General Health Questions
122 Question and Answer Results
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What would cause skin to shed and how is it treated?
Reading your question, you do not mention if her skin is actually dry or flaky, you just say that you notice dead skin flakes on her sheets. You also do not mention any rash, so I will assume that there is none. I am thinking that this dry skin is actually coming from her legs... -
Should I continue to attend swim class with the shingles?
Shingles is the same virus as chicken pox, so it can be transmitted to other people by them coming in contact with your lesions. Lesions are considered infectious until they are dried and crusted over. Therefore, I would recommend that you not swim until you are no longer contagious. Good luck! -
Why would the skin on the hamstrings turn purple?
Since I cannot actually see what you are seeing, I am going to go through some scenarios of what could be the most likely causes of each of these issues. -
Do regular cortisone shots make skin thinner ?
Cortisone injections in your spine could cause thinning skin, bruising, or loss of pigment usually only at the injection site, not over the whole body. Since the medication is going into the back, only a small amount of it is absorbed by the body, so systemic (whole body) effects are really rare. -
Can you get the shingles after you have had the vaccine?
The answer is yes. In the studies involving the vaccine, Zostavax (the brand name of the vaccine) reduced the risk of shingles only by half. The vaccine is most effective in the 60-70 age group, but it does offer some protection for people older than 70. The other important point is we do not know how long the vaccine protects someone... -
Swelling in abdomen, legs, and feet bad. Should I see a specialist?
Yes, you need to see your primary doctor right away. Fluid in your abdomen is called ascities. This is most commonly caused by liver problems, while heart failure is rarely the cause. This is why the lasix may not be helping you much. You need a full diagnostic workup to figure out why this is happening to you... -
Does Lipitor cause liver enzymes?
I will answer your questions in order. 1) What does lipitor do to a fatty liver? A recent study done by Athyros and colleagues in 2010 showed the safety of statin use in patients abnormal liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that were less than three times normal) from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease... -
What are these tiny red and brown spots in my arms and chest?
It is very difficult for me to try and guess what kind of dermatologic skin changes you have without seeing them. The best way to find out what they are is to ask a dermatologist to check them out. However, I will try to give the most common skin issues that fit your description, just for your information... -
Is atrophy of the pancreas something to be concerned about?
Your CT scan shows some atrophy of the pancreas. The most common causes of atrophy of the pancreas are obesity and chronic diabetes. Diabetics can develop gastroparesis, which causes the digestion to slow. This can cause nausea, belching, and constipation, which could explain the symptoms you describe... -
Is there an alternative for a catheter in a male after bladder surgery?
Hi Megstutu, -
How long after and outbreak can I get vaccinated for shingles?
Regarding the shingles vaccine, the CDC states that "even if you have had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific time that you must wait after having shingles before receiving the shingles vaccine". (see the CDC website for the full text: CDC... -
What could a swelling gland under my left ear that swells off and on?
Lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system. There are hundreds of lymph nodes located throughout the body. Often times, they can become swollen from a cold, ear infection or virus, and it will usually go away within a few days. If they remain swollen for more than a couple weeks, or if the s... -
What are weight loss guidelines for MS patients?
If your health care provider has given you the OK to start exercising, I would recommend starting a walking program 2 to 3 times a week. Although you are not overweight, the walking would be good for your overall cardiovascular health. You could start with short, 5- 10 minute walks, gradually increasing... -
Are there any anti-aging creams that work?
Test answer, please disregard. dementia care[mind-start.com] -
Sunscreen for Older Skin?
If your mother is in her 80s, there is no specific reason she would need to use different sunscreen than a younger person. Older skin is thin, but will still benefit from a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 or higher. To avoid "sunscreen chemicals" that are a little bit controversial in... -
What's the Best Way to Deal With Swollen Feet and Ankles?
The first and best way to bring down swelling (edema) in the feet and ankles is to find and treat the underlying cause, if there is one. That's why you should bring the problem to the attention of a doctor or other healthcare provider when you notice an increase in swelling in one or both feet that doesn't go down or is accompanied by pain or redness... -
If I had shingles, do I need to get the shingles vaccine?
This fine question is answered by the Center for Disease Control's section on the shingles vaccine, in the paragraph titled "Who should get the vaccine?" http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vacc-need-know.htm[cdc.gov] It is always smart to check with your physician, too, of course, who would know about allergies and so forth... -
What's the Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
If you've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, it's likely your doctor will first suggest fitting you with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, a specially designed nasal mask that blows air directly into your airways... -
How Can I Find Out if My Snoring Is Sleep Apnea or Something Else That's Serious?
Start by asking him or her if your snoring is very loud and erratic; that's the most common clue to what's called obstructive sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly and make a characteristic snorting sound, as if they're catching their breath... -
What Causes Toenails to Become Thick and Yellow?
There are many possible causes of yellowing, thickened toenails. The two most common are fungus and trauma.
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