How High Must ALT & AST Be for Liver Disease?
Here’s what a liver doctor says about the ALT and AST blood tests. The cut-off point for whether or not an ALT or AST value should be of concern, can be confusing, especially since values [...]
Joint Pain from Fibromyalgia vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Here is what a doctor says about the difference between fibromyalgia joint pain and that from rheumatoid arthritis. “With rheumatoid arthritis the pain is localized predominantly in the hands as opposed to the larger joints [...]
Can Joint Pain Be the Only Symptom of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is linked to many symptoms including joint pain, but can this symptom be the only presenting feature of this condition? “It can present simply with joint pain, and but the way to distinguish it [...]
Duodenal Cancer Tips for Treatment, Chemotherapy
A woman who was personally touched by duodenal cancer offers valuable tips for those going through treatment. Unless you have a known "condition or illness" that runs in your family, most do not go for [...]
Swelling in Both Ankles: Can’t Find Cause?
What can be causing the “edema” or swelling in both of your ankles when everything’s been ruled out? One day I noticed that my ankle area (both feet) was very mildly puffy (swelling). Did I [...]
Mole with White Spot in Center
Find out what it could mean if a mole has a white spot in it. I have a mole that has a white (or actually, flesh or cream colored; it’s hard to tell) spot kind [...]
What if You Get a DVT While on Coumadin (Warfarin)?
Is it possible for someone to get a deep vein thrombosis while on the blood thinner coumadin (Warfarin), and if so, why? This is a prescription drug that's so effective at thinning blood, that it [...]
Number of DVTs Missed by Ultrasound
Ultrasound (Doppler scan) is not 100 percent effective at detecting a deep vein thrombosis, a life-threatening blood clot that can dislodge and travel to the lungs and be fatal. Percentage of DVT’s Missed by Ultrasound [...]
How Do Stockings Prevent Blood Clots after Surgery?
Are you scheduled for surgery and are wondering why you'll need to wear stockings? These help prevent blood clots, which can travel to the lungs and be fatal. The stockings are actually called TED hose. [...]
Acute Subdural Hematoma WITH Pulmonary Embolism!
How is a patient treated if presenting simultaneously with an acute subdural hematoma AND a massive pulmonary embolism? Can anything be more vexing? For example, a patient arrives at the emergency room from a motor vehicle [...]
DVT and Chronic Subdural Hematoma at the Same Time?
How would a patient with both deep vein thrombosis and chronic subdural hematoma be treated? Now, I don’t mean someone who develops a chronic subdural hematoma from the Coumadin (Warfarin) they were prescribed to treat [...]
One Calf Swollen, Hurts, Red: Possible Causes
A doctor points out many possible causes (some very serious!) of swelling, pain and redness in just one calf. If a calf is swollen, red and painful (hurts, aches, or feels crampy), especially if there’s [...]
TED Hose for Post-op DVT Prevention: The Truth
A surgeon presents easy-to-understand information about TED hose and post-operative DVT prevention. My father has had, in total, four joint replacement surgeries — a big risk factor for DVT development. In his case, the perspective [...]
How Accurate Are Doppler Scans for a DVT?
This article is about the effectiveness of Doppler scans (ultrasounds) in detecting a deep vein thrombosis. I once read of a woman whose inner left thigh was red, swollen and painful; Doppler (ultrasound) was negative, [...]
How Long Does It Take DVT to Form from Bed Rest?
Dr. Kevin Casey explains the time lapse for DVT to form from bed rest. How long might it take for a deep vein thrombosis to develop as a result of excessive bed rest? “This is [...]
DVT Risk During Long Flights vs. Long Car Rides, Movie Marathons
Find out if sitting for prolonged periods on an airplane is worse than sitting for extended periods in a car or on your sofa for DVT risk. Maybe you keep hearing about how prolonged sitting [...]
Can You Get a Blood Clot (DVT) from Lifting Weights?
A vascular surgeon answers the question of can lifting weights cause a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis). Many bodybuilders and those who lift weights want to know if weightlifting can somehow cause a DVT. Sometimes, [...]
Super Morbidly Obese: Manipulating Their Enablers
Ever wonder what on earth is going on in the heads of the "caretakers" to the super morbidly obese? These 600 to 1,000 pound men and women are confined to their bed, so it's impossible [...]
Bulging Disc: How Long to Try Conservative Treatment?
Find out how long you should give conservative treatment a try before having surgery for your bulging (herniated) disc. If you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated (bulging) disc, you should not rush into the decision [...]
Can Swollen Anus in Cat Be Caused by Cancer?
How often do you inspect your cat's anus? Sure, many cat owners don't like to do this, and in fact, outright avoid it. However, if your beloved cat has a swollen anus, this can be [...]
Shoulder Pain but No Other Symptoms?
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Galland talks about causes of shoulder pain in the absence of other symptoms. “Shoulder pain, in the absence of any other symptoms, is most commonly caused by a rotator cuff tear [...]
Can Deep Squats Harm the Knee: Orthopedic Surgeon’s Response
Can deep knee squats hurt the knees? Assume the squats are executed with feet flat on the floor, and that “deep” means the thighs have surpassed the position of being parallel to the floor. That’s [...]
Causes of Sharp, Stabbing Pain in Knee when Walking
An orthopedic surgeon names causes of a sharp, stabbing pain in the knee when walking. “Knee pain experienced during moderate movement such as walking may be caused by any number of factors, including tendonitis, a [...]
Grinding Noise in Knee, No Pain: Should You Worry?
What can cause a grinding noise in the knee but no pain, and is this something to be concerned about? “Painless noise in the knee, as well as other joints, can be safely ignored,” says [...]
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Prior to Knee Arthroscopy
An orthopedic surgeon explains what questions one should ask about their upcoming knee arthroscopy. Don't just go into a knee arthroscopy blindly. You should be armed with knowledge ahead of time. Nature of the Knee [...]
What’s It Mean When Collarbone Pain Comes from the Neck?
So your pain is in the collarbone or clavicle area, but it seems to be originating from your neck. This doesn't sound good, and it warrants a medical evaluation. “Shoulder blade pain is most commonly [...]
Collar Bone Shoulder Pain but Full Range of Motion?
What can cause pain around the collar bone of your shoulder if the bone is not broken and you have full range of motion? There are several possible causes of this situation. “Nagging aches or [...]
Old Cat Keeps Vomiting? 4 Causes, Solutions
An old cat can vomit for several reasons, some benign and some serious. Cause #1 of an old cat vomiting One cause can be diet, says Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc, chief veterinary officer with NationwideDVM, [...]
Gum Color Guide for Cat Owners
Here is a veterinarian’s guide for gum color in cats. The color of a cat’s gums can tell a lot about your pet’s health. Ideal Cat Gum Color “When it comes to your cat’s gums, [...]
Declawing Cat: Is Licking Paws Okay After Procedure?
A veterinarian discusses declawing your cat and your pet licking the paws afterwards. You’ve had your cat declawed and are now noticing that your pet keeps licking its paws. Should you allow this? Is it [...]
Cat’s Paw Has Pinkish Red Growth: Cancer Possible
A veterinarian discusses cancer as a possible cause of a pinkish red growth in a cat’s paw. Not all sinister growths on a cat are black or otherwise dark. There is reason to beware of [...]
Can Sinus Problems Cause Pain in the Neck?
Sinus issues may cause neck pain … but only under a specific circumstance, says an ENT doctor. ***** Neck discomfort can have numerous causes, including sleep position, a compressed nerve and even heart trouble. Since [...]
Sneezing, Sniffling after Exercise: Causes & Solutions
Find out what an ear, nose and throat physician says about sniffling and sneezing after exercise. Do you find you must sneeze and/or have the sniffles following exercise? Even indoors? This may occur soon after [...]
How Soon after Total Hip Replacement Can you Cross Legs?
An orthopedic surgeon provides guidelines to crossing legs after total hip replacement surgery. For many, crossing the legs is second nature. The tendency to want to do this will be strong even after a cross-legging [...]
Why Swelling of Surgical Leg (TKR) Goes Down Overnight
An orthopedic surgeon explains why swelling of the surgical leg (total knee replacement) goes down overnight and then seemingly balloons up after awakening. Following a total knee replacement, the patient may notice that the initial [...]
Vomiting During or After Exercise: Causes & Solutions
A doctor offers a very interesting cause of vomiting during or after exercise. “That can happen when a person is very toxic, so when the circulation improves, then the lymphatics start moving and dumping toxins,” [...]
Burning Lungs, Coughing after Hard Running: Benign Causes
There are several benign causes of burning lungs & coughing after hard running, and what’s “hard” is subjective. “Burning in the lungs and coughing after hard running are likely due to magnesium deficiency,” says Carolyn [...]
Tiny White Bump Inside Lower Eyelid, Painless
I asked my dermatologist what the very tiny white bump on the inside of my lower eyelid might be. A “tiny white bump” on the inner lower eyelid can be a rather broad description. But [...]
Why So Many Pulmonary Embolisms in Hospitals Are Fatal
Many pulmonary embolisms in hospital settings cause sudden death without symptoms, but many people die even when there are warning signs. You may be thinking that it takes about four minutes for irreversible brain damage [...]
Can You Get Deep Vein Thrombosis DURING Air Travel?
Two doctors weigh in on getting a DVT while on the airplane. Perhaps you’ve heard of cases in which a person seemingly developed a DVT at some point after landing from air travel. There are [...]