I have an bulge on the right side of my groin area, near my right leg. I see it when I am standing (it is not there when I lie down), and on occasion is bigger than usual, and it can start to hurt. Is this a hernia, and what should I do?
That does sound like a hernia, and this is a common area for a hernia. A hernia is a weakness in a muscle which allows some of the organs to poke through. In that area it is usually a small amount of intestine. This can strangulate the bowel that is poked through
Preventing High Blood Pressure
by Dean Heller MD April 27th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I am only 31, and my blood pressure has been high a few times when I go to my doctor's office. I work a lot of hours, and I travel quite a bit, so I have no time to work out.  My diet is not great, and it will also be difficult to change. He wants to start me on medications, but I am reluctant; what can I do?
While you obviously are a hard worker, and that is great, you have to put more priority on your health. It is just not adequate to say that it is too hard to change. If you
Read More
While you obviously are a hard worker, and that is great, you have to put more priority on your health. It is just not adequate to say that it is too hard to change. If you
Surgery and GERD
by Dean Heller MD April 20th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I have had reflux for many years, and I have tried all of the medicines. I am currently taking 2 medicines for reflux, and still have to take Tums 3 or 4 times a day, what should I do?
First of all, I assume that a gastroenterologist (stomach doctor) is giving you the 2 different medications for reflux, or GERD-gastroesophageal reflux disease. He likely also performed an EGD- or an upper endoscopy, to make sure there is not a more serious problem, which would be appropriate given the severity of your symptoms. If you have failed medical therapy, with ongoing symptoms, there are more permanent procedures for
Read More
First of all, I assume that a gastroenterologist (stomach doctor) is giving you the 2 different medications for reflux, or GERD-gastroesophageal reflux disease. He likely also performed an EGD- or an upper endoscopy, to make sure there is not a more serious problem, which would be appropriate given the severity of your symptoms. If you have failed medical therapy, with ongoing symptoms, there are more permanent procedures for
Torn Rotator Cuffs
by Dean Heller MD April 13th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I have been playing tennis for many years, but over the past six months, my right shoulder has begun to hurt. It happens every time I raise my arm up. I can barely put my shirts on in the morning. What do you thnk this is, and what should I do?
Shoulder injuries are very common. There are four tendons in the shoulder which form a cuff around the shoulder joint; this is called the rotator cuff. Either a fall or trauma to the arm, or more commonly a repetitive overhead motion of the arm, such as tennis in your case, can cause injury to
Read More
Shoulder injuries are very common. There are four tendons in the shoulder which form a cuff around the shoulder joint; this is called the rotator cuff. Either a fall or trauma to the arm, or more commonly a repetitive overhead motion of the arm, such as tennis in your case, can cause injury to
Overuse Injuries
by Dean Heller MD April 6th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
My son is an athlete in high school. Recently he has been having a number of injuries. The one that bothers me the most is the fact that his shoulder has been dislocated a number of times from compettitive wrestling. Is there evidence that this will hurt him later in life. I am reluctant to let him continue given the injuries. Help, I am worried.
These type of injuries are happening more frequently in young people who participate in competitive sports. These are overuse injuries from repetitive motion in the sport that they are competing. If there are ways to limit the athletes exposure by less repetition,
Read More
These type of injuries are happening more frequently in young people who participate in competitive sports. These are overuse injuries from repetitive motion in the sport that they are competing. If there are ways to limit the athletes exposure by less repetition,