Health information

QUESTION: My feet are a constant torment, with corns and calluses that are
painful and unsightly
There are times I can barely get about
What should I
do to rid myself of these problems?

ANSWER: Corns and calluses, as well as warts, are collectively referred to as
hyperkeratoses
A hardened area of skin is a callus, while a corn contains a
hard, whitish core
Warts are usually viral in origin; while a specific wart
may be removed, the virus itself remains in the system.
Corns and calluses result when a foot is squeezed into a tight shoe, or
an internal bone rubs against the fleshy part of the foot
Often, a corn
develops to protect the foot against injury to its internal parts; any
treatment must take this underlying condition into account.
Projections on the bones within the foot called condyles are often to
blame for corns
The condyle may have become thicker than normal due to
injury or arthritis, and may need to be surgically shaved off, a procedure
which can often be performed with a minimal incision in the skin.
Abnormal bone movement may be at fault
Instead of surgery,
orthotics special molded devices are inserted into the patient’s shoes to
redirect the movement of his or her pedal bones
This results in improved
distribution of body weight while walking or running, and less sensitivity in
the corns and calluses.
Calluses can be “pared” cut away by a podiatrist or treated with
solutions to reduce their thickness
Pads that direct the body’s weight away
from the corn or protect it from friction also provide effective relief
Your
doctor can help you select footwear that will lessen pressure on sensitive
areas
In any event, the first step in getting back on your feet is a visit
to the appropriate specialist either a dermatologist or podiatrist, depending
upon the nature of your problem.

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: Can you provide me some information about a CT test? Does it hurt?
How does it work? My father was told he needed one and I am concerned.

ANSWER: CTs are initials that stand for Computerized Tomography
CTs produce
pictures of a patient’s head, or body, using computers to interpret the
information obtained by x-rays
Such photos are usually used by physicians to
pinpoint locations of blood clots, tumors, bleeding, infections, or to find
the reason for increasing pressure on the brain.
No pain or discomfort is experienced by the patient having a CT test.
The only requirement is that they lie absolutely still so that sharp pictures
may be obtained
During such tests, patients lie on a table carefully
positioned in the middle of the area that the scanner photographs
The table
moves slightly every few seconds, and repositions the patient
Approximately
10 to 15 pictures are taken during the testing time of between 30 to 60
minutes.
CTs produce pencil-thin x-ray beams which first are displayed on video
screens, then are photographed
There are no known aftereffects, so normal
activities may be resumed immediately following a CT examination.

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: Slowly, but more and more each day, my husband is becoming
increasingly moody and withdrawn
Our physician has made a diagnosis of
depression and has started to prescribe medications
I am afraid that these
very potent medications may have some bad side effects
What is your opinion?

ANSWER: If your husband’s depression is not in response to a specific recent
issue, but an ongoing emotional state, medication can help him break free from
its crippling emotional burden
Often, patients on medication experience
fatigue or drowsiness and interpret this as a side effect of the drug
But
patients who are severely depressed at the start of treatment may experience
less side effects of sedation than a patient who is less depressed initially.
Your doctor has many different medications and dosages to choose from,
and may use a combination of drugs to fight both depression and the anxiety
that often accompanies it, such as chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline
For a
few days these drugs may cause the drowsiness described above, but since
insomnia is often a symptom of depression, this will actually help your
husband get much-needed sleep.
Since medications affect different patients in different ways, it may be
necessary to change the prescription from time to time
Many effective
medications take several days to two or three weeks to exert their full
effect, and patience is needed
All medications available for treating
depression and anxiety do not work in the same fashion, and it may take a
while before just the right combination of useful medications can be
determined
As you can now understand, your doctor has a constellation of
options to choose from
None of them should be considered the answer to your
husband’s depression, but a method of temporarily restoring his emotional
equilibrium
Side effects are both temporary and usually mild
Once on an
even keel, therapy can then help him uncover and conquer the root causes of
his depression
Your unfailing support is a most important ingredient in his
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: Although AIDS affects primarily the immune system of the body,
doesn’t it also have effects on the nervous system? Could you please discuss
this in your column?

