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October 4, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My son had unexplained mouth sores for six months that broke out every three weeks. He saw a dentist and peridontist who were both unable to help. He was then referred to a dental school. Once there, the dentists immediately knew what the problem was. He was diagnosed with idiopathic cyclic neutropenia (low white blood cell levels). He underwent weekly blood tests for a few months to confirm the diagnosis but it was reassuring to know that the sores were not for lack of dental hygiene as we thought.

These types of sores are usually only seen in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy but some, like my son, don’t seem to have a reason for the neutropenia. He was also lucky that his neutropenia resolved on its own, but I have since found out there are some treatments available. [Read more...]

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September 15, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing in response to the gentleman in a recent column who said he had “sticky blood”.

I have factor V, double genetics which makes me a homozygote. There are many people who have had blood clots and are still under diagnosed for this genetic condition. Many doctors are unaware that it even exists. I was diagnosed after a family doctor recommended I have genetic testing following a blood clot in my leg at age 40. I am now 43 and live knowing the health risks of having homozygous factor V. None of them are good.

I am currently writing a college research paper on factor V and have learned how dangerous it can actually be. Please run a column on this matter to help educate those who have been afflicted by blood clots or have a strong family history such as mine does. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

August 2, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 76-year-old man in relatively good health. Would you please clarify the value (or lack thereof) of tea. Because of a previous belief that all tea, especially green tea, was beneficial, I began drinking all types of it instead of coffee. I subsequently read that tea inhibits the absorption of iron. This was the case with me. When I went to donate blood, my iron count was too low to donate. I stopped drinking tea and took iron pills for a while. My blood count returned to normal.

DEAR READER:
For those individuals who think they might be anemic, a simple iron deficiency panel can be ordered by your physician.

Foods high in iron include nuts, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, beans, and red meat. Citrus fruits, juice or supplemental vitamin C tablets taken at the same time as eating iron-rich foods help the body absorb iron [Read more...]

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June 30, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing in response to the letter asking for help with hemorrhoids. I, too, suffer from them and had difficulty finding products that actually worked to relieve symptoms. I finally found Rutin. It is over-the-counter, inexpensive and for me, works within 20 minutes. The manufacturer states on the bottle that it can be used for hemorrhoids, poor circulation, varicose veins and more.

I also have a solution for skin that bruises easily or appears blotchy. I simply chop or grind a naval orange, peel and all and then eat it with a spoon. I usually mix in some crush pineapple and artificial sweetener to make it taste a bit better. I generally eat one crushed orange over several servings rather than all at once. It generally takes a few days before the bruises and blotches start to clear up. [Read more...]

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April 28, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have donated over three gallons of blood over the past few years. Blood donation is important and I am glad I can do it. Despite calls over the past couple of months from my blood bank wanting my particular blood type, I’ve been reluctant to go. The reason is that for the past year or so, I have begun having burning sensations and pain in and around the area where the needles are inserted. What’s going on? Should I continue to donate blood from that arm?

DEAR READER:
To the best of my knowledge, donating blood is safe. Perhaps you are experiencing problems now because of your history of donating. If you use the same arm each time, you may have developed scar tissue at the place the needle is inserted. This could be pushing on the sensitive tissues and nerves in your arm causing the pain and burning. If you still wish to donate blood, I suggest using a different vein. Perhaps one in your hand, other arm or even your foot will work as well.

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April 24, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have had severe purpura on my arms for the last two years. My doctor told me there is no remedy and I will have to live with it.

I’m tired of constantly wearing long sleeves. What can I do to get rid of these spots? Taking vitamin C seems to help some.

DEAR READER:
Purpura is spontaneous hemorrhage in tissues. Small pinpoint areas are called petechiae and larger areas are called ecchymoses (bruises).

For some reason, the veins in your arms are spontaneously rupturing. This can have many causes including clotting disorders, high blood pressure and the aging process. Purpura caused by the aging process often presents as dark purple or brown spots on the forearms and back of the hands. This is most likely your problem and your physician is correct that there is no cure. However, the spots can be faded using various creams, lotions and cosmetic procedures.

