Drinker faces multiple issues

Dear Dr. Gott: My son-in-law hits the alcohol rather heavily – anything from beer to mixed drinks. When he’s with friends, it’s one after another.

He is taking medicine for high cholesterol.

He claims that his drinking isn’t the cause of it being high. I say it is.

Dear Reader: You are correct, up to a point. A high alcohol intake can drive the blood-fat level up, as well as potentially damage the liver, brain, heart and other organs.

I doubt that your son-in-law is going to reduce his alcohol consumption or modify his diet until he is motivated to do so.

Nonetheless, I’m concerned. Show your son-in-law my somewhat woozy response to your analysis. I say “woozy” because I’m far more unhappy about the clear consequences of alcohol abuse.

Those alone are reason enough to moderate alcohol consumption.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Understanding Cholesterol.” 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.

Dear Dr. Gott: I read your recent article on colonoscopy and the letter from one who had this done. I, also, am one who has had this done, several times, and the first time was a lifesaver.

I had a bleeding ulcer, which was cured, and then my doctor urged me to have a colonoscopy to be sure that the colon had not contributed to the rectal bleeding. I resisted, but the doctor insisted.

Well, I had the colonoscopy, and it proved there was cancer in my colon. When the recommended operation was done, the cancerous area was removed.

I urge anyone to have this test done, because it can save your life, as it did mine.

Dear Reader: You are indeed fortunate to have such a caring and skillful practitioner. Follow his advice. He is worth sticking with.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Diverticular Disease.” 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.