Health information

QUESTION: Could you please answer a question about an eye infection that is
just not responding to antibiotics? Each year at about this time I develop a
case of pink eye that is most annoying; my eyes itch terribly, and this
discharge develops that is so sticky I can actually pull it away like a
string
I’ve been using the same antibiotic eye cream my doctor prescribed
for my daughter’s similar condition several months ago but it isn’t working.
What do you recommend?

ANSWER: Go to the corner and stand there facing the wall! You have done it
all wrong, and we have some lessons to teach here
First of all, you do not
have an infectious “pink eye” or conjunctivitis, but an allergic one
If your
descriptions are accurate, a condition that returns each year at the same
time, is itchy, and produces a typical discharge that peels away like a
string, the diagnosis most assuredly is an allergic condition sometimes
referred to as “hay fever conjunctivitis”
Since it is not caused by a
bacterial infection, antibiotics won’t work
Second, although conditions may
look alike, there are usually many possibilities that must be considered when
seeking an accurate diagnosis
And red eyes can be the result of a viral
infection, a bacterial infection, an allergy, serious disease of the eye, and
just plain crying (amongst many others)
If the diagnosis is not correct, the
medication won’t have much chance of being the one that works either
And
last, it’s not correct to use prescription medications that have not been
prescribed for you or your present condition, for you run a big risk of
provoking unwanted complications
Your present state may respond to such
simple measures as cold compresses to reduce the itch and inflammation.
Artificial tears are also a big help in reducing the symptoms in such cases.
If that is not sufficient, prescription eye drops containing a combination of
antihistamines and decongestants
If they fail, then a ophthalmic solution of
cromolyn sodium can be used
And I might go on and on
Your eyes are too
precious to fool around with
If you promise never to do it again, and get
some professional care, you can come out of the corner now.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: We almost lost our neighbor due to a sudden and severe allergic
shock
We think it was from a bee sting, but no one knows for certain
Would
you please explain what happened, and what should be done for this emergency?

ANSWER: You’re referring to anaphylactic shock
It is a very severe form of
allergic reaction, and it results from being exposed to an allergen that you
are extremely allergic to
Some people are very sensitive to certain foods
(shellfish is a common one), drugs or to bee stings, as you mention
In fact,
fatal anaphylactic reactions to penicillin are estimated at one fatality per
100,000 injections
Seventy-five percent of all fatal anaphylactic reactions
are the result of penicillin
However, anaphylactic shock can result from
exposure to almost any allergen, and can occur without warning, when no
problem has been experienced with that product before.
You asked what happens in anaphylactic shock
The symptoms may vary
some, but they often involve itching, a tightness in the throat, wheezing,
abdominal pain and diarrhea
Collapse of the vascular system is an ominous
sign, and it often occurs in fatal anaphylactic shock
The first symptoms may
include a generalized flushed, lightheaded feeling, and usually occur in 20 to
30 minutes after exposure
Treatment depends on the severity of the reaction;
if life-threatening symptoms are present, immediate treatment with epinephrine
(adrenalin) and CPR may be necessary.
The very best treatment for anaphylaxis is avoiding known allergens.
Recently, some new causes of anaphylaxis have been identified, and more
information is being gathered on these causes
Even exercise has been
implicated in some cases of anaphylactic shock
It occurs with prolonged,
strenuous exercise, starts about 30 minutes after beginning exercise, and can
produce intense itching, blotches on the skin, respiratory tract obstruction
and choking sensations
Other recently identified anaphylaxis producers are
food preservatives, aspirin, steroids, dialysis, various vaccines and human
semen.
If you know you have an allergy, avoid the product that causes you
problems
Repeated exposures can create more and more risk for severe
reactions
Know what you are allergic to and how you are likely to come into
contact with it
Seek the help of a physician who specializes in allergy
diagnosis and treatment; recent advances in allergy diagnosis may identify
your allergens with accuracy and convenience that has not been possible
before
Notify all health care providers of your allergies, and talk with
family members and co-workers about what to do in an allergy emergency
Wear
an identifying necklace or bracelet if you are prone to allergy problems.
Persons who have suffered anaphylaxis sometimes carry emergency kits
containing epinephrine
If you and your doctor feel this is a good idea for
you, learn to use the injection, and teach those around you to use it
Keep
in mind, however, that epinephrine is a powerful drug that can cause serious
side effects if it is used unnecessarily, so use it wisely
Learn to
recognize the early signs of an allergic reaction, and get treatment promptly
before the situation becomes an unmanageable emergency.
Allergies can develop at any time, even to foods, drugs and products
you’ve never had a problem with
So know the symptoms of allergic reaction
and be prepared to take the right actions if they occur.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: Please answer this question, your answer may have the power to save
a marriage! When I married my gorgeous hunk of a man, I never suspected that
some of the bulges were the artificial result of steroids
I have come to
love the man not the muscles, and want a baby to complete our family.
However, we have been unsuccessful, and the doctor suspects it’s the
medications
Is it true that muscle building hormones can destroy a man’s
ability to father a child? Help me with an answer I can show my husband.

