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Dr Craig Roberts is a physician in general practice, and is the team doctor for the Natal Sharks.

Is antiperspirant deodorant harmful?

Antiperspirants are different from deodorants in that in addition to a fragrance, they also contain chemical compounds that block the sweat pores. There have been claims that they prevent your body from sweating out toxins, which then build up in the lymph nodes resulting in breast cancer. Numerous studies have shown no correlation between the two. However, some antiperspirants may contain environmental toxins called phthalates. Phthalate exposure could potentially contribute to several problems, including male reproductive tract abnormalities. What’s most disturbing is that no one really knows how phthalates affect humans since it has not been fully investigated. Next time you reach for the underarm charm, choose a toxin-free type.

I’ve had a lot of bad stomach aches lately. Could it be an ulcer?

A peptic ulcer occurs when the acids that help you digest food damages the lining of the stomach or the duodenum ( the first part of your small intestine) A burning stomach pain is the most common symptom. This pain may come and go for a few days, may bother you more when your stomach is empty and usually goes away when you eat. The most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, or the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but can make them worse. If these symptoms persist you need to see your GP as untreated they will usually get worse. Treatment may include medicines to block stomach acids or antibiotics to kill ulcer-causing bacteria.

What are the benefits of probiotics?

Probiotics are dietary supplements of live bacteria or yeasts. They’re used to assist the body’s naturallyoccurring gut flora to prevent the nasty foreign bacteria from taking hold. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is the most common type of microbe used, converting carbohydrates to lactic acid, lowering the pH and preventing the growth of opportunistic bacteria. Probiotics have been shown to: increase the bioavailability of protein and fats in the diet by breaking down these nutrients in the digestive tract; prevent and treat diarrhoea; improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome; reduce intestinal inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions in infants with food allergies; prevent and treat infections of the urinary tract; prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by maintaining the normal balance of gut bacteria; and can prevent and manage eczema in children.

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I have a black toenail from a trail run. How can I speed up my recovery?
- I have a black toenail from a trail run. How can I speed up my recovery?
  
  Black toenails are caused by the constant rubbing of your toe against the front of your shoe, causing bleeding under the nail. Once you have a black toenail, it’s best to leave it alone as long as the pain is manageable. The damaged part of the nail will gradually be pushed off and a new nail will replace it. Don’t force the old nail off – it will fall off on its own. Things you can do to prevent it happening: 1. Wear properly sized shoes. 2. Trim your toenails frequently and correctly (straight across, without digging into the corners). 3. Tighten your laces snugly. This keeps your feet from sliding around. 4. Wear moisture-wicking socks that aren’t too tight, as your feet swell when they get too hot. 5. Stretch your calf muscles. Tight calves can cause the toes to ram the top of the shoe with more force. For more see Cool Running
Does my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading vary during the day?
- Does my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading vary during the day, and if so, is there anything I shouldn’t eat, drink or do before a reading?
  
  PSA is a tumour marker used to detect and monitor prostate cancer. The upper limit of normal is considered to be 4ng/mL, although a sudden rise is also significant. Serum PSA levels can fluctuate by up to 40 percent in an individual and may be due to infection, rectal examination, antibiotics, medicines such as finasteride for hair growth and even prolonged exercise or recent ejaculation. So if you do have a slightly elevated PSA, especially after a quickie in the morning, wait a day or two, then have another test before submitting for a prostate biopsy. Just don’t ignore it.
I stare at a computer screen all day. How can I look after my eyes?
- I stare at a computer screen all day. How can I look after my eyes?
  
  1. Start focusing: Decreased focusing capability can be corrected by wearing a small plus-powered (+1.00 to +1.50) over-the-counter pair of specs to aid near focusing ability.
  2. Reduce glare: This can come from various sources, not just your computer. Several tools can be used to reduce glare. If you wear spectacles, get an antireflective coating.
  3. Adjust your monitor: Brightness settings should be in line with your work environment. Your monitor shouldn’t be a light source.
  4. Rest your eye muscles: Consciously blink every now and then (this helps replenish the tear film). Focus on a distant object – doing so provides rest to the ciliary muscles. Follow the 20/20 = 20 equation: every 20 minutes, focus your eyes on an object 20 feet (six metres) away for 20 seconds.
  5. Set up your workstation: Position your PC screen at the appropriate distance and level for your eyes.
How much water should really be drunk daily for optimal health?
- How much water should really be drunk daily for optimal health?
  
  This depends on a number of factors, one being how much fluid you are losing in the day. If you go for a run on a hot, humid day, you’ll lose a lot more fluid than playing PlayStation at home. This fluid loss needs to be replaced. So it depends on the ambient temperature or climate and level of activity, but you also lose water through your breath, sweat, urine and bowel. Aim to drink about two to three litres per day. A good rule of thumb: drink enough so you rarely feel thirsty and produce approximately 1.5 litres or more of colourless or palecoloured urine per day.
Are some people more prone to mosquito bites than others?
- Are some people more prone to mosquito bites than others? And why?
  
