ask-the-expert
A bright red patch on the white of your eye can be scary, even when it doesn’t hurt. Find out what might have caused it and when to call a doctor.
A high calcium result often turns up on a routine lab test. Possible causes range from overactive parathyroid glands to excess vitamin D.
A new, tender lump in a man’s breast doesn't necessarily mean cancer. But it should not be ignored. Gynecomastia is one possible cause, but there are others.
When I got a splinter last year, I didn't think too much of the situation at first. But a couple of weeks later, my elbow started to swell up. I went to the hospital and was told I had a Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) infection. After a month of taking Zyvox (linezolid), I was told I no longer had MRSA. Recently, I stepped on a bathroom rug that still had a staple in it and a red pimple started to appear. I went to a foot doctor who said it was the beginning of staph infection. Once you have had MRSA does it always stay in your body — or am I just having a bunch of bad luck?
Lactose trouble that appears in midlife—plus growing sensitivities to other foods—can hint at changes in the small intestine that warrant a doctor's look.
Years of relentless itching and thickened skin may reflect an itch‑scratch cycle. Creams alone may fall short and broader treatment may be needed.
Are all erectile dysfunction medications the same and have the same side effects? My husband says they are and that all of them will give you headaches, stomach upset, and blurred vision. I think they are like any other medications — you might have to try a few before you find the right one for you. What do you think?
Is there a difference between the prescription Zoloft and the generic version? I started taking Zoloft in 1994, but switched to the generic version over a year ago because it's free with my prescription coverage. I think I've gained weight since the switch. Is it possible that the generic version causes me to gain weight when Zoloft didn't?
Are there any home remedies that I can use for eczema?
I have had acid reflux off and on in the past, but it has been much better recently. About one year ago, a doctor looked down my esophagus and into my stomach (a test he called an upper endoscopy). My esophagus was inflamed and I was told to take the medication Aciphex indefinitely. I rarely have heartburn and never need antacids. I certainly don't want to take this medicine forever. If I eat less acidic foods and don't experience heartburn, is it necessary to take this drug to keep my esophagus healthy?