Dr. Christopher Smith

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Gyn issue: Have you done a pregnancy test ?---unlikely to be pregnant. However with the pain and vaginal discharge higher likelihood of a pelvic infection----It ... Read More

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3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Parul Krishnamurthy agrees1 doctor agrees

A 40-year-old male asked:

Should women take dha capsule during pregnancy? if so, when to start? what's the best ratio of dha:epa? and what's doses recommended for pregnancy?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

DHA in pregnancy: Research indicates that the two most beneficial Omega-3s are EPA and DHA Although EPA and DHA naturally occur together and work together in the body,... Read More

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3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Frank Kuitems agrees1 doctor agrees

A 29-year-old female asked:

Vaginal bleeding dark brown with an odor, second period for the month. under a lot of stress?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Irreg period: dark brown vaginal bleeding---especially if you are having abdominal cramping ---can be a sign of pelvic infection------if you not on any birth contr... Read More

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3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 18-year-old female asked:

I have mymenstruation but my tummy looks bigger and ive never been sex just french kissing only . please help thank you?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Bloating: During the menstural cycle there is a major fluctuation of the hormones ,namely estrogen and progesterone and this causes fluid retention,swelling , ... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 30-year-old male asked:

The past week have noticed that i am using the loo more frequently,bowel movement almost every two hours, small amounts of stool being passed?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Loose stools: could be a change in your diet , or a viral enteritis, or bacterial enteritis----due to the fact that you live in Africa it could easily be a parasiti... Read More

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3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old female asked:

What is considered a heavy period?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Menorrhagia: 1.hormone imbalance--estrogen/progesterone-imbalance:endometrium developes in excess--heavy period 2.Dysfunction of ovariesif ovary does not release a... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

When i move my stuffed ear i hear a sawing sound in my ear when i move a certain movement?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Ear: most likely---middle ear effusion----fluids behind your ear drum----another cause can be --eustachian tube dysfunction----both usually related to a vi... Read More

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3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A female asked:

I have been sick with pneumonia for a month now and am on my third round of antibiotics. i have terrible hip and muscle pain (arms and hips). ideas?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Joint pain: Are you on or currently taking a quinolone antibiotic like cipro (ciprofloxacin) or levaquin . lfof so it my be a side effect of the antibiotic . IT c... Read More

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3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

I have a warm sensation in my lift leg please give me an explanation am i dying

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Leg symptom: if you have no swelling, or pain---then it is just a pinched nerve----usually from the lower back----would need more information to give you a better ... Read More

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3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

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A 27-year-old female asked:

Got sick 6 days ago. pressure/squeezing sensation in head and ears. heart beat in left ear. after dinner, heart rate 110-115. related? normal?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Pressure-head,ears: If you had an upper respiratory infection 6 days ago--this could just be residual sinus an eustachian tube dysfunction---verses a sinus infection----h... Read More

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3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. John Munshower agrees1 doctor agrees

A 19-year-old female asked:

I feel like i'm having contractions that are terrible in my back and my pelvis, i took a pregnancy test yesterday and it said negative . i have this p?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Abdominal pain: long list of differential diagnosis; would need more information Are you having any changes in your bowels ie: constipation,diarrhea? are you havin... Read More

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3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Hirenkumar Italia agrees1 doctor agrees

A male asked:

I have a boil that has turned black, what does this mean and should i worry about it?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Boil: do not squeeze it---follow up with your private doctor or Urgent Care for evaluation and proper antibiotics and treatment

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3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. John Munshower and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 40-year-old female asked:

Several days of constipation, taken laxatives to help. have pain located near my belly button radiating to right flank that seems to be getting worse?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Belly pain: if the symptoms are getting worst you need to go to the ER for evaluation to have lab work and x-rays done . It may be more than constipation. Bell... Read More

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3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 18-year-old female asked:

Is it normal to have sore breasts/nipples after getting the nexplanon birth control implant? (i'm also taking bc pills to help with spotting)

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Soreness: Yes it is a hormone based product. It usually goes away shortly

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2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 34-year-old female asked:

I have gas a ton, and i'm not having a hard time breathing or anything just a little small pain right where my heart is. and the feeling of gas.

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Gas pain: It is probably gas/stool moving along the large colon--especially on the left side is the Splenic flexture --which when you get gas/stool and spastici... Read More

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3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Aleks Radovic agrees1 doctor agrees

A 28-year-old female asked:

Everyday i wake up with a sore neck and back and when i do my neck excersies i hear crunchy sounds in my neck what can cause this???

