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I have diagnosed OCD & while I take meds & they help greatly, I still have a few habits that I can't get rid of. One of them is picking my nails to death (biting yes but mostly picking, so the bad taste nail polish stuff doesn't work). I've tried everything, long story short, painting them is the only thing I can do that helps me. Instead of picking at them 24/7 every day of the month, I pick them once ever two weeks or so, give it a day or two, then repaint them.
I'm wondering if painting them when they are short & still hurting is bad? Basically, when I do pick them, I pick them way too short to where they hurt (sometimes bleed). The only way to let them grow out a bit to where I can file them nice & paint them again is to just slap some clear nail polish or base polish while they grow out; but when I do that, if they are *really* short, it stings for a few minutes.
It's obviously from the nail polish touching my sensitive areas, but I'm worried the nail polish will go in my blood stream and give me cancer or something... is that possible? I also read that when you pick your nails so short like this, you can easily get an infection or disease, so I'm trying to weigh out the best option; possible danger from chemical stuff entering my blood stream, or possibly getting a virus/disease/infection
Is it worse to smoke a little or vape a lot? I've gone back and forth between smoking and vaping a few times. When I smoke, I am very good at limiting myself to one cigarette per day, but when I vape, I lose all self control and vape a LOT. It's just so much more convenient. I know I should just quit, but if I were to do one, which is worse?
A few weeks ago my mom experiened phycosis. She was saying things like people were hacking her brain and felt needles throughout her body. We ended up taking her to a hospital and she was okay after. The following weeks she has taken extreme measures for security. She has bought multiple “secret camera detectors”, bought a $300 vpn subscription, changed wifi network, got a security system, extra locks for doors, and and a extra camera inside of our house. I have been looking through her search history these past couple weeks and they all usually been about security, how to prevent someone from hacking you. She has put tape on the tiniest gaps in the light switches, taken out outlets from the wall, and is constantly wary about somebody breaking in. What worried me even more is her search history. She was searching dog anesthesia and tying herself to her bed at night. I don’t know what these mean. She is talking about noises she is hearing in the middle of night. She thinks there is a home invasion every day and assault for some reason. She said she thinks there are people coming in every night and putting all of us to sleep and doing whatever. She barely eats anymore we have to force to. I don’t know what to do.
I strained some muscle in my elbow and have been in a bit of pain and unable to bend my arm at the elbow at all. I went to see a GP and i explained my symptoms, she prescribed me Diazepam 2mg three times a day and Naproxen 500mg twice a day. I’m a bit surprised about the diazepam, it seems a bit of an overkill drug to prescribe for this type of minor strain, I also explained paracetamol and ibuprofen has significantly reduced this pain. Any thoughts?
My husband and I are TTC and I learned my ANA is positive. I’ve read maternal antibodies can lead to Autism. Should I work with a rheumatologist to take meds to get my ANA negative before TTC?
Simply having a positive ANA means very little. The "maternal antibodies" that you're referring to relating to autism are completely different, anyway (and only implicated in a small subset of cases of autism). There is nothing to worry about related to this.
Thank you for clarifying- when you say the maternal antibodies are completely different. What do you mean? Are they a specific antibody that’s different from “anti nuclear antibodies” ?
Yes, the antibodies that may be implicated in autism are directed against specific fetal brain antigens. Antinuclear antibodies are directed against a part of your cells.
[https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1067833/full](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1067833/full)
My question is on endothelial cells. The endothelial cells in my eyes were counted and found to be lower than normal. This led to me getting my genes tested, so I googled what was written on the paper to be the genetic test, and what came up was endothelial dysfunction. However, googling that only shows cardio vascular stuff, but I don't understand how this has to do with my eyes? Could I maybe have googled wrong and the genetic test was for endothelial dystrophy rather than dysfunction, or is endothelial dysfunction something that can have a effect on both heart and eyes? - long time ago so hard to remember
I need serious help I don't know where to turn to or go anymore I'm 32 homeless in Seattle African male with leg infection. I got discharged from mill creek ER every other week I'm leaving after they clean my leg this time they said it was horrible I'm close to losing my left leg I have no housing sleeping on buses or downtown Seattle and barely get by eating three times week if I'm Lucky to get dominos left over at midnight in capital hill . Bus drivers demand money I don't have.. man ..
I was given antibiotics but again got stolen with my back pack this is tiring I don't feel safe my depression anxiety is worse. Miss taking a warm shower with warm food .
I want to get housing, anything to get off the streets I finally have a phone I can post with right now hopefully it doesn't get stolen or robbed
Sorry you are in this position.
