DEAR DR. GOTT: Almost every letter printed in the newspapers is about men and their urinary problems. Most all the men that write to you complain that they leak urine in the middle of the night or that they are tired of getting up 10 times per night to empty their bladders. However, you never give them the proper solution. You need to tell them to wear a catheter. If they wore a catheter, they wouldn’t need to keep getting up so many times. Why haven’t you ever thought to tell them that? What is with you? Even their urologists should be telling them that. I’d like an answer. I think you don’t even have an answer. I think you’re a jerk and a dummy.

DEAR READER> Just because we disagree on an issue is no excuse for rudeness. Shame on you.

Urinary catheters are uncomfortable, can lead to chronic infection and are a nuisance. In short, they may lead to problems that exceed their benefits. Most doctors quite correctly do not suggest catheters for urinary frequency. If you had ever required catheter drainage, you would know how unpleasant the therapy is and you might not be so opinionated. Men with significant urinary frequency should be examined and treated by urologists who can 1.) discover the cause of the problem and 2.) prescribe therapy that ordinarily does not include catheters.

DEAR DR. GOT$> Recently, my car was rear-ended and declared a total wreck. I am now being treated for lower back pain and neck and shoulder pain. In a report by a radiologist for a lumbosacral spine X-ray, he stated that he noted “considerable calcification in the abdominal aorta and its terminal branches.” He suggested that I immediately see a cardiologist.

I brought the X-rays and the radiologist’s report to my HMO doctor and asked for a referral to a cardiologist. She said that calcification is very common in people over 60 and there was no need for concern. I have been taking a baby aspirin each day, and I do take a statin drug. She prescribed low dosage, 2.5 milligram Lisinopril once a day since I do have high blood pressure. Should I be concerned about calcification in the abdominal aorta and the terminal branches? Should I insist on a referral to a cardiologist? What are the recommended treatments?

DEAR READ<$> You are over 60 years of age. At this point, I would expect you to have calcium deposits in most of your arteries. Nonetheless, I’d hate to miss a treatable condition if one exists. I encourage you to check with a cardiologist and follow his or her advice.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Medical Specialists” and “Coronary Artery Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Doctor Gott is a retired physician and the author of the new book “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet,” available at most chain and independent bookstores.