A friend told me that if you get a stent you can’t have bypass surgery later on. Is that right? And what about the opposite – getting a stent after having bypass surgery?
I have been taking selenium in the hope that it would prevent me from getting prostate cancer. But I heard on the radio that the National Cancer Institute is advising men to stop taking selenium. Should I stop it?
My doctor started me on a calcium-channel blocker for high blood pressure. I also take a daily calcium supplement for my bones. Will that counteract the drug’s effect?
When I am under great stress, my blood pressure sometimes shoots up to 200/120 but then quickly goes down to 120/80 or lower and stays there. One doctor told me that spikes like these are normal. Another told me this isn’t healthy. Who is right?
I have been taking capsules containing hyaluronic acid for my knees. Is there any downside to this medication?
I read about statins having anti-inflammatory effects and lowering CRP levels. So why are we now being told that some people need to take two anti-inflammatories – aspirin and a statin?
The U.S. government is developing a national strategy on Alzheimer’s disease. Its target is to find effective treatments by 2025. The Obama administration announced the effort January 17. Congress approved the campaign last year. Now an advisory group is writing the final plan. It will include more funding for research on prevention and treatment. Today’s treatments can relieve symptoms for only a short time. Experts believe that as many as half of those with the disease have not been diagnosed. Therefore, the new strategy will include a public awareness campaign. Officials hope this will encourage earlier diagnosis. Doctors will be given tools to assess Medicare patients for the disease during their annual checkups. The government also wants to support caregivers. It plans to spread the word about resources and programs that can help to improve care.
There is blood in my semen. What could this be? Do I need to see a special doctor?
The number of children treated in hospitals for drowning injuries has dropped by half since 1993, a new study finds. Researchers said it appears that water safety campaigns have made the difference. Drowning means that a person can’t breathe because the airways have filled with water. Some survive but may have long-lasting disabilities. Researchers used a large hospital database. The study focused on children under age 20. The number treated at hospitals for drowning fell 51% between 1993 and 2008. The number who died dropped 42%. Boys were 4 to 6 times more likely to suffer drowning injuries than girls. Children under 4 drowned most often in bathtubs. Hospital visits for these accidents dropped 40%. Older children drowned most often while swimming. Hospital trips related to drowning while swimming fell by half for kids ages 10 to 14.
I went to the doctor for some white patches on my arms. My doctor told me I had tinea versicolor, a type of fungus that destroys the melanin in your skin. He prescribed anti-fungal shampoo to clear it up. But is there a way to make sure you don’t get it again? I?ve read that some people are more prone to getting it.