DEAR READER:
Most forms of psoriasis are cyclic, meaning symptoms flare up, subside, and then flare up again. An outbreak can present with red, scaly patches of skin, itching, painful joints, and more. Common forms can appear anywhere on the body, including the inside of the mouth.

Risk factors include a family history of the disease, immune disorders, stress, exposure to cold, certain medications, and more.

Treatment depends on the location of the outbreak. Some lesions might be controlled with an over-the-counter topical cream. Corticosteroids are prescription anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed frequently. And, as you pointed out, some drugs can be quite cost prohibitive.

Keep your skin moisturized, especially after bathing. Avoid harsh soaps and very hot water. Both will dry your skin and aggravate the lesions. Use a sun block prior to going out of doors in daily sunlight. Controlled exposure can improve lesions, but take caution not to overdo, as too much sun will trigger an outbreak.

Alternative control includes synthetic forms of vitamin D that may reduce inflammation of the skin and block cells from reproducing. Medicated chest rubs can be applied to affected areas to relieve the itch and stop the scaling.

Besides being healthful, eating a banana a day can benefit psoriasis, not for the fruit, rather for the peel. Simply rub the inside of the peel over small or mildly irritated areas two or three times a day. Cut the balance of the peel into patches large enough to cover the most serious lesions. Hold in place with paper tape. Replace daily. The results will be astonishing.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dermatitis, Psoriasis & Eczema” and “Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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. Incorporate exercise on a regular basis, even if it involves only walking. Each step you take toward a well-rounded diet and working to stay active should reduce your symptoms.

While necessary on occasion, I urge you to avoid laxatives. Their chronic use can damage nerve cells in the colon and block its natural ability to contract.

My “colon cocktail” has been used successfully in several local nursing homes. It consists of equal portions of apple sauce, prune juice and unprocessed bran. The name on the bran container is inconsequential. Mix several tablespoons of each ingredient and allow the mixture to sit in your refrigerator for an hour or so to blend. Then take one or two tablespoons each day for relief. It might be necessary to continue the treatment for up to two weeks for this inexpensive but safe, natural remedy to be fully effective.

To give you this and other related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Compelling Home Remedies” and “Constipation and Diarrhea“. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

Both my husband and I have had significant thinning of our hair so despite my skepticism, we gave it a try. After about two months of daily use my husband began to notice all kinds of new hair coming in. He even went to his hairdresser who confirmed that he had what she called “pingers” all over his head. (She told us that “pingers” are hairs that about ½ – ¾ inches in length, equal to about two months of growth).

Encouraged by this, I went to see my hairdresser a few days later (as I hadn’t noticed anything because I have long hair). She, too, confirmed new growth. Both ladies were amazed and have decided to recommend the Tresemme products to their clients.

I feel I have to say that we did not use the exact products you mentioned but both the shampoo and conditioner had vitamin E, aloe, and had stickers saying they were new formulations that contained keratin. The shampoo was the recommended one but the conditioner was one formulized for color-treated hair. Oh, if it makes a difference, we also take a daily multivitamin.

DEAR READER:
I have printed your letter about this remedy for hair growth. Both you and your husband have experienced new growth and had this confirmed by your individual hairdressers. As these “specialists” deal with hair on a regular basis, they certainly know better than most what new hair growth looks like.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
This is certainly a new one to me! Jell-O and other brands contain gelatin, a glutinous material used as a food item, in medicine, and also in photography. I must admit I cannot connect the dots between your nosebleeds and Jell-O.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Compelling Home Remedies”. 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.

I am a cancer survivor and have suffered with this condition for more than eight years. I have severe burning, tingling and pain in my feet due to chemotherapy. Then a few years ago my sister-in-law came across an article about neuropathy in a magazine. The article talked about a new treatment called Anodyne therapy.

After doing some research, I decided I had nothing to lose and gave it a try. I had a total of 16 treatments at a local outpatient therapy center. After only six treatments, the pain in my feet was much better. The throbbing and burning were totally gone.

I have closed a copy of the company’s brochure for your interest. For your readers who want to know more, I suggest they go online to www.anodynetherapy.com or call 1-800-521-6664.

Apparently the testing of this treatment was done on people with diabetes, but let me tell you it worked for me and I do not have diabetes. I guess that neuropathy is neuropathy, regardless of the cause. I have been pain free for more than a year now. Before this treatment, my neuropathy was so severe I nearly required a wheelchair.

My primary care doctor and oncologist had not heard of this treatment but after showing them some information about it, they both gave me their approvals. Medicare paid for nearly all the cost. I hope that you feel this letter is worthy to print your column as I am sure it will help many neuropathy sufferers out there.

