Hi and welcome to my new section, Ask Dr. Bill . Here you can submit medical questions and I will answer your questions and post them here on this page.

From time to time articles will appear in my column without a question--they will be called NOTAB's (notice to all boaters). To view the latest NOTAB's Click Here.

Before you go and start asking questions let me tell you a little about myself. I am a Board Certified Physician who has been boating for 45 years. I was a US Navy flight Surgeon during the Viet Nam war. I also have teaching experience at Columbia University and the University of New Mexico Medical Schools, I am Columbia University Medical School graduate.

Now that you have read my qualifications I hope you will feel comfortable submitting your questions to me.

Now lets get on to the questions.

04/06/2000

Q:I am planning to sail the caribbean for 6 months next winter. What would you suggest for a medical kit? What about subscription pain medications?...Lew

A:Dear Lew: I think I wouldn't bother with an already prepared medical kit--most of the items therein aren't all that useful. I suggest getting 3" and 6" Ace bandages, 25 4x4" sponges in presealed packages, and arm & leg size inflatable splints. Any anti-bacterial soap (i.e. Lever 200 or Dial) is fine for cleansing wounds/abrasions. Heavy duty sun block and zinc oxide should be available. I don't think many physicians would be willing to prescribe narcotic pain relievers in anticipation of possible need ( I wouldn't) but if you have something left over from a root canal or such, take it along. The bottle it comes in says it's good for one year--two is probably more like it. Ibuprofen is a fine non-narcotic pain reliever so be sure to take it along. Use up to 800 mg four times/day in a medium to large size adult. As I said in an earlier answer, try to take along as much regular prescription medicine as necessary because brands and preparation vary a lot in foreign countries.

Happy sailing! Dr Bill

1/21/2000

Q:Dr Bill, are sunglasses important while boating even if the sun doesn't bother my eyes?

A:Besides looking cool, shades are right up there with sunblock in importance. My ophthalmology consultant, G.D. Fivgas, MD of Birmingham, AL tells me that sun light causes cataracts (opacities in the lens of the eye), scarring of the whites of the eyes which can extend onto the cornea (the clear part of the eye)--these are known as pingueculae or pterygia, and possibly macular degeneration (a disease of the retina or nerve receptors of the eye). There is no reason not to wear sunglasses, even when overcast since UV penetrates clouds. The sunglasses should block UVA, UVB, and UVC as well as 90% of light in the blue spectrum. All outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of this important information.
Dr Bill

1/10/2000

Q:Dr Bill, What are planter's warts?

A:First of all, they are plantar warts, the plantar refers to the plantar or bottom surface of the foot. It is not an agricultural term. The warts are like warts anywhere else on one's body except they hurt. This is because the weight of the body borne on them forces them inward causing the pain. They're tough to treat--I know from personal experience both treating and being treated. Sometimes home treatment with repeated abraison with a callous abrasive stick works to make them go away. Salicylic acid tape available in stores without prescription also sometimes works. If these don't work it's off to see the podiatrist or dermatologist, the former probably more interested in treating them. Incidentally, they are contagious--be careful to wear shower clogs, especially at your YW/YMCA or health club.
Dr Bill

12/22/1999

Q:Dr. Bill

Are there any homeopathic remedies available for seasickness? I prefer to take natural medicine vs. traditional.
Signed: Truly Boulder

A:Dear Truly Boulder:

I'd expect someone from there to seek a homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy classically referred to giving medicine in small amounts which cause the problem being addressed.. I'll suggest you wanted herbal or other natural remedy. Harmless but possibly effective are ginger root, 2-4 grams/day; lemon balm, 1 tsp of flowers/day; peppermint, 1 tbsp of flowers/day. These are taken individually, not in combination. Check out this web site for a more complete discussion--www.diverstech.com/nausea.htm. I'm skeptical about the efficacy of these but they might be worth a try.
Dr. Bill

12/13/1999

Q:Dr Bill

Help! I have a toe nail fungus infection-a doctor friend told me so. from Tampa

A:Dear Tampa,

Welcome to a large unexclusive club. I just read that over 50% of people above 50-60 years of age have it. You didn't state your age. Why didn't your Dr. friend give you a prescription? Maybe you're not in his HMO or perhaps he or she is a shrink? Systemic antifungals do work but they require three month's treatment and they're expensive (range of $200/month), important if you're paying for it. I've never heard of the drops available over the counter working but they're cheap, and probably won't hurt you--CAVEAT--diabetes. They might be worth a try. I'm not a Dermatologist but toenail fungus infection is in my category of diseases that you die WITH, not FROM. Dr Bill

12/9/1999

Q:  Dear Dr. Bill...
Another suggestion for seasickness is to stare at the horizon. Do you feel this is medically valid? Just wondering...

A:  Dear Just wondering, watching the horizon is an excellent way to alleviate motion sickness. Yesterday on a question about of motion sickness I suggested taking the helm which forces one to watch the horizon--did you ever notice however bad the seas are (or the airplane ride or the car ride), the helmsman/pilot/driver NEVER gets motion sickness? I'll explain in a future column what is going on inside to cause motion sickness.Hint:it's in the eyes and ears.....Dr.Bill

Q:  Dear Dr. Bill-
Do you have a recipie for great marguritas? We are chartering a boat for two weeks in the Carribean and I want to impress the gang.
Thanks-Mike in Marguritaville

A:  Dear Mike-first of all, I don't know about your town but the drink is a MargArita. Secondly, there was a medieval English and I think Franciscan monk whose name was William (love that name) of Occam. A famous statement is attributed to him (known in the intellectual world as Occam's Razor) which boils down to: If there is more than one way to do something, do it the easy way. Thus it is with mixing Margaritas: 3 parts Cuervo Margarita mix, 1part tequila, 1/2 cup crushed ice, whip in blender. Wunderbar! What's that got to do with medicine?
..Dr Bill P.S. also works great with rum (easier availability and cheaper in the Carib)

12/8/1999

Q:  Dear Dr.Bill,
do you have any suggestions for seasickness other than dramimine? Thanks-green in Fla.

A: Dear Green, two things I guarantee will prevent seasickness are TransDermScop and a sure fire non drug remedy--taking the helm of your boat/yacht/canoe. TransDermscop is scopolamine (medically an antiocholinergic) which is worn with a small circular patch behind the ear and available only by prescription. I've often questioned whether or not it would work if the patch were worn elsewhere. Motion sickness seems a hot topic, keep tuned I'll write more later in another column....Dr Bill

12/7/1999

Q:  Dr Bill,
will I be able to get a prescription filled in the Carribean?
My wife and I are going on a cruise out of the British Virgin Islands with several other couples and I will be away several months. Texas

A: Hey Texas, is that your real name? If you can afford to be away for several months, you can afford to load up on prescriptions before you leave. I would not count on being able to get a prescription filled in a foreign country. Their pharmacopeias (accepted drugs) and brand names are often quite different than in the US. Narcotic presciptions--don't even try! If one of your cruising buddies is a doc, tell him to leave his Rx pad at home, it's not worth the trouble
.....Dr. Bill