Don't get behind the wheel after smoking cannabis

Don't get behind the wheel after smoking cannabis

There are more and more things you shouldn’t do if you’re in charge of a car.

The drink-driving campaign has been successful with a breathalyser test showing illegal levels of alcohol in the blood, and attendant penalties.

More recently the hazards of eating and drinking while driving have become evident, leading to the advice if you feel hungry, pull over, don’t eat at the wheel.

New research shows eating and drinking behind the wheel can be as dangerous as talking on a phone.

Drivers, using a stimulator, were studied by University of Leeds researchers, who found reaction times were nearly 50% slower when eating as when driving with two hands, and 25% slower when drinking soft drinks.

Driving under the influence of cannabis can be worse.

Many moons ago, when little was known about how cannabis can interfere with driving, I remember visiting one of my sons when he was at university. He picked me up and drove me erratically to his digs.

I asked if he was tired and he said his mates had held a party in their flat.

I thought no more about it until I saw the odd spliff lying around.

After putting two and two together, I warned him about smoking and driving, pointing out that the effects of one smoke hang around in the body for up to five days.

A new Canadian study reviewing nine studies of 50,000 people who’d been in fatal or serious crashes makes salutary reading.

Cannabis, used by an estimated six million in the UK, interferes with driving as it impairs reaction time, decision-making and risk assessment, and motor functions.

The study found a near doubling of risk for a driver being involved in a vehicle collision resulting in serious injury or death if they had used cannabis less than three hours before getting behind the wheel.

Anyone known to use or caught using cannabis at an accident can have their driving licence revoked for six months until a urine or blood test proves abstinence.

A car is a potential weapon of destruction, after all.

Intercourse is painful after giving birth

Dear Dr Miriam, I have recently had a baby girl and I am embracing motherhood and enjoying a happy family life.

But since giving birth, intercourse has become very uncomfortable, as I don’t seem to be producing as much natural lubricant as I used to.

What can I do?

Dr Miriam says:

I believe that a couple can start having sex after the birth of the baby as soon as they feel like it within reason, and only by mutual consent.

There are many ways of enjoying sex without penetration and for the first few weeks it would be better to explore these options rather than have full intercourse.

If you’re feeling discomfort during sex, this indicates that you’re not physically ready for it.

If you had an episiotomy, the scar can take six to nine months to heal and will be so re during that time.

Let your husband feel it inside of you. It’s like a large sausage and very tender.

Lubrication should return after your first few periods but in the meantime use something like K-Y Jelly.

The most important thing though is for you and your husband to have a frank chat.

Animal bites

Bite: Mother placing a plaster on her daughter's leg

 

Animal bites can happen if your child is teasing or playing boisterously with a domestic pet, usually a cat or a dog.

Although being bitten can be traumatic for your child, bites aren’t usually serious.

The main danger is that if the animal bites deep into the flesh, bacteria will be lodged in the wound, making them vulnerable to infection.

If he or she is bitten by a dog or another animal while you’re travelling, seek medical treatment at once, since anti-rabies injections may be needed. (A British woman has just returned from India with rabies).

The first thing you should do is reassure your child, as they will probably be quite frightened. If they were bitten because they were teasing an animal, explain that teasing is unkind.

What to do?

Wash the wound thoroughly with warm water and cover the bite with a dressing.

If the bleeding is severe, try to control it with direct pressure over a clean pad and raise the wounded par t of the body.

Cover the wound with a dressing held in place with a bandage and take your child to AE.

They may need a tetanus immunisation if it’s not up to date.