Q: I am fed up with all the conflicting advice about how to stay healthy. One day vitamin D is great; the next, experts say it doesn't work for bones. I have also seen flip-flops about eggs, salt, calcium, fluoride and hormone replacement therapy.

A: We understand your frustration. Americans have been told for decades to cut back on eggs even though recent research shows they do not raise cholesterol. There is a raging controversy about the wisdom of widespread salt restriction (American Journal of Hypertension, January 2012).

Risks associated with calcium supplements (Heart, June 2012) and hormone replacement therapy (Annals of Internal Medicine online, May 28, 2012) just add to the confusion. You can't go wrong with Grandma's wisdom: exercise, vegetables and a good night's sleep.

Q: I used to have ingrown toenails. I had them removed by surgery (not the whole nail). Now my nails have a really bad fungal infection. What can I do?

A: Trauma can sometimes trigger fungal infections in the nails. Prescription pills to treat nail fungus can have serious side effects, including liver damage.

There are a number of home remedies that you might try first, but you'll need to be patient. It can take several months for any nail-fungus treatment to work.

Foot soaks in cornmeal mush, Listerine and vinegar or Pau D'Arco tea may be surprisingly effective. Other treatments include Vicks VapoRub, tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, oregano oil and vitamin E.

Q: One evening five weeks ago, I had a weird allergic reaction. I hadn't had any supper or taken any medicine, so my hives were puzzling. But I had had a hamburger for lunch. And I often get tick bites. Three days later, I read your column about alpha-gal allergy and knew immediately that it was what I had.

A: Alpha-gal allergy is triggered by the bite of a lone star tick, and it results in a delayed but potentially very serious reaction to eating meat. Some sufferers experience digestive distress, hives, difficulty breathing or anaphylactic shock.

Once a person has been sensitized, the only solution is to avoid beef, pork, lamb and any other sort of mammalian meat. Chicken and fish are fine.

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People's Pharmacy: Medical flip-flops frustrate consumers

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Pharmacy employee threatened, robbed of drugs

Q: My husband has a very low sex drive and little or no desire for any physical contact. In contrast, I have an extremely high sex drive, and touch is important to me. It is killing me to not have these needs fulfilled.

I have tried to ignore this problem. I can do so for a time, but then I get a flood of emotions that I can barely control: hurt, anger, depression, lack of motivation and self-destructive thoughts. Is there something I can do to kill my libido? He refuses to go to counseling.

A: If your husband realized how much his lack of interest is damaging your relationship, he might be motivated to talk to his physician. Low testosterone levels could be contributing to his missing sex drive.

There are drugs that can dampen desire, including many antidepressant medications. They all have other side effects, but since you are feeling depressed and self-destructive, your doctor might feel that one is appropriate. Such medication is not a panacea for relationship difficulties, however.

A new book by clinical psychologist Harriet Lerner, Ph.D., also might help you figure out how to talk with him about this intimate topic. The title is "Marriage Rules," and it offers numerous tips on improving relationships.

Q: For years my doctor prescribed Prilosec and then Nexium for my reflux. He never mentioned anything about side effects and made it sound like a supersafe drug that I could take indefinitely.

I lost my insurance, so I switched to omeprazole that I buy over the counter. When I read the label, it said not to take it for more than 14 days in a row. As soon as I stopped, the pain in my stomach was unbearable. I have to keep taking it. Is there any way to get off omeprazole without going through hell?

A: We have heard from many readers that stopping acid-suppressing drugs suddenly can cause terrible rebound heartburn. These drugs include esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix) and rabeprazole (Aciphex).

Although many prescribers think of such drugs as perfectly safe for long-term use, there is growing concern that they may increase the risk of hip fracture (BMJ online, Jan. 31, 2012). Problems absorbing vitamin B-12, iron and magnesium also are worrisome, and so is increased susceptibility to infections (Digestive Diseases and Sciences, April 2011).

Persimmon-ginger tea, antacids, probiotics and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) all can be helpful during the withdrawal process.

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People's Pharmacy: Marriage suffers from incompatible libidos

13-06-2012 12:39 This video covers how to study and what your chances are if you failed courses or have a low GPA. I also just graduated! I provided some pictures.

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Pharmacy School Graduation - Video

Q: I have had blood clots in my lungs, and I take Coumadin to prevent recurrences. When I drank 12 ounces of cranberry-grape juice, it sent my INR level to 16.4, compared with the previous day's level of 6.5. Both levels are too high, but 16 could have killed me! Is there any data on this interaction?

