Coming soon to Ask Dr Gott M.D., articles from guest columnists
by Dr. Peter Gott, M.D. and staff.
Reviewed by Board Certified physician.
Reviewed by Board Certified physician.
Archive for 2009
Daily Column
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing on behalf of my sister. She has been suffering from a condition on her legs for several years. At first she was told it was cellulitis. She was treated with IV antibiotics in hospital for a few days but it didn’t help. Then her doctor told her it was lichen planus. She has tried every medication prescribed but nothing helps.
At times her legs get completely red and look very inflamed. Then they turn dark. I am afraid she will get gangrene and have to have her legs amputated. She is not a diabetic but she has a liver condition and has or has had hepatitis C.
Do you have any suggestions?
DEAR READER:
Cellulitis is an inflammation of the connective tissues of the skin caused by infection.
Ear Blockage Needs Treatment
Monday, April 20th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been having a problem with my ears since 2007. I have been to several ear- nose-and-throat doctors but they all tell me I have dysfunctional Eustachian tubes and give me medication.
My complaint is that my ears always feel plugged. I have tried several different medications such as antibiotics, prednisone, nasal sprays, and others. Most don’t work. The one I am currently trying works sometimes but not all the time. My doctors have even gone as far as ordering a CT scan but nothing abnormal was found. Please help me!
DEAR READER:
If you have been diagnosed by several ENT physicians with Eustachian tube dysfunction, then I must assume they are correct. However, (more…)
Persistent Patient Gets Treatment, Better Life
Sunday, April 19th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
You have responded to several letters about the pituitary and adrenal glands and I thought I should write to share my story. I am currently 75 years old but this whole thing started when I was in my late teens and early-20s. I had started to have some health problems but never gave them much thought. Then at 23, I got married.
A couple of months into the marriage I suddenly gained 20 pounds. Then I developed high blood pressure, darkening of the skin, a puffy face, muscle weakness, bruising, nervousness, uncontrollable emotions, back pain and headaches. Over the next seven years I saw six different doctors. All of them gave me a diet sheet, treated my blood pressure and told me to lose weight. They didn’t seem to care about the other symptoms and didn’t understand that I couldn’t lose weight. (I had been trying.) (more…)
Is Patient’s Anemia Really Worsening?
Saturday, April 18th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 67-year-old female with metastasized breast cancer. In 1997 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a core needle biopsy, lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy for six months. I was then cancer free for 10 years.
During most of those 10 years I was a third grade teacher. I followed a diet endorsed by Compulsive Eaters Anonymous and speed walked (two miles) daily with my husband. I continue to speed walk.
Three years ago, my cancer returned. The first year was spent being misdiagnosed by my primary care physician who insisted I had bursitis. Then I developed digestive problems and went to a kinesthetic chiropractor who suggested I become a vegetarian and give up taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen. (more…)
Daily Column
Friday, April 17th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a speech therapist. A while ago you wrote about treatments for Bell’s palsy and mentioned physical therapy among other things. I was disappointed, however, that you didn’t mention speech therapy which may be more beneficial for sufferers. Please let your readers know about this therapy.
DEAR READER:
Done.
In all honesty, I hadn’t thought of speech therapy as a treatment for Bell’s palsy. When most people think of speech therapy, they think it is used for children who have difficulty enunciating properly or have facial deformities (such as a cleft palate) that make speaking difficult.
So readers, if you are suffering from Bell’s palsy, consider a referral to a speech therapist familiar with treating the condition. Similarly, if any readers have had positive (or negative) results from speech therapy for Bell’s palsy, please let me know. I will print a follow-up.
Alternative, Inexpensive Remedies For Psoriasis
Friday, April 17th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please tell me what to do to get rid of my psoriasis. I’ve had it for a long time and just can’t seem to get rid of it. I do have a prescription for Taclonex that works well, but I don’t have health insurance to continue to fill the expensive prescription. What else can I do?
DEAR READER:
Most forms of psoriasis are cyclic, meaning symptoms flare up, subside, and then flare up again. An outbreak can present with red, scaly patches of skin, itching, painful joints, and more. Common forms can appear anywhere on the body, including the inside of the mouth.
Risk factors include a family history of the disease, immune disorders, stress, exposure to cold, certain medications, and more.
Treatment depends on the location of the outbreak. Some lesions might be controlled with an over-the-counter topical cream. (more…)
Daily Column
Thursday, April 16th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
You recently discussed warfarin, the brand name of which is Coumadin. It was discovered by serendipity by Dr. Karl Paul Link at the University of Wisconsin in 1948 and developed at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, hence the name.
As a physician, I feel your readers might be interested in the background of the development of how this drug got its name.
DEAR DOCTOR: Coumadin is an anticoagulant often prescribed for patients at risk of heart attack, stroke and some other serious medical conditions. It never occurred to me how the name came to be.
Treat Me, Treat My Dog?
Thursday, April 16th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have a cyst on the top of my forehead. Now that my hairline has receded to the point where the cyst has become visible, I would like to have it removed. My insurance will not cover this, but I have a friend and neighbor who is a veterinarian. He says he will do it at cost.
Is there any reason why I should not let him? After all, I trust him to treat my dog and I love her like one of my family.
DEAR READER:
Wow! I am printing and responding to your letter because it is a first. No one has ever asked me to “cross party lines” before.
Veterinarians are qualified — in their field. Many programs do not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance and prerequisites vary, however all programs require up to 90 semester hours at an undergraduate level. Mandated classes include chemistry, biology, genetics, and microbiology. (more…)
More Research Needed On Vitamin D Requirements
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 70-year-old retired female nurse and an avid reader of your column. My health is good and I take minimal medications — Xanax as needed, an antidepressant in the winter and daily vitamin and mineral supplements to include 5000 international units of vitamin D. This added vitamin D keeps my blood level at 54 which my doctor told me is good. When I was only getting 400 IU daily, it was below 30 so my doctor prescribed 10,000 IU daily for several months (until it was 50), at which point my dose was lowered.
I have enclosed some article from different sources on the importance of vitamin D and hope that you will re-evaluate your position on the necessary amount of the essential vitamin. (more…)
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