Medical Question

[carolegif]

a young relative had had a bad chest and cough on and off since last year. Been for several tests. Has been told that his antibodies are fine, no diabetes or genetic chest disorders, but his white blood cells are very low. He lives on his own and his flat has damp which I think hasn’t helped his chest or asthma. I am worried he might not be looking after himself properly.

[naomi24]

Ask his parents to have a word with him.

[spathiphyllum]

so what would be the medical question?

[Sqad]

A Quick answer is yes.......you are quite correct he, may not be looking after himself and may have vitamin deficiencies.

However, you say that he has had "several tests" so a vitamin deficiency would have been picked up.

More information on the blood tests would be helpful.

[carolegif]

He had to go back next week for more blood tests. Everything else has come back normal. When my daughter first left home years ago, she collapsed at work and when we took her to the doctor he said her blood count was so low they thought it was something serious. Turned out that as she worked shifts, she was missing meals and living on Mars bars and fast food!

[Sqad]

OK...then further blood tests may give us a clue.

[spathiphyllum]

Is young relative a smoker? (i'm assuming not)

[carolegif]

No, he isn’t. Tests were blood, urine, sputum, blood pressure. He is 42, not that young, only in relation to me!

[Khandro]

I don't know the answer to the health problem, but could you run to buying him a dehumidifier for his damp flat?
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[Cloverjo]

The damp is bad for asthma. When I was a student one of my housemates had to move out of our house and into halls because the dampness made her condition so much worse.

[carolegif]

I have offered to buy him a dehumidifier but he says he will see what the next results are. I think he feels awkward about us buying it. I am sure the damp is the problem. He had two small ones in his bedroom when we called at Christmas and they were both full after a day. We will get him one anyway and see if it makes a difference. He has to dry his washing in the flat too and that is just as bad for damp in the winter.

[Khandro]

Poor guy, it sounds as though he needs a tumble dryer too, - or maybe a move of accommodation.

[Eve]

There are some nasty bugs about at the moment. I came down with a nasty virus just after Christmas which went in to a chest infection and I'm still not well now. Is it his own flat or rented? This is targeted at rental properties but some general info too:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/damp_and_mould_in_rented_homes

Damp will not do his asthma and chest symptoms any good. If he can't get a tumble-dryer, could he let you help do some washing for him or does he have a launderette nearby where he could get his washing done without having to dry it round his flat?

Does he have a decent sized freezer if relatives made up some batches of decent home cooked food which he can heat up to help him out while he isn't well? Maybe some bags of frozen veg and such to make it easy for him to have quick and easy, but more nutritious, food?

A decent sized de-humidifier sounds like a good idea, those little ones are good to show up an issue but don't do much to help.