Are probiotics the answer?

May 4, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 66-year-old male who has undergone two small bowel resections in the past year to free up adhesions caused by a previous colon resection for diverticulitis. I am worried my system may never get back to normal. I went from 240 to 200 pounds after the first procedure and from 200 to 180 pounds following the second one. I think I am suffering from malabsorption because I am very low on energy and my thyroid medication (Synthroid) needed to be increased despite the weight loss.

I have also become very lactose intolerant which I have read can result from small bowel surgery and antibiotics. I think probiotics are a good idea to repopulate the gut with good bacteria after being on any type of oral antibiotics. Do you feel it is necessary to take a probiotic daily or would I get the same results if I take one every other day, as the better brands are very expensive? [Read more…]

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Child’s public vomiting worries parents

December 5, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My healthy and smart 8-year-old daughter vomits in restaurants. When she was 3, she had a spell of vomiting over the course of a couple of weeks that we could not explain. Her pediatrician suggested keeping track of what she ate to see if there was a pattern with certain foods, because there was no abdominal pain and it was not consistent with motion sickness. We discovered that the vomiting often occurred after she consumed dairy products, so after another doctor visit, we limited dairy and used Lactaid tablets. The vomiting did not occur as often; however, we noticed it was still a problem in restaurants. Then our daughter revealed something: She got nervous in restaurants. She was afraid she would vomit and be embarrassed and got herself so worked up she got sick. Back to the doctor we went. The doctor said kids usually grow out of lactose intolerance as she probably had but “some kids just barf a lot.” He said she would grow out of that, too.
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Dairy causes bedwetting in young boy

November 30, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: When I was a young mother, my 5-year-old started having trouble with bedwetting. At that time, there was a television program called “FYI” (For Your Information). The spokesperson basically said that it may be because he or she is allergic to milk. If he is eating ice cream or any dairy product as part of the last meal of the day, he may be asleep when the reaction occurs and that is when he can’t control it.

Well, I tried it and it did make a difference right away for us. I told my son that he wasn’t a “bad boy” and that his bedwetting was because of something he couldn’t control. We had no more problems as long as his last meal of the day had no dairy products in it.
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Daily Column

May 19, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
You asked for feedback on trying Lactagen for lactose intolerance.

I developed a severe lactose intolerance about six years ago after having radiation therapy. It seemed to be getting worse every month. I couldn’t enjoy outings with my family and friends and only went out when I had to. It was very hard on me because I am otherwise healthy.

I tried the product after reading about it in your column. I was skeptical to say the least because nothing had worked for me. I followed the package directions and lo and behold, it WORKED! I am so thankful that you published that article and brought this amazing product to the attention of thousands of people.

I understand that I still have to be a bit cautious but as long as I don’t over-indulge in dairy products, I can now lead a normal life. Lactagen has made a great difference.

DEAR READER:
I am glad you have had such a positive result. I am skeptical about any alternative remedy until I have received many positive results from readers. Yours is one of only a handful I have received. I will remain skeptical until more readers have written to me with their results but I hope it continues on the positive track it appears to be on. Thanks for writing.

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