DR ELLIE CANNON: Is my sore on the back the result of SCI?

I have been suffering from IBS for many years, causing constipation, bloating and cramps. I also have back pain, which is worse when my SCI is bad. Are they connected?

Irritable bowel syndrome, also called IBS, is very common. Up to one in five people suffers and its symptoms can be debilitating.

Bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation are common, usually every day.

But it is also associated with symptoms that you would not necessarily want to associate with the gut.

This includes fatigue, headaches, bladder problems, sexual dysfunction and, yes, back pain.

The symptoms of IBS can come and go and depend on triggers that make them worse. These can be dietetic such as caffeine or alcohol, or emotional such as stress and anxiety.

For people with both IBS and chronic low back pain, the symptoms of both are likely to appear at the same time, even if they are not directly related.

The symptoms of any condition can cause stress, which generates a recrudescence of problems caused by another disease. Pains, especially back problems, are very sensitive to emotional stress.

Importantly, the SCI can mimic other more serious conditions. The combination of IBS and back pain could conceal similar symptoms of endometriosis or Crohn's disease, for example.

It is essential that these conditions are excluded as part of the ICS diagnostic process.

I do not have access to a computer, especially the Internet, but my general practitioner tells me that I have to order my prescriptions online. Can they surely do it over the phone instead?

This is not a standard procedure to issue prescriptions over the phone. Most GP practices do not have the necessary staff, which increases the risk of serious errors.

In most cases, the patient fills out an application form at the surgery, in writing, and is signed by a GP after two to three days.

Patients who receive repeated prescriptions have a checklist that they complete and return to the operation for the general practitioner to sign.

Anyone with a regular prescription should also talk to their pharmacist about what is called EPS – the electronic prescription service.

This means that patients no longer need to collect a paper prescription from the general practitioner. Patients can fill out an online form, detailing their prescription and dosage, and the medication is sent directly to the pharmacy of your choice.

Check with the pharmacist to make sure that he stores your repeated medications.

Patients may also receive repeat prescriptions at pharmacies such as Lloyds.

These are home-based services specifically designed for people who are homebound or have difficulty getting their prescriptions repeated. You do not need access online, but you can schedule one every month by calling your local Lloyds agency.

For people with online access, repeat orders can be requested via downloadable phone applications such as the NHS or Evergreen app.

A daily duty for diabetics … Check your feet

This is an ominous statistic: every day, 25 amputations of toes, feet and legs of diabetic patients are performed. There have been 27,465 such operations since 2015, which represents a significant increase over previous years, and is related to the increase in the number of Britons suffering from hyperglycemia, related to 39; obesity.

Diabetes increases the risk of foot problems as it causes nerve damage and circulation problems. A small wound or a small wound can easily go unnoticed until the infection starts. And the lack of blood supply means that it will never heal.

All diabetics are offered an annual foot check by the NHS to test nerve function and blood supply. These are essential to detect the first subtle signs of a problem. However, personal care is also essential: Diabetes UK recommends that patients check their feet every day.

So when you're about to put on your socks, look good. If you notice any changes, consult your doctor immediately.

Does anyone want a good bowl of cauliflower ice cream? No, me neither. That's why I did not really think about Peekaboo's frozen desserts ("The vegetables in every bite", promised by the creators) when I found it online last week.

I guess it's going to be considered a healthy "treat" – but a quick look at the nutritional profile reveals the same calorie, sugar, and fat content as a Ben & Jerry's jar.

I know what I would prefer.

Send an email to [email protected] or write to Health, The Mail on Sunday, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT. Dr. Ellie can only answer in a general context and can not answer individual cases or give personal answers. If you have a health problem, always consult your own doctor.