Sunflower seeds for sleepy drivers

Q. I sleep well at night, wake up refreshed and energetic and rarely feel tired or take naps. But when I drive for an hour or more, I become so sleepy that I have to pull over and take a 45-minute nap or risk crashing. After I wake up, I’m alert and good to go.

My mother and brother have the same problem; we call it “autonarcolepsy” because the only time it happens is in the car (whether I’m a driver or a passenger). I would appreciate information about this problem.

A. You certainly are not alone. Others also have reported that driving or riding in the car makes them sleepy.

We recently heard from a long-distance truck driver that eating sunflower seeds helps him stay alert on 12-hour trips. The mental concentration needed to crack the shell, extract the seed and spit out the residue seems to be enough to maintain alertness.

It may also help that the seeds are rich in fat and protein rather than rapidly absorbed carbohydrate.

Q. I’ve been suffering from nail fungus for years. My doctor prescribed pills, which worked for a while, but the fungus came back. My feet look atrocious, and I am embarrassed to wear sandals.

Do you have any natural approaches that won’t damage my liver like the pills could?

A. One of our favorites involves soaking your toes in Listerine and vinegar.

Here is a recent success story: “I was desperate to cure toenail fungus that I acquired five years ago. It was getting painful even to walk because the nail was curling inward, not to mention it was ugly!

“After two months using the remedy from The People’s Pharmacy, my nail is growing in a beautiful whitish-pink. The ugly yellow/blue/black thick nail is only at the very tip of the nail now (when it was all the way to the cuticle before).

“I soaked my toes every night in vinegar and Listerine. I also rubbed Vicks into the nail bed and underneath the nail about twice a week. It’s exciting to see the progress!”

Q. I read a letter from someone who drank lemonade to prevent kidney stones. I’ve had kidney stones for six years. I’ve been through two lithotripsies and taken sodium bicarbonate for two years. One of the physician assistants told me a year ago to drink a shot glass of lemon juice right before bedtime. I’ve had two ultrasounds since then, and no kidney stones show up. I just wish my urologist had told me this.

A. Kidney stones are extremely painful, so preventive measures are most welcome.

Doctors sometimes prescribe potassium citrate to block the formation of kidney stones. Because lemon juice also contains citrate, doctors have considered lemonade therapy to prevent kidney stones (Journal of Urology, April 2007). This calls for 1 or 2 quarts of unsweetened or low-sugar lemonade per day.

Pure lemon juice before bedtime can be hard on tooth enamel. Be sure to rinse well!

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy: Mother Nature’s Medicine.”

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.