Dr Bernadette Carr answers your questions on ear infections and gallstones

I had a cold last week and now my ears are sore inside, could I have an infection?

Ear infections can occur at any age, although more commonly in children.

They will usually clear within three to five days although in some cases antibiotics may be needed.

Otitis media is an infection in the small space behind the eardrum or middle ear, sometimes associated with upper respiratory tract infection.

Normally, the space behind the eardrum is filled with air and is connected to the back of throat by a very small channel called the Eustachian tube.

This space sometimes fills with fluid (mucus) often during a cold, flu or a seasonal allergy such as hay fever and the mucus can become infected by bacteria or viruses.

As the infection clears this fluid usually drains away.

A boil filled with pus can sometimes grow just inside the ear canal, it will usually heal by itself when it bursts and drains away.

The symptoms of an ear infection include:

* Earache

* Ear rubbing

* Temporary hearing loss

* Temperature

* Burst eardrum

* Discharge.

Treatment of an ear infection includes painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen or ear drops.

Some people find that placing a warm (not hot), moist (not wet) face cloth over the ear may help to lessen the level of pain.

The source of any pain needs to be investigated and I would advise you to make an appointment with your GP who can examine your ears and check your hearing.

Your GP will be able to advise on the appropriate treatment.

My older sister developed gallstones in her 40s. I wonder if there is anything I can do to avoid them?

Gallstones are small stones usually made from cholesterol that form in the gallbladder or bile duct.

It is thought that if the levels of cholesterol in bile are too high that the excess cholesterol turns into stones.

Gallstones are very common and women are affected twice as often as men.

Other risks of developing gallstones are pregnancy, lack of physical activity overweight or obesity or aged 40 or over and a family history of gallstones.

In the majority of cases, gallstones do not cause any symptoms but this can change and result in abdominal pain, and surgery may be necessary.

I would advise you to make an appointment with your GP to have a fasting cholesterol test.

Given your sister’s medical history, it is important to mention this to your GP.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is made by a number of cells in your body, with the liver making about a quarter of the total. It is carried around the body by proteins in your blood. There are two main types of cholesterol:

* Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — carries cholesterol from your liver to other cells and is known as ‘bad cholesterol’. It is called the bad cholesterol because it sticks to the walls in your arteries making it narrow.

* High-density lipoprotein (HDL) — carries cholesterol from the cells back to the liver where it is broken down and is known as ‘good cholesterol’.

There are a number of reasons for high cholesterol and making lifestyle changes can be beneficial:

* A healthy diet, reduce the amount of saturated fat by eating lean meat.

* Reduce the amount of processed meat products such as sausages and readymade meat pies.

* Chose low-fat dairy products, low fat spreads and use healthy ways of cooking, such as grilling or oven-baking instead of frying.

* Reduce the amount of salt in your diet.

* If you are overweight, lose weight.

* If you are a smoker, stop.

* Reduce alcohol.

* Take regular exercise.

Once your GP has the result from the fasting test, he/she will be able to discuss your results with you.