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Ask an Expert
Francine A. Yep, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!
The pneumonia vaccine helps protect you from S. pneumoniae, a bacterial germ that causes serious lung infections like pneumonia as well as blood infections and meningitis. It protects you from the most common t... continue reading about At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!
David S H Chang, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I have pain and numbness across my upper back, in my shoulders, down my arms and through my elbows, wrists and hands. I know I have ulnar nerve damage of some kind. How do I start to ease the pain and numbness so I can sleep and work comfortably?
Pain and numbness that spans a region encompassing the upper back, to the shoulders, to the elbows, to the wrists and the hands definitely involves one of the three major nerves that travel the length of the up... continue reading about I have pain and numbness across my upper back, in my shoulders, down my arms and through my elbows, wrists and hands. I know I have ulnar nerve damage of some kind. How do I start to ease the pain and numbness so I can sleep and work comfortably?
Joshua C. Richards, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I had wrist surgery in January for a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist. It was painful and affected my quality of life. It was healing well until six weeks ago. The cyst has returned and is causing the same symptoms prior to surgery. What can I do?
Unfortunately, recurrence of a ganglion cyst is not that uncommon. The options are still the same. You can live with it if it doesn't hurt very much. You can potentially have it drained. Or, you can have it exc... continue reading about I had wrist surgery in January for a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist. It was painful and affected my quality of life. It was healing well until six weeks ago. The cyst has returned and is causing the same symptoms prior to surgery. What can I do?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
Many women after a hysterectomy can still have "cycles" if their ovaries are in place. They will not bleed since the uterus is no longer present, but they can still have the usual bloating and other PMS symptom... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
Joshua C. Richards, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I notice that my hip joint pops a lot more than it used to. Should I be concerned?
A feeling of painless joint "popping" is not terribly worrisome and can be normal for the individual. In major joints like the hip, knee or shoulder, an increase in popping can be a sign of weakness in the surr... continue reading about I notice that my hip joint pops a lot more than it used to. Should I be concerned?
Francine A. Yep, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
There are a ton of antimicrobial clothing and footwear options available right now. Is it good for my body to be encased in something that is antimicrobial? I've read a lot about a healthy microbiome.
Say "no thanks" and save your money. Common antibacterial agents like silver, triclosan, and trichlorocarban are found in germ- and odor-killing clothes and shoes. Researchers with the Swedish Chemical Agency f... continue reading about There are a ton of antimicrobial clothing and footwear options available right now. Is it good for my body to be encased in something that is antimicrobial? I've read a lot about a healthy microbiome.
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I'm a scuba diver who just had a pacemaker implanted. Is it safe to continue to dive? I have normal heart muscle function.
Pacemakers are considered a contraindication for commercial and military diving. Recreational diving has limited medical literature. Each diver should have a detailed conversation with their personal physician ... continue reading about I'm a scuba diver who just had a pacemaker implanted. Is it safe to continue to dive? I have normal heart muscle function.
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I was told that my endometriosis will go away once I pass menopause. What if I decide to take hormone therapy during menopause - will that continue to aggravate the endometrial lesions?
For women who have a history of endometriosis, and they choose to go on hormone therapy, it will not stimulate endometriosis if they take continuous estrogen and progesterone. The progesterone reduces any stimu... continue reading about I was told that my endometriosis will go away once I pass menopause. What if I decide to take hormone therapy during menopause - will that continue to aggravate the endometrial lesions?
Joshua C. Richards, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I have had a lump on my left wrist for over a year. It was bigger at one time and now is small. Sometimes in protrudes through the skin. Should I be worried about this? It doesn't hurt.
It is most likely a ganglion cyst, which is a benign, fluid-filled sac that extends from the wrist joint. They tend to wax and wane in size and if it is large enough, they can be drained. Back in the wild west ... continue reading about I have had a lump on my left wrist for over a year. It was bigger at one time and now is small. Sometimes in protrudes through the skin. Should I be worried about this? It doesn't hurt.
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