The Saturday Evening Post articles from November 2007

The Saturday Evening Post archives from November 2007

SatEvePost a lifesaver.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I believe you have literally saved my life with your article "The Cutting Edge: Killing Cancer with Protons" [July/Aug. '07]. After reading the article, I consulted my oncologist. I have a 20-year history of breast cancer. I have a...

A cancer survivor says.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Thank you for the fine article on "The Cutting Edge: Killing Cancer With Protons." As a five-year survivor of prostate cancer, which was treated with proton radiation, I can attest to the ease of this noninvasive approach of killing...

Just "stating" the facts.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I just received my July/August issue of The SatEvePost and was intrigued by the article in Post People on page 11, about Governor Schwarzenegger. It mentioned that he is busy "running the nation's largest state." What do the Alaskans think of...

To Mehmet Oz.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... The cover of the July/August '07 SatEvePost is just great and the article was fascinating and covered gaps of knowledge about your career and background. My exposure to your vast wealth of medical advice has been the Oprah show. I'm not a...

Credit card awareness.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I had just paid my MasterCard bill the morning I read the letter from Ollie Ekstedt about WLI-Reservation Rewards [July/Aug. '07]. I had wondered at the time about what it was for, but decided it must be something my husband had purchased....

Sew what!(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Hi, folks--just finished reading the July/Aug. 2007 copy of The SatEvePost and enjoyed it as usual, but particularly "On Pins & Needles..." by Michelle Slatalla. I personally have never liked to sew, and the only sewing I do now is when some...

Getting "hip" to modern surgery.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Regarding your Sept./Oct. 2007 issue "Letters": A Ms. Nelson wrote that she did not believe Jimmy Connor's doctor would allow him to walk out of the hospital after total hip replacement. I had a total hip replacement done at the end of Feb....

No covers, no sunshine.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Hi, super publication! I loved your July/August issue mostly because of your regular feature "Illustrators Hall of Fame," a tribute to your famous magazine covers. During the 1950s I visited my grandmother at least two to three times a...

Restless legs exercises.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... There seems to be a continued and growing interest in restless leg syndrome and, especially, advertising for medicines to treat it. Given both of the above prompts me to write this letter. Sometime in '05 or '06 you published a letter from...

Early insulin.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Dr. Martin's provocative article [Sept./Oct. 2007 SatEvePost] about the background of using insulin for the treatment of diabetes brought back some poignant memories for me. I was born July 24, 1922, in Charles City, Iowa; and was welcomed by a...

Good or bad food.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... After reading your Sept./Oct. '07 issue, I was baffled about food. I thought honey, tea, tomatoes, dark chocolate, milk, and grape juice were good for you. Now, my urinary health won't be good. Joann Connors Cleveland, Ohio

Michelle Pfeiffer.(Post People)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... After a five-year absence from the spotlight, actress Michelle Pfeiffer returned to the screen this year with all the familiar talent, beauty, and charisma that transformed the one-time surfer chick into Hollywood royalty. "I got kind of...

Phylicia Rashad.(Post People)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... One of America's best-loved morns, Phylicia Rashad from The Cosby Show tackles a new lead role--raising awareness of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The role is close to the actor's heart, as eight family members, including her father and...

Tom Bergeron.(Post People)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... One of the busiest men in television, Tom Bergeron again hosts the phenomenally popular Dancing With the Stars and serves as emcee of the long-running comic clip favorite America's Funniest Home Videos. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When...

John Larroquette.(Post People)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Night Court star John Larroquette returned to the courtroom this fall, this time playing a high-powered attorney and senior partner of the law firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt in the drama-comedy Boston Legal. On the...

China: the educated giant: by building a brain trust, China may surpass the U.S. unless our country takes dramatic steps to improve our educational system.(SPEAKING OUT)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With China's trade surplus with the United States soaring, the tendency in the U.S. will be to react with tariffs and other barriers. But instead we should take a page from the Chinese book and respond by boosting...

Holiday safety tips.(LIVING WELL: Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Protect young visitors this holiday season by checking your home for the top five hidden hazards as named by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 1 Magnets: Keep loose magnets and magnetic pieces away from children younger than...

Supplement spotlight: citicoline.(LIVING WELL: Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... What it is: Citicoline is a nutrient found in the body and in dietary supplements such as Cognizin Citicoline. Also known as CDP choline. How it acts: Believed to boost the body's production of certain chemicals that support memory and...