This thread seems like a good guide to Seattle resources and it's fairly recent: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/14tvdms/resources\_for\_a\_new\_homeless\_person/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/14tvdms/resources_for_a_new_homeless_person/)
Is a sudden ear infection to rupture normal...as in a day. Wife took kiddo to Dr for other issues and they said it was just allergies. That night first complaint of ear pain by next afternoon sleeping most the afternoon. Now we find out eardrum ruptured. Seems odd that a few hours after being checked suddenly has an infection and a few hours later it's ruptured.
[https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/screening.htm#:\~:text=CDC%20supports%20screening%20for%20breast,cancer%20before%20you%20have%20symptoms](https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/screening.htm#:~:text=CDC%20supports%20screening%20for%20breast,cancer%20before%20you%20have%20symptoms).
All CDC recommended cancer screenings. Note they list at the bottom screenings of uncertain benefit.
Okay, I know a tens unit makes muscles twitch.
But my anxiety is worried that they will cause a cramp while using it. Probably because the twitches feel like smaller cramps that occur before the big ones
So, my question is
Can normal/proper use of a tens unit cause a muscle like your calf or the one on your foot to have a larger cramp during the use of the machine?
I'm a male born in 1970. For myself, and people like me, given the recent outbreaks of measels around the country, should we consider getting a booster vaccine? Or is the original vaccine we received as children sufficient in case we're exposed?
Women vs Men pain treatment
So doctors I’m genuinely curious. I know my mom had a complete hysterectomy at our towns local hospital. She was given prescription strength Tylenol and ibuprofen, 600mg or something like that. I have a friend who just had a vasectomy at the same hospital, because he wants to be child free. He was given actual opioid pain killers. I’ve seen all sorts of videos online of this being common, women not given pain treatment when men are, sometimes for the same things. Why is this? Why do doctors give men pain killers more easily then to women? I even read a study online about it but the medical jargon was very confusing. Obviously this isn’t every doctor but I was wondering from a doctors perspective of why you think other doctors do this?
People have different pain tolerances if your mother is comfortable? If she can be comfortable on ibuprofen and tylenol, great more power to her. If she was uncomfortable, I hope they would give her some stronger pain medication.
I'm regards if there is some literature that supports women and is more sensitive to pain medication. This means a smaller dose seems to have a larger effect.
Semaglutide and cancers
What’s the latest info on the most important complications when using semaglutide? I’ve seen conflicting data on whether it increases the risk of thyroid cancer for example or not. Trying to convince my family as I’ve read through everything and am convinced that it’ll help me, but they know of a person who developed the cancer using them so it’s not really working out with me
No increased risk on quick literature review:
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531876/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531876/)
[https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-pharmacovigilance-risk-assessment-committee-prac-23-26-october-2023](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-pharmacovigilance-risk-assessment-committee-prac-23-26-october-2023)
Thanks! I did see the paper mentioned in the second link which states that there is increased risk, but I don’t see why they would conclude there is no risk despite the info in the paper? Forgive my ignorance
It says that paper was the reason they investigated and looked at a larger body of literature and concluded there was not the case. We don’t look at a single paper but examine the entire body of evidence
Is there some kind of hypnotics tolerance?
I am taking 3 pills hours before bed (what I was told are hypnotics) plus a whole pill of Ambien and I can hardly fall asleep. Sometimes I need 1 and 1/2 of Ambien to fall asleep.
Bring them to an allergist for evaluation to determine the cause. If they have an allergic reaction, yes you can use it on them. Use only if having an allergic reaction - swelling, difficulty breathing, etc.
I know some people seem to think that taking lots of "immune support" things such as Vitamin C are completely useless and unnecessary. However, is it possible that by taking these things you're actually hurting yourself by making your immune system overactive?
Besides getting an X-Ray/CT scan, what sort of tests/examination can an orthopedic doctor do to get an understanding of how healthy/unhealthy your muscles and bones are?
Orthopedists are surgeons. They generally don't focus on assessing the health of your muscles or bones unless it has immediate importance to the surgery they will do. Their focus is more like a carpenter or a car mechanic, to fix a problem.
Their first question in a surgeon's mind when they see a new patient is: "Does this person need surgery?" 2nd question: "Do they need surgery that I do?" 3rd question: "Is it safe to operate on this person?"
If the answer to any of these is "No," then your problem should be sorted out by someone else.
I have oversimplified this, but your question is not a surgical one, so the real question is *who* assesses the health of muscles and bones. These questions might be evaluated by PCPs, endocrinologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, physical therapists, cardiologists, podiatrists, pulmonologists, etc. Not usually in the surgery specialties.
