Breath test can eliminate IBS issue

Dear Dr. Gott: Please address the problem of lactose intolerance, which seems to have many of the same symptoms as IBS but is an overlooked diagnosis.

Dear Reader: Some children — and many adults as they age — exhibit an intolerance to lactose (milk sugar), which, when consumed, leads to gas, bloating and diarrhea. The diagnosis is made by a type of analysis performed on a patient’s breath. Treatment includes avoidance of lactose-containing products and reliance on predigested compounds, such as Lactaid.

Indeed, lactose intolerance often mimics irritable bowel syndrome. This is why the thorough physician always orders a breath test before diagnosing IBS.

Dear Dr. Gott: After testing me, my physician told me that my heart is very “hyperkinetic.” Please discuss this condition.

Dear Reader: A hyperkinetic heart is one that beats forcefully and, sometimes, rapidly. This may be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including anemia, hyperthyroidism and hypertension. It is also a consequence of certain stimulants, such as caffeine.

I don’t believe that your doctor has necessarily made a particularly helpful observation. I doubt that he added much to your knowledge, because the real question — why is your heart hyperkinetic? — hasn’t been answered. If your heart appears to be overworking, as the doctor implies, it will wear out sooner than it should.

Therefore it’s important to identify the cause of the problem (not simply describe it with a $64 word), so that you can receive therapy to make your heartbeat more normal. Return to your physician and ask him to explain the results of your blood tests and cardiogram.

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 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: What is the link between mouth ulcers and smoking? An ear-nose-throat specialist diagnosed me with thrush. So far, two internists and one ENT specialist cannot explain why this happened. It was extremely hard for me to quit smoking, but it was my choice because of being sick and coughing my brains out most of the time. Does acidophilus help with curing the thrush?

Dear Reader: Most people who smoke do not suffer from mouth ulcers. Tobacco is far more likely to cause bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, and cancer of the throat and lungs.

Thrush is a fungus infection (caused by candida) of the mouth. It is more common in infants but may be a problem for adult diabetics or those individuals with deficient immune systems.

At this point, it seems less important to discover why you have thrush than to treat the disorder. I’ve heard that acidophilus may help some people with this painful affliction, but I’ve had more success with the relatively inexpensive prescription drug called Mycostatin Swish and Swallow. Ask your doctor about this.