http://www.wddty.com/questions-from-readers en-gb http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 20 * Gamma-oryzanol. This naturally occurring mixture of the plant chemicals sterols and ferulic acid esters has proved effective for reducing menopausal symptoms in 40 perimenopausal women, taken at a dose of 300 mg/day for four to eight weeks (Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi, 1982; 34: 243-51). http://www.wddty.com/menopausal-symptoms.html http://www.wddty.com/menopausal-symptoms.html Wed, 1 Mar 2006 12:00:00 GMT Health Q My son suffers from recurrent nosebleeds, which I am quite anxious about. I don’t know what is causing them. Can anyone help? - A.D., Norwich http://www.wddty.com/chronic-nosebleeds.html http://www.wddty.com/chronic-nosebleeds.html Wed, 1 Mar 2006 12:00:00 GMT Health Q My life is being made hell by hot flushes and night sweats. I am 50 years old and reluctant to take HRT. And now all the herbs have been discredited. Can you recommend any natural ways to combat the menopause? - S.T., via e-mail http://www.wddty.com/menopausal-symptoms_1.html http://www.wddty.com/menopausal-symptoms_1.html Wed, 1 Mar 2006 12:00:00 GMT Health Q Ever since I’ve had LASIK surgery, I’ve suffered from dry eyes. My doctor has given me some eye lubricants that help, but I’m nervous about what they contain. Can you tell me if they are dangerous? Are there alternatives? - T.T., Coventry http://www.wddty.com/artificial-tears.html http://www.wddty.com/artificial-tears.html Wed, 1 Feb 2006 12:00:00 GMT Health * vitamin A, the premier vitamin for eye health. Suggested dosage: 10,000 IU/day, plus at least 400 IU/day of vitamin D. Also, increase your intake of vitamin A-rich foods like eggs and fish like salmon. http://www.wddty.com/artificial-tears_1.html http://www.wddty.com/artificial-tears_1.html Wed, 1 Feb 2006 12:00:00 GMT Health Q I have several ‘floaters’ in my right eye that are quite irritating. I am very shortsighted and middle-aged, so am at high risk for this condition. The opticians have advised no cure. Are they dangerous? Is there any way to disperse them? - H.F., via e-mail http://www.wddty.com/floaters-in-the-eye.html http://www.wddty.com/floaters-in-the-eye.html Wed, 1 Feb 2006 12:00:00 GMT Health Studies are beginning to highlight the importance of sunlight as a cancer fighter, yet those of us who live in Northern Europe get virtually no sunlight for up to six months of the year. While we can supplement with vitamin D, is a UVA sunbed a good substitute for the real thing? - GA, London http://www.wddty.com/sunlight-and-sunbeds.html http://www.wddty.com/sunlight-and-sunbeds.html Thu, 1 Dec 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health * Diet: Many Crohn’s sufferers have benefitted from a diet that’s high in fibre and low in sugar (Gastroenterology, 1987; 92: 1483). Avoid polyunsaturated fats, and foods that contain the amino acids... http://www.wddty.com/crohn-s-disease-treating-crohn-s-naturally.html http://www.wddty.com/crohn-s-disease-treating-crohn-s-naturally.html Thu, 1 Dec 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health My niece, aged 10, has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. It worries me that she will be taking immunosuppressant drugs for six years. I believe she developed the condition after being regularly exposed to antibacterial cleaners as a baby and toddler. Is there any evidence to support this theory, and what else can we do for her? - G.P., Aberdeen http://www.wddty.com/crohn-s-disease-causes-and-treatment.html http://www.wddty.com/crohn-s-disease-causes-and-treatment.html Thu, 1 Dec 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q My husband has suffered a constant ringing in his ears since he had them syringed. Has the syringing caused the problem, and what can he do about it? - B.W., Nottingham http://www.wddty.com/tinnitus-and-ear-syringing.html http://www.wddty.com/tinnitus-and-ear-syringing.html Sat, 1 Oct 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q I have just had my second saliva stone removed: one was fairly accessible; and one was less so and resulted in nerve damage to my tongue. Whenever I ask the doctors why I form these stones, they shrug their shoulders and say, ‘Nobody knows’. They also say that if I form a third one, they will want to remove the saliva gland - which I find less than desirable. I drink plenty of water (approaching two litres per day). I wonder whether there are any ideas out there as to the cause or prevention of these stones? - S.F., via e-mail http://www.wddty.com/salivary-stones.html http://www.wddty.com/salivary-stones.html Thu, 1 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q My hearing has been