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Meet The Experts
Dr Farah Gilani
General Practitioner
About our Author
Overview
Dr Farah Gilani completed her medical degree at Glasgow University in 2007, also achieving a First-class BSc in Psychological Medicine. Initially training in paediatrics, she moved on to General Practice and now works as a portfolio GP. As well as working in general practice, she has a role as paediatric scholar and as a forensic offences’ examiner. She is developing a range of interests, including child and women’s health, nutrition and allergy.
She enjoys writing and has published articles in the British Journal of General Practice, and its sister publication, InnovAiT. Outside work, Dr Gilani is a busy mum to 8-year-old Zakariah and newly arrived twins, Noah and Elijah. She loves to cook for her husband and children, trying out new recipes and transitioning to a more plant-based diet. She enjoys yoga, running and netball.
GMC Number
6163269
Training & Qualifications
MBChB, BSc (Hons), MRCGP, DCH
Specialisms and Areas of Interest
General Practice
Articles By This Author
Acne
For many people, acne can be extremely distressing. However, it is much more common than you might think.
Acne vulgaris, otherwise known as common acne, is the eighth most prevalent disease in the world. Young people are most likely to have the condition – approximately 80% of people with acne are aged 11 to 30.
Can taking painkillers actually give you headaches?
If you're prone to headaches, you're probably used to stocking up on painkillers. Along with relaxation techniques, medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen are recommended as a first line of defence for treating that throbbing sensation.
The link between diabetes and mental health conditions
The physical symptoms of diabetes need managing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Recent research revealed that seven out of ten people feel overwhelmed by the demands of living with the disease.
When to worry about night sweats
It's something we've probably all experienced - jolting awake in the early hours of the morning to find the sheets drenched in sweat. Clearly, night sweats are no fun. What can be less obvious is why you're experiencing them and what it might mean from a medical perspective.
The pros and cons of the hay fever injection
For one in four people, the arrival of warmer weather marks the beginning of an annual struggle against hay fever. Some sufferers swear by a yearly 'hay fever injection', offered by some private clinics. But is it effective? And more importantly, is it safe?
Is hay fever linked to depression?
For Claire, 32, the arrival of spring means one thing and one thing only - hay fever season. Every May, she spends three to four weeks with the runny nose, itchy eyes and constant fatigue that characterise allergic rhinitis. Unsurprisingly, this has an impact on her mood.
Eat and stay healthy during holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan is considered as the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and celebrated every year by Muslims across the globe.
Can celery juice actually help with weightloss?
Celery juice is the latest health and weightloss trend to sweep Instagram, and it’s been tried out by everyone from Pharrell and Gwyneth Paltrow to Kim Kardashian and Lea Michele.
Sorry, but celery juice isn't actually a magical weightloss drink
It’s all the rage on Instagram, so we asked a doctor if it’s actually worth drinking.
As Glastonbury approaches, here’s how to protect your lower back from festival ache
There’s nothing you can do about not being able to shower, but you can help keep those aches and pains at bay.
Ramadan: This is what you need to know if you’re fasting but still want to exercise
Experts say it’s fine to workout during the holy month, but you need to be wary of low energy levels and the potential of dehydration.
Exercising during Ramadan: What the experts say
Experts say it's fine to workout during the holy month, but you need to be wary of low energy levels and the potential of dehydration.
Why it's great Meghan is going against royal tradition and doing childbirth her own way
We might be desperate to know all the details, but no woman should have to pose for cameras in heels and a dress hours after giving birth.
What you need to know about fasting during Ramadan
In order to healthily fast there’s a lot to think about – like what food to eat when you do break, what you should be drinking and how to prevent a disrupted sleep schedule. Another big consideration for many practising Muslims is how best to exercise during the holy period.
Novel psychoactive substances: the rising wave of ‘legal highs’
In a somewhat prophetic statement, Henderson wrote in 1988: ‘It is likely that the future drugs of abuse will be synthetics rather than plant products. They will be synthesised from readily available chemicals, may be derivatives of pharmaceuticals, will be very potent, and often very selective in their action. In addition, they will be marketed very cleverly.
Human microbiome
As doctors, we wage a daily war against microbes: this includes prescribing antibiotics, practising strict hand-hygiene and implementing isolation protocols when a 'superbug' takes hold.
‘Legal highs’: Novel psychoactive substances
Amid increasing media attention, ‘legal highs’ pose a novel diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The manufacture, propagation and use of these drugs are increasing rapidly. However, knowledge of their composition and the consequences of taking them is limited, both among the public and health professionals. This article will focus on those drugs that are still currently available legally, their classification, management and the role of the GP in identifying users, and managing and referring them appropriately.
Are bamboo sheets the secret to a good night’s sleep?
We ask an expert if they can help regulate your body temperature.
7 common mistakes you might be making in the hot weather
That fan in your bedroom could be doing more harm than good. Hot weather might have you screaming, ‘Summer’s actually here!’ but it also comes with its difficulties, from sweating buckets to the impossibility of a good night’s sleep.
Can bamboo sheets help regulate body temperature?
Hot weather is a sure-fire way to ruin your night, as you can spend hours tossing and turning while your body feels like the temperature of the sun. It’s not even a great idea to use a fan in your bedroom, because that can circulate dust and pollen and exacerbate any allergies you might have.
Tips to get through the heatwave
Everyone has their own go-to method for easing heat-induced discomfort, whether it’s an ice cold shower or sleeping with a fan inches from your face.
Should you switch to bamboo sheets?
Hot weather is a sure-fire way to ruin your night, as you can spend hours tossing and turning while your body feels like the temperature of the sun. It’s not even a great idea to use a fan in your bedroom, because that can circulate dust and pollen and exacerbate any allergies you might have.
7 common mistakes you might be making in the hot weather
Hot weather might have you screaming, ‘Summer’s actually here!’ but it also comes with its difficulties, from sweating buckets to the impossibility of a good night’s sleep.