DEAR READER:
I have not had any experience with this treatment, nor had I ever heard of it before you letter. However, your story is very compelling, as is the brochure you kindly included.

Neuropathy has many causes, the most common being diabetes and cancer treatments. Trauma, infection, exposure to toxins and metabolic conditions can also be causes.

Irreparable damage occurs to nerves which lead to burning, tingling, numbness and pain. The most common areas where this condition occurs are on the bottoms of the feet but as it progresses, the tops of the feet, ankles and lower legs may become affected. It can also affect the fingers and hands.

Most physicians refer patients to a neurologist who can perform testing to determine the extent of the damage. Once the severity is known, treatment can begin. This will also depend on the cause. Treatment must also include treatment of any possible underlying condition. Generally, this stops or slows the progression of the neuropathy. For those with no known cause (idiopathic) or those have untreatable causes, such as side effects from cancer treatment, there are several medications available.

Mild cases may be relived with the use of over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. The most common side effects include stomach upset but most have no adverse reactions.

Moderate to severe cases may require prescription medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or narcotics. Lidocaine patches (a type of pain reliever) can be applied directly to affected areas up to three times a day. Narcotics can cause dependency and other serious side effects which limit their use. Lidocaine patches have very few side effects, the most common being rash at the site of application.

Anti-seizure medications such as Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregnable) or Tegretol (carbamazepine) can provide relief for many sufferers. Side effects can include drowsiness and dizziness.

A final option is antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants can often provide relief by interrupting chemical processes in the brain and spinal cord that cause one to feel pain. Cymbalta, another type of antidepressant, has also shown positive results in treating neuropathy caused by diabetes.

Alternative treatments can include heat and/or massage therapy. Some sufferers have had success with acupuncture and still others with unconventional methods such as a thin application of medicated chest rub to the areas.

There are certain steps that individuals at risk for developing this condition can take to reduce or prevent it from occurring. Any medical condition that can cause nerve damage must be under strict control. A healthful diet rich is whole grains, lean meats, fruits and veggies can also be helpful.

As for Anodyne therapy, I can only say that it sounds intriguing. I urge interested patients to speak with their primary care physician or neurologist. If they have not heard of it, go online or call to request more information for their review.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Managing Chronic Pain”, “Compelling Home Remedies” and “More Compelling Home Remedies”. 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.

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.

First, is to watch your diet. Beans are notorious for causing gas. But so is broccoli, cucumbers and other vegetables. This doesn’t mean stop eating them, just simply reduce your intake, especially if you are consuming them on a regular basis. Even something as simple as milk and other diary foods could cause a problem for those who are sensitive or who are lactose intolerant. Don’t forget to avoid carbonated beverages.

In my opinion, food allergies are probably a leading cause of gastro-intestinal distress (including gas). They are also, likely to be under-diagnosed. To determine, if this could be the cause of your gas, I suggest you keep a food journal for a month or two. Be sure to record what you eat, when you eat it, how much you have eaten and if your flatulence is worse or better than normal. Once finished with the journal, you should be able to look back and hopefully see a pattern. Then you can start experimenting, by eliminating certain foods from your diet to see if you experience any improvement.

Medication could be another cause. If you are taking any prescriptions, herbals, supplements or over-the-counter drugs, carefully check the side effects. If increased flatulence is listed, you may wish to find an alternative. The pharmacist at your local drug store may also be aware of side effects that may not be listed, especially on OTCs.

If there is no identifiable cause for your gas, you may simply be one of the unfortunate individuals who gets “gassier” with age. There are several remedies for this, however. Products such as Beano can be added directly to food. Chlorophyll tablets, which can be found at most health food stores, can eliminate the odor of your flatulence. Another easy remedy is to simply add baking soda to water and drink. The gas should disappear shortly thereafter.

This tip and others can be found in my follow-up health report “More Compelling Home Remedies”. This report contains many new home remedies for common ailments, such as itchy ears, flatulence, sore throat, poison ivy and more.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Compelling Home Remedies” and my newly written “More Compelling Home Remedies”. 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).

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. It is accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, particularly when at rest. Massaging, muscle stretching or bicycling the legs while in bed provides some relief, but that relief is short lived. The overwhelming urge to move the extremities returns quickly and an individual so afflicted gets up from bed and walks the floors for countless hours for relief.

It is unknown what triggers RLS, but half of all reported cases are thought to have a hereditary connection.

Leg cramps from statin drugs feel like a charley horse, a painful contraction of the hamstring muscle marked by soreness and stiffness.

