Dr. Stephen Christensen

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Carbon : Carbon monoxide poisoning -- whether acute or chronic -- is determined by measuring your carboxyhemoglobin levels. In cases of overexposure, your carb... Read More

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A male asked:

Closure of pfo using femoral vein how can i find out who is the most experienced in this procedure in macon, ga

Family Medicine 37 years experience

One : One of the best ways to find a good surgeon, cardiologist, gynecologist, or what-have-you is to talk to your family doctor. He/she probably has a pret... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What does it mean to have sore breast and lower abdominal pain that feels like the muscles are stretching? my breast are sore and my lower abdomen feels like the muscles are stretching whenever i get up or try to move period. i just stop taking the birth

Family Medicine 37 years experience

While : While your symptoms are probably due to your body's attempt to reestablish its normal hormonal balance, there could be other causes. If you've had unp... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A member asked:

Last month, i had 2 periods, just 18 days apart. now it is 6 days late. pregnancy test shows negative. should i be concerned? i have taken 2 pregnancy tests, both negative. my husband and i have been trying to conceive. i am not sure if my abnormal p

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Many : Many women have irregular menstrual cycles throughout their reproductive years, and this is their "normal" pattern. I sense this is not the case with ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A female asked:

Am i protected against pregnancy still? i missed one of my first birthcontrol pills for the month, and didn't take it, and continued with my other pills after that, the birthcontrol is ortho tri cyclen lo, and it was one of the first white pills.

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Any : Any time you miss a birth control pill, your risk of pregnancy is increased. The usual instructions when you miss an active pill are to take both the ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

Please please help me im not even joking when i say this .! please youu know the two lil things that are right by the hole of the vagina well one of them is really stretched out . it looks weird im a virgin and i really want to loose it but im scared tha

Family Medicine 37 years experience

It : It isn't clear from your description if you have redundant labia minora (an enlarged "inner lip") or if one of your bartholin's glands is blocked and ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

What is wrong? last month i took a plan b pill, i got my period, really light by the way. now 'm late by a few days this month. i've had mild cramping all over my abdomen. but i also drank last saturday, threw up bile and worked out the next day, after th

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Since : Since you posted your question nearly a week ago, this issue may have already been resolved. If you take Plan B within 72 hours of having unprotected ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

6 thanks

A member asked:

I have trouble sleeping, my weight is on and off all the time, i'm mad then sad always anxious, nervous.. is this stress? i can't sleep sometimes, always nervous, anxious, breaking out cause i'm nervous, minds constantly racing, i have mood swings one min

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Your : Your symptoms could certainly be due to stress, but certain psychological disorders, such as agitated depression or generalized anxiety disorder, are ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

I took a urine test and the doctor called back and said i have sugar in my urine, what does this mean. i am a 26 year old male who has common variable immuno deficiency and i may have propheryia or an auto immune disease, does sugar in the urine indictae

Family Medicine 37 years experience

There : There are a number of potential causes for glycosuria, or "sugar in the urine." diabetes is among the most common causes of glycosuria, but urine test... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Richard Mallia agrees1 doctor agrees

A female asked:

Could this be hemrrhoid problems? i have fresh blood in my stool most of the time when i go. the stool does not have to be large for this to happen. i have pain around my anus and pain when passing stool. i am also female if this helps. this will happen f

Family Medicine 37 years experience

This : This certainly sounds like hemorrhoids, or possibly an anal fissure (a split in the skin surrounding your anus). Hemorrhoid creams, applied both inter... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 38-year-old female asked:

On 8/30 + 9/20 i had 80mg kenalog epidural injections. lmp 8/16. on 9/16 i started spotting continuously on 10/14 at routine gyn visit i had a cervical polyp removed (path showed it was endometrial tissue) i started progesterone 10 mg x 14 days. still no

Family Medicine 37 years experience

It's : It's unlikely the epidural injections contributed to your spotting. The fact that your gynecologist prescribed Provera (medroxyprogesterone) (progeste... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Richard Mallia agrees1 doctor agrees

A 49-year-old male asked:

Can a pain pill be taken while still on suboxone? i am on suboxone but i am in a lot of pain. will it hurt me to take a pain pill while i am still taking the suboxone.