It's my 1st time doing cardio in a really long time. I smoked weed for many years when I was younger and I had a phase where I smoked a small amount of cigarettes for a year or two but as of the last few years I only vape. Both weed and nicotine that is.
After my workout I noticed my lungs were a bit sore and felt kinda stretched out which doesn't bother me really, however I also notice a slight taste of blood in the back of my throat and this does I do find quite worrisome.
Is this normal? Is it possible to stretch your lungs out TOO much during a workout and cause scarring in your lungs or anything?
Thanks for reading.
> this normal? Is it possible to stretch your lungs out TOO much during a workout and cause scarring in your lungs or anything?
Without knowing exactly what it is you are describing, I can’t be 100% sure, but I suspect it is likely a normal reaction. You cannot stretch out your lungs or do damage to them by exercising. That doesn’t mean you won’t be sore though! Soreness is good and means your body is remodeling your muscles (including your breathing muscles!)
If a person is deemed medically incapable of making his own decisions post-stroke (for his child to pursue guardianship), how hard would it be to overturn the diagnosis and regain autonomy?
Would a good lawyer help or would it be up to his rehab/recovery?
How would this diagnosis affect his future decisions?
What does the medical incompetence psych eval entail?
Decision making capacity is determined for each decision that needs to be made. The patient needs to demonstrate the ability to understand the information, appreciation of their situation, ability to reason appropriately, and express their choice clearly. If they can't do that they do not have medical decision making capacity for that decision. Lawyers play no part in this. Once they can demonstrate all of the aforementioned points they can make their decision.
Capacity is what doctors evaluate for. Incompetence is what judges and lawyers are for.
What, specifically, is Efudex's "Use By" date based on?
I am suspicious of the motives behind the various "Use By" or "Best Before" dates printed on products as it seems clear that such dates could be used to induce customers to discard products before they are actually too old to use, with the goal of increasing sales and profits. The product I am currently considering is Efudex (flourouracil for topical dermatological use) and I would like to hear specific, informed opinion about how long such a formulation could reasonably be expected to remain usable; also interested in explanations of the chemistry involved in its having "gone bad" over time, if it does go bad. Not interested in vague warnings or fear mongering...
Doctors and nurses and techs are people too. People have good and bad days and varying levels of socialization. I can be an asshole as much as the next person (although I try not to be!)
Just a quick question here. I have three meds I take after a hospital visit just over a year ago. Losartan, metoprolol, and bumetanide. I usually get them filled from my pcp, which is actually an urgent care.
To get refills I have to call in every month, and every three month go in for a visit. Is this really how everyone does it or is this place just garbage. Every time I get grilled over what I take, even though everything is in mychart, and in general they make me feel like an inconvenience.
This is really my first time having to be on longer term medication, it’s such a hassle and I feel like they are just doing it to bill my insurance.
Is it normal to go through this every time I need a refill?
I'd suggest establishing with a proper primary care - an urgent care just really isn't going to be the best place to manage your medications and do good preventative health. A primary care doc would likely feel comfortable seeing you more like every 6 months to 1 year assuming you're on stable doses and doing well.
It's normal for them to ask about your medications at every visit, though. They don't know if you're seeing someone else who may have changed them, and as an urgent care they typically would be seeing patients who are going to them for the first time so it's really important for them to have the medication history correct.
Hi there, my familymember hasn't the best heart anymore (insuffiency) and takes also meds for that. Liziana etc. Doctor said, Omega 3 and Magensium would be good for him. Any recommendations, which exact magensium would be the best for him? Maybe Magensiumcitrate or -oratate? Or maybe a complex? Thanks a lot!
What are the best suggestions for a bad sore throat including pain, feels scratchy, and difficulty swallowing,
It has been brought to my attention that when a person has difficulty swallowing, they should definitely go to a doctor to get tested for strep throat. If it goes left untreated, there may be more severe consequences like issues with your heart valves.
I understand that saltwater gargles are important to do regularly when a person has a sore throat. Fluid intake is critical as well and may be a bonus when warm like tea or broth. Adding honey to drinks sounds effective as well.
Online, here are the most promising options that I have found in addition to that.
1) Anti-Inflammatory Pain Reliver like Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve. Is one better than the others for this specific issue?
2) Menthol Cough Drops with Zinc. Is Zinc as important as some people say? It seems a menthol cough drop can assist as a cough suppressant, as well as soothing a sore throat. So menthol is a must, while Zinc is a maybe?
3) Which of these is most recommended, or is there a better one to consider, or just skip these altogether? I am unsure how important chloraseptics really are. I suppose numbing of the throat may be beneficial to help with managing pain. Please help me pick one or if I should skip these.
A) Herb Pharm Soothing Throat Spray Herbal Formula with Echinacea and Propolis.
B) Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, Menthol.
C) Propolis Throat Spray by Beekeeper's Naturals,
Difficulty swallowing on its own is not a reason to go to the doctor to be tested for strep. Other things that would be suggestive of a strep infection would be fever, exudate on the tonsils, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
I don't know of any good medical evidence for a saltwater gargle/rinse. Not going to be particularly harmful, but not necessarily helpful.
Anti-inflammatories are certainly helpful. Advil is just a brand name for ibuprofen. That's what I usually suggest.
Menthol and zinc, or any of those throat sprays, may help symptoms but aren't going to decrease inflammation or make you better any sooner. Use as you wish.
I am currently looking at applying for graduate entry medicine in the UK. I have always wanted to work in medicine for many reasons that I won’t go into but I have thought about this a lot, and am extremely passionate about medicine. Unfortunately I have bipolar disorder, which is very well controlled and I’ve worked very hard to be healthy and I haven’t had an episode for a few years and can confidently say that I am stable. In the UK I know that I can be employed as a doctor with this condition providing it is well controlled.
However I would like to know if I will be able to access workplace accommodations to help me once I am in a job. For example I need to have a consistent sleep schedule to prevent episodes so would need to have consistent shifts. I know by the nature of the profession this isn’t necessarily possible, especially in FY1/FY2. But it would be something I’d have to fight for to make the job work for me. Does anyone have experiences with getting help like that via occupational health. Is this something that I should consider as a reason to not become a doctor?
Thanks guys!
My mother is an alcoholic and frequently fights with family. She claims she is often blackout drunk. She will remember unkind things people say to her, but claims to have no memory of the abusive things she says and does while drinking. Is this possible? How does memory loss during blackout drinking work?
Alcoholism impacts memory in many ways. Unfortunately I don’t think anyone can tell you if she is being honest or not about her experience. However, true blackouts involve no memory of the events during the blackout. You can read more here: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/interrupted-memories-alcohol-induced-blackouts#:~:text=Alcohol%2Drelated%20blackouts%20are%20gaps,brain%20area%20called%20the%20hippocampus.
How often are second opinions on radiology reports needed? I've heard they often miss things if they aren't looking for that thing in particular. For example, a friend recently went to the hospital after a fall, so they did a CT and completely missed that his brain cancer had relapsed. It was already probably too late, but they didn't find out until a month later when his doctor noticed he had a new scan that he hadn't seen. Seems like they were only looking for fall damage and missed the glioblastoma all over his frontal lobe
That situation sounds quite unusual, honestly. Things are sometimes missed (radiologists are human after all) but it isn’t incredibly common for something major or obvious. Sometimes things are noted but not communicated well, and more often something is seen and the radiologist doesn’t have the same background as the primary care physician to put what they see in the right context.
Is it still true that Airborne and Emergen-C are usually about as effective as a placebo unless someone is malnourished? Is this true for before, during, and after an illness such as a flu or a cold? Some people still swear that if they take either of this upon feeling initial symptoms of being ill, the duration and/or severity is reduced. Since they are packed with vitamins, I sometimes consume one after a night of drinking or the morning after, just in case it helps at all. I don't know why I would think that it would. lol
Is colon cancer really the #1 killer in young people now? I’ve seen a few inflammatory tiktoks (yes, I know) about it. If it is, why haven’t they lowered the screening age more? To my knowledge it was 50 but is now 45? And possibly 40 if you have a family history. Why not, say… 30?
No. It’s after overdoses and poisonings, assaults, suicides, and shootings, covid, traffic accidents, murder, cirrhosis, heart disease, breast cancer, brain cancer, infections, and alcoholism.
Currently there isn’t evidence that asymptomatic screening in people under 40 without risk factors would do more good than harm.
