Daily Column

April 14, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Can you tell me if taking a fiber supplement every day is dangerous? I use a fiber drink mix every day and wonder if it will cause me harm by using it indefinitely.

DEAR READER:
To the best of my knowledge there is no harm in this practice. Fiber is a vital part of the diet. It is indigestible and adds bulk to the feces which aids evacuation and proper colon health. It is especially helpful to those who suffer chronic constipation.

If you remain concerned, speak with your primary care physician who can provide more information.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Constipation and Diarrhea”. 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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Rare Cancer Misdiagnosed As Harmless Bowel Condition

April 9, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to see you devote some space to a rare cancer called carcinoid cancer which is formed by neuroendocrine tumors. My husband was diagnosed with metastasizing carcinoid cancer in 2006.

The mascot for these patients is the zebra because the disease is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and other bowel ailments. Because of the difficulty in getting a proper diagnosis, the motto is “If you think it’s a horse, think again”.

My husband’s case is unusual because his primary tumor was located around the descending aorta, not the liver, as is typical. The cancer has since spread to his lungs and bones. He is a valiant warrior and tries to live a normal life in spite of the devastating side effects. As far as we know there is no cure. Treatment is usually surgery to reduce the tumors or a drug called Sandostatin. [Read more...]

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Natural Laxative Safer

April 1, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m a 77-year-old woman. You have written about a natural remedy for constipation consisting of apple sauce, prune juice, and bran. I just can’t remember the measurements. Also, what kind of bran should I use? I’ve been bothered with constant constipation and would like to try something healthful without taking laxatives.

DEAR READER:
Constipation can be caused by a number of conditions such as a diet low in fiber, inadequate liquid intake, stress, and certain medications. Irritable bowel syndrome can contribute to constipation, as can a lack of exercise.

If you feel you don’t get adequate fiber or liquids in your diet on a regular basis, make it a point to consume more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Supplement the change with more water, juice or other liquids throughout the day. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

February 1, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’ve waited an extraordinarily long period of time before deciding to describe my experiences with colo-rectal cancer because I wanted my very fine doctors to have every opportunity to deal with the long-term effects of the treatment I received. I now feel it is time to related my experiences and provide reasons for the conclusions I have reached.

A brief medical history is called for. In September 1995, at the age of 55 I was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer and surgery was performed to remove the diseased areas. I had 31 radiation treatments and one year of chemotherapy. In August 1996 I was able to return to my teaching position. However, in February 1997, I developed an intestinal blockage due to the radiation treatments and needed surgery. Due to the effects of the surgery and radiation, I was forced to resign. [Read more...]

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Fiber Good For Occasional Constipation

December 31, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a healthy and active 45-year-old female. Due to severe constipation (five to seven days without a bowel movement) I have had two colonoscopies over the last eight years. Each has shown that my colon is about two feet longer than normal but is otherwise fine. I was diagnosed with IBS and my gastroenterologist put me on Miralax. I have been taking it for eight years now and eat a fairly healthful diet. Both seem to have helped my constipation; however, once every few months I have constipation that will last five to seven days before I have another bowel movement. This concerns me and I have read about many “bowel cleansing” solutions. I am reluctant to try these because I am afraid of causing damage or that these solutions may become habit forming. [Read more...]

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Daily Enemas Inappropriate

December 27, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have tried to find an answer to my question and continue to get completely conflicting answers. Is it okay to do enemas daily or every other day?

DEAR READER:
In a word, no!

As a general rule, the occasional use of home enemas to combat constipation is safe for most individuals. However, repeated, habitual use can be harmful. They can increase the risk of injury to your anus and rectum. Solutions can cause irritation to the lining of the colon. Individuals with kidney or heart disease are at higher risk for fluid overload or an electrolyte imbalance when using enemas.

Much of normal bodily function is done without thought. The frequent use of enemas can disrupt the normal balance of the colon. The continued process may make it necessary to re-train the colon as to what its purpose is. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

October 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to give your readers a simple and effective remedy for constipation.

About 20 years ago I had gallbladder removal surgery. It caused my bowel movements to be very irregular. While reading an old folk medicine book written by Dr. Jarvis one day, I came across a simple remedy. The doctor told to simply drink a mug of hot water one half hour before breakfast every day.

Figuring it harmless and at worst would fill my bladder a little faster, I decided to try it. I could immediately feel the water emptying my stomach of the contents from the night before. Within just a few days I was completely regulated. It was amazing.

I told my doctor of this simple remedy and he said it was one of the best. When I asked why no one ever mentions it, he responded that most patients, and doctors, feel that it is too easy. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

October 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your column regularly and have seen articles about irritable bowel syndrome. I would like to share my experience with this annoying condition.

I had suffered for a while with gas, bloating and other symptoms. My internist thought that I was lactose intolerant despite my claims that many milk products did not cause my symptoms. He ordered a colonoscopy which showed I had irritable bowel syndrome.

Shortly after the diagnosis I was reading an article in Prevention magazine that claimed there was an epidemic of IBS and that an additive found in many dairy products might be the cause. The additive is a seaweed product called carrageen.

Interested by this, I decided to check my refrigerator and found that the additive was in many products I had on hand including soy milk, ice cream, sherbet and more. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

September 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 10-year-old grandson had corrective surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease when he was an infant. He has been experiencing fecal leakage since then. He gets quite embarrassed but he can’t keep from having “accidents”. I was wondering if Kegel exercises would be of benefit to him. Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

DEAR READER:
Hirschsprung’s disease is a condition of the large intestine. It causes problems with passing stool because of missing nerve cells in the intestinal muscles. It is present from birth (congenital) and has no known cause.

Hirschsprung’s occurs in one out of every 5,000 births and ranges from mild to severe. In mild cases, babies often have minimal symptoms and may not be diagnosed until early childhood. Severe cases may lead to bowel obstruction, necessitating emergency surgery. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

September 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 62-year-old female, 5’ 11” and weighed 165 pounds before all the problems.

In August 2007, during a four day stay at my beach house in Mexico, I developed watery diarrhea up to 12 times a day. Four days after returning home I saw my physician and he said I must have picked up a bug in Mexico. I have been going there fore 35 years and have NEVER gotten anything before, but thought there is always a first. He prescribed Cipro for seven days with no results so I was given another seven day round. When that failed to help, I was given Flagyl and had blood work and stool samples taken twice. Everything was negative. He then switched me to another medication but I was still having the watery diarrhea up to eight times a day, mostly during the morning and evening. I started losing weight. [Read more...]

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