DEAR DR. ROACH: About six months ago, I was walking on a downward-sloping trail and fell forward, slamming my total abdomen and left hip area on the ground. The only obvious injury was a fractured left rib. The rib did improve after about six weeks, but I was left with an aching abdomen area. This continued for three months with diarrhea until late December, when I was hospitalized with colitis. The CT of the area disclosed no injury of the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas or spleen. A month later, a liver ultrasound also was clear.

I am left with feeling very sick, aching and bloated in the upper abdomen. A friend suggested maybe a twisted bowel from the impact of the fall. I hope you can offer some advice or suggestions to help me improve. I am 76 years old, and have always been active. — B.D.

ANSWER: I can’t come up with a way to connect the fall and the continued symptoms, especially with a CT showing things are OK. I don’t believe a twisted bowel (volvulus) is likely, since that goes spectacularly wrong in a big hurry, and shouldn’t just simmer along like whatever you have seems to be doing.

I do wonder about the colitis — you wouldn’t be the first person to have a previously unsuspected medical problem come to light because of an injury near the same area. Is it possible you have an abdominal condition, like sprue or inflammatory bowel disease? It would be uncommon, but not unheard of, at your age.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been having pain in my right thigh for more than a year. My doctor gave me pain pills (tramadol), which didn’t help, so she had me get X-rays. I was told I need a new hip. My hip is not sore. Should I be skeptical? — D.T.

ANSWER: It’s always wise to be cautious when confronted with a recommendation for surgery, and a second opinion is worth considering, if there is time to do so. However, it is common for pain due to severe arthritis in the hip to feel as though it is coming from the thigh or even the knee. The hip X-ray should be diagnostic.

Usually, before considering surgery, people have tried several types of pain medications, been through physical therapy, yoga or other exercise programs, had a trial of injections of corticosteroids or knee lubricant like Synvisc, and possibly a complementary treatment like acupuncture. Surgery is very useful when appropriate, but you don’t want to rush into it.

The arthritis booklet discusses rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and lupus. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Roach — No. 301, 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. ROACH: I am allergic to tomatoes and tomato products. My throat closes up, and I can’t breathe. On two occasions, I had to go to the emergency room to get a shot.

Doctors say that tomatoes have lycopene, which is beneficial for heart health. What can I do to get the benefits of lycopene but not have an allergic reaction?

ANSWER: Lycopene, a vitamin A-like chemical found naturally in tomatoes, was thought to have benefit in protecting against heart disease and some cancers, especially prostate cancer. However, more recent studies have cast some doubt on that claim.

Your tomato allergy is potentially life-threatening, and no potential health benefit is worth retrying tomatoes. You should speak to your doctor about a home version of the emergency shot (EpiPen) in case of emergency.

If you really want a food with lycopene, watermelon is a good source. Fruits and vegetables certainly are beneficial for heart health for many reasons, lycopene being only a small one.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

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