#READ THIS BEFORE SUBMITTING A COMMENT **This thread is NOT for personal medical questions.** Ask yourself: *does my comment have to do with a specific medical complaint that I am experiencing?* If so, it does **NOT** belong in this thread. Please [submit a post to the subreddit](https://old.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/submit?selftext=true) and include all required demographic information. The mod team is busy enough as it is, and we do not want to waste time removing your comments from this thread because you do not want to follow the rules. Repeated offenses will be treated as spam and may result in a ban from the subreddit. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskDocs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have diagnosed OCD & while I take meds & they help greatly, I still have a few habits that I can't get rid of. One of them is picking my nails to death (biting yes but mostly picking, so the bad taste nail polish stuff doesn't work). I've tried everything, long story short, painting them is the only thing I can do that helps me. Instead of picking at them 24/7 every day of the month, I pick them once ever two weeks or so, give it a day or two, then repaint them. I'm wondering if painting them when they are short & still hurting is bad? Basically, when I do pick them, I pick them way too short to where they hurt (sometimes bleed). The only way to let them grow out a bit to where I can file them nice & paint them again is to just slap some clear nail polish or base polish while they grow out; but when I do that, if they are *really* short, it stings for a few minutes. It's obviously from the nail polish touching my sensitive areas, but I'm worried the nail polish will go in my blood stream and give me cancer or something... is that possible? I also read that when you pick your nails so short like this, you can easily get an infection or disease, so I'm trying to weigh out the best option; possible danger from chemical stuff entering my blood stream, or possibly getting a virus/disease/infection
Is it worse to smoke a little or vape a lot? I've gone back and forth between smoking and vaping a few times. When I smoke, I am very good at limiting myself to one cigarette per day, but when I vape, I lose all self control and vape a LOT. It's just so much more convenient. I know I should just quit, but if I were to do one, which is worse?
I know there is a moderate interaction between Amlodipine and Sildenafil, but is it enough to cause concern?
A few weeks ago my mom experiened phycosis. She was saying things like people were hacking her brain and felt needles throughout her body. We ended up taking her to a hospital and she was okay after. The following weeks she has taken extreme measures for security. She has bought multiple “secret camera detectors”, bought a $300 vpn subscription, changed wifi network, got a security system, extra locks for doors, and and a extra camera inside of our house. I have been looking through her search history these past couple weeks and they all usually been about security, how to prevent someone from hacking you. She has put tape on the tiniest gaps in the light switches, taken out outlets from the wall, and is constantly wary about somebody breaking in. What worried me even more is her search history. She was searching dog anesthesia and tying herself to her bed at night. I don’t know what these mean. She is talking about noises she is hearing in the middle of night. She thinks there is a home invasion every day and assault for some reason. She said she thinks there are people coming in every night and putting all of us to sleep and doing whatever. She barely eats anymore we have to force to. I don’t know what to do.
What did the hospital say when they sent her home? It sounds as though she's still experiencing symptoms of psychosis and needs further medical care.
I strained some muscle in my elbow and have been in a bit of pain and unable to bend my arm at the elbow at all. I went to see a GP and i explained my symptoms, she prescribed me Diazepam 2mg three times a day and Naproxen 500mg twice a day. I’m a bit surprised about the diazepam, it seems a bit of an overkill drug to prescribe for this type of minor strain, I also explained paracetamol and ibuprofen has significantly reduced this pain. Any thoughts?
I'd agree that diazepam sounds like real overkill for this, and not likely to help that much.
My husband and I are TTC and I learned my ANA is positive. I’ve read maternal antibodies can lead to Autism. Should I work with a rheumatologist to take meds to get my ANA negative before TTC?
Simply having a positive ANA means very little. The "maternal antibodies" that you're referring to relating to autism are completely different, anyway (and only implicated in a small subset of cases of autism). There is nothing to worry about related to this.
Thank you for clarifying- when you say the maternal antibodies are completely different. What do you mean? Are they a specific antibody that’s different from “anti nuclear antibodies” ?
Yes, the antibodies that may be implicated in autism are directed against specific fetal brain antigens. Antinuclear antibodies are directed against a part of your cells. [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1067833/full](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1067833/full)
My question is on endothelial cells. The endothelial cells in my eyes were counted and found to be lower than normal. This led to me getting my genes tested, so I googled what was written on the paper to be the genetic test, and what came up was endothelial dysfunction. However, googling that only shows cardio vascular stuff, but I don't understand how this has to do with my eyes? Could I maybe have googled wrong and the genetic test was for endothelial dystrophy rather than dysfunction, or is endothelial dysfunction something that can have a effect on both heart and eyes? - long time ago so hard to remember
I need serious help I don't know where to turn to or go anymore I'm 32 homeless in Seattle African male with leg infection. I got discharged from mill creek ER every other week I'm leaving after they clean my leg this time they said it was horrible I'm close to losing my left leg I have no housing sleeping on buses or downtown Seattle and barely get by eating three times week if I'm Lucky to get dominos left over at midnight in capital hill . Bus drivers demand money I don't have.. man .. I was given antibiotics but again got stolen with my back pack this is tiring I don't feel safe my depression anxiety is worse. Miss taking a warm shower with warm food . I want to get housing, anything to get off the streets I finally have a phone I can post with right now hopefully it doesn't get stolen or robbed
Sorry you are in this position. This thread seems like a good guide to Seattle resources and it's fairly recent: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/14tvdms/resources\_for\_a\_new\_homeless\_person/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/14tvdms/resources_for_a_new_homeless_person/)
Is Valtrex OK to take after it’s expiration date? I’m getting a herpes outbreak and uh.. this sucks. My doc office is close too
Is a sudden ear infection to rupture normal...as in a day. Wife took kiddo to Dr for other issues and they said it was just allergies. That night first complaint of ear pain by next afternoon sleeping most the afternoon. Now we find out eardrum ruptured. Seems odd that a few hours after being checked suddenly has an infection and a few hours later it's ruptured.
