Dr. Fred Vandusen
Family Medicine
Seattle, WA
32 years experience male
Locations
Office
Seattle, WA
About
Bio
I have 21 years of experience in family practice and urgent care. I endeavor to listen carefully to understand the root causes of a patient's illness. I treat aggressively when it is called for, but know when to follow conservatively when tha t is the best option
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Family Medicine
Licenses
United States: Washington
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
23 Answers
2 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
See doctor: fluid from the breast could mean infection or hormonal imbalance. If no infection is present a simple blood test can determine if your body is imprope... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Doctor evaluation: this will need either a video consult with good resolution or an in person exam to see and feel it
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
4 weeks: Belsomra is one of the newest medications for insomnia so I have little experience with it. It works in a novel way by blocking orexin, a hormone the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Check magnesium: some times the levels can be affected by PPIs like omeprazole but the only way to know if you need supplements is by checking the magnesium blood leve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Hydration: there are many causes of vertigo but the most common is a drop in blood pressure from dehydration. In addition to drinking more water you might want t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Artery or nerve: Sometimes irritated nerves can cause muscle to twitch or perhaps one of the arteries in your left wrist is closer to the skin. It is nothing to worry ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Yes: if you are getting vaginal itching it could be from dryness secondary to hormonal changes. If you have an associated discharge you may want to make an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
It band tight/lax: If the IT band on the side of your leg is causing the sense of instability, then exercises to stretch it and strengthen the hip can be useful. If pain... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Yes: you may have an inflammatory condition such as iritis which requires steroids or antibiotics. At the very least you should be seen for vision testing
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Probably gastroenteritis: You should be seen to assess for dehydration and more serious conditions such as appendicitis or cholecystitis, especially if you have never had anyth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Pcos: you may have a condition of insulin resistance called poly cystic ovarian syndrome. Schedule an appointment,because it is relatively easily treated wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Watchful waiting: Most likely the glands are reacting to something although you report no obvious infection. If you are only having the swelling with no other symptoms ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Give it six weeks: if you're still having pain from GERD this long after starting a PPI like omeprazole, you will probably need an endoscopy to evaluate your stomach eso... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Yes to the first two: antihistamines like rupatadine are often combined with leukotriene inhibitors such as singular to help control allergies. Clarithromycin , an antibi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Ignore: Zinc is useful to shorten the length of a cold but be aware that longstanding use may diminish smell.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Ganglion cyst?: this mass should be evaluated in an appointment. You did not say how long it has been there, but clearly it is bothersome and may have to be either bi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Doctor evaluation: it is common after air flights to become ill because of the shared close quarters with other passengers and the strain placed on sinuses by changing a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Yes: all of us that work out have a tendency to neglect stretching. Stretches , yoga or meditation should probably take 10 to 15 minutes within the hour at... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
PT: There is an emerging consensus that if OTC pain relievers don't work, physical therapy should be the next step for back pain. Injections, cryotherapy ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Diabetic gastropares: This is a common nerve injury in diabetes in which the movement of food through your digestive system is slowed causing increased fullness and nausea.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
No: So far there is no evidence gabapentin reduces the effectiveness of birth control
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Lifestyle changes: if there were an easy way to lose weight everyone would be doing it. There are calorie recommendations based on your height age and gender that can be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:

Dr. Fred Vandusenanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
Agree with your: thoughts. Time for an appointment to determine if you need your gallbladder out or whether conservative avoidance of fat is enough. Occasionally sever... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
20
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Thank you,of course thinking all kinds of bad things (cancer,NASH,etc.),I may just need to stop junk food/diet soda. I also simply need to lose weight.Will see doc if that doesn't help.Many thanks:)
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you. Elevated the anxiety a little. Thanks.
HealthTap member
Your answer made me feel good! Thanks :)
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Des Moines University osteopathic medicine
Graduated 1991MD
Residency
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
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