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
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
The clitoris never actually disappears, but it can become smaller over time after the loss of circulating female hormones with menopause. This is part of a normal condition with aging called urogenital atrophy.... continue reading about Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?
That is an excellent question. A study in the AHA journal Circulation, by Dr. Duck-Chul Lee from South Carolina, addressed this question. The title says it all: "Physical Fitness Trumps Body Weight in Reducing ... continue reading about My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
In general, premature atrial complexes (PACs) and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are not harmful. This holds especially true if there is nothing else wrong with the heart. When someone presents with bot... continue reading about I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I bruise very easily - and have since I was a child. Why am I like a banana?
A bruise occurs when small capillaries under the skin rupture and blood leaks out. It is usually due to trauma but it is common for some people to "bruise easily" or find bruises and not even remember any traum... continue reading about I bruise very easily - and have since I was a child. Why am I like a banana?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm volunteering with a medical/dental mission to Cambodia. I'm concerned about the incidence of TB, and if I'm infected, how soon I could tell? I work closely with children and don't want to expose them to TB after my return. Should I be tested?
Most people infected with tuberculosis (TB) never get an active infection, which is when it is contagious from one person to the other. Those infected usually develop latent TB, which means that the bacteria li... continue reading about I'm volunteering with a medical/dental mission to Cambodia. I'm concerned about the incidence of TB, and if I'm infected, how soon I could tell? I work closely with children and don't want to expose them to TB after my return. Should I be tested?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have to take Ambien for sleep a few times a month and notice that I don't remember certain things that happen after I've taken the Ambien. Is this normal?
Several drugs in this category that work on GABA receptors may produce some alteration in cognition or ability to remember things. These side effects usually subside when the medication has cleared your system.... continue reading about I have to take Ambien for sleep a few times a month and notice that I don't remember certain things that happen after I've taken the Ambien. Is this normal?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's disease or syndrome is named after a French physician who first described the disorder in 1861. It is not a disease in that it cannot spread to another person. It is a syndrome of three symptoms chara... continue reading about I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My mom died a few months ago and dad isn't taking it well. He's lost interest in food, socializing, is not sleeping well, and has guilt about "unfinished business" in their relationship. How can I tell the difference between natural grief and depression?
I am sorry to hear of your recent loss. The relationship between grief and depression is a complex one. The response to any significant loss (including bereavement) may involve intense sadness, changes in sleep... continue reading about My mom died a few months ago and dad isn't taking it well. He's lost interest in food, socializing, is not sleeping well, and has guilt about "unfinished business" in their relationship. How can I tell the difference between natural grief and depression?
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Is vertigo tied to menopause? Also, I'm taking 1000 mcg of biotin for my hair and nails and noticing that I have more intense hot flashes. Does biotin increase hot flashes?
Menopause can cause exacerbation of different symptoms for different women. Though there is no direct medical connection with vertigo and menopause, it is possible that there is some effect of hormonal fluctuat... continue reading about Is vertigo tied to menopause? Also, I'm taking 1000 mcg of biotin for my hair and nails and noticing that I have more intense hot flashes. Does biotin increase hot flashes?
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