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Daily Column

February 28, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My son developed a boil on his heel from his shoes rubbing. My 80-year-old mother was visiting at the time and told me to put a small piece of raw bacon on the sore and cover it with a four by four piece of gauze. Within a few days, the head of the boil lifted, leaving a large hole. This then started to heal from the inside out. It cost nothing, unless you count having to smell bacon day and night for a few days!

DEAR READER:
This is a new treatment to me. I am not sure how sanitary it is because raw meat can harbor several organisms, such as E. coli. I cannot argue with results though. However, I recommend anyone who tries this remedy be prepared to face any consequences that may develop. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

February 28, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a volunteer visiting nurse. Recently, upon cleaning out my desk I came across a memo I had been sent. I know it is rather old but thought you would like to read it, as it holds you in high regard. Thanks for your vote of confidence and support!

“Cheers from all of us at the Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice! I’ve sent the following to about 75 of our donors, board members and friends. It has also gone out to each of 300+ VNA staff.

The dedicated staffs of all VNAs rarely get the pat-on-the-back they deserve. We are the only nonprofit VNA serving nearly 5000 square miles with lots of ranches, back roads and Dr. Gott readers.

Memo: Did you happen to read the nationally-syndicated “Ask Dr. Gott” column the other day? [Read more...]

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Flatulence Has Many Causes

February 27, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I suffer from EXTREME gas. It never goes away. I have tried many different prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs but nothing has helped. I also try to watch my diet carefully in an attempt to avoid common gas-causing foods.

I read your column regularly and have noticed that you offer some really good suggestions to people with all sorts of medical problems. I hope you can offer me some help.

DEAR READER:
Gas can have several causes from the foods we consume to medications to medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes as we age, we simply have more gas, as well.

In your brief note, you don’t give an age, any health problems you may have or list any medications (including herbals and OTCs) you may be taking. I can, therefore, only given general advice. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

February 26, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have another home remedy for you to add to your list.

I had an experience more than 60 years ago with ringworm. I suffered for months and months with it. I had seen several dermatologists and tried several medications but nothing seemed to work. It continued to itch and grow.

An acquaintance then told me of an old remedy she knew of after seeing the growing rash on my arm. She told me to apply sap from the brittle stem of a common nasturtium flower. Simply break the stem and dab the “goo” onto the entire affected area.

It burned like the dickens but I stuck with it. After a few applications and less than a week, the whole thing dried up perfectly. No more itching! It was wonderful. [Read more...]

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Is Noise Exposure Cause Of Tinnitus?

February 26, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m a 62-year-old female and have had tinnitus for more than 20 years. You once wrote about something that would help a person with ringing in the ears. I did construction work for 10 years and had to work in a room with very loud noises all that time. I guess that’s where the problem originated.

DEAR READER:
Tinnitus affects more than 12 million Americans. It is recognized as a ringing, roaring, clicking or hissing in the ear. Causes vary but are often the result of hearing impairment, such as through the noise exposure at your workplace. It can also be a common side effect of many medications.

Your first step is to see an audiologist or otolaryngologist to determine the cause for the tinnitus. Perhaps hearing aids are all that will be required. They are well-advanced in comparison to the large units of a few years ago, and provide great relief for many patients. Maskers might also be recommended to over-ride the ringing you may be hearing. If the problem is medication-induced, simply discontinuing the offending drug should solve the problem. If it is the result of other health issues, these issues should be addressed.

Lipo-Flavonoid is the over-the-counter dietary supplement I probably referred to in a past column. The supplement was specifically developed to relieve the symptoms of Meniere’s disease that includes tinnitus, dizziness and hearing loss. It should be available at your local pharmacy or department store.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders”. 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

February 25, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
We have an 8-year-old daughter diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. We’re told there is nothing to do for it except to make her medication stronger. What is your advice?

DEAR READER:
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that results from a defect in movement of nerve signals between the muscles and nerve fibers. Symptoms often begin with double vision, weakness of facial muscles, droopy eyelids and extend to those muscles that help us breathe. The condition is common in juveniles, is not hereditary, nor is it contagious.

With treatment the outlook is very good. Medication to improve muscle strength, surgical removal of the thymus gland, removal of abnormal antibodies from the blood, [Read more...]

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Is It Really Restless Legs Syndrome?

February 25, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your article about statin drugs and their effect. My question is what, if any, drugs can cause restless leg syndrome? I’m currently taking a cholesterol-lowering medication and wonder if that is the reason for my discomfort.

Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

DEAR READER:
As I have indicated numerous times in the past, almost every drug, even over-the-counter aspirin, carries side effects for some individuals. You don’t indicate what medications, other than your cholesterol-lowering drug, you may be on. Most major brands of cholesterol lowering medications can cause serious muscle pain and/or leg cramps.

Now we can approach the next issue. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is characterized as an uneasiness, fatiguing, twitching, and itching deep in the muscles of the lower part of the leg. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

February 24, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
The lady who wrote about her gray hair having yellow tones might try Clairol Professional “Shimmer Lights” (original) shampoo. The bottle I have is purple and so is the shampoo. I’ve had great success with highlighting my gray hair and recommend it.

DEAR READER:
I understand there are a number of shampoos available that are directed toward highlighting dull or discolored gray hair. They may be somewhat “high end” in terms of price in comparison to the vast supply of reasonable products on store shelves, but if they do the trick and provide good results, I am sure they are worth the expense. If readers have difficulty finding such products, check with a local hairdresser who might have something for sale from the shop or who can otherwise recommend a good alternative.

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Cause For Bruising Needs To Be Identified

February 24, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 64-year-old male in reasonably good health for the life I have lived. But in the last five weeks or so, I have had three baseball-sized bruises on my thighs, midway up, for no apparent reason. The first was on the outside of my right thigh and about two weeks later, one appeared on the inside of my left thigh. Now I have one on the inside of my right thigh.

Do you have any idea as to the cause?

DEAR READER:
Bruising is generally the result of injury. Minor trauma such as hoisting a heavy box and resting it on your thighs. The process doesn’t appear to cause damage, yet it can be extreme enough for blood to clot beneath the surface of the skin and result in a bruise.

Aspirin, Advil, Naproxen, Motrin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can also cause contusions, as can physician-prescribed corticosteroids and prednisone. [Read more...]

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Bizarre Beginnings For Common Medications

February 23, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I was prescribed Coumadin/warfarin in 2005. I have just recently learned that both are a form of rat poison! Is that the best our “medical industry” can come up with? What’s next? Leeches?

I want to know what I can take in place of the “rat poison”. There has to be something better.

DEAR READER:
It is true that Coumadin’s generic form, warfarin, is one of the main ingredients in rat poison. However, that does not mean it is not beneficial for humans. Many life saving medications and treatments have been found in unlikely places. Aspirin was derived from the bark of willow trees. Penicillin was discovered by accident when mold blew in from an open window into a petrie dish containing bacteria. Many cancer treatments have been developed from plants found in rainforests and jungles. [Read more...]

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