ANSWER: Individuals infected with the virus that suppresses the body’s
natural immunological system, resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS), may be affected by a host of nervous system complications in addition
to various disabling infections or tumors
These neurological illnesses may
be a direct result of infection by the virus itself on the central and
peripheral nervous systems, or an indirect result of the immunological
deficiencies produced by the infection
In any case, neurological disorders
may manifest themselves well before the appearance of fully developed AIDS.
Estimates of the incidence of encephalitis in AIDS patients range from 20
to 50 percent or more, making this deadly atrophy of the brain the most common
neurological complication of infection with the AIDS virus
Encephalitis
begins most often with increased forgetfulness, depression, a sense of fatigue
and of overall mental dullness, along with headaches, and occasionally
seizures
As the disorder progresses, memory impairment becomes more severe,
speech slows, and the neck, face and limbs stiffen
Generalized weakness
characterizes the late stages of encephalitis, along with mental
deterioration.
Spinal cord dysfunction can also result from AIDS; loss of muscular
reflexes and incontinence are frequent symptoms
Meningitis, an acute illness
resembling infectious mononucleosis and characterized by fever, achiness, sore
throat and diarrhea, can also result
Finally, it seems probable that the
AIDS virus can stimulate the disabling motor neuropathology known as
Guillain-barre Syndrome, which results in diminished sensory perception,
impaired erection and ejaculation and other peripheral abnormalities.
Now the presence of any of the above symptoms does not mean a person is
suffering from AIDS, as there are many other causes for these problems, but
they may result from the progress of the virus infection
Only careful
testing can really tell the difference.

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: Although I know you can get all sorts of rashes from touching
certain substances, is it possible for a skin rash to develop from something
that is carried in the air and comes in contact with your skin?

ANSWER: Yes, a wide variety of airborne particles, especially in the
workplace, can cause contact dermatitis, with accompanying itching, stinging
and burning sensations of the skin on the eyelids, cheeks, nose, neck, and
other exposed areas
Solid particles can pass under clothing, so even covered
parts of the body may also be affected.
Fiberglass dermatitis is a classic example
But other culprits include
rock wool fibers, dust from sewage, wood particles, cement, cellulose fibers,
mica, food additives, urea formaldehyde insulation foam, alkaline vapors (from
ammonia, for example) and acid particles
All can produce lesions in the form
of scratch marks, tiny papules, or discolored, thickened and raised areas of
the skin.
Such skin eruptions can appear suddenly and briefly or persist for long
periods
Typically they have a regular outline and appear on the face and
neck if the offending material is a gas or vapor
But they occur on other
body parts when solid particles get under clothing.
The diagnosis is made by patch test
While antihistamines and
corticosteroids are valuable for treatment, the best solution is prevention,
wearing protective clothing, using exhaust fans to remove all airborne
contamination, and avoiding such harmful environments when possible
This may
even require changing your job, in severe cases, since the same particles
causing dermatitis can be especially harmful when inhaled
Reactions could
affect your respiratory system and its vital functions.
When it is difficult to discover the relationship between a rash and its
specific cause, you may find keeping a “rash diary” helpful in searching for
the culprit
At each appearance of a rash, reflect on all the activities of
the past 24-48 hours, where have you been, what substances were in the
vicinity, have there been any new materials brought into your environment.
There are times when the answers to these questions are the only clues you and
your physician will have to solve the mystery of a rash.

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 thought the pain in my joint came from strain, or perhaps an
early case of arthritis
However my doctor now suggests that an special
examination be performed
I guess he may be on to something, but I need to
know more
What do doctors perform “arthroscopy” for?

ANSWER: Arthroscopy is short for arthroscopic intra-articular examination and
treatment, that is, the use of a device that may enter into a joint and
examine and treat it
A surgeon will make a very small cut on, say, the knee,
and use the thin, tubelike arthroscope to examine its interior
A similar
device can be inserted through another incision to provide light, and knee
surgery can be performed leaving two or so scars less than an inch long.
Arthroscopy allows for very rapid recovery and lessened discomfort as compared
to other joint surgery.
Arthroscopic techniques are now widely used to examine and treat the
shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle, and they are being experimented with for
other joints
In diagnosis, arthroscopy can be used to determine the causes
of swelling, instability or locking of the knee, and therapy can be determined
based on the findings
In surgery, arthroscopy can be used to remove loose or
damaged cartilage and tendons, or to remove some joint fluid
It is not
possible for me to speculate on the reasons your physician has for requesting
this special examination, and so, now that you understand a bit about the
procedure, it is time you posed your questions to him so that you may receive
the information you need to make an informed decision about your care.

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: A fellow worker is going through a terrible illness, and most
disturbing of all is his need to have fluid removed from his belly at regular
intervals
It sounds horrible, but many of his fellow workers are afraid they
may catch the same disease
Can you help us by explaining just what is going
on?

