Letting nature take its course
Q: I have had a problem with severe constipation for many years. I have taken different laxatives and have been on milk of magnesia for a long time. I took a large dose of it last night and the night before, to no avail. I use Fleet enemas and suppositories, and strain with all my might to get any kind of action.

Dip in the lake relieves pain
Q: I was bothered by a large Baker's cyst after an injury to my left knee. I needed surgery to repair my knee, and my doctor said the cyst would disappear on its own after my knee got better. Well, my knee improved, but the cyst got worse. I was still advised against surgery unless it was absolutely necessary owing to the area and length of recovery time.

RLS controlled by alternative
Q: Your recent article on hawthorn berries and restless legs syndrome has changed my life. I use only alternative remedies and vitamin supplements, but I was so tortured that I was about to give in to a conventional option. The hawthorn berries worked immediately and have continued to be successful for more than two weeks now.

Large, rare aneurysm likely needs surgery
Q: My husband has a splenic-artery aneurysm. It is large, measuring 5.7 centimeters. It is on the bottom left side of his rib cage near the spleen and pancreas. In six months, it grew from 5.2 centimeters to its current size. I know little about this condition but have recently learned that it is rare, and not many doctors are familiar with this type of aneurysm. He has seen a heart and vascular physician, but didn't feel the doctor knew enough about the situation to do the surgery.

Husband and wife seek answers
Q: My wife and I both have problems that we hope you can help us with.

ask dr. gott Vegetarian diet works for Hodgkin's patient
Q: In the past, a reader of your column extolled the virtues of eating meat. Here is my humble opinion on the subject.

Health concerns stymie patient
Q: I am 80 years old. My doctor doesn't seem too concerned that I've been diagnosed with diverticulosis involving the entire colon. How concerned should I be? Can this become worse? At present, I have little pain and no bleeding. When I told my doctor that I usually have pain in the morning, she said it was probably my spine giving me problems. A CT scan revealed stenosis and disc herniation, but my back condition hasn't worsened since 2002. What should I worry about most?

Clip causes a financial clipping
Q: I have a disputed claim with my local hospital and am becoming agitated about it. In 2005, I had a needle biopsy, and a clip was inserted in one breast. Then, in 2007, I was sent by my doctor for a routine mammogram. His requisition specifically called for a "routine screening." The hospital billed the service as diagnostic because of the clip. My insurance company will pay for one free preventive screening mammogram each year. However, diagnostic services aren't covered, and I have a $36.42 charge that insurance won't pay.

ask dr. gott Fabric causes rashes
Q: You recently published a letter from someone who wrote about a skin rash. The person had tried various creams, lotions and had been to several dermatologists for treatment and medication, with little or no help.

What is porphyria?
Q: I am a concerned grandmother writing about my 11-year-old granddaughter. She was diagnosed with porphyria at the age of 2. Her hands and feet start hurting so badly that she has to put them in cold bath water for about an hour. She says it feels like needles running though her. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Can bilberry improve vision?
Q: I'm sending you information on bilberry, which helped the World War II airmen flying their planes at night. I've been taking these pills since I read about them in an article in Woman's World magazine. (I don't remember the date.) It was about how the berry can help eyesight and night vision. I can now drive at night with no problem. Bilberries are inexpensive, and I purchase mine at Wal-Mart. Please let your readers know about this wonderful product.

Chest pain needs to be diagnosed
Q: I'm a 46-year-old female in generally good health. I don't smoke, drink rarely, eat right and exercise. I am a slim 109 pounds and 5 feet, 1 inch. My blood pressure and cholesterol are low. In the past 10 years, I've been sick only twice.

Seek another opinion on cause of stomach fluid
Q: My stomach filled up with about 6-1/2 liters of fluid. The doctor said it was the same as carrying a 6-1/2-pound baby.

Incontinence hard to accept
Q: I'm going to be 90 next February. I'm quite an active woman and eat mostly health foods. I feel great, except for having trouble with "holding my water." I've tried many pills, but none seem to work. Is there anything on the market that can help me? .

ask dr. gott Hepatitis C infection needs liver specialist
Q: Everywhere I have looked, all I can find about hepatitis C is that it is fatal. I have not seen anything in your column about this condition before.

Treat hemorrhoids more aggressively
Q: Over the past few years, I have had several surgeries, including an umbilical hernia repair, torn-meniscus repair, cataract lens implants, a partial thyroidectomy, two cervical fusions and a lumbar discectomy. I also have gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Headache relief is unavailable
Q: For the past five years, my daily headaches have ruled my life. As my neighbor and I have visited and discussed them over the years, he has repeatedly suggested I present my case to you for consideration. I have finally decided to write in hopes you might shed some new light on my search for headache relief.

Is exposure to the sun healthy?
Q: Does the human body store up vitamin D? I ask because I enjoy basking in the sun.

Cod-liver oil may help eczema
Q: A gentleman working with me had eczema so bad it hurt just to look at it. He's a veteran and was being treated at the local VA hospital. I suggested he try taking a tablespoon of cod-liver oil every day, since it's a great source of vitamins A and D. He tried it, and his eczema cleared up.

Ben Franklin had it right
Q: I would be interested in reading more on prevention. For instance, if younger folks would try to eat more healthful foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, get plenty of exercise, have a job he or she likes, try to avoid stress and get enough sleep, wouldn't it go a long way toward having a healthful life?

Antibacterial soap causes split fingers
Q: A while back, you had an article about a woman's fingers splitting open. My mother, sister and I had the same problem. My mother went to several doctors, and not one of them knew why she was having problems. We tried many kinds of medicine, and nothing worked.

ask dr. gott Leg swelling caused by surgery
Q: I am an 82-year-old lady and have been very active all of my life. Five months ago, I was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. I had a tumor on the outer side of my urethra. After several opinions, it was determined that I would have to have my bladder and urethra removed, as well as have a complete hysterectomy.

Talk about a pain in the backside
Q: A while ago, you responded to a 16-year-old girl who suffered with daily headaches. She also mentioned nausea, hearing and vision disturbances, poor balance, tingling sensations, intense muscle twitching and brain fog. This could have described my 15-year-old daughter, who was finally diagnosed, after four years, with late-stage Lyme disease.

ask dr. gott Teen suffers because physicians dismissed Lyme
Q: Not much is said about myofascial pain, but I was told there is no cure.