Category: ask-the-doctor

Yesterday morning, I was hit by a baseball on the inside of my knee causing a great amount of pain. Later in the day, the knee swelled up and I iced it. I also started running a low fever (100.5 F) that was reduced by taking Advil. Now, more than 24 hours later, the swelling has not gone down. I can?t put much weight on the leg. If I stop taking Advil, the fever returns. Are my symptoms related to each other or is it just a coincidence that I became feverish at the same time I got hit?

Recently, I heard that there is a new drug that can be injected into the knees that acts like cartilage to provide cushioning between the joints. Do you know what this injection is? Has it been approved for treating arthritis patients?

I am a 47-year-old man. According to a health examination done recently for life insurance, my LDL cholesterol was 62 mg/dL and too low. Is this a reason to be concerned? Are there any steps I can take to raise my LDL level?

Which cold mediations do you recommend during pregnancy?

I am 67 years old. The staff at my doctor’s office says I only need to get the pneumonia shot once every 5 years. Is this correct?

I am a 52-year-old woman with postmenopausal bleeding. My endometrial biopsy showed proliferative endometrium. An ultrasound also showed endometrial thickening. Could you explain proliferative endometrium? Would you consider my test results normal?

What is a normal liver enzyme count? My doctor said mine was borderline and wants me retested.

I have bleeding ulcers related to peptic ulcer disease. What type of over-the-counter headache medication can I use safely?

My 81-year-old husband has been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm that?s 4.8 centimeters wide. His doctors say there?s a magic number at which surgery is done, but I?m questioning why they can?t do something sooner. My husband is generally in good health, so he shouldn?t be a poor candidate for surgery.

I read that metronidazole is effective in 90% to 95% of people that take it for trichomoniasis. What do the other 5% to 10% use? Why is metronidazole not effective in some people? Is this drug safe and effective for long-term treatment?