Month: April 2010

I have woken up a few times in the past couple months gasping for breath. It feels like my airway is blocked. I gasp really hard and it wakes me up. The gasp is so loud that it makes my husband nervous. I have allergies and quite frequently my sinuses are clogged. So I can't breathe out of my nose, and have to sleep with my mouth open. I also have asthma but haven't had an attack in months. (I don't think these were asthma attacks.) Is my throat blocked because of post-nasal drip or could it be something more serious like sleep apnea?

My husband has started sweating profusely when he is asleep. His sweat has a strong cheesy smell and I can no longer tolerate it. I’m afraid this could be a sign of something serious. What can it be?

I’m 45 years old-and a man. But I have overly large breasts. I’ve researched the problem online and read about something called gynecomastia. Is that the cause? What can I do about this?

I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia after complaining about sharp pains in my face. I am working with a neurologist to find an effective pain reliever. I?m wondering, though, what causes the pain? How does a person know which medications are most likely to help? What else can I do besides take drugs to help decrease the bouts of pain, both the number and severity?

I found out my friend’s daughter has a sore on her back infected with MRSA. I had also noticed a sore on the head of one of their dogs, but only after I pet the dog. Should I be concerned?

My calcium levels are high. I was told that this may affect my heart and kidneys. What should I do?

I have been diagnosed with inflamed saliva glands. I've lived with this condition for almost five years and it is driving me crazy. I have seen numerous doctors and none of them has been able to get rid of the problem. I have had some glands removed and have been tested for everything you can imagine. Please give me some advice on where I can turn next.

I recently had my first experience with gout. I had blood work done, which showed high levels of uric acid. I was given a list of many foods I should avoid, but the list is so extensive! I?m not sure what to eat besides fruits, and vegetables. What do you recommend to balance my diet? I want to be strict with my intake and get better results in my next blood work in 3 months.

When I sweat, it's really painful. It feels like I'm being stabbed into my back and upper chest with needles. There is no rash, only an occasional itch. Sometimes the sweating comes on quickly and out of nowhere, as if it were a hot flash. But I've gone through menopause and I don't get hot flashes any more.

For the last year or so, I’ve been suffering from serious pain in my Achilles tendon anytime I run or walk at a fast pace. I’ve been to a podiatrist, whose only advice after x-rays and several appointments was to stay off my feet and wear a boot to bed. Isn’t there anything more I can do, or am I doomed to sit on the sidelines at the ripe old age of 37?