Q I am 56 and for 24 years have run four or five miles every Monday to Friday. My hill-climbing pulse rate is approximately 150 and my resting rate is 45. I experience no joint problems and I am rarely ill. Should I continue and if so is there an age when I should reduce such a regime or indeed stop?

A There's no reason to stop if you are still healthy. It's not age that matters but your general health. I wonder about your resting heart rate of 45? That does sound a little slow. I'm sure it's fine, but it might be sensible to have it checked by your doctor.

Q I am 40 and am getting varicose veins. Is there any way I can counteract them, and is massage good or bad for varicose veins?

A Varicose veins stem from an in-born problem with the valves inside them that stop the blood from pooling in your lower legs as you walk about. Defects in them cause the veins to be distended. Massage won't help or worsen them. The only cure, frankly, is surgical removal, but two-way stretch compression stockings can ease the symptoms.

Q I burn incense sticks and cones, but my daughter, aged 12, says they make her cough. Are there any known negative health effects caused by burning incense?

A There are two possibilities - either your daughter's throat is reacting badly to the smoke in general, or she is becoming sensitive to one of the ingredients of the incense. I don't know of any research papers to show there is a particular hazard from inhaling incense, but logic suggests that it's similar to passive smoking. It's a bit unfair to impose it on your daughter if she reacts badly to it. Can't you restrict the incense to your own room?

Q We are planning to take our six-year old by road abroad. Our only worry is that she might be travel sick. How can I best protect her from it?

A Have her seat high enough in the car so that she can see out easily while relaxing. As far as possible get her interested in the view ahead. Play spotting' games with her, say by looking for the next cow or horse or vineyard or British lorry. Don't let her read inside the car or play with toys - the essence is to have her looking outside at the scenery. That will help her co-ordinate her eyes with the movement of the car relative to the outside environment. Sickness comes when the eyes are focussed on something that is inside the car (like a book or a toy) and the balance organ is trying to cope with both that and the movement of the car on the road.