Can The Oprah Disease Run In A Family?

Feb 3 2008 Dr Gareth

Q I READ that US talk show diva Oprah Winfrey suffers from thyroid problems but can you tell me if an underactive thyroid runs in families? My mother had one, my sister is also a sufferer and I am worried about myself.

A THIS can run in families but it is impossible to predict who will get it though it tends to affect women more than men.

You should be aware of the symptoms of early illness, such as weight gain, lack of energy, changes to your hair or nails and intolerance to the cold.

If you are worried, a quick blood test will tell you for sure.

Q I AM very worried about my 16-year-old daughter because one of her breasts is much smaller than the other. She has been hiding it with a padded bra but it upsets her. Will they even out?

A BREASTS tend to be the first things to develop when a girl hits puberty and they don't stop developing until puberty ends.

At 16 she is still experiencing changes in her body and it may be that the other breast will even out.

There is a condition called Poland's Syndrome where one breast fails to develop. If she has this, she can get it corrected on the NHS by getting an implant.

The best thing is for her to go to the GP to be assessed.

Q MY husband has turned night into day since he was laid off work. It is driving me crazy. Is there anything I can do to help him break this awful habit?

A THIS is very common when someone loses their working routine and thinks they do not have anything to get out of bed for in the morning.

If he is feeling bad about losing his job it may be easier for him to avoid the daytime when he would usually be working and stay up at night instead.

To get his sleep patterns back in sync, he needs to go to bed earlier and set an alarm to wake up. He may be tired for a day or two but things should settle down quite quickly.

Q MY teenage son needs his tonsils out. I thought tonsils protect us from throat infections. Will he get more infections after they are removed?

A THE main function of tonsils is to protect against infections in the throat but for some people they can lead to more infections.

After the operation, he should get fewer infections and any he does get will be less severe as other glandular tissue takes over the tonsils' infection-fighting role.

Q I HAVE been told I need to go for a cystoscopy because I have blood in my urine. I have heard this is a very painful procedure for a man. Is this true?

A A CYSTOSCOPY is an investigation where the urologist examines the inside of the urethra and bladder using a telescope. There are two types, rigid and flexible cystoscopy.

If you are having a rigid one I would suggest you ask for a general anaesthetic.

A flexible cystoscopy is less painful and can be done under a local anaesthetic, although it will be painful to pass water for a couple of days afterwards.