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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.
Internal Medicine
Doctor Q&A
43 Answers
5 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Possibly: It is possible that the onset of this combination of symptoms was related to a food intolerance. If this was an isolated episode and you are not exper... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Yes: Small hemorrhoid as described can shrink and disappear over time if not irritated by pressure. Witch hazel can sometimes help with irritation. Also im... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Reassuring tests: You have had reassuringly normal tests to evaluate for any significant underlying coronary artery and structural heart disease. You have not mentioned... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
ENT referral: If you are experiencing constant unilateral ear symptoms, it is best to see an ear/nose/throat (ENT) doctor for further evaluation. You should have a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Dermatitis/infection: New onset of a red raised area of skin can generally be caused by an irritant, allergy or infection. An irritant (like poison ivy or chemical) can cau... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
No evidence: Interesting idea....but there is no reputable medical evidence that such growth can occur by tactile stimulation. There is no physiologic reason why m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Lifestyle changes: Although your diastolic (lower) blood pressure is slightly elevated, you do not necessarily need to start meds now. First try lifestyle changes like ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely muscular pain: Inflammation and irritation of the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder can cause discomfort in this described region. Pain can occur from a minor inj... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 85-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Discuss with MD: It is unlikely that your nausea is related to Synthroid (thyroxine), (thyroxine) especially if this is a medication that you have taken regularly. Syn... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Need more info: Need to clarify your ? to answer in a helpful way: If asking if a patient with borderline kidney problems can benefit from medications & avoid dia... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely GERD: Burning pain after eating is most consistent with GERD/indigestion. It can be triggered by a number of different causes like acidic foods, eating late... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Fluid retention: With progressive renal dysfunction, kidneys lose the ability to regulate salt and water balance. This can cause fluid retention & present as swell... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Unlikely: The most important consideration for you is whether your current bowel habits represent a change from your normal routine. This would potentially make... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Variety of calories: Eat enough calories (i.e. Avoid fad/crash diets) with variety of food choices, esp protein (chicken, fish, nuts, beans, eggs, meat), trace minerals li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 72-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Regular monitoring: Barrett's esophagus is considered a pre-malignant condition for which regular surveillance with upper endoscopy should be performed. Make sure to disc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar can cause symptoms like tremors/shakiness, anxiety, sweating, hunger and tingling. Symptoms usually improve rapidly after eating or dr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely GERD: Burning pain after eating is most consistent with GERD/indigestion. It can be triggered by a number of different causes like acidic foods, eating late... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Maybe but see MD: If shortness of breath is related to anxiety, deep breathing, gentle aerobic exercise, meditation and yoga may be helpful in controlling your symptoms... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Avoid irritants: Symptoms of burning pain and nausea are most consistent with indigestion/GERD. Although certain foods are most likely to blame (acidic like tomatoes, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
No: It is not unusual to have an occasional transient change in the color or consistency of stool. This can occur when consuming different foods, but can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Unlikely: Intermittent mild abdominal discomfort in the absence of other symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, or blood in stool is unlikely to be worrisome. O... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 74-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Infected wart/wound: Symptoms of skin infection include redness, warmth, swelling, pain and sometimes drainage of clear fluid or pus. Seek prompt medical attention for suc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely food related: Although your frequent bowel movements may be an alarming change from your normal routine, this is unlikely to be a significant concern. It is from li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Check liver tests: You should see a physician for a general exam and blood work to specifically evaluate your liver function tests. These will measure your bilirubin lev... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Unlikely worrisome: Constipation and passage of hard formed stool can sometimes cause enough irritation and discomfort within the rectum to cause small amounts of bleedi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely contributed: If you are still taking Eliquis, it is likely that its effect as an anticoagulant contributed to your recent bleeding. But you may have been at an inc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
No: If your symptoms only occur after eating this type of food, this is unlikely to be of any significant concern. Recommend that you stop eating the hot ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely need medicine: Symptoms of persistent cough and post-nasal drip could be related to asthma, allergies or even indigestion/reflux. Recurrent coughing (esp at night) a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely GERD: Symptoms of indigestion (GERD) can include burning chest discomfort, regurgitation, sore throat, belching, water brash, and sometimes nausea or cough... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Yes: At your young age with no family hx of colon cancer, it would be highly unlikely that your sx represent colon cancer. Bright red blood specks on toile... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Consider urologist: Urinary incontinence can be caused by meds like diuretics/anti-hypertensives, muscle relaxants, antidepressants as well as caffeine & alcohol. If ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Ice, OTC meds: If your hives are related to self-limited and benign causes intermittently (like bug bites), try over-the-counter topical medications that contain ing... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Pregnancy, diet: Post-partum - after childbirth (weeks to months), poor diet (restricting calories, limiting protein), major physical stress (surgery, illness, anesthe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Variety of calories: Eat enough calories (i.e. Avoid fad/crash diets) with variety of food choices, esp protein (chicken, fish, nuts, beans, eggs, meat), trace minerals li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Monitor: An isolated occurrence of such symptoms is not a significant concern. Not unusual to occasionally notice a small amount of mucus or blood associated w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Urinary or bowel: Lower abdominal and kidney (flank/mid back) pain is most likely related to either a urinary tract infection (esp if associated burning with urination,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate): Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) can cause a change in the color of stool and turn it black. As long as you are not otherwise noticing any signifi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Unlikely a problem: Taking an extra dose of an anti-hypertension medication can potentially cause a decrease in your blood pressure, but because Norvasc (amlodipine) is a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
May be hypoglycemia: The symptoms you describe can occur from low blood sugar. You are at increased risk for this problem if you are not eating enough calories/protein or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Tincture of time: What a frustrating & uncomfortable problem! Unfortunately, there are not really any specific supplements or meds that can speed healing of a bruis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Likely muscle/joint: If there is no swelling of the vein or associated redness, this is unlikely to be a vascular source of discomfort. The area between your thumb & f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Cut back and see: Muscle cramps can occur from dehydration. Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine-containing drinks like coffee and tea can make you more dehydrated by... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Donna Childressanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Could be mono: The combination of leukopenia (low white blood cell count) and monocytosis (high monocytes count) is suggestive of a viral infection (Epstein Barr) ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.1k viewsAnswered >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.
25
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you! After your list of possible issues, I think I've got it narrowed down to one or two very likely causes. Very helpful.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! thats interesting to know about caffeine causing muscle twitching, didnt know it did that, might have to cut back a little
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank U. Dealing with documented CHF and LVH) but having reoccuring symptoms.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, NC
Graduated 2000MD
Residency
CAROLINAS HOSPITAL SYSTEM
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