Featured Articles
Sorting Out Knee Pain
When do you need help for your sudden or ongoing knee pain? Our expert sorts through the possible scenarios.
Help for Hip Pain
Pain in the hip is all too common. Learn about some common causes and how to prevent or treat it.
Simple Ways to Build Strong Bones
Osteoporosis can mean fractures and disability. Three steps you can take right now to strengthen your bones.
Ask an Expert
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I'm a woman who gets frequent kidney stones. I was concerned to hear that this raises the risk of heart disease. Why would this be? Is it also true for men? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators were suprised to find an association between the presence of kidney stones and coronary heart disease, heart attack or hear... continue reading about I'm a woman who gets frequent kidney stones. I was concerned to hear that this raises the risk of heart disease. Why would this be? Is it also true for men? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?
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!
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I’ve taken the birth control pill Loestrin for eight months. After starting on the pill, my period came once every two months. It’s been 14 weeks since my last period. I had unprotected sex but took the morning-after pill. Should I be concerned?
Yours is a good question. First, I want to help you understand hormone production in a normal menstrual cycle. After that, we can talk about how the pill works to prevent pregnancy and why, in some women, it re... continue reading about I’ve taken the birth control pill Loestrin for eight months. After starting on the pill, my period came once every two months. It’s been 14 weeks since my last period. I had unprotected sex but took the morning-after pill. Should I be concerned?
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?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.
The American Heart Association lists 120/80 and lower as normal blood pressure. The numbers you list would qualify as hypertension requiring treatment. It looks like your physician has appropiately started you ... continue reading about I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?
Great question, and one we get asked often. We also get asked about the use of Viagra. Sexual activity is generally categorized under "vigorous physical activity." Patients with known heart conditions need to c... continue reading about Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
This may or may not be abnormal as one's hormones can fluctuate in the perimenopausal years. If it has been over a year since your last normal menses, then this is called postmenopausal bleeding and needs immed... continue reading about I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I've been taking statins to lower my cholesterol for years. Most leave me extremely fatigued and even foggy in my thinking. Is this a known side effect of statins? Are some statins less likely to cause these side effects? What about Crestor?
Statin drugs (including Crestor) have been credited with the declining incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, they do have recognized side effects, particularly when taken over a long period of time, as ... continue reading about I've been taking statins to lower my cholesterol for years. Most leave me extremely fatigued and even foggy in my thinking. Is this a known side effect of statins? Are some statins less likely to cause these side effects? What about Crestor?
Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
What are the risks and benefits of lower back fusion surgery? What would you recommend a person try before surgery?
Lower back fusion surgery is an option for severe back pain, typically due to advanced arthritis and/or spine instability, that has not responded to non-operative methods. These non-operative methods include th... continue reading about What are the risks and benefits of lower back fusion surgery? What would you recommend a person try before surgery?
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