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Daily Column

April 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have cholesterol deposits in my eye sockets. They first appeared when I was in my early 30s at a time when I was very athletic. My cholesterol level was so low I tested out in the rare category. I went to an allegedly reputable eye surgeon who told me I had cysts. He surgically removed them leaving me with no eyelashes on the outside corners of both eyes, one eye a different shape than the other and scarring in the lower lash line. The deposits ultimately returned and now there is a considerable amount below both eyes. I also have very small deposits above my eyes.

I’ve tried to research this process to understand what is happening in my body that creates this condition. I think it is a result of high lipidity in the bloodstream, but I don’t understand why this happens and what to do about it. I have lowered my fat and alcohol intake. I take a thyroid supplement, but nothing seems to have stopped this process. I exercise moderately, don’t consume a lot of sugar or carbohydrates and follow a fairly healthful eating program.

Is there a nutritional and supplemental program or published literature that you can recommend that will help halt this process? My cholesterol is in the average range. I’m a 58-year-old post menopausal white female, with no other health problems. I’m considering laser therapy to remove the deposits again, and would like any information that can contribute to addressing this condition.

DEAR READER:
I believe you have a form of Xanthoma (fatty deposits under the skin), called Xanthelasma palpebra (xanthoma of the eyelids).

This condition generally occurs in older people and those with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels. You claim that your cholesterol is in the average range, so I don’t believe this is causing your problem. Have you also had your triglyceride level checked? Perhaps this is the root of the cause. Other possible causes include diabetes, certain cancers, and primary biliary cirrhosis (inflammation of the bile ducts in the liver which causes narrowing, obstruction and damage to liver cells). Most individuals do not have a specific cause. However, because xanthomas can be caused by very serious conditions, I urge you to be examined and tested by your primary care physician. Because of your very healthful lifestyle and good health, I believe you will fall into the category of no known cause.

Treatment can be difficult. Depending on the cause (or lack of one) there are some options. For those with high cholesterol or triglycerides, the deposits often disappear with a few months after treatment with cholesterol-lowering medication. Treatment of diabetes will reduce them once the blood sugar is brought down and kept under control. For those who do not respond to treatment of the underlying disorder or do not have a diagnostic reason, the deposits can be removed by surgery or laser treatments. They often return despite removal.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “An Informed Approach to Surgery” and “Understanding Cholesterol”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title(s).

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Daily Column

April 29, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
A friend of mine who is a nurse told me that our bodies can only absorb 300 units of calcium at a time and anything more will be wasted. As a result, she cuts her 600 mg tablet in half and takes four halves at different times during the day. Is she correct, and if so, why can’t we buy 300 mg tablets? I don’t believe I have seen that low a dosage on the market.

DEAR READER:
I am unaware of any authority that states only 300 mg of calcium can be absorbed at a time. However, I see no harm in your friend’s practice.

I am unfamiliar with any calcium marketed in a lower dose than 600 mg. This is probably due to the fact that the daily recommended daily dose is 1200 mg. Most people would prefer to take one or two pills rather than three or four every day.

I also recommend you to take a calcium supplement with vitamin D added. This vitamin is important for the body’s absorption of calcium. The daily recommended dosage is 400 international for those 51-70 and 600 international units for those over 71. This amount can often be achieved by taking two calcium plus D supplement pills.

If you still have concerns, speak with your primary care physician or gynecologist.

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Daily Column

April 29, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My recent NON-fasting glucose was 102 and my A1C was 6.21. My physician wants to repeat the A1C in three months and if it is still elevated, he will recommend oral diabetic medication. What is your opinion? I am 82.

DEAR READER:
Your blood tests do not unequivocally indicate diabetes. Even if these numbers were based on a fasting glucose and A1C I would not recommend medication. Non-fasting blood tests for diabetes, cholesterol and other disorders, are not reliable enough on which to base diagnosis. First, the tests measure not only what your body is making and storing, but also whatever fats, sugars, and so forth, were in the food you ate in last 6-12 hours. This is why most physicians order blood work when a person has not eaten anything since dinner the night before the testing.

I urge you to request a retest after fasting. This will give a more accurate result. If your numbers are similar, you do not need medication. I believe that your numbers, however, will be even lower in the normal range.

If your numbers are abnormal, don’t take any medication before trying alternative treatments, such as increasing your exercise, losing weight if you are stout and cutting back on sugar and sweets.

Given you age and the normal blood tests, I’d simply follow up with blood sugar testing once or twice a year.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Living with Diabetes Mellitus”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

April 28, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have donated over three gallons of blood over the past few years. Blood donation is important and I am glad I can do it. Despite calls over the past couple of months from my blood bank wanting my particular blood type, I’ve been reluctant to go. The reason is that for the past year or so, I have begun having burning sensations and pain in and around the area where the needles are inserted. What’s going on? Should I continue to donate blood from that arm?

