Brief Answer: Please refer to the following answer... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thank you for sharing your concerns with XXXXXXX This is Dr.Alba here to assist you! The concern you raise is real and worrisome. If a healthy person does use cola once in a while, although the unhealthy ingredients, our body is able to get cleaned and not to be badly affected by the cola. The problem which can be raised is : - if a person has kidney disease, he/she will have troubles as everything, including the artificial chemicals and high concentrates of soda and sugar would pass and filtered by the kidney. If they are already damaged, the kidneys will try hard to clean the body off such chemicals. Such "try" would damage more the kidneys. That's why patients with impaired kidney function are advised to follow a strict diet. With regards to the bones, the cola is containing phosphoric acid which has the ability to take off calcium from the bones and its acidic pH impairs the normal pH of our body leading to further damages. The continuous and long-time use of cola can make your bones turn to honey-combs. Studies have given sufficient evidence of high rates of osteoporosis especially in people who have been using cola regularly for long time and in young children too. So, a healthy person can turn to an addicted to cola and an unhealthy (ill) person if does use regularly cola or any other soft drinks. At the end, I always advise my patients to keep the natural balance. What comes naturally from the nature is good for our body. For example, water is pure and healthy in comparison to cola or other drinks. Thank you! Dr.Alba Feel free to ask me other questions you might have!

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Brief Answer: Please refer to the following suggestions... Detailed Answer: Hi again XXXXXXX If your kidneys are not damaged yet, that's great. You can keep regular testing of your kidneys function. With regards to taking lisinopril, I'd suggest to monitor your blood pressure. If it is ok, then, there is no need to increase dose. With regards to checking for your bones, I'd advise to: - do the bone density scan which indicates the true mass of your bones. A T-score is settled to measure bone density. The normal T-score varies from 0 - 1 score; the osteoporosis = higher than 2.5; while osteopenia = 1 -2.5 - measure the Calcium and vitamin D level in blood At the end, you can "report a problem" to get a message back to Dr XXXXXXX Bhabhe. A moderator will come back to you. All the best! Dr.Alba

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Brief Answer: Please refer to the following suggestions... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thank you for writing back. Having metabolic syndrome increases the chance of having diabetes in future unless you follow the right lifestyle and diet changes. I am glad to come to know that you are taking good control of your blood sugar levels. With regards to the use of statins, their common side effect is related to muscle damages. Furthermore, the recent studies have discovered an increased risk for developing diabetes while being treated with statins. Patients with metabolic syndrome as you would have an impaired blood sugar, precipitating the onset of diabetes earlier than in other patients. I usually advise my patients to optimize blood lipid profile through healthy lifestyle and diet changes. However, if your doctor has decided for continue taking Zoloft, I'd gently ask to discuss with him/her about such side effects of statins. With regards to your mom's osteo-arthritis, and the AccuraScope procedure, you should contact the clinic that runs such procedure in order to define if your mother is eligible to such procedure or not. You should talk to the specialist about the benefits and the risks of such procedure for your mother. All the best! Dr.Alba

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