Category: ask-the-doctor

Persistent cravings for nonfood items like chalk can hint at an underlying nutritional problem that needs testing.

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?

Mild sinus or ear infections don’t necessarily mean delaying vaccination. Learn when to wait on your flu shot and how fast protection builds.

As a sunken chest becomes more noticeable with age, shortness of breath, stamina limits, and heart or lung compression may emerge.

From red wine to ice cream, everyday favorites can spark headaches in some people. Learn how to spot your personal food-related headache triggers.

Persistent loose stools that don’t improve with more fiber may signal more than a simple diet issue. Explore what might be going on.

Cold baths and ice packs may feel instinctive when a fever hits, but most cases call for a different approach.