Ask Dr Chris: Asthma and migraines

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Every week we partner up with our sister magazine, Woman, to bring you expert health advice from This Morning's Dr Chris Steele MBE, health journalist of the year. This week he answers your questions about scarring and hayfever.

The problem: 'I can't cope with my migraines'

I've been getting recurring migraines over the past year. I've been to my GP without success. I've got two small children, and find it hard to cope.

The solution

Migraines can be triggered by stress, missed meals, lack of sleep, foods like chocolate or cheese, or your menstrual cycle. To find your trigger, keep a 'migraine diary.' Also, have you tried the fast-acting drugs called triptans, available as tablets, self-injections or nasal sprays? If that doesn't help, ask to be referred to a migraine specialist.

The problem: 'Is milk to blame?'

Is cows' milk making my son's asthma worse? I'm not keen on putting him on soya products alone, because of his calcium intake.

The solution

Your son's asthma is more likely to be due to common factors such as the house dust mites, which are present in his mattress, pillows, duvet and bedroom carpet. Has he been tested for allergies? Do that before you change his lifestyle and daily diet. Ask your GP to refer him to an allergy specialist.

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Samantha Maxwell, 6 months

Hi, I'm deaf lady age 37 and half yrs of age. I've asthma bad lately. last weekend I've been rush in servere asthma attack and went blue and of course I'm frightened cos I'm deaf and not knowing. The hospital din't provided interpreter which I'm lost and don't understand. I've been prescribed steriods tablets and strong antibotics tablets,and thought just for 5 days but unfortually the hospital has run out of tablets why and wrote the letter for my gp and they prescribe 100 tablets but poor instructions. My minicom (for the deaf) is not working so My father ask them but give him only little information which I'm furious but just only said "8 tablets in the morning but I'm confused should be 5 days or finished the course. I'm looking for information like DVD with sign language (B.S.L) for the deaf and understadn clear and I'm sorry that I'm not good on english written. Could you please help me. I would appreciated it. Many thanks Your Regards Samantha Maxwell.

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