I’ve had earache for months, and fear that losing my husband is to blame. DR ELLIE reveals the surprising ways grief can impact your health

My husband died in August after a long illness. I’ve suffered since with an earache, swollen face, flu-like symptoms and dizziness. My GP prescribed antibiotics for a suspected infection, but that hasn’t helped. Could grief be making me sick?

Dr Ellie replies: Grief can certainly increase the risk of some physical illnesses. Research suggests the strong emotion can weaken the immune system, leaving people more susceptible to infections.

Grief can also be a trigger for chronic conditions such as the hair-loss problem alopecia or painful arthritis.

These loss-related issues appear to be even more common and severe in those who were long-term carers prior to the bereavement. This is partly due to the fact that carers often ignore their own health to prioritise their loved one.

Regardless of the trigger, it is important to diagnose and treat the illness. Earaches and flu-like symptoms are often signs of a sinus infection, which are prone to linger for some time.

One possible treatment is a sinus rinse, such as a saline wash or salt water spray. These are sold over-the-counter in pharmacies and supermarkets.

Dizziness can also be caused by an inner ear infection known as labyrinthitis. If someone

is experiencing dizziness so severe it affects their ability to do daily activities, there is a medicine called prochlorperazine which your GP can prescribe.

Anyone struggling with grief may also benefit from seeing a therapist or a counsellor. A GP will be able to offer a referral to a mental health specialist.

I’m 77 and have been getting severe heart palpitations, which I feel in my throat and jaw. They seem to happen more often when I’m sitting down or doing nothing. My GP did tests which didn’t find anything wrong. I take statins and blood pressure tablets. What could be the problem?

Dr Ellie replies: It’s always important to get palpitations assessed by a doctor. Simply checking blood pressure or oxygen levels are not enough.

One possible cause is angina – chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart. While men often feel angina in the chest and left arm, women are likely to get neck, jaw or throat pain.

Since angina is caused by heart disease, which can eventually prove fatal, it’s crucial to rule this out early.

This is especially true for those on heart medicines such as blood pressure and statin tablets, as they already have underlying problems which increase the risk of the disease.

One test often offered is an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart. Any abnormalities can be a sign of a heart problem. But an ECG measures this activity for just a few minutes – if a palpitation does not happen in this window, it won’t pick up the problem.

Instead there is a 24-hour ECG, which involves taping a device to the chest, which is better at picking up intermittent problems.

A possible cause may be atrial fibrillation – a heart rhythm problem when the organ has an overly fast and irregular beat. It’s vital to rule this out as it can lead to a stroke.

An overactive thyroid gland may also lead to palpitations, and they can be triggered by anxiety.

A few months ago I stepped on a hair clip which bruised my left ankle. The bruising has since eased but I’m still suffering severe pain in my heel, which I’m told is a condition called plantar fasciitis. Painkillers don’t help. What can I do?

Dr Ellie replies: Plantar fasciitis is a chronic pain condition which affects the connective tissue in the sole of the foot. It usually causes heel pain, which is worse at the start of the day or after any rest.

Unfortunately it tends to be worse for people who are overweight or who do a lot of running or prolonged standing. It is also more common in people with high foot arches or tight Achilles tendons.

Most people who develop plantar fasciitis get better within a year, and many do not require any treatment.

It is important to rest the foot as much as possible to allow the connective tissue to heal. Holding an icepack against the affected area once a day can be effective at reducing the inflammation. Patients may also be advised to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen.

Physiotherapy can speed up recovery and lessen the pain. A physiotherapist can provide exercises to strengthen and stretch the damaged area.

Another option is a steroid injection. This can be a daunting proposition for some, particularly as it involves inserting a needle into an already sensitive area. But in many cases it can significantly reduce the pain.

The procedure can also be repeated after six weeks if it is found to help.

In extreme cases, patients may have surgery to repair the tissue, but this is usually an option for those still in life-limiting pain after more than a year.

Taking care when on new pills

Last week, an inquest into death of Thomas Kingston was a devastating reminder that anyone taking antidepressants needs to be carefully monitored.

The son-in-law to Princess Michael of Kent had been prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety, along with sleeping tablets, after having trouble sleeping due to stress at work. A coroner concluded last week that he killed himself after suffering ‘adverse effects’ triggered by the medicines.

SSRIs can really improve lives. However, in the first weeks of taking them, many patients see their mood get worse, so it’s important that anyone who begins taking an antidepressant keeps their doctor informed of any sudden changes to their mood.

Even more crucially, patients should always tell loved ones about new medication, so that they can spot any worrying changes in behaviour.

Have you ever suffered these severe antidepressant side effects? Write and let me know.