ANSWER: I think the most powerful part of this response are your own words in
the question
Now that you love the man instead of the beef, perhaps when he
sees your sentiments in print, the muscles will be just a bit less important.
But the frightening facts are that among the many unwanted and dangerous side
effects of anabolic steroids (the kind of “hormones” that build muscle) are
several that have a direct bearing on a man’s fertility factors
The use of
these steroids can not only diminish the number of sperm to the point of
nonexistent, it can provoke abnormal forms as well
The sperm that are
produced are less active than normal, and the ability to father a child is
severely affected
In addition to reproductive difficulties, steroids can
cause hair loss and baldness, acne, and provoke severe alterations in mood and
temperament
Athletes on steroids are aggressive and irritable, perhaps an
advantage on the field of competition, but definitely a handicap in marital
situations
Besides cholesterol imbalance, liver tumors and hepatitis have
been associated with the use of these chemicals
Unless your husband’s
livelihood is dependent upon an overdeveloped body, it is hard to imagine a
reason for the misuse of these steroids
The good news is that the effects on
sperm production and their activity seem to be reversible, and a return to
normal can be expected when the drug use is discontinued
It may be the time
for your husband to take a good look at his priorities, and look to the
future
A visit to you physician may also help, for I am sure he can provide
you with more information that may deal more specifically with your individual
problems.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: We are greatly upset by a daughter that continues to diet long
after there is any real need to do so
We know it is a disease but want to
know if there are treatments that can change her ways and stop her from
starving herself to death
Please tell us what concerned parents should know.

ANSWER: The young woman who has “anorexia nervosa” starves herself for
reasons that she claims are related only to maintaining a slim figure
The
reasons for her actions go much deeper, and require professional help to
understand and treat
Sadly, some of these young women are not reached until
they do serious harm to their bodies, and some of them even die
Some young
men have anorexia nervosa, but the disease is far more common in young women.
The cause of anorexia nervosa is not well-understood, and thus the
treatment for it varies widely
Many researchers feel that anorexics feel a
lack of control in their lives, therefore they control one aspect of it by
limiting their food intake
This not only controls their weight, but it also
gains the attention of those around them
Often this attention is not
achieved by any other method, so the “sick” behavior is unintentionally
rewarded by increased concern from loved ones and medical professionals.
Some physicians believe the disease should be treated with psychological
counseling, including the entire family
A therapist should be chosen
carefully, ensuring that sufficient experience with anorexic patients and
their families is present
Others believe a more medically-based treatment
program is effective
Antidepressants have been found to be helpful to
anorexics, because they are almost always depressed
Any medication,
however, must be used in a carefully supervised program that takes all the
many elements of this complex disorder into account
The bottom line is that
the condition can be cured, and that a supportive, understanding family can
help bring about a speedy recovery.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: Some time ago you wrote in a caring manner to a woman who didn’t
take her pills though her doctor had prescribed them
Now I wonder if you
have some similar words of advice for those of us who have arthritis
I was
diagnosed recently and now have to take pills for the rest of my life! I have
talked to others who hate to take pills everyday
Is there some other way
you might suggest?