  Mosquitoes do exhibit bloodsucking preferences, say the experts. “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes,” reports Dr Jerry Butler, professor at the University of Florida. Incidentally, it’s not dinner they’re sucking out of you. Female mosquitoes (males don’t bite people) need human blood to develop fertile eggs. Recent research conducted on over 400 different skin compounds and the odours one gives off that may attract mosquitoes, has shown that genetics account for 85 percent of our susceptibility to bites. In addition, people with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes as do those who produce excess amount of acids such as uric acid. These substances can trigger mosquitoes’ sense of smell, luring them in.
How can I safeguard myself from meningitis?
- How can I safeguard myself from meningitis?
  
  Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and cerebrospinal fluid (CBS) surrounding your brain and spinal cord, usually due to the spread of an infection. Most cases of meningitis are caused by a viral infection with people describing it as the worst headache they’ve ever had. The dangerous ones are bacterial infections, which can be lifethreatening. Infectious diseases spread quickly through coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette. Wash your hands regularly; maintain your immune system by getting enough rest, exercising regularly and eating healthily. Some forms of bacterial meningitis are preventable with vaccinations. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has symptoms of meningitis (such as severe headaches), seek medical care immediately.
Do only surfers get surfer’s ear?
- Do only surfers get surfer’s ear?
  
  Surfer’s ear is the common name for exostosis – an abnormal bone growth within the ear canal. Over time irritation from cold wind and water causes the bone surrounding the ear canal to develop lumps of new bony growth, which constrict the ear canal in an attempt to protect it from the cold. Surfers who surf predominantly in cold water experience surfer’s ear at about six times the rate of warm-water surfers. So next time you go for that surf in Cape Town and you get an ice-cream headache, not only is your optic nerve freezing but your ear canal is also growing narrower. This isn’t limited to surfing and can occur in any activity with cold, wet, windy conditions. Most avid surfers have at least some mild bone growths (exostoses), causing little to no problems. However, it’s progressive, and can result in hearing loss and pooling of water in the ear, making you more susceptible to ear infections. If the exostoses become problematic, they can be surgically removed.
Will mole mapping help avoid skin cancer?
- I’ve been told to go for “mole mapping”. Will this help me avoid skin cancer?
  
  Mole mapping won’t help you avoid getting skin cancer but it will help you pick up melanomas earlier while they are hopefully still treatable. A highresolution camera is used to identify the condition and position of every mole on the body. With subsequent visits, comparisons are made with these baseline photos. The computer software can pick up changes as little as two percent (versus a 20 percent change required before being visible by the naked eye). This can then be used to detect early melanoma or cancerous changes of moles, resulting in an early and more accurate diagnosis.
Is there a permanent solution to regular nosebleeds?
- I have regular nosebleeds, especially in summer. Is there a permanent solution for this?
  
  According to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist Dr Gary Kroukamp there are numerous different causes of regular summer nosebleeds, each of which is treated differently. The three main causes include: 1. Allergies, which are common at the change of season and in summer. These are treated with antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays. 2. Blood vessels in the nose can dilate in hot weather and may rupture causing nosebleeds. These would need to be identified and cauterised to prevent further bleeding. 3. Chronic bacterial infections, which can be treated with an antibacterial cream such as Bactroban. I recommend seeing an ENT specialist who should be able to identify the cause and administer the appropriate treatment on the spot, for probably less than it would cost to replace that favourite bloodstained shirt.
Why is it that some days I can see well, and others I can't?
- Some days I struggle to read road signs and street posters, other days my vision is fine. Do I need to see an eye specialist?
  
  It is important that you see an eye specialist and get your eyes tested as there are many causes for fluctuation of vision, some of which can be serious and, if left untreated, can lead to major problems. In addition to testing your vision the eye specialist will measure the pressure in your eye to detect glaucoma, caused by increased pressure in the eyeball. This is more common the older you get and it is recommended that from the age of 40 you have the pressure tested on an annual basis. Diabetes can also cause a fluctuation of vision and the eye specialist should be able to order a simple urine or blood test to detect this. Other less serious causes include infections, medications, migraines and drugs, which can be relatively easily treated. If the serious causes go untreated, however, they can lead to permanent blindness, so you definitely need to have things checked out.

*Men's Health does not give out contact information for experts featured in our magazine or on our web site, and queries addressed to these individuals cannot be forwarded on your behalf. If you require professional health and lifestyle advice, we strongly recommend that you contact your local service providers.

District 9 and Invictus got stuffed at the Oscars. What other great films were robbed of the Best Picture Oscar over the years?
	Citizen Kane (lost to How Green Was My Valley in 1941)
	Dr Strangelove (lost to My Fair Lady in 1964)
	2001: A Space Odyssey (wasn't even nominated, and lost to Oliver! in 1968)
	Star Wars (lost to Annie Hall in 1977)
	Apocalypse Now (lost to Kramer vs Kramer in 1979)
	Raging Bull (lost to Ordinary People in 1980)
	Raiders of the Lost Ark (lost to Chariots of Fire in 1981)
	ET (lost to Ghandi in 1982)
	Saving Private Ryan (lost to Shakespeare In Love in 1998)
	The Gangs of New York (lost to Chicago in 2002)

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