Zorba Paster on Your Health :: Listen

#1 Logan, UT Son's Skin
Z says one of the most common causes for skin rashes is soap. Z believes her son might have a "blotch" of eczema. He recommends Rx-strength Hydrocortisone cream. If you want to try OTC, Z recommends 3x a day for 3 weeks.

Topic Innate Altruism?
Z and T discuss a study that showed that prior to learing "polite" behavior, some toddlers showed signs of altruistic behavior. Tests showed that the children "test group' were more likely to help their caregivers (i.e. Moms) more than their chimpanzee control group counterparts. The theory is that we, as humans, might have innate "trial" instincts that lead to compassion and the strength of the community or "tribe".

#2 Aurora, CO How to curb wife's RLS
Z suggests a second opinion because he states RLS is more of a "market created" disease that was almost "created" for the drug Requip. If the diagnosis is confirmed, Z recommends asking for a different anti-Parkinson's disease drug from their family doctor, especially if Requip is making her drowsy, not working.

#3 OK City, OK Contacts Causing Redness
Z suggests taking contacts out every night, even if they are designed to stay in for weeks at a time. Z also reommends an OTC, antihistamine eyedrop (Vasacon A and Nafcon). If all that fails, Z recommends asking your doctor for Acular, which is like n ibuprofen eye drop.

E-mail Rapid Fire
T reads several e-mails from listeners about a series of opics including: frozen ginger, rice cookers, jalapeno hands, birth control and migraines and almond overindulgence.

#4 Republic, MO Melatonin for Insomnia
Z says that sleep hygiene is the first step in correcting insomnia. Sleep hygiene includes: bed temperature, correct pillows, lighter blankets, etc. Z says to remove the TV from the bedroom! Z also mentions OTC Tylenol PM, if you an handle it. He recommends Neurantin (Gabapentin) 300-600 mg at bedtime can be good for sleep. Z says melatonin is fine, but recommends picking a house brand (like Walgreens, Target, CVS, etc) because Melatonin is regulated by the FDA like a cosmetic, not a drug.

E-mail Semi Cereal
T reads an e-mail from Laurie in Louisville, KY who has a tip for truck drivers who don't get enough fiber cereal. She suggests filling a mug with milk and eatin handfuls of cereal from a bag and then taking a sip of the milk and repeating the process. Z loves it.

TOPIC: Being Nice can be Healthy
Z and T discuss the latest Pay-for-Delay Supreme Court drug case - one in which the FTC challenged annual payments of $31 million to $42 million by Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc, now owned by Abbott Laboratories, to stop generic versions of AndroGel, a treatment for the underproduction of testosterone, until 2015. The case will be decided by the end of June 2013.

#5 Pardeeville, WI Alternatives to Tubes for Ear Aches
Z explains that most ENT docs are trained to suggest "tubes" for ear conditions. Z goes on to say that in Europe, there is little to no use of tubesa nd deafness and ear conditions are about the same between the two countries. Z recommends getting a hearing test and a second opinion. If there is a need for further work on the ear, he first recommends a sulfa-based anti-biotic for 4-6 weeks.

Mythbuster: Stress Allergies
T reads a myth about stress and allergies. He asks if allergies can be worsened by stress. Z says that they can. he cites a study that was done with Hay Fever, in which a stressful day caused a much worse allergic response to a skin test.

#6 OK City, OK Loose Skin and Weight Loss
Z says this is a common problem with people who lose a lote of eight. The skin grows around the body. He says that surgery can be used to correct it. He says it might take 6 months to a year to go away.

E-mail Cooking Sherry (Disagree with the Doc)
T reads a note from Tom (a retired chef) from Lexington, KY who chides Z for suggesting "Cooking Wines" as a recipe tip. Tom says they are made with salt levels that make them terrible.

12/29/2012 (Julie's Baked Acorn Squash with Peanut Butter)