Over Christmas my right big toe became swollen, painful, and red. My cousin said that he has gout, and it caused the same symptoms. Do you think he may be correct about my big toe?
Your cousin MAY be correct. Although there may be other causes, the big toe is a common place for a gout attack. The symptoms of gout are a painful, red, swollen joint, as it is a form of arthritits. There are a number of causes; the most common is just an elevation of the uric acid levels in the blood, which accumulates in the joint,
Pulmonary Artery Hypertension
by Dean Heller MD December 30th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I have been diagnosed with PAH pulmonary artery hypertension. I am frequently short of breath when cleaning my house and while chasing after my 3 kids. I know there are newer treatments; what do you think of these treatments?
Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is a condition that causes higher pressures in the lungs and subsequently thickening of the arteries in the lungs. It causes symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath, just like you are having. The newer PDE5 inhibitors are similar to the medications that you see advertised for erectile dysfunction, and have been found to improve the symptoms in patients with PAH. See your doctor
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Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is a condition that causes higher pressures in the lungs and subsequently thickening of the arteries in the lungs. It causes symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath, just like you are having. The newer PDE5 inhibitors are similar to the medications that you see advertised for erectile dysfunction, and have been found to improve the symptoms in patients with PAH. See your doctor
Hypochondria
by Mackenzie M. December 29th, 2011 | Mental Health
Hypochondria is often mentioned in every day conversations and even on television and movies. It is characterized as a laughable condition in which a person simply believes he or she is sick all of the time; however, this condition is much more serious than that, and it deserves attention.
Officially known as hypochondriasis, the condition is defined as “worry over an imagined illness with exaggeration of symptoms, no matter how insignificant, that lasts for at least six months and causes significant distress.†The condition can develop on its own, but most commonly follows generalized anxiety disorder or depression. Rather than
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Officially known as hypochondriasis, the condition is defined as “worry over an imagined illness with exaggeration of symptoms, no matter how insignificant, that lasts for at least six months and causes significant distress.†The condition can develop on its own, but most commonly follows generalized anxiety disorder or depression. Rather than
Medication and Yeast Infections
by Lori Sciame November 21st, 2011 | Medication
Close to 75% of women experience the unpleasant itching and discharge associated with a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives. Whether the infection is brought on by antibiotic use, or something else, the distinct symptoms can make a woman feel miserable.
Not too long ago, a woman had to make an appointment with her doctor in order to get a prescription to take care of the infection. The process was costly, as it involved paying for the office visit, as well as for the prescription itself. Thank goodness, anti-fungal medications can now be purchased over the counter.
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Not too long ago, a woman had to make an appointment with her doctor in order to get a prescription to take care of the infection. The process was costly, as it involved paying for the office visit, as well as for the prescription itself. Thank goodness, anti-fungal medications can now be purchased over the counter.
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Reye’s Syndrome
by Tom Seman MD FAAP November 10th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
I have heard that giving aspirin to children causes Reye’s Syndrome. Is this true?
Reye's Syndrome is a constellation of symptoms that occurs when a child under the age of 16 years-old takes aspirin containing medications while ill with influenza, influenza-like diseases, and varicella (chicken pox). The association of aspirin and viral illnesses was discovered in the 1970's. In 1974, there were 400 cases with upwards of 40% mortality. There are 5 severity grades categorizing the syndrome, helping doctors determine what sort of prognosis the child has for recovery. Signs and symptoms include a child with a viral illness with a
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Reye's Syndrome is a constellation of symptoms that occurs when a child under the age of 16 years-old takes aspirin containing medications while ill with influenza, influenza-like diseases, and varicella (chicken pox). The association of aspirin and viral illnesses was discovered in the 1970's. In 1974, there were 400 cases with upwards of 40% mortality. There are 5 severity grades categorizing the syndrome, helping doctors determine what sort of prognosis the child has for recovery. Signs and symptoms include a child with a viral illness with a