ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D.


YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED Natural Treatment for Allergies


I have allergies and take Allegra when they get bad. Is there a natural treatment or supplement that would work instead? I try to keep medication to a minimum. — Sheila S., Henderson, Nev.


I’m not a fan of antihistamines or allergy medications. All they do is dry you up and change your immune system’s ability to fi ght infections. You’re better off drinking more water and eating foods that decrease infl ammation and keep allergies and chronic illnesses at bay. Herbal supplements and teas to


help control allergies also abound, so try them for short periods and watch for results.


Can music help elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease? — Karen D., Salt Lake City, Utah


There’s lots of medical research pointing to the fact that music, particularly classical and opera, may help people with Alzheimer’s. When the brain listens to music, it focuses on it and the rest of the noise inside the brain comes to a pause, allowing better neural connections to occur.


Is sunscreen from last year still good? — Sally F., Bowling Green, Ky.


I would suggest you get rid of it. Most sunscreens that contain chemicals expire within three to six months, and the chemicals in them


may become even more dangerous to your body once expired.


What is the link between acid reflux and asthma?


— Jerry N., Coconut Grove, Fla.


Acid refl ux sends acid up the esophagus into the back of the throat and may be inadvertently aspirated into the lungs, causing bronchial constriction leading to asthma.


Does grape juice off er the same heart benefits as red wine? — Gordon M., Weston, Conn.


Neither off ers cardiac benefi ts. They both may contain benefi cial chemicals, but the quantities are not suffi cient to do anything to help your heart health.


My wife tells me to stop drinking coff ee because I have borderline high blood pressure and the caff eine is making it worse. Is she right? — Reginald V., Gainesville, Fla.


Caff eine in coff ee and other drinks is a stimulant that increases vasoconstriction (narrowing of the arteries), which leads to the release of hormones that increase blood pressure. So, of course, your wife is right!


I’m 55, and I’m losing my hair fast. Is there anything I can do? — Alan M., Grand Rapids, Minn.


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.


Family history plays an important role. If your mother’s father or your father has hair loss, you might be out of luck. Have your blood tested for DHT,


a metabolite of testosterone that causes hair loss. If your levels are high, your


doctor can give you a medication to block the production of DHT, which may slow down the hair loss process. Also, if you’re taking testosterone supplementation, make sure you take it in injectable form because it’s less likely to cause hair loss.


Can gene testing tell me if I’m at risk of a stroke? — Sylvester S., Traverse City, Mich.


It may tell you that you have a genetic predisposition for a stroke. It may tell you that if activated, certain genes in your genetic code may increase your risk. But it won’t tell you if you’ll have a stroke. Armed with the knowledge that


you may be in a higher-risk group, you may want to change your lifestyle; eat better foods, avoid alcohol and soda, exercise regularly, and learn to communicate and express your feelings calmly and not hold in anger and stress. Learn not to worry, and meditate.


Since you should be doing this anyway, knowing your genetic predisposition is probably useless unless you really need a serious scare to make you lead your best life.


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 | MAY 2023


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