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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Shortness of breath cuts life quality

Peter H. Gott, M.D.

Dear Dr. Gott: My husband, age 76, has suddenly developed atrial fibrillation. He had an active life, walking 3 to 4 miles, five days a week and hunting. Now he can get short of breath while sitting in a chair. If he goes outside to do yard work, he gets short of breath within just a few minutes.

He has had two cardioversions (procedures to reduce the pulse rate), but they didn’t help for long. His rhythm remained normal in the hospital, but once he was home, he went back to being abnormal. His heartbeat was rapid, so he takes warfarin to prevent a stroke. He has his levels monitored every few weeks.

My husband’s heart rate is now at a normal level of 80, but he continues to be short of breath. His heart specialist says he’ll have to live with it. His chiropractor says he had has the same thing for more than 20 years and has learned to dispel it by taking several deep breaths and slowing down for a bit. My husband tried this, but it doesn’t seem to work for him.

I have also gotten several e-mails from a woman who wrote a book and claims to know how to reverse atrial fibrillation, but I am doubtful that she knows something doctors don’t.

Dear Reader: Your husband may be suffering from congestive heart failure. I urge him to seek a second opinion from another cardiologist. He needs heart testing, such as an EKG, stress test and more. The sooner he is diagnosed and treatment has begun, the better his chances will be at a more normal life. If left untreated, your husband will worsen slowly, becoming more short of breath and eventually developing edema (fluid retention and swelling). Get him to another cardiologist and let me know the results.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 66-year-old woman with a sweating problem. For the last two years, I have had a problem with my head sweating uncontrollably. It’s like someone is following me with a hose and spraying my head. It started during the winter and became severe during the summer. I have seen an endocrinologist, who says I am fine. I have also seen a dermatologist who put me on propantheline bromide, and I was told that if it didn’t work, there was nothing else for me. I can’t believe there is no answer and hope you can give me some insight into how to stop the water works.

Dear Reader: An increase in sweating may be related to menopause. Check with your gynecologist regarding testing and treatment options.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Menopause.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dr. Gott is a retired physician and writes for United Media. If readers would like to contact Dr. Gott, they may send their mail directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10016.