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry you're in pain. Your doctor prescribed Suboxone for a reason (this medication is usually prescribed for people with opioid dependence) so ad... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 49-year-old female asked:

How does a counselor know how to treat a teenager without talking to the mother? is it common for a counselor not to discuss anything with the parents when a 14 year old is in counseling? the 14 has not seen her father since she was 2 years old. the court

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry your family is confronted by these difficult problems. As you know, each of you sees things from a unique perspective. It's quite possible y... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What could be causing my urination problems? over the past 3 days i've been getting frequent very strong urges to urinate. sometimes it burns a little bit. the last 2 nights i wet the bed in my sleep and today i wet my pants on my way home from work. i'm

Family Medicine 37 years experience

The : The first thing that must be ruled out is a urinary tract infection. Infections irritate the bladder wall and trigger urinary urgency and frequency. Y... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Should i go to the er? had my mirena put in after i had my daughter almost 2 years ago. since i have had it my periods have stopped. tonight shortly before dinner i went to the bathroom and passed a clot as long as a pen, it was white with blood on the en

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Since : Since you posted your question a week ago, you have probably dealt with this problem by now. My main concern here is that you've either lost your mi... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Thomas Namey agrees1 doctor agrees

A female asked:

Would a chemical peel help my rosacea? i am fair-skinned and i have severe rosacea. i am very unhappy with the way my face looks, especially the redness and the pimples. can a chemical peel be used to achieve a better facial skin look for people with rosa

Family Medicine 37 years experience

The : The international rosacea foundation (and most other experts) strongly recommend against chemical peels in rosacea patients. The reasoning for this re... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Marius Frasie agrees1 doctor agrees

A male asked:

A friend of mine is wanting to give oral sex but has chlamydia. can i catch be infected if she dose that to me? .

Family Medicine 37 years experience

If : If your friend has performed oral sex on other men who had chlamydia (and she very well could have, since she is apparently infected with chlamydia) s... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Erik Suh agrees1 doctor agrees

A 21-year-old male asked:

If someone was raped as a child, would it be likely to have hiv 18 years later without any symptoms and living a normal life? the raped occurred 18 years ago. the person lives a perfect normal life. average weight and no symptoms or sickness during those

Family Medicine 37 years experience

According : According to a 2010 review in "the journal of the american medical association, " fewer than one-half of one percent of untreated hiv-infected individ... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Geraldine Kempler agrees1 doctor agrees

A male asked:

Is there a treatment available that will completely remove chickenpox scars? the chickenpox scars on my face and neck really bother me, and i'm tired of trying to hide them with makeup. i'd like to have them removed, but i'm afraid that i'll choose the wr

Family Medicine 37 years experience

There : There are several ways to deal with chickenpox scars; the methods used mirror the techniques employed to remove acne scars. Depending on the number, ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A female asked:

Question about marks on my finger? i have these marks on my finger they were little bumps & they popped & turned into these red blister looking things..they don't itch they just hurt really bad..i have been to the doctor & the doctor does not know what th

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Unfortunately, : Unfortunately, the photos you furnished don't offer much additional information. One possible cause for your symptoms is herpetic whitlow, which is an... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Wint agrees1 doctor agrees

A male asked:

What is malignant neoplasm of colon and what causes it? what is the treatment for this?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

"Malignant : "malignant neoplasm of colon" is just another way of saying "colon cancer." there are any number of risk factors that increase a person's chances for ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 21-year-old female asked:

Why am i producing milk? i was breastfeeding my son til i had surgery and one of the drs used the wrong type of drug on me and my milk dryed in two weeks. i had my surgery on august 25th 2011. here it is november and i noticed my breasts have milk in them

Family Medicine 37 years experience

While : While recent events in your life may have contributed to your nipple discharge, this condition can be triggered by something as simple as regularly we... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Antidepressant suicidal thoughts are there any risks when you increase an antidepressant dose? i need a stronger dose but i'm 18 and am always told there are risks of increased suicidal thoughts when trying new medications since i'm under 24. could that h

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Antidepressant-associated : Antidepressant-associated suicidal ideation appears to be influenced by a variety of factors, including age, sociodemographic background, and the spec... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 48-year-old female asked:

I am a 42 year old female, bmi of 20 - not overweight, with fairly low cholesterol. i have been having pain on the left side of my chest for several days. i had a normal ekg a month ago. my doctor says it's muscular, but i can't seem to get relief from st

