The school claims that my 9-year-old daughter has an attention deficit. The teacher says she can't stay focused long enough.
The school system is putting her through a battery of tests. In the meantime, they suggested giving her coffee and Mountain Dew for the caffeine. She is not hyper, nor does she have trouble sleeping, and I am concerned that loading her up with caffeine could cause problems. Is there any other way to help her avoid distraction?
Diagnosing attention deficit disorder can be complicated. We searched the medical literature and found little data to support the use of caffeine for symptoms of the disorder. Coffee or high doses of caffeine can cause stomach upset, nausea, nervousness and insomnia and might bring on involuntary muscle twitches (tics) in some children.
Although stimulant drugs such as amphetamine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) can be helpful, not every child needs such powerful medication. Altering the environment to suit the individual's natural learning style can be extremely valuable at home as well as at school.
Some physicians report that adding essential fatty acids to the diet in the form of flaxseed oil, cold-water fish or black-currant oil might also be beneficial.
Why don't physicians listen to their patients?
I took 3 grams of Armour Thyroid for more than 30 years. I have no thyroid gland, as it was removed due to cancer. My doctor left his practice, and the new doctor prescribed Synthroid. My health has deteriorated ever since.
I am depressed and cry all the time. My hair is falling out, and I have no energy and can't keep up with my work. I would like to go back to my old thyroid medication and dose. How can I convince my doctor?
Many doctors prefer to prescribe levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) because this synthetic hormone comes in reliable dosages. Most endocrinologists realize, however, that the TSH test results do not tell the whole story and that it is important to consider how the patient feels.
Ask your doctor whether a short-term test (perhaps six weeks) of Armour Thyroid at the old dose is reasonable. If it makes you feel better, then the two of you can experiment to find the lowest dose that relieves your symptoms of low thyroid.
We'd like to send you our "Guide to Thyroid Hormones," which discusses symptoms, doses and interpretation of test results. Others who would like a copy should send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped, self-addressed envelope to Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. T-4, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, N.C. 27717-2027.
I read that there were six cholesterol-lowering medicines that were similar. It seems mysterious that only Baycol has been recalled because of bad side effects. My doctor has no idea why and was hesitant for me to continue taking Lipitor, though he said I could stay on it if I wanted to. Is it safer than Baycol?
Statin-type cholesterol drugs (Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor) are in the same class as Baycol and work in a similar way. Baycol was taken off the market because of life-threatening muscle breakdown. All the other drugs can cause this problem but seem to do so less frequently. Anyone who develops muscle pain or weakness while on a statin should contact a physician immediately.
I have been taking Prozac for the past three years, and it has worked very well to relieve both depression and symptoms of PMS. The only side effect I have noticed is an almost total inability to achieve a climax.
I have a wonderful marriage except for this problem. I don't want to return to feeling horrible again, but I am tired of going through the motions without any enjoyment.
My sister-in-law confided that St. John's wort and DHEA have helped her deal with a similar situation, but I don't know anything about these products. Do you think they would work, and are they safe?
St. John's wort should not be combined with Prozac or similar antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil or Celexa. There is a possibility of a serious interaction between these compounds.
The problem you have described is not uncommon among people taking Prozac or many other antidepressants. Please let your physician know that this side effect is unacceptable.
St. John's wort alone has been shown to be roughly comparable to drug therapy for mild to moderate depression. Sexual side effects haven't been reported with this herb.
One study showed that DHEA could increase libido and arousal in women not taking antidepressants. Too much DHEA can cause hormonal imbalance, but your doctor might be willing to oversee a trial of these supplements to see if they will control your depression and restore your sex life.
We are sending you our "Guide to Antidepressant Pros and Cons," "Guide to Female Sexuality" and "Guide to St. John's Wort" for more details on these approaches. Others who would like copies should send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. VXZ-272, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, N.C. 27717-2027.
Another approach for depression is exercise. Vigorous walking or other aerobic activity for at least half an hour three times a week has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants for many people.
Is it true that chewing gum with xylitol can prevent children's ear infections? Where can I find such gum?
Studies from Finland show that children who chew xylitol-containing gum have fewer ear infections. Xylitol, which comes from birch trees, has germ-fighting ability. That is why some dentists recommend it for preventing cavities.
Xylitol-containing products are becoming readily available. Look for brands such as Aquafresh Dental Gum (Glaxo SmithKline), Carefree Koolerz (Nabisco) and Gerritt's Extreme Ice (Gerritt J. Verburg). Be aware that too much nonsugar sweetener might cause diarrhea.
My doctor has suggested a multiple vitamin with minerals, but I cannot tolerate supplemental iron. It constipates me.
I finally found a vitamin without iron, but it contains lutein. My doctor doesn't want me to take this product because he's not sure what lutein is. What do you think of it? Would it be harmful? I eat a very healthy diet and exercise regularly, but I'd like to be able to take a vitamin.
Lutein is a plant compound found in corn, squash and other yellow-orange vegetables. Research suggests that lutein might delay the development of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. There is no evidence it would be harmful and some data to suggest it might be helpful.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, N.Y. 10017, or e-mail them via their Web site, www.peoplespharmacy.com.
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