FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN

By John C. Wolf, D.O.Associate Professor of Family Medicine Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

DR. WOLF GIVES AN ANATOMY LESSON & SEEKS FUNDING FOR NEW STUDY

I'm doing something a bit different for this week's column. I'm answering two unrelated questions from two readers. The only common threads between them are that I thought they were both interesting and that their answers were short.

Question: I was just rubbing my head the other day and discovered that there is a "point" on the top and two grooves on the sides. These don't hurt. Has my head changed, or have I just never noticed these before?

Answer: Since I haven't examined your head, I can't be certain what causes the "point" and "grooves" you have found. However, I can make an educated guess that what you have discovered has actually been there all the time. You see, the skull is actually formed from several separate bones. This is most obvious in a newborn, as I've had the pleasure of noting in my grandson who was born July 1. The "soft spot," or anterior fontanelle, is an area where the bones that form the sides of the head (left and right parietals) join the one forming the forehead (frontal bone). These bones do not grow to touch one another along their entire length -- and, thereby, close the "soft spot" -- until the child is about 18 months old. This joining of skull bones makes a subtle "groove" or ridge that persists throughout life and is called a suture. The two grooves you describe are probably your sutures. Also, the "point" you've found is most likely the spot where the left and right parietal bones join the large bone forming the back of the head (occipital). Extending toward each ear from this point are the suture lines. Go to your library and look at an anatomy book or a skeleton. You probably will find your point and grooves are just part of normal human anatomy.

Question 2: Why do I get heartburn and headache after drinking red wine but not with white wine?

Answer 2: As I do before I answer every question, I searched the medical literature to find a scientific answer to the question. Your question, however, is unique in that I can't find any serious medical research that deals with it. Consequently, I went to other experts for an answer. I talked to biochemists and physiologists. All agree that the major difference between red and white wine is that red wines have chemicals belonging to the family called tannins. These chemicals are not unique to red wine however. Tea, as an example, is also high in tannins. Moreover, tea, when consumed in moderate quantities, doesn't cause heartburn or headaches.

Consequently, it is unlikely that the problems you've noted are a result of these substances. Alcohol is present in both types of wine, and this common component is particularly prone to causing both heartburn and headaches. But why would one cause you more trouble than the other would when the alcohol level is the same? It wouldn't, so the difference isn't due to alcohol. I can offer no scientific literature to support my educated guess, but I think the difference between the two types of wine in their ability to cause your symptoms is probably due to the foods you eat with them or perhaps that you may drink more of one than the other. The difference between the wines themselves shouldn't make much difference, assuming you're drinking wine of similar quality. I think your question highlights the need for serious medical research. Of course, I would only want to study the effect of "fine" wine served with meals in 4-star or 5-star restaurants. Identifying willing subject for this most interesting study shouldn't be a problem, but finding someone to fund it could be!

"Family Medicine" is a weekly column.

To submit questions, write to: John C. Wolf, D.O., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Grosvenor Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701.

Past columns are available online at http://www.FamilyMedicineNews.org.