Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

Q:My father and uncle both have diabetes. I would like to reduce my risk of developing this disease, and I've heard that drinking coffee can help. Is there any evidence behind this claim?

A:There are several epidemiological studies that have demonstrated an association between regular coffee consumption and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Care, February 2006).

Do not count on coffee alone to protect you, however. Regular exercise and weight control are far more likely to be helpful in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Q:I had shingles many years ago. So did my friend. Her doctor gave her a shingles injection so she won't get it again. My doctor said that by having shingles, I built antibiotics to it and don't need the shot. Which doctor is correct?

A:Chickenpox during childhood can lead to shingles later in life. The virus (varicella zoster) can lie dormant in nerves near the spinal cord for decades. The virus can be reactivated and trigger an intensely painful skin reaction.

Zostavax was developed to prevent shingles in people over 60 years old. The company excluded anyone who had previously experienced a shingles attack from the study. Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration does not allow the company to promote the vaccine for anyone who already had shingles.

We're not surprised that the doctors disagree. Many were taught that shingles only happen once. That is not completely true. Although quite rare, some people can experience another bout with this virus (American Family Physician, April 15, 2000). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call for vaccination even for people who already had one attack.

Q: I had acid-reflux surgery because stomach acid was irritating my throat. After the surgery, the correct diagnosis of celiac disease was finally made. Eating wheat caused the acid in my throat.

People often write you about chronic heartburn. They should be told that surgery and drugs aren't always the answers. If I'd gotten the celiac disease diagnosis sooner, I might have been spared an unnecessary operation.

A:Celiac disease is an inability to tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The immune reaction to this protein begins to destroy the gut and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from heartburn and migraines to fatigue and osteoporosis.

Celiac disease was once thought to be rare, but more recent research shows that it is far more common, perhaps one in 100 people (Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, November 2005). It runs in families, so relatives of patients should definitely be tested. There are no medications to treat celiac disease, but it can be controlled with a gluten-free diet.

Q:I have high lipids and a stent in my heart. I have been on Lipitor, Vytorin and now am on Crestor.

While taking Lipitor and Vytorin, I always had muscle weakness. Now that I am on Crestor, not only do I have severe muscle weakness, I have cramps in my legs, itching palms and brain fog.

Is there a more natural way to lower lipids? I am getting worried about my liver, since I read somewhere that itching palms might signal liver problems.

A:Statin-type drugs lower cholesterol and inflammation that can lead to heart attacks. Since you have a stent, you need to control blood lipids aggressively.

Not everyone tolerates statin medicines like Crestor, Lipitor or Vytorin (which includes simvastatin). Severe muscle pain, weakness or cramping is a red flag. Ask your doctor to test liver enzymes, as itching could be a sign of trouble.

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