Dr. Gregory Tichenor

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Hard to say: Pain in the chest and upper back can be a sign of heart problems, a blood clot or a small number of other serious problems; however, most of the time ... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 24-year-old female asked:

My friend told me that her boyfriend tells her it is ok to smoke meth and breastfeed their baby. how long after smoking meth will it stay in your breast milk?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

BAD IDEA: Meth will be in breast milk for at least a day or two after smoking. This is just one of many reasons not to smoke meth. I am very worried about the... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. James Ferguson and 7 doctors agree8 doctors agree

A 25-year-old female asked:

Why can't people with asthma take theraflu?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

They can: Many over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain antihistamines. We used to believe that asthmatics should avoid antihistamines but this is no ... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 26-year-old female asked:

I have 4mnth old baby girl.i had intercourse with my husband without any protection before 2 days of my period due date.is there chance of pregnancy?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Yes: While the chances are not high, it is certainly possible.

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Milroy Samuel and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A member asked:

Red bumps on my vulva now look like canker sores that i get in my mouth. can canker sores spread to your genitals? what is it? std? behcet's disease?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Herpes or Behcet's: Genital ulcers can be caused by the herpes virus or one of several other sexually transmitted infections. In the us, herpes is the most common and ca... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 20-year-old female asked:

I have woken up for a week now feeling like i am going to throw up and occasionally have. this mainly happens in the morning and at night... ?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Many possibilities: Nausea and vomiting have many causes so the only way to be sure is to see your doctor. One of the first things to do in a young woman is to check a p... Read More

5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

4 thanks

A 46-year-old member asked:

What does trace amounts of free fluid in the pelvis mean?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Usually nothing: I assume this is found on an ultrasound or ct report. It is often normal, especially in women, but must be interpreted in the context of the whole st... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

17 thanks

A 51-year-old female asked:

Is it ok to take four 25mg prednisone at one time direction say 2 tablet twice day?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

In theory, yes.: In general, it doesn't matter whether you take Prednisone all at once or in divided doses. However, 100 mg is a fairly high dose and side effects are... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 21-year-old female asked:

I have hairfall problem after delivery ia it normal?please reply me asap..

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Maybe: Sometimes the stress of delivery can cause hair loss. While this can be distressing, it usually gets better. It is a good idea to see your doctor be... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 18-year-old female asked:

What cause swollen lymph nodes in the stomach? i have two in my lower right quarent at tht root of the mesentery. nonspecific subcentimeter!

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Nothing serious: Slightly enlarged lymph nodes are sometimes seen on ct scans. If they are small (subcentimeter) they are nothing to worry about. We think they could... Read More

4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A member asked:

If my periods haven't come yet and it has passed by 2days and i tested and i found its positive, can it be saying false results?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Unlikely: I assume you are referring to a pregnancy test. The home pregnancy tests are very accurate. While it is possible for the test to be positive when yo... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 22-year-old male asked:

I have some symptoms of the flu, but not all. symptoms started when i moved residences? i'm concerned that it may be a reaction? i moved into a new house three days ago. ever since, i've had body aches, headaches, and dizziness. i also had a mild fever th

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Any gas appliances?: It could be the flu or many other kinds of infection however since the symptoms began right after moving to a new house the possiblity of carbon monox... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Martin Raff agrees1 doctor agrees

A 44-year-old female asked:

Will an antibiotic for an uti also clear up an infected wound?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

It depends.: It is never a good idea to "recycle" antibiotics or any other prescription medicine. Some antibiotics might work for both infections but it is unlike... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tarek Naguib and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 41-year-old member asked:

What is a common cause of high d dimer levels?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Lots of things: The d-dimer test will be elevated in many conditions where the blood is making and dissolving blood clots. We use it to detect abnormal clots in the ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. John Weeks agrees1 doctor agrees

A 44-year-old female asked:

Daily headache localized at the back of my head on rt side. causes pressure in my eyes and ears. worse in the am after laying down.

