Health help

Wed., Feb. 14, 2007

Paul G. Donohue, M.d. North America Syndicate

Dear Dr. Donohue: Is there a season when more hair falls out? I have been told that in winter more hair falls out than in summer. Is that true? I seem to be losing a lot of it now. — W.K.

Answer: Anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs fall out every day. There is no season when hair loss is greater. It’s the same year-round.

There are times when more hair is lost, regardless of season. Serious illness, a high fever, giving birth, psychological stress or a malfunctioning thyroid gland can increase hair loss. Once the condition is corrected, the lost hair comes back in time.

Dear Dr. Donohue: Do raisins soaked in gin provide any relief for arthritis? My husband has arthritis, and so does a close friend of mine. — L.V.

Answer: This is a remedy with a long history. There is no evidence to support the statement that gin-soaked raisins benefit any kind of arthritis.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.