I am struggling with my arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the evening especially. Is there anything you can recommend apart from painkillers?

You are not alone. Osteoarthritis, where the cartilage, (connective tissue in the joints) wears away and the bones rub painfully together, is the most common form of arthritis in the UK affecting 8.5 million people.

There are things you can do to help though, one of the most effective is exercise, which can build muscle strength, relieving the pressure on the joints.

Your healthcare professional will be able to advise you on the right exercises and develop a plan for you so that you can improve your range of movement and make your joints more supple. It is very important to follow this because doing the wrong sort of exercise or carrying out exercises incorrectly, may cause further damage to your joints.

I'm pregnant and experiencing terrible morning sickness. Do you have any advice?

Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) in early pregnancy is very common, doesn't present any risk to your baby and frequently clears up by weeks 16-20 of the pregnancy. The most important thing is to make sure you continue to look after yourself.

It can be tempting to avoid food completely but this is not a good idea. If you are struggling to eat, try having lots of snacks instead of set meals. Graze throughout the day and try to go for savoury foods such as crispbreads, toast or crackers rather than sweet or spicy foods. Similarly, try bland, non-greasy foods that are easy to prepare like baked potatoes or pasta if you are cooking for yourself.

You should also get plenty of fluids. Try not to take drinks which are especially tart (sharp) or sweet. Water is fine and sip slowly rather than taking big drinks at once. If you can, get plenty of rest, tiredness can make nausea worse.

A lot of women find ginger helps, especially ginger biscuits or ginger ale. Do consult your pharmacist before taking ginger supplements though as they will be able to recommend reputable ones for you to try.

What is irritable hip?

Irritable hip is inflammation (swelling) of the membrane covering the hip joint. It is the most common cause of hip pain in young children.

A child with irritable hip will have pain and restricted movement in their hip joint. The pain can also spread to the thigh, groin and knee areas. This makes standing and walking difficult.

Symptoms

Symptoms of irritable hip usually develop quickly, starting as strong pain and restricted movement in one of the hip joints (it is rare for both hips to be affected). In some cases, the pain can spread to the thigh, groin and knee.

Walking or even standing may become very uncomfortable and the child will develop a limp.

Diagnosis

Irritable hip is fairly simple to diagnose. Usually an explanation of the symptoms is all that is needed. Your GP will ask your child to try to move the affected leg.

If there is any doubt, your GP may want to refer your child to hospital for the following tests:

• an X-ray to see if there is a problem with your child's bones,

• blood tests to look for evidence of a bone or joint infection, or

• an ultrasound scan to create an image of the affected hip joint and detect any fluid on the joint (which can be removed and tested for a more serious infection called septic arthritis).

These tests can rule out more serious causes of your child’s symptoms and to confirm they have irritable hip.

Treating irritable hip

Most children with irritable hip just need to take painkillers, such as paracetamol, and rest their joint for one to two weeks until it gets better. This can be done at home or in hospital.

If your child does go to hospital, it will usually involve a one or two night stay and the leg could be placed in traction so the hip is properly rested. If a hospital stay is not required it is vital that the hip is properly rested at home. The most comfortable and painless position is lying on the back with the knee bent outwards slightly on the painful side and the foot pointed away from the body.

Painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs (called NSAIDS) for children can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 and ibuprofen should be avoided if your child has a history of asthma.

Your child will usually fully recover within a fortnight. Your doctor will arrange a further hip X-ray about six weeks later to make sure the condition has cleared.

There are usually no complications and the condition very rarely returns. Your doctor will recommend that your child does not play sports or do any strenuous activity for at least two weeks after treatment. This is to reduce the chances of irritable hip returning. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise to get the joint moving again.