ask-the-doctor
I have neck pain due to cervical spinal stenosis. Is surgery recommended as the first treatment option, or is there an alternative, e.g., medication, to relieve pain and correct the condition?
I have identical twin girls that are 2 1/2 years old. One of my daughters tends to twist her hair quite often lately. She has been doing this for several months. She twists it into knots and it has gotten so bad that she has very thin hair on the crown of her head. Is there anything I can do to help her stop this? She mainly does this at naptime, bedtime and at down times during the day, such as when she is watching a TV show.
I donate plasma and I was recently deferred because along with my protein my “alpha 2 level” is high. What does this mean?
Is “killed virus” the same as an inactive virus in vaccines?
I am a 56-year-old male. I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Most literature I’ve seen addresses this problem in women. Are the causes of this disease different in men than in women, e.g., celiac disease?
My mammogram shows “fibrous glandular density.” The doctor has recommended that I have an ultrasound. What is fibrous glandular density, and does it mean that I could have breast cancer?
Can chronic cholecystitis cause weight gain and bloating?
I am 23 years old. Within the last year I have started growing moles on my face and breast. Is it normal for moles to start occurring at my age, or should I be worried they might be cancerous?
I recently had an aortic valve replacement and bypass. The valve is a tissue valve (from a pig). How long do these typically last? I understand that it could last five to ten years, but someone told me it could go in two years.
My boyfriend (age 50) has rhabdomyolysis from taking statin drugs. Is there any therapy for his destroyed muscles? His kidneys are OK but he has terrible pain in all muscles. His doctors just say to give it time. Is there some kind of physical therapy that would help?