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Neck pain: try doing pull ups-----this exercise uses the muscles most likely to cause the neck pain-----neck pain is usually related to poor upper body posture--... Read More

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3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Gabor agrees1 doctor agrees

A 22-year-old female asked:

Why would gatorade help a headache when maxalt (rizatriptan) and water wouldn't?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Do not know: unless your Headache are triggered by a low blood sugar. In which case the gator aide has plenty of glucose.. Do you wake up with the Headaches? fee... Read More

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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Dennis Higginbotham agrees1 doctor agrees

A 19-year-old female asked:

Is foot bruising related to chiari malformation, they have been tingling and now look bruised ?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Bruising of the feet: Chiari Malformation is a congenital malformation with defects in the cerebelium--the part of the brain that controls balance and cooordination; sympto... Read More

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3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 22-year-old female asked:

Why would my hcg levels be at 13 4 weeks after a miscarriage when my level then was 18.2 on the day i miscarried i was only 4 weeks then.

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Miscarried: An hCG level 25mIU/ml is considered positive Most women can expect their level to return to non-pregnancy level in 4-6 weeks and this time frame d... Read More

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3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

I'm 39 weeks pregnant as of today but yesterday i lost my mucus plug and i have not stopped leaking clear watery stuff i haven't felt a gush ?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

39wk: Sounds like you are about ready to dreliever If you are leaking ambeoic fluid you should let your OB doctor know. There is an increased risk of infec... Read More

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3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Natalie Hodge agrees1 doctor agrees

A 27-year-old female asked:

Virgin before marriage, having sex since 1.5yrs and not pregnant yet. not on any contraceptive pills since i became active in sex. should i be worrie?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Not preg: Yes-you should have a work up by GYN doctor

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3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

I've been feeling nauseous for days. it won't go away. no vomiting. loss of appetite. things taste differently. what can it be?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Nauseated: need to have a better medical history about you to give an answer---it could be a food issue,or a medical issue or infection issue----without more his... Read More

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3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Dec.6th my iud fell out.went to e.r.,im fine. had sex night before. having cramps,sensitive to smell,peeing a lot and lots of discharge.am i pregnant?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Discharge vag: Can not tell if you are pregnant with out a pregnancy test. Have you missed your period? If you are having unprotected sex, you could get pregnant. ... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 53-year-old female asked:

I have left side neck pain under my jaw. the pain feels like cramping, a dull ache. i get red flushing and pain sometimes in my shoulder.

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Pain/jaw: In your age group. Especially if there is a heart history in your family. Make sure this is not atypical chest pain. Other wise it could be dental or... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

Honestly i just don't understand.. like it hurts right over my left eyebrow and between my eyebrows but it even hurts to touch like there.

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Unknown pain: if it is a sharp/burning type pain ---with out a history of any trauma---it could be the early signs of herpes zoster--shingles-----unless its symptom... Read More

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3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Dariush Saghafi agrees1 doctor agrees

1 comment

A 18-year-old male asked:

Sometimes when i sleep, i cant wakeup .i was totally aware of my surroundings , i could hear sounds , i mean i was awake but i could not move..why?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Sleep: sleep occurs in stages 1-4; stage1-light sleep stage2 ,then stage 3--known as Delta wave sleep then stage 4: which is know as REM sleep-rapid eye mo... Read More

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3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 21-year-old male asked:

What is the best cream/gel/ointment/herbal product for getting rid of acne marks?thank you

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Herbal acne treatmen: megderma---helps with the scarring but deep scarring has to have skin abrasion therapy... To heal the skinrequires good nutrition: 1 grm /kg protein... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 19-year-old female asked:

I have a terrible what seems like a rash under my armpits. it's extremely red, burning, itchy and irritated. they have been leaking a clear fluid.

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Allergic reaction: typically it is an allergic reaction to your underarm deodorant.

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

5 thanks

A 37-year-old female asked:

Ferritin 7, hb 11.5, 56kg female w/heavy menses, trying to correct ida and conceive. how many mg iv iron will cause iron overload? thanks!

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Need consult with sp: your period must be really heavy for a hgb to be 7. You need a full GYN work up to see if this is hormonally related Dysfxn UTX or other cause such a... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 35-year-old male asked:

Hi, for the past 3 days i've been experiencing a short, buzzing feeling just left of my left nipple, it is very sporadic. i feel fine otherwise. ty!

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Muscle twitch: Muscle twitching is called Fasciculations . Fasciculations are the result of minor local muscle contractions or the uncontrollable twitching of a sing... Read More

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3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Julie Abbott agrees1 doctor agrees

3 thanks

A 18-year-old female asked:

Brown discharge. experiencing pain in my vagina. it itches very bad and it have a very bad smell. my panty sometimes get wet and have a dirty brownish?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Vag discharge: It sounds like you have a vaginal infection; it is important that you get into your gyn doctor as soon as possible.

