Dr. Stephen Sisselman

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Mild WBC elevation: Your white blood cell count is mildly elevated and is most likely not significant. Some causes of elevated white blood cell count are infection and in... Read More

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A 34-year-old male asked:

Taking levothyraxine will make weight loss more difficult?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

No: If you are taking levothyroxine for under active thyroid - hypothyroidism - then taking it will make it easier to lose weight if u are over weight. ... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 25-year-old female asked:

Pain at left side above my hips. specially when bends down.. rest of the time it's fine?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Abdominal pain: If there are no other symptoms, some causes of left sided abdominal pain could be muscle strain, ovarian cyst, diverticulitis (intestinal infection).,... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 40-year-old female asked:

When cleaning after someone has been ill with enterovirus infection, do we need to disinfect the whole room or just the things they may have touched?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Cleaning: When someone is sick with viral infection, it's a good idea to clean the room totally. That's using a good product like clorox wipes to clean and disi... Read More

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Dr. Albert Melaragno agrees1 doctor agrees

A 20-year-old female asked:

I sliced my finger open on a tin of dog food, the wound is 1cm deep and .5cm long, it bled for over an hour. later i began shaking and passed out,dr?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Yes: It sounds like you have a laceration which should be sutured. And you probably passed out from the sight of blood and excitement - called vaso-vagal s... Read More

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Dr. Nadine Yamusah agrees1 doctor agrees

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A 27-year-old female asked:

Started my birth control on the first day of my period and now had my period 9 days stomach aches chest pain and headaches is this normal?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Birth control: It typically can take up to 3 months to regulate your period on the pill. If it persists contact your doctor.

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A 43-year-old female asked:

Im 43 years old my hair is falling, what's the best treatment?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Need cause 1st: There are many different causes of hair loss in men and women. Some of the more common are stress, hormonal, infection, other diseases like thyroid a... Read More

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A 16-year-old female asked:

I have ankle pain on my right foot since last week. no conditions, no sprains or anything like this... pain when rotating and pressure applied. ?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Unexplained pain: When you have pain somewhere with no obvious explanation - fell, injury, accident - it could be a sign of disease somewhere. Your ankle should be eva... Read More

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Dr. Scott Keith and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

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A 23-year-old male asked:

My diuretic blood pressure medication makes me lose memory, cause weakness and headache, why does this happens?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Diuretics: Diuretics may be causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. You should be monitored by having periodic blood work. See your doctor for a blood pre... Read More

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A 23-year-old female asked:

Been using tropex ear drops for a few days. may i know when should i stop using it? it's seems that the ear wax is still inside as i hear noises.

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Stop and flush: After using an OTC cerumen drop like Debrox the softened wax needs to be removed from the ear canal. This can be done at Home with a bulb syringe or b... Read More

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A 28-year-old female asked:

How to perform a valsalva maneuver for svt? if it didn't work, what other maneuver that i can do safely?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Valsalva: A valsalva maneuver is bearing down as if having a bowel movement, or forceful exhalation against a closed airway as in closing mouth pinching nose sh... Read More

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Dr. Carrie Giordano agrees1 doctor agrees

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A 79-year-old male asked:

Is testosterone reading of 385 considered low?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Timing of test: Hello, Testosterone levels should always be taken 8-9 am as the levels are highest then. If this reading was in the am - its normal but on the low ... Read More

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A 33-year-old male asked:

Severe neck tension not relieved by muscle relaxers causing daily headaches. wake up feeling good then tension starts to build. not sitting at desk. ?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Tension headache: It sounds like you may have tension headache - this is caused typically by tight neck muscles and the pain comes up and wraps around head like a band.... Read More

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Dr. Peter Ihle agrees1 doctor agrees

A 19-year-old female asked:

Are there any medication that's prescribed that can help me lose weight?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Portion control and : exercise. If you consume fewer calories and burn more calories u will lose weight. For a healthy metabolism eat smaller more frequent meals. If still ... Read More

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Dr. Carrie Cannon and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 31-year-old female asked:

I have severe pain in my mid to lower back, it feels like a bruise and hurts constant, also pains down my left thigh what could this be?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Sciatica: This sounds like sciatica. Pain in low back that radiates down your leg is very suggestive of sciatica. Use ice Advil (ibuprofen) and stretching. If n... Read More

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A 22-year-old female asked:

How can i tell if my boyfriend has given me wart since i am having it and he's not having any on his pennis n he d only one i sex with once in my life?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

U can't. : Genital warts are sexually transmitted disease causes by a virus called HPV. If your partner has been exposed to the virus he may transmit the virus t... Read More

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Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

A 30-year-old male asked:

I have read that tests for potassium can be inaccurate. how can i trust the results on my recent test? i was very low before, now normal @ 4.0.

