Ask the Expert

Q: Besides not smoking, what else can I do to help prevent bladder cancer? Does my diet make a difference?

A: It’s possible that what you eat and drink may reduce your risk. There are many benefits to eating a low fat diet and drinking a lot of water. More and more data shows that vitamins and antioxidants help prevent many cancers. For example, men in one study who drank six or more cups of water a day cut their risk of bladder cancer in half, compared with men who only drank about one cup a day.

You may have also heard that some artificial sweeteners could be bad for your bladder. Yet experts say there is little evidence that these sweeteners boost the risk for bladder cancer. Alcohol and coffee also don’t seem to affect your risk.

If you see blood in your urine, even if there is no pain, you should consult a urologist immediately. Patients often mistake this lack of pain as an indicator that nothing is wrong. But painless blood is actually more suspicious.

Q: My allergies are driving me crazy! What can I do?

A: Avoiding allergy triggers may be the smartest move. Here are some tips:

• Is dust your enemy? Use special mattress and pillow covers designed to keep out dust mites, tiny bugs that can trigger allergies. Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
• Vacuum weekly. Pick a vacuum that has a high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter to contain the culprits. Adding a HEPA filter to the furnace or using a room air cleaner with such a filter also helps.
• Make your home a smoke-free zone.
• Avoid lingering outdoors before 10:00 a.m., when the outside air is thick with pollen.
• To minimize mold and dust mites, keep the humidity in your house below 50 percent. Running the air conditioner or using a dehumidifier can help.
• Do not let pets into the bedroom.
• Shower at night to remove pollen and allergens from your body before going to bed.
• Minimize carpeting at home, especially in the bedroom.

Q: Can meditation help prevent or treat specific conditions?

A: Yes, meditation is a selfdirected practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind. Meditation can be used alone or integrated with conventional medical treatment. Studies confirm that meditation may be beneficial for patients with:

• chronic pain
• high blood pressure
• psoriasis
• insomnia
• migraine headache
• post-traumatic stress and depression

Meditation may reduce the risk for heart disease by lowering cholesterol, controlling heart rate and breathing, and reducing stress. It is also useful in the treatment of substance abuse. Meditation should be part of health maintenance with the practice of quieting the mind each day.

Q: What types of foods can protect my brain?

A: Last issue discussed how niacin — or vitamin B3 — may help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Scientists at Boston and Tufts universities also found that foods containing folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, dry beans, fortified cereals, grains, and bread are excellent sources of folate. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, dairy products, and eggs. Vitamin B6 food sources include vegetables, fruits, seafood, poultry, and lean beef.