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing chest pain. It sounds like your main concern is heart disease, which was essentially ruled out two years ago with... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What would a doctor do if a girl age 19 came in after a rape? she has never been to a doctor before besides from when she was born. what are the procedures? what dp they procedures intale? how long? what if she is pregnant or damaged?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Since you posted your question a week ago, i hope you've addressed this issue by now. The best time to perform... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Pamela Pappas and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 59-year-old male asked:

All my glands hurt--in my neck , under my arms and in my groin..they have been hurting for 1 year..and are slightly enlarged.. all my blood work is normal i am 60 yr old male .they hurt all day long, everyday, very painful

Family Medicine 37 years experience

When : When the lymph nodes in more than one body region are swollen and tender (a condition called generalized lymphadenopathy), this frequently indicates t... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

I have three compression fractures in my back and now havin neck and shoulder pain running down my arm what causes this? none

Family Medicine 37 years experience

If : If you have compression fractures, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease in your back, it's likely the same processes are occurring in your neck. W... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Wint and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A member asked:

I have acute sinusitis, the dr prescribed augmentin and i took 5 pills, i am allergic to it how long will it remain in my system i am severely sick, dizzy vomiting, lethargic, nausea. i just want to know how long until i may start feeling better. i quit t

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry you don't feel well. Your symptoms are not uncommon for someone who's been taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic. These medications not only er... Read More

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A 49-year-old male asked:

My 19 year old has chest pain. the pain started in last august. he end up in emergency room. they told us they found nothing wrong with heart. he saw a cardiologist after that in august and december. the cardiologist did ekg and stress test. he told us my

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry your son is having so much trouble with this chest pain. Since he was diagnosed with a "valve problem, " and beta blockers were recommended ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What can cause sjogren like symptoms? what are possible causes for dry mouth and dry eyes in a patient? standard rheumatological assessment (blood work) was negative for sjogrens. can plastic or it's derivatives cause immune system dysfunction? how does

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Sicca : Sicca symptoms (dry mouth and eyes) are frequently caused by medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, certain blood pressure drugs, anti-... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 38-year-old female asked:

Medication for yeast ordor under stomach i'm morbid obese i have dibetec and a real bad smell coming from up under my stomach that the dr. say it yeast and i want someone to tell me how to get rid of the smell.

Family Medicine 37 years experience

You : You have a condition called intertrigo, which is caused by yeast (usually candida albicans) infecting your skin. These organisms thrive in moist, warm... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Paul Harper agrees1 doctor agrees

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A male asked:

When do i need to start birth control when my periods are very irregular? my periods have always been irregular, i recently had a child in january of 2012 and started taking birth control feb. 14th 2012, i don't know when my period will come, and i starte

Family Medicine 37 years experience

As : As you probably know, there are a couple of ways to start birth control pills. If you start taking them during the first five days of your menstrual c... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Falvo agrees1 doctor agrees

A 22-year-old female asked:

I have three small bumps on my vagina where the two libs meet and it hurts to wipe when i pee because it hurts as well. i don't know what to do about this type of pain i have never had it before.

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry you don't feel well. There are several conditions that could explain your symptoms. If you're sexually active, you may have a sexually trans... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Is there anything i can do to help my daughter poop? my daughter hasnt pooped in over 24 hours. her history is that she was born prematurely with her intestines twisted and they had to fix it. i take iron pills and hydrocodone right now cause of my teeth

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Given : Given your daughter's history, i can understand your concerns about her bowel function. However, it really isn't necessary for any person -- especiall... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Why does my teenage daughter keep getting kidney stones? she's just gone to the hospital for her third kidney stone. is this a sign of something more serious?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Kidney : Kidney stones occur when microscopic mineral deposits crystallize in your urine and gradually grow until they become large enough to move, which cause... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Francisco R. Rodriguez agrees1 doctor agrees

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A member asked:

Should i be worried about the pain in my lower leg? i was playing soccer, and i was kicked on the outside of my lower leg. a little lower than midway. where all the muscle is next to the shin bone. it hurt to walk on after it happened but went away as my

Family Medicine 37 years experience

It's : It's possible you've fractured your fibula, which is the thin bone on the outside of your lower leg. If you haven't seen your doctor about this proble... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Timothy Perozek agrees1 doctor agrees

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A female asked:

I've had transverse myelitis for 3 years pos ana 3 years ago now new labs ana ifa 160 evelevated crp anti dna neg red painful swollen joints in hands and feet

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry you don't feel well. As you probably know, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are produced in a number of autoimmune diseases, including lupus (ab... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gary Sterba agrees1 doctor agrees

