Does cellphone in bra boost risk?

Q. For convenience, I keep my cellphone on vibrate in my bra. I have heard that you shouldn’t keep your cellphone close to your ear for long periods. Does the same hold true for your bra?

My sister had breast cancer, so it runs in the family. Am I being exposed to radiation even if I am not talking?

A. The effect of radio frequency (RF) radiation on the body remains controversial. Studies are equivocal whether there is an increased risk of cancer.

Even when you are not talking, a cellphone periodically emits RF to connect with a cell tower or network. Whether this low-level electromagnetic radiation poses a risk to the breast has not been well studied (Annual Review of Public Health, 2005).

Q. My doctor says that my cholesterol level of 212 is way too high and I am at risk for a heart attack. Simvastatin caused joint and muscle pain, and I began having trouble getting out of the bathtub. My muscles became too weak.

He wants to prescribe Lipitor instead, but I would rather try something more natural. My parents lived into their late 80s, so I am not as worried as my doctor about cholesterol. I am 74 and in otherwise good health. Can you offer me some options?

A. Very little data suggest someone your age will benefit greatly from taking a statin-type cholesterol- lowering drug unless you already have heart disease. That’s why you might want to consider some of the dietary approaches we include in “The People’s Pharmacy Quick and Handy Home Remedies” (www.peoples-pharmacy.com).

Some people have had success with plant pectin dissolved in grape juice, fish oil, vinegar, cinnamon, avocado or foods high in soluble fiber, such as oatmeal and barley. Red yeast rice is a natural way to get statins; many people who don’t do well on statins have less trouble with RYR.

Q. I had taken the prescription sleeping pill Ambien for almost two years when I started noticing that I had done things the previous night I was not aware of the next day. I travel in my work, so every week I do an expense report. I started finding occasional receipts from restaurants that I didn’t recall going to. My wife and children would tell me about phone conversations with them that I did not remember.

I chalked it up to short-term memory loss but told my doctor about it. He said the Ambien could be contributing and not to take one until I was in bed ready to sleep.

I had an allergy problem one day and took two OTC allergy pills. I checked into a motel around 7. I was feeling tired and unwell, so I prepared to sleep around 8 pm, taking my Ambien after getting into bed. The next thing I knew was that I was sitting in the back of a police cruiser.

I have regained my memory since I quit Ambien. I don’t sleep as well, but I am not scared of killing anyone while driving in my sleep.

A. Sleep-driving is a potential reaction to Ambien (zolpidem). Many visitors to our website (www.peoplespharmacy. com) have reported similar problems. The website includes other solutions to insomnia, such as melatonin or a high-carb snack before bed.

2011 King Features Syndicate, Inc.