Advice & guides.
Clear answers to the questions patients actually ask — written and reviewed by the consultants who treat these conditions.
Recovering from carpal tunnel surgery: what to expect
Recovering from carpal tunnel release is generally quicker and gentler than many people expect. It is a day-case procedure, so you go home the same day, and most people are using the hand for light, everyday tasks within 5 to 7 days while the deeper healing carries on over a few weeks. The tell-tale night-time tingling and pain that wakes you often settles quickly once the nerve has more room. Below is what to expect day by day, how to look after the wound, and the gentle signs that mean you should check in with us, your GP or NHS 111.
Mr Preetham KodumuriConsultant reviewer · 6 min readHand & wristDoes carpal tunnel go away on its own?
Mild carpal tunnel syndrome can sometimes settle on its own — especially if it's triggered by something temporary like pregnancy. But once symptoms are persistent or waking you at night, they rarely disappear without treatment, and waiting too long risks lasting nerve damage.
Dr Arvin RodriguesConsultant reviewer · 4 min readENTA blocked ear that won't clear: what's going on?
A blocked ear that lingers usually has a simple, treatable cause. The most common culprits are a build-up of earwax, fluid sitting behind the eardrum (often called glue ear), a poorly opening Eustachian tube, or a settling infection. Many of these clear on their own within a week or two, but if your ear stays blocked, muffles your hearing, or comes with pain or dizziness, it is worth having it looked at properly. A quick examination can tell you exactly what is going on, and most causes respond well to straightforward treatment.
Mr Huw JonesConsultant reviewer · 5 min readENTIs tinnitus something to worry about?
Most of the time, tinnitus — the ringing, buzzing or whooshing you hear when there's no outside sound — is not a sign of anything dangerous, and for many people it settles or fades into the background over time. It's very common, often linked to noise exposure, ear wax or the natural changes in hearing as we get older. There are, though, a few patterns worth having checked: tinnitus in one ear only, a sound that pulses in time with your heartbeat, or tinnitus that comes with hearing loss or dizziness. These don't usually mean something serious either, but they're the ones a consultant likes to look at properly so you can stop wondering and get a clear picture.
Mr Huw JonesConsultant reviewer · 5 min readDermatologyWhen should you worry about a mole?
Most moles are completely harmless and stay the same for years. It's worth getting a mole looked at when it starts to change — in shape, colour, size or how it feels — or when a new one appears and behaves differently from the rest. You can't reliably tell a harmless mole from a worrying one by eye or from a photo, so if something has caught your attention, the calm and sensible step is a proper in-person check with a consultant dermatologist rather than waiting and worrying.
Dr Dalia AlsaadiConsultant reviewer · 5 min readDermatologyHow to manage an eczema flare-up
An eczema flare-up is uncomfortable and can feel like it has come out of nowhere, but most flares settle with a few consistent steps at home: keep the skin generously moisturised, calm the itch gently, and ease off whatever has irritated it. The reassuring news is that flares are a normal part of eczema, they tend to pass, and there is a lot you can do to shorten and soothe them. If your skin keeps flaring despite good care, or you are not sure what is triggering it, a dermatology review can help you find the pattern and a plan that holds.
Dr Dalia AlsaadiConsultant reviewer · 5 min readVascularAre varicose veins dangerous?
For most people, varicose veins are not dangerous. They are very common, and in the majority of cases they are a cosmetic concern or a source of aching, heavy or tired legs rather than a threat to your health. Occasionally, longer-standing or untreated veins can lead to complications such as inflammation (phlebitis), skin changes around the ankle, or, less often, a leg ulcer. The reassuring part is that these problems usually develop slowly and can be addressed, so if your veins are bothering you it is worth having them assessed rather than worrying alone.
Mr Tamer GhatwaryConsultant reviewer · 5 min readPainWhen should you see someone about back pain?
Most back pain settles within a few weeks with gentle movement and time, so there's usually no need to rush. It's worth seeing someone if your pain has lasted more than about six weeks, keeps coming back, is stopping you sleeping or doing everyday things, or is spreading down a leg. And a small number of symptoms — losing control of your bladder or bowel, numbness around your saddle area or inner thighs, weakness or numbness in a leg, or back pain with a fever — mean you should seek urgent medical help straight away rather than wait.
Dr Mohamed KhafagaConsultant reviewer · 5 min readRheumatologyEarly signs of arthritis — and why they matter
Aching, stiff or swollen joints are easy to put down to age or "doing too much" — but a few early signs are worth paying attention to. The most useful clue is the pattern: osteoarthritis tends to build up slowly with use, while inflammatory arthritis often brings joint swelling and morning stiffness that lasts well beyond half an hour. Spotting the difference early matters, because inflammatory types respond best when assessed and treated promptly. None of this is something to diagnose yourself — but knowing what to look for helps you decide when a consultant review is the sensible next step.
Dr Subhra RaghuvanshiConsultant reviewer · 5 min readWomen's healthPerimenopause: what's normal and what's not
Perimenopause is the natural run-up to menopause. Most of its symptoms are common and usually nothing to be alarmed about.
Dr Hina ParvezConsultant reviewer · 4 min read