Dr. Garrett Norvell
Emergency Medicine
Solvang, CA
14 years experience male
Locations
Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital
Solvang, CA
My office hours
Wednesday: 7:00pm - 7:00am
Show moreInsurances accepted
Blue Shield of California
Medicare
About
Bio
I graduated from UC San Diego and stayed there to do Medical School as well. After completing an internship and residency in Emergency Medicine in North Carolina, I returned to Southern California to practice.
Along with directly managing medical concerns, I try to educate and empower my patients.
Outside of medical practice, I also enjoy writing & recording music, camping, and spending time with my wife and son.
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.
Emergency Medicine
Licenses
United States: California, Ohio
Doctor Q&A
44 Answers
0 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Get it examined: Hi!
Sorry you're not feeling well. As an ER doc, I am concerned about your symptoms. You deserve an examination by a physician (in person) and an ul... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Yes: Hi!
Aldara is considered safe (risks outweighed by benefits for many patients), though not for people w/ autoimmune or immunesuppression. Common side... Read More
999 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
May be dangerous: Hi! Sorry for your injury!
Sudden collapse (not just tripping) can be a sign of many different problems (sometimes dangerous heart rhythm problems, f... Read More
999 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Bartholin gland cyst: Hi,
the diagnosis will depend on exactly what part of the vagina is involved, the appearance of the bump itself, and whether there are any other abnor... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Lymph node? abscess?: Hi!
lumps in the armpit are often inflamed lymph nodes or abscesses. These should be evaluated by a physician, who will also want to know if you've... Read More
997 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Many causes: Hi!
Sorry you're not feeling well. There are many many possible causes for such symptoms. Sometimes discussing personal history/medical problems (li... Read More
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Steroids: HI!
Immediate (within 20 minutes) decontamination (thorough washing) can help prevent it.
Control of symptoms with calamine, oatmeal baths, oral di... Read More
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Unfortunately not: No lab or vital sign measurement (Samsung just measures your heart rate) can diagnose or measure psychological stress by itself. Heart rate varies qu... Read More
999 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
It can be chronic...: Hi!
Sorry you're not feeling well! Costochondritis can actually last for over a year. Stretching and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can be very beneficial (... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Stress test: Hi!
an exercise stress test is the standard test for angina. This is performed by the cardiology department, but a primary care physician can help to... Read More
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Likely muscular: Hi!
Pain in this area is often due to muscle spasms of the back, however, kidney infections are also common causes. Lots of other causes to consider ... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Only with activity?: That's a pretty common place to sweat. Liquid stool from the colon should have at least some color to it.
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Prompt examination: Hi!
Swelling of the eyelids (and/or soft tissue beneath the eyelids) can be an indication of both dangerous and not-so-dangerous conditions. The only... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Local reaction: Hi!
these symptoms can be a sign of LOCAL reaction, quite common even WITHOUT a history of GENERALIZED allergic reactions to bee stings. Any redness/... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Good job!: Hi!
Probably a combination of a strong immune system, good overall nutrition, hygiene and (relative) isolation from sick individuals.
Strong work! ... Read More
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Common, NOT normal: Hi!
Vyvanse is a stimulant that is frequently used to treat ADHD as well as over-eating disorders; however, it can cause unintended weight loss also ... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old member asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Noooo )o:: Hello!
Unfortunately, this medicine is not available any longer in the U.S. (maybe someone else can comment on whether it's still being sold elsewher... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Need to see Ortho: Hi!
sprains may seem minor, but some of them can be severe enough to require orthopedic procedures; also sometimes a small fracture is misdiagnosed as... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Reflux (GERD): Hi!
When we are preparing to eat, our stomach getsready to receive food by increasing acid ("enterogastric reflEx"). This may cause some discomfort. ... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Don't worry, do act: Hi!
I don't think that you need to worry at this point, but I would recommend that you get an ultrasound of your liver and gallbladder; if not alread... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
VT is very bad: Hi!
SVT can be dangerous, but usually not as dangerous as VT. PSVT just means that the patient has bouts ("paroxysms") of SVT.
Hope this helps!
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Many causes: Hi!
