The AnswerBank Articles

Why do I get a lump in my throat when I'm sad

ask Sander: A. If the lump in your throat is brought on by emotion and not caused by a physical condition, then it's what doctors call 'globus hystericus' or 'globus sensation'. Q. You what A. It's00:00 Mon 17th Dec 2001

Where do the bags under my eyes come from

asks Adryley: A. There are lots of reasons why you can have bags under your eyes - and, if they worry you, lots of things you can do about them. But there's no reason to worry. Does anyone think00:00 Mon 17th Dec 2001

Are there any health issues with folic acid being introduced into bread

asks johnjo: A. The Government wants white flour to be fortified with folic acid. This is because it is known that women drastically reduce their chances having a baby with spina bifida if they take00:00 Mon 17th Dec 2001

How can I get rid of recurring thrush naturally The usual creams and pessaries don't stop it coming back.

asks MissDon:A. Thrush is an extremely irritating condition which is caused by a yeast organism - Candida albicans. Q. Isn't it normal to have some yeast in the body A. Yes, but too much and you've00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

Is antibacterial soap any better than regular soap

asks Allan:A. Everything's 'antibacterial' now - from socks and chopping boards to pillows and skin products. And none are more popular than antibacterial soaps, both liquid and solid, which pander to00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

What makes your knuckles crack, and is it as bad for you as my mother says

asks jaysway: A. By 'crack', you mean when you lace your fingers together, turn your palms away from your body and bend your fingers back Q. Yes, when you get that strangely enjoyable cracking00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

I've probably asked this before, but why does deja vu happen

asks James:A. D j vu is French for 'already seen' and describes the impression that you have already experienced what you are going through at a particular moment, or that you have already been00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

What are the basic causes of migraine

asks siddhartha:A. Migraine is not a regular headache - it's a debilitating condition, and the symptoms include: an intense throbbing pain on one side of the head; feeling nauseous and even vomiting;00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

What can I do about the dry skin I get every winter

asks rtell:A. Extremes of weather can really dry out skin. In winter, it's the low humidity, icy weather and overheated homes and offices that play havoc with your skin. And it's not just people with00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

My mum has osteoporosis - am I likely to get it, too

asks Miss Don:A. Yes. You are considered to be at risk if a parent has it, although it hasn't yet been proved that it is inherited. Q. What are the other risks A. Women who had have an early00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Who was Stanislav Grof

asks Seeker: A. He is a Czech psychiatrist who now lives in California. He retired recently after 40 years researching non-ordinary states of consciousness induced by psychedelic substances and00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

How can I get rid of my cat's fleas naturally

asks Pathfinder:A. Fleas are a real pest. A single female flea can lay as many as 50 eggs a day. Fleas reproduce quickly, and those 50 can soon multiply to more fleas than you want to think about, so00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

What's the difference between soluble and insoluble fibre

asks PathfinderA. Fibre is the bits of plant cells that you can't digest, and is found in vegetables, cereals, bread, nuts, seeds and fruit. It's known that eating high-fibre foods provides00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

Can you suggest some natural ways to treat or beat colds

asks MScott:A. You know when you've got a cold and, while there is no 'cure', there are some simple things you can do to get over it quickly. Q. Such as A. Take some rest for a start - your body00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

Is there any way to tell someone yelling down their mobile phone that you don't want to hear details of their personal life

asks PDTV: A. There is only one thing more irritating than listening to an extremely dull personal conversation between two loud-mouthed people and that is only hearing one side of it. But don't be00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

Why do I sweat more than my friends do, and why does it smell

asks rtell:A. The average person loses more than a litre of sweat a day. Sweating is your body's way of regulating your temperature. Q. So why do some people smell and not others A. People who00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001

Can anyone explain the difference between Cat's Claw and Devil's Claw

asks Jayne b-t: A. Though both plants have medicinal uses, they come from different continents - Latin America and Africa - and are used for rather different purposes. Cat's Claw or Uncaria tomentosa00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001

My family really pig out on sweets at Christmas - I'm worried about their teeth and weight - am I overeacting

asks Sander: A. You're right to be worried. On average, adults more than double their calorie intake over Christmas - up to 7,000 or 8,000 calories a day! Q. Does this do any harm A. As a00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001

Why do we laugh

asks johnjo:A. Laughing is not something you decide to do - it just happens unconsciously (try to laugh now and see how difficult it is to do it on demand). Q. What makes us laugh A. It's not known00:00 Mon 05th Nov 2001

Do I need to take folic acid if I'm planning to become pregnant

asks sporty:A. Yes, you do. It is well known that an adequate supply of folic acid reduces the risk of some birth defects by up to 75%. You should ensure you're getting enough folic acid in your diet00:00 Mon 05th Nov 2001