Health information

QUESTION: I work with an older man in a garage
The other day, he burned his
arm on a hot exhaust pipe
After a few unprintable words, he reached for an
emptied can of motor oil, and used the remaining drops to rub into his burn.
He claims that this is a treatment, one he has used successfully for years
I
tend to believe him, do you?

ANSWER: I’ll add your story to my list of “no-nos”, but it is just one of the
many examples of tales of treatment that can lead to rather serious and
unwanted outcomes
If he has been successful for years, he has also been
remarkably lucky
I doubt that his “burn treatment” meets with the
requirements of sterility that applies to other types of medications that may
be used in promoting the healing that is so important after a minor burn
A
burn, even a minor one, will damage tissue, and in many cases actually kill
the cells
This dead (necrotic) tissue makes a perfect environment in which
bacteria, which are always present on the skin, can grow, producing infections
that may be extensive, serious and sometimes life threatening
The proper
treatment for burns is to first apply cold, wet compresses or immerse the burn
in ice water
This can retard the process of cell injury
Then a sterile
burn cream may be applied to reduce swelling and pain
If extensive blisters
develop, or skin has been burned away, professional treatment is indicated to
remove dead tissue and provide the right kind of dressing
Auto oil belongs
in crankcases, not on people.

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: There have been three separate occasions when my son returned from
playing with his friends when he was flushed and feverish
I don’t mean just
hot and sweaty, but actually had a temperature of over 100 degrees when I took
it with an oral thermometer
My doctor advised me to just watch him, and of
course it went away without any medication
However I am still worried, and
hoped that you might be able to offer some explanation.

ANSWER: You sound very much like a normal, caring mother, for many parents
worry about elevated temperatures when they occur in their children
In this
case, however, I doubt that there is cause for concern
There is really no
such thing as a “normal” temperature, for even in normal individuals it may
vary as much as 2 to 3 degrees in a 24 hour period, with the lowest reading
being found during sleep and the highest temperature recorded during the late
afternoon
When fever is noted after a healthy workout or period of play, it
is not a cause of concern, especially when it descends after a short period
without medication
It that case it is considered to be a normal variation in
the constantly changing level of body temperature
It may interest you to
learn that the so called “normal” body temperature of 98.6 degrees F was
determined by averaging the levels found in just a few individuals in a study
conducted in the 19th century
Most doctors therefore do not react too
strongly to brief variations from this level
And that is good advice for you
as well
Any serious conditions usually produce fevers that are both higher
and sustained over a longer period of time
It is generally conceded that a
rectal temperature over 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) is abnormal.

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: Whenever the question of cholesterol is discussed, you read about
the importance of the HDL
I know that this is the “good cholesterol,” but I
don’t understand why
Can you enlighten me?

ANSWER: HDL or high density lipoprotein is considered good because it has two
important actions that help when you have a high level of cholesterol
It has
the ability to carry excess cholesterol found in body tissue back to the
liver, where it undergoes a process of metabolism
It also helps remove
another type fatty substance called triglycerides by improving the process by
which they are removed from the blood circulation and oxidized by skeletal
muscle
You can improve your HDL with a regular exercise program, which is
even more effective if you are a nonsmoker
Alcohol in moderation (and I
stress the word “moderation”) is also known to elevate HDL, but physicians
rarely recommend this as a means of increasing HDL levels because of the
possibility of alcohol abuse
While we are becoming evermore aware of our
cholesterol levels, many physicians now believe that the HDL level is equally
important in the consideration of an individual’s overall health appraisal and
recommend blood tests which evaluate all of the blood lipids (fatty
materials).

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 recently had my cholesterol tested during a “Health Fair”
They
just stuck my finger and paid no attention to the fact that I had eaten but a
few hours before
I was told that everything was O.K., but wonder if this
type of testing has any value? Do you think I need a regular blood test?

ANSWER: Screening tests using a finger stick are great for getting some
information about their blood cholesterol levels to a large number of people,
and to provide these answers without an excessive cost
While the accuracy
may not be the greatest, the initial evaluation can be used to determine
whether any additional testing is required
Anything under the 200 milligram
per deciliter (mg/dl) is considered good, with the range from 200 to 239
established as borderline high and more than 240 mg/dl a cause for real
concern
You must have been below 200 mg/dl to have been informed that all
was O.K., but if you had been in the high borderline range, for example, a
more precise test would have been indicated
In this case the blood is drawn
from a vein, following an overnight fast
Testing for high density (the good
guys) and low density lipoproteins as well as triglycerides are generally
included, as well as evaluating your level of cholesterol
Even this test
should be taken a couple of times to obtain a valid average upon which to base
recommendations for diet and treatment
I think I would be satisfied with the
results you obtained, but might be on the lookout for another opportunity to
have my cholesterol tested again in this fashion
I have a feeling you need
to be reassured about your good report, and a second “passing grade” might be
just the answer you require.

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: Would you please discuss a condition called “claudication”
I am a
sufferer, and wonder if there is any remedy to the problem other than bypass
surgery?