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

New or changed?: If a headache is something new or different we usually recommend seeing a doctor. Details of the history of this pain are very important. Most headac... Read More

2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Pt has white bump with redness around it in a ring shape. states that it itches only in center. there is minimal swelling and area is not scaled. started itching yesterday thought it was mosquito bite. noticed red ring today. pt is working at a camp so

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Need more info: Your question got truncated so I'll answer the best I can. In short, without more info it is hard to advise. It sounds like a bite of some kind but ... Read More

2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 25-year-old male asked:

Which is better for long term use? zantac (ranitidine) or pepcid?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Same: There are no major differences between those two medicines. Both are about equally effective. If you take other medicines you should check with a ph... Read More

1.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 34-year-old female asked:

Can applying a heating pad to your back or side to deal with kidney infection pain/discomfort cause damage to the kidneys? been told by friend it can

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

No: I can't think of any way a heating pad would cause kidney damage with normal use.

4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 37-year-old member asked:

Should i take aspirin after hitting my head?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Best to avoid: If you are not already on Aspirin for another medical condition, it is best to use other medications for pain if you have an injury. If you are presc... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 25-year-old female asked:

I'm peeing a lot, drinking "normal"amount of water, it doesn't hurt and no fever. any idea of what could it be?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Check the urine: Excessive urine is sometimes a sign of diabetes but there are many other possibilities. If you have no other symptoms at all, it may not be serious b... Read More

5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 19-year-old female asked:

I felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen/pelvic area. lasted a hour. what could be the cause?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Can't say for sure: A sharp pain in the pelvis that doesn't last long in a young woman can be ovulation pain. However; it could by dozens of other things. If the pain d... Read More

4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 36-year-old male asked:

My 2 years old sons hand nails are peeling. he is currently sick and getting some medicine (antibiotics etc). can this be the reason?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Need to be checked: Peeling skin can be a sign of several different things. It could be a reaction to the antibiotics or from the infection that the antibiotics are trea... Read More

4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeff Livingston and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 18-year-old male asked:

My friend caught his head on a piece of metal and just took the top layer of skin off and it bled for a bit but then stopped what should he do?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Keep it clean: Hard to say without seeing it. If you cannot separate the edges, it probably won’t need stitches. You should wash the area carefully with soap and wa... Read More

3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

I had blood in my urine a few days ago it has stopped but i am having pain in my lower stomach and back with a fever of 102.1 now?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Need to see a doctor: You could have a bladder or kidney infection or an infection of the pelvic organs. None of this can be diagnosed or treated at home. You should see ... Read More

3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 16-year-old female asked:

I passed out yesterday and went to the hospital got check out and everything was good now i have a bad headache is that normal ?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Maybe: When someone passes out but seems OK afterwards it is rarely dangerous. A headache before you passed out can be a sign of bleeding but that would be v... Read More

2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Mi'm pregnant but i'm bleeding. at first it was spotting & then it's been bleeding for couple days now? what's wrong? i need help :(

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Go to the doctor: Much depends on how far along you are. You need to be evaluated by your ob. If you do not have a doctor, i would suggest going to an emergency room ... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 26-year-old female asked:

Is it safe to take coricidin hbp while on the prescription nadolol?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Yes: There don't appear to be any direct interactions with those medications. Be aware that there are several versions of Coricidin hbp.

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeff Livingston and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 54-year-old male asked:

My two month old choked in her sleep ... is it normal for her to be tired?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Probably not normal: This is very hard to answer without more information. If your two month old child appears less alert, you should call your pediatrician or have her s... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 22-year-old female asked:

I have severe chest pains, low blood and a fast heart rate, what does this means?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Need to see a doctor: These symptoms could be caused by many things and it is impossible to say without a thorough evaluation. It could be something as simple as iron defi... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 21-year-old female asked:

Can i take nyquill with cough syrup?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Not a good idea: There are several versions of nyquil and most if not all of them contain cough medicine. Taking another cough syrup would probably give you too much ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. James Henning agrees1 doctor agrees

A 30-year-old member asked:

Been feeling a pain in my back that felt like someone punched me. pain spread through to my stomach and felt like vomiting. what could cause this?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

See your doctor: Pain in the abdomen can be caused by many things. While there is no way to say for sure without a more detailed evaluation, pain in the abdomen that ... Read More

5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 24-year-old male asked:

Throbbing pain in my head behind my left eye and is getting worse.

