To Your Health

It seems like everyone has a bad back, but my backache has been going on for four years now, and I need some relief. A chiropractor helped some, but I still suffer if I make a sudden move or lift anything more than a heavy book. It started when I was pregnant but hasn’t yet cleared up. Any hints?

I seem to be getting more and more depressed and lethargic. I notice that it now takes three cups of coffee in the morning to get me going and three to four more cups during the day to stay alert enough to manage a day’s work. I am only 31, and I don’t see why I should feel this way. I already take a good multivitamin/mineral. Is there more I should do?

I recently had my annual physical, and my pap smear was abnormal. My doctor will do another test in six weeks, but I am a little worried. Does this mean I have cancer?

I have a 10-year-old son by a previous marriage, but after trying for six years, it looks like my husband may not be able to father a child. We simply cannot afford the cost of the entire batch of medical tests and treatment that insurance will not cover. What could nutritional supplements do to help?

My mother’s menopause was tough on the whole family, but that was 22 years ago. I am only 36, and I hope there are better ways of dealing with menopause by now. Can I prepare for this time of my life?

I am becoming concerned that my 12-year-old daughter is overweight. Is it too early to give her some pointers on how to lose weight?

I can’t believe that at age 26 I have the same problem as my 63-year-old mother. We both leak urine if we sneeze or laugh. I have two children, and I have heard that this can make a difference. Since I can’t turn back the clock (and these two children are worth the misery), is there anything else that I can do?

Is there any meat that is safe from contamination by the “Mad Cow” disease agent, or is there any way to protect against it?

I’ve been hearing that fiber in the diet is not as important as we used to think. Is it really important, and if so what does it do?

My 3-year-old daughter likes to eat dog biscuits. I have been hiding them from her, but she occasionally finds them anyway and helps herself. Is there anything wrong with this?

Out of the blue my eight-month-old son has begun having seizures. We thought he was going to die, but thankfully, DilantinTM has stopped the seizures. What is causing this, and is there anything else I can do to control them?

Since my 4-year-old has been in preschool, she has constantly been afflicted by colds and other infections. It just seems like her immune system is stretched too far. She can’t swallow pills like my husband and I, but I want to build up her system. Where do I start?