Surgeons used to caution patients to stop aspirin before surgery for fear it would cause uncontrollable bleeding. New research shows that patients who continue aspirin are less likely to die right after open-heart surgery and were no more likely to have complications with bleeding (Circulation, September 2005). But patients having other types of surgery should check with their physicians about whether to stop aspirin.
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I've heard vitamins may help prevent macular degeneration. What is the formula?
The combination of vitamins tested in a federal study on age-related eye disease was: 500 mg. vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg. beta carotene, 80 mg. zinc and 2 mg. copper daily.
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Some time ago you wrote about a man who taped a bean to the inside of his wrist as an aid against insomnia. Did he use a new bean every night?
That reader told us that he taped a dried kidney bean between the two tendons on the inside of his right wrist. He located a spot the width of three fingers from the wrist crease. According to our research, this is an acupressure point called the "inner gate." Pushing on it is said to relieve anxiety and promote sleep. You should be able to use a dried kidney bean repeatedly. You may also want to look into 1st Choice Sleep Band, which has a plastic button embedded in a Velcro strap.
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Joe Graedon, a pharmacologist, and Teresa Graedon, an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition, can be reached via http://www.peoplespharmacy.com .
