Teresa Graedon

1 week ago | spokesman.com | Joe Graedon |Teresa Graedon

Q. My brother is approaching 81 and is having difficulties with his memory. His doctor has prescribed donepezil. As far as I can tell, investigation on drugs that help with dementia and Alzheimer’s is inconclusive. I have been reading more and more about the nicotine patch. I have great respect for your opinion. What are your thoughts about the nicotine patch? Are there any clinical trials that might establish effectiveness? We have a family history.

2 weeks ago | seattletimes.com | Teresa Graedon

Q: I have been avoiding seed oils because of the way they are processed. In my opinion, our bodies are unable to use them in a beneficial way. I am really interested in avocado oil and would like to know if it is better than seed oils. Is that just hype? Can you tell me if there is “good” or “bad” avocado oil depending on how it is processed? A: We ourselves like to use avocado oil for high-heat cooking such as stir-fries. We consulted consumerlab.com to find the best choice, which is Chosen Foods.

2 weeks ago | spokesman.com | Joe Graedon |Teresa Graedon

Q.I recently had to have additional surgery after a total knee replacement. Nothing the hospital gave me for pain helped at all. My neighbor told me that after her surgery, she had the same experience. Her doctor told her that certain individuals on antidepressants have an issue with opioids not helping with pain. The research was done at Stanford in 2019. I’m only taking Tylenol, and I am still in a lot of pain. Why don’t surgeons know that antidepressants make opioids ineffective? A.

3 weeks ago | spokesman.com | Joe Graedon |Teresa Graedon

Q. I’ve been trying to prevent athlete’s foot and jock itch off and on since I worked at a swimming pool in 1969. My current routine:1. Keep it dry. Remove clothing promptly after exercise and dry any moist areas. 2. My dermatologist recommended clotrimazole when I had the fungus. She recommended miconazole as a preventative. 3. I’m also experimenting with Nizoral shampoo and Selsun Blue. Both are supposed to be good for dandruff, but the jury is out for me on preventing other fungal infections. 4.

3 weeks ago | seattletimes.com | Joe Graedon |Teresa Graedon

Q: A friend shared her happiness with your arthritis remedy of marinating golden raisins in gin. I am an alcoholic. Does the alcohol evaporate out, or is this a prescription to resume my illness? A: We don’t recommend this remedy for people like you. Although most of the alcohol does evaporate, having gin on hand to soak the raisins might be too much of a temptation. Some people have found that soaking golden raisins in apple cider vinegar and honey is a good alcohol-free substitute.