Oxprenolol

I'm a girl of 18 and for the last 12 months my hair has been falling out in handfuls. It started when my parents separated - they are now back together but their relationship is pretty rocky. At the moment my hair loss is not that noticeable, but I am worried that if it carries on I am going to end up with bald patches. Is there anything I can do?

There are a number of different causes of hair loss in a woman of your age and it is well-worth consulting your own GP so that he or she can do a few simple tests to whittle the list down.

Prescription drugs such as the anti-inflammatory indomethacin, thyroid drugs, some types of antibiotic and the epileptic medication carbemazepine are common culprits. As are strict dieting, recent pregnancy, a major illness or operation, and stress - the latter may explain the apparent link with your parents' marital troubles. Other causes include iron and zinc deficiency and thyroid disease, all of which can be picked up using simple blood tests and corrected using supplements or medication.

All of these tend to cause generalised thinning and are usually temporary.

But alopecia areata is a different matter. This type of hair loss is thought to be caused by the body's immune system attacking hair- producing cells, and in the most severe cases can lead to sufferers becoming totally hairless - that includes pubic hair and eyebrows.

Fortunately few cases are this bad. It is very difficult to treat and few patients respond well. Women tend to have a better outlook than men, with around eight out of 10 recovering to some extent within five years. For more advice on hair loss and its treatment, ring my hotline below or contact Hairline International at 39 St John's Close, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 ONN.

I WONDER if you could give me some information on high blood pressure. What do the figures that doctors use actually mean, and why is blood pressure so important?

BLOOD pressure is needed to force blood around the body. Our circulation is much the same as a central heating system - a collection of pipes in a closed circuit full of fluid driven by a pump (the heart). The pressure in the system is vitally important.

If it is too low, parts of the body will be starved of vital nutrients and will not function properly, and if it is too high it can damage the delicate lining of the blood vessels leading to furring-up of the system and increase risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.

Most people with high blood pressure are unaware that they have a problem. That's why it is so important that people are screened every few years once they get into their forties. The average blood pressure for a man in his twenties is 120/80 - the lower figure is the constant pressure the system is under, and the higher figure the peak that occurs every time the heart beats.

Both figures rise with age and it is difficult to give a firm idea of what is normal for everyone, but most doctors would agree that anything under 140/90 is normal, and anything over 160/100 is high and needs treatment.

Should I be worried by my spot of bother?

I Am 16 years old and have recently noticed a number of small white spots on the underside of my penis. Are they anything to worry about, and how can I get rid of them without going to see my GP or chemist?

Lots of teenagers get spots on their penis and they are perfectly normal. They are known as sebaceous spots and are caused by blockages in the small glands that produce the oils that protect our skin. They are nothing to worry about and rarely, if ever, cause any problems. There are, however, a number of other causes for spots or sores on the penis and the only way you can be sure of the diagnosis is to let your own GP have a look.

CURE FLIGHT FRIGHT

My husband and I are flying off on holiday this month and I need your advice on how to overcome my fear of flying. I suffer anxiety anyway but really go to pieces when I fly.

The best way to deal with anxiety or phobias is to get to the root of the problem through psycho-therapy or anxiety management programmes. But as you don't have time, you have little choice but to opt for drugs.

I use two types. The first are Beta-blockers, such as propanolol or oxprenolol, which work by blocking the action of adrenalin, thereby preventing palpitations, butterflies, sweating and the shakes. The second is diazepam (Valium), a mild tranquilliser.

Both need to be taken at least a couple of hours before the flight. Neither drug should be taken for long periods, particularly diazepam, which can be addictive.

My son wants a sporting chance

My 14-year-old son has painful knees which his doctor has said is due to Osgood-Schlatter's Disease. He is a very active child but has been told that there is no specific treatment other than cutting back on his sports. Surely in this day and age there must be something that can be done?

Osgood-Schlatter's Disease is a common condition that typically affects boys between the ages of 11 and 15 and results in painful swelling just below the knee on one or both legs.

The swelling is caused by inflammation in the bone where the tendons from the thigh muscles insert into the lower leg, and it is thought to be a type of repetitive strain injury caused by over- activity and malfunction in the knee cap and/or thigh muscles. Around half of all cases get better on their own within 12 to 24 months no matter what treatment is given. Restricting activity and using physiotherapy to strengthen the thigh muscles and stabilise the knee often helps.

I think your son should listen to what his GP and physio are telling him.

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