Special diet can help headaches

Q. Two years ago, I was getting headaches every day for several months. I visited five different doctors, but none had a clue as to the reason, and they weren’t any help. I then read about a lady who had written to you. She said her headaches stopped when she stopped eating wheat, oats, barley and rye. The next day, I quit, and so did the headaches.

A. Migraine headaches are an often-unrecognized symptom of celiac disease. People with this condition cannot tolerate the protein gluten that is found in the grains wheat, barley and rye.

Because celiac disease damages the intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption, it puts people at higher risk for osteoporosis, dementia and some cancers.

Other symptoms can include digestive difficulties, itchy skin rashes, neuropathies, anemia and fatigue.

If you think you may have celiac disease, you should ask your doctor about a test.

Q. As a 63-year-old female, I have to eat lots of fruits, vegetables and grains to stay regular. When I travel, I have a problem with constipation. What is the easiest and best way to stay regular when your schedule and diet are disrupted, especially when in a foreign country? Thanks for all your help.

A. Getting enough fresh fruit and vegetables to stay regular can be a challenge while traveling, especially if you are in a part of the world where gastrointestinal infections are common. We suggest taking your fiber with you, in Metamucil packets or something similar. Sugarless gum also is easy to pack and is surprisingly effective.

We are sending you our Guide to Constipation with 10 tips and a dynamite pumpkin bran muffin recipe for coping with this common problem. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. GG-30, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Here is a home remedy for you. I got bitten by fire ants yesterday, and the bites swelled up and itched like crazy. I applied castor oil right away, and the itching stopped. The bites are just a little bit swollen today, and they don’t itch at all.

A. Castor oil is an old-fashioned remedy that was once used as a laxative. We’ve heard of using it on warts, bruises and sore joints, but this is the first we’ve heard of using it on ant bites. Other remedies that readers have successfully used on fire ant bites include baking soda and vinegar, toothpaste and Vicks VapoRub.

Q. I successfully treated my nail fungus with topically applied tea tree oil. I saw improvement in only a few days and had complete results in about two weeks. It then took time for the damaged area to grow back without fungus.

A. Tea tree oil comes from an Australian tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, that has long been recognized as valuable for treating skin problems. The oil has antifungal activity, but some people are allergic to it.

For more information, visit www.Peoples-Pharmacy.com.

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.