By the way, doctor: Should I get the prostate cancer test I’ve heard about?
I heard about a new test for prostate cancer that’s better than the PSA test. Should I get this test?
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Month: April 2010
By the way, doctor: Will Levitra overcome the problems caused by finasteride?
Finasteride has been prescribed for my BPH. I think that the most frequent side effect is erectile dysfunction or loss of sexual desire. Would Levitra or a similar drug (like Viagra or Cialis) overcome the side effects of finasteride?
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By the way, doctor: Is there a solution for watery eyes?
I am 63 and have tears running down my face at odd times. Most of the information I’ve found on the Internet is about infants with blocked tear ducts. Can you provide some information about tearing in adults?
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Heart Beat: Lopsided decline in heart disease deaths
Death rates from heart disease had been declining since the 1960s, but recently they have leveled off in men and increased very slightly in women, probably due to increases in obesity and diabetes.
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By the way, doctor: Does grapefruit juice affect aspirin?
I am 78, and for about 10 years, I have been taking an 81-mg aspirin every morning with a glass of grapefruit juice. I heard that it’s not a good idea to drink grapefruit juice with some blood-thinning drugs. Is that true of aspirin too?
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Get the lead out
The leads of implanted cardiac devices can break or become infected over time. If this happens, the leads must be replaced. A defective lead can be left in the heart, but it is considered safer to have it removed.
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By the way, doctor: Should I worry about giant platelets?
My platelet count has always been on the low side – 110,000. I don’t have any symptoms. But a recent lab report mentioned “giant platelets.” Is this something to worry about?
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Genetic help for a blood-thinner balancing act
The FDA is recommending a genetic test for people prescribed warfarin, to search for variants of certain genes that can affect the drug’s effectiveness. But there is not enough evidence yet that the test makes using the drug safer.
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What to do about rotator cuff tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendinits is the most common shoulder injury. The best course of treatment is to rest, apply ice, take ibuprofen, and do stretching and strengthening exercises.
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On call: Pharyngitis
I seem to get three or four sore throats a year. I don’t want to run to my doctor for antibiotics every time. How can I tell when I need treatment and when I don’t?
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