Category: ask-the-doctor

I have been diagnosed 4 times with pneumonia in my left lung only. Why would this happen? What kinds of tests might I need to help find out the reason?

What is a bezoar?

Why would someone crave and eat chalk? I have been eating large amounts of chalk (sidewalk chalk) since my pregnancy. My baby is now four months old and I am still craving it.

After a bowel movement I get very weak and have to lie down, and sometimes fall asleep. It takes me several hours to get back to normal. Why would this happen?

Occasionally I read about an outbreak of listeria from some food source. Most recently it was cantaloupe. Where does listeria come from and who carries it? Is it naturally occurring? Is infection with listeria common?

My doctor found that my blood levels of vitamin D were low. She gave me a prescription for 50,000 international units of vitamin D to be taken every two weeks. But I?ve read that the recommended dose is more like 1,000 IU a day, and that more than 4,000 IU a day is unsafe. I have thin bones but not osteoporosis yet. I?m a healthy woman and don?t want to do more harm than good. What?s your advice?

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?

I have a sinus infection. Is it okay for me to get a flu shot? Also, how long does it take for the vaccine to start protecting me against the flu?

What risks do I have as I enter my 40s and 50s as a person with pectus excavatum? Am I at more risk for heart problems?

Can some foods cause headaches?