Before resorting to cosmetic options, I would first want to make sure that you do not have a treatable cause such as uncontrolled high blood pressure. You also need to make sure you do not have a new onset clotting problem, which is often caused by taking too high a dose of anticoagulant medication (Coumadin, aspirin and more).

Make an appointment with a hematologist (blood specialist). It is important that when you see the specialist you have a list of your current and recently stopped medications, a history of how long this has been happening, if there is a family history of clotting disorders and a list of what you have used to try to get rid of the purpura, such as the vitamin C. (I should mention that vitamin C deficiency can also cause spontaneous bruising, which may be why you are helped by supplements.)

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Blood — Donations 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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April 8, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 35-year-old female, am relatively healthy but have chronic constipation. I am taking Zelnorm and milk of magnesia but still only have a bowel movement once a month, usually at the time my menses start. It is very painful to pass the stool because it is like a big ball.

Recently, I started feeling tired and run down after normal activity. I consulted my medical doctor who ordered a colonoscopy and blood testing. The results of the colonoscopy were negative. Blood tests indicated my red blood count was four, so I’ve been taking iron pills for three months. It is still four. Where do I go from here?

DEAR READER:
A red blood cell count of four is hardly abnormal. I don’t believe you are suffering the symptoms of anemia.

When did the constipation and fatigue start? Do they coincide? Have you been diagnosed as having Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with constipation? (I would also like to add that having one bowel movement a month is a near physical impossibility, especially when taking Zelnorm, a drug used for the short-term treatment of IBS with constipation and milk of magnesia.)

Zelnorm shows improvement in most individuals who take it but can cause diarrhea. Milk of magnesia encourages evacuation. It seems to me that when taking both these medications, you would hardly be able to leave the house for fear of constant diarrhea. It also suggests that you may have an intestinal abnormality causing obstruction or a similar disorder.

You need to be seen by a gastroenterologist. I believe your symptoms are related to your chronic constipation. If the gastroenterologist determines there is no physical reason for the constipation and believes the fatigue is from your very slight anemia, you may wish to see a hematologist (blood specialist) for further evaluation.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” and “Blood — Donations and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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April 3, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am told I am losing blood all the time but my doctors don’t know from where. I have had several colon and throat studies and all types of blood work. On four separate occasions, I have had veins in my throat banded. I usually have three veins done at a time, but once I had five banded at once.

I have received blood on several occasions. Once I got three pints, the next was five pints and just last month I received 2 more pints of blood.

I have no energy. I have very loose, black stools and have very painful stomachaches all the time.

I have been tossed back and forth between my primary care physician and my gastroenterologist. Neither seems to know what is going on so sends to me the other.

I need some answers. I am tired of feeling this way and worry that it may be something serious. Do you have suggestions?

P.S. My medical history includes a stroke, Bell’s palsy, a scarred liver and a fall that I was hospitalized for because I was throwing up blood.

DEAR READER:
You appear to have a serious ailment that could be fatal. Therefore, you need a diagnosis as soon as possible.

I can only generalize my answer because you don’t give your age, gender, current medications, etc. Do you have a family history of bleeding problems? Have you seen a hematologist (blood specialist)? Are you taking Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin or other anticoagulant agents for your previous stroke? What is the cause of your liver scarring? When did the bleeding start? How long have your stools been loose and black (a sign of internal bleeding)? These are all vital questions that need answers in order for a physician to make a proper diagnosis.

Since your primary care physician and gastroenterologist can’t seem to find anything wrong, perhaps a visit to a new gastroenterologist or better still, a hematologist is order. The specialist can order blood clotting tests and more, to determine if you have a bleeding tendency such as hemophilia. A new gastroenterologist will probably order a set of tests including an endoscopy to examine your esophagus, stomach and upper portions of your intestines, a colonoscopy to examine the remainder of your intestines, a CT scan or MRI to visualize your blood vessels, and so forth.

You need a diagnosis. Which specialist you see first is up to you, but don’t delay. If one cannot help you, check with the other. If both fail, it may be time to move on to the super specialists in a teaching hospital or a facility such as the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic. Do not delay in getting help. Let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Blood — Donations and Disorders” and “Stroke”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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