Can Curry Counter Gout Pain?

Q. I suffer from gout from time to time. Have you ever heard of curry relieving the symptoms? My wife made a soup containing curry and within one hour after eating it, I could feel the pain going away. I ate the soup the next two nights and my gout was 95 percent gone. This worked much better than cherries for me.

A. Thanks for the tip. Gout is a painful inflammatory condition in which uric acid crystals collect in the joints.

The yellow spice in curry powder is turmeric. It has been used for centuries in the traditional medical system of India to treat inflammation. Research in animals confirms that turmeric extracts can reduce joint swelling from experimental arthritis (Journal of Natural Products, March 2006).

Q. I am taking a product that contains cascara sagrada to promote healthy digestion and relieve hemorrhoids. How often should I take it?

I took one dose of it at night, and the next afternoon experienced diarrhea. That has me a bit worried about taking it every day.

A. Cascara sagrada is a strong laxative, so we’re not surprised it gave you diarrhea. We don’t recommend taking stimulant laxatives on a regular basis since they can deplete the body of essential minerals. Daily use may also lead to dependence.

Q. My 8-year-old son has eczema. We have been alarmed by the recent studies about Elidel increasing the risk of cancer.

We also do not want to go back to topical steroids because they might thin his skin too much. Are there any other treatments that we can consider?

A. Besides a good moisturizer to keep the skin from drying out, you may want to consider Dermasmart undergarments and pajamas (www.dermasmart.com). This special fabric is super-soft and non-irritating.

A firefighter told us that he developed eczema after exposure to mold in an older fire station. When he put on his protective gear the itching nearly drove him crazy. The Dermasmart T-shirt and pants reduced the irritation and itching.

Another interesting product is CamoCare Soothing Cream (www.CamoCare.com). It contains a chamomile-derived oil that is anti-inflammatory.

Q. I take prescription heart and blood pressure medicine that keeps me awake. My doctor has prescribed Ambien but my insurance company rations me so I can’t take it every night. When I don’t take Ambien I don’t sleep.

What’s the problem with this sleeping pill? What else can you suggest so I can get some sleep?

A. A surprising number of prescription and OTC medicines can cause insomnia. If your doctor could prescribe different drugs, your insomnia might disappear.

If that is not an option, ask your doctor to intervene with the insurance company. Some insurers restrict prescription sleep aids on the grounds that the FDA has not approved these drugs for daily use.

Other options include melatonin, valerian or new prescription sleep aids such as Lunesta or Rozerem. We are sending you our upgraded Guide to Getting A Good Night’s Sleep with a list of medicines that cause insomnia and information on the new medicines. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (63 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. I-70, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It can also be downloaded for $2 from the Website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.