Q: I took my father to see his doctor and was dismayed to see how they measured his blood pressure. Dad hoisted himself onto the exam table and the technician slapped the arm cuff over his shirt and took it with his arm dangling down and his feet not flat on the floor.

Is it any surprise that his blood pressure reading was instantly flagged as high? It is so annoying to see this lack of common sense and good practice.

Since his blood pressure was high, they suggested that more medicine might be needed. Yet at home, his readings are normal. I recommend owning a good blood pressure monitor at home and checking it yourself every day.

A: The blood pressure monitoring technique you describe is woefully improper, but not uncommon. As you implied, such measurements should be taken with the person sitting in a chair, feet on the floor and arm supported at heart height. No one should speak during the process.

Other common errors can affect blood pressure measurement. One crucial mistake is using the wrong-size cuff. One that is too small will give a falsely elevated blood pressure reading (Hypertension, October 2024). That can happen in the clinic or even with home devices.

Q: I took finasteride for an enlarged prostate, and it has shrunk my genitals. In addition, I have lost sensation at climax. If I had known it would cost me my sex life, I would never have taken it.

A: Researchers recognize post-finasteride syndrome, consisting of sexual dysfunction, neuropsychiatric symptoms and physical changes after some men stop taking this drug (International Journal of Impotence Research, Feb. 14). They urge greater awareness of this problem. As you point out, being warned beforehand would be preferable.

Q: I have a good friend who develops a skin reaction during spring pollen season. She gets red, itchy bumps on her skin. The only thing that has helped is to wipe them down with vodka.

A: We have never encountered such a remedy before. Most dermatologists discourage the use of topical ethanol-based products because they tend to dry the skin out. If any other reader has used topical applications of vodka for a skin problem, please let us know.

Q: I want to share my love of lemon water. I have read in your column that lemonade may be helpful against recurrent kidney stones, especially if they are composed of calcium oxalate. The trouble is that lemonade is high in sugar or sugar substitutes. Lemon water takes some getting used to, but it can be helpful.

A: Lemon juice and lemonade are good sources of citrate. It is thought that urinary citrate promotes fluid intake and discourages stone formation.

Unfortunately, there is not enough good research to prove that lemonade or lemon juice prevents stone formation (BJU International, December 2021).

Q: I have read that some acne products contain benzene, which is a carcinogen. What’s the latest info on this problem?

A: The Food and Drug Administration announced voluntary recalls of certain acne products March 11 this year. The agency reassured consumers that “more than 90% of tested products had undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene.” According to the agency, companies withdrawing products include La Roche-Posay, Walgreens, Proactiv and SLMD.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www.peoplespharmacy.com.