DR GARETH: Is there a pill to keep me sober?

Byline: Dr Gareth Smith

Q I AM 45 and an alcoholic. When things are bad, I hit the bottle. I am about to lose my family through it. Is there medication that can keep me sober?

AADMITTING you have a problem is the first step. The best way to keep off drink is by willpower and support. I suggest you go to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Even if you don't agree with their philosophies, they are the most successful self-help group in the world and you'll meet people who understand your problems.

There is a medication called antabuse which makes your body allergic to alcohol but it can be quite dangerous and you would need medical supervision. See your GP for referral to a specialist clinic. QMY mum is in her 80s and four months ago she fell out of bed. She is now complaining her knee is painful and her leg seems shorter. Is this possible?

A IT sounds as though your mum has broken her hip and it has healed badly. It's not unknown for elderly patients to fracture the thin bone at the top of the thigh, especially if they have a fall.

This causes severe pain and makes it difficult to walk, resulting in hospital treatment. Sometimes there's an incomplete fracture that gets worse. She must get x-rayed and assessed by a specialist.

QI HAVE dreadful athlete's foot. I have tried all of the creams and sprays. What should I do?

A ATHLETE'S foot can be harder to treat than you think, especially if you've had it for a long time as the infection can begin to affect the toenails and soles of the feet.

See your doctor, who will take a scraping of your skin to confirm the diagnosis and start you on oral medication for several weeks. Remember to wear cotton socks and change them twice a day.

QI'VE had very painful periods for years and my doctor has diagnosed mild endometriosis. Does this mean that I am infertile? ANO, it does not mean you are infertile but sometimes it can take longer for women with endometriosis to fall pregnant.

It occurs when growth of the tissue that normally lines the womb (endometrium) is found elsewhere. It is very common and symptoms include severe period pain, pain during or after sex, lower back pain and soreness in the pelvic region.

It is normally diagnosed by a combination of symptoms and a laparoscopy (a small telescope inserted into the abdomen under general anaesthetic). It only alters fertility if the tissue is found in the fallopian tubes. In most cases this can be helped by medication. QMY sister has been diagnosed with a brain tumour called a meningioma. Can you tell me about her condition?

A WITHOUT knowing your sister's case, it is difficult to be definite but meningiomas are the easiest brain tumours to treat and have the best cure rate.

They are tumours of the lining that covers the surface of the brain and rarely damage the brain itself unless they are very big when diagnosed. She will most likely need surgery to remove it and may be incapacitated for a while but in my experience the majority of patients make a good recovery.