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Lab error: Potassium blood tests are very sensitive to hemolysis. When a tube of blood is drawn for potassium it needs to be handled properly by lab personnel. ... Read More

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A 21-year-old female asked:

How can i know i have heart attack or anxiety? what are the differences?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Panic Attack: Anxiety, or panic attack, can cause chest pain just like a heart attack can. If you are feeling chest pain, its a good idea to seek prompt medical at... Read More

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A 23-year-old female asked:

How long will it take to get zpack completely out of your system? i have had horrible side effects and just want to feel normal again.

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

10 days : Azithromycin (Z-pack) is a macrolide class antibiotic that you take for 5 days and it typically works in your system for 10 days. Shortly after that t... Read More

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A 65-year-old male asked:

Should i be concerned about swollen right elbow. no pain but a pouch that is golf ball sized & filled with fluid? perhaps a result of spider bite?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Olecronon Bursitis: This sounds like olecronon bursitis. It can be caused by trauma infection arthritis or other causes. It is usually benign. A doctor can drain it and s... Read More

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Dr. M. Hytham Beck agrees1 doctor agrees

A 22-year-old female asked:

Can the following be signs of pregnancy : nose bleed, constant urination and pooping, headaches, lower back pain, itchy tummy, always hurngry, sleepy?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Maybe: Those symptoms u mention can be signs of pregnancy or a hundred other things. But a pregnancy test may help u determine if ur pregnant or not.

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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 40-year-old member asked:

What is the vertical cholesterol profile test and what's its best use case?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Particle size: Hello, the main difference between a "regular" cholesterol test and VAP is the VAP gives particle size. It is thought that smaller more dense LDL is ... Read More

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A 64-year-old male asked:

Is peptac and lanzoprazole ok for acid reflux and ibs could these symtoms be from worry?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Yes and yes: The meds u mention are good for acid reflux. They may not help symptoms of ibs. Both reflux and ibs may be made worse by stress. For more info, and a ... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 38-year-old male asked:

Blood glucose 95 fasting in march. however i drink 20oz bottles of regular soda 1x or 2x a day. how long before prediabetes on avg sets in?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Who knows?: A fasting blood glucose of 95 is normal. But if u drink soda with sugar and don't watch what you eat that could change. You take Lipitor (atorvastatin... Read More

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A 26-year-old male asked:

If i have paranoid schizophrenia and i stop taking antipsychotics will i get voices again?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Maybe: It is certainly possible that if u stop taking your medication u may experience symptoms again. Please consult with your psychiatrist regarding medica... Read More

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Dr. Heidi Fowler agrees1 doctor agrees

A 18-year-old female asked:

I'm 24 weeks and my legs fall asleep and ache after i lay on my side, i've tried elevation and doesn't work. should i worry?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Pregnancy: It's possible your uterus is pushing against a nerve causing your symptoms. It's probably a normal sign of pregnancy and being pregnant. If you are co... Read More

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A 29-year-old male asked:

Body breaks out in hives at night. pins and needle pain in feet and palms at night. never had allergic reactions.last thing taken was zpak & diflucan (fluconazole)?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Maybe allergy: Hives could be a sign of allergic reaction or could be due to other allergies or urticaria - the pins and needles could be neurologic in nature or fro... Read More

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A 66-year-old female asked:

I need a nerve specialist please my right hand is on fire and my right arm is getting numb from the elbo on down to my risk?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Neuropathy: You may have symptoms of pinched nerve, a neuropathy. Without proper exam and testing a correct diagnosis can not be made. See your doctor or a neurol... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 18-year-old female asked:

Is it okay that my skin is white after i take my bandaid off? is it okay to put another one on?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Wet skin: The skin under the bandaid is wet and needs to breathe a little. Keep the area uncovered at night and put a bandaid on if protection is needed during ... Read More

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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 21-year-old female asked:

Can buspar (buspirone) and xanax be taken together? if not is it safe to take them at a separate time of the day?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Yes: Both meds are indicated for anxiety. They work in different ways. They can be taken together or separately. Both require a prescription so ask your pr... Read More

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A 45-year-old female asked:

Left sided headaches, 3/12. l side face ear has neural pain. if this is temporal artiritis.. what damage could of happened with time? what else could?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Trigeminal Neuralgia: Temporal arteritis is much more common in people older than you and can be diagnosed by an elevated Sed rate (ESR) and sometimes arterial biopsy. If p... Read More

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A 59-year-old male asked:

Hi doctor,can you please recommend in which way i can take my medication,without side affects in my profile. thankyou?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Medication: I usually tell patients to take their nexium (esomeprazole) with breakfast or dinner and lexapro at night. The fish oil can be also with meals - keep ... Read More

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A 45-year-old female asked:

Will a sinus infection clear on its own without antibiotics. ?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Sinusitis: Yes, the vast majority of upper respiratory infections that we call sinus infections are viral, and will go away without antibiotics. If symptoms last... Read More

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A 57-year-old male asked:

I am on methotrexate for psoriasis.for the last 3 months i have stiffness in my joints on hands and knees.could this be psoriatic psoriasis.thanks?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Yes: Yes, you could be developing psoriatic arthritis. Methotrexate may be helping the symptoms but you should follow up with a rheumatologist to make a co... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 20-year-old male asked:

Best treatment and home remedy for diastolic dysfunction grade 1?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

HTN: Grade 1 Diastolic Dysfunction is a failure of relaxation of left ventricle Usually seen in hypertension (elevated blood pressure). The best treatm... Read More

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Dr. Stanley Berger agrees1 doctor agrees

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A female asked:

Iv got really bad pain in my lower back right side near my bum area.its a constant ache burning pain cant get comfortable in any position.