ANSWER: A symptom of intermittent claudication results from a deficient blood
supply in an exercising muscle
After but a brief period of walking the limb
becomes “tired,” or a pain, ache or cramp may be felt
Usually it occurs in
the calf, but can also affect the foot, hips, thighs or buttocks
After a few
moments of rest, from 1 to 5 minutes, the pain abates, and the patient can
walk on for about as much time or distance as originally, when once again the
symptoms recur
The distress is greater when walking rapidly or walking
uphill, and the ever diminishing distances that a person may cover during the
painless periods indicates that the disease is progressing
True intermittent
claudication never occurs at rest, and does not require that you sit for the
pain to disappear
The underlying cause is the presence of atherosclerotic
plaques which develop in the arteries of the extremities, and block the
passage of blood needed to carry oxygen to the working muscles
The amount of
pain and the distances you can cover will depend upon the extent of the
disease, and if there are other open arteries in your legs to help carry the
blood
Exercise is recommended to overcome some of the restriction
Walk for
about 60 minutes each day if possible, stopping when the pain occurs until it
disappears, and then moving on again
This can improve your condition
measurably and provided you with the ability to cover considerable distances
without pain
A medication called pentoxifylline (Trental) that increases the
ability of red cells to pass through narrowed arteries and capillaries may be
used to improve the circulation in your legs and reduce the symptoms
It is
only when these techniques fail to improve your situation that you may have to
consider surgery to bypass the blocks present in your arteries which are the
cause 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: I am caring for my husband who suffers with congestive heart
failure
He has both good and bad days, no matter what I do
I just wish I
could understand a bit more about this disease, so I could help better
Can
you please offer me some help?

ANSWER: The heart has as its most important role the pumping of blood to all
the parts of the body that require the oxygen and nutrition carried in the
blood
When the heart no longer is capable of accomplishing all that the body
requires of it, it is said to “be failing”
This can be caused by damage to
the heart from a past heart attack, or because the arteries which supply blood
to the heart itself are narrowed by coronary artery disease
It can also be a
result of hypertension, infections to the heart muscle, and damage to the
valves of the heart
When the heart begins to fail the blood begins to back
up, causing fluids to accumulate in the lungs as well as the legs and feet
(congestion)
As a result, breathing may become more difficult and the feet
and ankles may swell
Such patients tire easily, and find that even the small
tasks of life become difficult to perform
When they become discouraged, they
blame everything and everyone about them, even those most devoted to their
care
But there are some ways of helping and making life better for all
Be
sure you understand which medications are being prescribed, and why they are
being used
There is usually a heart medication, which helps the strengthen
the heart beat and make it function more efficiently
Diuretics are used to
reduce the amount of fluid in the body
Make sure these medications, and any
others, are taken on schedule each day
Check the foods you are serving to be
sure they are low on salt, since salt can retain fluid in the body
While
moving about too quickly or for too long a period can make symptoms worse, a
restricted program of short slow walks can be just the ticket to keep the body
in reasonable condition, and to provide your husband the opportunity to get up
and around
Changing the scenery a bit can change ideas and reverse some of
the negative thinking that may be going on
You are apparently doing a
wonderful job; I hope these tips help a bit.

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: As usual, I have had my one bad cold this year, but the experience
became a frightening one when I developed a terrible headache, became upset
and jittery to the point where my hand trembled
I visited my physician who
discovered that my blood pressure was high
He told me that all of the
symptoms were brought on by the cold medicine I had been taking
He was
right, too, for they all disappeared when I stopped the medicine
I think you
should warn your readers about this danger.

ANSWER: That is an excellent suggestion, although all who take over the
counter cold medications may not undergo the number or extent of the side
effects which you experienced
In fact most cold preparations are very safe
and side effect free when taken as directed and when the patient is not unduly
sensitive to a chemical that is commonly found in nonprescription cold
preparations
Its called phenylpropanolamine, and it is used in over 100
different medications; used as an appetite suppressant for weight control, in
nasal decongestants and cold medications, and for the premenstrual syndrome.
Some times it is passed as a “street drug” as a substitute or combined with
amphetamines
When cold sufferers mix several combination preparations in the
hopes of a speedier recovery, they run the risk of taking too much of this
ingredient, which may be a component of all or at least some of the over the
counter products
Like any other medication, phenylpropanolamine must be used
with respect, and only in doses indicated on the bottle
Patients with
hyperthyroidism, hypertension or other heart related disease or diabetes
should be most cautious
Of course if you are taking any other medication you
should consult your pharmacist or physician before adding additional
medications to your routine
The adverse effects associated with this
medication most commonly affect the cardiovascular system, but can even
include severe psychological disturbances, bizarre behavior and
disorientation
To avoid these risks, read the label carefully, and be sure
not accidentally “overdose” on a medication which can offer relief when
properly used.

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: It seems you only choose questions for your column that deal with
exotic diseases that no one ever has and don’t care much about anyway
Why
not use your knowledge to help us common people and talk about real subjects
like constipation? I know I could use some assistance.

