Category: ask-the-doctor

I was just diagnosed with orthostatic tremor. Clonazepam (Klonopin) does not seem to help. Are there any other effective medications?

I get severe hand and foot cramps, especially around the time of my menstruation. Is there anyway of preventing or alleviating the cramping? I am active and in good health.

I have chronic, shooting pain in both shins. My doctors didn’t find anything abnormal in my back, central nervous system or blood. I do have Type 2 Diabetes. Any ideas?

My son is almost 8 years old. He has recently shown some early signs of puberty. Bone x-rays showed advanced bone age of 9 years. Lab results for hormones were normal. Is this true precocious puberty? How often does this happen in boys? Does this mean he will progress rapidly through puberty if he is not treated with medications? What are our options?

When I donated blood recently, I had to state whether I had had an endoscopic exam in the last 6 months. Is a colonoscopy an endoscopic exam? If so, how should I take that into consideration when scheduling future blood donations?

I was diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis four years ago. I started taking Actonel. In the spring of 2010, I saw a news report that said these drugs are suspected of increasing the risk of fractures in the femur. My doctor recommends going to an annual infusion of Reclast. What is your opinion of the safety of all these drugs?

My mother-in-law had a low alanine transaminase (ALT) score on her last blood test. What is ALT and is it significant?

I am a 75-year-old woman in good health. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 68. I have been taking Fosamax for the past 7 years. I read that there are risks in taking these types of drugs for more than 5 years. What should I do?

Is sleep apnea something that a person has always had and you find out about after it is diagnosed? Or is it something that could arise from external factors, such as stress or extreme fatigue? Can the symptoms “go away” without treatment?

I have been diagnosed with hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction by a kinked ureter. Should I see a urologist or nephrologist?