Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Sugar in products can be hidden in plain sight
Q: I have both your diet and cookbooks, but have a question about sugar. I use an artificial coffee creamer that claims to be sugar-free but contains "corn-syrup solids." Is this really a sugar-free product?

Sugar can be hidden in numerous products
Q: I have both your diet and cookbooks but have a question about sugar. I use an artificial coffee creamer that claims to be sugar-free but contains "corn-syrup solids." Is this really a sugar-free product?

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Food nutrition labels can be misleading
Q: I have had great success with your no-flour, no-sugar diet. You have indicated that natural sugar from fruit is OK. I drink 100 percent cranberry juice, and the label states that the ingredients are 100 percent fruit juices from grapes, cranberries and apples (water, juice concentrates), natural flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and citric acid. The nutrition facts state the product contains 35 grams of sugar, which I assume is natural fruit sugar. I drink many glasses daily, but now wonder whether I have been inadvertently consuming added sugar and not natural fruit sugar.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Understanding your cholesterol level's numbers
Q: In a past column, a reader wrote about low cholesterol levels. The writer's was 135. This has me concerned, because my total cholesterol is 91 with an HDL of 51 and an LDL of 40. Should I discuss this with my doctor? If I should, why? Do I need to raise my cholesterol levels?

Understanding cholesterol levels
Q: In a past column, a reader wrote about low cholesterol levels. The writer's was 135. This has me concerned because my total cholesterol is 91 with an HDL of 51 and an LDL of 40. Should I discuss this with my doctor? If I should, why? Do I need to raise my cholesterol levels?

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Smoking habit is harmful
Q: Please write an article on smoking.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Talk to your doctor to find alternative until back-ordered meds available
Q: I have been on Armour Thyroid for many years, but all of a sudden, I cannot get it. Of course, I have Synthroid as an alternative. Well, I have tried it and just can't handle it. Why, all of a sudden, is Armour Thyroid on back order no matter where I check? Are the drug companies not making enough money on it? It's a low-cost drug. No one I have talked to seems to know the answer. I was hoping you might be able to answer this because I would imagine a lot of patients use it.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Numbing side effect of chemo
Q: During the latter part of 2007, I was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer. My doctors recommended chemotherapy treatments from November 2007 to May 2008.

Numbing side effect of chemo
Q: During the latter part of 2007, I was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer. My doctors recommended chemotherapy treatments from November 2007 to May 2008.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Yet another use for vinegar
Q: I have three new uses for vinegar that I am sure you have not heard of before. I enjoy your common-sense approach to medicine and thought that you would enjoy these.

Vinegar becoming a useful medicine
Q: I have three new uses for vinegar that I am sure you have not heard of before. I enjoy your common-sense approach to medicine and thought that you would enjoy these.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Decolorized iodine difficult to find
Q: I am a 74-year-old female. Over the years, my nails have gotten worse. They are thin, ridged, splitting and shredded. I have tried several remedies that were supposed to help, with no change.

Iodine type hard to find
Q: I am a 74-year-old female. Over the years, my nails have gotten worse. They are thin, ridged, splitting and shredded. I have tried several remedies that were supposed to help, with no change.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living When a toothache becomes more than just a toothache
Q: My son is 56 years old. Two years ago, he had a tooth pulled that resulted in a dry socket. After five weeks of pain, he went to a different dentist, who pulled more of his teeth. My son was told that this would stop the pain. When it didn't, he was given pain medication. After nearly two years, he was advised to go to a neurologist because the pain was affecting his entire face and jaw and occasionally his ears.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Hawthorn berries used to treat restless legs syndrome
Q: I have just become aware of your newspaper column, where reference was made to restless legs syndrome. I have suffered for several years with this frustrating condition and have tried numerous remedies, including prescription drugs. Because of side effects, I cannot use the prescriptions and have not had success with the other remedies.

Hawthorn berries used to treat restless leg syndrome
Q: I have just become aware of your newspaper column, where reference was made to restless legs syndrome. I have suffered for several years with this frustrating condition and have tried numerous remedies, including prescription drugs. Because of side effects, I cannot use the prescriptions and have not had success with the other remedies.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Antibiotic not to blame for high blood pressure
Q: I am an 80-year-old woman in good health. I am not overweight, walk at least two miles every day, and my blood pressure is normally within the accepted range.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Drugs linked to dyskinesia
Q: Do you have any information on tardive dyskinesia? My husband has it, and there seems to be little known about it.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Arachnoiditis tough to control
Q: My wife was diagnosed with arachnoiditis about three years ago. Our doctor has her on a fentanyl patch, Neurontin, Norco and Flexeril at bedtime. These medications seem to keep things in check for reducing her pain, but sometimes she will get a flare-up and nothing seems to work. Her doctor put her on prednisone for short periods, which worked well and almost made her euphoric. However, when she isn't on the prednisone, her feet become callused, crack, bleed and become painful.