Did you have your condition prior to taking statin drugs? Did you strain, stress or tear a muscle that coincidentally occurred at the same time as initiating the new drug? Before a firm diagnosis can be made, you should return to your physician and provide a complete picture. In that way, he or she can differentiate between possible RLS and a drug reaction. Should it be the drug, your doctor might choose other possible methods of control for your high readings or adding co-enzyme Q10 to your daily regimen. Make an appointment promptly and get to the bottom of this troubling condition.

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

I later told one of my friends (a nurse) who said that her husband (a physician) had high cholesterol but he didn’t want to take statins because of the side effects. They discussed the cinnamon and decided to try it as he had nothing to lose. At the time he was also having terrible bouts of angina and ate nitro pills by the handful. The pain was so severe that his wife also had to give him injections of pain killers just to relieve the pain. Both the nitro and pain medication were prescribed by their primary care physician.

After taking the cinnamon every day for three months, his wife wrote to me to tell me that he had not had a single angina attack in over two weeks. I asked him, since he is a physician, if he thought the cinnamon played a role and he said he thought it had to be because he hadn’t changed anything else. I don’t know if his cholesterol dropped, but I knew I had to write you to tell you.

I don’t believe it will help every one, but since it is harmless, I hope you will print my letter in the hopes of helping others. We use one 1000 mg capsule daily. I get mine for about $4 for 100 pills at a local drug store.

DEAR READER:
I had not heard of this “side effect” of cinnamon therapy. I am printing your letter for reader interest.

My personal experience with cinnamon to lower cholesterol was not successful, nor was it for several of my patients. However, many of my readers have had dramatic reductions in their levels. Some use cinnamon capsules, others use ground cinnamon from the baking aisle of grocery stores. Still others say only true cinnamon works as most products labeled as cinnamon are really cassia, a cinnamon-like spice. Some feel it doesn’t matter whether it is cassia or cinnamon, but rather what the dosage is, endorsing sprinkling a teaspoon on food one to three times a day being better than one large or several small doses a day. In the end, what works for one doesn’t work for everyone and it is simply a matter of trial and error to find what works best for you.

As for the angina connection, I am intrigued — especially because it worked for a physician. As you may know, we doctors are notoriously difficult to treat and to convince of anything. Before using any supplement, I recommend discussing it with your personal physician to ensure it is safe and will not interact with any prescription or over-the-counter medicines you might be taking.

When I receive a number of responses, either negative or positive, I will be sure to write a follow-up.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Coronary Artery Disease”, “Compelling Home Remedies” and “Understanding Cholesterol”. Other readers 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).

My mother had recurring cold sores on her lips but also frequently had canker sores in her mouth. I used to have frequent canker sores but have never had a cold sore.

Even though it does seem a lot of high acid foods can trigger canker sores, mine were often associated with being over tired or stressed.

The tried and true treatment for us was to dab powdered alum (from the seasoning section of the grocery store) on the tip of a damp finger and then apply it to the canker or cold sore. There is a brief intense tingling and bitterness from the application but relief is instant and for us the sores were usually gone within a day or two. I have even used this for a huge ¾ inch by ¾ inch sore in my throat. I simply dampened a Q-tip, dabbed it in the powdered alum and applied to the spot. The pain was gone instantly and the sore was completely healed in three days.

I hope this will help your readers as much as it has helped me and my mother.

DEAR READER:
I have received several remedies for treating canker and cold sores. They have including everything from using L-lysine tablets, to eliminating peanuts and high acid foods to reducing stress. But by far, the most commonly recommended home remedy was crystallized or powdered alum. Alum is used in many applications including crystal deodorants, makeup and pickling.

I have chosen to print your letter because you have given thorough instructions, evidence that it works and also where it can be found.

Keep up the good work and keep reporting on all those good solutions that so many of us have had luck with.

DEAR READER:
I believe you are referring to my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies” in which I discuss several of the most successful. It can be ordered by sending $2 and a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. In order to fill the request, the specific name of the Health Report must be included. For those who would like a complete list of available Health Reports, simply send a SASE to the same address and ask for an order form.

If you are referring to the books I have written, the two most recent ones are my no flour, no sugar diet and cook book that can be purchased at most bookstores. I have also compiled some of my best columns together in the book “Live Longer, Live Better” which can be purchased directly from the publisher at www.QuillDriverBooks.com or by phone at 1-800-605-7176. My first published book “No House Calls” is out of print but can still be found at some libraries or online at used book sellers, such as www.Amazon.com. In fact, all of my books are likely to be there. Finally, I have co-authored a non-medical picture book, “Summer Windows of ‘Sconset” which can be ordered by sending a check for $14.00 to Ice Island Press, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. It is a lovely coffee table book full of photos taken on Nantucket Island that flow with self-penned verse.