Alcohol Can Cause Pain


March 24, 1993|By Dr. Paul Donohue

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am 65, a 5-foot-7 woman. Lately, in bed I wake up with pain in my foot. I think I have gout. What do you think? I`m a heavy drinker. -- M.M.

Dear M.M.: I am not sure about the gout connection, but I can`t help but make a connection between alcohol and pain.

Alcohol can cause nerve damage that triggers pain sensations. You might want to have the nerves serving your feet checked.

Dear Dr. Donohue: During an examination, my doctor learned that I have excessive protein in my urine. After 24-hour tests, the figures showed it ranging from 260 to 500.

The kidney doctor recommends a kidney biopsy. What is your recommendation? -- M.L.

Dear M.L.: Protein leakage shouldn`t be more than 150 milligrams in 24 hours. At your level, serious things can develop, such as general body swelling.

Sure, I recommend the biopsy. It`s not such a traumatic event, and a small piece of kidney for microscopic study can tell much.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am a 33-year-old man, in good shape. I play competitive badminton. My problem is with the right biceps of the right hand. By the end of each session, the biceps feels terrible.

A friend says I should play every day, even if it hurts. I have tried resting the arm. The pain returns. What should I do? -- D.K.

Dear D.K.: Your injury sounds like it`s due to overuse. Your friend is wrong. Treatment for that kind of injury is rest, and rest until pain is gone. Then you resume use gradually.

I don`t know what your actual injury is. You mention your biceps, the upper arm muscle, but you report pain in your hand.

There are just too many possible causes for me to hazard a long-distance guess.

If rest doesn`t bring relief, you need an examination.

For Readers: I am asked occasionally for material dealing with chickenpox. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is willing to the reading material -- in Spanish or English -- to my readers. Send your request, along with a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

NFID/Chickenpox Information

P.O. Box 1486

North Wales, PA 19454

---- Write to Paul Donohue, M.D., P.O. Box 5539, Riverton, N.J. 08077.

Sun Sentinel Articles