I'VE heard beta blockers can help cure interview nerves. Is there any truth in this?

Beta-blockers reduce the effects of adrenaline in the body and today.

For some people beta blockers can help with symptoms of anxiety.

In times of stress and emergency, the adrenal gland produces adrenaline (a stress hormone) that acts on various organs in the body to enable us to deal with the situation.

For example, the heart beats faster due to adrenaline.

As a temporary relief for dealing with stressful events, the short-term usage of beta-blockers may be beneficial.

But for using beta-blockers long-term to deal with anxiety problems the risks may outweigh the benefits and it is best to speak to your GP.

I THINK I have bed bugs. Are they dangerous?

Bedbugs aren't dangerous and don't spread any diseases, but some people experience a reaction to their bites and they can be stressful to live with.

Bedbug bites are painless at the time of the bite but some people experience a reaction to them.

This can occur from a few minutes after being bitten up to a week or two later.

Bedbug bites can cause itchy red bumps on the skin, they usually occur on exposed areas such as the face, neck, hands or limbs and in lines across the skin.

They may cause a rash or fluid-filled blisters in more severe cases.

They can become infected with bacteria if scratched – signs of infection include pain, increasing redness and swelling.

The bites usually fade in a few days.

If they're very itchy, you can buy a mild steroid cream or antihistamine tablets to relieve the itch.

See your GP if you develop signs of a skin infection as you may need antibiotics.

The most important thing is to ensure any bedding or mattresses are changed if there are bed bugs.

If you're concerned, your local authority has a pest control department.

WHAT is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an infection that is passed to humans through a tick bite. Ticks are common in forest and heath land and the Scottish Highlands has a particularly high population of ticks. Lyme disease can be passed on when a tick attaches to your skin and feeds on your blood. Hikers, campers and dog walkers are at particular risk.

Some infected people have no symptoms at all. However, the first sign is usually a pink or red spot at the site of the tick bite. This appears between three and 30 days after biting, and expands steadily, often with an inflamed red border.

As the rash spreads, the previously affected skin may return to a more normal appearance forming an expanding 'bulls eye' with a flat border, which may become quite large if left untreated.

Other symptoms such as tiredness, headache, fever and aches and pains may also develop in the first few weeks of an infection. In rare cases, there are more serous complications, which can affect the nervous system, joints, heart and other tissues.

A medical professional will usually make the diagnosis based on your symptoms, such as the rash.It is very important if you think you may have been bitten by a tick to share that. You might also be asked if you have visited an area where catching the disease is possible.

Antibiotics are usually recommended for the treatment of early Lyme disease. These are very effective for treating the infection, and can prevent serious complications developing.