Breathe for health.(LIVING WELL: Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.)(RESPeRATE system)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... High-tech devices may help relieve stress and save healthcare dollars. The RESPeRATE system from InterCure, Ltd., gradually slows one's breathing rate and is clinically proven to help lower blood pressure with daily use. Users of the portable...

About face.(LIVING WELL: Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Longstanding ideas about facial skin changes are getting a facelift. A new study shows that excess levels of three proteins, not bacteria, are to blame for chronic facial redness in people with the common inflammatory skin condition rosacea....

The gift of living well.(LIVING WELL: Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The recipe for robust aging includes an active social calendar as well as regular exercise, advises Dr. Christine Himes Fordyce of the American Geriatrics Society. To give yourself the gift of health, work your heart and lungs every day and...

Exercise you brain.(LIVING WELL: Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A quotation from printer, inventor, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin has "fallen" from the grid below. Each letter appears in the correct column, but below where it should be. Place letters into the grid to rebuild the phrase. [ILLUSTRATION...

Confessions of an oniomaniac.(shopaholic)
November 1, 2007... Im an oniomaniac. If you didn't know, the word oniomania comes from the Greek onios, which means "for sale." Translation: I'm a shopaholic. Some seniors, as well as baby boomers, are afflicted with the shopping addiction, a compulsive...

Poor Richard speaks: the wit and wisdom of Benjamin Franklin: his enduring wisdom leads us to a higher appreciation of his genius.
November 1, 2007... Nor eye in a letter, nor hand in a purse, nor ear in the secret of another. Many would live by their Wits, but break for want of stock. A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. All blood is alike ancient. When...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I couldn't think of anything else to get you." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "See, don't the credit cards look more festive on the tree than in our wallets?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "And charge it to my...

Sleep for heart health.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(ntinuous positive airway pressure)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Treating even mild forms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is good for the heart, according to a landmark study of 449 patients at a sleep lab in Germany. Research data published in the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine...

AED access.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(automated external defibrillator)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A first-of-its-kind study may help community leaders and heart health advocates make decisions about equipping schools with defibrillators. Researchers from the University of Washington report that most cardiac arrests in Seattle area schools...

Device helps those awaiting new hearts.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(HeartMate II)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Recent research results suggest an experimental implant that pushes blood out of the heart in a continuous flow has the potential to treat severely ill heart patients for years rather than months, says Dr. Francis Pagani, co-lead author of the...

CPR training: less is more.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A 30-minute CPR course recently adopted by the AHA combines video instruction with hands-on training using inflatable mini-manikins that provide audio feedback on the depth and rate of chest compressions. In a recent comparison study,...

In search of better CPR.(Neighborhood HeartWatch)(only abdominal compression-cardiopulmonary resuscitation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... An alternative CPR method may circulate more blood through the heart than the standard method--and circumvent rescuers' fears of breaking ribs and catching germs from a stranger. Developed by biomedical engineer Leslie Geddes and his colleagues...

Sweet potatoes: wholesome holiday recipes: a holiday staple, the versatile sweet potato ranks as one of the most nutritious vegetable sources around--ideal fare for the health-conscious consumer.(FOCUS ON DIABETES)(Recipe)
November 1, 2007... When it comes to healthy foods, the sweet potato is hard to top. Rich in vitamins A, C, and Be, sweet potatoes also boast excellent antioxidant properties and offer a rich source of dietary fiber, potassium, and iron. In short, experts believe...

Create a tree skirt: the most elegant skirt of the season can be right under your tree.(THE CRAFT CORNER)(christmas tree skirt)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Is it time to spruce up your Christmas decorations? With a dash of creativity and experience, you can create a festive new tree skirt that adds extra pizzazz to the holiday celebrations. In making the tree skirt,...

Dos and don'ts for selecting your trustee.(YOUR FINANCIAL PARTNER)
November 1, 2007... Q: We just went into our attorney's office to draft our wills and living trust, and she asked us who we want as our trustees. Can you share any advice with us on how to select one?--S.J., Nevada [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A: In putting...

Tips for stress-free holidays: slow down and enjoy the holiday season by creating a priority list.
November 1, 2007... Illustration by George Hughes I was sitting at a sidewalk cafe table in the mall drinking coffee, watching people and enjoying the festivities of the holiday shopping season getting into full swing. Not far from me a school orchestra was...

