asked
I went to the doctor for a poison ivy rash and had my blood pressure taken, which was 161/89, higher than I've ever recorded. I've been checking it regularly since then, with readings mostly around 155/89. I have a history of an aortic aneurysm (section replaced in 2007) and a bicuspid valve. I take Metoprolol 75mg twice daily. Should I be concerned about my elevated blood pressure, and what should I do next?
April 18th, 2024
My son is 13 1/2 years old and was diagnosed with SCFE in his right hip last year. He had surgery to put a screw in his hip last November. The orthopedic surgeon said his growth plate in that hip is almost closed. My son is 5' 5" and going through puberty. How will this premature closure of the right growth plate affect his growth/height? Is it expected that he will continue to grow after this right growth plate in the hip closes? Do children who have this surgery, which causes the growth plate to close, grow normally or is their height stunted because the growth plate closes early? Please explain what is the norm.
March 23rd, 2024
I am experiencing very loose bowel movements, fatigue, and nausea for the last three days. I also discovered a leak under my house and noticed a mildew smell in my home office, but I cannot find any mildew. Could these issues be related?
September 28th, 2023
What are the 'plug and patch' and 'hybrid' approaches in hernia surgery, and how do they differ from the 'combined' approach?
July 14th, 2023
I was diagnosed with strep throat almost 5 months ago, treated it with penicillin and was fine. Then, about 6 weeks later, I started feeling sick again but didn't seem like strep, so I didn't go to the doctor. After feeling ill for almost 2 months, I finally went to the doctor and they told me I had strep again. They gave me a different antibiotic and while on it, I felt better, but about 2 days after my treatment ended, I started feeling sick again. Is it possible I could have resistance to antibiotics? I was on several different antibiotics for acne when I was a teenager and was wondering if this could be a factor in my resistance to other antibiotics? Also, my symptoms don't seem like the strep I had the first time. My throat really isn't sore; it's mostly just headache, body aches (especially in arms) and fatigue, but they did a throat culture and came back positive for strep. Is it possible I could have developed a complication from the virus because I waited so long to treat it the second time?
September 23rd, 2023
My daughter is traveling home from Australia to Texas. She has an ear infection and has just started a Z-pak. Is there a decongestant she should take before flying?
September 6th, 2024