Medical experts address several reader health concerns this week, offering guidance on symptoms ranging from eating-induced back pain and post-surgical leg aches to heart conditions impacting athletic performance, AI inaccuracies in gynaecological health, and a new psychedelic trial for severe depression.
Back Pain Triggered By Eating And Drinking
A reader reported experiencing lung-area back pain whenever they consume food, particularly baked beans or baked potatoes, or even water, requiring them to lie on their back for relief. Experts suggest this may stem from oesophageal issues such as acid reflux or muscle spasms, or potentially gallstones. Because water also triggers the pain, individuals experiencing similar symptoms are advised to consult a GP for proper examination and potential investigations like an endoscopy or ultrasound.
Leg Pain After Hip Op
A 69-year-old patient suffering from unexplained knee and leg pain six months after hip fracture surgery seeks advice. Although an X-ray showed nothing, specialists explain that altered walking patterns and reduced muscle strength following surgery can strain the knee, or the pain may be referred from the hip. Patients experiencing persistent post-operative pain that disrupts sleep are encouraged to seek a thorough review from their GP or surgical team rather than relying solely on painkillers.
Heart Diagnosis Has Hit My Jogging
A 73-year-old runner diagnosed with an irregular heart rate, likely atrial fibrillation, experienced a significant drop in running capacity after starting apixaban and bisoprolol. Experts note that beta blockers like bisoprolol prevent the heart rate from rising during exercise, affecting performance, but recommend a cardiology assessment via a GP to review medication and evaluate breathlessness before attempting previous distances.
Fatal Risk In AI Care
Women have been warned that using artificial intelligence for gynaecological symptoms could carry fatal risks after an AI tool missed persistent bloating as a red flag for ovarian cancer. The Eve Appeal charity highlighted that online platforms provided incorrect information regarding cancer screening and symptoms. Around 22,000 people receive gynaecological cancer diagnoses annually in the UK, prompting the charity to launch its own supportive tool, Ask Eve Assist.
Toad Venom Beats Depression
Scientists trialled a nasal spray using a synthetic formulation of 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic compound from the Colorado River toad, as a potential treatment for severe depression. In a study involving nearly 200 participants who had exhausted other options, 18 to 26 per cent of those given the drug reached remission after a month, compared to eight per cent taking a placebo. The treatment produced fast-acting effects and allowed patients to be discharged within two hours, with mild side effects such as nausea and anxiety.
