When Should You Stop Getting New Moles?
Over age 40 and noticing what appear to be new moles growing on your skin? “People in the 40-50 age bracket may begin to get scary looking pigmented growths called seborrheic keratoses — which are [...]
Can an Itching, Bleeding Mole Be Benign?
You’re not a hypochondriac if you fear that an itching, bleeding mole might be melanoma rather than benign. “While people are familiar with the ABCD’s of mole evaluation- - Asymmetry (one half of the mole [...]
Do You Have Chest Pain in Different POSITIONS?
Positional chest pain can be due to a variety of causes including heart problems, says Pilar Stevens-Cohen, MD, FACC, Department of Cardiology, South Nassau Communities Hospital. Positional chest pain isn’t always caused by acid reflux [...]
Heart Palpitations Lasting Daily, Sometimes Hours
What’s going on when heart palpitations persist for hours almost every day? “Some people use the word [palpitations] to describe a fast or rapid heart rate; others to note an irregular heart rate," says Pilar Stevens-Cohen, [...]
Ejection Fraction 20%: How Long Can You Live?
An ejection fraction of under 20 percent is frightfully low as far as survival…or is it? “Having a low ejection fraction (absolute number) is not necessarily correlated to symptoms,” begins Pilar Stevens-Cohen, MD, FACC, Department [...]
Can CoQ10 Help PVC’s?
CoQ10 is one of the best antioxidant supplements, but how does it work against PVCs: premature ventricular contractions? For this article I asked Pilar Stevens-Cohen, MD, FACC, Department of Cardiology, South Nassau Communities Hospital. This is [...]
What Does Frequent Nausea with IBS Mean?
It is no secret that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can lead to nausea, but what should a sufferer do? In fact, nausea that's caused by irritable bowel syndrome isn't even uncommon, says a doctor. ***** “IBS is [...]
Can IBS Cause Severe Backaches and What’s the Remedy ?
Just what causes that backache from your irritable bowel syndrome? Back pain is perhaps the world's leading nonfatal health problem. It affects millions of people, causing significant discomfort and impacting daily life. The causes can [...]
Is Burping a Symptom of IBS?
A GI physician addresses the question of burping being caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Have you been diagnosed with IBS? Do you find that you’ve been burping a lot more lately and it seems to [...]
Can IBS Cause Joint Pain? Are There Solutions?
Find out what may actually be going on if you’re having joint pains and have been diagnosed with IBS. “IBS as a rule does not directly cause joint pains, such as with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative [...]
Can IBS Cause Hot Flashes?
If IBS causes hot flashes, how on earth does this occur? IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. It is common. So are hot flashes. Can hot flashes be caused by irritable bowel syndrome? Yes, says [...]
Can Chest Pain Be Caused by IBS?
Is it possible to tell the difference between IBS chest pain and that caused by a heart problem? Having chest pain, especially in the middle of the night, is scary as heck. It makes a lot [...]
Amitriptyline for IBS: Pros & Cons
A GI doctor discusses the effectiveness of amitriptyline for IBS, how it works and possible drawbacks. Amitriptyline and Irritable Bowel Syndrome “Amitriptyline is a very common drug used to treat IBS, and can be very [...]
Do Pacemakers Prevent Atrial Fibrillation?
Do you have a pacemaker and are wondering if it can also prevent atrial fibrillation? A-fib is a common heart rhythm disorder that puts a person at considerably increased risk of a blood clot -- [...]
TIAs: Why Aren’t More Family Doctors Vigilant on Follow-ups?
Why don’t more doctors take seriously a transient ischemic attack (TIA)? A TIA (transient ischemic attack) is very serious – it’s your body’s way of warning you that a stroke may be imminent. A suspected [...]
Do Migraine Headaches Increase Alzheimer’s Risk?
Migraine headache sufferers may be fearful that this condition raises Alzheimer’s disease risk, because migraine headaches are associated with a higher incidence of small lesions within the brain that are picked up by MRI. Interestingly, [...]
Can Daily Aspirin Cause Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Elderly?
Since aspirin is a blood thinner, how likely could this drug trigger a chronic subdural hematoma in an older person who'se on a daily aspirin regimen? The issue becomes mighty tricky when an elderly person [...]
Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma in the Elderly: Incidence?
Chronic subdural hematoma can occur spontaneously and being elderly is perhaps the No. 1 risk factor for developing this condition. It is not to be confused with acute subdural hematoma from a car accident, skiing [...]
Does Benign Multiple Sclerosis Actually Exist?
“While it is true that many people with multiple sclerosis have a ‘benign’ course, it is difficult to predict who will be in this lucky group," says Dr. Kantor. “There is a lot of controversy [...]
Does Teen Obesity Cause Migraine Headaches?
Are you an overeight or obese teen who suffers with migraine headaches? Ever wonder if your size might be contributing to this painful condition? If you've been struggling to manage your food portions or choices [...]
Can Left Side Neglect Be Temporary?