DEAR READER:
To the best of my knowledge, donating blood is safe. Perhaps you are experiencing problems now because of your history of donating. If you use the same arm each time, you may have developed scar tissue at the place the needle is inserted. This could be pushing on the sensitive tissues and nerves in your arm causing the pain and burning. If you still wish to donate blood, I suggest using a different vein. Perhaps one in your hand, other arm or even your foot will work as well.

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Daily Column

April 28, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My in-laws insist that beef sold in most supermarkets is dyed red and they soak their meat to remove the dye. Is this true?

My oldest daughter has hives often and we have traced their occurrence to red food dye. Occasionally she will have an ongoing case of hives, which we cannot trace. We think it must be stress related, but now I wonder if it might be caused by meat consumption. Aren’t meat packaging companies required to list dye on package labels if they add it?

DEAR READER:
Red meat starts out red but the longer it sits on store shelves, the more it turns brown. This is not a sign that the meat is bad, but most consumers will by-pass it for redder meat. Therefore, in 2004, the FDA gave several large meat packers permission to inject carbon monoxide into the meat package. This makes the meat stay red, often even after the product has spoiled. While the amounts used probably will not cause a health problem, it does lend itself to other difficulties. Most consumers are unaware of this “additive”. It is not listed on the label because it does not get injected directly into the meat. It also increases the chances (should your supermarket be less than honest) of purchasing outdated, spoiled or near use-by-date meat.

I do not know if US meats contain red dye. I do know that some meat companies are under scrutiny in the UK for adding food dyes that may cause cancer.

If you are truly concerned about food dyes in your meat products, you may wish to purchase them from a butcher shop. This way you get incredibly fresh product without the fear of additives from major meat packers. Another option is simply to stop eating red meat. Chicken, turkey, and fish contain the same protein, have less fat and can be used in place of beef or pork in most dishes.

I suggest that you take your daughter to an allergist to be tested. Perhaps she is allergic to more than red food dyes. In this way, you can find out the cause of her hives, provide treatment and improve the quality of her life. If the hives are truly stress related, perhaps counseling to learn ways to deal with stress is in order.

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Daily Column

April 27, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I just wanted to tell how much your advice on arthritis has helped me. The grape juice and pectin home remedy has improved my condition more than anything else I have tried. I thank you and am sure there are many others out there who do also. Keep up the good work.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for sharing your positive experience. I have received hundreds of letters endorsing the purple grape juice and liquid pectin treatment. It is safe, easy, and inexpensive. For this reason I have included it in my newest Health Report along with many other home remedies.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Sunday Column

April 27, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have had toenail fungus for 15 or 20 years. It has spread to all my toes despite my attempts to cure it. I used tea tree oil for about six months with no change, iodine for about four weeks with little change and soaking my nails in Listerine nightly for six or eight weeks with no change. I have used Vicks VapoRub twice now, the first time for six months with change only in one toe but it didn’t last. My most recent experience with it has not shown any results, despite using it twice a day for one year. I put it on liberally and then put on socks.

Can you please advise me about what else I can do? Do I still have non-medication options? Should I now consider using those expensive anti-fungal pills?

I am a 60-year-old female, 50 pounds overweight and take metoprolol, simvastatin, Wellbutrin, L-tryptophan (for my depression, it works great), and several vitamin supplements. I try to eat healthfully and exercise by walking, meditating and doing Tai Chi. I have a stent but a recent stress test and echocardiogram show no blockages. I used to smoke a pack a day for 25 years but quit (which is when the extra weight came on).

I would appreciate any suggestions you can give me.

DEAR READER:
Toenail fungus can be especially difficult to treat. You appear to have unsuccessfully tried several home remedies.

Only one of your medications, simvastatin, lists changes to hair or nails as a side effect but I doubt that this is the cause of your nail problems. Interestingly, both simvastatin and metoprolol list depression as a side effect. With your history, I wonder if these medications are appropriate choices for you. Another fact to consider is that Wellbutrin can cause cardiac problems. Because you have a stent, perhaps this is also not the best choice. L-typtophan is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the body. It is a precursor to serotonin, which may be why you have had success using it for treatment of your depression.

Now to your nail fungus, there is a new over-the-counter ointment that you may wish to try called Miranel. It works similarly to Vicks but has the added benefit of being able to penetrate the skin and nails more easily, allowing it to work more effectively. Remember to keep your nails trimmed short for faster results. The kit which contains a nail file for easy nail trimming, a brush for a less messy application and the ointment is available at Wal-Mart and most pharmacies. You can also purchase it online at www.MiranelBrands.com.