ANSWER: Commoner or king, constipation can be a problem for anyone
You are
right, it is a subject that should be discussed
For an understanding of the
causes of this annoying condition, you must first understand how the large
intestine, or colon, works
After our foods have been digested, and the
nutrients absorbed by the small intestine, the remaining waste reaches the
colon, the last section of the intestinal system before the rectum
The colon
moves the waste along with rhythmic contractions, called peristalsis, driving
the fecal material towards the rectum
At the same time it reabsorbs the
excess fluids, making the stool firmer and firmer as it reaches the last
sections of the bowel
If the muscle contractions are slow, or irregular, the
stool spends too much time in the colon and too much water is removed, forming
hard or dry stool
If peristaltic rhythm is too swift, the stool will be
loose and watery, leaving as diarrhea
Constipation is therefore best
prevented by assuring that these contractions (called involuntary as we have
no control over them) remain normal
They can be affected by illness, stress,
poor bowel habits, lack of exercise, and above all improper diet and eating
habits
The object is to have the stool arrive at the rectum in a form that
makes your voluntary efforts to pass your stool easy and normal
Here are
some tips for you
Eat at regular times, taking pleasure in your meals and
chewing your food thoroughly
Make sure your diet contains sufficient bulk
fiber that is present in cereals, fruits, raw vegetables, and cooked high
residue vegetables such as corn, potatoes, spinach, string beans and turnips,
to name a few
Be sure to include plenty of fluids in your daily diet
When
the urge to move your bowels arrives, pay attention and try to move your
bowels without straining, letting nature proceed normally
Adding a brisk
walk and sufficient exercise to daily activity may just make the difference
that changes your problem of constipation into an unpleasant memory.

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 guess most people shudder a bit when they think about a condition
called “crabs,” but I still think you should offer a bit of information and
advice
Can you tell me what they are and how they arrive on a person, and
most important, how to get rid of them? I sincerely believe that this
question is as important to write about as any other subject you cover in your
column.

ANSWER: You are right
I suspect there may be a few other people who may be
as interested as you are
Simply speaking crabs are another type of lice
(phthirus pubis), and get their name from the fact that they closely resemble
(but are in no way related to) the crabs seen on the shores and beaches.
Because of their adaptation, they live in only certain hairy areas of the
body, most often the pubic area, but also underarms, eyelashes and even
mustaches
However they do not normally invade the head, the domain of
another critter called the head louse
The need body warmth, about 87 degrees
F
to survive, and live by feeding on your blood
It is their bites which
causes the maddening itch that draws attention to their presence
They are
spread most commonly through sexual contact with an infected individual, but
can be gotten from contaminated toilet seats, clothing, towels and infested
bed sheets
Usually the diagnosis is made easily, by actually detecting a
crab louse on the skin of the patient
Though the condition is frightening,
the cures are both simple and effective
There are a number of
over-the-counter shampoos, lotions and sprays which, when properly used, can
eradicate the lice and their eggs
Your pharmacist or physician can guide you
in their proper choice and use
One additional word of caution
Since, in
the majority of cases, crabs are transmitted through sexual intercourse, it is
a wise precaution to request a complete examination from your physician
checking for the possibility of other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) that
may have been unwanted companions of these more noticeable visitors.

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 writing to ask about crone or crone disease
What is it and
what is the cause of it? A few months ago my brother was sick and he just
told me that the doctor said that he had that disease, but he does not
remember any explanations
He is 71 years old.

ANSWER: Your letter caught my eye because it expresses a concern that occurs
in so many families that are interested in the welfare of each member
When
the sick individual does not understand the nature of the disease, it is the
right and obligation of any family member to seek the necessary explanations
and gain the knowledge that can help in providing the care needed to alleviate
any suffering and discomfort
The name of this disease is Crohn’s Disease,
also know as regional enteritis, one of a group of intestinal diseases
classified as inflammatory bowel diseases
It usually starts with chronic
diarrhea, along with abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite and loss of
weight
In many cases the first episode may mimic appendicitis, and care must
be used in making the diagnosis
However, a barium enema (x-ray) can clearly
show the ulcerations in the walls of segments of the intestine
These
diseased areas are limited and occur next to parts of the intestines that show
no disease at all, giving rise to the term “regional” used in describing the
disease
A biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is obtained for a
microscopic examination, is often used to help make the diagnosis
The
disease occurs with equal frequency in both sexes, usually begins before age
40, and is more common among Jews, with a tendency to be seen in members of
the same family
The exact causes for any of the inflammatory bowel diseases
remain unclear although immunologic factors, infections and fiber poor diet in
developed countries have all been considered to play a role
Without the
knowledge of a specific cause, there can be no one therapy, so many are used,
depending upon the severity and extent of the disease
These include steroid
therapy (prednisone), antibiotics when infections do occur, antidiarrheal
medications and diet
When all else fails, surgery may be considered to
remove the portion of bowel that is affected.

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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