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Ask Dr. Gott 11/23
Oatmeal is best medicine for reader
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DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a white male, 90 years of age. My medical history is as follows: measles at age 5, flu at age 32 and "busy legs" syndrome 1969 to present.
    Because of busy legs, I became a vegetarian. I finally stopped eating at 1 p.m. This was the only way to reduce the number of times I had to walk the floor at night. Meat was the first food I had to stop eating. (The medicine they gave is a death sentence.)
    Four years ago, I was given an angiogram. Each blood vessel was one-third plugged. This year I had another angiogram, and all blood vessels were 100 percent free of the plaque.
    Three years ago, I began eating oatmeal for breakfast — 6 teaspoons full, with skim milk. That's the only change I made in my diet. So I must give oatmeal credit for my cleared blood vessels. What do you think of this?
    DEAR READER: If meat were your downfall and oatmeal your savior, go for the winner.
    I must confess that I have had no patients your age who were without significant age-related arterial blockages. Thus, your dietary plan has obviously been a huge success.
    Thank you for sharing. Best wishes for continuing good health.

    DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 65-year-old man in good health. A few months ago, I was having some pain in my left kidney. My doctor ordered a CAT scan. I did not have a kidney stone, but the scan did show about six or seven liver cysts, and he ordered an ultrasound. He then told me not to worry about them. He didn't suggest any treatment or even a follow-up. In your opinion, should I just forget about this or should I be concerned?
    DEAR READER: Just forget the liver cysts, which are an extremely common, ancillary finding in many normal CAT scans.
    Of course, you still don't know why you're having "kidney" pain, but it isn't coming from your kidney. I assume that your gastroenterologist can investigate further. Keep me posted.
    To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Kidney Disorders." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092.

    DEAR DR. GOTT: After reading in the paper about leg cramps, I put a bar of Dove under my sheet. It's been there for a month. No cramps, but I'm interested in why you said no Dial or Dove. I would love to know why I should not use these. I used Dove before you said not to use it.
    DEAR READER: Since my original articles on the use of soap for leg cramps, my initial recommendation (based on readers' experiences) that Dial and Dove were ineffective has evaporated. My readers tell me that any soap is effective. Cross this off to fine-tuning.
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