ANSWER: I would be happy to describe some alternative measures that I know
can help you and others with similar problems
Most important of all is the
proper blend of rest and activity, enough activity to keep your joints moving
and flexible and enough rest to allow painful joints (as well as tendons and
muscles) to recuperate from their efforts
Sometimes an aid to walking, such
as cane or walkers, provide just enough assistance to joints that are
overstressed to reduce the pain level considerably
Some times a splint or
brace may be required, but that’s for you and your doctor to decide
Exercise
is a wonderful help, particularly when it can be accomplished in the
supportive environment of a pleasantly heated pool
Check around at local
facilities for such classes, they are more and more available
Heat as well
as gentle massage can do wonders for an aching joint and painful muscles.
While any heating device is helpful, moist heat is a bit better than just a
hot water bottle, and moist heating pads, hot soaks, or just a session in a
hot tub can do much to reduce the pain
Careful, though; check the
temperatures carefully first to avoid burns, a not infrequent complication of
over zealous use of heat
But don’t cast aside all the help that medications
can provide when used properly
There is no shame in the regular and
appropriate use of an analgesic, nor will you become a “junkie” from taking
oral medication such as aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
such as ibuprofen and many others) and acetaminophen, and the help they offer
can be the difference between complete relief and unnecessary suffering.
Medications taken on a regular schedule are more effective than when taken
just once in a while when the pain becomes too much to bear
Taking these
medications under a doctor’s direction in correct dosages, along with the use
of some of these tips, may offer you the relief you surely deserve.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: I have a good friend who has made weight lifting his hobby ever
since college days
He has frequently been plagued by headaches during both
practice and competition
Now a doctor has defined this condition as
“weight lifter’s cephalgia”, and I am curious about the seriousness of this
disease
I don’t want my friend to suffer the fate of other athletes we have
read about lately
What can you tell me about this?

ANSWER: I am sure by now you have discovered that the word “cephalgia” is
just another way of saying “headache”
Just like the rest of us, athletes may
suffer the same headaches that afflict all mortals, with about the same
consequences, severity and seriousness
However, there are a classification
of headaches, called “activity induced headaches,” that may more often affect
individuals that participate regularly in sports
They bear many descriptive
names such as “weight lifter’s cephalgia”, “footballer’s migraine” and others.
They share the same characteristic in that they all occur during the exertion
that accompanies an athletic effort
At present they are grouped into three
categories; exertional headaches, effort headaches and trauma-triggered
migraines
For the most part they are all benign, but require a careful
examination and investigation to determine the precise cause and diagnoses.
Exertional headaches last for but a few minutes, can occur in any part of the
head and tend to move about
Though many experts classify exertional and
effort headaches together, some investigators distinguish the effort headache
as one that comes on during weight lifting or other nonaerobic activity.
Trauma-triggered migraines result from contact sports, such as hockey,
football and wrestling
If any of these headaches recur frequently, and
despite the fact that simple analgesics may control the pain, they should
receive the attention of a physician, and the necessary tests such as
angiography, CT scans and other analytical evaluations should be conducted to
determine if any serious condition exists
A good coach may be the vital link
between the athlete and the physician, as the competitive player is often
reluctant to seek out the needed medical attention for so “trivial” a reason
as a headache
Perhaps some caring advice from you to your friend will be
helpful in this situation.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: My question may be more than you care to take on, but I am always
on the lookout for something new
My five year old son has a bad case of
chronic atopic dermatitis, and we have made the rounds of almost all the
doctors in town
All the treatments are somewhat effective for short periods
of time, but the itching is enough to drive him crazy
Can you offer any
suggestions that might help?

ANSWER: There are a few new ideas to report that may be helpful and I am
happy to share them with you
About 0.5 to 1 percent of the general
population suffer with this annoying skin disease that is characterized by
reddened inflamed skin, scales and crusts, and intense itching
When in the
acute stage, the affected areas may be covered by pustules and blisters, as
well as a serous liquid
It is easy to see how scratching may bring about
additional infections, which further complicate the symptoms and the
treatments
But it is the persistent and intense itching that makes this rash
so hard to put up with, and for which all patients request some type of help.
It now seems clear that in the majority of cases there is an additional
history of allergic disease
Discovering the allergic substance through skin
testing and eliminating it from the environment may lead to a lessening of
itching and a reduction in the severity of the rash
Treatments that may
help include techniques to keep the skin well hydrated, tepid water soaks or
baths, followed by medications and dressings that prevent evaporation of the
moisture
A wet garment such as a sock, covered by a dry one, may serve for
feet, ankles and legs, while wet gauze dressings covered by Ace bandages may
serve well in other areas
When at its acute stage, topical corticosteroids
may be prescribed by your physician, but oral medications are not generally
used
Though there is a dramatic improvement with these oral medications, the
rash and discomfort return just as rapidly when the medication is
discontinued
In chronic cases that do not respond well, ultraviolet light my
be a useful addition to the treatment, and can be helpful when administered
three or four times a week
Antihistamines may also be quite effective in
reducing the intensity of itching and may reduce the irresistible urge to
scratch
The good news is that for most, atopic dermatitis tends to improve
as the child grows older, and may disappear completely.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: My question is in your “unusual diseases to research” department.
Is there a disease or condition that is spoken of as vestibular malfunction?
Some of the symptoms have to do with mental confusion regarding directions,
and others
Please tell me anything you can.

