Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20388
Saturday, November 27, 2010 – Daily News – 5B FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your advice on ADHD treatments that included only medications and the avoidance of sugar. Are you unaware that upper airway obstruction is more often the cause? Removal of the tonsils and adenoids has been shown to be much more effective than medication at improving symp- toms of ADHD. You are doing a disservice to your readers by not mentioning the No. 1 most effec- tive treatment. Oxygen is that important! DEAR READER: I see from your e- mail that you are a doctor, and, being curious, I decided to look you up on the Internet. Turns out (based on your name and given e-mail address) that you are a cosmetic dentist. Given that and the additional research I did on the subject of ADHD and airway obstruction, I must take your advice with a grain of salt. To the best of my knowledge, a cos- metic dentist doesn’t and shouldn’t diag- nose or treat ADHD or upper airway obstruction. Further, you do not give any indication where you found that surgery is helpful in treating ADHD (whereas it is known to be beneficial for those with breathing issues). Cosmetic dentist criticizes Gott on ADHD Flabby family frustrates fit female Dear Annie: Dr. Peter Gott is irresponsible to be telling everyone that surgery can cure ADHD. Not all children who have ADHD have a breathing/sleeping disorder. Not all children with both conditions will experience a cure or even improvement from either or both following surgery. I am not discounting the fact that sleeping and breathing issues are much more common in children with ADHD and vice versa, but I am saying it is too early in the game to be saying this one solution is the end all as far as treatment options are concerned. Even the ADHD information on the website says there is no surgical treatment for ADHD and recommends the same or similar treatment options as I gave in my previous article. DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent article, someone was asking why they started vomiting and having gas after having had surgery the day before. I have experi- enced this after some of my surgeries and for me, it was that I can’t tolerate certain pain medications. Once I am switched to one I can handle, everything gets better. Just an idea, for what it’s worth. I After some digging, I was able to locate some references to a small study done by the University of Michigan. These reports were from early 2006, which likely mean that the study was done some time in 2003 to early 2005 (in order to give the researchers time to review the information, write the report and submit it for publishing). I could not, however, locate the actual study. This doesn’t mean it’s not out there, simply that I could not find it within a reasonable amount of search time. To simplify, the study was very small and involved only 105 children. Of that, 78 children were the test group that underwent tonsil and adenoid removal for breathing issues. The remaining 27 children were the control group that underwent some other type of surgery. Two children in the control group had previously received a diagnosis of ADHD, whereas 22 of the test group had received the same diagnosis. Parents did report increased incidences of sleep and behavioral issues in the children with the airway obstruction. One year after surgery, half of the children who had received a diagnosis of ADHD no longer had it. Those who would like to read more about study can go to the following link for more infor- mation: http://www.webmd.com/add- adhd/news/20060403/tonsil-surgery- helps-kids-adhd. In the end, while some children did improve following surgery, this was a very small test. It also shows that not all children will improve after having surgery (though most did show improve- ment in their sleeping disorders). I believe it is not only unethical, but it Red Cross disaster vol- unteers have another area where they can invest vol- unteer hours and make a difference with Service to Armed Forces Emergency Messaging. This is something someone can do from their home using the com- puter and telephone. Vol- unteers sign up for what days and hours they are available. There is online always read your column and enjoy it. DEAR READER: Your idea definite- ly has merit. Medication sensitivity can cause a host of difficulties, including stomach upset, itching, nausea, allergic reaction and more. Pain medication, especially narcotics, is especially known for causing gastric issues in some users and addiction (typically in chronic users). I have printed your letter as a reminder to patients that it is important to write down all medications, the reason for taking them, dosages, frequency of use, date started/discontinued and any symptoms that may present. Even a med- ication that had been previously used or has been taken for years can suddenly cause problems. By keeping an accurate log of this information, you and your doctor can more easily determine whether one or more of your pills is causing the issue. To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order payable to Newsletter and forwarded to PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-9167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Red Cross needs volunteers for troops training that will take three hours and an online mentoring method if you have any questions. The Red Cross does verification for emer- gency requests to get those in active military service home on emer- gency leave. It involves a call that usually originates from the family. The Red Cross takes the information using a form it has created then call the doctor, nurse, hos- pital, funeral home or morgue to verify the information. It then puts the information into an online database. It can also call a toll-free num- ber and give the informa- tion to another casework- er who will assist us put it into the database or put it in for it. There is a real need to Auntie Four of my five siblings and their partners are tremendously overweight. Two of my sisters claim to have the ‘‘fami- ly fat genes.’’ I don’t believe such nonsense. I love my sib- lings dearly, but sadly, their chil- dren are now ‘‘blossoming’’ into over- weight adults and a few have children of their own who are getting pudgy. I live in another state, and when I visit them, I find it especially difficult to eat well and get enough exer- cise. My weight has been a struggle, and I am a life- time member of Weight Watchers. I see the effort to maintain my weight as essential to my health. But the few times I have raised the subject, my siblings either refuse to talk about it or laugh it off, saying, ‘‘I enjoy eating and don’t want to outlive my retire- ment.’’ I know I am blessed to have the support of my spouse in my weight loss journey. My siblings are not so fortunate. When I visit, I sometimes suggest healthier meal options and a walk after dinner, but those things have little effect when coupled with a family barbecue com- plete with high-fat, high- calorie foods and multiple sugary desserts, not to mention hours of sitting in front of the TV. I know that obesity is a complex issue. I know they have to want to change. But I am terribly worried about their health. Is there anything I can say or do to encourage them? — Concerned Sibling and Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Auntie: Research indi- cates there truly are ‘‘fat genes’’ — genetic mark- ers that show an increased likeli- hood of obesity. However, those are the very peo- ple who must work harder to exercise regularly and watch their diet in order to stay healthy. You have done this, but your siblings have found it too over- whelming. All you can do is model healthier alterna- tives and periodically talk to each one individually, letting them know how much you love them, and that you will be support- ive and helpful whenever they are ready. Dear Annie: I think you give great advice and hope you can help me. ‘‘Frank and Laura’’ are two people I am not friends with anymore. I have told this to them on previous occasions, yet they somehow refuse to accept it. Lately, they have been visiting my home without calling and expect to come in and be enter- tained. They always seem to show up during dinner, and I know they expect us to serve them whatever we are having. I don’t know if they are being stubborn, but I want to make it clear in a deli- cate but firm way that the visits must stop. — Con- fused Dear Confused: Is it possible that Frank and Laura are having financial troubles and appreciate a free meal? If so, it would be a kindness to continue. Otherwise, you need to be more forceful. When they ring the bell, tell them it’s not a good time to visit, and don’t let them past the front door. You might have to say it more than once, and there may come a point where you have to shut the door on them, but it’s the only way to get your point across in a way they will understand. Dear Annie: I am writ- ing in response to ‘‘Con- cerned Mom in Pennsyl- vania,’’ who has a blind 18-year-old son. I, too, am legally blind. Using resources like the Califor- nia State Department of Rehabilitation, I was able to go to college and get the accommodations I needed to be successful. I am now a practicing psy- chotherapist. My county has a program that pro- vides cab rides for dis- abled persons and seniors for only 15 percent of the normal fare. One of the most impor- tant life-changing resources is my dog. I acquired her at no cost through Guide Dogs for the Blind of San Rafael, Calif. She has trans- formed my sense of isola- tion to one of empower- ment and connection. — Finding Light in Califor- nia Dear Finding: Thank you for the excellent sug- gestions. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, long- time editors of the Ann Landers column. 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