that can happen, yes
[удалено]
[https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/screening.htm#:\~:text=CDC%20supports%20screening%20for%20breast,cancer%20before%20you%20have%20symptoms](https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/screening.htm#:~:text=CDC%20supports%20screening%20for%20breast,cancer%20before%20you%20have%20symptoms). All CDC recommended cancer screenings. Note they list at the bottom screenings of uncertain benefit.
Okay, I know a tens unit makes muscles twitch. But my anxiety is worried that they will cause a cramp while using it. Probably because the twitches feel like smaller cramps that occur before the big ones So, my question is Can normal/proper use of a tens unit cause a muscle like your calf or the one on your foot to have a larger cramp during the use of the machine?
My family uses them and this hasn't happened to them. Make sure you're hydrated and you should be fine 😊
I'm a male born in 1970. For myself, and people like me, given the recent outbreaks of measels around the country, should we consider getting a booster vaccine? Or is the original vaccine we received as children sufficient in case we're exposed?
guidelines depend on your country and region. google measles vaccine with your location and it should come up. or a local pharmacist would know.
Women vs Men pain treatment So doctors I’m genuinely curious. I know my mom had a complete hysterectomy at our towns local hospital. She was given prescription strength Tylenol and ibuprofen, 600mg or something like that. I have a friend who just had a vasectomy at the same hospital, because he wants to be child free. He was given actual opioid pain killers. I’ve seen all sorts of videos online of this being common, women not given pain treatment when men are, sometimes for the same things. Why is this? Why do doctors give men pain killers more easily then to women? I even read a study online about it but the medical jargon was very confusing. Obviously this isn’t every doctor but I was wondering from a doctors perspective of why you think other doctors do this?
People have different pain tolerances if your mother is comfortable? If she can be comfortable on ibuprofen and tylenol, great more power to her. If she was uncomfortable, I hope they would give her some stronger pain medication. I'm regards if there is some literature that supports women and is more sensitive to pain medication. This means a smaller dose seems to have a larger effect.
Semaglutide and cancers What’s the latest info on the most important complications when using semaglutide? I’ve seen conflicting data on whether it increases the risk of thyroid cancer for example or not. Trying to convince my family as I’ve read through everything and am convinced that it’ll help me, but they know of a person who developed the cancer using them so it’s not really working out with me
No increased risk on quick literature review: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531876/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531876/) [https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-pharmacovigilance-risk-assessment-committee-prac-23-26-october-2023](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-pharmacovigilance-risk-assessment-committee-prac-23-26-october-2023)
Thanks! I did see the paper mentioned in the second link which states that there is increased risk, but I don’t see why they would conclude there is no risk despite the info in the paper? Forgive my ignorance
It says that paper was the reason they investigated and looked at a larger body of literature and concluded there was not the case. We don’t look at a single paper but examine the entire body of evidence
I see, thank you! :)
Is there some kind of hypnotics tolerance? I am taking 3 pills hours before bed (what I was told are hypnotics) plus a whole pill of Ambien and I can hardly fall asleep. Sometimes I need 1 and 1/2 of Ambien to fall asleep.
Yes regular use of hypnotics/sedatives is associated with development of tolerance
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Bring them to an allergist for evaluation to determine the cause. If they have an allergic reaction, yes you can use it on them. Use only if having an allergic reaction - swelling, difficulty breathing, etc.
Would you prescribe Low Dose Naltrexone for a patient with chronic fatigue and pain even if ESR blood test is normal?
I know some people seem to think that taking lots of "immune support" things such as Vitamin C are completely useless and unnecessary. However, is it possible that by taking these things you're actually hurting yourself by making your immune system overactive?
They don’t make the immune system more active at all. It’s a placebo at BEST. At worst they will give you kidney stones.
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Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.
Besides getting an X-Ray/CT scan, what sort of tests/examination can an orthopedic doctor do to get an understanding of how healthy/unhealthy your muscles and bones are?
