Blooming Prairie, Minnesota

Your symptoms match those of Dupuytren’s contracture, a sometimes disabling (but not dangerous) condition that pulls fingers toward the palm and locks them there. It’s unrelated to arthritis. “Dupuytren’s causes painless contraction of fibrous tissue directly under the skin of the palm and fingers, and may be associated with nodules or cords in the palm. Over time, an affected finger may bend into a hook,” notes Dr. Taizoon H. Baxamusa, who is affiliated with the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Morton Grove. “The cause of Dupuytren’s is not known; however, there is a strong hereditary association, especially among people of Northern European or Scandinavian descent. It’s more common in men than women, and risk increases with age.

“Dupuytren’s is sometimes confused with trigger finger, tendonitis, or arthritis. Try this simple test: Place the hand and fingers flat on a tabletop. If you are unable to do so, or the finger curls under, you may wish to seek a formal evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon.”

New treatments include nonsurgical needling techniques and injections of the biologic drug Xiaflex.

Crooked Finger? The Saturday Evening Post

In the May issue, Joan said her husband doesn’t 
want to use deodorants with aluminum and asked for suggestions. A dentist in San Francisco, California, 
recommends applying plain baking soda as one would talcum powder. Lida Soper, Carlisle, Kentucky, combines 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon talc powder, places the mixture in a clean spice jar with holes in the lid, and sprinkles it on 
a small powder puff to use. Joy Urrutia, West Chicago, Illinois, suggests Ombra roll-on deodorant with chamomile oil (ombraproducts.com or 800-559-7498). Virginia Bennett, Puyallup, Washington, and her grandsons 
purchase Queen Helene deodorant with tea tree oil at 
a local health store, and Sue Bada says Lafe’s Natural & Organic deodorant stone with mineral salts (lafes.com) is moistened before using, and proceeds support breast cancer awareness and prevention.

In the March issue, Dick Rupp asked for help with a persistent mouth sore that tests show is not cancerous. Helen Dillard, Holladay, Utah, and Lila Rose, Yakima, Washington, report that inexpensive and widely 
available generic lysine supplements cleared up their mouth sores. Miriam Nielsen, Edmonds, Washington, says generic herbal supplements of white oak bark work great for her. She opens a capsule and places 
the powder directly on the lesion several times a day and at bedtime.

Readers Respond to Avoiding Aluminum and Treating Mouth Sores The Saturday Evening Post

M. H.

Watertown, Massachusetts

Small studies in lab animals suggested that vitamin E supplements helped prevent heart disease and cancer. Although these health claims were widely reported, they 
just didn’t hold up after more testing.

But don’t give up on vitamin E. The nutrient is a family of eight antioxidants that prevent cell damage. The research mentioned above focused solely on one of its forms (alpha tocopherol). Today, researchers are exploring natural and synthetic versions of E for eye diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and cancers. Until we know more, experts generally recommend getting E from foods such as spinach, almonds, oils, and fortified cereals. Supplements with “mixed tocopherols” most closely match the E in foods.

Vitamin E Update The Saturday Evening Post

Dorrie

St. Augustine, Florida

Rest easy. Your body is able to turn the prescription drug Synthroid into the T3 hormone that you need.

A healthy thyroid gland produces the right amount of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine) to control the body’s rate of energy use. Doctors prescribe a synthetic version of T4 called levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl) when the gland is underactive or removed because of thyroid cancer or Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States.

“The body converts, or makes, T3 from T4,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Garber, chief of endocrinology at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. “In fact, a 2008 study from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., reports normal T3 levels in those taking levothyroxine therapy.”

Thyroid Pills The Saturday Evening Post

W.D.M.

Lubbock, Texas

We’re always up for a challenge! After checking with physicians and researchers, we turned to other key members of the health care team—nurses. Here’s expert advice from Suzanne Prevost, R.N., Ph.D., associate dean at the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing and president-elect of Sigma Theta Tau International, a global network 
of nurse leaders:

“Persistent itchiness (pruritus) has many causes and is the most common skin problem among seniors. It is wise to consider medications, especially if people note increased itching when a drug regimen is changed. Itching may be a side effect of vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Prescription drugs such as prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred), methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) for rheumatoid arthritis, and furosemide (Lasix) for edema can also cause skin changes.”

Ironically, getting wet can dry you out, too. “Daily bathing with hot water dries the skin,” says Prevost. “Instead, take two or three baths per week with lukewarm water to exfoliate dead cells that increase itchiness. Just after exiting the tub or shower, apply a heavy moisturizing cream (which is more effective than a lotion) while skin is still damp. Over-the-counter preparations referred to as ‘body butter’ are good choices. Keep nails trimmed very short. Scratching provides momentary relief, but ultimately increases inflammation and the itching sensation. If your home tends to be dry, adding a humidifier may help.

“Finally, don’t give up on health care providers. The problem you are experiencing causes tremendous discomfort and deserves to be treated seriously. If you have not already done so (and regardless of your age), consider seeking help from a geriatric dermatologist or nurse practitioner who is familiar with this problem.”

Ditch Itchy Skin The Saturday Evening Post

Brian

Plainfield, Indiana

Small studies suggest that at least one of the ingredients in Procera AVH (the flower extract vinpocetine) promotes blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the brain. The FDA says that Lipogen PS, a soy-derived nutrient found in brain cells, is “generally recognized as safe” for consumption and also approved a qualified health claim that the product may “reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.” That’s good, but there’s no definitive proof that it (or Procera) boosts mental function. PS (phosphatidylserine) occurs naturally in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans, and rice. Procera AVH (proceraavh.com) and Lipogen PS (lipogen.co.il) supplements each cost about $50 per bottle of 60 doses taken up to three times daily and come with a money-back guarantee.

Memory Boosters The Saturday Evening Post