Plantar fasciitis makes mornings painful

Dear Dr. Gott: I have pain on the soles of my feet when I get up in the morning. It is so painful, it is difficult to stand on them.

When I’m up for five to 10 minutes, it subsides. My husband said it’s part of aging and arthritis.

I’m 60 years old, but by today’s standards, I’m young.

Also, I’m very active.

I’m overweight. Would it help to lose it?

Dear Reader: Weight loss undoubtedly would help your foot pain, the cause of which sounds like plantar fasciitis. Check with a podiatrist for more specific therapy.

Dear Dr. Gott: Could you please address in your column what a 75-year-old woman should do when her bladder sags into the vaginal canal and bulges through the vaginal opening and the condition is worsening? Frequent urination is also a problem.

Dear Reader: You appear to have a common disorder called uterine prolapse. As the uterus sags down, the bladder, which is situated slightly in front and lower than the uterus, is pushed down into the vaginal opening.

Resuspending the uterus into a more normal position using a pessary is common practice. Severe cases may require surgery.

I recommend that you see a gynecologist, who can insert a pessary – a plastic ring. Once your uterus is back in place, your bladder should return to normal and your urinary frequency should cease.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my health reports “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections” and “Vaginal Infections and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

Dear Dr. Gott: Both baby aspirin and omega-3 fish-oil capsules have been determined to be helpful in blood thinning and the prevention of clots. Is it safe to take both?

Dear Reader: I was not aware that fish oil affects blood coagulation. In my experience, it is usually used to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Baby aspirin, on the other hand, decreases the stickiness of platelets, the tiny blood cells that form the basis of blood clots.

The two nonprescription compounds can be taken together safely. To my knowledge, they do not interact.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Blood – Donations and Disorders.” 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.