DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a healthy and active 45-year-old female. Due to severe constipation (five to seven days without a bowel movement) I have had two colonoscopies over the last eight years. Each has shown that my colon is about two feet longer than normal but is otherwise fine. I was diagnosed with IBS and my gastroenterologist put me on Miralax. I have been taking it for eight years now and eat a fairly healthful diet. Both seem to have helped my constipation; however, once every few months I have constipation that will last five to seven days before I have another bowel movement. This concerns me and I have read about many “bowel cleansing” solutions. I am reluctant to try these because I am afraid of causing damage or that these solutions may become habit forming. (more…)
Reviewed by Board Certified physician.
Archive for 2008
Fiber Good For Occasional Constipation
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008Daily Column
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
I was recently put on Lipitor for high cholesterol. I developed awful leg cramps. My doctor reduced the dose, so I take one pill every other day. My pain has decreased in frequency but hasn‘t disappeared. Would you associate the pain with the medication? The leg pain was tied to my sciatic nerve.
DEAR READER:
Lipitor has been connected with severe leg cramps and pain that can appear anywhere in the body, but most commonly in the calf muscles that are used so often.
Co-Q10 is a naturally occurring enzyme in the body. Reports have revealed a deficiency of more than 50% in less than a month by those patients on Lipitor. The deficiency causes pain. Therefore, I recommend you purchase (more…)
Death With Dignity
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
Too often now it is possible to keep an individual existing for years with feeding tubes and breathing machines, whether the patient wants them or not. That’s not my definition of living. Is it for the benefit of the patient or family? No! Life is completely on hold. Is it for the benefit of nursing homes, doctors and hospitals? Oh, Yes. Doctors just stick their heads in my room once a day or week and get paid. By somebody.
When I reach the state of not being able to respond and eat on my own for one week, I want to pull the plug. That is not living but only existing. I see it all around. Don’t allow that to happen to me. I’m 86 years old and have had a good life and lovely family. Let me go.
DEAR READER:
You present a very compelling argument. I personally agree that quality of life is much more important than quantity of life. (more…)
Dercum’s Needs More Research
Monday, December 29th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have followed your column for a number of years and believe my problem will be a first for you.
I have been diagnosed with Dercum’s disease. I knew for a long time that I had a problem but was turned away from many physicians who thought I had a mental problem or was a hypochondriac. As far as I can discern there is no current research in this country or even any interest in the problem. It is listed among the rare diseases and that is as far as I can go.
I am married to a physician who is just now beginning to understand the extensive problems that come along with this condition. I also feel that there are many women who are suffering from Dercum’s but going undiagnosed because they are simply passed off as fat or crazy.
I would like to know if you have any recent information on Dercum’s disease. (more…)
Are Meds Causing Hair Growth?
Sunday, December 28th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m a 34-year-old female in fairly good health except I have diabetes and am overweight. I’m currently taking Avandamet for diabetes and Lipitor for cholesterol.
My first problem is that I have hair growing in places where hair should not be on women. Do you have any suggestions what I can do for this and why I have it?
My second problem is that I have very bad dry skin on my forehead and nothing has helped. What is worse is that my 5-month-old daughter has dry skin on her forehead and the back of her head. I have taken her to the pediatrician and have been told to use hydrocortisone on it. All that does is cover it up. Do you have any suggestions for this?
DEAR READER:
While not your first concern, I would be very interested to know the progression of your diabetes, high cholesterol and weight gain. (more…)
Daily Column
Saturday, December 27th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
Instead of my bladder leaking when I sneeze, it’s my bowels. This has happened for the past 27 years and occurs when I sneeze or cough. Sometimes the problem is worse than others, but it is always very bad. I’ve been to many doctors, have had many tests, and no one has helped me.
DEAR READER:
Fecal incontinence can result from a variety of causes. The more common reasons are damage to the anal sphincter, nerve damage, pelvic floor dysfunction, diarrhea and constipation. It can be caused by childbirth, stroke, injury, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, radiation, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions.
Food affects the consistency of stool and controls how quickly it passes through the digestive system. Therefore, if your evacuations are watery, you might try eating foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and grains. (more…)
Daily Enemas Inappropriate
Saturday, December 27th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have tried to find an answer to my question and continue to get completely conflicting answers. Is it okay to do enemas daily or every other day?
DEAR READER:
In a word, no!
As a general rule, the occasional use of home enemas to combat constipation is safe for most individuals. However, repeated, habitual use can be harmful. They can increase the risk of injury to your anus and rectum. Solutions can cause irritation to the lining of the colon. Individuals with kidney or heart disease are at higher risk for fluid overload or an electrolyte imbalance when using enemas.
Much of normal bodily function is done without thought. The frequent use of enemas can disrupt the normal balance of the colon. The continued process may make it necessary to re-train the colon as to what its purpose is. (more…)
Daily Column
Friday, December 26th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
My eyelid droopiness and unexplained body weakness led to a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Please provide further information on the condition and its treatment.
DEAR READER:
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness that can increase during periods of activity and decrease following rest.
Initial symptoms can be an eyelid that droops, blurred or double vision, slurred speech, weakness of the extremities, shortness of breath, or unsteady gait.
It is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to voluntary muscles. Impulses travel down a nerve in a healthy individual. Nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance known as acetylcholine. This substance then travels through the neuromuscular junction and (more…)
Hyperhidrosis Is Embarrassing
Friday, December 26th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 61-year-old male in what I think is great condition. However, for as long as I can remember, I have had a problem with sweating. If a warm breeze comes by, if I drink a hot cup of coffee or have a glass of wine, I sweat profusely.
I exercise a great deal and sweating isn’t a problem then. What is a constant source of embarrassment, though, is being out to dinner or at a party when the waterfall starts. Do you have any thoughts or solutions?
DEAR READER:
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats at unpredictable times and in excess. It affects up to 3% of our population, yet less than half with the diagnosis seek medical attention. As you have discovered, the discomfort is both emotional and physical.
Generally speaking, people sweat during exercise, (more…)
Cellulitis Needs Follow-Up
Thursday, December 25th, 2008DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 91-year-old female who would like to find out all I can about cellulitis. I’m hoping you can help me with whatever you know about this very painful, distressing condition.
It has reared its ugly head several times during the past few years. Once I ended up spending several days in the hospital. This was preceded by a high fever and chills. Many times I’d awaken with my clothes wet from the fever having broken. Another time a lump started forming on my right thumb knuckle. The area got red, sore, and looked like a big boil.
Still another time my right hand and fingers swelled up, only to subside with antibiotics. At times my eye swells and my lips are affected. In fact, my lower lip is now covered with thick, heavy crusted scabs that burn and itch.
I can’t see a doctor for almost a month and am at my wits’ end. (more…)
-
You are currently browsing the Ask Dr. Gott blog archives for the year 2008.
Columns
Articles by year:
Articles by month:
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- November 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008