Is a Mole on the Nipple More Likely to Become Melanoma?
Have you discovered a mole on your nipple — not nearby, but ON the nipple, and are worried it might be melanoma?
Can Tinnitus Be Caused by Melanoma Spread to the Brain?
Can a melanoma that spreads to the brain ever cause tinnitus?
The brain is one of the first places that a melanoma tumor metastasizes to.
This can result in a variety of symptoms.
Tinnitus is the so-called ringing in the ears that affects many people and that has a multitude of causes.
“When melanoma spreads, it has certain places that it prefers to spread to,” says Dr. Steven Musick, MD, a board certified dermatologist who runs Musick Dermatology, LLC, in Swansea, IL, which provides state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all disorders of the skin, hair and nails. (more…)
Acne Along the Hairline: Causes and Treatment
Adults, not just teens, can suffer from stubborn acne or pimples along their hairline.
Sometimes, the conditions that are ripe for the development of blemishes are concentrated along the hairline. (more…)
What Can a Blister Like Spot on the Scalp Be?
There are three main types of scalp lesions that can look like a blister, and this includes cancer.
This is why it’s important to have a dermatologist inspect your scalp on a yearly basis as part of your skin cancer screening.
“A blister-like spot on the scalp could be a blister (will resolve in a couple of weeks or as all blisters do), a non-cancerous growth (like a mole) or a skin cancer,” says Dr. Steven Musick, MD, a board certified dermatologist who runs Musick Dermatology, LLC, in Swansea, IL, which provides state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all disorders of the skin, hair and nails.
“If the lesion persists, seek evaluation by a qualified dermatologist,” says Dr. Musick.
A type of non-cancerous growth that just might look like a blister is a seborrheic keratosis.
These typically begin appearing after age 40 and can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp. They can resemble melanoma.
However, a melanoma can sometimes pass as a seborrheic keratosis.
NOT ALL MELANOMAS ARE DARK.
Melanomas, such as this one here, can be pinkish, red or even flesh colored.
So if you see ANY strange new growth on your scalp – or you’re not sure how long you’ve had a newly-discovered lesion – have a dermatologist examine it.
Another type of growth that can seem like a blister is a strange kind of mole called a dysplastic nevus (atypical mole).
These typically appear in childhood or young adulthood, and can strongly resemble melanoma. And vice versa. Pictured below is an atypical mole.
Biophoto Associates/Science Source
Steven Musick, MD
Since 2008 Musick Dermatology & Advanced Clinical Spa has been providing state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all disorders of the skin, hair and nails.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
.
Top image: Shutterstock/Point Fr
How to Do the Epley Maneuver on Yourself for BPPV Relief
If you suffer from BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional disorder), you can perform the Epley maneuver on yourself for instant relief from the dizziness and nausea. (more…)
How Does a Doctor Tell Which Ear Has BPPV?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear problem, usually affecting only one ear—but which ear? How does a doctor figure this out?
Clavicle Sticks Out More than the Other: Cancer or Asymmetry?
How normal is it for one collarbone (clavicle) to stick out more than the other?
What actually causes this and can cancer be a potential cause?
“Clavicles are generally symmetrical, but asymmetry is not necessarily something to worry about,” says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texas and who is board certified in family medicine.
“Many people are born with one side more pronounced than the other,” continues Dr. Anderson, who is board certified in internal medicine.
Some Considerationsancer
Look at the collarbones of other people — coworkers, family members, people you pass on the street and those on TV shows or in your favorite magazines.
It won’t be too long before you spot a woman wearing a low collar whose clavicles are clearly uneven:
One juts out more than the other. You might even be able to spot this in women’s magazines.
Another point to consider is body fat. The symmetry — or lack thereof — of the clavicles will be more obvious in those with lean bodies.cancer
If you’ve noticed that the end of one of your collarbones pokes out more than the other, ask yourself if a low body fat level might be making things seem more pronounced than they actually are.
Have you lost weight recently? If so, has this coincided with a more noticeable asymmetry of your collarbones?
When to See a Doctor cancer
“If your clavicle is red, hot or has a [new-onset] noticeable bump, it should be looked at by your healthcare provider,” says Dr. Anderson.
“These symptoms are most likely caused by infection. Cancer is unlikely.
“Clavicle injuries are common and can cause one side to look abnormal, but normally, clavicle injuries are painful and easily recognized at the time of injury.
“An injured clavicle often heals with immobilization, but should always be examined by a healthcare provider for stabilization.”
A collarbone injury would usually result from a hard impact, such as falling on one’s shoulder.
The pain is instant and significant, affecting mobility. There may even be a hairline fracture in the bone.
If so, bruising will soon start showing.
But as mentioned, in the absence of an injury, when one collarbone seems to stick out more than the other, this would just be harmless asymmetry — for which another potential benign cause would be unequal muscle development from workouts or physical labor, making it appear that one side juts out more than the other.
Dr. Anderson is coauthor of the award-winning book, “Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health,” and host of the nationally syndicated Staying Young Show which goes to podcast as Staying Young Show 2.0.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Causes of Osteoarthritis in Young Adults 20’s and 30’s
Yes, young adults — those in their 30’s and even 20’s—have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, even though this degenerative cartilage disease is strongly associated with the aging body. (more…)
Is It Safe to Lift Weights With a Headache ?
