I was told that my alkaline phosphatase level was slightly elevated during a routine physical, and my doctor wants to perform more blood work, including some 'exotic tests.' I'm concerned about the necessity of these tests and whether they should be done after an 8-10 hour fast. What should I understand about this situation and what are the potential causes of elevated alkaline phosphatase levels?
May 13th, 2023
My father is experiencing conflicting results from CAT and PET scans. Initially, it was suspected that small cell carcinoma of the lung was the primary cause, but recent findings suggest that the cancer originated in the bone. Is there a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that could produce such results?
September 12th, 2023
I bent over yesterday and got a sharp pain like I pinched something inside. The location is 2-3 inches below the sternum and maybe 2 inches right of the sternum (not under the rib cage). Sitting upright is uncomfortable, and bending forward gives me the sharp pain again. The pain isn't terrible but is nagging and sometimes sharp. Should I be concerned enough to have it looked at or just chalk it up to a pinched muscle?
August 24th, 2024
I was taking Metoprolol 50mg for my blood pressure, which seemed to be working well, but I experienced anxiety and trouble sleeping. My blood pressure elevated, so my doctor increased my dosage to 100mg of Metoprolol and added 150mg of Avapro. After a week, I experienced severe panic attacks and anxiety that I cannot cope with. What could be causing these symptoms and what should I do?
December 7th, 2023
I went to the doctor on November 21st because I was experiencing a lot of burning sensations when peeing and frequent urination. The doctor diagnosed me with prostatitis and prescribed Cipro for 10 days. I finished the prescription on November 30th, and while the peeing is back to normal and no longer burning, I still have a slight burning sensation when I ejaculate and the semen is still dark in color. Is this normal for someone who just had prostatitis, or am I not being patient enough? I'm a 23-year-old male.
July 28th, 2024
I am having a problem with my leg. When I sit for a while and then get up, it hurts behind the knee in the crease. This scares me as I don't get much exercise and I have heart issues. The area is slightly swollen, but it doesn't bother me when I'm moving around until I bend. Could this be a blood clot forming, and what can I do about it?
February 11th, 2024