Disorder hard to control
Q: My wife was diagnosed with arachnoiditis about three years ago. Our doctor has her on a fentanyl patch, Neurontin, Norco and Flexeril at bedtime. These medications seem to keep things in check for reducing her pain, but sometimes she will get a flare-up and nothing seems to work. Her doctor put her on prednisone for short periods, which worked well and almost made her euphoric; however, when she isn't on the prednisone, her feet become callused, crack, bleed and become painful.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Is clumsiness due to medical problem?
Q: I am a 72-year-old female with osteoporosis, for which I take Fosamax; curvature of the spine from childhood; and arthritis in my right knee, right hip and in at least five spots on my spine. I also take medication for gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol and severe sleeping problems. I'm 4 feet 5 inches tall (lost 2-1/2 inches to osteoporosis) and weigh about 160 pounds.

Clumsiness is lone culprit
Q: I am a 72-year-old female with osteoporosis; curvature of the spine from childhood; and arthritis in my right knee, right hip and in at least five spots on my spine. I'm 4 feet 5 inches tall (lost 2-1/2 inches to osteoporosis) and weigh about 160 pounds.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Losing weight might help reduce hypertension
Q: I am a 57-year-old male with hypertension, for which I take Levatol. Nine years ago, when I weighed 338 pounds, I was treated for the hypertension for the first time. I managed to lose 138 pounds by mid-2002, and the problem went away. Since then, I have gained back half the lost weight and am once again hypertensive. Will losing that weight again result in the loss of the hypertension?

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Reader finds help for chronic fatigue
Q: Some time ago, you received a letter from a 47-year-old female who was always tired. There was a section where she stated that following breakfast, she had to fight to keep from taking naps all day long. This was a "light bulb" moment that made me think she may have the same problem that I did.

Help found for chronic fatigue
Q: Some time ago, you received a letter from a 47-year-old female who was always tired. There was a section where she stated that following breakfast, she had to fight to keep from taking naps all day long. This was a "light bulb" moment that made me think she may have the same problem that I did.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Treat dry scalp with over-the-counter products
Q: Please help me! I have been scratching my head from morning until night. Not only is it uncomfortable, annoying and nerve-racking, it is also embarrassing. I hope you have had experience with dry scalp and can tell me what to do. It has been constant for a month now, and I'm fed up with it.

Dry scalp can be simple to treat
Q: Please help me! I have been scratching my head from morning until night. Not only is it uncomfortable, annoying and nerve-racking; it is also embarrassing. I hope you have had experience with dry scalp and can tell me what to do. It has been constant for a month now, and I'm fed up with it.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Dogs may be culprits in the case of owner's rash
Q: I have developed an itchy rash for the third time in a year. At the end of March, my arms broke out with this terrible itch between the elbows and wrists. Within 24 hours, my arms swelled and developed blisters that oozed yellow pus that had an odor. Because the itching was terrible, I saw my doctor, who prescribed prednisone and cephalexin. My arms healed.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Sleep aids detrimental to the elderly
Q: Although I am in reasonably good health for an 87-year-old woman, I need some help in order to get a good night's sleep. I had been taking an over-the-counter sleep aid off and on for quite some time until I read that all the OTC aids contain diphenhydramine. I have heard that this drug can cause delirium and may lead to Alzheimer's in older adults.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Family addresses Parkinson's
Q: My father has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Because we know so little about the condition, we would like to know what we might expect.

Family needs Parkinson's information
Q: My father has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Because we know so little about the condition, we would like to know what we might expect.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Eggs and bacon and salmon, oh my!
Q: I am an 89-year-old male enjoying good health. I have A-fib, but it doesn't bother me and I get a reasonable amount of exercise.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Vertigo explained
Q: My co-worker and I love to read your articles about health in our newspaper and always read them on our way to work. You were our first thought when we had questions about something.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Rectocele may need treatment
Q: I am a 73-year-old female. I have always been active, have three children (all born naturally), and had a total hysterectomy at age 45 because of a fibroid tumor. I thought that as long as my osteoarthritis didn't bother me too much, I could do just about anything. Boy was I wrong!