ANSWER: The condition your co-worker is suffering from is known as “ascites”
(from a Latin word meaning “a bag”)
Liquid forms in the closed abdominal
cavity and, since there is no way of it getting out, must be removed
Usually
this condition occurs when there is a serious, chronic liver condition
The
commonest cause is cirrhosis, which as you may know, can result from severe
alcoholism
There are other possible causes, including heart failure, kidney
disease, and some forms of cancer
The manner in which the liquid is formed
is pretty complex and still not completely understood by scientists
The fact
that is most important to you and the other people in your office is that you
can’t catch the condition from your friend
I am also sure, that were there
any danger to you or your fellow employees, you friend’s physician would have
notified family, friends and place of employment
I believe I can confidently
reassure you, so that you may continue to be a support to someone who could use
a bit of help in his hour of need with no fear for yourself.

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: How do you get Athlete’s foot and how do you prevent it? I’ve had
several bouts with it although I would hardly call myself an athlete.

ANSWER: You certainly don’t have to be an athlete to get the condition known
as Athlete’s Foot
This annoying ailment has been so named because athlete’s
foot fungus grows very well on feet that are perspiring and are in a warm,
dark and humid environment
The typical athlete works in shoes that provide
those exact conditions
Factory workers, business executives, salesmen, and
students are just a few of the groups of people who commonly get Athlete’s
Foot.
The wearing of shoes creates perfect conditions for the microscopic fungi
to grow and multiply
When the fungus grows, it may cause cracking skin
between the toes, scales, blisters or other foot problems
Strict attention
to foot hygiene, though, can help prevent Athlete’s Foot
Feet should be
bathed daily and completely dried before shoes and socks are put on
Those
prone to the problem should change their shoes, and particularly their socks,
often
They should also use a foot powder, spray or ointment that contains an
antifungal agent on a daily basis
Doctors suggest patients who have had
Athlete’s Foot wear absorbent socks made of natural materials
Nylons and
shoes made of synthetic materials do not breathe and can become an incubator
for the Athlete’s Foot fungus.
If prevention alone can’t solve your problem, there are a number of
medications, both over the counter and by prescription that can help remedy
your problem, but then it’s time to get some personal professional advice.
Early treatment means an early cure, and an end to the problem.

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: What can you make out of a diagnosis of “tropical dermatitis” for
someone who hates the sun, and certainly hasn’t been in the tropics
This is
the diagnosis from my doctor
I am a high school freshman and need some
answers from you
Please help.

ANSWER: Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin
Since I know of no
condition actually called “Tropical Dermatitis,” I think I can safely assume
from your brief history that what you have is “atopic dermatitis”
This type
of skin condition usually occurs in people with a family history of allergic
conditions
As many as 5% of the people in the United States are believed to
have this condition which causes an itchy rash.
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes atopic dermatitis, just that
it is inherited and is connected to an allergy.
Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis can be made by checking your family’s
history and by your doctor’s examination of your skin
This same condition is
sometimes referred to as eczema
Treatment is usually topical medications
which you apply to the skin
Cortisone derivative creams or ointments or
antibiotics may be prescribed
In some mild cases, cold compresses may do the
trick
You can help yourself be avoiding contact with things that commonly
cause itching, such as certain soaps, detergents, some perfumes, dust, furs,
wools and synthetic or scratchy fabrics
Bathing too frequently can worsen
the condition by drying out the skin
Above all, don’t scratch
It will
aggravate the rash, can cause bleeding and may damage the skin
Scratching
can lead to a secondary bacterial infection which will only complicate
matters.
This is not a serious condition when treated properly

just a
nuisance.
One positive thing is that this disease often burns itself out, so that
many people who have suffered through childhood, the teen years and young
adulthood with atopic dermatitis are often free of it by age 30.
I hope this is the case for you.

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 husband is suffering from Bell’s Palsy
He looks terrible, and
worries about his appearance
Where did this come from, we can’t figure out
anything of recent date that might have caused it? Is there a chance that
this might all go away and just become an unpleasant memory?

ANSWER: No one is quite sure just where Bell’s Palsy comes from, but we do
know that it is caused by swelling of the facial nerve, an important nerve
that goes to the muscles of the face, possibly due to an immune or viral
disease
This swelling creates a pressure on the nerve in the narrow and
confined passage that the nerve runs through in the temporal bone, which
results in the paralysis
The condition may start with a pain behind the ear,
but frequently there is no warning at all
The muscles on one side of the
face become weak, and so the face droops and looks terrible
The patient may
find it difficult to talk, cannot smile, and the condition does appear pretty
bad
However, if there is only partial nerve paralysis, complete recovery
occurs after several months
Even with total paralysis, the chances of
recovery may be as high as 90% if the nerve still responds to electrical
stimulation
Your main task now is to protect the eye on the affected side,
which is exposed because the blinking reflex has been affected
A temporary
patch on the eye and the use of methylcellulose “artificial tears” will help
you there
Remain cheerful, and encourage your husband with this good news,
for the chances are all in his favor, and the possibilities of a complete
recovery are great.

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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