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 and urine and cholesterol tests.

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

WHAT is scurvy?

Scurvy is the term for a severe vitamin C deficiency in the body.

Vitamin C can be found in a variety of fruit and vegetables especially oranges, lemons and grapefruits, broccoli and cabbage. It is also found in fresh milk.

Vitamin C is used for healthy tissue, bones and teeth, as well helping to heal any wounds.

It is a rare disease now in the developed world, but those most at risk are people who do not eat a nutritious diet and those with a drug or alcohol dependency who may not be eating healthily.

The symptoms of scurvy include a feeling of discomfort, tiredness, nausea, muscle and joint pain, easy bruising, swollen and bleeding gums, the loosening of teeth, dry skin and hair, and bleeding into muscles and joints.

Diagnosis of scurvy involves a simple blood test.

A sample of blood will be taken from a vein and then tested to check the levels of vitamin C in the white blood cells.

Most people will improve very quickly simply by including fruit and vegetable in their diets and taking a vitamin supplement.