A male asked:

Is it very likely that i have hiv? should i be concerned? i am concerned that i might have hiv. i have had three sex partners, and had sexual relations (not intercourse) a week before i started feeling things. right now i have a sore throat, fatigue, n

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I : I can understand your concerns. Although your symptoms are more than likely due to a "run-of-the-mill" viral syndrome, HIV infection sometimes causes ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 48-year-old male asked:

I put a gfaskmask on from 13 years a go with someone who had shingles do i get it what do i do?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Shingles : Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you get chickenpox -- usually as a child -- your immune system suppresses the virus... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

I am only able to sleep 3-4 hours before needing to wake up to make a number one? need advice on this. i am only able to sleep 3-4 hours before needing to wake up to make a number one? need advice on this.

Family Medicine 37 years experience

You : You didn't mention your age or gender, which are vital pieces of information. If you're a male over the age of 45, you could be suffering from benign ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 48-year-old female asked:

I have a couple of cyst in my breast with a little leakage from the nipple, generally when i'm working is when i notice it. eight years ago i had a cyst that was drained and then grew, the doctor again tried to drain it but couldn't get anything to come o

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Given : Given your past history, i can certainly understand your worries about simply draining these recurrent cysts. However, i suspect your doctor also has ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old male asked:

How to cure bad breath? hi, i'm 19yo male and i suffer from unbearable life changing twenty four hour bad breath. its really effected my life in a negative way. i've always been a really clean person. i brush 6 times a day minimum and i always brush after

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with bad breath. Halitosis (bad breath) can be caused by a number of conditions, but it usually arises from de... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 32-year-old female asked:

Test was negative for yeast infection, heavy like cottage cheese dr, has no answer have this since novemeber, can this be from diet?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Most : Most yeast infections cause a great deal of vaginal itching in addition to the heavy, cottage cheese-like discharge. If you're not having any symptoms... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

How to fix a collapsed lung in the middle of nowhere? if in a town there is only one doctor and he does not have the fancy equipment how and what can he use to save the person with the collapsed lung?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

There : There are several different forms of pneumothorax or "collapsed lung." many pneumothoraces are small enough that they can simply be observed with ser... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Pamela Pappas agrees1 doctor agrees

A 53-year-old female asked:

Does a family history of cancer affect my recovery from basal cell carcinoma? i just found out today that i have a basal cell carcinoma on my lower leg. the doctor is referring me to a plastic surgeon to get it treated. i have a huge history of cancer in

Family Medicine 37 years experience

The : The primary risk factor for basal cell carcinoma is sun exposure. Advancing age, male gender, and fair skin are additional risk factors, as is exposur... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Why can't i loose weight after i had my first son it is imposible to loose weight i had try everything diets pill exercise i eat healthy and i gain weight instead of loosing i talk to my dr. and they always saythesameeat healthy could their be something

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Losing : Losing weight can be a frustrating process, and you're certainly not alone in this respect. A number of factors influence a person's tendency to lose ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old female asked:

I ate a lot of bright pink frosting on thursday night and had a red bowel movement on fri and sat. sunday it was back to normal. should i still call my doctor on mon.?

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Since : Since you posted this question a week ago, you've undoubtedly discovered that no medical care was warranted in this situation. Foods are a common sour... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

When my cast is off can i give basketball 100 percent or will i want to take it easy due to a possible re-break or what. i am 20 years male recently broke my pinky finger at a 70 degree angle from the middle joint up to my knucle. i done so playing basket

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Once : Once your cast is removed, you may find that your hand is a bit weak and stiff. Some rehabilitation will probably be required, and you might even need... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

My mother has had extreme hip/leg pain for almost a year now, to the point where she can hardly walk, what could cause this? my mother has had extreme hip/leg pain for almost a year now, to the point where she can hardly walk and is now using a cane. it

Family Medicine 37 years experience

I'm : I'm sorry your mother isn't doing well. In piecing her history together from the information you provided, there's at least one salient point that see... Read More

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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Richard Mallia agrees1 doctor agrees

A female asked:

I'm over 70, and i'm seriously considering a hair transplant to cover my bald spot, but am i too old? does age play a part in whether a hair transplant is successful? is there a certain age group that make the best candidates or does it work well at any a

Family Medicine 37 years experience

Age : Age is generally not a limiting factor in the success of a hair transplant. If you have healthy hair on the sides and/or back of your scalp, you're a ... Read More

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5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago