Sweaty Arm Pits Pose Embarrassing Problem
Q. My daughter suffers from excessive underarm perspiration. I told her to ask her doctor about it, but the doctor said she has not heard of a prescription deodorant to deal with this problem. My daug…
Placebo Power Fights Depression
Placebo power can be embarrassing. A recent study of St. John's wort found that it was no more effective against major depression than placebo-but neither was Zoloft, the prescription antidepressant t…
Archway Coconut Macaroon Cookies For Diarrhea
This is one of the tastiest and most unusual home remedies we have ever collected. Donald Agar had suffered from Crohn's disease for many years. Diarrhea was a constant problem. By accident he discove…
Can Diet Help Relieve Joint Pain?
Q. I was eating a piece of chocolate when a friend said, "That's not good for your arthritis." Since then, another friend told me to avoid tomatoes. All this advice is confusing me. Are there really f…
Beware Of Baking Soda Overdose
Q. I want to warn people about using baking soda to treat heartburn and indigestion. Although there are instructions right on the package for treating GI upset with baking soda, I must stress the impo…
Drug Interactions Can Be Deadly
Bill Cosby likes to tell the story about his childhood chemistry experiments. He liked to mix the components of his chemistry set in the basement to see what would happen. When he succeeded in produci…
Sunscreen Allergy Makes Her Red
Q. Can you tell me what to do about sunblock? I have become increasingly sensitive to the sun, although I always wear sunblock. The problem is that I seem to be very allergic to the ingredients that m…
Restless Legs Keep Millions Awake
Imagine it's the end of a long day, and you gratefully climb into bed, put your head down on the pillow, and relax. But just as you are drifting into dreamland, you're awakened by a sudden violent mot…
Will Viagra Prolong Intercourse?
Q. I have suffered from an embarrassing problem for years and I cannot bring myself to discuss it with my doctor. No matter how much I try to concentrate on other things or how slow I go, I climax wit…
Discount Drug Cards Create Confusion
Beware politicians and pharmaceutical firms that promise lower prices for life-saving medicine. What do they deliver? During the last election, the high cost of prescription drugs was a major campaign…
Remedies For Arthritis And High Cholesterol
Q. I have a sensitive stomach and cannot tolerate aspirin, ibuprofen or even Celebrex or Vioxx. Tylenol isn't very helpful for my stiff fingers and sore knees. My doctor seems frustrated about…
St. John’s Wort Study Creates Confusion
Q. I have been taking St. John's wort for the past three years for mild depression. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I am doing better than I used to. My mood and outlook improved without …
Libido Loss At Menopause Threatens Marriage
Q. I am a 48 year old woman who has been happily married for 17 years. Now I have entered menopause and have no more sexual desire. Since my mother died of breast cancer, I am reluctant to start hormo…
Fish Oil Fights Fatal Heart Attacks
The old wives have been proved right yet again. They believed that a regular dose of cod liver oil would be good for what ailed you. Cod liver oil isn't fashionable any longer, but cutting edge resear…
Solutions For Sweaty Armpits
Q. I am a 50 year old male in good health. For years I have perspired heavily in my armpits. This begins early in the morning and continues all day. By the time I get to work, my shirt is soaked. This…
Can Sugarless Gum Cause GI Problems?
Q. I have a nervous stomach. This results in frequent, unpredictable bouts of diarrhea. I have also been chewing sugarless gum daily for years. I just heard that sugarless gum can combat c…
Is Garlic Toxic To The Brain?
Q. A friend of mine sent me an article about garlic being toxic. He says it slows reflexes and impairs concentration. I am a great fan of garlic and use a lot of it when I cook. Now I am concerned abo…
Don’t Mix Motrin And Tylenol In Tykes
Q. I am a pediatrician concerned about parents' use of two over-the-counter medications. I often feel like a "one-woman army" trying to combat simultaneous use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen…
Adults Lick Lollipops For Nicotine Fix
Are cigarettes drugs? The FDA once argued that a cigarette is a "high technology nicotine delivery system" and therefore should be subject to regulation. A lot of people thought the FDA was way out of…
Shelf Life Of Sunscreen
Q. I just found some left over sunscreen from last summer. Is it safe to use it again this year? A. Check the expiration date on the label. Most sunscreens are good for a couple years even…
Tasty Metamucil Wafers For Fiber
Q. In a recent answer to a laxative addict, you suggested psyllium (Fiberall, Metamucil, Per Diem Fiber, etc.) as an approach to easing constipation. But you left out a patient-friendly solution. …
Grapefruit Doesn’t Go Well With All Drugs
Q. We've recently been buying grapefruit by the box from a truck that comes up from Florida. They are incredibly delicious, but my neighbor says they interact with lots of drugs. Where do I find a lis…
Chaste-Tree Berry For Chastity?
Q. I'm a 39-year-old woman in need of an herb that can decrease sex drive. I think you've written about this before, but I can't recall the herb you suggested. I'm in excellent health,…
Remedies For Dry, Itchy Skin
Q. My skin is so dry and itchy that sometimes I have to stop and scratch in the middle of a tennis game. This annoys my partner, and of course it bothers me more than I can say. What suggestions do yo…
Don’t Kill Kitty Yourself
Q. I have a 19-year-old cat to which I am very attached. I know her time will come soon. I don't want to take her to the vet to be put down because she is terrified of both vets and needles. I would l…
Secret Language Divides Doctors And Patients
Once upon a time anyone who wanted to be a doctor had to study Latin. It was the language of learning. It also created a mystique that patients could not penetrate. It's been decades since Latin was r…
Is Enteric Aspirin Safer?
Q. What is the value of the "enteric" form of aspirin? I need to take aspirin for my heart and I'm aware it can cause gastric ulcers. I thought the enteric aspirin would be safer than re…
Alternatives To Vancenase Nasal Spray
Q. After 30 years of frequent and severe sinus infections, I was delighted when an allergist put me on Vancenase nasal spray. It afforded me great relief, and I've been using it since 1993. &…
Varied Uses For Vicks
Q. Your column is a blast. Have you compiled a list of all the uses of Vicks VapoRub? I find it amazing how many things can be done with one simple product! A. Vicks VapoRub has been available for nea…
Getting Off The Laxative Bandwagon
Q. Years ago I had a serious eating problem (anorexia) and began to use laxatives to help me keep weight off. I eventually became dependent on them and now would like to discontinue their use. When I …