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Questions and Answers Segment
Your questions answered
every 2 weeks. If you have a question for Dr Elstein,
click here.
QUESTION 1:
I have heard of prostate being done by
a urologist as treatment for an enlarged prostate. Why
would that be done and why would it help?
Answer:
I think you are referring to the operation
whereby part of the prostate is removed which reduces
the obstruction caused by this organ making it easier to
urinate. If
you are suffering from the symptoms of an enlarged
prostate, which includes going frequently to the toilet
during the day, and night as well as a weak stream of
urine you should visit your doctor to have this
investigated. Oftentimes
natural remedies such as the herb saw palmetto or
medications can be used to manage this problem.
If these are ineffective an operation may be
necessary. It
is important to consult with your doctor, as he might
need to order a PSA blood test, which is one of the ways
to eliminate prostate cancer.
QUESTION 2: I have polycystic ovarian
syndrome and I was wondering if there is any cure? The
doctor put me on Dianet but all it's doing is giving me
regular periods which is good as I didn't have any
before I was diagnosed with it and I really want
children. Is
there anything else I can do like an operation?
Answer: One
of the means for managing this disorder includes a blood
test, which evaluates a condition called insulin
resistance. This is a metabolic syndrome, which leads to blood sugar
imbalance as well as obesity and is thought to be linked
to polycystic ovarian syndrome.
If you can persuade your doctor to do the
necessary tests including the measurement of blood
glucose and insulin before and after a sugar drink you
can find out whether you have this problem.
Correcting it with the appropriate diet and
nutrient supplements might help to resolve your
polycystic ovarian disorder.
QUESTION 3:
I had a thyroid out 7yrs ago and was put on oroxine
of 200mcg a day.
I am putting weight on and am depressed with dry
hair and no libido. I saw a doctor who took blood tests and my DHEA is 3.8 and
should be 15.
She put me on DHEA 20mcg a day and also
dropped my oroxine 150mcg a day and added T3 15mcg
a day. I
still don’t feel a hundred percent and have been on
this dose for about 6 weeks now. How long does it take
to feel normal? I
read your column in the paper every day.
Answer: I
suggest you have your other hormones evaluated as you
may be suffering from excess cortisol and progesterone
deficiency. There
is a suggestion that this might also reduce the efficacy
of thyroid hormone function.
If you have low DHEA you might also be suffering
from insulin resistance, which is mentioned in the
previous question, and this should also be evaluated and
corrected. Nutrient
deficiencies might also be an issue and here you mighty
be lacking in B vitamins and essential fatty acids
leading to depression and dry hair. Selenium and zinc
are also important for thyroid hormone function.
QUESTION
4: I have had symptoms of chest pain, indigestion, sore throat, and fungal
rash on arms and tops of legs, fungal irritation on my
toe, muscles and joint aching, tiredness and vagueness
for the last six months as well as chronic persistent
recurring vaginal thrush for three years. I have been
seeing a doctor and MRI scans, barium meals and
gallbladder scans showed nothing. I suggested Candida
and asked if it could be a problem and could it be
investigated. The answer was basically candida can only
affect you if your immune system is down and that I was
okay. However I had previously had Bells Palsy 10 months
ago during pregnancy so I got a 2nd opinion and was
immediately without investigation told the same thing
but the doctor was unable to explain my symptoms and
told me take a multivitamin. I am unsure what to do now
and where to get help. I am concerned about my health as
I have two small children and need to stay healthy. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: I
agree that you might have a candida infestation.
Unfortunately this is viewed with some scepticism by the
mainstream medical community but there is mounting
evidence that this is a real clinical problem.
I have found that it is certainly worthwhile
addressing this issue in my practice which I do with
considerable success and appreciative patients.
My programme includes a yeast-free diet,
acidophilus/bifidus supplementation and anti-candida
herbal remedies including horopito, pau’d arco, citrus
seed extract, olive leaf and others. If this is not
successful then anti-fungal medications such as nystatin
and nizoral can be incorporated.
QUESTION 5:
Is there a risk for someone suffering from GERD like me
to have the gall bladder removed (cholecystectomy)?
Won't the modified bile flow make my GERD problems
(Barrett stage IV) worse? Is the hypothetical risk
of pancreatitis caused by my gallstones worth the
operation? Thanks a lot for any answer.
Answer:
It all depends on the reason for removing your
gall bladder. I don’t think that removing your gall bladder will make
your reflux symptoms worse. If you are often getting
symptoms associated with gall bladder dysfunction then
an operation might be indicated.
QUESTION 6: What
vitamins/supplements can I take to help strengthen veins/arteries/capillaries
in my legs? I am getting a lot of
spider veins and the marble look on my legs.
There has to be something to correct this problem.
Please help!!
Answer: Vitamin
C with bioflavonoids might be helpful.
Herbs such as butchers broom, horse chestnut,
gotu kola and hawthorn can also help but you should get
a naturopathic physician to dispense the appropriate
herbal remedy for you.
Grape seed extract is another natural remedy that
has the ability to strengthen veins and capillaries.
QUESTION
7: I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's
Thyroiditis 10yrs ago. I just recently found out that I
am gluten intolerant also. Could this be the underlying
cause for Hashimotos? Could a gluten-free diet possibly
eliminate or even "cure" my thyroid?
Answer:
There is definitely a connection between coeliac
disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and going on a
gluten free diet might lead to improvements with regard
to your thyroid function but I don’t think a cure
would be guaranteed.
QUESTION 8: I am
gradually losing my hair. I understand this may be
normal but is it normal to be also losing my pubic hair
and eyebrow hair continually also. I have problems with
helicobacter also. Could this cause my hair loss?
Ans
wer: I
think you should visit your doctor and have your
situation assessed.
It is possible that you have a hormonal imbalance
or a gluten intolerance, which can lead to hair loss.
It is also possible that you have an overactive
immune system that can also lead to premature balding.
Helicobacter pylori infection has not been
associated with hair loss.
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