To Your Good Health
Scoliosis shouldn't preclude pregnancy
By PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am the mother of an only child. She is 31 and has been married for one year. My daughter is afraid to become pregnant because she believes she'll have difficulty carrying a child due to her spinal curvature. She's also afraid that carrying a baby will make her scoliosis worse. An orthopedic doctor followed her

in her teens and didn't suggest treatment since her scoliosis was "borderline." I know she wants to be a mom, and I want to be a grandmom. What do you say? - A.A.

ANSWER: Scoliosis is a curving of the spine to one side. The curve can be in the upper back, the lower back or in both upper and lower back. The degree of curvature correlates with the severity of symptoms and with the limits of physical activity. The degree is assessed through X-rays.

Your daughter had mild scoliosis as a teenager. Her curvature didn't require a brace. It's not too likely that the curvature increased so much since then that she can't have children. Rarely, if ever, does scoliosis prevent a woman from having children, and pregnancy doesn't aggravate scoliosis. Your daughter isn't complaining of back pain, is she? She does everything she wants to do, doesn't she? Then there's no indication of severe scoliosis.

Have your daughter talk to a family doctor or to an orthopedic doctor. I believe she will be surprised to learn that her scoliosis isn't a contraindication to her having a family.

The back booklet doesn't handle scoliosis, but it handles the more-common back complaints. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue - No. 303W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6.75 Canada with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

*** DR. DONOHUE: Is there a season when more hair falls out? I have been told that in winter more hair falls out than in summer. Is that true? I seem to be losing a lot of it now. - W.K.

ANSWER: Anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs fall out every day. There is no season when hair loss is greater. It's the same year-round.

There are times when more hair is lost, regardless of season. Serious illness, a high fever, giving birth, psychological stress or a malfunctioning thyroid gland can increase hair loss. Once the condition is corrected, the lost hair comes back in time.

If you count the hairs in your brush and comb and the count is below 100 every day, you're OK.

(c) 2007 North America Syndicate All Rights Reserved