DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m a 70-year-old female. When I was a child in a small town in Maryland, I can remember every spring having to go and get a dreaded tick shot. These shots left my arm sore and almost useless for about three days. However, I never remember getting a tick on me. Now I live in Virginia where, after the small towns and cities of Maryland, this is country to me. I take ticks off me every day in the season for them, but no one ever mentions those dreaded tick shots. Is this just something that happened back in my little town? Even when I mention it to people my age, they have no idea what I’m talking about. I don’t hear of anyone dying of tick fever anymore. Are ticks not as dangerous these days?
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by Dr. Peter Gott, M.D. and staff.
Reviewed by Board Certified physician.
Reviewed by Board Certified physician.
Archive for 2010
Tick fever revisited
Thursday, October 21st, 2010Osteoarthritis not linked to employment
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: I have osteoarthritis in my neck and spine. Could you tell me how a 54-year-old lady like me got such a thing? My job is repetitive work in manufacturing, but my employer says it’s not from the work. I feel it is, but I don’t feel that 54 is old.
DEAR READER: Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that results from a breakdown of joint cartilage. Healthy cartilage allows our joints to move easily and without pain. When osteoarthritis is present, a degeneration of the cartilage that cushions bone ends occurs. Over time, some areas of cartilage may wear away completely, resulting in damage to the bone and extreme pain on movement. The ends of the bone may form spurs, and the ligaments may thicken. This common disorder affects about one in three people and, while most common in older adults, it can affect people of any age.
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Partial sleep apnea?
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: A person I work with says he has partial sleep apnea. He has never fainted in front of anyone; he just says he needs to sit down and sleep for 15 minutes to an hour. Can this be true? Other people have to pick up his slack.
DEAR READER: I have never heard of partial sleep apnea, but that does not mean that it isn’t a legitimate diagnosis. However, I have some doubts about your co-worker’s story.
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Haircut aggravates reader’s dry eyes
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: I have an unusual problem. When I got my last haircut two months ago, the stylist accidentally got dozens and dozens of fine hairs in my eyes. I have dry, sensitive eyes, and this certainly didn’t help.
I have been to the emergency room and to my eye specialist, but neither can find anything wrong. I am in sheer agony every day and don’t know what else to do. I even bought an eye-rinse kit that didn’t provide any relief at all. I get about a dozen hairs from each eye every day, and some are still left. Can you please help me?
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Sudden-onset bedwetting needs testing
Sunday, October 17th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: My son is 12 years old and had never wet the bed until recently. Now, all of a sudden, he has wet the bed for the past seven nights in a row. We have taken him to see a doctor, but thus far they have taken a urine sample that came back normal.
DEAR READER: Bedwetting, also known as nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis, is common in children up to age 6 or 7. This is because bladder control may not be fully established, meaning the bladder may not signal that it is full, causing the child not to know that he or she needs to urinate.
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Dollar-store glasses fill the bill
Saturday, October 16th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 78-year-old white male, 6 feet 2 inches and weigh 195 pounds. I use glasses that cost $1 to read sometimes.
I have been seen by two doctors. Both say I have glaucoma. I would like to know what the devil this is because both doctors said to use Xalatan at bedtime for the rest of my life.
DEAR READER: Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve in the eye(s) that results in diminished vision, leading to blindness. The light-sensitive optic nerve connects the retina to the brain, transmitting visual information.
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Plantar-wart remedies sought
Friday, October 15th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: I am seeing a dermatologist for plantar warts on the tops and bottoms of my feet. He is using a combination of acid and freezing. This is painful, and I have difficulties walking, even two weeks after treatments that are every three weeks. Is there anything else I can do?
DEAR READER: Plantar warts are benign growths caused by the human papillomavirus (of which there are more than 100 types), which enters the body through cuts or breaks in the skin. These lesions present as small, hard bumps and are most commonly found on pressure points on the heels or balls of the feet.
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Herbals for ADHD
Friday, October 15th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a marriage and family therapist and treat many children with ADHD. You mentioned herbal remedies for this condition. Please tell me where to get more information on this.
DEAR READER: As you are aware, herbals, OTCs and prescription medications are not always effective. However, ginkgo biloba, lemon balm, valerian, hawthorn, lobelia, oat straw and German chamomile are but a few of the herbals thought to assist with ADHD. An important consideration is the avoidance of sugar, because it may result in aggressive and restless behavior in some children.
Touting the virtues of vitamin E
Thursday, October 14th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: Many years ago, I suffered from frequent cramps in my legs and toes, mostly at night. At the suggestion of an older relative, I took a vitamin E capsule, which she said would relieve the pain. Much to my surprise, the pain was gone about five minutes after taking it.
Twelve years ago, I had radial-nerve surgery, which was successful. I was able to use my arm and hand without any problems. However, if I engaged in an activity such as playing cards or knitting, where my hand was in the same position for any length of time, my hand cramped up and was painful. I tried the vitamin E capsule (400 IU) twice a day and very rarely have cramping anywhere in my body. If I do have a problem, I take an extra capsule immediately with the same result.
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Irregular periods require investigation
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010DEAR DR. GOTT: My daughter is 19 and has always had irregular periods (every other month or longer). Her last period was in February. She is not sexually active, and a gynecological exam was normal. The doctor prescribed Provera and wanted to start her on a regimen of birth-control pills. She has a history of migraines and is reluctant to try this treatment. What are her options? She had a lifestyle change living away at college last year but did not have a weight change. Many times, she will have PMS but won’t have her cycle. Should we get another exam that includes a thyroid check or anything other than a routine gynecological exam?
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