I’ve seen three different doctors about this and no one has come up with a solution, despite having had blood and urine tests. My temperature and blood pressure are both normal.

Can you shed any light on what might be causing it? It is severely affecting my quality of life. 

A - There are several different causes of “sweaty turns”. In all age groups an infection can be to blame. 

In younger people there may be obvious symptoms of this such as a sore throat or pain in passing urine.

However in older people the symptoms may be much more subtle. 

Sometimes medication can be to blame, including antidepressants, strong painkillers containing opiates such as tramadol and also some drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

More rarely, hot sweats can be due to an abnormality in the immune system such as lymphoma.

In my practice we often do a chest X-ray in people who have unexplained hot sweats as this can show if there is any enlargement of the lymph glands in the chest and it can also be useful in diagnosing a hidden chest infection.

It may be worth asking your GP if this would be worth considering in your case. 

Q - I have suffered from lymphoedema for 20 years and find it very hard to get information on how to treat this condition. What can you tell me about it? 

A - The lymphatic system is a network of tiny vessels underneath the skin which forms part of the body’s immune system.

The fluid (lymph) they contain helps to cleanse the tissues which is then drained away, eventually being returned to the blood. 

Lymphoedema occurs when the fluid does not drain away properly, leading to a build-up of fluid under the skin. 

It can occur anywhere but most commonly affects the arms and legs. 

There are two types of lymphoedema. With primary lymphoedema there is a problem in the structure of the lymph vessels which often becomes apparent in puberty or early adult life. 

Secondary lymphoedema develops when a part of the lymphatic system has been damaged. 

Common reasons for this are removal of lymph nodes during surgery for cancer or damage to them during radiotherapy. Reduced mobility or paralysis after a stroke can also lead to lymphoedema. 

Unfortunately it cannot be cured and the main treatment is to keep the affected limb as mobile as possible to encourage circulation. 

Sometimes wearing a light compression bandage or stockings can help prevent the affected limb becoming too swollen. 

If your legs are affected make sure you have your feet raised whenever you are resting (above the level of your hips) as this will help prevent pooling of fluid in your feet and ankles. 

Losing excess weight always helps and you should take great care of your skin, keeping it well moisturised. 

You can get more information from the Lymphoedema Support Network, call 0207 351 4480 or visit lymphoedema.org. 

Q - My 78-year-old mother broke her leg getting out of bed earlier this year. Her leg just seemed to give way as she got up. She’s been in hospital ever since. Could it possibly have been caused by osteoporosis? 

A - There are probably several factors involved. The fact that her leg “gave way” without any reason suggests she may have very weak muscles in her legs, which often occurs in older people who are not very active. 

Another factor that may have been involved is arthritis in her knees, which can affect basic leg stability. 

With someone who suffers from advanced arthritis, the knees can suddenly give way.

Yet the fact she broke a bone after a simple fall suggests that she might have osteoporosis as well. 

Any older person who has a leg fracture should automatically have a diagnostic DEXA scan to find out if they have osteoporosis.

Your mother should also have her calcium and vitamin D levels checked and especially as she has been in hospital for months she should be taking a vitamin D supplement, which the hospital should prescribe for her. 

Unfortunately, being laid up in hospital is notoriously bad for muscles but I would hope she is being seen by a physiotherapist who will have given her exercises to try to keep her legs as mobile as possible. 

If you have a health question for Dr Rosemary please write to her in confidence at The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN or email health@express.co.uk. Her reply will appear in this column. She cannot enter into personal correspondence and due to the volume of letters cannot reply to everyone. Find out more about her at drrosemaryleonard.co.uk.