I’VE had a really busy and stressful summer taking exams and now I keep getting mouth ulcers. What can I do to stop getting them?

Mouth ulcers are a classic symptom of being a bit run-down. You can lessen the chance of them coming back by ensuring you eat a healthy nutritious diet, exercising regularly and learning how to manage your stress effectively.

Visit your dentist to ensure your teeth are in good order and speak to your pharmacist about obtaining a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. If you have an ulcer that will not go away always visit your dentist for advice.

I HAVEN’T visited my doctor for eight years. Is possible for me to get a check-up to make sure I’m doing fine?

If you are fit and well there is usually no need for a general check up. Ensure that you are on all the screening programmes available for someone of your sex and age, search ‘screening’ on NHS inform for more details.

Ask your surgery if they run a ‘Well Person’ clinic you can attend. These are generally run by a practice nurse and may include a weight and blood pressure check is a free service designed to help people return to work after being off sick in a way that is right for them.

If you need a health check for your insurance you usually have to pay for it.

WHAT is Knock knee?

Knock knee is a term used to describe a large distance between the ankles when the knees are touching. Knock knee is most commonly diagnosed in children.

Knock knee is noticeable when a child stands up straight with their knees together. Their lower legs spread out so that the ankles are much further apart than normal.

Your GP will be able to diagnose the condition on examination, and will measure the distance between your child’s ankles when the knees are gently touching to asses the extent of the knock knee.

Treatment options for knock knee includes: a change of diet and wearing special heel supports or braces to correct leg line. Surgery may be recommended, but this only considered in severe cases of the condition.

WHAT is Bechet’s disease?

Bechet’s disease is a rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels.

Symptoms of the Bechet’s disease normally begin between 20 and 30 years of age, and these include mouth ulcers, genital ulcers, eye inflammation, skin disease and inflamed joints.

As there is no specific test for Bechet’s disease, the condition is diagnosed by checking for it’s distinctive pattern of symptoms. A diagnosis of the condition can usually be made if you have experienced at least three episodes of mouth ulcers over the past 12 months, and you have at least two of the following symptoms:repeated episodes of genital ulcers, inflammation of the eye, and pathergy (over-sensitive skin).

The most widely used treatment for Bechet’s disease are immunosuppressants. Topical immunosuppressants, oral immunosuppressants, intravenous immunosuppressants and traditional immunosuppressants can all be used to treat symptoms of the condition. Monoclonal antibodies can also be used to treat the condition, but this method of treatment can come with a whole host of side effects.