Q When an anaesthetist asked me before a minor op how much alcohol I consumed I said no more than the weekly allowance (about 24 units). She instantly said: "So I'll make that 36." Is it just that doctors are cynical or do people drink more than they think?
HC from Shrewsbury
A Most people significantly underestimate their alcohol consumption, either deliberately or unwittingly. A home-poured drink of spirits is almost always a triple measure compared with a single in the pub, so you need only have a couple of these each night and you're past 36 units.
Current safe guidelines are 3-4 units daily for men and 2-3 for women, where a unit is a small glass of wine, single measure of spirits or half a pint of beer.
Q I have black specks that shoot around in my field of vision. My optician called them "floaters" and said they could have resulted from a bout of chickenpox last year. Will they ever go away?
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LS from Sleaford
A I doubt these floaters are linked to your chickenpox. The term refers to shadows cast on the retina by harmless tiny pieces of tissue in the vitreous humour - the jelly-like material that fills the back of the eye.
It is unclear why these occur but they are common. Fortunately they usually clear over time with no treatment. If someone suddenly develops significant numbers of large floaters, though, this can be a sign of bleeding into the eye or retinal detachment, both of which require urgent treatment.
Q I recently suffered a stroke and have small problems with my speech. My doctor has been unhelpful in suggesting a fix - what are my options?
GM from Durham
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A Ask him to be more helpful and, if he won't, change your doctor. Difficulties with speech often follow a stroke and the Stroke Association's website (www.stroke.org.uk) contains some excellent information.
Strokes affect the speech of sufferers in different ways, so you need to be referred to a speech and language therapist who will assess your difficulty and develop appropriate techniques for you to achieve the best speech possible.
All questions are answered by a practising doctor. To consult Dr Know, e-mail drknow@sunday-times.co.uk. E-mails cannot be replied to individually