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Home remedy reduces plantar fasciitis pain
Q: I suffered from plantar fasciitis until my doctor told me about a simple home remedy. Simply place your hands against a wall, step back an arm's length, and then bend your arms and lean forward while going up and down on your toes. It should be done several times a day. It stretches the heels. It does hurt a bit, but with time, the pain from stretching and the pain from the fasciitis both go away.

Home remedy reduces plantar fasciitis pain
Q: I suffered from plantar fasciitis until my doctor told me about a simple home remedy. Simply place your hands against a wall, step back an arm's length, and then bend your arms and lean forward while going up and down on your toes. It should be done several times a day. It stretches the heels. It does hurt a bit, but with time, the pain from stretching and the pain from the fasciitis both go away.

Doctors come in all stripes
Q: I recently switched jobs and had to move to a new state. I also switched insurance. My problem now is that I have to pick a new health care provider. I was given a book that lists all the available providers in the area that accept this insurance, but the list is quite extensive: MD, DO, APRN, NP and PA. I know that an MD is a typical medical doctor, but I don't know what any of the others are and wonder if they are perhaps a better choice.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living What type of health care provider is best?
Q: I recently switched jobs and had to move to a new state. I also switched insurance to the one offered by the company I work for because it is more cost-efficient for me. My problem now is that I have to pick a new health care provider. I was given a book that lists all the available providers in the area that accept this insurance, but the list is quite extensive. I noticed that there are also several types of providers: MD, DO, APRN, NP and PA. I know that an MD is a typical medical doctor, but I don't know what any of the others are and wonder if they are perhaps a better choice.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Drinking more water cures diarrhea
Q: I am a 65-year-old female. For about five years, I suffered from unpredictable fecal incontinence and diarrhea. Both afflictions were unpleasant and caused me considerable anxiety.

Drinking more water cures diarrhea
Q: I am a 65-year-old female. For about five years, I suffered from unpredictable fecal incontinence and diarrhea. Both afflictions were unpleasant and caused me considerable anxiety.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Arthritis under control through diet
Q: Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. I didn't want to take the medication, so I did a lot of reading. The first information I found is to avoid foods that worsen the condition. They're usually the ones you eat every day and think you can't live without. Corn was a major one for me, and it's in many processed foods. I also found that alternating food families so that each was eaten only once every four days brought me relief. It takes some work to figure out what foods are in the same family, but there are sources.

Arthritis under control through diet
Q: Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. I didn't want to take the medication, so I did a lot of reading. The first information I found is to avoid foods that worsen the condition. They're usually the ones you eat every day and think you can't live without. Corn was a major one for me, and it's in many processed foods. I also found that alternating food families so that each was eaten only once every four days brought me relief. It takes some work to figure out what foods are in the same family, but there are sources.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Don't let the child run show
Q: My grandson is 3 years old, 30 pounds and on the thin side. The problem is his picky food habits. The foods he will eat willingly are Cheerios, Ramen noodles, chocolate cake, ice cream, wieners, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, cashew nuts, sausage-and-cheese pizza, pancakes and PediaSure. If he continues eating in this manner, will he suffer the consequences of high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure and other issues?

Don't let child run show
Q: My grandson is 3 years old, 30 pounds and on the thin side. The problem is his picky food habits. The foods he will eat willingly are Cheerios, ramen noodles, chocolate cake, ice cream, wieners, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, cashew nuts, sausage-and-cheese pizza, pancakes and PediaSure. If he continues eating in this manner, will he suffer the consequences of high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure and other issues?

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Urticaria (hives) plagues teen
Q: My 13-year-old grandson has been plagued with urticaria for the past two years. It appears on his face and all over his body. His mother has taken him to several specialists, but they cannot seem to find a cause or cure. He manages it by taking Zyrtec and Singulair.

Keloids hard to treat
Q: My 14-year-old son recently had a keloid scar removed from the crease of his neck for the third time and had it radiated for the second time. Should I have consulted with more than one radiologist? Is there more than one way to radiate a keloid scar? Are there any other postoperative treatments to prevent the body from producing collagen?

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Keloid scars are hard to treat
Q: My 14-year-old son recently had a keloid scar removed from the crease of his neck for the third time and had it radiated for the second time. Should I have consulted with more than one radiologist? Is there more than one way to radiate a keloid scar? Are there any other postoperative treatments to prevent the body from producing collagen?