Q: I work as a nurse on the night shift. I plan to do so until retirement, but I am also trying to do everything I can to stay healthy. I use melatonin to sleep during the day. I have trouble sleeping more than about three or four hours unless […]
Q: I am an advanced practice registered nurse with ailing joints and suspected fibromyalgia. Does it make sense to try bromelain or other anti-inflammatory enzymes? A: Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes extracted from pineapple. It has been used to promote wound healing and fight inflammation (Biomedical Reports, September 2016). […]
Q: You listed the benefits of black pepper but neglected a caveat: Some people, like me, have found relief by avoiding all peppers, including black. A: Rosacea is a skin condition that leads to redness, flushing and eventually bumps on the face. There are a number of triggers that may […]
Q: Purple grape juice and pectin is working great for my arthritis. I saw improvement in both knees after the second dose. I use SURE-JELL, not Certo, because that is what my supermarket carries. It can be found very near the JELL-O. A: Many readers have asked about substituting SURE-JELL […]
Q: Could you please explain the differences between popular over-the-counter pain relievers? How is Advil different from Aleve, and how are these NSAIDs different from aspirin? What makes Excedrin different? I haven’t needed pain relievers before, but now I do. A: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include both prescription medicines and […]
Q: My husband and I are taking a combination of grape juice and pectin for arthritis pain, and it is definitely helping my hips. But my husband has found another reason for using it. He has been able to stop using all his other aids for constipation! For years he […]
Q: After reading about coconut macaroon cookies for diarrhea in your newsletter, I had my son try this remedy. He has had diarrhea every day for a couple of years. I bought him some trader Joe’s Coconut Macaroons. They worked on day one of the trial and have worked every […]
Q: I read in your column about a woman who burned her hand on a curling iron. She used cold soy sauce to relieve the pain. Many years ago, I absent-mindedly poured boiling water from the teakettle over my hand instead of in the mug. The pain was incredible. I […]
Q: Medical marijuana is now legal in the state where I live. What conditions can it be used for and how effective is it? Do people who use medical marijuana need to be concerned about addiction? A: Medical marijuana, also called medical cannabis, can be helpful in treating a variety […]
Q: I read that some people become hoarse when taking Advair. I had this problem too. My doctor switched me over to Singulair, an oral medication, to control my asthma. My hoarseness went away, and my asthma is now under control. Perhaps this will help someone else. A: Montelukast (Singulair) […]