DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you gave advice to a woman whose husband wanted to sleep most of the time. I suspect you may have omitted another important consideration. I was much like this fellow. Fortunately, a friend suggested to my wife that she waste no time and have me checked at the local clinic.
Wide awake on the EKG table, my pulse was 32. Normal had been 55. Within three days, I had a heart pacemaker, and a few months later I had two angioplasties. Thank goodness it was caught, or I may not have awakened one morning. This correction took place in 1997. I'm now closing in on 90 years.
DEAR READER: Thank you for reminding me that exhaustion can sometimes reflect serious coronary-artery disease. Had I been your friend, I probably would also have urged you to obtain medical treatment. With a pulse of 32, I'm surprised that you could even stand without fainting.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Coronary Artery Disease."
DEAR DR. GOTT: After increasingly painful bouts of intestinal cramps and diarrhea, I realized the common denominator was milk. I discussed the issue with my general practitioner, who confirmed the diagnosis of lactose intolerance. She advised me to read labels. When I asked what she thought of lactase enzyme tablets, she said her patients hadn't had any luck with them. She dismissed the idea, so I asked whether they were dangerous, and she said no. I told her I was going to try them. It's been over a month since I started them, and I haven't had a single incident. I have been reading labels and am shocked at how many products contain milk, including vitamins and antibiotics that I couldn't tolerate previously. My doctor didn't consider the possibility of lactose intolerance as the source of my antibiotic problems, so she just kept switching medications. I found out about the presence of lactose in my medications with one phone call to my pharmacist.
I hope you will print my letter and comment on this common problem. Nowadays, patients need to be detectives.
DEAR READER: Unfortunately, you are correct. Today's doctors tend to downplay what they are told by patients. This is in sharp contrast to "geezer docs" from my generation, who were taught to interact with a patient in order to arrive at a diagnosis. This situation has not been solved by computers, although they open up wide areas of information for patients.
Rather than feeling put upon by intelligent patients, doctors should welcome their input. After all, we are a team — or should be.
Wide awake on the EKG table, my pulse was 32. Normal had been 55. Within three days, I had a heart pacemaker, and a few months later I had two angioplasties. Thank goodness it was caught, or I may not have awakened one morning. This correction took place in 1997. I'm now closing in on 90 years.
DEAR READER: Thank you for reminding me that exhaustion can sometimes reflect serious coronary-artery disease. Had I been your friend, I probably would also have urged you to obtain medical treatment. With a pulse of 32, I'm surprised that you could even stand without fainting.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Coronary Artery Disease."
DEAR DR. GOTT: After increasingly painful bouts of intestinal cramps and diarrhea, I realized the common denominator was milk. I discussed the issue with my general practitioner, who confirmed the diagnosis of lactose intolerance. She advised me to read labels. When I asked what she thought of lactase enzyme tablets, she said her patients hadn't had any luck with them. She dismissed the idea, so I asked whether they were dangerous, and she said no. I told her I was going to try them. It's been over a month since I started them, and I haven't had a single incident. I have been reading labels and am shocked at how many products contain milk, including vitamins and antibiotics that I couldn't tolerate previously. My doctor didn't consider the possibility of lactose intolerance as the source of my antibiotic problems, so she just kept switching medications. I found out about the presence of lactose in my medications with one phone call to my pharmacist.
I hope you will print my letter and comment on this common problem. Nowadays, patients need to be detectives.
DEAR READER: Unfortunately, you are correct. Today's doctors tend to downplay what they are told by patients. This is in sharp contrast to "geezer docs" from my generation, who were taught to interact with a patient in order to arrive at a diagnosis. This situation has not been solved by computers, although they open up wide areas of information for patients.
Rather than feeling put upon by intelligent patients, doctors should welcome their input. After all, we are a team — or should be.