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Ask the Expert
Q: How can I make sure I get enough calcium?
A: Dairy foods are a great source of calcium. A little yogurt might be a tasty way to get more of this necessary mineral. Older women who added three servings of fruit-flavored yogurt to their daily diets quickly reversed one sign of bone weakening. They also consumed more protein and vitamins. Citrical and Tums are two available calcium supplements. One note of caution: It is possible to take too much calcium, so, as always, it's best to check with your doctor to make sure you are getting enough, but not too much.
Q: I have ringing in my ears. What can I do?
A: If you hear ringing in one or both ears, you may have tinnitus. This condition is not dangerous in itself, but, in rare cases, it could signal a more serious illness.
You can minimize tinnitus by:
- limiting exposure to loud sounds
- avoiding caffeine and tobacco
- controlling blood pressure
- decreasing sodium intake
- listening to a masking sound, such as radio static
- getting daily exercise to boost circulation
- learning relaxation techniques
- experimenting with a tinnitus masker in your hearing aid.
Any tinnitus that lasts for more than two weeks should be evaluated by your ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Q: What is metabolic syndrome?
A: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions linked to heart disease and diabetes, including obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and high cholesterol. There are a few simple solutions for reducing your risk for metabolic syndrome:
- Exercise, such as walking on a regular basis
- A diet low in calories and fat
- Weight control
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Melissa Young, M.D.
Endocrinologist and Specialist in Diabetes Management
Jersey Shore University Medical Center |
Q: If I smoke just a few cigarettes a day, is my health still in danger?
A: Puffing just one or two cigarettes a day may be enough to harm your heart and blood vessels. One study involving 23 men found that smoking a pack or less a week seems to trigger the development of risks for heart disease. Ultrasound and other tests confirmed that light smoking damaged the lining of the blood vessels about as much as smoking a pack a day or more.
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