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George North: We have a chance to defend our title and our Six Nations starts now

0 shares 33 View comments The next fortnight feels like the final sprint of the Six Nations marathon. Rob Howley hit the nail on the head when he pulled us together and told us our championship starts now. After a funny start, which was all about getting that first win, now we have a chance to defend our crown. It is a massive ask but we will do everything we can to pull the rabbit out the hat. Defending champions: Gethin Jenkins, Ryan Jones and Adam Jones celebrate last year's Grand Slam - and Wales are not giving up the title without a fight We cannot forget that against Scotland we have to try to win the game before we start thinking about points. Yes we want to show our cutting edge, and the more points we score the better our chance of winning the tournament, but you will not beat Scotland at Murrayfield by thinking about scoring tries in the first 10 minutes. Keeping grounded: George North knows that if Wales are to win against Scotland it wi

British and Irish Lions: George North says being selected hasn't sunk in

0 shares 7 View comments Tuesday was probably one of the most surreal days of my whole life. Hearing my name being called out live on television as a British and Irish Lion simply hasn't sunk in yet. It is the biggest accolade for any player from these shores - all the years of hard work growing up, the history and prestige of a Lions tour, the players who have worn that red shirt - to hear your name being announced is like nothing else. I don't think it will feel real until I am lucky enough to pull on that jersey and play my first game on the tour. My first memory of the Lions is seeing Brian O'Driscoll's performance in the first Test against Australia in 2001. Disbelief: George North holds up his British and Irish Lions jersey after being confirmed I was watching at home, screaming at the TV with my mum and dad - and now I might soon have the honour of playing alongside him! The night before the announcement, I thought I'd struggle to slee

Ask the doctor: Why do I find it so hard to swallow?

1 View comments Since May I have had difficulty swallowing. The doctors tell me that my gullet has tightened and needs widening. However the attempts at this have made little difference, and my doctors are cautious about inserting a stent. Could you give me your opinion? Mrs Eileen Smith, Hornsey. You are suffering from oesophageal stricture - a narrowing of the oesophagus, or gullet This is a difficult condition, and it sounds as if you have been unfortunate in your treatment. You are suffering from oesophageal stricture — a narrowing of the oesophagus, or gullet, the muscular tube that connects the mouth and stomach. Nearly all cases of this are due to scarring from a long history of acid reflux — where stomach acid splashes up into the gullet. Other symptoms include heartburn and cough, and it is usually caused by a weakness in the valve at the top of the stomach. Over time, this acid can damage the oesophagus and triggers inflammation and eventually scar

Ask the doctor: Can pills solve a man's size problems?

3 View comments Recently I came across a leaflet for a herbal preparation called Maximus, which claims to boost the size of one’s ‘manhood’.Can you tell me if they do what they say or whether it is a waste of money? I am 67. Name and address withheld. For most men with concerns about penis size, the issue in the background is lack of confidence This subject is surrounded by myth and innuendo. Size is a source of great angst, and understandably leads to some men trying a range of mysterious concoctions. However, the evidence for these potions is usually lacking — as is the case with these pills. You have been kind enough to send me the leaflet, in which the manufacturers claim the tablet will add length and thickness by increasing the capacity of the spongy tissue in the penis to hold blood. This spongy tissue — the corpora cavernosa — fills with blood to create an erection, and the pills are said to help by increasing the number of cells in the tissue. The m

Ask the doctor: My hip operation has left metal in my blood

2 View comments My surgeon has informed me my two hip replacements were ‘metal-on-metal’ devices, and recent reports have suggested these may leak tiny amounts of metal into the body. Blood tests revealed I have 100 times more than normal the amount of cobalt in my blood, as well as dangerous amounts of chromium. I have no pain, and my surgeon said they’ll monitor me with yearly samples. With such high levels is this delay justified? I wonder if I should press for revision surgery. Robert Peters, Cardiff. There is concern that cobalt toxicity is under recognised What an anxious time for you, and how alarming to receive such news. Before I explain your options, let me provide some background to your predicament. First, let me stress that replacement of the hip joint — usually on account of severe osteoarthritis or after a fracture — is usually successful. The hip joint is a so-called ball and socket joint, and the conventional type of replacement uses a metal h

Ask the doctor: How safe are pills for crumbly bones?

5 View comments After a recent fall where I broke my pubic bone, I was advised to take alendronic acid once a week. However, I am unsure whether to take this medication, as I have read there can be complications if you have a tooth extracted, and it can also harm the gullet. Should I take the tablets? Patricia White, Denham, Bucks. In osteoporosis, more bone is broken down than is reformed, and this leads to the bones thinning Your fall sounds painful, and I hope you are on the road to recovery. I assume that after this incident you were diagnosed with the brittle bone disease osteoporosis. The medicine your doctor has advised you to take, alendronic acid, is one of the bisphosphonates and is given to strengthen fragile bones. It might surprise some readers to learn that bone is not a static solid structure like marble and stone, but is constantly being broken down and then reformed. However, in osteoporosis, more bone is broken down than is reformed, and thi

No need to panic about those blocked arteries

3 View comments Earlier this year, tests revealed that the arteries supplying my brain have become slightly furred. The doctor prescribed a daily aspirin and said no follow-up was necessary. However, I was so shocked that I lost all desire to ask any questions. I am widowed and live alone, and it horrifies me that I am now at risk of a stroke. I have a healthy diet, am slim and only retired from nursing this year (I am already taking statins, but my cholesterol is within normal levels). I would really appreciate your advice on how to manage this. Valerie Suttle, by email. Effective treatment for a blockage greatly reduces the risk of stroke First let me reassure you that you are in a good position — slim, healthy and active — but I can understand your alarm. Your condition occurs when cholesterol deposits (plaque) build up in the two carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain. As you’ll be aware from your nursing training, these vessels are about the diameter