Some simple tests can help to narrow down the causes of symptoms like these. We would usually start with a pregnancy test and a urine analysis, a... Read More
999 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
No need to worry: Your concerns are completely understandable. However the amount of bleeding from the hymen is very small, and resolves on its own. Place a towel eit... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
No, I'd replace it: Unfortunately 4 years is probably too long; unless the bottle has an expiration date sometime in the future, I'd get a new one (-:
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Asthma vs. pollution: Hi!
Cough with a specific activity is often related to environmental exposure (like pollution, tobacco smoke, nearby animals, other people's cooking),... Read More
999 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
X-rays: Hi!
Injuries like this can sometimes cause small fractures (broken bones), torn/strained tendons, or torn/sprained ligaments. X-rays are a good first... Read More
997 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 68-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Depends on location: Hi!
the real estate mantra "location, location, location" applies here. Sensory nerves come off of the spinal cord at each level of the spine and giv... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Yes: Hi!
Yes, at 3 months, a woman is far enough along that a pregnancy test should be accurate, and the time of the month will not affect it.
Hope this h... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Nonspecific: Hi, and sorry to hear your husband's not feeling well!
Right upper abdominal pain can be caused by many different things (in the ER, this is often d... Read More
997 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Great question!: First off: nothing to worry about.
Personal observation and medical journals do reveal that a significant number of patients are less-susceptible to... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Dehydration: Hi!
Sorry you're not feeling well. Lightheadedness, dizziness and fatigue are often a result of inadequate hydration. Electrolyte solutions, like IV... Read More
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 55-year-old member asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
High vitamin C: Hi!
Camu Camu has very high levels of vitamin C. We know that vitamin C is helpful, but 1) there is no evidence that vitamin C from Camu Camu would b... Read More
999 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
It's possible: Singulair (montelukast) shouldn't.
Crisanta shouldn't because it comes with 7 placebo pills that are supposed to trigger "withdrawal bleeding" (a pe... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Needs testing: Hi!
In otherwise healthy young females, lower-abdominal pain is often due to ovarian cysts, bladder infections, STD's, appendicitis...
Talking with a... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Likely arthritis: Hi!
Most common cause is arthritis (inflammation of the joint between the manubrium and the sternum). But it would be a good idea to get a couple X-... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Too tight: Hi!
temperature change or tingling in the hands while wearing gloves can indicate that they are too tight (affecting either blood flow or the nerves).... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Lack of data: Hi!
and congratulations on your pregnancy! You are APPROPRIATELY concerned about the use of medications and supplements during pregnancy. Arnica is ... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Metabolism... )o:: Metabolism refers to how our bodies break down and use the food we eat, and actually has to do with a bunch of different factors, including physical a... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Still contagious: Hi!
the common cold can be caused by a bunch of different viruses; some only take a couple days from time of exposure until symptoms start; others ca... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Too long: Hi,
That's a long time to go without a bowel movement. Any fever? Vomiting? I recommend a single X-ray of your abdomen to make sure that stool is g... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Nonspecific: Hi!
It means that the cells of the liver are accumulating fat and not getting rid of it.
This can be due to alcohol, overuse of tylenol (acetaminoph... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Valid concern: Hi!
We use it in the ER quite frequently, but you're right that in the long term people can develop tolerance and dependence (addiction). If you do u... Read More
1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Depends on how long: 60mg/0.6mL is a standard dose for an average size adult (1mg for every kilogram of body weight).
It's usually only used for a few days up to 2 weeks,... Read More
1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Garrett Norvellanswered
Emergency Medicine 14 years experience
Lumbar radiculopathy: Hi!
kidney pain can mimic pain from the nerves that exit the spine; one difference is that pain from the nerves can radiate into the leg(s). Inflamma... Read More
997 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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.
30
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Thank you for taking time out of your day to answer my question. (: I knew I wasn't pregnant because I keep getting my periods and had 5 negative test results.(I just worry about every little thing)...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Extremely helpful Answer. Very Grateful to you Dr. Norvell.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you for your helpful answer!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
UC San Diego School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 2008MD
Residency
VIDANT MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 2011
Awards
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Board Of Emergency Medicine
Ohiohealth
Schumacher group
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