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
In the middle of cold and flu season, parents are no doubt desperately searching for medications to help their sick children get better faster. Those who suspect their youngsters have the flu should b…
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 …
Red Wine And Hormone Replacement Therapy
Q. I heard today that red wine and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are a bad mix. Is this true and if so how come? I thought red wine was supposed to be good for you. A. Red wine in moderation has b…
Are Diet Drugs Dangerous?
For decades Americans have looked for a quick and easy way to lose weight. Despite the popularity of vibrating gizmos and battery-powered gadgets, diet pills are the preferred method. No muss, no fuss…
DASH Diet For High Blood Pressure
Q. I have high blood pressure (about 180/80) and my doctor has prescribed nearly everything he can think of. We have tried over a dozen different medicines, with unacceptable results or side effects. …
Sauerkraut Juice For Canker Sores
Q. I have read that sauerkraut juice is good for canker sores, but I can't find it in stores. Where can I get it? A. Many grocery stores carry or will order pure sauerkraut…
Are Avocados Good Or Bad For Heart Health?
Q. Do avocados have cholesterol? I've been told to watch my diet, and I've heard that I should avoid avocados, but I love them. Are they really bad for my heart? A. Avocados contai…
Parkinson’s Drugs for Restless Leg Syndrom…
Q. My wife suffers unmercifully from Restless Leg Syndrome. Over the years physicians have prescribed a variety of medications, but only two worked. Both are powerful pain relievers--Talwin and Vicodi…
Relief For Jock Itch
Q. I've been fascinated by the discussion of jock itch in your column. I've had this problem for years and tried dozens of over-the-counter medicines. None of them worked for more than a few days. L…
How Much Wine Is Good For You?
Q. I keep reading about how much good "a glass of red wine" can do, but nobody ever says how big the glass should be. Any ideas? A. Harvard epidemiologists who study the effects of alcohol on heart di…
Careless Use Of Healing Herbs Might Harm
Humans have been using herbal medicines for millennia. Every culture on earth has learned to harness the pharmaceuticals mother nature provided. But what happens when an herb is adopted by people who …
Laxatives And Diuretics No Way To Control Weight
Q. My niece takes laxatives and diuretics weekly to stay in drill team weight range. Is this dangerous? A. Both laxatives and diuretics (water pills) can deplete the body of essential minerals. If pot…