Health information

QUESTION: Can a person catch AIDS from swimming in a pool in which a person
with AIDS has urinated by accidentally swallowing some of the pool water while
swimming?

ANSWER: To answer this, and the many questions concerning the possibility of
catching AIDS, let me clearly state that AIDS cannot be caught from any type
of casual contact
The virus is transmitted in a few, particular ways
They
are: through sexual contact with an infected person; through contaminated
blood or blood products, the most common method being the sharing of needles
for intravenous drug abuse (shooting up); and transmission from an infected
mother to her baby during pregnancy or birth
The circumstances described in
the question do not put you at risk
Our greatest weapon against this disease
is to educate everyone to the true risks of transmission, and to allay the
anxieties of those who need to know more.

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.

Trandate
Our price: $1.6
Trandate (Labetalol) is used to treat severe high blood pressure (hypertension).

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QUESTION: After months of feeling run-down most of the time, just not myself,
I visited my family doctor, as you so often suggest
His diagnosis was a mild
anemia because my hemoglobin was low, and only suggested a diet as the means
of treating it
I thought anemia was caused by a blood loss, and I certainly
don’t consider a diet a strong enough medicine to put things in order
May I
have your advice?

ANSWER: Let’s start by defining anemia for you
It really means either a
decrease in the number of red cells, or a reduction in your hemoglobin
That
means you may have fewer red blood cells, where each one carries a full quota
of hemoglobin, or a normal number of cells where each one is less than fully
charged with hemoglobin
In either case, the quantity of hemoglobin your body
needs to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues is reduced, and that can
cause symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, and weakness, as well as shortness of
breath
In more serious cases headaches, drowsiness and irritability may
develop
There are three major causes for anemia
Blood loss due to acute
bleeding, as in injury, or chronic but steady loss from such diseases as
bleeding ulcers can require emergency treatment
In certain diseases red
cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced, as with an overactive
spleen
The most common is when blood fails to form properly, lacking
sufficient hemoglobin because of an iron poor diet or the failure of the body
to use iron correctly
This is probably your condition
The diagnosis was
helped by your history and physical examination, but an examination of your
blood made the evaluation of the type of anemia possible
When the cause is
nutritional, where there are insufficient amounts of iron in the diet, the
best and most lasting treatment is to change your diet to include foods rich
in iron
These include beef, liver, chicken, spinach (yes, Popeye was
right!), eggs, cheese and milk
Not only will this remedy your situation, but
also prevent it from recurring
Medications are not always required to treat
a situation, but often simple changes in diet and life style can permanently
correct the condition
Your doctor was right on.

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.

Karela
Our price: $24.75
Karela is known to aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates.

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QUESTION: Although I have passed my 75th year, I still wish to keep my health
as perfect as possible
When I last visited my doctor he told me that I was
slightly anemic, but that testing for the cause was not necessary
Does this
mean that my anemia is a part of getting old, and nothing to worry about?

ANSWER: I wish I had an exact answer for your question, and suspect that many
physicians would too
There is quite a bit of controversy about anemia in
older people
Some researchers believe that there is evidence that anemia is
a normal part of aging, and that the standards used to measure normal levels
of hemoglobin in younger people should be reduced for evaluating older
patients
Others feel that though anemia of some degree is very common in
older people, it should not be considered as a part of the aging process.
They believe that all causes of anemia should be carefully sought, and proper
treatment prescribed
Anemia may be the result of many chronic diseases, as
well as poor nutrition
However, intensive testing for specific causes in
people with a low grade anemia rarely provides a clear cut answer that
identifies a specific cause
I think your doctor knew that when he told you
the tests were unnecessary
We consider your anemia to be low grade if the
hemoglobin is higher than 14 g/dL for men, and 12 g/dL for women
You would
be at high risk if the level was below 12 g/dL for men and 10 g/dL for women.
Most often the anemia is not the result of a single factor, but rather the
effect of several which combine to lower the hemoglobin
By correcting the
diet, paying attention to iron metabolism and vitamin intake, and treating any
chronic disease, the levels of hemoglobin may be adjusted upward
Whether or
not we can accurately lay the blame of anemia on aging, your physician’s
reassuring statement not to worry was certainly in order.

