Evening star., 1961-11-07
Stop Killing
Yourself
By PETER J. sTEINcRoHN

nary Heart Trouble" I'VE
don't imagine the skips and
pains" they say. Don't you
believe us?"
LET'S STRAIGHTEN out
any misunderstanding. OF
course, I believe you. I use
the word imaginary" only to
distinguish your condition
from real heart disease. One
is trouble, the other is dis
ease.
If you have read my books
or previous columns on the
subject of palpitation, heart
SkipS, heart pain and other
complaints, you will know
that I don't brush off these
sufferers as being silly peo-
pie who only imagine they
have trouble. Sure they Suf-
fer and fear they are going
to die. All I want them to
know is that there is a diff
ference. The important thing
to know is this: Have you or
haven't you got real heart
disease? The following letter
should interest you:
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: I am
in a state of utter confusion.
Three years ago I had an at
tack Of palpitation which
lasted almost all day. I was
taken to a doctor who said
my heart was all right, that
the palpitation, often hap
pened in normal hearts.
Since then / have also had
heart SkipS. The heart races
and does flips that seem to
cut off my breath. 1t feels as
if the heart is going to stop
completely. My doctor keeps
telling me that my heart is
fundamentally all right and
that my nerves are now be-
ginning to get the better of
me.
I have become perfectly
miserable. I'm afraid to be
alone. I'm scared to go to
church. into town, or go to
our bridge club. Can you sug-
gest any special tranquilizer?
There are some nights I can
not lie down to sleep because
of my heart. I have to sit
up straight to get relief. I am
40 and happily married. For
some reason I don't seem to
have faith in my doctor.
Mrs. M, Tennessee.
SEE WHAT MEAN? How
can anyone dismiss the fears
and complaints of Mrs. M.
as being imaginary. They're
not. Yet she suffers from
Imaginary Heart Trouble"
because it isn't according to
her doctor real.
What to do, Mrs. Mp I
think the most important
point you have brought up is
that you don't have faith in
your doctor" Without it, es-
pecially in this sort of condi-
tion that may require months
Of reinsurance and treat
ment, you must find one in
whom you have faith. In
such circumstances, I think
it's good policy to ask your
doctor to get a consultation
with an outstanding heart
man. If the new specialist
agrees with your doctor
that the palpitation and
heart skips may be found in
normal hearts, it may help
to renew your faith in your
present doctor.
Yes, tranquilizers and seda-
tives often help such patients
as yourself. But what is most
important is believing in
your doctor that the pal
pitation and heart skips may
be found in normal hearts. it
may help to renew your faith
in your present doctor.
Yes, tranquilizerS and Sed-
atives often help such pa
tients as yourself. But what
is most important is "believ-
ing in your doctor" When
that happens you will be
more than half way to your
cure.
For Mrs. W.. Canada: No,
I have never found that in
slant coffee is more harmful
than regular coffee.
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: I am
in a dilemma. Since bought
a dog six months ago I've
become quite allergic. My
nose runs, I sneeze and
cough. I've been advised that
the only thing to do is give
Prince away. The thought is
heartbreaking. Can you give
me a hopeful suggestion? -
Mrs. L.
GET IN TOUCH with an
allergist and ask him if he
will consider desenSitizing
you against dog dander. It's
worth a try.