Fertility

Ankle swelling can be due to a number of issues, with cardiac issues likely to be the most concerning. Other causes include, but are not limited to, venous insufficiency (incompetent valves), venous thrombosis ... continue reading  about  If you are a cardiac patient, what does it mean when your ankles are swollen? How much is too much, and for how long? Could this be diet, meds or both?

I am sorry to hear that scleroderma affected your bowel.The scleroderma may affect motility of the small bowel and stomach. It can also lead to the recurrent small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Patients with ... continue reading  about  I have intestinal scarring from scleroderma, which now is in remission. I have trouble digesting food and suffer from diarrhea, constipation, digestive pain and rectal cramps. What foods are best for me and what should I avoid?

Snacking is a great way to help you feel more energetic. Most people need to eat something every three to four hours to keep their blood sugar levels steady.If you plan to eat your meal within one to two hours,... continue reading  about  What are good snacks to eat throughout the day? Also - I don't like the taste of water. What can I substitute?

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which a person has a low level of platelets. Platelets are a type of blood cell that help blood to clot anytime bleeding occurs in the body. Platelets are sticky "patches" tha... continue reading  about  I was recently diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. I have been extremely fatigued. I asked my doctor if that was a symptom and he said no. When I looked online I saw that fatigue was one of the most common symptoms. Is this accurate?

A pacemaker is an implanted device that is designed to keep your heart rate from getting too slow. It is given to patients who have too slow a heart rate that makes them feel weak, short of breath, or dizzy. Th... continue reading  about  What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?

Hip pain is a very common problem. Fortunately for most people, this is just a minor sprain of the hip flexors (muscles) that resolves with some stretching and time. Persistent hip pain, however, is a problem t... continue reading  about  I'd like to know if I have a hip problem or if it's something else. When I sit down and then get up and start to walk, my thigh hurts so much that it's hard for me to continue walking. The pain does go away eventually.

As it stands now, the AAP does not actively endorse routine circumcision, but is leaning more in favor of recommending circumcision to expectant parents of boys. Current evidence suggests the medical benefits t... continue reading  about  I chose not to circumcise my son. Now the AAP issued a policy statement that actively endorses circumcision. While my son is only two years old, I worry that I made the wrong decision. Should I have him circumcised now?

Neti pots use normal saline to rinse the nose of excess mucous. Normal saline is water to which salt is added and has the same degree of saltiness as your body's fluids. Saline rinses temporarily relieve nasal ... continue reading  about  A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?

After undergoing a hysterectomy where the ovaries are removed, a premenopausal woman may experience menopausal symptoms. These menopausal symptoms may include hot flashes which can have a detrimental effect on ... continue reading  about  I underwent a total hysterectomy in February of last year. Is it normal that my stomach still feels swollen? I'm using topical Evamist (two sprays each day) that my doctor recommended.