I live near a national park and walk my dogs in the woods. There are ticks everywhere.
I stop and pull ticks off myself every few minutes, but I hate to just throw them back in the bushes where they will wait for me the next time I go for a walk. Is there an easy way to kill or dispose of them?
Put on insect-repellent-containing DEET before you leave home. Spray shoes and socks, and tuck your trouser legs into your socks. Carry a roll of Scotch tape in your pocket. Whenever you spot a tick, use the tape to trap it. Once it is sealed in tape, it can't escape.
I suffer from chronic leg pain, probably caused by nerve damage. My doctors have suggested I wear support hose, but the medical stockings are expensive. I thought I could save money with regular support pantyhose.
It feels strange to wear them, but they help my legs feel better. Is it a problem to wear women's pantyhose?
Pantyhose don't provide as much support as medical support hose. On the other hand, if they relieve your leg pain, we see no reason to spend money on more expensive stockings. As long as you are not parading around in shorts, you shouldn't attract undue attention.
If you are trying to start a family, pantyhose might be troublesome. They could raise testicular temperature and reduce sperm count.
You had a letter from a woman worried about her husband's lack of energy. He was on atenolol, Norvasc and furosemide for high blood pressure.
As I read her letter, I became concerned that he may have heart failure. I've been a cardiology nurse for 14 years. Fatigue is one of the first complaints of heart failure, which is common in people with hypertension. Norvasc can worsen undiagnosed heart failure.
Heart failure is extremely dangerous and is increasing at an alarming rate. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, nighttime cough, fatigue and swollen ankles.
The current controversy over the diabetes drug Avandia involves an increased risk of heart failure. Norvasc also seems to increase this risk (American Heart Journal, January 2007). Atenolol can also contribute to fatigue.
I had constipation for five years. I was using Citrucel and extra bran on my cereal. I drank lots of water but still had very hard stools. A friend told me about taking magnesium. It has worked wonders for me.
I take 500 milligrams before going to bed and have a good response, usually before noon the next day. I asked my doctors if it was safe to take and they both said no problem. I thought you might want to pass this along.
Magnesium has long been used to counter constipation. Milk of magnesia, for example, is a well-known laxative. Too much of this mineral can cause diarrhea, though. Most people tolerate 300 milligrams with no problems, but those with kidney problems must avoid extra magnesium.
I have been taking curcumin for the inflammation of arthritis. I have noticed that I bruise easily. I also take ginkgo, and I wonder if taking both of them is causing this.
Animal research suggests that curcumin (the active ingredient in the yellow spice turmeric) has anticoagulant action. Both ginkgo and curcumin appear to keep blood platelets from sticking together to form clots.
There is not much clinical research, but a few years ago a reader reported a frightening experience: "I started taking turmeric for psoriasis. I also take Coumadin. When I went in for a routine blood test, my doctor told me that my blood was too thin. I was told to come in immediately for a vitamin K shot to reverse this effect."
Check with your doctor to make sure the ginkgo and curcumin you are taking are not thinning your blood too much.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: PeoplesPharmacy.com.