In my opinion, however, now is the time to consult a podiatrist. This specialist will be able to take samples of your nail fungus and determine what type it is. This will also then allow him or her to give you treatment options. Not all nail fungus is the same. You may have a particularly resistant or uncommon type. That being said, a pharmacist recently wrote to me saying that those “expensive anti-fungal pills” were available as a generic at Wal-Mart for $4. So while the medication may not be as expensive as it once was (if you live near a Wal-Mart, at least), it still is not my top choice. You must have blood work before starting the treatment to ensure there are no problems with your liver, and both during and after treatment to ensure that your liver was not adversely affected by the pills. Nail fungus is not harmful, it is simply ugly. I recommend you avoid medication until you have exhausted every other option.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”, “A Strategy for Losing Weight: An Introduction to the No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Consumer Tips on Medicine”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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Daily Column

April 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 86-year-old father has lost 35 pounds within the last eight months. He saw his primary care physician when this started, and was sent for CT scans, MRI, digestive system studies, blood tests, and colonoscopy. All results were negative. He had only one diagnosis — unexplained weight loss.

He recently saw a geriatric physician who found a B12 deficiency. Could there be a correlation with the weight loss?

DEAR READER:
As we age, we tend to find food less appealing than we once did. I would like to hope your father is simply uninterested, but a weight loss of 35 pounds is substantial and the cause must be discovered. I’d be interested to know if the blood tests revealed any other abnormalities, albeit minor, that might contribute to the problem. I can’t determine if your father’s weight loss is related to the B12 deficiency or to another cause.

Vitamin B12 is a necessary component of blood formation in the body. In the absence of the vitamin, anemia and other medical problems can become more serious until the deficiency is corrected.

At this point, I would give your father supplemental B12 injections every week for a month, and then cut back to one a month. Also, I recommend that he be followed by the geriatric specialist. Your father’s primary care physician could have missed the boat, as do many practitioners. The elderly are sometimes a challenge to diagnose; hence, the “unexplained” weight loss. It reflects his general physician’s inability to diagnose the cause of your father’s health problem.

I recommend you put off any additional testing and use one form of B12 supplements for two months. If your father’s weight loss is related to his vitamin deficiency, you will start to see results. If not, go ahead with further testing.

Vitamin B12 is commonly given as an injection, oral pills or sublingual (dissolved under the tongue) pills. There is currently a transdermal patch on the market, but I do not know about its efficacy and reliability. Injection is the most direct and potent way to administer the vitamin and can be done by a physician or properly trained family member. Pill forms are often a lower dosage and may require that several be taken daily to achieve results.

Your dad should eat a well-balanced diet. You may wish to add more carbohydrates and proteins to his diet in the form of chicken, fish, and whole grains. Perhaps he is simply burning more calories than he consumes or he is not eating proper foods.

If the geriatric specialist has a different approach, bless his heart. I gladly support the expert’s recommendations.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Fads: Vitamins and Minerals”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

April 25, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 79-year-old male in reasonably good health for my age.

Many years ago I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. It does not give me any trouble, unless it is somehow connected with my other problem. I have been diagnosed with air hunger.

Occasionally I have the sensation of a shortage of air in my lungs. This causes me to cough suddenly and take several deep breaths to relieve the feeling. I have never smoked and over the years have had several normal chest X-rays. A stress test also showed no abnormalities.

My doctor has prescribed Ativan and Buspirone daily. These seem to help somewhat but are not a cure. The problem intensifies when I have a cold and at other times for no apparent reason. This has been occurring for many years.

DEAR READER:
Air hunger is a respiratory distress condition. It is marked by labored breathing, difficulty breathing and/or the feeling of not getting enough air into the lungs. It can be very disturbing when it occurs. It is not related to mitral valve prolapse.

Your physician appears to have taken appropriate first steps in testing. I believe the next step should be a CT scan or MRI which shows more detail and may pick up an abnormality previously missed. Lung masses, cancer and other conditions need to be ruled out before you can be definitively diagnosed with a benign condition.

I would like to mention that since you appear to be responding favorably to Ativan (an anti-anxiety drug) and Buspirone (a tranquilizer), your air hunger may simply be a manifestation of a panic disorder. Perhaps a psychiatrist or therapist would be the appropriate next step to take.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title.

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Daily Column

April 25, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband and I have read many times about people suffering from “dry mouth”. We, too, have this problem, which we think is caused by some of the medication we take.

Somewhere I read that Tic-Tacs are good for this problem. When I go to bed at night, I simply place the mint between my lower gum and cheek. I don’t suck it; I just let it dissolve during the night. It seems to keep my saliva glands working and prevents my mouth my drying out at night.

I hope this may help others the way it helps me.

DEAR READER:
The Tic-Tac solution is fairly new to me. I wrote about it once, some time ago. If it works, great. My only concern is the sugar content in the mint and the possibility of cavities developing in the area (after repeated use) the Tic-Tac is placed.

Readers, let me know if you have any experience relieving dry mouth with Tic-Tacs or similar candies. I will print a follow-up column in the future.

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