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.

CLA
Our price: $1
CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) helps to burn body fat and enhances muscle growth.

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QUESTION: I am a woman in my late 30’s and during the past several months, if
I take aspirin for cramps before my period, on the second day of my period I
flow very heavily and discharge large blood clots for approximately 2 hours.
If I do not take aspirin, everything is normal
Do you see any need for
concern about this condition?

ANSWER: It is an accepted principle in medicine, that when an undesirable
situation can be linked to the presence of a specific medication, and when the
problem disappears if the medication is discontinued, than the medication is
the logical reason for the problem
There is no doubt in my mind that your
excessive flow is directly the result of the presence of aspirin in your
system
We use aspirin these days to “thin” the blood, and reduce the
possibility of clots and the recurrence of strokes and heart attacks
The
aspirin affects the function of the platelets in the blood, which in turn play
a part in the clotting mechanism
It is clear that your increased flow may be
a result of this action, and the formation of large clots may result from the
increased quantity of blood you are losing
I think the course of action is
clear
Stop taking aspirin before your monthly cycles, and use another
analgesic for this purpose, if you find you need one
With the history you
present, a check of your hemoglobin also seems in order, and your physician
can advice you of safe medications for you to take
There are a number of
other preparations to help with menstrual cramping.

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.

Acomplia
Our price: $3.2
Acomplia is an appetite suppressant diet pill.

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QUESTION: There should be nothing but joy in my heart over the birth of my
new daughter, but I am certainly not feeling myself
My friends tell me this
is to be expected, but I need more than just these well meaning words of help.
Would you please explain what is happening to me?

ANSWER: It sounds like a case of the “baby blues”, a period of mood changes
that can occur in the days and weeks following the birth of your child
In
most cases, these feelings begin during the first postpartum week, may last
for but a few hours up to several days with the most severe symptoms occurring
about the sixth day after delivery, and then gradually disappearing
The
symptoms are varied as well, including a feeling of sadness, irritability,
anxiety, periods of confusion, disturbances in sleep patterns, loss of
appetite, and even crying spells
There are no clear cut explanations as to
the cause of this problem, but most researchers feel that the changing pattern
of hormones play an important role in these mood changes
Postpartum blues
are very common, with up to 85% of new mothers experiencing one or more of the
symptoms
There seems to be no long lasting negative effects, either to
mother or child
You can probably reduce some of these feelings by following
a few simple tips
Make sure you get enough rest, and cut back on some of the
other activities you thought you would be able to continue
Babies require a
great deal of care, more than you might have imagined
Try to avoid being
isolated; encourage friends and relatives to stop by for short visits, and
take a moment of to socialize
Lastly, this is not a time to change any other
important factors in your life, such as moving or changing jobs
Stability is
the name of the game
There are two other emotional situations that may occur
after child birth; postpartum depression, and postpartum psychoses
In both
the symptoms are more intense, longer lasting, and severe, and require the
attention of a physician
Fortunately these are far less common, and your
description of symptoms clearly places you in the mild, common state that is
quickly gone.

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.

Aricept
Our price: $0.8
Aricept (Donepezil) is used for treating mild to moderate dementia.

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QUESTION: I have a terrible problem with sweating, and the resulting body
odor that it brings
As a result I tend to shun social gatherings and keep to
myself
But there must be a better way
Can you at least give a name to my
problem so that I can seek help?

