A mesothelioma update

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you stated that "seven W.R. Grace executives and managers were indicted on 10 federal criminal counts of knowingly endangering the residents of the town of Libby, Mont., and of concealing information regarding the health effects of the company's mining operations."

While your column mentions the indictment, there is no mention that all seven executives were found not guilty by a jury in Montana. Can you print an update?

DEAR READER: Yes, I certainly can. I wrote about mesothelioma based on information I received from a reputable television-network commentary and from newspaper articles on the subject. Because of your request, I reviewed the topic again and found through CNN, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and New York Times that W.R. Grace Company and three of its former executives were acquitted of having knowingly exposed mineworkers and residents of Libby to asbestos. One former manager died in 2007, and charges were dropped against two other Grace defendants prior to the acquittal.

The statute of limitations required the government to prove violations after 1999, which was within five years of the 2005 indictment. Grace closed the mine in 1990. That meant prosecutors had to prove in court that those company executives knowingly endangered both their employees and the residents of the town before it was illegal to do so and that they continued to endanger everyone after the law was put into effect.

It is apparent the aftereffects of this disastrous event for both prosecutors and defendants will be with us for many years to come.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 61-year-old female who tries to eat healthy and exercise, and sometimes I do better than others. But in the past year, I have been suffering from the increasing embarrassment of noisy flatulence, and it doesn't seem to matter what I eat. No pain, except that of embarrassment. I read that it is usually dietary, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Beano did nothing.

A friend suggested taking acidophilus. Is this a good idea? If so, how much? I don't want to go through unnecessary testing, but could this be a symptom of some other problem or is it something one should expect as we age? I guess you can't die of embarrassment, but sometimes I avoid going out with others.

I am on what I call the "middle-age pack" of Lipitor, Caduet, a daily aspirin and Nexium for acid reflux, which sometimes mimics angina. The Nexium has stopped this problem completely. I had a heart attack due to statin rebound, but that was five years ago. Could any of these medications be causing the problem?

DEAR READER: Initially, there are a few possible causes for your noisy flatulence. The first that comes to mind is swallowed air. It is normal to swallow air while eating and/or drinking. That air is composed of nitrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is absorbed appropriately, but nitrogen can pass through into the intestine and cause the problem. Fortunately, a major portion of it is expelled back through the mouth via burping or belching.

Gases such as carbon dioxide can be produced during the normal digestive process because of an interaction between stomach acids and pancreatic juices. Those juices neutralize digestive acids; however, during the process, they may produce carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen that can cause flatulence.

Then there is always the possibility that you are lactose or gluten intolerant or have irritable bowel syndrome. Foods such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower and others with a high starch or fiber content cannot be fully digested by enzymes. That undigested portion of the foods you eat passes into the intestine, where they are digested by bacteria - a process that can create gas. Some people may be intolerant of sugars in certain foods, such as dried fruit, honey, onions, artichokes and drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup, as well as some sugar-free candies.

Lipitor and Nexium have the side effect of flatulence. Caduet can cause gas. I am not aware of aspirin being a potential factor. Therefore, you might wish to speak with your physician regarding your medications and ask for his or her direction on the matter.

Other considerations might be to consume ginger, miso or tempeh. Use cinnamon in your cooking or on toast whenever possible, or try a pinch of baking soda in a four-ounce glass of water whenever flatulence presents. Try over-the-counter activated-charcoal tablets, digestive-enzyme supplements or probiotics such as acidophilus, most easily found in yogurt containing live L. acidophilus.

Again, your physician has your complete medical history and is your best guide in the matter.

Readers who would like other remedies can order my Health Report "Dr. Gott's More Compelling Home Remedies" by sending a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website's direct link at www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.pdf.

Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including "Live Longer, Live Better," "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet" and "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook," which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Copyright 2011, United Feature Syndicate Inc.