The FDA recently announced its approval of Reclast (zolendronic acid) injection for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.(FDA News)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... * The FDA recently announced its approval of Reclast (zolendronic acid) injection for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. In a study of more than 7,700 women, the once-yearly bisphosphonate treatment reduced the risk of spine fractures by...

A public health advisory issued in August urges nursing mothers to talk to their doctors about taking codeine to relieve pain or coughing.(FDA News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... * A public health advisory issued in August urges nursing mothers to talk to their doctors about taking codeine to relieve pain or coughing. Codeine changes into morphine when it enters the body. Experts explain that "ultra-rapid" codeine...

Preserving hope for fertility.(FDA News)(fertility sparing surgery)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Novel surgical techniques may protect fertility in younger women with ovarian cancer. "Fertility sparing surgery is a tremendous asset for a select group of patients to help them overcome their cancer and go on to achieve healthy...

Exercise builds knee cartilage.(FDA News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Running may be good for middle-aged knees, suggests a new study from Australia designed to help determine whether regular exercise helps fend off knee osteoarthritis in women. A total of 176 healthy women ages 40 to 67 completed questionnaires...

In women, caffeine may protect memory.(FDA News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Drinking more than three cups of coffee daily--or an equivalent amount of tea--may help older women protect their thinking skills, according to a study published in the August 7, 2007, issue of Neurology. For as-yet-unexplained reasons, the...

Know your cholesterol count.(FDA News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Recent findings from a nationwide survey reveal that most women recognize the health risks associated with high cholesterol, but few are taking action to monitor and control it. One telling example: The women surveyed were less likely to know...

Take the quiz to check your cholesterol IQ.(FDA News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... TAKE THE QUIZ TO CHECK YOUR CHOLESTEROL IQ: T F Women can exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet, but still have dangerously high cholesterol levels. T F High cholesterol has no symptoms. T F Heart...

Healthcorps: shaping America's future: by offering students healthy options, a new program is working today for a healthy tomorrow.(OPEN FORUM)
November 1, 2007... It is often said that statistics are just people with the tears wiped away. But when we consider the plight of today's youth, the numbers bring tears to my eyes. Approximately 300,000 deaths in the United States each year are attributed to...

TV's Mr. Nice Guy: Bob Newhart's button-down brand of stand-up humor has entertained audiences for almost half a century. Now the accountant-turned-comedian adds "author" to his long list of credits.(Interview)
November 1, 2007... Bob Newhart's comedy ages well Watch his sitcom from the '70s--the one that cast him as Chicago psychologist Dr. Bob Hartley--and you'll find the only part of the show that fails the test of time is the wardrobe. Wide lapels and tacky ties...

Kicking the habit.(smoking)
November 1, 2007... My realization about the evils of nicotine came one summer day in 1985 when I developed a nosebleed that just wouldn't stop. Of course, Ginnie did what every wife would do under the circumstances: She called her gynecologist. Actually, he was a...

The gift of the magi: it was Christmas Eve, and they had sacrificed their most prized possessions for the perfect gift.(Short story)
November 1, 2007... On The dollar and eighty-seven cents. at was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of...

When television was young: in the 1940s and '50s, TV was an experimental new medium where almost anything could happen, and did.
November 1, 2007... With a few exceptions in its early days, television was live. Unbelievably, gloriously, incredibly live. What you got was what you saw, mistakes included. There were no second chances. Today it's almost impossible to imagine the magnitude of...

Targeting breast cancer: groundbreaking discoveries in treatment, screening, and genetics are radically improving the outcomes for women with breast cancer.(Dr. Kelly Hunt)(Interview)
November 1, 2007... Today, we know more about breast cancer than ever before. With advances in screening technology and improved treatment options, millions of women with breast cancer are living longer and healthier lives. Although breast cancer rates are on...

A taste of the holidays: Saturday Evening Post illustrators added their own special seasoning to Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.(THE AMERICAN ILLUSTRATORS HALL OF FAME)
November 1, 2007... Were our talented cover artists as handy in the kitchen as they were at the easel? We doubt it, although some of them claimed a certain skill on the backyard grill. But when it came to cooking up delicious holiday covers, they all knew the...

Gene therapy for Angina.(HEARTBEAT: The Healthy Heart Report)(AWARE study)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Researchers are testing a genetically engineered treatment for women with angina, the piercing chest pain that plagues millions of Americans with heart disease due to insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle. Given fast-track status by the...

Ankle brachial index.(HEARTBEAT: The Healthy Heart Report)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is closely associated with heart attack or stroke. Recently, German scientists found that the ankle brachial index (ABI), a simple test performed by measuring blood pressure at the ankle to diagnose PAD, could...

