Exercise equipment not a bronchitis risk

Dear Dr. Gott: Please tell me if I am being overly concerned about this. I am a healthy 66-year-old female who works out at a women’s spa. There are eight machines used in a circuit.

In my experience, the management doesn’t sanitize the machines regularly.

I have asthma and am subject to attacks of bronchitis caused by bacteria. Since I am susceptible to respiratory infections, I carry sanitizing sheets with me as I work out and wipe off each machine before I use it.

I realize I can come into contact with bacteria almost anywhere, but I believe the exercise machines are a real source of infection.

Should I continue to use the sanitizers, or should I ask management to sanitize the machines more often, or both? Other women don’t seem concerned.

Dear Reader: Bronchitis and other pulmonary infections are caused by inhaling viruses and microbes. Such infections are not spread by touching contaminated exercise equipment.

You probably are getting exposed to more bacteria when you handle money, go shopping and touch doorknobs.

I suggest you discontinue your sanitization routine, enjoy your exercise and wash your hands after your workout.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Pulmonary 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: In response to a recent column in which a woman of 52 was complaining of pain in her breasts since her hysterectomy and breast reduction, I’d like to share a solution to a similar problem.

Following early menopause, I had such tenderness in my breasts that it hurt even to roll over in bed. I went to a surgeon and asked him to remove my breasts because they were so tender.

His response was wonderful. He told me if I eliminated the “brown bean” from my diet, my pain would go away.

I told him that I didn’t drink caffeinated beverages, but he said that caffeine did not matter. I should stop drinking colas, tea (herbal teas are fine), coffee and (horrors) chocolate.

When I followed his advice, the pain went away. This also worked for a friend with whom I shared the advice.

Now, I must confess, I do cheat and drink a cup of coffee every few weeks, and I nibble on chocolate from time to time, but overall, the relief is well worth the sacrifice.

I hope that this brings a similar relief to your other reader.

Dear Reader: All the foods the surgeon asked you to discontinue contain caffeine; therefore, it seems the caffeine may matter. Also, tea and colas don’t come from a bean, so I’m not sure what is meant by “brown bean” in this context.

However, this seems like an inexpensive solution that other readers might find useful as a first step and is certainly more acceptable than breast removal. Thanks for writing.