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

You need to be seen: This sounds like it could be a migraine headache but without more information and a thorough exam, there is no way to tell. You should be seen by a p... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

4 thanks

A 33-year-old female asked:

Is it possible that i got pregnant with a tubal ligation in jan 2003 but no period or symptoms of period since feb 2013?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Unlikely: It would be very unusual but not impossible. If there is any question, you should have a pregnancy test. In the rare cases of pregnancy after a tuba... Read More

5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 25-year-old female asked:

I have a mole on my back , im afraid its melanoma , and im afraid that its spread. i did x-ray of my back and chest, will it show if there is melanoma?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Need to see a doctor: The xray will probably not help. You need to have a doctor skilled at identifying and treating skin abnormalities look at the mole. Your best bet wo... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Stephen Noga agrees1 doctor agrees

A 31-year-old female asked:

I fell on my left knee last night on a concrete floor, and now it is swollen, stiff, and hurts when i bend it. should i see a doc or just use rice?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Can you walk on it?: If you can not walk on that leg (putting full weight on it with each step), or if you can't bend the knee to 90 degrees, or if the knee cap is tender ... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 26-year-old male asked:

I have been getting headaches more feeling like pressure behind my left eye. started aa a twitch ok n my temple. do u know what this could be?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Could be many things: Headaches can be tricky. While most are not serious, occasionally a headache can be a sign of a serious problem. Headaches that begin suddenly, are ... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 25-year-old male asked:

My right ear started to feel uncomfortable 2 weeks ago.now its painful sometimes when i open my jaw or when i clean/stretch my ear.do i need to worry?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Swimmer's ear: This sounds like an infection of the ear canal commonly called 'swimmer's ear'. You should see your doctor to make a correct diagnosis and remove exc... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 28-year-old female asked:

Last month my period only lasted 3 days this month it last 7 pregnant or not?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Home pregnancy test: Probably not but a home pregnancy test is inexpensive and quite accurate. That should answer your question.

5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 33-year-old male asked:

I have been getting pvcs recently and on occasion, they take my breath away. when i check my pulse, i can feel the skipped beat. should i be worried?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Probably not: Extra heart beats are generally harmless and don't necessarily indicate a serious problem but they can be very uncomfortable. You should see your doc... Read More

5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 23-year-old female asked:

Have had fever over 100, body aches and diarrhea 24hrs (recently started seeing blood and mucous) the flu test i took at doc's is negative. have ibs. ?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Probably not: This sounds more like invasive enteritis. Fever and bloody diarrhea is often caused by a bacterial intestinal infection. While antibiotics are not a... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 25-year-old male asked:

I sometimes get a headache on the left side... what could it be? most importantly it doesn't go away untill i take an aspirin

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Could be many things: Headaches can be tricky. While most are not serious, occasionally a headache can be a sign of a serious problem. Headaches that begin suddenly, are ... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A member asked:

What temperature is considered a fever in my baby?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

100.5 F or 38 C: There is no exact answer but in general a rectal temperature over 100.4 is considered a fever in infants.

5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 22-year-old male asked:

My stomach hurts for a week and 3day why?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

See your doctor: Pain in the abdomen can be caused by many things. Most of time it is not serious but it can be very difficult to find out what is wrong. I recommend... Read More

5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 29-year-old female asked:

For the last few days i've been getting a temp of anywhere between 99.0-99.6. i'm not sure if this is a low grade fever or not. no other symptoms...?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Normal: This is still within the range of normal temperature. The body temperature normally rises and falls throughout the day. There is no need to worry if... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 48-year-old male asked:

How often do people die on the operating table from gull blabber surgery?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Less than 1 in 100: In an otherwise healthy person the risk of death after gall bladder surgery is less than 1 in 100. The risk is much higher if the person is very sick... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 22-year-old female asked:

I've never been one to get headaches, but for the last day and a half it feels like a brain freeze that won't stop. what could it be?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

You need to be seen: This sounds like it could be a migraine headache but without more information and a thorough exam, there is no way to tell. You should be seen by a p... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

6 thanks

A 29-year-old female asked:

Is 278 mg/nl considered a high d dimer?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Maybe: Unfortunately, the answer depends on the specific method used by that particular laboratory. There are several brands of d-dimer tests and each lab h... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 43-year-old member asked:

How long do the symptoms of fifth disease last in adults?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Weeks: Fifth disease can cause sore joints for weeks in adults. This will usually go away without any serious problems; however, pregnant women and people w... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 19-year-old male asked:

I live in hostel .my room mate is suffering with common cold. what preventations can i take so that i also would not have cold by transfer?

Emergency Medicine 33 years experience

Hand Hygiene: Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands (at least 30 seconds with soap and water) or use hand sanitizer frequently. Avoid touching your face as ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago