Medical Lake City Council Position 1
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Ask the doctors: Dry mouth more common in older adults
Dear Doctors: I’ve noticed as I’m getting older – I just turned 63 – that I have more episodes of dry mouth. I’m told this isn’t unusual for older people. Why would that be? Chewing gum helps, but I don’t enjoy it. Are there things I should eat or avoid that can help this go away?
Ask the doctors: Instrumented mouthgard indicates dangerous hits
Dear Doctors: I just read about these electronic mouthguards that can show if someone has a concussion during contact sports games. Apparently, if you get hit really hard, they will flash and let the coaches know that you need to get out of the game. This seems like a great idea. What took so long?
Ask the doctors: Walking after a meal helps keep blood sugar in check
Dear Doctors: My husband has prediabetes. I read that going for a walk after you eat can help your blood sugar, so I always do that. But my husband says when you sit down again, your blood sugar goes right back up, so what’s the point? Is that true? I’m not giving up on him joining me.
Ask the doctors: Flesh-eating vibrio infection comes from brackish water
Dear Doctors: We live in Florida, and we keep seeing on the news about people dying from flesh-eating bacteria you can get when you go swimming. It seems like it’s happening a lot more often than it used to. Why is it so hard to be cured when someone gets sick?
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. We have some interesting (and familiar) topics to cover, so we’ll dive right in.
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers! Welcome to the monthly letters column. We have some interesting and important ground to cover, so we’ll dive right in.
Ask the doctors: Floaters in the eye are a normal part of aging
Dear Doctors: Several months ago, my right eye began to be bothered by “little critters” flying through the air; when I tried to brush them away, nothing existed. I mentioned this to several people and was informed it is a case of floaters. Please explain this condition and what can be done.
Ask the doctors: GERD, sinus infections and ear fullness can all be related
Dear Doctors: My nose has been plugged up for a few weeks from a sinus infection. Now my left ear is feeling full, and sounds are muffled. Can that be related? My dad says yes. (He has GERD; he says it has affected his hearing.) GERD is so different from a sinus infection that I don’t get it.
Ask the doctors: School lunches should be healthy, fun
Dear Doctors: We have three kids in school, and they’re not always happy with the lunches I’ve been packing. Our 7-year-old is the easiest – he loves his PB&J. But his 9- and 13-year-old brothers are a lot harder. You have mentioned you are parents. How do you deal with school lunch?
Dear Annie: Protecting what’s private
Dear Annie: My husband and I have a large family, and earlier this year we welcomed our newest baby, “Izzy.” The pregnancy went smoothly, but about half a week after coming home, she began showing concerning symptoms. We’ve been working closely with her doctor ever since and recently learned she has a rare genetic condition. It’s incurable, causes severe symptoms and is usually fatal in childhood.
Ask the doctors: Up to 90%of adults play host to mites
Dear Doctors: I am a 29-year-old woman, and I am concerned that I might have mites in my areola. I found one when I tried to squeeze what I thought was a whitehead and saw a demodex mite come out. My primary doctor did not believe me. What can I do?
Dear Annie: Learning to say ‘I’ve got this’ at work and ‘No, thank you,’ at home
Dear Annie: I recently started a new job at a software company, and for the most part, I really like it. The work is interesting, my co-workers are friendly, and the company culture is a good fit for me. The only issue is my manager. She has a habit of micromanaging just about everything I do. She insists on reviewing emails before I send them, stands behind me while I’m working, and often corrects me on tasks I’ve already been trained on and feel confident doing.
Ask the doctors: Bipolar disorder may have connections to gut-brain axis
Dear Doctors: My 22-year-old son is severely bipolar, which impacts his life terribly. I have kept up with the studies that have shown success in treating bipolar with a fecal transplant. Do you know of any open studies right now that might take my son? We would travel anywhere to get it done.
Dear Annie: Fractured bonds
Dear Annie: My husband and I recently went on an eight-day cruise to Iceland with two close friends. We have been friends for more than 40 years and have traveled together many times. Two days before we were to leave, I tested positive for Covid. I went to urgent care, and the doctor told me I could still go on the trip. I began Paxlovid and wore a mask for the first five days of the cruise.
Dear Annie: Fault-finding friends
Dear Annie: My spouse and I have longtime friends who visit from out of town several times a year. We’ve kept up this tradition for many years, and in return we also visit them. At first, these visits were enjoyable, but lately they’ve become a source of stress.
Ask the doctors: Uncomplicated appendicitis may not require surgery
Dear Doctors: I had a pain on the right side of my abdomen. A CT scan found a perforated appendix with an abscess. I was treated with IV antibiotics, and now I am feeling fine. Do I need to have my appendix taken out? My doctor says, in cases like mine, people have problems again 30% of the time.
Ask the doctors: Diarrhea is a common side effect of sigmoidectomy
Dear Doctors: I was diagnosed with diverticulitis, which caused a bowel perforation. I had a sigmoidectomy, no problem, and a resection. Now I’m dealing with constant and urgent diarrhea, as well as some cramping. What can I do to combat this? It is affecting my work and my home life.
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. We have several interesting questions to address, so we’ll get right to them.
On Tylenol causing autism: A Spokane mother’s concern with Trump’s claim
Holly Goodman didn’t take Tylenol during her pregnancy with her son, Isaac.“I never took acetaminophen because I had fertility issues and I was so worried I was going to miscarry again, right? So I never took a thing. I was eating organics. I was doing all the things because I was so wanting this child,” she said. “And guess what? He had autism.”
Ask the doctors: Skin condition requires further exploration
Dear Doctors: For almost two months now, I’ve had bumps on the back, sides and crown of my head. They itch all the time – and even more when I get hot. When I scratch, I see white or brown flakes. My dermatologist insists it’s dermatitis. He has prescribed clobetasol and antihistamines, but they do nothing. Neither does UV light treatment. How can I get the help I need?