My doctor wants me to get a vaccine for shingles. I get the flu vaccine every year, so I am reluctant to get another vaccine, is this necessary?
The Shingles vaccine is very good at preventing shingles, which can be a very painful rash in people who were previously exposed to the chicken pox virus. It can also prevent complications from shingles. If you are over age 60 it is recommended. So if your doctor thinks it is a good idea, so do we.
To learn more about the shingles vaccination, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
NFL and Brain Health
by Dean Heller MD September 28th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
With all of the controversy in the NFL recently, including all of this talk about safety and concussions, I was curious to know if this is just for publicity, or is it a real concern?
Concussions in the NFL, as well as in other contact sports, is a major concern. In the old days, we only worried about brain injury when people would lose consciousness. With more modern testing, we now know that there can be significant brain injury, even if there is not loss of consciousness. There are a number of longterm problems that you have to worry about
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Concussions in the NFL, as well as in other contact sports, is a major concern. In the old days, we only worried about brain injury when people would lose consciousness. With more modern testing, we now know that there can be significant brain injury, even if there is not loss of consciousness. There are a number of longterm problems that you have to worry about
Screenings for Women
by Dean Heller MD September 21st, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
My best friend was diagnosed with local cervical cancer, and although she said she will be fine with treatment, her doctor says that it may be related to the HPV infection, which is a sexually transmitted disease. How do I find out if I have that?
It is very easy to screen for HPV or human papilloma virus, which is associated with cervical cancer, and is transmitted through sexual contact. During a routine PAP smear, your doctor should screen you for HPV. Your OB/Gyn may have screened you, if you told them that you are sexually active.
To learn more about
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It is very easy to screen for HPV or human papilloma virus, which is associated with cervical cancer, and is transmitted through sexual contact. During a routine PAP smear, your doctor should screen you for HPV. Your OB/Gyn may have screened you, if you told them that you are sexually active.
To learn more about
West Nile Virus
by Dean Heller MD September 14th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I live in Florida, and I have heard about mosquitos having West Nile virus. Should I be worried?
We are all a little nervous when we hear about the cases in the news; however, many people who have exposure to West Nile Virus will have no symptoms or mild symptoms. If you are immunocomprimised in any way, then you should take extreme precautions. If you are not, then usually the simple measures can be helpful, such as staying indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are more active. Also, you should use insect repellant whenever you are outside. The products
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We are all a little nervous when we hear about the cases in the news; however, many people who have exposure to West Nile Virus will have no symptoms or mild symptoms. If you are immunocomprimised in any way, then you should take extreme precautions. If you are not, then usually the simple measures can be helpful, such as staying indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are more active. Also, you should use insect repellant whenever you are outside. The products
Symptoms of Parkinson’s
by Dean Heller MD September 7th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I have Parkinson's disease, and I have been on medication and doing well with the symptoms, but it seems to be affecting my entire body. I have developed severe constipation, blood pressure that is difficult to control as well as other symptoms that don't seem to be typical of Parkinson's; is that common?
While the common neurologic symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, moving slowly, stiffness, and balance and walking problems, there are other issues. Constipation, as you are having, as well as other gastroenterologic problems are common, as is difficult to control blood pressure, as well as mood disorders, such
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While the common neurologic symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, moving slowly, stiffness, and balance and walking problems, there are other issues. Constipation, as you are having, as well as other gastroenterologic problems are common, as is difficult to control blood pressure, as well as mood disorders, such