ERIKA SCHWARTZ, M.D.
YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED Avoid Getting Sick on
I’ll be taking a cross country flight to see my children on the East Coast for Christmas. The flights at this time of year always seems to be packed with people coughing and sneezing. No one wears a mask anymore. How can I avoid getting sick and spoiling the holiday? — Charles P., Carlsbad, Calif.
Make sure you are well rested before you travel. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible or, at the very least, use hand wipes frequently. Clean the tray table, and TV controls. Avoid touching your face. Prepare several weeks in advance of your fl ight by taking quality immune support and probiotic supplements to strengthen your immune system.
Should I take an over-the-counter cold remedy if I have high blood pressure? — Lillian J., Boston, Mass.
Most cold remedies contain antihistamines, which raise your blood pressure. If you have problems with your blood pressure, check with your doctor before taking them.
I have hypothyroidism and have been experiencing severe pain in my hips and shoulders. Could there be a link? — Chris T., Gainesville, Texas
There is a link between low thyroid and joint aches. I recommend you have your thyroid checked and
Crowded Christmas Flights
treated correctly with a combination of 13, T4, iodine, and iodide, and see how quickly the aches and pains go away. Also make sure your adrenals are supported when taking thyroid medication.
I’ve tried to lower my “bad” LDL cholesterol level with a vegetarian diet, but it’s not working. I haven’t eaten meat for months and my cholesterol number is as high as it was before. Should I try a statin drug? — Linda M., Houston, Texas
Red yeast rice contains chemicals that are similar to certain statin drugs. Before you go on a statin, try a red yeast rice supplement, taking 600 mg twice per day. Then check your LDL again in two months. Also, increase the amount of fi sh oils you take and consider other supplements, such as green tea extract and milk thistle, to help clear your liver of toxins and make it more effi cient in cleaning up the bad cholesterol. In addition, increase the amount of exercise you get, which will help you bring up the levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol to balance the bad.
My wife is suff ering from migraines since she started taking estrogen for her menopause symptoms. Is this common? — Gary F., Princeton, N.J.
It sometimes happens. Your wife needs to see a doctor who understands
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.
hormones, how they interact, and how they need to be best balanced to avoid causing undesirable side eff ects like headaches. She also needs to address her diet, and ensure she isn’t suff ering from allergies (dairy, gluten, and alcohol being the top off enders), which do tend to appear at menopause. She should make sure she drinks enough water because dehydration also causes headaches. Sleep is another important factor, along with any supplements she’s taking that may also interact.
I live in a household with my adult children, their children, and my parents. There’s constantly an argument over what to eat. I am the only vegetarian. How do you suggest we come to agreements? We eat together almost every day. — Carol V., Eugene, Ore.
Eating together as a large family is beautiful albeit complicated. Rotating people who like to cook is a way to let everyone’s voice be heard and to open up to variety. If you are the only vegetarian, you can ask that the meals prepared by others include vegetables, which will help improve the health of everyone in the house. Homemade meals that include vegetables, fruit, and no junk food will help everyone stay healthy, and eating together will only serve to improve communication and make life richer and more meaningful for all.
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 | DECEMBER 2024
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