Dear Dr. Gott: I am a registered-nurse student and have been told by my professors that blood pressures are always to be taken in the right arm because readings will be higher in the left arm and not as accurate. However, every time I go to the doctor, he takes my blood pressure in the left arm. Any comments?

Dear Reader: The arterial circulation is a hydraulic system. Therefore, the blood pressure should be the same throughout — unless, because of blockages in certain arteries, there is a difference in blood supply to the arms. I believe that you may have misunderstood your professor.

Dear Dr. Gott:>I am an 81-year-old man who recently started having sexual relations after ten years. My wife died about a year ago. She’d had a hysterectomy in 1996 and, since intercourse was painful for her, we discontinued it.I have no problem maintaining an erection but am unable to have an orgasm. My doctor has been unable to help me. Do you have any suggestions to cure this problem? Any help you can give me would be greatly apprecid.Dear Reader: Although your symptoms may be age-related, I believe that you need to see a urologist to make sure that your genital tract is normal. For example, is your prostate gland swollen or infected? Have you lost genital sensitivity? Are there any blockages? Is your hormone level appropriate for a man your age? The specialist can also recommend treatment. Let me know how this turns out.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a healthy 84-year-old woman who walks through our residential neighborhood six days a week. I carry a plastic grocery bag with me to collect items that can be recycled — soda cans, bottles, etc. I carry the items back to my garage and put them in the recycling bin.My daughter is concerned about my picking up germs and wants me to stop doing this. What syou?Dear Reader: You are to be congratulated on being a good citizen who is environmentally conscious. As long as you wash up after handling the trash, you are not in any danger. Reassure your daughter that you are behaving with appropriate caution. Readers send mail directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016, USA.