Bee pollen won’t relieve allergies

Dear Dr. Gott: I suffer from bad allergies in the spring and fall. Will natural bee pollen help?

Dear Reader: Despite the unfounded claims of bee pollen proponents, this product will not relieve allergies and is not appropriate therapy for any medical illnesses. In fact, it can be dangerous in people who are allergic to it.

Several years ago, a man died from bee pollen treatment. See an allergist for specific advice about your hay fever symptoms. Perhaps the use of an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Actifed and others, would be appropriate.

Dear Dr. Gott: Is there a connection between impotence and drinking bourbon? My ex-husband and current male friend suffer from this problem,and both drink bourbon and cola.

Dear Reader: Without a doubt. Alcohol has a direct effect on potency, which can be markedly diminished in heavy drinkers. Also, by poisoning the liver, alcohol leads to a hormone imbalance that can reduce a man’s interest in sex as well as his ability to perform.

The deleterious effects of alcohol are unrelated to the drink of choice: beer, wine and spirits in sufficient quantity will definitely affect a man’s sexuality. To prove my point, your male friend ought to stop drinking for a while – or seek help from his family doctor.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Erectile Dysfunction.” 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: Does caffeine negate the effects of minor and major tranquilizers? Would four liters of cola counter a nominal maintenance dosage?

Dear Reader: People respond differently to caffeine-containing beverages, but – in most cases – moderate amounts of coffee or cola will not neutralize the effects of a minor tranquilizer (such as Valium), or a major one (such as Haldol). Although four liters of cola is one heck of a lot of beverage (and far exceeds what would be considered a reasonable amount), I doubt that it would compensate for a maintenance dose of tranquilizer.

However, as I said, people do vary in their reactions to caffeine. I know adults who are “wired” after two cups of coffee in the morning. Conversely, some folks can drink cola or iced tea all day and not be jittery. So I suppose that it’s possible, in selected cases, to overcome the sedative effects of a tranquilizer by ingesting a caffeine-containing beverage. But I believe that this would be an exception to the rule.