A: Warfarin (Coumadin) is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. Patients on this drug walk a tightrope because it interacts with so many foods and other drugs. Too little medicine could lead to blood clots, while too much could cause a fatal hemorrhage.

A potential cranberry juice-warfarin interaction is highly controversial. Well-conducted studies have not revealed a problem (British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, July 2010). But doctors have reported several cases of INR elevation in people consuming cranberry juice or sauce (Consultant Pharmacist, January 2012).

INR is a measure of anticoagulation. When it exceeds 5, your risk of bleeding rises. An INR of 16 might indeed be lethal.

Q: Despite following a low-salt diet and exercising, my blood pressure crept up.

When my systolic number hit 160, my doctor prescribed medicine. First he gave me hydrochlorothiazide, then metoprolol, and finally added amlodipine, lisinopril and Diovan.

My blood pressure is now around 110/70, and my doctor is happy. I am always tired and dizzy. I am so short of breath, I can no longer exercise as I used to. My ankles are swollen, and my pulse rarely gets above 50. Could my blood pressure be too low?

A: The five blood-pressure medications you are taking easily could be causing your symptoms. A new study found that overtreatment of hypertension is common (Archives of Internal Medicine online, May 28, 2012). When diastolic blood pressure goes too low, people are at greater risk for heart problems.

Metoprolol might be causing your slow heart rate and shortness of breath, while amlodipine can lead to swollen ankles and dizziness.

Combining drugs like lisinopril and Diovan is controversial and may pose unexpected risks (European Heart Journal, September 2010).

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People's Pharmacy: Cranberry juice-anticoagulant interaction?

Q: I am a very active Army physical-training instructor. I am 45 years old and have always had a great sex drive until I started taking Crestor six months ago to lower my cholesterol.

My sex drive has totally disappeared. I am unable to maintain an erection and feel tired all the time. It has been causing me a great deal of stress and anguish. Is Crestor causing my erectile dysfunction and libido problems?

A: Sexual side effects have been reported with some statins, such as lovastatin, pitavastatin (Livalo) and simvastatin. The official prescribing information for Crestor, however, makes no mention of low libido or erectile dysfunction.

There is reason to believe that all statins may have a negative impact on sexual function by lowering testosterone levels (Journal of Sexual Medicine, April 2010). Cholesterol is a building block for testosterone, so it is not surprising that cholesterol-lowering drugs might have an impact on this hormone. Results from French research suggest that such drugs may trigger or worsen erectile dysfunction (Drug Safety, July 2009).

Ask your doctor if there's another way to control cholesterol. If not, a test for testosterone or an ED drug might be helpful.

Q: To prevent foot blisters, cover your feet liberally with antiperspirant. This works great. I think it stops the sweating and decreases friction.

A: Years ago, a double-blind study was conducted with cadets of the U.S. Military Academy serving as subjects. Some of the cadets used antiperspirant, while others used a placebo for three nights before a long hike. Only 21 percent of the antiperspirant group developed blisters, compared with 48 percent in the placebo group (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, August 1998).

Q: I was prescribed Fosamax for more than six years and then switched to Actonel for the past three years, along with extra calcium. My doctor was concerned that I was at risk for osteoporosis.

Now my bones are brittle. I suffered stress fractures and broke my thighbone.

My doctor wants me to start giving myself Forteo shots. What can you tell me about this drug or other ways to combat osteoporosis?

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People's Pharmacy: Cholesterol drug saps sex drive

Q: Last summer, I walked on the deck where a yellow jacket was lying upside down. I stepped on it and immediately went down. My foot and calf swelled up within seconds, and I found it hard to breathe.

Should I ask my doctor for an EpiPen? I'm afraid this will happen again this spring or summer.

A: Tell your doctor about your reaction. We believe this could be a strong indication of a serious allergic reaction, and next time might be worse. Your doctor can prescribe an EpiPen and explain how and when to use it to avoid anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening. Even with a shot of epinephrine, you would need to go immediately to an emergency department.

Q: I am 61 years old. My doctor recently tested me for vitamin D and found I am deficient. I was really surprised because I play golf both summer and winter.

What are the causes and consequences of a vitamin D deficiency? My legs have become quite weak, so I golf with a cart. I even use a cart at the supermarket to make it all the way around the store.

A: Regular sunscreen use might block vitamin D production even though you spend time in the sun. Some medications can lower vitamin D levels in the body. They include prednisone (and other corticosteroids), some anti-seizure medications (phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid) and certain cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Low levels of vitamin D are linked to bone pain, muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, depression, arthritis and falls. You may need a supplement to get you back on track.

