My hands swell up at night with ring mark on my fingers from swelling up.

I have a question about my hands swelling up at night. I even have a ring mark on my right hand from my fingers swelling up. Some of this swelling is heredity. I do know that because my hands swell form anything with too much salt, pork and certain hams. Is there anything that...

My grandmother is in the hospital and her sodium level keeps dropping. What caused this?

Please help me find an answer to my 82-year-old grandmother's problem. She is in the hospital now and her sodium level keeps dropping. Is there something that would cause this depletion? The doctors do not know why her sodium level keeps going down. I believe at present that her level is at 143. Please...

My grandmother’s sodium level is 123. I have relayed your suggestions to ask my grandmother’s doctors.

Thank you for responding so soon to my letter about my grandmother's sodium level. I was incorrect about her present count. It is at 123, not 143. I have relayed your suggestions to my mother so she can ask her doctors about testing for certain things. I appreciate your quick response and hope something...

Where can I find a dietitian who works with patients who have heart disease or high cholesterol in my area?

I am looking for a dietitian who works with patients who have heart disease or high cholesterol. Where can I find one in my area? If you are looking for a dietitian with expertise in cardiovascular (heart) disease go to Find a Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionist (SCAN) and click on your state on the...

Could you tell us how the caffeine content of soda, chocolate and decaf compares to coffee?

We were wondering several things. We are concerned about the health risks of caffeine and wonder if you could tell us how the caffeine content of soda, chocolate and decaf compares to coffee (how many milligrams of caffeine for one serving of each?) Also, we have heard caffeine depletes calcium content. is this true?...

What do excess amounts of salt do to the body?

What do excessive amounts of salt do to the body? It would depend on how much excess salt (or salty foods) you ate in how much time and how well your kidneys functioned. Salt is a compound containing 2 minerals, sodium, and chloride and it attracts water. When the salt content of your blood goes up,...

My husband is on blood thinners after angioplasty surgery. Is there a difference in Romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce?

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. In the discharge papers I had to look for the info that I found. Also I saw what they sent him on his hospital tray for meals. All the other information I got, I searched the Internet. It was so difficult due to the fact...

I consume 8 to 9 cups of coffee and some cola through out the day.

Hello I am doing a report for my foods class on the effects of caffeine as a way to help myself. I consume 8 to 9 cups of coffee and some cola through out the day. I was wondering if you could email me with an address where I could receive this info on...

Where can I find a dietitian who works with people who have high triglycerides?

Where can I find a dietitian who works with people who have high triglycerides? The Medical Nutrition and Nutrition Entrepreneurs dietetic practice groups of the American Dietetic Association provide medical nutrition therapy based on your diagnosis. They can take your food history and make recommendations to lower your triglycerides. Dietitians often have their own private...

Why is my blood pressure is rising?

My blood pressure (systolic) is rising surprisingly (usually 130 or less, now up to 145 over the last month or so). We have changed our diet to lots of pasta, (controlling the calories) and less (very much less) meat. This is not a healthy move, just cooking from a great cookbook which has the...