ANSWER: It is listed as “vestibular paralysis, bilateral” in my book, and
results from an infectious process in the vestibular system, which is
responsible for maintaining our equilibrium
The vestibular system is made up
of the three semicircular canals located in the inner ear, nerves leading to
the brain, and a center in the brain that controls our balance
In order for
this condition to appear, this apparatus must be affected on both sides, as
the other side might compensate for the loss if but one side was infected.
The symptoms and signs are varied, from staggering and walking in a zigzag
pattern to the loss of one’s sense of direction
Interestingly, these
patients have no sense of depth with their eyes closed, and rapidly become
disoriented in the water, making swimming a dangerous activity
They also
have more difficulty with their orientation after dark
A loss of hearing is
often associated with this condition, which can take many unusual forms, all
reflecting their inability to sense direction
The treatment depends upon
detecting and identifying the exact agent of infection
This may be done with
bacterial cultures, or attempting to identify the antibodies produced by the
infection
Once the infecting organism is discovered, antibiotics are used to
combat the infection
In some cases this is a difficult and prolonged
therapy.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: Sometime ago it seemed as if you were inviting your audience to
submit unusual diseases for you to research
If you are still interested, I
would like to offer one
It is called simply “vibration”
My father was a
sufferer.

ANSWER: An interesting challenge, and worth the effort
Actually I found
most of the information listed under the title “pneumatic hammer”, for
vibration is a condition that occurs in individuals who used vibrating tools.
After a period of time, these patients, when exposed to cold, would lose the
circulation in the hand that was nearest to the working end of the tool
In
fact, the situation is very much like Raynaud’s Disease, from which it must be
distinguished
Raynaud is more common in women than men in about a 5 to 1
ratio, and results in spasm of the arteries of the fingers, reducing their
circulating blood
There are no specific changes in the arteries in
vibration, or any special diagnostic tests
It is a diagnosis made by history
and examination
Relief from the attack is obtained by vigorous rubbing of
the hands and immersing them in warm water
Patients are frequently advised
to change their occupation
Perhaps of some interest to you, it was described
in the President’s Monthly Report of The Stonecutter’s Journal in 1917.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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QUESTION: I am sometimes so tired that I just want to get home from work and
go to bed
A check up by my physician has shown that I am normal and healthy.
My wife thinks that I need some vitamins to perk me up and that this simple
answer is the solution to my energy problem
Is it true that vitamins are a
good source of energy, and may overcome my fatigue?

ANSWER: Probably the most common complaint that a physician hears is one of
weariness, fatigue and a plain old feeling of being “too tired to do
anything”
The causes of real fatigue are many and varied, and may be found
not only in disease states but in life styles and psychological problems as
well
I am going to buy your physician’s findings that all is normal in your
case, and confine my answer to your question, rather than a solution to your
problem
Vitamins are indeed necessary in any well balanced diet, but it is
the calories in your food that really provide the energy and there are simply
no calories in vitamins
However, vitamins are needed to help convert the
calories in food into the energy your body requires to carry on its daily
functions
While vitamins can not supply calories, vitamin supplements may
help if your present diet doesn’t contain the necessary amount of vitamins to
provide this vital service for your system
In these circumstances, taking a
daily multiple vitamin preparation can put your nutrition back into balance,
and restore your feelings of pep and vigor
Of course a good look at your
work and sleeping habits, as well as your daily ration of exercise and
relaxation, may also provide you with precious clues that may lead to the
answer you seek.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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