Dr Sarah Mitchell

How do I know if a wound is infected?

Can my employer cut my hours to zero because I complained about safety?

My employer locks the water fountain during shifts to prevent people wasting time.

What genetic tests are available during pregnancy?

Why do I keep getting sore throats every few weeks?

I am pregnant and work in a factory. What are my rights?

I got metal fragments in my eye at work. My employer did not provide safety glasses.

I am an agency worker and feel like I have no rights. Can I refuse unsafe work?

When should developmental delays in toddlers be a concern?

How do I set boundaries without feeling guilty?

Is it legal to work 12-hour shifts 6 days a week?

I have constant wrist pain from packing on the production line. What is RSI?

Is it normal to have back pain at 25 from factory work?

How do I prevent back pain from lifting heavy trays all day?

What blood pressure reading is considered high?

Based on your description — redness, swelling, and warmth at 3 days — this wound may be infected and you should see a GP or walk-in centre today, not ...

At 150/95, lifestyle changes can make a real difference. The biggest impact comes from: 1) Reducing salt to under 6g per day — check labels, processed...

Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body. In rheumatoid arthritis, it attacks the lining of you...

If you are planning a family and your partner has sickle cell trait, ask your GP for a haemoglobinopathy screen. This is a simple blood test that chec...

Night shift weight gain is extremely common because your body clock affects digestion and metabolism. Practical tips: 1. Eat your main meal BEFORE yo...

Recurrent tonsillitis — more than 7 episodes in a year, or 5 per year for 2 years, or 3 per year for 3 years — is a guideline for referral to ENT to d...

Always ask about the specific risks for YOUR situation, not just general risks. Also ask about the anaesthetic — general, local, or spinal — and what ...

There is emerging research showing cold water immersion can trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, reduce inflammation, and improve circulati...

Repeated overhead reaching is one of the highest-risk movements for shoulder injury. You may have developed shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tendini...

Easy bruising in young women is common and usually not serious. It can be caused by thinner skin, certain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinn...

With family history, I would recommend getting your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checked annually from your 30s. The biggest modifiabl...

Do not ignore this. The tingling and numbness you describe are early-stage HAVS symptoms. If left untreated, you risk permanent nerve damage and loss ...

Adult-onset food allergies are well documented and becoming more common. Shellfish is actually the most common adult-onset food allergy. Your reaction...

Yes, cold air exposure can trigger or worsen respiratory conditions. Cold, dry air irritates the airways, causing them to constrict. This is called co...

Yes, Type 2 diabetes can potentially go into remission, especially if caught early. An HbA1c of 52 is only just in the diabetic range (48+). The stron...

Occasional palpitations are very common and usually harmless. They can be triggered by caffeine, alcohol, stress, anxiety, vigorous exercise, or certa...

Night shift depression is a real and recognised condition. The lack of sunlight disrupts your serotonin and melatonin production, which directly affec...

This is one of the most common medical myths. Multiple studies have found no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis. The sound is caused by gas b...

Burnout is more than tiredness. The three key markers are: 1) Emotional exhaustion — feeling drained even after rest. 2) Depersonalisation — feeling c...

This sounds like Raynaud's phenomenon, where blood vessels in your fingers spasm in cold conditions, cutting off blood supply. It is NOT normal and yo...