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3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

4 thanks

A 25-year-old female asked:

Can eating sugary foods and eating bread makes yeast fungal a lot worser?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Eating sugar: The exact link between a sugar filled diet and yeast infection is unclear, but one theory is that elevated glucose levels in the blood make it easier ... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 16-year-old female asked:

Random red spots on body, look like bruises when heal and look like small petichiae around it. very itchy and look pale when scratched, usually in 2's?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Red spots: Need more information and description size ,number,tenderness any new medications, are you on asprin, or any anti coagulate medications, any recent... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 33-year-old female asked:

Hi me an my husband are trying for a baby should i start talking videmens to help ?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Vitamin: Vitamins and extra folic acid are helpful. But otit ois also very helpful to check with your Doctor to make sure your general health is OK for a pre... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 24-year-old female asked:

Hello, i'm 27-28 days late for my period and 7 tests not pregnant had brown discharge 16-17 then nothing, have sore breasts, fatigue , cramping, help?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Missed period: physical or emotional changes in your life can affect your periods; recent stopping of BCP Too much stress,Diet change,athletic training,anxiety ,hor... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

3 thanks

A 27-year-old female asked:

What happens f my baby wont still be visible at my 7thwek?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

It depends: if you have a positive pregnancy test: they need to check for a Quanitative HCG-- it should double each week----if it does: check for ectopic pregnanc... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 43-year-old male asked:

My wife is diabetic, and she keeps getting this bumps on her butt that become abscessed, gets treated with antibiotics, test once for mercer, help?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Freq boils: . Diabetics are more prone to infections; secondary to poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies, diabetic neuropathy. A boil can develope anywhere ... Read More

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3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Roy Arnold agrees1 doctor agrees

A 23-year-old female asked:

Do people take test to know that they have bipolar disorder? i sometimes feel happy or depressed with unknown reason. also think too much can't sleep

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Bipolar?: there are online Bipolar screening quizzes you can take to see if you meet the criteria for Bipolar disease. You can discuss it with your private doc... Read More

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3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Off on today feels like warm liquid running on side of left arm near elbow ?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Elbow sensation: pinched nerve---in cervical spine or in the arm---need to have more information---follow up with your doctor for further eval or referral

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3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Frank Amico Jr agrees1 doctor agrees

A 17-year-old male asked:

What is the best way to help heal laryngitis?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Laryngitis: In your age group the most common cause of laryngitis is caused from an upper respiratory viral infection---usually associated with a barky cough --no... Read More

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3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Arnoult and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

5 thanks

A male asked:

Deep laceration under big toe and next to big toe,. its more than 12 hours now...should be stiched?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Laceration: It will heal faster--and have less chance of infection if you had the laceration repaired

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3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Brandon Macy agrees1 doctor agrees

A 21-year-old male asked:

Could a cracked root canal tooth cause swollen lymph nodes? had root canal 5 years ago, pain when chewing.

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Yes: yes,periodontal disease,gingivitis,and dental abscess can cause adenopthy

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3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Louis Gallia and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A female asked:

6dp fet two different tests one day after another faint positives could i be pregnant only estrogen patches and 2 forms of progesterone no triggers)?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Anything is possible: but if you are on BCP-or patches then it is less likely. How ever cerntain medications can cause a false pos urine test. HCG injections for weigh... Read More

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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Juchau agrees1 doctor agrees

A 18-year-old female asked:

Spotting a week after plan b. am i pregnant?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Preg: anything is possible. But more likely from the added hormones from the Plan B pill

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 26-year-old female asked:

I feel like i have some psychological deficit. i was the high achiever type and became sick 3 months ago, and am not getting better. the dr is referring me to psychiatry...

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Type A personality: characteristics: Time urgency and impatience-always in a race easily frustrated 2. Free-Floating Hostility or Aggressiveness--impatience,being easily ... Read More

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3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Can a score of 101 on a calcium scan mean a big blockage ?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Calcium score: 10 or less----minimal calcification: low risk 11-99 -------minimal--moderate calcification higher risk 100-399----increased calcification-- higher r... Read More

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3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 40-year-old female asked:

I am on vacation and i woke up during the night with a swollen lip. i took an antihistaminic and it got better. now i woke up and its swollen again!

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Swollen lip: are you on an ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control---if you are you need to check with your doctor soon Have you changed your lip stick or lip gl... Read More

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3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Can blue tansy oil 5% dilution rate make one feel dizzy, nauseous, lightheaded and all round weird?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Tansy oil: tansy is a plant used for multiple topical symptoms as an herbal preparation. tansy is unsafe to take by mouth. it contains a poisonous chemical cal... Read More

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3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Cynthia Archer agrees1 doctor agrees

1 comment

A 28-year-old male asked:

Is sleeping more deeply an indication that an infection might have resolved since i wasn't sleeping as well when i knew i still had the infection?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Yes: your body needs more rest during infections

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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

A 32-year-old male asked:

I have 2 perforated eardrums and got water in both from swimming should i use some of my left over eardrops it feels as if water is in there still?

Family Medicine 43 years experience

Lake/pool/ocean?: if you are swimming in a lake or ocean with perforated TM watch for infections.. if it is just water in canal --use a couple of drops of rubbing alcoh... Read More

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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler agrees1 doctor agrees