ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D.
YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
My Wife of 30 Years Wants to Dump Me
My wife of 30 years wants out. I am devastated and don’t know where to turn for help. I may not have been the best husband, but I am a good provider and don’t drink too much and come home every night. I don’t understand what happened and how I can correct it. I can’t imagine life without her.
— Derek J., Montgomery, Ala.
I’m so sorry you are going through such a difficult time. All isn’t lost yet. You can go to a marriage counselor if she agrees. Also, start talking about whatever caused her to decide she wants to leave and listen to her. In midlife, many marriages break up because things change. The kids are grown. We all go through hormone changes that leave us feeling different about each other. Some relationships indeed end, but many can be recaptured and started again with the experiences and wisdom gained. You need to be honest and listen.
I suffer with hemorrhoids and I’ve had two colonoscopies that were normal. My doctor keeps telling me to come back for another one. Meanwhile, I still have the hemorrhoids and they hurt, and even bleed.
— Clive R., Portland, Ore.
Colonoscopy won’t help hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are
I’m 48 and have been trying to lose weight without success for five years. I tried every diet and if I lose a couple
ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D., is a leading national expert in wellness, disease prevention, and bioidentical hormone therapies. Dr. Schwartz (
drerika@eshealth.com) has testified before Congress, hosted her own PBS special on bioidentical hormones, and is the author of several bestselling books, including Don’t Let Your Doctor Kill You.
little outpockets with a blood vessel in them. You need to see a proctologist to have the hemorrhoid tied or cut off unless you can push it in yourself and keep it in there.
I have had ulcerative colitis for the past 20 years and am taking Remicade every eight weeks. I still have some stomach issues, but overall I’m better. My biggest problem is loss of libido and inability to build muscles no matter how much weight I lift. What can I do? — Leslie Z., Camden, N.J.
Ulcerative colitis is a difficult intestinal disease to carry for so long. However, making sure that your diet is impeccable, that you sleep eight hours a night and don’t drink alcohol or caffeine, and that your microbiome is in excellent shape would help improve the colitis and your hormone balance. Since hormones are made mostly in the gut, an intestinal disease will interfere with their proper production. Have your provider check your testosterone levels and thyroid and adrenal functions, and get supplemented if the levels are low.
of pounds, it’s only for a week or so. I work out and sleep eight hours. — Lucy D., Chicago, Ill.
Make sure your thyroid function and other hormones are in balance. If your hormones aren’t well balanced, you will not be able to lose weight. Also, once your hormones are in balance, start moving more. Every hour you sit, you need to stand up and walk around the room or just step in place for five minutes. The more sedentary we are, the more weight we put on and the more dangerous life gets, because the risk of heart disease goes up.
I’m 64 and have a lot of urinary tract infections. I’ve probably been on every antibiotic under the sun and take one pretty much once a month because I keep getting infections. I saw a urologist and my primary care doctor, but no one finds a way to stop them. Any ideas? — Katharine W., Houston, Texas
Make sure you don’t have a prolapse. Most urinary tract infections at this age occur from undiagnosed prolapses of bladder or uterus. A gynecologic exam should make the diagnosis. Once you know, avoid surgery or pessaries (they cause infections) and find an office with an Emsella — a Food and Drug Administration-approved machine that helps tighten your pelvic floor muscles and pulls the prolapse up. It takes about six sessions and you don’t have to take off your clothes; you just sit on it for 28 minutes.
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 | AUGUST 2024
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