deteriorating for a long time and, two years ago, it came to a head after a long airplane flight. Since then, I have had a varied selection of antibiotic drops for my ears. But now, after two years, it has been diagnosed as an infection with the fungus Aspergillus, and it’s not affected by antibiotics. http://www.wddty.com/fungal-ear-infection.html http://www.wddty.com/fungal-ear-infection.html Thu, 1 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q My hearing has been deteriorating for a long time and, two years ago, it came to a head after a long airplane flight. Since then, I have had a varied selection of antibiotic drops for my ears. But now, after two years, it has been diagnosed as an infection with the fungus Aspergillus, and it’s not affected by antibiotics. http://www.wddty.com/fungal-ear-infection_1.html http://www.wddty.com/fungal-ear-infection_1.html Thu, 1 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q I have just had my second saliva stone removed: one was fairly accessible; and one was less so and resulted in nerve damage to my tongue. Whenever I ask the doctors why I form these stones, they shrug their shoulders and say, ‘Nobody knows’. They also say that if I form a third one, they will want to remove the saliva gland - which I find less than desirable. I drink plenty of water (approaching two litres per day). I wonder whether there are any ideas out there as to the cause or prevention of these stones? - S.F., via e-mail http://www.wddty.com/salivary-stones_1.html http://www.wddty.com/salivary-stones_1.html Thu, 1 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q I have antiphospholipid syndrome and have been advised to take 75 mg of aspirin daily to thin my blood. Is there an alternative blood-thinner? I already take borage oil for rheumatoid arthritis and have read that this has blood-thinning properties. Is this correct? - Elaine, via e-mail http://www.wddty.com/blood-thinning-herbs.html http://www.wddty.com/blood-thinning-herbs.html Mon, 1 Aug 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q For five years now I’ve had a skin condition called hidradenitis. I’ve been admitted to hospital 24 times to have abscesses lanced but, within a few months of each treatment, the abscesses recur. I am almost constantly on antibiotics, which I feel I am immune to by now, having been on them for so long. I now need a ring cushion to sit on as I have so much scar tissue that it is uncomfortable to sit down; also, my mobility is being affected. - Sheila, via e-mail http://www.wddty.com/infected-glands.html http://www.wddty.com/infected-glands.html Mon, 1 Aug 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Strained tendons of the wrist Q I strained the tendons in my left wrist a year ago and my doctor diagnosed de Quervain’s stenosing tenovaginitis. I wear one of those elastic wrist supports with a metal strip to keep it rigid but, as I live alone, I have to remove it to do jobs around the house, which doesn’t help. As well as a daily multivitamin, I take chondroitin glucosamine, MSM, calcium and magnesium, and I also use neo magnets. But it still hurts, and I can’t afford to spend any more money on unnecessary or ineffective treatments. - Coral Smith, via e-mail A This form of tendonitis develops when the sheath containing two tendons of the forearm muscles that work the thumb (extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus) become thickened and inflamed. There are two standard conventional approaches to its management. One is corticosteroid injections into the tendon sheath, which masks the inflammation and provides only temporary relief. The other is a radical operation to slit the thickened l http://www.wddty.com/strained-tendons-of-the-wrist.html http://www.wddty.com/strained-tendons-of-the-wrist.html Fri, 1 Jul 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health Q I have read a lot about hypertension, but not much about hypotension, which my friend suffers from. Having low blood pressure makes her very tired and occasionally makes her faint. What do you advise? - J.S. McMillan, Bristol A Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is not as common as hypertension - nor is it of as much concern to doctors. That’s probably why you hear so little about it. Hypertension is common because it is exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle and obesity and, so, is increasing in prevalence, given our modern Western lifestyles. It is also a potentially life-threatening condition, being a risk factor for stroke and heart disease. http://www.wddty.com/hypotension-or-low-blood-pressure.html http://www.wddty.com/hypotension-or-low-blood-pressure.html Fri, 1 Jul 2005 12:00:00 GMT Health