Image probably ‘read’ incorrectly

Dear Dr. Gott: Is it possible for a person to be diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and then to be told later that is has “gone”? This happened to a friend of mine.

Dear Reader: Aortic aneurysms do not appear and disappear. Rather, they enlarge, may leak blood or burst, leading to serious consequences.

I suspect that the event you described was, in fact, a “glitch” in the original imaging study that I assume was performed. No medical test is 100 percent perfect; sometimes it can be flawed by technical problems, or the findings may be misinterpreted by the professional who “reads” the study.

In your friend’s case, I suspect that a shadow on the original testing was incorrectly diagnosed.

Dear Dr. Gott: My 12-year-old son was diagnosed with alopecia, a stress disorder leading to hair loss. Can you explain this and suggest therapy?

Dear Reader: Alopecia simply means loss of hair (for whatever reason). In rare instances it can result from stress, although by far the most common causes are hereditary baldness and skin diseases (such as eczema or psoriasis) of the scalp.

Many people with alopecia can be helped by using Rogaine, a nonprescription compound that is applied to the scalp and promotes hair growth. In my opinion, your son should be examined by a dermatologist. As a general rule, stress alopecia is not permanent; with time, new hair grows in.

Nonetheless, the specialist will be able to advise your son about appropriate therapy.

Dear Dr. Gott: I’ve tried everything from ginger capsules to Dramamine to alleviate seasickness. Onboard ships in rough seas, I become violently ill, even if I try to focus my attention on the horizon. Can you recommend a treatment?

Dear Reader: Motion sickness is a common handicap that can be devastating. The precise cause is unknown, but many authorities believe that the condition is due to overly sensitive balance mechanisms in the inner ear.

In most cases, repeated exposure leads to adaptation: after several hours on a boat or in a plane or car, the symptoms of motion sickness (dizziness, nausea, vomiting and malaise) disappear. In a word, patients adjust.

Nevertheless, some forms of motion sickness are not relieved by continued exposure, may be particularly violent and could require medication. In my experience, prevention is key. Ask your physician to prescribe Transderm Scop patches. Each patch is applied every three days, starting just before a situation that you suspect will cause motion sickness. For example, you may not need the patch when your boat is in the harbor but will require it in preparation for foul weather at sea.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.