Q: I have a problem with mice, and I’ve been using mothballs to get rid of them. I may have used too much, because I have symptoms like headaches, nausea and eye irritation.
How can I detox from mothballs? Something natural would be appreciated. I’d also like a natural way to combat the mice.
A: Mothballs don’t work against mice, so we suggest you get them out of your house immediately. The pesticide in most mothballs, para-dichlorobenzene, can cause the symptoms you describe of eye irritation, nausea and headaches as well as shortness of breath and dizziness.
Eliminating your exposure is the best way to protect yourself from this possibly carcinogenic chemical. As far as we can tell, there are no herbs that will reverse the symptoms.
As for natural ways to get rid of mice, a cat or two might work. There also are mousetraps, both ones that kill mice and those that trap them alive so they can be released very far away.
Q: I am in my 50s and don’t consider myself a senior citizen, but my memory has been getting worse and worse. I take amitriptyline and oxybutynin for a urinary problem, along with Metamucil and Imodium for irritable bowel syndrome.
My name recall is poor, and I sometimes feel like brain fog interferes with my ability to think clearly. I think I read in your column that some of these drugs could cause mental confusion. Please provide some perspective.
A: Anticholinergic drugs interfere with the brain’s ability to react normally to the neurochemical acetylcholine. Classic symptoms of such medications include dry mouth, eyes and nose, constipation, urinary retention, dizziness, drowsiness, disorientation and memory problems. You are taking only one drug without anticholinergic activity: psyllium (Metamucil). All the rest could be affecting your ability to think clearly.
Even though you are not a senior citizen, we are sending you our guide to Drugs and Older People with a list of anticholinergic medications that could impact cognitive function. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (71 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. O-85, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
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