By the way, doctor: Why don’t statins damage the heart muscle?
I’ve heard that statin drugs can cause muscle damage. Since the heart is a muscle, why don’t statins cause heart damage?
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Month: February 2012
On call: PSA variability
I’ve been tracking my PSA ever since I turned 50, 11 years ago. Since I just moved from St. Louis to Denver, my next test will be done in a new lab. Will the change in labs affect my levels?
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Ask the doctor: Are some blood vessels more prone to blockages than others?
Are the coronary arteries more prone to developing blockages than arteries elsewhere in the body? When arteries from other parts of the body are used in bypass surgery, does their tendency to become blocked change?
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By the way, doctor: Can I stop getting colonoscopies?
At age 60 I was treated for colon cancer. Since then I’ve had regular colonoscopies with no further sign of colon cancer. I’m now 84 and healthy. Does it make sense to get another colonoscopy?
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On call: Baker’s cyst
I’m 67. Recently, I noticed a soft swelling behind my left knee. I saw an orthopedist who told me I have a Baker’s cyst. He said I don’t need any tests or treatments, but I worry that it may interfere with my tennis. Should I ignore it or get treatment?
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By the way, doctor: Can you give me some advice about omega-3s?
I am confused about omega-3 fats. Are the different types equally good for you?
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By the way, doctor: Will a fiber supplement interfere with my medications?
I take a fiber supplement, but have heard that I shouldn’t be taking it at the same time as medication. How far apart should I take fiber and medicines such as Plavix and Crestor?
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By the way, doctor: What causes ice-cream headache?
What exactly happens when I eat something cold and get an ice-cream headache? Is it harmful in any way?
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By the way, doctor: Can the brain grow new neurons?
A recent Health Letter urged us seniors to stay mentally active because that causes the growth of new neurons (brain cells). When my husband had a stroke 40 years ago, the doctors told me the brain cannot make new cells in later life. What’s the truth?
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Ask the doctor: Is it safe to take ginkgo with warfarin?
I have been taking ginkgo pills for my memory for several years. I was just diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and my doctor put me on Coumadin. Is it okay to keep taking ginkgo?
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