ask-the-doctor
When I am under great stress, my blood pressure sometimes shoots up to 200/120 for a short time but then quickly goes down to 120/80 or lower and stays there. One doctor told me that spikes like these are normal and not to worry about them. Another told me this isn?t normal or healthy. Who is right?
I have bald spots all over my head, and am losing hair at an alarming rate. My fingernails have waves and lines in them. What could cause these problems?
My husband had an MRI to rule out any abnormal causes for benign positional vertigo. They discovered a mass on his parotid gland that it is most likely benign. Does a parotid mass always need to be removed? Or can it be watched to see how it progresses?
I had a bubble of fluid on the back side of my eyeball. After 6 weeks, it’s re-absorbed. But now I need a test called fluorescein angiogram, where they inject yellow dye into my eye to look for CSR. What is CSR – and what are the risks?
I am tired a lot, and have been tested for all the usual suspects. I eat fairly well, and get enough rest each night. My doctor told me I was “a little low” on B12. Could this be the real cause of my fatigue?
There is blood in my semen. What could this be? Do I need to see a special doctor?
I went to the doctor for some white patches on my arms. My doctor told me I had tinea versicolor, a type of fungus that destroys the melanin in your skin. He prescribed anti-fungal shampoo to clear it up. But is there a way to make sure you don’t get it again? I?ve read that some people are more prone to getting it.
I have this constant sound in my right ear, almost like a diesel truck running. It’s not painful, but it is irritating. What could it be – and what doctor should I visit for this?
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’ve been taking 10 mg of Prilosec daily for several years. The over-the-counter product says you should limit proton pump inhibitors to a maximum of 14 days. Is there a reason for limiting how long you take it?