The common theme, if there is one, in all this is a more realistic appreciation of who medical advice and treatment should be directed to and what it can reasonably be expected to achieve. There is no denying the value of the blood-thinning properties of aspirin for those with heart problems, or that cutting back on salt may lower the blood pressure in those with hypertension, or that those with a strong family history of breast cancer require regular screening. But there can be little justification in extrapolating this to all, to insist that everyone needs to take an aspirin a day or restrict their salt intake, or that ?the more cancer screening the better?.
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The seemingly bizarre habit of chewing the inside of the cheek, causing it to become sore and painful, as featured last week, could be a variant of the more familiar disorder of chewing or biting the fingers, knuckles, hair or clothing. Some readers report breaking themselves of the habit by switching to chewing gum, while the mother of an autistic son points out that this is common in those on the autistic spectrum, for whom there are a variety of substitute ?chew toys? available.
Further possible remedies include inserting a soft plastic mouth guard, training oneself to relax the mouth and keep the lips slightly apart (as when smiling) ? and hypnosis. ?My son had this compulsion to constantly fiddle with his hair,? writes one lady. ?It took just one visit to a medical hypnotist to terminate this unwanted behaviour.?
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This week?s curiosity comes courtesy of Mr H?P from Birmingham, who experiences a strong (and distressing) physical response to the fictional portrayal of traumatic events. When watching a film or scene on television involving an impact injury, ?I actually experience the same physical sensation in the same part of the body, to the point where I have to look away or feel physically sick.? This has gone on for as long as he can remember, becoming more marked as he gets older. ?I would be more than grateful to hear from others similarly afflicted,? he writes.
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Finally ? and contrary to last week?s account by sleep apnoea sufferer Peter Gotzsche of the insurmountable difficulties encountered in grappling with his CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) machine ? a clutch of readers have stepped forward to sing its praises in restoring marital harmony by silencing stentorian snoring and abolishing persistent daytime sleepiness.
Certainly, it can take a bit of getting used to sleeping with the ?elephant trunk? of tubing stretching from a face mask to the machine, but they suggest several useful tips. It has to be the right sort of automatic device (several commend the ResMed AutoSet), with a humidifier attached, while the dryness of the mouth induced by the inflow of air can be further minimised by using a nasogel spray. It helps to have a mask with an attached outer skirt (Philips Respironics), and the tubing can be kept out of the way by attaching it to a length of elastic suspended by a wire hook from above the bed. As one very grateful spouse puts it: ?I was completely at the end of my tether and my health was suffering, too? so we are both overjoyed to now enjoy restful and undisturbed nights.?
James Le Fanu?s 'The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine? is available from Telegraph Books for �14.99 plus �1.25 p&p. To order, call 0844 871 1515 or visit books.telegraph.co.uk
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