Is it safe to train with weights on a headache you got before the workout, and how about if the headache develops while you’re strength training?
Some Headaches Mean Danger While Others Are Harmless
“Headaches come in all shapes and sizes, and some are actually relieved with exercise,” says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texas and who is board certified in family medicine.
I second that last statement, in that more than once, I’ve felt either complete relief or a reduction in a sinus headache—from lifting weights—that I had been getting on occasion due to a mild recurring nasal infection.
It’s certainly safe to lift weights with a sinus headache. The activity will not make the infection worse.
The issue is how tolerant you could be while lifting with a headache that you know is benign.
Dr. Anderson continues, “Exercise can be a natural pain reliever. However, there are times that headaches are an underlying symptom of a bigger problem.
“For example, headaches can be caused from high blood pressure. Since exercise, specifically weightlifting, can cause a temporary spike in pulse rate and blood pressure, it’s best to have high blood pressure under control before going to the gym.”
How many strength training enthusiasts are meticulous about macros, when to take their protein powder and other supplements…yet don’t even own a home blood pressure device?
Do you even KNOW your typical baseline blood pressure? The lower it is, the less high your blood pressure will spike during strenuous lifts.
“If headaches occur while at the gym, but tend to go away once exercise stops, it may be wise to have a VO2 max stress test with your healthcare provider,” says Dr. Anderson.
“This test will not only check your blood pressure during exercise, it will identify the amount of weight you can lift before having a change in blood pressure or pulse rate.
“As for other exercise, a VO2 max will identify the METS (stands for metabolic equivalent: a measurement of exercise intensity based on oxygen consumption) at which you effectively exercise, a number which varies for each person.
“Staying within the correct METS level will help keep exercise safe and effective.”
If you’re getting headaches only after you begin your weightlifting regimen, another possible cause is dehydration.
Dehydration can cause a headache even while one is inactive. When you start pumping iron, you sweat more (whether you realize it or not).
Don’t rely on the presence or absence of thirst as a hydration barometer.
Drink up before you begin your routine, and if a headache occurs at some point during the weightlifting, drink up again and see if it goes away.
If you have a severe headache before you step into the gym, it’s advisable to avoid weightlifting until it goes away.
Waiting it out will give you a chance to see if it’s something that needs urgent attention.
For instance, if you wait it out at home, and additional symptoms start developing (e.g., blurred vision, slurred speech), at least you’ll be in a better setting from which to be taken to the emergency room.
Yes, severe headache with any new-onset visual disturbance and/or speech difficulty means get to the ER. Have someone drive you there.
If while working out you experience a sudden-onset severe headache, like a clap of thunder, stop exercising immediately! In fact, the pain will be so striking that you’ll stop automatically.
Do not try to work through any severe sudden headache. And a thunderclap-caliber headache may be a burst blood vessel (aneurysm rupture) in your brain or carotid artery and requires immediate medical intervention.
Another possible cause of less painful headaches that arise during a workout is a nerve irritation from the exercise that affects the neck, shoulder or arm. The irritated nerve will radiate pain to the head.
If you’ve been diagnosed with migraine headache disorder, discuss with your physician guidelines for gym workouts.
Dr. Anderson is coauthor of the award-winning book, “Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health,” and host of the nationally syndicated Staying Young Show which goes to podcast as Staying Young Show 2.0.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
.
Top image: Shutterstock/Viktor Gladkov
You Hit Head, Have Lingering Dizziness: What Should You Do?
Does dizziness after hitting your head always mean you should head to the emergency room?
“Head injuries can be serious,” says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texas and who is board certified in family medicine.
“If you injure your head and experience dizziness, fatigue, nausea or a change in vision, you should be evaluated immediately,” continues Dr. Anderson, who is board certified in internal medicine.
“In the event that you lose consciousness at any time during a head injury, it should be treated as an emergency.
“Concussions have gained a great deal of attention over the last decade, and for good reason.”
Imaging is Very Important
Dr. Anderson continues, “New imaging techniques, such as fMRI [functional MRI], have allowed researchers to see changes in brain activity after a head injury.
“We also now know that damage to the brain can be on a microvascular level, often not seen on routine scans.
“A healthcare provider can determine the best way to treat a head injury, and all head injuries should be a cause for concern.”
What if Your ONLY Symptom Is Dizziness After Getting Hit in the Head?
“Many people believe that dizziness after hitting the head is caused by ‘jiggling of the brain, which is close, but not exactly the case,” explains Dr. Anderson.
“Most dizziness after a hit to the head is actually caused by a disturbance in the inner ear.
“This dizziness is called vertigo and is a result of tiny crystals in the inner ear being disturbed.
“This often goes away on its own, but may require assistance from a healthcare provider.
“People who experience vertigo after a mild head injury often develop benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,” also known as BPPV.
“A technique called the Epley maneuver can often instantly reset the disturbed crystals.
“Mild vertigo is often not serious, but if vertigo persists or is followed by fatigue, nausea or the feeling of passing out, a proper evaluation by a healthcare provider is in order.”
Dr. Anderson is coauthor of the award-winning book, “Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health,” and host of the nationally syndicated Staying Young Show which goes to podcast as Staying Young Show 2.0.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
.