New imaging technique for early detection.(HEARTBEAT: The Healthy Heart Report)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Could a simple imaging technique reveal fat buildup in hearts before symptoms appear? The intriguing question prompted a recent study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where researchers indeed discovered that fat builds up...

A moving experience: I kept expecting to hear the crash of stacks of boxes colliding against each other like falling dominos, knocking down walls and crushing me in my bed.(household moving)
November 1, 2007... I moved recently, and I vow never to do anything so "rash again. Every step of the operation was a horror--scrounging empty cartons from all the liquor stores and supermarkets in town, spending a fortune on giant rolls of bubble wrap, and...

Dressing up holiday meals: a new book offers tasty and tasteful ideas for holiday entertaining.('Williams-Sonoma Holiday Entertaining')(Book review)
November 1, 2007... Williams-Sonoma Holiday Entertaining by Georgeanne Brennan, 286 pages, Oxmoor House, $34.95 Feel like pushing the envelope this holiday season? A new book from Williams-Sonoma offers ideas for ratcheting up the flavor and appeal of holiday...

Running free: is your dog ready to play with others without a leash?(pet connection)(Column)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of the best things to happen to dogs and those who love them is the growth in popularity of off-leash recreation areas nationwide. As open spaces dwindle and property values make the large suburban backyard a...

The sound of silence: you're 45 and your hearing is going south? Join the club.(Interview)
November 1, 2007... "Why do your ears stop working?" my preschooler wanted to know the other day, and ironically, I didn't have to ask her to repeat her question. I don't hear well, and my daughter, like the rest of my family, has learned to talk loudly and say...

Lower not necessarily better.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(cholesterol)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... To the readers: When I was in medical school many years ago, one professor told us, "Fifty percent of what we are teaching you will be proved wrong in the coming years. The problem is, we don't know which 50 percent." Obviously phrased to...

More from 90-year-old Hummer owner.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Reader: In the May/June 2007 issue, you told me "don't change a thing" but that you would need more information to arrive at a thoughtful conclusion as to why my cholesterol results keep getting better, although I no longer watch what I eat. My...

Persistent dizziness.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)
November 1, 2007... Reader: I am in reasonably good health except for one ailment that has troubled me for the past three years. I am in a constant state of dizziness that worsens each year. I now must be very careful when walking, although I still manage to walk...

Up in arms over BP.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(blood pressure measurement)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Reader: I monitor my blood pressure at home in each arm. The systolic pressure in my left arm is usually 15 to 20 points higher than in my right arm. The diastolic is close to the same in both arms. Will you please explain this? And, which...

No "arch" enemy.(HEART HEALTH: ASK DR. ZIPES: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(congenital heart disease and right-sided aortic arch)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Reader: At age 37, I've been diagnosed with congenital heart disease. I was always told I have "right-sided aortic arch." Could you explain these two conditions to me? Dr. Zipes: The term "congenital" means something you were born with, or...

Chistmas lights: how you light up the holidays can say a lot about your personality.
November 1, 2007... Someone in the neighborhood has set a new record for putting up their Christmas lights the fastest: November 6. Parents were still finishing off their kids' Halloween candy behind closed doors. Lawn mowers were still roaring. Thanksgiving...

Cows muscle in on sports drinks.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(skim milk are better at restoring fluid balance)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Rehydration drinks such as Gatorade and body mass-promoting drinks with soy protein may have to moooove over in favor of good old-fashioned cow's milk. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Researchers in England recently compared the abilities of...

Fruity vegetables and fish vs. asthma.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Numerous scientific studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may protect against asthma. Most recently, Greek scientists discovered that children who ate more than 40 grams of "fruity vegetables" (eggplant, tomato, zucchini, and...

Be an energy scrooge in the kitchen.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(energy saving tips)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While preparing holiday meals, remember the following: $ If your food requires hours to cook, there's no need to preheat the oven. $ Don't open the oven door to peek. Opening the door can quickly lower oven...

"Turkey".(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Tofurky)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thanksgiving just isn't complete without the turkey, even for those who don't eat it. The solution for some may be Tofurky, a complete roast turkey dinner with mushroom gravy and wild rice stuffing produced by Turtle...

