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?
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?
I am a 56-year-old man with high blood pressure. My dentist found gum disease and referred me to a periodontist for treatment. I know that high blood pressure increases my risk of heart disease, and I’ve been told that gum disease does too. Is it true?
When I visited a friend in the hospital recently, I was annoyed that I was not allowed to use my cell phone. Are cell phones really dangerous?
I don’t have allergies, but my eyes often burn and itch. My vision is fine, but my eyes are sometimes bloodshot, and I come down with two or three sties a year. I don’t want to bother my doctor with such a minor problem, but I wonder if you can help.
My wife gets down in the dumps each January. She thinks it’s just because the holidays have come and gone, but I think it’s more than that. Is it depression?
My wife and I have read that erectile dysfunction can be a warning for future heart disease in men. My wife is experiencing a drop in her sex drive. She’ll be seeing her gynecologist for help, but we wonder if she should see a cardiologist, too.
I am a 57-year-old man. I understand that moderate drinking may help me avoid a heart attack. But I’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, and I was told that alcohol can raise my blood pressure and stress my heart. So is drinking likely to help or harm me?
My father has had two surgeries in the past year to remove calcium deposits in his prostate. Is there any way to avoid this buildup, or will it continue?
I am 78, with an enlarged prostate and cataracts. I take Flomax for my prostate, but I’ve been told that it can cause complications during cataract surgery. Should I stop taking Flomax before I have surgery- -and if so, what should I do about my prostate?
I’ve been taking Zocor since my heart attack in 2006. In the past few months, I’ve had some muscle aches. My doctor says Zocor may be causing the problem. He wants me to stop Zocor for a while, but I’m worried about my heart. Is it safe for me to stop?