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Archive for January, 2009


Alternative Dementia Treatment Needs Approval

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My wife has been diagnosed as having dementia. She also has serious heart problems and is under the care of a cardiologist.

Our family doctor put her on Aricept tablets initially but then switched her to Exelon patches about a year ago. Not seeing any improvement, I stopped her patch and requested a referral to a dementia specialist.

While waiting for the appointment, I heard some people have good results from taking two tablespoons of double virgin coconut oil daily. I began experimenting a week ago with two teaspoons daily added to my wife’s oatmeal. I think it is working. My wife even knows what day of the week it is now. What is your opinion on this alternative treatment? (more…)

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Daughter’S Platelet Donation Worries Mother

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 45-year-old daughter donates platelets twice a month. The process, called apheresis, takes about an hour and a half.

I donated blood for some 30 years but must confess to some apprehension about the possible side effects of my daughter’s altruism. I look forward to more information about this in your column.

DEAR READER:
Apheresis is a process by which an individual can donate specific blood components. Depending on the donor’s blood type and the needs of an individual or community, a person can donate red cells, white cells, plasma, or platelets. This procedure is commonly used to collect plasma and platelets.

An individual simply registers with the appropriate facility, gives a health history, undergoes a brief exam, is typed for human leukocyte antigens (HLA), and donates the necessary component. (more…)

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Drug Not Recommended For The Elderly

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please give your opinion on Seroquel being prescribed to a patient with dementia. I’ve heard it is a dangerous drug when given to the elderly as it can cause death.

Also, should this drug be given long term?

DEAR READER:
Seroquel is an anti-psychotic medication used to treat conditions such as bipolar disorder. It is not approved for behavioral problems related to dementia. Black box warnings for elderly patients with a dementia-related psychosis indicate an increased risk of serious side effects, including pneumonia, heart attack, stroke, and death.

The product is available in doses from 25 to 300 mg tablets or capsules by prescription only. When the drug is prescribed for the elderly, the recommended initial dose is 25 mg daily. (more…)

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Daily Column

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Some years ago my dog had itchy ears. The vet said it was probably a fungus and to put a solution of 50% water and vinegar into his ears two or three times a day for a week. He also said we should either do it outside or be sure to throw the dog out before he shook as it would make a mess. It worked like a charm.

A few years later I developed an itch in my ear and decided what’s good enough for my dog is good enough for me. It worked! My wife was at least kind enough not to throw me out of the house before I shook!

DEAR READER:
I am passing along this tip to my readers for their use and input. Thanks for writing and letting me know about this novel approach to itchy ears.

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Hearing Aids Common Cause Of Itchy Ears

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am an 81-year-old female in good health. I have two irritating problems about which I would like your opinion.

First, I have a worn hearing aids for about five years. They are digital with the battery section behind, not in, the ear and a small plastic tube inside the ear. I have had itchy ears for sometime but since wearing the aids my ears flake and peel daily. I have used peroxide to make sure there is no infection and anti-itch creams, lotions and salves but nothing helps. My ears continue to peel. My doctor says it is not psoriasis but could only suggest a different cream.

The other problem I have is a persistent itch in one spot on my back by my right shoulder blade. It occasionally hurts. It seems to have started right around the time I developed shingles eight years ago.

Do you have any suggestions on either of these issues? (more…)

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Daily Column

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband is 81 years old. He has pain in his arm and up into the shoulder area.

Our family doctor said the tendon has broken off the shoulder blade and the bicep muscle has dropped. We were told there is nothing that can be done to fix it. I want to know if there is anything that can be done to relieve the constant ache my husband has as a result of it.

DEAR READER:
I urge your husband to be seen by an orthopedic specialist. This type of specialist can test your husband for a proper diagnosis and offer treatment options. If the tendon has truly broken off, surgical repair may be beneficial. While family physicians are knowledgeable in a wide variety of disorders, in this instance, your husband really needs to see the specialist. (more…)

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Simple Blood Test May Save Lives

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
A while ago you printed a letter from a 62-year-old woman who was likely suffering from menopause. Your answers were not complete in that you (and all other physicians) should also include the simple blood test CA 125. A marker for cancer in women, this simple test can show abnormalities that will not be apparent on PAP smears.

In 2002, as a 47-year-old, otherwise healthy woman, I was diagnosed with not only an ovarian tumor the size of a six month old fetus, but also a totally unrelated cancerous polyp in my uterus that was found DURING the hysterectomy.

Imagine my shock when my OB/GYN told me that PAP smears do not indicate either type of the cancers I had. I had thought I was fine since all my PAPs came back clear. (more…)

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Dry Macular Degeneration Common In Elderly

Monday, January 19th, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Could you please write something in your column about macular degeneration? I have the dry kind.

DEAR READER:
I am not an ophthalmologist but will do my best.

Macular degeneration is an age-related disorder of the eye. It causes deterioration of the macula which is located in the center of the retina. It commonly occurs in individuals over the age of 50. The dry variety of this disease simply means the deterioration is not accompanied by bleeding. It is also the more common form.

Macular degeneration does not cause total blindness; rather it affects only central vision. Central vision is what we use for everyday tasks such as reading, driving, detail work and recognizing faces. (more…)

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Persistent Back Pain Need Specialist

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My son will be 35 soon. He has been suffering from low back pain for about four years. He has a small remodeling business, so does hard labor. He has had to make adjustments so as not to lift anything too heavy. He is very industrious and not working is not an option for him.

My son has incurred a large amount of debt from doctor visits, testing and treatment. He has seen neurologists, orthopedic specialists, pain specialists and chiropractors. He has tried acupuncture, exercise, prednisone, Oxycontin, Percocet, injections into his spine, and others. The narcotics helped the most but he does not want to be on them again because they caused severe withdrawal symptoms which he does not want to go through again.

None of his physicians have given him any hope. (more…)

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Physician Out Of Line

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 83 years old. Recently I thought I was having a stroke so I called my doctor. He told me to go to the ER, which I did. After examination and a CT scan I was told I did not have a stroke but that I would have to stay overnight for observation.

When my physician finally came in the next day, I told him I wanted to go home. He said that I couldn’t because he wanted me to stay another night. I then informed him that I would go without his permission to which he said if I went without permission my insurance would not cover the stay or treatment. As he was leaving I told him he was only covering himself. He turned around, pointed his finger in my face and said “ABSOLUTELY”!

Later that day a social worker came to see me which is routine in my hospital. I mentioned the doctor’s behavior and what he said me and she responded “He knows better than that”. (more…)

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All information contained herein was the opinion and view of the writer at the time the original column appeared, with content provided for informational purposes only.
Consult a physician before beginning any course of treatment, since ongoing research on a wide variety of topics may render some suggestions obsolete. Website © 2009 Gott & Storm LLC. Content is © 1995-2009 Newspaper Enterprise Association

Disclaimer: All information contained herein is the opinion and view of the writer. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed and is not meant to malign any pharmaceutical company, organization, religion, ethnic group, or individual. Readers should consult their personal physicians or specialists before adopting any of the recommendations or drawing inference from information contained herein. The writer specifically disclaims all responsibility for any liability, loss, risk -- personal or otherwise -- incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from the use and application of any material provided.