What Doctors Don't Tell YouQ I have always had irregular heartbeats, but they have not caused any problems. I take digoxin [digitalis, a heart drug] and phenindione [an anticoagulant] daily, but I don’t like taking drugs and I am also allergic to aspirin, antihistamines...
Q My wife has been taking drugs for high blood pressure for six years, and suffers distressing side-effects from whichever type she is prescribed. She is convinced the drugs have no beneficial effect whatsoever, as her blood pressure goes up and...
There’s nothing like a new drug to cause amnesia in the medical community. Fresh from the Women’s Health Initiative and other massive studies showing that hormone replacement therapy causes cancer, doctors are now waxing lyrical over the benefits of...
* Take it with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Certain flavonoids in liquorice extract are called ‘DGL’ (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice). These can help to avoid the usual irritating effect of NSAIDs on the stomach and intestines. According to one...
Q My 76-year-old father has recently developed tremors which his GP has diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, but I would like a second opinion.
Blood used for transfusions may have too high potassium concentrations due to routine radiation treatment, which could be hazardous to babies, pregnant mothers and those with impaired kidney func ...
Q An elderly colleague, aged 82, is experiencing symptoms that he feels may be attributable to his medication for high blood pressure. His daily regime is levothyroxine (150 mcg), aspirin (150 mcg), nifedipine (30 mg), alfuzocin (400 mcg) and...
Women with PMS can benefit by boosting levels of specific nutrients. * Magnesium deficiency is common among women with PMS (Am J Clin Nutr, 1981; 34: 2364-6; Ann Clin Biochem, 1986; 23: 667-70). Ideally, take 400 mg/day but, in one trial, just 200...
Brigitte MarsBananas (Musa acuminata, M. sapientum) are native to Malaysia, India, tropical Africa and Australia. Technically, bananas are not