ANSWER: the medical name applied to excessive perspiration due to overactive
of the sweat glands is “hyperhidrosis”
While it may occur over the entire
body, it frequently is restricted to the palms, soles, axilla (armpit),
beneath the breasts or the groin
It may occur when there is a skin
infection, as a reaction to heat, either in your surroundings or when you have
a fever, or as a result of an endocrine problem (overactive thyroid, for one)
or a disorder in the central nervous system
Wets palms and soles may be the
result of nervous tension and anxiety, and can happen to anyone under stress.
In many cases excessive localized perspiration can occur in otherwise normal
individuals without any cause that can be discovered
When the problem also
presents with a heavy, offensive odor, it is called “bromhidrosis”, where the
bad smell is caused the decomposition of the sweat and other cellular debris
by bacteria and yeasts
The best results of treatment occur when an
underlying cause can be identified and remedied
While deodorants may help
mask the odor by reducing bacterial growth, they do not reduce perspiration.
Antiperspirants, particularly those that contain aluminum chloride hexadrate,
can be quite effective in reducing perspiration flow, as well as preventing
bacterial action
For those affected by odor, scrupulous cleanliness is an
absolute
A liquid soap containing chlorhexidine is helpful when combined
with aluminum chlorhydrox complex preparations
Shaving the axillary hair is
indicated, and when all else fails, surgical removal of the glands may be
necessary
However, it would all be worth it if it enables you to return to a
normal, socially active existence, without fear of upturned eyes and
rejection.

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.

Prozac
Our price: $0.58
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is in a new class of antidepressant medications that affects chemical messengers within the brain.

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QUESTION: I am a farmer and am having severe chills and heavy sweating at bed
time
My neighbor says I could have Bang’s Disease as we use our cow’s milk
directly from milking
What do you think?

ANSWER: Sounds like your neighbor knows a thing or two
Fever, chills and
heavy sweating, along with headache, generalized aches and pains and
occasionally diarrhea can be the signs of Brucellosis, caused by the Brucella
abortus bacteria found in cattle (where it is called Bang’s Disease)
It is a
disease that is seen in farmers and livestock producers as well as meatpackers
who come in contact with infected meat or cows
It is not usually transmitted
from person to person, but by direct contact with the secretions of infected
animals
The fever can last on and off for as long as 5 weeks, then subside
for a week or two, only to return again
It is possible for these cycles to
continue for years, causing prolonged ill health, although the disease is
rarely fatal
You have two tasks at hand
The first is to visit your
physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, as antibiotics are
effective in controlling the disease
The second task is to have your animals
examined by your veterinarian, so that the source of your infection can be
removed
Without this important step, other members of your family may become
infected
Pasteurization of milk removes the danger for those who get their
milk at the store.

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.

Imdur
Our price: $0.35
Imdur (Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate) is used for preventing symptoms of angina (chest pain).

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QUESTION: I have recently noted that my urine has taken on a reddish color,
and I am sure that this must be the sign of some type of tumor in my kidney.
I don’t have the resources to go through a lengthy and costly diagnosis, and I
am hoping you might provide me with some idea of how I might find out what’s
wrong without spending my life’s savings.

ANSWER: You are putting the cart before the horse, making the worst possible
diagnosis an obstacle to obtaining a few simple and inexpensive tests that
might prove that your fears are without foundation
There are many things
that can color your urine that have no serious implications
Some foods
(beets, blackberries and rhubarb) can impart a reddish hue to urine, as well
as certain medications (quinine sulfate, Pyridium, and rifampin)
If you are
on anticoagulant medication such as coumadin or heparin, they may be the cause
of red blood cells in your urine
Although there are many conditions that may
cause bleeding in your urinary tract, tumors are amongst the most rare
You
must see your doctor, and have a simple test performed to determine if indeed
there is blood there, and allow him to take a full history and perform an
examination that may provide the clues to a diagnosis that is far more benign
than you now fear
An easy to cure bladder infection may be the cause
There
may be no need for expensive tests, but if the situation warrants it, then you
are merely sticking your head in the sand if you ignore the warnings
Of what
use are your savings to you, if you are not here to enjoy them?