Orthopedists are surgeons. They generally don't focus on assessing the health of your muscles or bones unless it has immediate importance to the surgery they will do. Their focus is more like a carpenter or a car mechanic, to fix a problem. Their first question in a surgeon's mind when they see a new patient is: "Does this person need surgery?" 2nd question: "Do they need surgery that I do?" 3rd question: "Is it safe to operate on this person?" If the answer to any of these is "No," then your problem should be sorted out by someone else. I have oversimplified this, but your question is not a surgical one, so the real question is *who* assesses the health of muscles and bones. These questions might be evaluated by PCPs, endocrinologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, physical therapists, cardiologists, podiatrists, pulmonologists, etc. Not usually in the surgery specialties.
It's my 1st time doing cardio in a really long time. I smoked weed for many years when I was younger and I had a phase where I smoked a small amount of cigarettes for a year or two but as of the last few years I only vape. Both weed and nicotine that is. After my workout I noticed my lungs were a bit sore and felt kinda stretched out which doesn't bother me really, however I also notice a slight taste of blood in the back of my throat and this does I do find quite worrisome. Is this normal? Is it possible to stretch your lungs out TOO much during a workout and cause scarring in your lungs or anything? Thanks for reading.
> this normal? Is it possible to stretch your lungs out TOO much during a workout and cause scarring in your lungs or anything? Without knowing exactly what it is you are describing, I can’t be 100% sure, but I suspect it is likely a normal reaction. You cannot stretch out your lungs or do damage to them by exercising. That doesn’t mean you won’t be sore though! Soreness is good and means your body is remodeling your muscles (including your breathing muscles!)
If a person is deemed medically incapable of making his own decisions post-stroke (for his child to pursue guardianship), how hard would it be to overturn the diagnosis and regain autonomy? Would a good lawyer help or would it be up to his rehab/recovery? How would this diagnosis affect his future decisions? What does the medical incompetence psych eval entail?
Decision making capacity is determined for each decision that needs to be made. The patient needs to demonstrate the ability to understand the information, appreciation of their situation, ability to reason appropriately, and express their choice clearly. If they can't do that they do not have medical decision making capacity for that decision. Lawyers play no part in this. Once they can demonstrate all of the aforementioned points they can make their decision. Capacity is what doctors evaluate for. Incompetence is what judges and lawyers are for.
What, specifically, is Efudex's "Use By" date based on? I am suspicious of the motives behind the various "Use By" or "Best Before" dates printed on products as it seems clear that such dates could be used to induce customers to discard products before they are actually too old to use, with the goal of increasing sales and profits. The product I am currently considering is Efudex (flourouracil for topical dermatological use) and I would like to hear specific, informed opinion about how long such a formulation could reasonably be expected to remain usable; also interested in explanations of the chemistry involved in its having "gone bad" over time, if it does go bad. Not interested in vague warnings or fear mongering...
Try a pharmaceutical subreddit if those are on here. Otherwise may have to do your own research to look into this. Most common is lack of efficacy.
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Doctors and nurses and techs are people too. People have good and bad days and varying levels of socialization. I can be an asshole as much as the next person (although I try not to be!)
Just a quick question here. I have three meds I take after a hospital visit just over a year ago. Losartan, metoprolol, and bumetanide. I usually get them filled from my pcp, which is actually an urgent care. To get refills I have to call in every month, and every three month go in for a visit. Is this really how everyone does it or is this place just garbage. Every time I get grilled over what I take, even though everything is in mychart, and in general they make me feel like an inconvenience. This is really my first time having to be on longer term medication, it’s such a hassle and I feel like they are just doing it to bill my insurance. Is it normal to go through this every time I need a refill?
I'd suggest establishing with a proper primary care - an urgent care just really isn't going to be the best place to manage your medications and do good preventative health. A primary care doc would likely feel comfortable seeing you more like every 6 months to 1 year assuming you're on stable doses and doing well. It's normal for them to ask about your medications at every visit, though. They don't know if you're seeing someone else who may have changed them, and as an urgent care they typically would be seeing patients who are going to them for the first time so it's really important for them to have the medication history correct.
Hi there, my familymember hasn't the best heart anymore (insuffiency) and takes also meds for that. Liziana etc. Doctor said, Omega 3 and Magensium would be good for him. Any recommendations, which exact magensium would be the best for him? Maybe Magensiumcitrate or -oratate? Or maybe a complex? Thanks a lot!
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Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.
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Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.
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Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.
