Exam, tests by specialist due

Dear Dr. Gott: My 15-year-old grandson has fainting spells that appear without warning. When he was taken to the emergency room, the doctors found nothing wrong. His family physician has yet to refer him to a specialist. Would such a referral be appropriate?

Dear Reader: Without a doubt.

I’d worry that your grandson, who is close to being eligible for a driver’s license, might be having brief seizures or a cardiac irregularity causing him to pass out without warning. If this is the case, he would be a potential threat on the road. Therefore, he should be examined and tested by a neurologist and, to cover all bases, a cardiologist. In my opinion, the youth needs at least a brainwave test (EEG) and a recording of his heart rate for 24 hours (a Holter monitor).

Ask his family physician about which specialists would be good resources.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Epilepsy: The Falling Sickness,” “Coronary Artery Disease” and “Medical Specialists.” Other readers who would like copies should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 per newsletter to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

Dear Dr. Gott: Thank you so much for all the wonderful tips, hints and common-sense “doctoring” you do in your column.

By the way, I used your garlic tip to get rid of a really big, stubborn plantar wart on my right heel. It took over a year, but it is really gone now, and has been gone for about a year and a half. In the past, I had it cauterized (burned and dug out, ouch!). That shot in the foot was the most excruciatingly painful thing I’ve ever experienced. Had it lasered twice, once in brief surgery (went really deep), and a second time in a series of laser treatments. Each attempt to get it only made it come back twice as big as the next time, and in about six to eight months. To be honest, I only shower every other day (have long hair), so I would change my garlic slice (holding it in place with a stretchable Band-Aid worked best) after my shower. People would ask me, “Why are you limping?” and I’d reply, “Because I don’t want to squish my garlic slice too badly!” Then I would fill them in. It was funny to see the looks on their faces! But, like I said, after about a year (yes, it was a hassle, but worth it), it seems to really be gone! So if you hadn’t published this “tip” in your column, I’d have had to endure yet another painful, probably unsuccessful therapy.

So, thank you very much!

Dear Reader: Several readers have had excellent results from the garlic therapy for plantar warts. Therefore, I am sharing your experience as a public service.