Once a person develops left side neglect, will this usually be permanent or can it be a temporary condition? Left side neglect is a fascinating neurological problem in which the patient lacks full awareness of [...]
Can Exercise Prevent Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Elderly?
Is it possible for exercise to prevent an elderly person from ever getting a chronic subdural hematoma? “As we get older our brains shrink,” says Dr. David Beatty, MD, a retired general practitioner with 30+ [...]
What If a Patient Pulls Burr Hole Brain Drain Tube Out?
After a burr hole craniostomy for chronic subdural hematoma, a “drain” tube is left in the patient’s skull. This was the case of my mother. She had a chronic subdural hematoma, and the drain tube [...]
Antidepressant Losing Steam and Pooping Out? Solution
An antidepressant may work wonders initially but then may lose its punch and can't keep up with the depression. You may be on an antidepressant that’s been working wonderfully... But then soon after you go [...]
Atrial Fibrillation, Elevated Troponin: How Much Heart Damage?
Can enough atrial fibrillation episodes, over time in someone with heart disease, cause cardiac damage that’s equal to a heart attack? “Generally, A-fib does not result in significant heart damage,” says Dr. Simon Dixon, chairman [...]
Why Can A-Fib with Heart Disease Cause Troponin Elevation?
There’s a specific reason why an episode of atrial fibrillation can elevate troponin levels if you already have heart disease. Troponin is a protein enzyme that leaks from heart muscle when that muscle sustains damage, such [...]
Does Every Episode of Atrial Fibrillation Damage the Heart ?
In someone with coronary artery disease, does every episode of atrial fibrillation mean damage to the heart? Damage to cardiac tissue can result from an episode of atrial fibrillation in a person with coronary artery disease. [...]
What’s the Elevated Troponin Range from A-Fib Episodes?
An episode of atrial fibrillation can elevate troponin, but what would be the typical range of this elevation? Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a serious heart rhythm disorder that can have significant consequences if left untreated. [...]
How to Get Relief from Fibromyalgia with Cymbalta
How does Cymbalta help relieve fibromyalgia pain? You can get fibromyalgia relief with Cymbalta, a drug commonly prescribed for depression and also prescribed for panic attacks and anxiety. You’ve probably seen the Cymbalta commercials, which [...]
How to Get a Very Depressed Person Who Refuses to Eat to Eat
It's really scary when severe depression prevents a person from wanting to eat; right before your eyes you see your loved-one wasting away from malnourishment. Clinical depression can destroy appetite and cause a life-threatening issue [...]
Cymbalta for Pain and Depression: Helpful Information
Cymbalta is prescribed for depression and pain, and here is helpful information for people considering Cymbalta or who have already started taking this drug. Cymbalta belongs to a class of medications called SNRI: serotonin and [...]
Kefir Is Great for Microscopic Colitis Relief!
Mmmm, a glass of chilled kefir just may relieve your microscopic colitis symptoms! Give this probiotic a try; it will help re-balance the bacteria in your gut. An imbalance may be causing or contributing to [...]
Natural Treatment for Microscopic Colitis: Kefir!
Let’s hear it for kefir as a natural treatment for microscopic colitis: This stuff works! Microscopic colitis has no known cure, and treatments include natural and pharmaceutical. However, treatment for microscopic colitis is hit or [...]
Denying Spouse Has Depression; When Partner Won’t Seek Help
How I convinced my father that my mother’s depression would not go away on its own. Is one of your parents depressed, and the other parent in denial, and thus, a hindrance to treatment? My [...]
IBS Relief from Bloating, Stomach Pain with Antibiotic Drug
Wouldn't it be great if your IBS stomach cramping and pain and bloating could be relieved with a simple antibiotic drug? IBS relief that lasts is here with an FDA approved drug, thanks to Cedars-Sinai [...]
Can You Be Too Old to Get IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?
Are you thinking, “I can’t possibly have IBS because I’m too old!”? Then think again. You can be as old as the hills and still develop irritable bowel syndrome. ***** An individual being too old [...]
Sudden Headache While Lifting Weights: Causes and Solutions
A dangerous bleeding in the brain can be the cause of a sudden and severe headache that comes on during weightlifting. Now let’s suppose you’re a longtime enthusiast of building muscle. You’ve been pumping serious [...]
Barbell Squat vs. Leg Press vs. Hack Squat Pros & Cons of All 3 Weightlifting Equipment
Barbell squats, leg press and the hack squat are favorite weightlifting routines among fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders. So as a former certified personal trainer, I decided to pit the barbell squat, leg press and hack [...]
How to Use Your Mind, Not Drugs to Stop Panic Attacks
You can stop a panic attack dead in its tracks with your MIND, without relying on drugs every again. I’ve had only two full-blown panic attacks because by the time I started to get a [...]
Time It Takes to Reverse Insulin Resistance?
How long would it take to reverse insulin resistance with diet and exercise? So how long does it usually take to reverse insulin resistance with diet and exercise? As far as how long it would [...]
