DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A dear friend has a very rare disease, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome. It started last summer with her hair falling out, then her finger and toenails were affected. Can you tell me more about it? — M.Y.

ANSWER: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is named after the two doctors who first described it in 1955. It’s a most uncommon illness, featuring polyps in the digestive tract that lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, malabsorption and malnutrition. In addition to the digestive tract, hair loss and nail changes, including loss of the nails, often are encountered. Treatment involves restoring nutritional balance through intravenous feeding. A number of drugs, including the cortisone drug prednisone, have been used to control this illness. Because of its rarity, its cause hasn’t been found, and the one best treatment remains to be determined.

I used your letter for another reason. That reason is to introduce the public to NORD, the National Organization for Rare Disorders. More than 6,000 serious illnesses are considered rare, and they affect more than 25 million Americans. People with rare disorders shoulder two burdens: One is coping with the ravages of the disease; the second is contending with the public’s lack of awareness of the illness and often the ignorance of the medical profession in dealing with it.

NORD was founded to assist this enormous but neglected population of ill people. The organization doesn’t diagnose illnesses, but it directs people with rare disorders to facilities and associations they don’t know exist. People can contact NORD at 800-999-NORD or online at www.rarediseases.org.

NORD is a federation of dedicated people we can be truly proud of.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Is there any way to tell if your carotid artery is blocked? Lately, the left side of my head feels somewhat numb, and the left side of my throat is dry. — T.S.

ANSWER: The right and left carotid arteries, located in the neck, supply blood to the right and left sides of the brain. A blockage of either brings on a stroke. Carotid artery blockages ought to be detected before a stroke occurs and part of the brain is lost.

Some symptoms suggest carotid artery blockage: peculiar sensations on the face or body, weakness, dizzy spells, being at a loss for words and visual disturbances. Usually those things last only for a short time. They serve as warning signs. Ultrasound exams of the arteries are one way of determining blockages.

The more or less permanent numbness you feel and the dryness of the throat aren’t stroke symptoms. Only a doctor’s hands-on exam will disclose what’s going on.

Stroke is something feared more than heart attacks. Readers can order the booklet on strokes by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 902, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband used to weigh 165 pounds. He now weighs 100 pounds. He is 84. He has had triple bypass surgery, aortic aneurysm surgery and grafts to his leg arteries. He eats well. He takes Boost. What can I give him so that he’ll gain weight? Doctors say to feed him more. That’s impossible. — W.D.

ANSWER: If your husband is eating well but losing weight, something must be interfering with his food absorption. I’d get the opinion of a gastroenterologist for this.

If nothing is found, then the only way to put on weight is through an increase of calories. Calorie-dense snacks might turn the corner for him. A handful of nuts, about an ounce, has 185 calories. Two tablespoons of peanut butter has 190 calories. A cup of ice cream at bedtime adds 300 calories. Maybe he would tolerate another can of Boost. That would give him an extra 240 calories.

Your husband has had more than his share of trouble.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

Copy the Story Link