ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D.
YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why Do I Feel So Tired Every Afternoon?
After lunch, I always feel sleepy and need to take a nap. How can I deal with this? — A. Flannigan, Flint, Mich.
A dip in your blood sugar in the afternoon, especially after a heavy lunch rich in carbohydrates (rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, desserts) makes you feel tired and lethargic within two to three hours after eating it. Don’t go for another cup of coff ee or a sugary snack. Instead, get up, walk, stretch, go around the block, talk to the person next to you, do some breathing exercises — just get yourself out of the space you are in and the afternoon crash will go away. And, of course, decrease the carbs you consume.
I have been experiencing abdominal pain after eating heavy meals. How can I prevent this?
— Doug H., Smyrna, Tenn.
The most common reasons are gas, acid refl ux, or lactose or food intolerance. Avoid fried, processed, and spicy foods, refi ned sugars, alcohol, and coff ee. Start a food journal for one week to see which foods cause these symptoms. Try eliminating them and substitute — for example, replace fried chicken with grilled chicken or replace desserts such as cakes/ cookies with fresh fruit such as berries, oranges, pears, or apples. Also decrease the amount of food you eat at any given meal. If your symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
My orthopedic doctor recommended surgery for my carpal tunnel syndrome. Is there anything I can do to avoid an operation?
— L. Harper, Jackson, Miss.
Repetitive motion causes carpal tunnel for the most part. Taking breaks from the computer and eliminating any angle between hands and wrists when typing will alleviate the symptoms. Elevate your arms and hands every few hours, and while you type make sure your posture is good and your neck isn’t straining.
I have high blood pressure and see my primary care doctor annually for a physical. Are there any specific blood tests I should request? — Fred T., Louisville, Ky.
A comprehensive panel of blood work should be requested to fi gure out the root cause as well as determine if you’re at risk for any other associated ailments. Blood pressure can often be controlled by implementing healthy habits and lifestyle changes but when that does not suffi ce, the answer is frequently found in lab work. Specifi cally, your doctor should consider and treat any imbalance of your hormone levels as well as investigate your blood count, electrolytes, kidney and liver function, cholesterol, and infl ammatory markers.
ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D. is the leading national expert in wellness, disease prevention, and bioidentical hormone therapies. Dr. Schwartz (
drerika@eshealth.com) has written four bestselling books, testified before Congress, hosted her own PBS special on bioidentical hormones and is the author of a new bestseller, Don’t Let Your Doctor Kill You.
The skin under my eyes is sagging and I have dark circles. Is there anything besides surgery to improve this? — R. Dobbin, Houston, Texas
The skin under your eyes is usually thin, and as we age and lose collagen it gets thinner. Collagen loss is natural; it shows more on the face and neck as wrinkles. Preventive measures include avoiding sun exposure, alcohol, and tobacco and staying well hydrated. Avoid processed foods, sleep on your back, and sleep eight hours every night. Additionally, you can take daily supplements for anti-aging such as CoQ10, L-carnitine, and vitamin C as well as hydrolyzed protein to improve the appearance of your skin.
I have chronic sinus infections and my doctor recommended surgery, which really scares me. Is there anything else you would recommend? — S. Mahoney, Savannah, Ga.
Before you consider surgery, the source of the infl ammation needs to be treated, whether it is antibiotics for a bacterial infection or allergy shots for allergic sinusitis or fungal treatment for a fungal infection. Secondly, regular nasal fl ushes with saline water may help decrease infl ammation by eliminating the irritants in the nasal passages and even reaching the sinuses. In rare cases, there may be a role for corticosteroid treatment, but this is only a short-term solution. Always get a second or even a third opinion from another doctor before committing to surgery.
Note: All information presented in “Medical Help” is for informational purposes only. It is not specific medical advice for any individual. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publication’s contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional about any issue regarding their health and well-being.
Questions for Dr. Schwartz? Email
askschwartz@newsmax.com and write “Ask Dr. Schwartz” in the subject line.
96 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | APRIL 2022
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