Category: ask-the-doctor

Is it better to take Prilosec in the morning or evening?

I have genital herpes. I rarely have an outbreak – maybe once a year or less, but of course I have no idea when an outbreak will happen. Should I be on Valtrex to prevent transmission of the disease?

What is gliadin antibody (IGA and IGG). And what is a normal range for a 42-year-old female?

I got back from a vacation in Jamaica, and it looks like I have bites from sand fleas. They have pus pockets in the middle of a red, itchy area. And I’m itching terribly. Will the skin spots go away? Do I need to see my doctor?

When I think of the serving sizes suggested for a healthy diet, I don’t think I can eat that much at a meal and be comfortable. What happens if children are encouraged to eat more than they are comfortable with – even healthy foods?

Would a cervical polyp that’s an inch by a half inch in size cause you to feel fatigued?

Until recently, my blood pressure stayed around 135/75. Recently, it shot up to 188/90. My doctor increased the doses of my blood pressure pills. But my systolic pressure is still around 170. Why would my blood pressure have increased so suddenly?

My 71-year-old father began taking Coumadin a few years ago. Not long after, he began having more confusion. After getting more medicine for dementia and depression, he’s getting worse. Is it possible that the Coumadin is causing this?

I used to take pseudoephedrine (standard Sudafed) for nasal congestion. But I have an enlarged prostate and find that it restricts my urine flow. Is there an alternative over-the-counter decongestant that will not affect the prostate and restrict urine flow?

My wife has shortness of breath and sweats when she walks fast or gets anxious. Because she doesn?t get chest pain, she doesn?t think it?s her heart. I urged her to get a stress test but she says her doctor told her that the treadmill test isn?t good at diagnosing heart trouble in women. Is this the case? Thanks to the treadmill test, I avoided a heart attack. Now I want the same thing for my wife.