by Dr. Peter Gott, M.D. and staff.
Reviewed by Board Certified physician.

Archive for September, 2010

13-year-old fracture causes problems

Friday, September 24th, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: About 13 years ago, I fractured my humerus in multiple places. The fracture was cast only and did not heal properly. If you run your finger up my arm, you can feel where the bones are misaligned.

I have always had pain in this arm, but for the past five or so years, I have had numbness in my hand that is getting worse. Within the past year, I’ve had sharp pains in my forearm, almost like someone is splitting the bone in two. I’m concerned that if I mention this to my PCP, he will just want to prescribe me a painkiller and send me on my way, possibly labeling me a drug seeker.
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Tags: arm fracture, arm pain, broken arm, fracture, hand numbness, humerus fracture, misaligned bones
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Medical jargon baffles patient

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: The results of my thyroid ultrasound reveal abnormal echogenicity of the right lobe without a discrete lesion identified within the thyroid gland. I have been taking 25 micrograms of thyroid medication since May. The goiter on the right side of my neck is noticeable. On May 21, my TSH was 4.53. In July, it was 3.5. Can you please explain the ultrasound results in English? Should I ask my doctor for an increase in my Synthroid dosage or wait for the next lab work in October?

DEAR READER: The thyroid gland is situated in the lower neck — below the larynx and above the collarbone. This gland uses iodine to make hormones essential for the proper function of every cell in the body. (more…)

Tags: goiter, hypothyroidism, low thyroid level, thyroid disease
Posted in Daily Column, Leading Letter | No Comments »

Skin cancer, cardiac cancer possibly related

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: A dear friend of mine had a large black mole on his face. He asked his doctor and a surgeon to remove it by freezing it. One month later, he felt sick and had a liter and a half of fluid taken out of the sack around his heart. There was blood in the fluid, and cancer was diagnosed. Could this have been caused by not biopsying and having surgical removal of what turned out to be a melanoma? He died in one month.
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Tags: cardiac cancer, heart cancer, skin cancer
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Colon cocktail for constipation

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a friend who takes medicine that causes him to be constipated. One of my co-workers said she saw an article in one of your columns for a cocktail for this problem, but she could not remember the ingredients. Her husband used it at one point and had good results.

It’s odd that I write because I have an ileostomy and have exactly the opposite problem. I take tincture of opium, which slows my bowels down and lessens the amount of fluids I lose. Our bodies are amazing, and it’s good to educate ourselves about them with as much knowledge as we can.
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Tags: colon cocktail, constipation
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Meds or alternatives for hand tremors?

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: Can you tell me if there is a safe and effective home remedy for hand tremors? My father is 69 years old and has stopped going to his doctor for his monthly B12 shots, which were given to reduce his hand tremors. I advised him to try drinking six to eight ounces of warm sage tea up to three times a day, but can you recommend something else that will work for him?

DEAR READER: While there is a genetic tendency, no one knows why tremors exist; however, they represent an abnormal communication between specific areas of the brain.
(more…)

Tags: b12, b50, benign essential tremor, grape seed extract, hand tremor, vitamin B, vitamin b50, vitamin deficiency
Posted in Daily Column, Leading Letter | No Comments »

Does hepatitis patient belong in restaurant?

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: Should a person with hepatitis be a restaurant cook? Is there any danger to the customers?

DEAR READER: Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and to a group of viral infections that affect the liver. There are actually five types: A, B, C, D and E.

A is contracted from the hepatitis A virus. It is spread through the ingestion of food or drink contaminated by infected feces. This is one reason why it is mandated that employees in the food industry wash their hands following a visit to the lavatory during their work shift.
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Tags: hepatitis, hepatitis a, hepatitis b, hepatitis c, hepatitis d, hepatitis e, liver disease
Posted in Daily Column, Leading Letter | No Comments »

Newest diet fad should be avoided

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been reading about a diet using hCG drops on Facebook. Apparently, three drops under the tongue three times a day rids you of hunger pain, and then you only eat 500 calories a day for a month with a loss of 30 pounds a month. What do you know about this drug?
DEAR READER: This diet fad frightens me.

First, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is an FDA-approved prescription-only drug for fertility. HCG is a hormone present in pregnant women’s urine and was first discovered in 1927. To this day, physicians look for this hormone to determine pregnancy. Levels peak at around 14 weeks’ gestation and then drop off for the remainder of the pregnancy.
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Tags: diet fad, hCG diet, human chorionic gonadotropin
Posted in Daily Column, Leading Letter | No Comments »

Flu shot recommendations

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: With flu season just around the corner, I wonder what the recommendation is this year for getting a shot. With three young children to care for, I cannot afford to be sick, but I really hate to subject my body to unnecessary shots if I don’t need them.

DEAR READER: It’s rather fortuitous that your inquiry reached me today — the same time I received a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services on this very subject.
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Tags: flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, influenza
Posted in Daily Column | No Comments »

Kidney-failure diagnosis can be tricky

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 86-year-old doctor’s daughter concerned that both my parents died of kidney failure, although I never knew how it happened.

Perhaps you could tell me what steps I should take first to deal with it, as I just got a report from my doctor indicating that I have chronic kidney disease that has stabilized. What does that mean?

DEAR READER: The kidneys are fist-sized, bean-shaped organs located at the back of the upper abdomen. Their purpose is to filter and clean blood. When the kidneys lose their ability to perform as intended, the condition is known as kidney failure. Stabilized failure simply means that your kidneys have lost some function but are no longer deteriorating.
(more…)

Tags: kidney disease, kidney failure, poor kidney function
Posted in Daily Column, Leading Letter | No Comments »

How to get a NFNS diet book

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

DEAR DR. GOTT: I would like to receive a copy of your “No Flour, No Sugar Diet.” How may I order it?

DEAR READER: Oddly enough, your request is not unique. I receive inquiries every day, and my website has specific instructions for ordering. Most of my books are offered on the bottom of the “About” page, but if a reader doesn’t scroll to the bottom of the page, the section is likely missed. We are presently working on a more user-friendly site with better links that will assist readers. In any event, follow the links that will take you directly to Amazon.com. Thank you for your inquiry.

Tags: diet book, NFNS diet, No Flour No Sugar diet
Posted in Daily Column, Leading Letter | No Comments »

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