ask-the-expert
I am a 52-year-old man with a family history of heart disease. My doctor says my blood pressure and cholesterol are great. My latest LDL cholesterol was 98 and my HDL was 45. I exercise regularly and I try hard to stick to a Mediterranean type diet. Is there anything else I should do?
I am taking Paxil (paroxetine) and have been for the past 5 years. I find that when I try to stop taking it, the withdrawal effects are horrible. I have terrible nightmares, I am upset and depressed, and I have a metallic odor about me. What can I do?
I have been experiencing a very salty taste in my mouth, to the point that it is giving me an upset stomach. What is causing this and what should I do?
A while back, I had some pain in my upper right abdomen. My doctor ordered some gallbladder tests. I don't have stones, but the test did show there is a blockage; my gallbladder is working at only 4%. The pain does not bother me that much, it is just annoying sometimes. I've been watching my intake of fatty foods and am trying to be healthier. Does this condition always require surgery to remove the gallbladder?
I have a recurrent problem with the skin at the corners of my mouth. The skin gets irritated with small cracks. It gets better, then for no apparent reason returns. What could be causing this condition? Can I prevent it from recurring?
Sudden gasps for air at night can be alarming. Explore how allergies, blocked airways, or more serious sleep and heart problems might be involved.
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.
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.
I have been diagnosed with gallstones. What foods can I eat to help them dissolve so I don't have to have surgery?
Sudden spells where the world flips and blurs can be alarming. Explore possible causes, from inner ear issues to your nighttime sleep supplement.