I START a new job soon that will involve a lot of travel to and from the US. I’m worried about jet lag and how it will affect me.

Jet lag is a feeling of tiredness and confusion after a long aircraft journey and is caused by your body finding it difficult to adjust to a new time zone. It can disturb your sleep pattern and make you feel drowsy and lethargic. It's made worse with the more time zones you cross because it disrupts the body’s normal ‘circadian rhythm’ – your natural 24 hour routine - and can affect your blood pressure, digestion, urine production and body temperature.

Your body clock is set to your local time so that you feel hungry in the morning and sleepy in the evening. However, if you travel across time zones, your body clock can take a while to adjust to a new daily routine.

Jet lag can be a problem if you frequently fly long distances. However, it does not usually cause any serious or long-term health problems.

Most people find their symptoms pass after a few days without need for treatment. You can minimise the effects of jet lag by establishing a new routine as soon as you arrive at your destination: eat and sleep at the correct times for your new time zone, not at the time you usually eat and sleep, avoid napping when you arrive and try to spend some time outdoors as the natural light will help your body adjust to a new routine

If you take medication at specific times of the day, such as oral contraceptives or insulin, speak to your GP or pharmacist before travelling for advice.

RECENTLY my eyelids have become red, swollen and itchy and my eyes are stinging. I am 55 and a non smoker. Can you tell me what it could be?

This sounds like a condition called Blepharitis which can be caused by an infection or as a complication of the skin conditions dermatitis and rosacea. Blepharitis is not usually serious. The most common complication is being unable to wear contact lenses while experiencing symptoms.

There is no cure for it but establishing a daily eye-cleaning routine can help to control the symptoms. More severe cases of blepharitis may require antibiotics. It is most common in people over the age of 50.

Symptoms can vary depending on what is causing the condition. The symptoms tend to be worse in the morning and can include: itchy, sore, red eyelids, your eyelids sticking together and problems opening your eyes when you wake up, your eyelashes may become crusty, or they may be oily and greasy, a burning, gritty sensation in your eyes, increased sensitivity to light, abnormal eyelash growth, loss of eyelashes and swollen eyelid margins.

If you have blepharitis that is caused by seborrhoeic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes your skin to become inflamed or flaky), you may also experience oily skin and dandruff. If your blepahritis is caused by rosacea (a skin condition that mainly affects the face), you may also have flushing and spots.

If you have blepharitis that does not respond to regular cleaning, you may be prescribed a course of antibiotic ointments or creams which you will need to apply gently onto the edge of your eyelid for four to six weeks.

Seek treatment and advice from your GP as soon as you can.

WHAT is agoraphobia?

Many people understand agoraphobia as a fear of open spaces, however it can also include situations where escape to a place of safety may be difficult such as a fear of being in shops, fear of crowds and public places, or of travelling on trains, buses or planes.

Panic attacks are a common feature of agoraphobia. In extreme cases, people with agoraphobia may be unable to leave their home.

Symptoms

People with agoraphobia may experience some or all of the following symptoms, similar to having a panic attack; shaking, rapid heartbeat, intense sweating, chest pain, difficulty breathing, feelings of choking, nausea, dizziness, a feeling of loss of control and fear of fainting.

Some people with milder agoraphobia will feel marked anxiety or distress on leaving home but the symptoms do not develop into a panic attack.

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional based on a description of the symptoms usually makes a diagnosis. For those unable to leave home an initial phone consultation with a GP can be arranged. It is important to describe symptoms fully to your GP even if this is difficult to do. They will then be able to arrange the best treatment

Treatment

Agoraphobia can be treated using drugs or by using 'talking treatments' like cognitive-behavioural therapy.