Community ClicksQ: I have taken naproxen regularly for the past several years, having had knee replacement and shoulder surgery.
When I take naproxen, my blood pressure goes up from 115/70 to about 145/94.
I was told my blood pressure problem was unrelated to the drug, but when I quit taking naproxen, my blood pressure went back down to 115/70.
I can’t find anything about this and wonder what else I can do for pain.
A: A recent report from Denmark (Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, July 2010) involved reviewing the health records of more than 1 million people taking NSAID pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren, etc.), celecoxib (Celebrex) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, etc.).
The investigators found that, except for naproxen, “most NSAIDs are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.”
Although you discovered that naproxen raises your blood pressure, this medicine is the only one in the study that did not increase the risk for heart attack or stroke.
It is, however, associated with hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding, so benefits and risks must be weighed carefully.
We are sending you our Guides to Alternatives for Arthritis and Blood Pressure Treatment so that you can find some less conventional ways to manage your pain without affecting your blood pressure.
For a copy, send $5 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. AB-62, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Or download them for $2 each from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q: I have a home remedy to prevent sunburn, and you may not have heard of it.
I take three aspirin about an hour before I go into the sun, and an additional aspirin each hour I stay out after the first hour, stopping an hour before I end my sun exposure.
I am usually in the sun for four to six hours at a time, once or twice a month during the summer.
Most of that time is in direct sunlight. In case you are wondering, my ancestry is from northern Europe, and I am paper-white.
I usually get a little pink, but do not burn, hurt or peel.
A: Your remedy is unusual, but several years ago we heard from someone else who found aspirin helpful against sunburn.
That prompted us to search the medical literature for studies.
Relatively little research has been done, but a German study found that pretreatment with 250 mg of aspirin prevented sunburn (Photochemistry and Photobiology, October 2001).
That’s a lot lower than the dose you take, which could cause serious stomach damage.
Scientists from Estee Lauder also presented evidence that topical salicylic acid could protect skin from ultraviolet radiation damage (Journal of Cosmetic Science, March-April 2006).
Salicylic acid is available in some over-the-counter acne preparations, but it is not promoted for burn prevention.
The best protection from sunburn continues to be avoiding midday sun and using protective clothing and sunscreen when exposed.
Your aspirin approach is an interesting addition.
Q: Did you say that potatoes are like white flour?
Are potatoes good for you?
I thought potatoes were complex carbohydrates.
A: The distinction between simple (sugar) and complex (starch) carbohydrates is not as useful as it once seemed.
Now, nutrition scientists consider the glycemic index of a food: how quickly it makes blood sugar rise compared with a piece of white bread.
Potatoes act a lot like white bread, with a glycemic index of 89 out of 100. (See www.glycemicindex.com.)
Q: I sleep well at night, wake up refreshed and energetic, and rarely feel tired or take naps.
But when I drive for an hour or more, I become so sleepy that I have to pull over and take a 45-minute nap or risk crashing.
After I wake up, I’m alert and good to go.
My mother and brother have the same problem; we call it “auto-narcolepsy” because the only time it happens is in the car (whether I’m a driver or a passenger).
I would appreciate information about this problem.
A: You are not alone.
Others also have reported that driving or riding in the car makes them sleepy.
We recently heard from a long-distance truck driver that eating sunflower seeds helps him stay alert on 12-hour trips.
The mental concentration needed to crack the shell, extract the seed and spit out the residue seems to be enough to maintain alertness.
It may also help that the seeds are rich in fat and protein rather than rapidly absorbed carbohydrate.
Through the years, other readers have shared their success with sunflower seeds: “My mother wants to pass on her magic keeper-upper.
“Eating sunflowers in the shell while driving works like magic.
“The multitasking needed to consume them keeps you alert, but you need a cup to spit the shells into.”
Q: I’ve been suffering from nail fungus for years.
My doctor prescribed pills, which worked for a while, but the fungus came back.
My feet look atrocious, and I am embarrassed to wear sandals.
Do you have any natural approaches that won’t damage my liver like the pills could?
A: One of our favorites involves soaking your toes in Listerine and vinegar.
Here is a recent success story: “I was desperate to cure toenail fungus that I acquired five years ago.
“It was getting painful even to walk because the nail was curling inward, not to mention it was ugly!
“After two months using the remedy from The People’s Pharmacy, my nail is growing in a beautiful whitish-pink.
“The ugly yellow/blue/black thick nail is only at the very tip of the nail now (when it was all the way to the cuticle before).
“I soaked my toes every night in vinegar and Listerine.
“I also rubbed Vicks into the nail bed and underneath the nail about twice a week. It’s exciting to see the progress!”
We are sending you our Guide to Hair and Nail Care, with details on many home remedies to treat nail fungus.
For a copy, send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. H-31, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
It also can be downloaded for $2 from www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q: I read a letter from someone who drank lemonade to prevent kidney stones.
I’ve had kidney stones for six years.
I’ve been through two lithotripsies and taken sodium bicarbonate for two years.
One of the physician assistants told me a year ago to drink a shot glass of lemon juice right before bedtime.
I’ve had two ultrasounds since then, and no kidney stones show up.
I just wish my urologist had told me this.
A: Kidney stones are extremely painful, so preventive measures are most welcome.
Doctors sometimes prescribe potassium citrate to block the formation of kidney stones.
Because lemon juice also contains citrate, doctors have considered lemonade therapy to prevent kidney stones (Journal of Urology, April 2007).
This calls for 1 or 2 quarts of unsweetened or low-sugar lemonade per day.
Pure lemon juice before bedtime can be hard on tooth enamel, so rinse well!