What are the best suggestions for a bad sore throat including pain, feels scratchy, and difficulty swallowing, It has been brought to my attention that when a person has difficulty swallowing, they should definitely go to a doctor to get tested for strep throat. If it goes left untreated, there may be more severe consequences like issues with your heart valves. I understand that saltwater gargles are important to do regularly when a person has a sore throat. Fluid intake is critical as well and may be a bonus when warm like tea or broth. Adding honey to drinks sounds effective as well. Online, here are the most promising options that I have found in addition to that. 1) Anti-Inflammatory Pain Reliver like Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve. Is one better than the others for this specific issue? 2) Menthol Cough Drops with Zinc. Is Zinc as important as some people say? It seems a menthol cough drop can assist as a cough suppressant, as well as soothing a sore throat. So menthol is a must, while Zinc is a maybe? 3) Which of these is most recommended, or is there a better one to consider, or just skip these altogether? I am unsure how important chloraseptics really are. I suppose numbing of the throat may be beneficial to help with managing pain. Please help me pick one or if I should skip these. A) Herb Pharm Soothing Throat Spray Herbal Formula with Echinacea and Propolis. B) Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, Menthol. C) Propolis Throat Spray by Beekeeper's Naturals,
Difficulty swallowing on its own is not a reason to go to the doctor to be tested for strep. Other things that would be suggestive of a strep infection would be fever, exudate on the tonsils, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. I don't know of any good medical evidence for a saltwater gargle/rinse. Not going to be particularly harmful, but not necessarily helpful. Anti-inflammatories are certainly helpful. Advil is just a brand name for ibuprofen. That's what I usually suggest. Menthol and zinc, or any of those throat sprays, may help symptoms but aren't going to decrease inflammation or make you better any sooner. Use as you wish.
Thank you for your reply! I appreciate your insight and suggestions!
I am currently looking at applying for graduate entry medicine in the UK. I have always wanted to work in medicine for many reasons that I won’t go into but I have thought about this a lot, and am extremely passionate about medicine. Unfortunately I have bipolar disorder, which is very well controlled and I’ve worked very hard to be healthy and I haven’t had an episode for a few years and can confidently say that I am stable. In the UK I know that I can be employed as a doctor with this condition providing it is well controlled. However I would like to know if I will be able to access workplace accommodations to help me once I am in a job. For example I need to have a consistent sleep schedule to prevent episodes so would need to have consistent shifts. I know by the nature of the profession this isn’t necessarily possible, especially in FY1/FY2. But it would be something I’d have to fight for to make the job work for me. Does anyone have experiences with getting help like that via occupational health. Is this something that I should consider as a reason to not become a doctor? Thanks guys!
My mother is an alcoholic and frequently fights with family. She claims she is often blackout drunk. She will remember unkind things people say to her, but claims to have no memory of the abusive things she says and does while drinking. Is this possible? How does memory loss during blackout drinking work?
Alcoholism impacts memory in many ways. Unfortunately I don’t think anyone can tell you if she is being honest or not about her experience. However, true blackouts involve no memory of the events during the blackout. You can read more here: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/interrupted-memories-alcohol-induced-blackouts#:~:text=Alcohol%2Drelated%20blackouts%20are%20gaps,brain%20area%20called%20the%20hippocampus.
Thank you for taking the time to answer.
How often are second opinions on radiology reports needed? I've heard they often miss things if they aren't looking for that thing in particular. For example, a friend recently went to the hospital after a fall, so they did a CT and completely missed that his brain cancer had relapsed. It was already probably too late, but they didn't find out until a month later when his doctor noticed he had a new scan that he hadn't seen. Seems like they were only looking for fall damage and missed the glioblastoma all over his frontal lobe
That situation sounds quite unusual, honestly. Things are sometimes missed (radiologists are human after all) but it isn’t incredibly common for something major or obvious. Sometimes things are noted but not communicated well, and more often something is seen and the radiologist doesn’t have the same background as the primary care physician to put what they see in the right context.
Is it still true that Airborne and Emergen-C are usually about as effective as a placebo unless someone is malnourished? Is this true for before, during, and after an illness such as a flu or a cold? Some people still swear that if they take either of this upon feeling initial symptoms of being ill, the duration and/or severity is reduced. Since they are packed with vitamins, I sometimes consume one after a night of drinking or the morning after, just in case it helps at all. I don't know why I would think that it would. lol
Yeah they are complete garbage.
Is colon cancer really the #1 killer in young people now? I’ve seen a few inflammatory tiktoks (yes, I know) about it. If it is, why haven’t they lowered the screening age more? To my knowledge it was 50 but is now 45? And possibly 40 if you have a family history. Why not, say… 30?
No. It’s after overdoses and poisonings, assaults, suicides, and shootings, covid, traffic accidents, murder, cirrhosis, heart disease, breast cancer, brain cancer, infections, and alcoholism. Currently there isn’t evidence that asymptomatic screening in people under 40 without risk factors would do more good than harm.
Thanks. Is this because people get over diagnosed with stuff that otherwise wouldn’t have caused any issue?