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Dr Roger Henderson

Dr Roger Henderson, MBBS

General Practitioner, Medical Author

MBBS, LMSSA

Dr Roger Henderson qualified as a GP in 1985 and has authored for EMIS since early 2013.

He is a Senior Partner at Linden Hall Surgery Shropshire as well as a GP trainer and University doctor. His lectures focus primarily on modern social media and health.

Roger is also a medic and writer for national newspapers, magazines and online, and appears regularly on television, radio and the internet.

Roger’s web presence

Recently contributed to:

Fine-needle aspiration
Info leaflet

In fine-needle aspiration a thin, hollow needle is used to take a sample of cells from an organ or lump under the skin. The cells are then analysed under a microscope. Note: the information below is a general guide only. The arrangements and the way tests are performed, may vary between different hospitals. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor or local hospital.

The digestive system
Features

The digestive system (gastrointestinal tract) is the long tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the back passage (anus).

Feature Image
Aspirin and other antiplatelet medicines
Info leaflet

Most people who have a cardiovascular disease (for example, angina, peripheral arterial disease, or a previous heart attack, transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke) take a low-dose aspirin (75 mg) each day or clopidogrel (75 mg) each day. This reduces the risk of having a heart attack by about a third. It reduces the risk of having a stroke by about a quarter. A daily low dose of aspirin also reduces the risk of developing a number of common cancers. Some doctors recommend that all people aged 45-50 should consider taking a daily low dose of aspirin until the age of about 75. But, discuss the pros and cons and your own circumstances with your GP before taking regular aspirin or clopidogrel. This is because in some people these can cause serious bleeding from the gut, which is sometimes fatal.

Legionnaires' disease
Info leaflet

Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection (pneumonia) with chills, high temperature (fever) and muscle pains. You get the infection by breathing in droplets of water which contain legionella germs (bacteria) from contaminated water systems. The earlier the illness is treated with antibiotic medication, the better the likely outcome. The illness is serious and can be fatal. However, it cannot be passed from person to person (it is not contagious). Pontiac fever is a milder illness caused by the same bacterium.

Phobias
Info leaflet

A phobia is strong fear or dread of a thing or event, which is out of proportion to the reality of the situation. The most effective treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy. Antidepressant medication also helps in many cases.