Flouride in water recommended
Dear Dr. Gott: My city in Nebraska will vote soon on whether our city water should be fluoridated. What is your opinion on this matter?
Dear Reader: Fluoride is found at varying levels in all drinking water. Because it is known to prevent tooth decay safely and effectively, an amount is added to many supplies across the country so levels can reach 1 part per million.
Countless studies done over the years have shown favorable effects from supplements in drinking water for all children between ages 6 months and 16 years as a means of preventing decay.
While there is always controversy, numerous studies in humans and animals have failed to reveal an association between fluoridated water and an increased risk of cancer. Therefore, I recommend you put your fears to rest and vote in favor of the bill.
Dear Dr. Gott: I’m 86 years old and pass black stool. I went to several doctors. One told me to go to the local emergency room, which I did. They took X-rays and blood tests but couldn’t find the cause.
I’m on enalapril, HCTZ, Requip, simvastatin, terazosin, temazepam, propoxyphene, aspirin, fish oil and calcium daily. What is causing the problem?
Dear Reader: Whew, that’s a lot of medication.
There are numerous causes for black stool. The condition often indicates a disorder or bleeding in the digestive tract. As a rule of thumb, black stool comes from the upper digestive tract, while red or maroon stool comes from lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Stomach ulcers caused by aspirin and ibuprofen are common causes of a GI bleed. Unless there is a reason for taking aspirin every day, you should probably discontinue it, at least for a trial period.
Other causes of dark stool can include the consumption of black licorice, blueberries, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol and similar medicines. Gastritis, trauma, hemorrhoids, intestinal infection, polyps and other conditions also will cause stool to darken.
You need to be seen by your primary-care physician. He or she can do a simple examination and a fecal blood test in the office. If the history given is suspicious or the fecal blood test results are positive, referral to a gastroenterologist would be appropriate. The specialist might choose to order blood work, stool culture, colonoscopy, tests for H. pylori infection and more. Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the bleed.
Make an appointment with your doctor and get to the bottom of the matter. You have several medical conditions on your plate already and certainly don’t need one more. While you are there, ask whether any of your medications might be causing the problem, and, if so, whether they can be eliminated.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.