Dear Dr. Gott:: Antibiotics are not a cure-all

Dear Dr. Gott: A friend of mine who works as a caregiver has no benefits such as medical insurance, sick leave or vacation. She cannot afford to go to the doctor, pay for prescriptions or take time off. She was told by a friend who was a medic in Vietnam that antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline work just as well as prescription drugs. She does this only when she is really ill. I think this practice could be dangerous. What do you think?

Dear Reader: To begin with, penicillin and tetracycline are prescription drugs. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics can be harmful, cause unwanted side effects, such as sun sensitivity and allergic reactions, and can lead to serious bacterial resistance.

I urge your friend to avoid antibiotics unless they are prescribed by a doctor. She should be able to find a sympathetic physician in your community who will see her at a lower charge and who will prescribe antibiotics only if they are required. Perhaps your local community has a walk-in clinic or visiting nurses’ center that she can visit when she feels the need for antibiotics. She must recognize that there is no blanket antibiotic that will cover all ills. By asking the necessary questions, a physician can determine which one will work best to treat her symptoms.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: A friend whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer was told by her doctor that women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car because of the heat reaction. It appears the plastic bottle has certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. Heat causes toxins from the plastic to leak into the water, and those toxins have been identified in cancerous breast tissue. He recommends using a stainless-steel canteen or glass bottle instead.

Dear Reader: I have received dozens of letters such as yours about heated water in plastic containers being associated with breast cancer. There may be a reaction, but that would require appropriate testing that, to my knowledge, has yet to be documented. We are all guilty of leaving an unopened or partially consumed bottle of water in an automobile with the thought of finishing it the next day – especially during the warm summer months. Until reports are substantiated, I suggest that people take precautions by avoiding drinking water from plastic containers that may have been left in a warm car.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Breast Cancer and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: What would you recommend for numbness in the legs?

Dear Reader: Start with your primary care physician, who will examine you, order tests of your circulation and refer you to a specialist if necessary.