DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 87 years old, and I might be experiencing hearing problems. I am otherwise in good health. What options do I have to correct it or make myself more comfortable with this particular problem?
DEAR READER: First see your primary-care physician for an exam to rule out ear wax as a cause for your hearing problem. If wax is not the culprit, you need a hearing test and consultation with an ear-nose-and-throat specialist to define what is going on. Although advancing age is commonly associated with some degree of deafness, medical attention would be an appropriate next step to determine whether your problem is reversible or, if not, whether you are in need of hearing aids.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my newly updated Health Report "Ear Infections and 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. Be sure to mention the title.
DEAR DR. GOTT: Please review the many ways that excess alcohol consumption can affect the body. My husband drinks more than 6 ounces of whiskey a day, despite having had a stroke that left him with vision loss, bladder weakness and muscle weakness, not to mention his aggressive behavior when he is under the influence.
DEAR READER: Excessive alcohol consumption is known to affect most of the body's organs.
Brain: confusion, poor cognitive skills, bad balance and other consequences.
Heart: hypertension, heart failure, weakness of the cardiac muscles and circulatory system.
Lungs: shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, chronic cough.
Liver: inflammation, fatty liver, cirrhosis (scarring), eventual hepatic failure.
Kidneys: eventual malfunction.
Musclo-skeletal system: visual difficulties, weakness, poor reflexes, weak muscles, bladder spasm.
Pancreas: chronic inflammation, poor digestion, possible diabetes.
Intestine: malnutrition, peptic ulcer, reflux, chronic constipation or diarrhea.
And this is far from being a complete list.
I suspect that some of your husband's problems are related to his stroke. Still, he certainly would be better off moderating his alcohol intake. How much? Two 2-ounce drinks a day, maximum. I conclude that he is an alcoholic who has difficulty regulating his use of whiskey. In this instance, he should see his doctor, stop drinking alcohol altogether, seek a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous and address his addiction openly. I recommend that you seek support as well, whether it is from your physician, a therapist or Al-Anon (support for the families of alcoholics). I believe this will help you deal with some of the stress you most certainly are experiencing.
To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports "Mental and Substance Abuse" and "Stroke." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).
DEAR READER: First see your primary-care physician for an exam to rule out ear wax as a cause for your hearing problem. If wax is not the culprit, you need a hearing test and consultation with an ear-nose-and-throat specialist to define what is going on. Although advancing age is commonly associated with some degree of deafness, medical attention would be an appropriate next step to determine whether your problem is reversible or, if not, whether you are in need of hearing aids.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my newly updated Health Report "Ear Infections and 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. Be sure to mention the title.
DEAR DR. GOTT: Please review the many ways that excess alcohol consumption can affect the body. My husband drinks more than 6 ounces of whiskey a day, despite having had a stroke that left him with vision loss, bladder weakness and muscle weakness, not to mention his aggressive behavior when he is under the influence.
DEAR READER: Excessive alcohol consumption is known to affect most of the body's organs.
Brain: confusion, poor cognitive skills, bad balance and other consequences.
Heart: hypertension, heart failure, weakness of the cardiac muscles and circulatory system.
Lungs: shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, chronic cough.
Liver: inflammation, fatty liver, cirrhosis (scarring), eventual hepatic failure.
Kidneys: eventual malfunction.
Musclo-skeletal system: visual difficulties, weakness, poor reflexes, weak muscles, bladder spasm.
Pancreas: chronic inflammation, poor digestion, possible diabetes.
Intestine: malnutrition, peptic ulcer, reflux, chronic constipation or diarrhea.
And this is far from being a complete list.
I suspect that some of your husband's problems are related to his stroke. Still, he certainly would be better off moderating his alcohol intake. How much? Two 2-ounce drinks a day, maximum. I conclude that he is an alcoholic who has difficulty regulating his use of whiskey. In this instance, he should see his doctor, stop drinking alcohol altogether, seek a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous and address his addiction openly. I recommend that you seek support as well, whether it is from your physician, a therapist or Al-Anon (support for the families of alcoholics). I believe this will help you deal with some of the stress you most certainly are experiencing.
To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports "Mental and Substance Abuse" and "Stroke." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).