Daily Column

June 1, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My daughter is in her mid-20s. She has developed (what I consider severe) motion sickness over the past 18 months. She gets carsick on anything other than a straight road. She takes no prescription medications, only guaifenesin daily since 2000. She has tried every over-the-counter medication, the seasick wrist bands, patches, and so forth. Nothing has worked for her.

DEAR READER:
Motion sickness may appear when the inner ear, eyes, and other areas of the body that sense movement send unexpected or conflicting messages to the brain, such as in a car when the eyes and inner ears sense motion but the body remains still. This leads to inappropriate stimulation of the ears, balance mechanisms and causes the individual to feel nauseated and/or dizzy often with vomiting. It is important to prevent symptoms because once started, it is very difficult to stop them.

Sudden onset of motion sickness is most likely due to an inner ear problem so I urge your daughter to see an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. He or she can test her for any abnormalities and provide treatment options.

While awaiting the appointment, your daughter may wish to try taking powdered ginger capsules. Many sufferers have had success in preventing motion sickness with these inexpensive pills found in most pharmacies and health food stores.

As an aside, I wonder if your daughter’s daily use of guaifenesin could be the culprit. This medication is an expectorant used to loosen phlegm and make coughs more productive. I have never heard of someone needing it on a daily basis. If she has excess mucus or a persistent cough, she needs to find out what is causing it. The ENT should also be able to assist her in this matter. ENDGOTT

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May 12, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My daughter’s two sons, ages five and two are sick all the time. We have taken them to the doctor as many as four or five times in one month. Most of the time they’re diagnosed with upper respiratory infections and/or sinus infections.

They are of average weight for their ages and eat well, although like a lot of young families, they have a lot of fast food. Is there anything natural they can take to keep them well longer, or should they be taken to another doctor for a second opinion of why they seem to be ill all the time?

DEAR READER:
Your grandsons are sick far too often. Their pediatrician needs to find out why they are having repeated upper respiratory and sinus infections. A simple X-ray to determine the size of their adenoids (filters in the nose) may provide all the answers. A referral to an ear-nose-and-throat specialist may be in order. This type of specialist can order further tests and recommend treatment options, such as steroid nasal sprays or surgery.

As an aside, if your grandchildren are eating more than one meal per week from fast food restaurants, they are consuming too much. This type of food is loaded with fat, calories and salt. It also does not contain significant amounts of vegetables, fruit and other nutritious foods. An inappropriate diet can lead to a weakened immune system. Children are also especially susceptible to respiratory infections, asthma and other problems if there is a smoker in the family or mold/allergens in the home.

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Daily Column

March 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please help. I have a male friend who is dizzy and nauseated all the time. He had had all kinds of tests and medications but nothing seems to help. It is very discouraging and he is starting to show signs of depression. His doctors don’t seem interested and we don’t know where to turn.

DEAR READER:
It sounds to me that your friend is nauseated and dizzy because of chronic vertigo. This is a problem that stems from his ear. He desperately needs to see an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. There is therapy available for this common condition.

While awaiting his appointment he may wish to try Lipo-Flavonoid which has shown vast improvement in some individuals. (Be sure to mention this to the specialist.)

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections 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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March 15, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a deaf education major taking an audiology class. It was recently brought to my attention that a reader had written to you regarding a problem with his hearing. You advised him to see an ear, nose and throat specialist in order to get the problem checked out. However, referring that reader to an audiologist would have benefited him much more, considering that he had a hearing problem, not just a problem with his ear in general. An audiologist would not only be able to identify if there were a common problem within the ear, but also could test the person’s hearing. This would allow the specialist to determine if there were a hearing loss and if surgery needed to be performed in order to correct the problem.

People have been making the mistake of going to a physician for hearing problems for years. Since you are giving advice to those who probably do what you say, I thought it would help if I submitted this information to you before another reader follows your advice.

DEAR READER:
Since publishing this column a number of months ago, I received several letters confirming your approach to the reader’s hearing problem. Here I go with another approach to the original issue.

Audiologists are trained professionals who treat and manage individuals with balance problems and hearing loss. Their academic and clinical training includes a masters or doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program. They are required to complete a full-time internship and pass a national competency examination. With graduation and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests, provide rehabilitation services, and refer patients for medical treatment. Audiologists typically work in schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, medical centers and with hearing aid manufacturers.

Treatment decisions are made by combining a complete patient history with a variety of auditory and vestibular assessments through the utilization of special equipment. Testing is typically conducted in sound proof rooms.

Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat specialists), are doctors trained in the medical/surgical management and treatment of patients with disorders and diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. ENTs treat tinnitus, balance disorders, noise damage, nerve pain, chronic sinusitis, and a great deal more. To qualify for certification, an application must complete college, medical school (ordinarily four years), at least five years of training in the specialty, and then pass the examination of the American Board of Otolaryngology. If more extensive training in one of seven sub-specialties is chosen, an additional one or two year fellowship of extensive training is then required.

An otolaryngologist differs from many physicians in that he or she is trained in medicine and surgery and does not need to refer patients to another physician for issues in this field.

To respond to your statement, I suppose I could have suggested an audiologist as a first step in determining the reader’s hearing problem. I chose to bypass the audiology visit and proceeded directly to the ENT in put. I didn’t hear from any otolaryngologists suggesting an audiologist as an initial step, so maybe I didn’t stub my toe too much.

Readers who would like more information on hearing problems can obtain additional information by ordering my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders”. 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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