Exceeding the recommended dose may be risky Buyer beware A neighbor and I were out walking the other day when she casually mentioned the whopping headache she had the night before. She said she had to take three Advil and lay down to get rid of it. Outside of kidding around about how her kids have a special knack for giving her headaches, what she said was no joke. Three Advil? The package says to start with one, then take another "if pain persists." Nowhere does it say to take three!   My neighbor has lots of company in making up her own set of rules when taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication. A 2002 survey by Harris Interactive revealed that 44 percent of those who took OTC painkillers admitted to exceeding the recommended dose. And only 16 percent of the 4,263 adults interviewed said they ever read the entire product label and almost half agreed that it is more important to control pain, regardless of the risk. It is clear that many Americans view OTC drugs very casually, as if medicine purchased without a prescription is risk-free. Well, as anyone who reads this column knows, that's hardly the case. Statistics show that 16,500 people die each year and 103,000 are hospitalized with complications from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. And most of the side effects can occur without warning symptoms. The bottom line is that these drugs aren't foolproof, and it's fool hardy to treat them as if they are. The misuse and abuse of OTC medications is endemic and presents a real problem in the United States. That's why Dr. Wright has devoted his career to helping people find safe, natural alternatives to these medications. As for my neighbor's headache, she may have been able to find the relief she needed with something as simple and safe as magnesium and vitamin B6, which Dr. Wright wrote about back in May 2001. Nutrition & Healing subscribers can download and view this issue for free online by visiting www.wrightnewsletter.com and signing on with the username and password listed on page 8 of your most recent issue. If you're not already a subscriber, the website also provides details on becoming one. **************************************************** Cease and de-cyst Q: Recently I was diagnosed with a solid nodule and cysts in my right breast, which causes me a lot of pain, especially around the time of my period. Is there any diet or supplements that I could try to reduce or eliminate this condition? JVW: There is a treatment that can eliminate or severely reduce the symptoms you are experiencing, but it is not widely known despite its remarkable effectiveness. I am pleased to spread the word, since the therapy has helped many of my patients with fibrocystic breast disease. I was introduced to this treatment in 1976 by Dr. John Meyers, who pioneered it. In just two to three months of repeated treatments most women will have a significant reduction or elimination of their symptoms, although small remnants of their cysts may remain. The therapy involves swabbing the entire vaginal area with a solution of iodine and then quickly administering an intravenous injection of magnesium sulfate. In fewer than 60 minutes, one can literally feel the difference in the breast tissue, with the bumps and lumps in the tissue either eliminated or softened, and the tissue itself more pliable and much, much less painful. In addition to this simple, yet effective treatment, I also recommend cutting down on or eliminating caffeine, which seems to aggravate this condition. **************************************************** What is...fibrocystic breast disease? Fibrocystic breast disease is an often uncomfortable condition occurring most commonly in women between the ages of 30 and 50. The disease, thought to be linked to estrogen, is characterized by multiple, benign lumps and cysts in the breasts. The pain and lumps increase toward the end of the menstrual cycle, when the cysts tend to enlarge. The severity of the condition tends to fluctuate and it usually subsides completely after menopause. Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing

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