washing her hands and other items such as cutlery as well as having to chew every mouthful of food a precise 33 times. She is able to contain her symptoms with medication and is on the waiting list for cognitive behaviour therapy which she hopes might ease the condition.
30 year old Annette has had problems with her feet since childhood. Annette’s feet are so constantly wet because of hyperhydrosis, that they frequently rot her shoes and having tried every product available she was hoping that Dr Pixie might finally be able to offer a solution for her putrefying feet. Dr Pixie takes swabs from Annette’s feet which she thinks may be plagued with bacteria. She send these to the lab and as expected Professor Val found a vast array of bacteria. For two weeks Annette applied antibiotic creams to kill off the bacteria on her feet, before starting to use an iontophoresis machine from Sweat Guard for 15 minutes a day for a week with the aim of reducing excessive sweating. A few weeks later Annette returns to show Dr Pixie the vast improvement.
Dr Dawn and Dr Pixie opened a specialist breast clinic for the day on the streets of Hull (in association with Coppafeel) which was inundated with concerned visitors. Leah was first through the doors worried over a milky discharge from her right breast. After examination Dr Pixie doesn’t suspect breast cancer, but she does send her to see specialist Dr Penny McMannas for further checks. After further examination, physiological causes are cited which, just like period pains, are one of those annoying facts of life.
Meanwhile Dr Christian dropped in on the Stourbridge Ladies Circle to discuss best breast health practice. Dr Christian demonstrated how to conduct a full and proper self breast check before moving onto some much needed myth busting such as ‘do under-wired bras cause breast cancer? – a resounding no!
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