Q: My doctor prescribed Effexor XR for my hot flashes five years ago. I took one tablet at bedtime, as directed, and did not sleep all night.

I was nauseated and lightheaded for 18 hours. My first capsule of Effexor was also my last because during that 18-hour period I was not sure if I was going to live or die.

A: We are sorry to learn you had such a difficult time with Effexor XR. Nausea, dizziness and insomnia are common reactions to this drug. Women who tolerate the drug may find the side effects are easier to handle than hot flashes, but others will come to the same conclusion as you.

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People's Pharmacy: Be proactive with yellow-jacket allergy

Q: Recently, several of my friends and I had bouts of extreme stomach cramps, severe bloating and uncontrollable gas. The common culprit in all these cases turned out to be snack bars with extra fiber!

The common belief is that the chicory root in the bars is the culprit. There should be a warning on the box.

A: Chicory root contains inulin, which is frequently used as a fiber supplement in some processed foods, such as ice cream, dairy drinks and juice in addition to breakfast bars. Because it is indigestible, it doesn't raise blood sugar but it can cause gas (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, June 2010).

There are many causes of flatulence, ranging from your breakfast bar or bagel to cholesterol pills. Stealth fiber is in so many foods that it is hard to keep track.

Q: Do you know anything about a new blood-pressure drug called Tekturna? Three months after my doctor prescribed this pill, I developed the most horrendous deep cough.

I thought it was whooping cough. A chest X-ray showed my lungs were clear.

A: Tekturna is a relatively new and different blood-pressure medicine. Cough is considered a relatively rare side effect, but we have heard from other readers who also have experienced a terrible cough while taking this drug. Other side effects may include digestive distress, dizziness, weakness, gout, rash and kidney stones.

The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning that Tekturna should not be taken with drugs like Diovan, enalapril, lisinopril and losartan by people with diabetes. Anyone with reduced kidney function also should avoid such combinations.

Q: I almost died from an allergic reaction to lamb chops. I was surprised when my allergist asked about ticks, but told him I had gotten into a nest of seed ticks a year ago. Now I have to avoid all meat. I carry an EpiPen just in case I am exposed accidentally. I also have been avoiding cheese, since it is produced with the use of rennet, an animal product. Am I being overly cautious?

A: You are describing alpha-gal allergy, a condition that is initially triggered by a tick bite. People then develop a delayed allergic reaction to meat, including beef, pork, lamb and even venison or rabbit. Chicken, turkey and fish do not trigger the allergy, which can range from itchy hives to the type of anaphylactic reaction you experienced.

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People's Pharmacy: Flatulence from high-fiber snack bar

Q. I snore a lot at night. My wife is always complaining that her sleep is interrupted by my loud snoring.

I recently wore earplugs to bed for another reason, and this had the unintended result of stopping my snoring. I now wear earplugs to bed every night and no longer snore.

A. We can imagine earplugs might help your wife deal with your snores. How they would stop your snoring is a mystery to us.

Snoring is sometimes a symptom of sleep apnea, which can have serious consequences for health. If your wife agrees that you no longer snore, you need not worry about this. If she still complains, discuss it with your doctor, who may prescribe CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). A new device consists of a nose plug rather than a full-face CPAP mask. Some people find it easier to use to solve their snoring problem.

Q. I suffer from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and am wondering whether cinnamon would make it even worse, since it helps diabetics lower their sugar. I certainly do not want my blood glucose any lower.

A. Cinnamon has been suggested as a way for people with Type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar after a meal. A review of research in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (online, Dec. 27, 2011) concluded that "cinnamon has beneficial effects at least on fasting blood glucose."

We could find no studies on cinnamon lowering blood sugar in people without diabetes. A low-carb diet and frequent high-protein snacks (nuts, cheese, egg, chicken, fish) can keep blood sugar from bouncing around in people with reactive hypoglycemia.

There are two kinds of cinnamon; the one that seems to have a beneficial effect on blood sugar is cassia cinnamon, the most common and least expensive type.

Q. I have suffered with canker sores all my life. I've read in your column about sauerkraut, but I've found that kiwi fruit works better.

If you eat at least two kiwi fruit a day, the next morning the canker sore will be much smaller and less painful. It works best if you chew the fruit and swish it around in your mouth for as long as you can. The fruit needs to be very ripe to work. I hope this helps anyone who reads it.

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People's Pharmacy: Perplexing remedy for snorers

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Man pleads guilty to pharmacy robbery