Q. I have multiple sclerosis and am frustrated that no one seems to know what causes it. Are you able to help?
JT, Surrey
A. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that causes damage to the central nervous system and is the most common neurological disease in adults aged under 30 in the UK. The exact cause remains unknown but current thinking is that it could be a result of the narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, which leads to excess iron in the blood, damaging the nervous system.
It's been observed that MS sufferers have more blocked or damaged blood vessels in the brain compared with the general population and, in laboratory conditions, excess iron is known to cause inflammation and cell death. A major study has just been set up in New York to investigate if this theory is true. If so, it would be a potentially exciting development in terms of finding a treatment but it will be years before the results yield any medical breakthroughs. Until then, the situation remains frustratingly unclear for MS sufferers.
Q. My teenage son constantly sends texts from his phone and regularly complains of pains in his neck and shoulders. Could these two things be linked?
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PM, Bristol
A. Yes, they could. A recent study of college students in America found a direct link between the number of text messages sent per day and pain reported in the upper body - with male students especially prone to shoulder discomfort. This is similar to the symptoms of overuse injuries reported by people who work on a computer for long periods.
Your son should vary the hand and fingers that he uses for texting, try not to text for more than a few minutes at a time and take a break if his shoulders, neck or arms start to hurt. There are some useful physio exercises for manic texters to try at www.practisesafetext.com, which is sponsored by Virgin Mobile.
Q. I have two painful hernias. My doctor says that because I have had two heart attacks and have a pacemaker I cannot have surgery. What else can be done?
PS, Matlock, Derbyshire
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A. Your hernias are a sign that weak spots have formed in your lower abdominal muscles and that part of your intestine is poking through them. If painful, they should be treated.
This is typically done by keyhole surgery under general anaestetic. However, given your heart problems, it will be safer to have them repaired by open surgery with a local anaesthetic. The disadvantage is a longer recovery time. Even so, ask to be referred to a hernia surgeon right away.
Write, giving your initials and home town, to drknow@sunday-times.co.uk. Questions are answered by a practising doctor