Q. A dentist told a reader with bad breath that a stomach infection could be the cause. I too had bad breath and tried everything your reader mentioned, from dental care to medical exams.
There was no solution until I discovered that lactose intolerance was causing my problem. I took a two-week trip overseas where no fresh milk was available. I felt a lot better than I ever had, but didn’t make the connection until I returned home and started drinking milk again. It became clear that was the culprit.
I never had diarrhea as a result of lactose intolerance, but I had other intestinal problems along with bad breath. I hope this helps someone else.
A. You’re not the only reader to suggest an inability to digest milk sugar (lactose) could contribute to bad breath. Here is another testimonial:
“I suffered with constant bad breath until about ten years ago. My dentist told me it was not from my teeth. Finally my son-in-law said it could be lactose intolerance and suggested Lactaid.
“I now have Lactaid extra strength caplets with me at all times. I chew one before eating any dairy foods. It is like a miracle!”
Other sources of bad breath may include tonsil, gum or stomach infection. Diabetes or liver problems may also contribute.
Q. I was a victim of Advil. I was taking it for arthritis and it caused bleeding ulcers. I had to be hospitalized for six days and needed seven blood transfusions. I had lost four pints of blood and it nearly killed me. Please let people know that these over-the-counter pain relievers can be more dangerous than they imagine.
A. Your experience demonstrates how important it is to get medical supervision for any pain reliever that is being used long-term. Bleeding ulcers, which can be life threatening, may be triggered by regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or prescription anti-inflammatory drugs.
Q. For most of my life I was told my thyroid tests were “low normal” despite my frozen hands, feet, ears and nose. I was also completely exhausted every day. Years ago, my cholesterol was 300 but that was considered acceptable.
A few years ago the cholesterol cap was lowered to 200, but my level had gone up to 485. My daughter, a chiropractor, said unless I had a liver problem it had to be my thyroid. My doctor finally agreed and put me on Armour thyroid. I now feel happier, peppier, more alert and glad to be alive than I did in my 20s. Synthroid is better than nothing, but Armour really gives me a great sense of well-being.
After several months of treatment, my cholesterol went down to around 160. That’s where it’s been for several years with no other treatment.
A. Not all high cholesterol is caused by an underactive thyroid gland. But too little thyroid hormone can make it hard to control cholesterol. As you point out, borderline thyroid problems may be hard to diagnose.
We offer guidelines for interpreting thyroid tests and discuss symptoms and treatment of low and high thyroid activity in our Guide to Thyroid Hormones. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. T-4, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
The People's Perspective on Medicine