DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For 20 years, I have bowled in a league and had no problems until this year. Now I have such pain at the base of my thumb that I can hardly hold the ball. And my bowling has become a disaster. What do you think this is? What can I do about it? — R.O.

ANSWER: A good candidate for your problem is bowler’s thumb. It’s a somewhat-common bowling ailment. The thumb hole of the bowling ball is putting pressure on the base of your thumb. I don’t know why this is happening now if you’re using the same ball you have used for 20 years. If you have a new ball, I can understand why the problem has arisen. The pressure produces scarlike tissue around a nerve innervating the thumb. It squeezes the nerve, which is the source of your pain.

A similar situation produces similar pain. That situation is inflammation of the thumb tendon and its covering.

You can solve both problems with the same treatments. Having the thumb hole beveled relieves the pressure on your thumb. Or you can adopt a different grip by not inserting the thumb to the full depth of the hole. Or you can wear a thumb guard. Or you can pad the thumb hole. Or you can buy a ball that doesn’t exert pressure on your thumb.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 53, in great shape, working out three times a week and running three times a week.

On days when I feel tired, I used to take 5-hour ENERGY, but then discovered Excedrin Extra Strength. It not only gives me a boost of energy for a better workout performance, but it relieves my knee pain. I don’t drink coffee or use much caffeine, so I do feel a little hyped up when I take it. Do you feel this is safe? — R.S.

ANSWER: 5-hour ENERGY contains B vitamins, amino acids and a few other ingredients said to be involved in energy production. It also has caffeine, the amount of which is equal to “a cup of the leading premium coffee.” A 6-ounce cup of coffee has, on average, 103 mg of caffeine. Consumer Reports had testing done on 5-hour ENERGY, and the testing showed a caffeine content of 207 mg, two cups of coffee.

Excedrin Extra Strength has 250 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol), 250 mg of aspirin and 65 mg of caffeine

The amount of caffeine is less than the amount in 5-hour ENERGY. Your hyped-up feeling probably comes from the caffeine, but it’s funny that this product with less caffeine than 5-hour Energy gives you a caffeine boost.

I don’t think either product is going to harm you. However, it bothers me that you are masking knee pain. If your knee or knees hurt, you ought to find why they do. Tolerating the pain with medicine could be aggravating your knee problem, whatever it might be.

As for the ingredients of either preparation, they shouldn’t hurt you.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would appreciate your evaluation of exercising on a stationary, upright bike (in bad weather) as compared with a street bicycle or just plain walking.

I am an 86-year-old male. — F.F.

ANSWER: A stationary, upright bike provides excellent exercise for both the heart and the leg muscles. Outdoor biking, because of the wind, terrain variations and the fact that you’re propelling your body weight, is more taxing. If you can increase the amount of pressure needed to turn the stationary bike’s pedals, that would put both on an equal plane.

The same goes for walking. With each step, you’re supporting and transporting your body weight.

You’re not wasting your time on the stationary bike. It’s a great way to continue to exercise on days where the weather doesn’t permit outside exercise. And you’re getting approximately the same benefits.

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.

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