Originally published Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
The People's Pharmacy: The scoop on floating poop
The People's Pharmacy columnists Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon answers questions about floating poop, "Canadian" drugs, selenium
Syndicated Columnists
Q: I was watching Oprah and heard a doctor on her show say that poop should never float. Why?
A: Health professionals have been debating the causes of "floaters" vs. "sinkers" for decades. Some believe floating is caused by excess fat in the stool as a consequence of digestive disease. Others maintain that gas is the culprit.
If you feel well and have no diarrhea or other symptoms, it probably makes little difference. If it persists, tell your doctor at your next visit so she can rule out anything serious.
Q: With Nexium more than $4 a pill, I ordered it from an online Canadian drugstore. When the pills came, they were from India and were generic.
This medicine did not work, and now I have my asthma symptoms and cough back. I don't know what I will do, since I can't afford the name brand.
A: Acid-suppressing drugs such as Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix can relieve reflux. Some people with this condition develop other symptoms, such as asthma or cough, as a result of acid irritation. If your medicine is not working, your condition might be aggravated.
You have discovered one of the pitfalls of using an online pharmacy. Not all "Canadian" pharmacies are in Canada. Some online drugstores source their medicines from around the world to get a better price. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has no control over the quality of such medicines.
Q: I had been suffering in silence as my hair changed its texture from wavy to straight. Then my fingernails began to deteriorate. I read in your column that too much selenium in the diet could affect hair and nails adversely.
At the time, I was taking a supplement that contained selenium along with the lecithin I wanted. I immediately switched to a lecithin-only supplement. After about six months, my nails began to recover. In another four to six months, my hair had become wavy again, and my nails were much stronger. Thank you!
A: Selenium is an essential mineral, but excess selenium can be toxic. Loss of hair and nails has occurred both among Chinese people whose diets were naturally high in selenium and in Americans taking supplements with too much selenium.
The tolerable upper limit of selenium is around 400 micrograms daily. Brazil nuts are high in selenium, and an ounce (roughly half a dozen) provides 800 micrograms. Overindulging regularly could lead to selenium toxicity.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them c/o King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019, or via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
The People's Pharmacy: People's Pharmacy: Pain relief for people who can't use NSAID drugs
First key vote today on Senate health bill
Swine-flu illnesses dropping for now, CDC says
Senate Democrats want to tax nips and tucks

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Senate vote clears hurdle
237 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
119 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
119 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
116 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
116 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
88 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
88 - Game thread
70 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
53 - Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
48
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'