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Back pain: Besides sciatica, pain in lower back where you can't get comfortable in any position could be a kidney stone. Sciatica pain typically radiates down th... Read More

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A 43-year-old female asked:

I suffer from pnd but i feel its lpr after reading up on it. im trying nexium (esomeprazole) 24 (my choice) today is day #4. should i take h2 blocker also @ night?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

LPR: Sometimes it's hard to tell nasal drip from LPR. NEXIUM (esomeprazole) is a good choice but one must avoid all food triggers to further calm down the ... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 25-year-old female asked:

I have a mild yet noticeable breast asymmetry that started fairly recently. is there any way i can correct this without surgery?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Breast mass: When one breast is appearing different from the other there are many possible causes such as breast cyst, mass, tumor, infection and gynecomastia whic... Read More

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A 22-year-old female asked:

I have had random tingling in my arms and legs. now my feet feel like they are burning. i have anxiety/panic attacks. could this be related?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Hyperventilation: Yes - sometimes during anxiety or panic attacks you breathe faster and may hyperventilate - lowering the carbon dioxide level of the blood too low - t... Read More

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Dr. Thomas Wright and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

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A 26-year-old female asked:

I have widespread livedo reticularis so i'm used to mottled skin, but my new tan from the beach has revealed pale mottling now too. what is this?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Tinea versicolor: Sounds like u could have a topical skin infection caused by a skin fungus. It's not serious. See a dermatologist for evaluation and management. For n... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 34-year-old female asked:

The result of my ss-a/ro antibody, igg, serum is 1.6 and it says high. what could this mean? i have many lupus symptoms.

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Indeterminate: Anti-SSa/Ro autoantibodies are present in about 0.1-0.5 percent of people. There is an association with lupus but also biliary cirrhosis and Sjögren's... Read More

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A 23-year-old male asked:

My heart has over the last three years developed an off rhythm and now feels like it's struggling to keep up. hurts when it beats every time??

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Chest pain: If u have an abnormal heart rhythm and chest pain it's probably a food idea to see a doctor and determine what the causes are. Good luck!

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Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

A 37-year-old female asked:

Positive blood test for hsv2 antibodies, does this mean i have genital herpes? i've never had an outbreak ...i'm confused -

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Herpes: Herpes blood tests can be misleading. 90% of people with antibodies to HSV2 have been exposed to genital herpes and 10% to oro-labial (mouth) herpes.... Read More

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Dr. Martin Raff and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

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A 18-year-old male asked:

After diego eats he gets stinging pains in his stomach he has pain using the bathroom and feels like the food he eats is coming up he had this since t?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Abdominal pain: It sounds like Diego may be suffering from a number of gastrointestinal illnesses including GERD, peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, irritable bowel dis... Read More

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Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

A 28-year-old male asked:

Tested with alere rapid test past 14 weeks & negative results.but have had flu for the last 14 weeks,feeling pain within my body.is my result accurate?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Yes : A rapid flu test is very sensitive to pick up both influenza A and B. If u have had symptoms for 14 weeks it's unlikely to be the flu. Flu symptoms li... Read More

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A 30-year-old female asked:

Woke up this morning with lower back pain either side of spine. painkillers usually work but haven't really hurts now. ?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Back pain: Maybe your back pain this time is worse? Different? Try Advil (ibuprofen) and ice and stretching. If symptoms worsen or change or go unimproved for ... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 16-year-old female asked:

Sprained ankle for two weeks. i haven't tried anything ytet. what can i do?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

RICE: For a sprained ankle - remember RICE: rest, ice, compression (ace bandage) and elevation. So - stay off the ankle if you can for a few days, apply i... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

I have found 2 lumps in my armpit what should i do?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Lymph nodes : The lumps under your armpit are most likely lymph nodes. They could be enlarged due to infection or other causes or you could just be feeling them nat... Read More

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Dr. Moshe Lewis agrees1 doctor agrees

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A 21-year-old male asked:

What are the main benefits of drinking a lot of water?

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Healthy habits: Drinking water is good for your body. Your body needs water to carry out its basic functions. Additionally, it's good for weight loss or preserving a ... Read More

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A 32-year-old female asked:

What are the side effects of lippitor? could there be negative side effects after taking it for many years? my combined colesterol is around 120 while taking 20mg of the drug. i am 70 years old

Internal Medicine 27 years experience

Statins: Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a HMG-Coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. There are 7 such drugs on the market in the US. The 2 most common side effects, affect... Read More

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3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago