Dr. Gott: Husband’s restless sleep keeps wife awake

Dear Dr. Gott: My husband has a problem at night. He talks in his sleep.

He starts dreaming as soon as he falls asleep: He laughs, cries and throws his arms around, sometimes hitting me. He doesn’t remember anything about it the next morning.

He hasn’t always done this. It seems worse as he gets older. What is causing this?

Dear Reader: Alas, I wish I could help you. Your husband’s dreams take over at night, much to your frustration, I am sure. Such a pattern is a common accompaniment of getting older.

I suggest that your husband have a meeting with your family doctor. Perhaps some testing or medication is in order.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Sleep/Wake Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I have never written a letter like this before. Some people do not enjoy your kooky cures. I do.

Some people don’t go to the doctor for everything. I took care of a 95-year-old man who would quote you to his doctor. He worked in his garden the day before he died.

We are Arkansas hillbillies, raised on our garden vegetables, and we work in the cotton fields. We have had a good life.

We don’t depend on a lot of medicine. We depend on kooky cures. Why keep us alive to suffer? Why not get ready for heaven?

Keep up the good work.

Dear Reader: What you call “kooky cures” may be helpful and less expensive than traditional medical therapy. That’s why I often share such cures with my readers.

If the cure doesn’t work, traditional therapy is always an option. Rather than merely getting ready for heaven, my readers seem to be more interested in becoming healthier and making the most out of life.

I support these goals. Thanks for writing.

Dear Dr. Gott: My grandson has frequent earaches and breathing problems. A friend of mine believes his trouble is due to the birds my daughter has.

Her doctor said no. I feel she should get another opinion, but she won’t.

I love my grandson too much to see him suffering as he does. Please let me know if my friend is correct.

Dear Reader: Your grandson may be suffering from inhalational allergies, perhaps to birds or something else in his environment. He probably is a good candidate for allergy testing.

Such an approach will tell whether your friend is correct and whether your grandson should have special therapy. In any case, his pediatrician should be notified, and he or she should consider providing medication to treat your grandson’s breathing problems.

If, as I suspect, the problem is asthma, such an approach would be very beneficial.