When moving around in your sleep becomes a warning sign you mustn’t ignore. I can show underlying conditions, says DR ELLIE… if this sounds like you this is what to do

My wife says I turn and talk in my sleep and often make a distressed sound. Is there any way to stop this?

Disrupted sleep can result from untreated anxiety, but in rare cases, it can also be a symptom of degenerative brain disease.

Sleep talking and excessive movements during sleep are conditions that doctors call parasomnia. These are unusual behaviors that occur during sleep. It also includes sleepwalking, crying, and sleep paralysis (in which patients feel awake but cannot move).

Parasomnia can be a sign of anxiety as well as underlying conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (where the throat closes during sleep, leading to a lack of oxygen). In some cases, parasomnia can be an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease.

The condition can also be triggered by medications, including antidepressants and – counterintuitively – sleeping pills. But often there is no clear reason for this.

Symptoms can be reduced by consuming less alcohol and caffeine and going to bed at about the same time each night. Sleeping in a dark room, with cool temperatures and minimal noise may help. So is avoiding screens and eating right before bed.

There is anecdotal evidence that magnesium supplements, available at most pharmacies and largely risk-free, help some patients with parasomnia.

One of my testicles is much larger than the other, but it is not painful. What could cause this?

A swollen testicle could be a sign of a tumor.

Testicular cancer typically causes swelling or a lump in the organ. A testicle may appear to be growing, and the scrotum may feel heavier or tighter than normal.

This condition is more common in men under 50.

Because it is caught early, it is treatable, so it is very important that anyone who develops this symptom contacts a GP as soon as possible, get a scan and find out what is behind the swelling.

There are other causes that are much less serious. The most common is a hydrocele, in which the fluid-filled sac next to the testicles swells.

This usually occurs on one side of the scrotum, giving the impression that one testicle is larger than the other. It occurs when the lubricating fluid around the testicle is not drained properly.

This may be due to an injury to the scrotum or an infection such as a sexually transmitted disease. The swelling often resolves on its own. If it persists, the NHS may recommend surgery to drain the fluid.

In some cases, swelling of the testicle may be caused by an inguinal hernia. This is where a bulge forms through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. A general practitioner should be able to detect an inguinal hernia through a physical examination or ultrasound scan.

This is almost always treated with surgery.

Easy ways to strengthen your bones

Bone thinning disease is a condition that worries many of my patients, but most are unaware of how you can increase bone strength.

Osteoporosis is linked to the deaths of thousands of people (mostly women) each year due to serious bone fractures. Many don’t know they have this condition until a breakout occurs.

The Mail on Sunday is campaigning to ensure the NHS has osteoporosis screening clinics, called fracture liaison services, in all hospitals. But patients, especially women over 50, need to know how to improve bone health before osteoporosis occurs. Steps to take include regular weight training, brisk walking, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol.

Have you found a way to increase your bone strength? Write and let me know.