I'M not sure about becoming an organ donor, can you tell me more?

You can only donate your organs if you die in hospital. Most organ donations come from people who have died while on a ventilator in a hospital intensive care unit.

Organs can only be donated from someone if they have decided that they want to be an organ donor in the event of their death. The best way to do this is by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonationscotland.org

If you want to be an organ donor, you must also speak to your family beforehand so that they are prepared in case anything happens to you. Even though your family would not be able to overrule your decision, organ donation will be far easier and comforting for them to accept if you have already discussed your wishes.

I'M due to have my young nephew for a visit and I know he is prone to nosebleeds. What is the best thing to do?

If your nephew has a nosebleed you should sit him down and firmly pinch the soft part of his nose just above his nostrils, for 10 minutes, tell him to lean forward and breathe through his mouth,keep him upright, rather than lying down, as this reduces the blood pressure in the veins of his nose and will discourage further bleeding.

You should also maintain the pressure on his nose for up to 20 minutes (time this on the clock) so that the blood clots

and tell him to avoid blowing his nose, bending down and strenuous activity for at least 12 hours after a nosebleed.

See your GP, or call NHS 24 on 111, if the bleeding is very heavy or if it does not stop after maintaining pressure for 20 minutes. You should also seek help for nosebleeds following an injury to the head, or if they reoccur more than once a week.

WHAT is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a condition where the rims of the eyelids become inflamed. Blepharitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, or it can be a complication of a skin condition such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or rosacea.

The symptoms of blepharitis can vary depending on what is causing the condition. The symptoms tend to be worse in the morning and can include itchy and/or sore eyelids, loss of eyelashes, swollen eyelids, burning sensation in the eyes and abnormal eyelash growth.

Most cases of blepharitis can be diagnosed by your GP by: asking about your symptoms, examining your eyes or checking for any associated medical conditions, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, or rosacea.

Although blepharitis cannot be cured, it is possible for your symptoms to be effectively managed using good eye hygiene. Steps to keep your eyes clean include apply a warm compress to closed eyelids for five to ten minutes, and gently rub the compress over your closed eyelids for two to three minutes and then repeat.

Use a cloth or cotton bud with warm water and a small amount of cleaning solution (baby shampoo or sodium bicarbonate), and gently rub the edge of your eyelids to clean them.

You should carry out these steps twice a day at first, and then once a day when your symptoms have improved. You should also avoid wearing eye make-up, as this can make your symptoms worse; if wearing eyeliner, make sure that it washes off easily.