DEAR READER: Thank you for your kind comments. I am happy to have helped.

Bee pollen has been used for years. It is touted to cure certain health problems and to be an exceptionally nutritious food. It has undergone years of research, but so far, nothing can be confirmed. However, there is a plethora of anecdotal information about its use and benefits, especially online.

Bee pollen is simply pollen that is collected from the bodies of bees. It has vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates and may even contain some bee saliva.

Available in many health-food stores, it can be found as a supplement or in skin-softening products. Some even claim that it can be beneficial in treating or even curing, asthma, allergies, alcoholism, stomach upset and more, but remember that none of this has been proven scientifically.

If you suffer from allergies to pollen, this supplement may cause a serious or even life-threatening reaction, so it is important to talk to your physician before using it. It shouldn’t be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women but otherwise appears to be safe for short-term use.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Menopause.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

I did have a malignant tumor on my prostate in 1996. After both were removed and the tissue was tested, I did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. My PSA was 0 for nine years, but it is now reading 1.08. I also had a slight stroke six months before I started having the night sweats. The part of the brain affected was two small spots above the forehead. There were no visible signs of even having a stroke when the event occurred.

I take the following meds: albuterol, Advair, allopurinol, doxycycline, levothyroxine, Diovan, warfarin and fexofenadine. All meds have been checked for possible reactions. I am a male, stand 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weigh 192 pounds. Please help. I’m miserable.

DEAR READER: The thing that stands out in my mind is your prostate cancer. You say both were removed. I take this to mean the tumor and the prostate gland itself. However, the problem with this situation is that now your PSA level is going up, which means that there must be some prostate tissue still present. Your rising level could indicate that the cancer was not eradicated entirely and is now making itself known. Your urologist should be examining you thoroughly to check for any possibility that the cancer has returned.

My next thought would be your stroke. Your neurologist would be able to tell you if the damage to your brain could have resulted in your night sweats.

Other causes of night sweats include medication side effects, certain infections, changes in various hormone levels (such as testosterone, thyroid, etc.) and some neurological disorders.

You say that your medications have been checked, but I will review them briefly. Albuterol and Advair are most commonly used to treat asthma. Allopurinol is primarily used for gout and may cause abnormal sweating. Doxycycline is an antibiotic. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone-replacement drug used to treat hypothyroidism. Side effects from this drug are typically caused by therapeutic overdose and resemble hyperthyroidism, of which excessive sweating is a symptom. Diovan is used for the control of hypertension. Warfarin is an anticoagulant used in patients with certain clotting disorders, blood clots, heart attack, stroke and more. Fexofenadine is used to treat seasonal allergies and uncomplicated idiopathic hives.

Two of these medications specifically list sweating as a side effect, but there is a possibility that two or more of these could be interacting, causing unwanted effects. Sit down with your primary-care physician or an internist to discuss the situation, and review the results from your plethora of specialists. Perhaps the answer is simple but your specialists are missing it because they are not looking at you as a whole body.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “The Prostate Gland.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. An order form is also available for printing at my Web site, www.AskDrGottMD.com.

I had undergone many expensive laboratory tests to try to determine the cause of my night sweats. When I stopped taking the acetaminophen, the sweats stopped. It might be a good idea for you to mention that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is sometimes the cause.

DEAR READER:
Sadly, even over-the-counters cannot be taken by some individuals without unwanted side effects. Tylenol is used for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains commonly associated with back, tooth or head ache, arthritis, menstrual cramps and fever. While uncommon, reports confirm the product causes night sweats.

Fortunately, your doctor put you through appropriate testing in an attempt to find the cause. He should have ruled out hypoglycemia, hormone disorders, neurological conditions, infection, and more. Once other physical symptoms are ruled out, medication is often the culprit. Sweats are fairly uncommon for people taking Tylenol.

DEAR READER:
I cannot speculate on why your sweating occurred, since one of Premarin’s purposes is to reduce the incidence of hot flashes. On the down side, leg cramps have been reported with its use. Perhaps your hormonal changes and long-term use of the product have played a role in your recent unpleasant symptoms. Listening to your own body is always important, as Nature tells you things if you just pay attention. The elimination of your night sweats and leg pain, signifies to me that you did the right thing in stopping the hormone replacement.

I am wondering if you could give me a reason why this is happening and what I can do for it.

DEAR READER:
I believe you are experiencing a lowering of testosterone. As we age, the hormone levels in our bodies can drop significantly. This can lead to annoying reactions such as hot flashes, sweating and other symptoms. These reactions, which accompany menopause in women, can also affect men on occasion. Women lose estrogen which causes the testosterone in their bodies to become more dominant. Men however, lose testosterone which causes the estrogen to become more dominant. I recommend that you have a blood test to measure the testosterone in your system. If, as I suspect, your testosterone is low you may wish to consider hormone replacement.

You should also be tested for other disorders. Perhaps you have a hidden infection or are simply anemic. If your hormones are normal, your doctor can then look at these other tests to determine if there is something else amiss.

You do not say whether you are taking any medications. Some drugs can cause flushing, sweating and more. The leading culprit is niacin used for lowering cholesterol. If you are taking medicine, be sure to check the possible side effects. Work with your primary care physician to find a solution.

I am very confused about why I am having hot flashes at my age. I have told my primary doctor and he gave me some medication. It does not work. I am still having hot flashes which are very disgusting at my age.

Is this common for us elderly women?

I wake up in bed at night with my gown and hair all wet. I am very frustrated about why this is happening to me.

DEAR READER: Hot flashes are caused by the body’s reaction to lessening hormone levels. Although such a reaction would be extraordinarily unusual in a 95-year-old woman, it can happen. I suggest that you be examined by a gynecologist who will probably check your hormone levels and suggest therapy to make you more comfortable.

Another possibility, although incredibly rare, is cancer. Night sweats are an unusual presentation. Just to be safe, your gynecologist can check out this possibility. I would like to emphasize that it is very unlikely your sweats are caused by cancer; they are most likely due to waning hormone levels.

Good luck and let me know how this turns out.

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

He is 41, in great physical shape, has high triglycerides and takes several medications (Niaspan, half an 81 mg aspirin, and Pravachol). He also has borderline hypertension that he is trying to control with diet.

The sweats happen whether he takes his medication or not. They seem to appear more on days when he has exercised very hard. Is this a sign of some type of health problem? What can he do about it?

DEAR READER: I’m not certain that your husband’s medications are to blame as a cause for his night sweats. Niaspan (prescription niacin) is known to cause flushing, sweating, chills and more. Side effects generally decrease after three to four weeks of therapy, however. Sweats can also, rarely, be a symptom of hidden infection.

I recommend that your husband be examined and tested by his primary care physician. While awaiting his appointment, he may wish to discontinue the Niaspan temporarily . He should continue the Pravachol, however. If this simple remedy stops the night sweats, his physician can forego the testing and take him off the Niaspan. Your husband may wish to try some other alternative therapy such as Omega 3 or Flaxseed oil in conjunction with the Pravachol. If the night sweats continue, your husband should then follow through with an exam and testing by his primary care physician.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol”. 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.