My daughter is coughing up small black jagged 'stones'. She has terrible coughing 'fits' and then a little blood and these stones. Her throat is sore and her throat down through her esophagus feels like a cat has clawed at her. She was in a wreck about 6 weeks ago and the side of her face was shattered with glass. Could these pieces be glass with dried blood (black) from being lodged?

November 28th, 2024

What does the biopsy result for a thyroid nodule indicate, and what are the implications for treatment and prognosis? Specifically, what does 'follicular neoplasm or lesion' mean, what is the probability of malignancy, and how does this relate to the presence of macrophages and the need for molecular testing? Additionally, how does a family history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis influence the diagnosis?

November 9th, 2023

At a family gathering, a relative is burning branches, brush, and scrap rubber and plastic in a fire pit, causing toxic smoke that is making me wheeze slightly. How dangerous is this smoke to me, and could a single exposure like this cause cancer or other serious medical issues?

March 5th, 2023

My 86-year-old father has had a cough for about a week and 4 days. He was recently diagnosed with COPD, but he does not have shortness of breath. He has been using a nebulizer and taking Levofloxacin. He coughs up mucus and I can hear bubbles in his chest when he breathes. What could be causing his symptoms and what treatments should he continue?

November 15th, 2023

I suffer from scleroderma with overlapping lupus and other illnesses. I've been on oxycodone for many years and am used to it. My regular doctor was replaced, and the new doctor took me off oxycodone and put me on 15 mg of another medication, claiming she can only prescribe oxycodone to cancer patients. Is this true? Additionally, the new medication (morphine extended relief) does nothing for my pain, which has been the worst this month. Is there anything else she can give me?

October 17th, 2023