Medical Lake City Council Position 1
Related Coverage, Page 6
Ask the doctors: Alopecia areata triggered by immune response
Dear Doctors: I am a healthy 23-year-old woman. I started noticing extra hairs in my brush, and then my mom found two bald spots on the back of my head. I did a telehealth appointment and they said it’s alopecia areata. What is that? Does the hair ever grow back? Will it happen again?
Ask the doctors: ‘Dirty Dozen’ lists produce to clean extra carefully
Dear Doctors: A vendor at our weekend farmers market was telling his customers about something called the “Dirty Dozen” list. Apparently it has to do with pesticides and shopping for produce? I would like to know more about this, and I wonder if you think it has merit.
Ask the doctors: H. pylori infection can cause ulcers
Dear Doctors: I was having stomach pain and some nausea. The doctor found bacteria in my stomach, and I was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer. Now I’m being told that I should get screened for stomach cancer. Is that really necessary? If I agree, what are the tests I will need to get?
California turns on water to create new wetlands on the shore of the shrinking Salton Sea
Water began flowing from a pipe onto hundreds of acres of dry, sunbaked lake bed as California officials filled a complex of shallow ponds near the south shore of the Salton Sea in an effort to create wetlands that will provide habitat for fish and birds, and help control lung-damaging dust around the shrinking lake.
Ask the doctors: Tonsil stones usually harmless, but may require visit to ENT
Dear Doctors: I have been told that I have tonsil stones. What are they, and how do you get them? Do you know if this is a common condition? Are there any natural remedies?
Family keeps waking me up and wearing me down
Dear Annie: I’ve worked as a night-shift nurse for the past six years and have always struggled with sleep, but lately it’s gotten worse. I’m lucky if I get four hours during the day, and when I do, I wake up feeling anxious and jittery. I’ve tried blackout curtains, white noise, melatonin, you name it. I even sleep with earplugs and my phone on silent, but somehow, I still wake up exhausted.
Ask the doctors: Dusty smells triggered by 2-nonenol compound
Dear Doctors: I am a 74-year-old man with a somewhat embarrassing question. My grandson recently asked me why I smell dusty. I’ve heard about “old person smell,” but always thought I would know if I had it. What causes it? I have good hygiene. Why doesn’t that stop it?
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello again, dear readers, and welcome to a bonus letters column. This comes to you courtesy of the abundance of mail we have been receiving. We have a pair of interesting questions to cover, so let’s dive right in.
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers, and welcome to our monthly letters column. The weather is warming up, which means many of us can take our exercise routines outdoors. We hope you’ll consider taking advantage of the longer and milder days with an after-dinner walk. Committing to even 15 minutes of walking can benefit the heart, lymphatic system, blood sugar control and mood. It’s a worthwhile use of time. And now, onward to the mail.
Ask the doctors: For many, owning a dog is good for you
Dear Doctors: I was lucky enough to grow up with a family dog, and I want that for my kids. You’re more active, you learn responsibility and it’s just plain fun. My wife needs some persuading. If you know of any studies that say having a dog is good for your health, I think that would help.
Ask the doctors: Stress can play factor in new back pain
Dear Doctors: My lower back went into spasm as I was washing the dishes. I figured it was from bending over, but my mom insists it’s from being so stressed out. (My family is dealing with severe damage in our house from the recent fires in Los Angeles.) Can stress really cause back pain?
Ask the doctors: Ability to metabolize caffeine has many variables
Dear Doctors: Have you ever encountered anyone who barely seems to metabolize caffeine at all? I am a 64-year-old woman, and over the last eight years, I have become increasingly unable to tolerate even small amounts of caffeine. I would like to understand why.
Ask the doctors: Blood leakage may occur with mitral valve prolapse
Dear Doctors: I am 66 years old and an avid cyclist. Last winter, after we went for a long ride, I suddenly felt lightheaded and then fainted. My doctor ordered a series of heart scans that found slight mitral valve prolapse. What is that? Should I be worried?
Ask the doctors: CGMS good for collecting data in nondiabetics
Dear Doctors: Is there such a thing as pre-prediabetes? My doctor says it’s happening to me, and he wants me to use one of those blood sugar monitors you stick to your arm. I thought those were for when you actually have diabetes. I am a 44-year-old man in good health.
Ask the doctors: Treadmill exercise not suggested for people with poor balance
Dear Doctors: I am an 85-year-old man with congestive heart failure. I have almost totally lost my balance. My treadmill quit working and my daughter, a physical therapist, thinks I do not need to replace it. She thinks it is dangerous for me. My only alternative is a walker. Can you address this issue?
Ask the doctors: Psychological recovery of mastectomy can take a long time
Dear Doctors: My best friend has breast cancer that has spread to her lymph nodes, and she needs to have a double mastectomy. Can you please talk about how all of this can psychologically affect you? What can I do that will help her and not be a burden?
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers, and welcome to a bonus letters column. It has been a busy few weeks in our mailboxes, so we’ll dive right in.
Ask the doctors: Melanoma hihgly treatable when caught early
Dear Doctors: My sister-in-law is 82 years old and was recently diagnosed with melanoma. She has an appointment for treatment in a couple of weeks. I thought this was a serious and deadly disease. Can a patient wait long periods of time before treatment? I am surprised by the lack of alarm in this case.
Ask the doctors: Tapering is key when easing off opioids
Dear Doctors: I am going to have a major abdominal surgery. My doctor says I will likely be needing strong pain medications after. My question is about opioids: How long can you take them and not get addicted? What is the best way to stop so you don’t have side effects?
Ask the doctors: Mirror neurons critical to development of empathy
Dear Doctors: I am a junior in college. I enjoy being around people, so I live in the dorms. Last year, my roommate was depressed, and I also got to feeling down. This year, the girl I live with is cheerful, and I’m having a much better time. Can you “catch” moods from someone you live with?