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.

Pamelor
Our price: $0.32
Pamelor (Nortriptyline) is used for treating depression.

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QUESTION: A recent heart attack has me very worried about having another, and
I want to do all that is necessary to prevent that from happening
My problem
is that some of the advice I am getting from my doctors seems almost
impossible to carry out, since it involves changing so many of the things I
was doing before
Isn’t there any simpler way to prevent heart attacks, a
pill or something that is a bit “easier to swallow”?

ANSWER: I wish there was some simple way to prevent heart attacks, or for
that matter, any disease or condition
My problem is that I try to address
these situations with only the knowledge gained from science, not mere wishful
thinking
It may make my answer a bit harder “to swallow,” but at least you
know where I am coming from
Your doctors are probably telling you that a
variety of life style changes are effective in reducing the chance of a
recurrence of your heart attack
They include giving up tobacco, lowering
your blood pressure, losing those extra pounds, changing your eating habits to
lower your cholesterol and decreasing the ratio of total cholesterol to the
“good” high-density lipoprotein in your blood, controlling stress, and
finally, increasing your level of physical activity by starting an exercise
program
The evidence that reduction of such risk factors will reduce the
chances of another attack, as well as the possibility of stroke or other
cardiovascular disease, is quite clear
The problem is developing these
actions into a program that you, as the patient, can accept and carry out.
That means a bit of work on your part, that can be a bit easier if you will
develop the necessary attitudes, and understand the reasons for each bit of
advice
Once you truly believe that the change in behavior will have a
positive result for you, you must make a conscious decision to adopt that
change and carry it through
When temptation comes knocking on your door,
remember the importance of your newly adopted actions and resist
While your
physicians may counsel and advise you, and prescribe any medication necessary,
the responsibility for life style changes must be yours
I would be the last
to tell you that this is all easy, but the importance of such actions is
enormous
It all becomes a bit clearer and simpler when you take a long hard
look at the alternative.

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.

Monoket
Our price: $0.35
Monoket (Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate) is used for preventing symptoms of angina(chest pain).

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QUESTION: When a person develops a cataract in their eye, does this mean that
they have grown a tumor that is blocking their vision? How does this tumor
spread to the other eye? I suppose that these conditions can easily be
destroyed using the new laser guns, but I can’t find a doctor to do it for me.
Can you help?

ANSWER: I suppose the best way I can help you is to explain the nature of a
cataract and the operation that removes it, for you have a great many
misconceptions about the condition
However, your ideas are expressed in many
other letters, so you are not alone in your ideas
A cataract is not a tumor,
in fact not a growth of any kind
The lens of the eye, normally as
transparent as clear glass, begins to grow cloudy, fogging over and preventing
the light from the images in our world, to pass through the lens and strike
the back of the eye (retina) where the light can be transformed into
electrical impulses that pass on to the brain
And cataracts do not spread
from one eye to the next, since they do not result from a process of infection
either
Rather both eyes may develop the same condition at about the same
time, usually gradually over a long period of time
When too much of the lens
becomes affected and vision is diminished partially or completely, the opaque
lens may be removed, but lasers are not used in this type of surgery
Once
the cloudy lens is removed sight is restored, and the use of special glasses
can bring vision back to near normal
Contact lenses may sometimes be used as
well
In some cases the surgeon will position a new, artificial lens
(intraocular lens or IOL) to replace the damaged one that was removed
Your
eye doctor can help you chose the right combination of surgical procedure and
corrective lenses to suit your personal style of living, and restore to you
the precious gift of sight
Over 90% of people who go through these
procedures regain useful vision.

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.

Zyloprim
Our price: $1.26
Zyloprim (Allopurinol) is used to lower blood uric acid levels.

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Lexapro
Our price: $0.5
Lexapro (Escitalopram) is used for treating depression and anxiety.

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