Munchie of the month.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Salba Smart products)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The all-around healthiest snack food you can eat? This may be it. Salba Smart[TM] products are made using Salba[R] (Salvia hispanica L.), one of nature's richest plant sources of omega-3 and fiber. Salba Smart snacks include tortilla chips,...

The night before Christmas, 1907.(100 Years Ago in the Post)
November 1, 2007... 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the flat not a creature was stirring, not even the cat. Above the steam-heater the stockings were placed in hopes that by Santa they soon would be graced. The children were snug in...

Hollywood memories: at 90 veteran actor Kirk Douglas reflects on his friends, his life, his work, and the present state of the world.(POST BOOKSHELF)('Let's Face It')(Book review)
November 1, 2007... Let's Face It by Kirk Douglas, 256 pages, Wiley Books, $22.95 The poet Robert Browning wrote, "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be." "Let's face it," Kirk Douglas writes in his new memoir. "That's a lot of crap! I have...

Quiet strength.(POST BOOKSHELF)(Book review)
November 1, 2007... Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy, 301 pages, Tyndale, 826.99 The lifestyle of a big-time NFL head coach may not be as luxurious as one might expect. In his new book, Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts,...

Where in the world?(United States )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A factory of coinage, Honest Abe's morn, and the one called the Man of Steel: "shake" up your brain and just try to guess where all of these things might be. The answers are on page 111. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Superman, as we all...

Where do you think you are?(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... East, West, Nort, or South, each of the areas above appears on the map of a single state or province. Can you identify these locations? If you find the game too easy (but you won't), try to guess this issue's theme. 1. Eaton, OH 2....

The perfect squelch: "she floored the champ".(Muhammad Ali and a flight attendant)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shortly after I boarded the flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles, I was arranging a stack of papers in an attempt to catch up on some writing during the four-hour flight. Suddenly, the focus of my attention shifted...

You be the judge.(summons)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Knowing that a summons awaited him in Arkansas, Andrew vowed never to set foot in the state. He didn't. But a clever summons server outsmarted him by getting on the same plane in Tennessee and handing him the court...

Coffee, carbs, and eye health.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(coffee and glaucoma)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have heard conflicting reports about whether people with glaucoma should avoid coffee. Please settle this, as I love my coffee but don't want to make my glaucoma worse. I am terrified of the inevitable and don't wish to...

Carbs count, too.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(high glycemic foods increase risk of macular degeneration)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Encouraging news from Tufts University in Massachusetts suggests that avoiding sugary foods may help stave off age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. In the intriguing study, people who...

Cataract surgery has low complication rate.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I read about the cataract surgery in the Jan./Feb. Post. I am interested in it and would like more information. My doctor says I have cataracts but don't need surgery quite yet. I am 86 years old and was 70 when I first...

Parkinson's disease: a team effort.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Fight For More campaign)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Lonnie Ali wants other caregivers to know they are not alone in dealing with the daily responsibilities and lifelong struggles of Parkinson's disease (PD). Her husband, three-time heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali, was diagnosed with the...

Help for hand cramps and gout.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, Re: Cramps, Quinine and Tonic (SEP May 2007). I am a violinist who had a threat to his career with severe hand cramps. Dr. Samuel Durso of Johns Hopkins prescribed quinine sulfate. It worked. I have reached a...

Dizziness makes her miserable.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, Two years ago, I disembarked from a plane, following a cruise trip, feeling very dizzy. I have been that way ever since, in spite of trips to doctors, MRIs, and a brain scan. It was decided I do not have inner ear...

Taste of food is only a memory.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I lost my sense of smell and taste several months ago. I had already been taking several heart medications over the years and have not had any other health problems of late. A CT brain scan came back normal. An...

Winners.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It sounds like you have a nasty cold. Better not come in today; I'd rather not catch it."

"X" Is for Extension.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(spinal fusion surgery X-STOP)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, Regarding spondylolisthesis, could you explain the new spinal fusion surgery called "X-STOP"? It's my understanding two cages (screws) are used; do they crisscross (ergo, the name)? I especially enjoy receiving the...

Reader links artificial sweetener to her headaches.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(NutraSweet)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I began having ocular migraines [July/August 2007 issue] in my 40s and thought they might have to do with changing hormones. I finally discovered, however, that ingesting aspartame (NutraSweet) would trigger an ocular...

Basics of bursitis.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)
November 1, 2007... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have bursitis in my left hip. A cortisone shot helped for two months, and my doctor prescribed Celebrex with Tylenol as needed. What can be expected from this ailment--in particular, what is the potential extent of...