Quantcast
Ask the Doctor | Health Eagle - Part 25
ADVERTISEMENT

 
Archives for Ask the Doctor

Pradaxa

by Dean Heller MD August 11th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I saw a commercial for a new medicine called Pradaxa that apparently takes the place of Coumadin, which I have been on for 10 years. Is this new medication safe?

Pradaxa is a new blood thinner that is effective for some patients that have atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm that puts you at risk for stroke. The advantage that Pradaxa has over Coumadin is that you do not have to have regular blood tests as you do with Coumadin. See your doctor if you think you may be a candidate for Pradaxa.

Expert: News Canada

To learn more about Pradaxa, watch
Read More

Quitting Smoking

by Dean Heller MD August 5th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I am having trouble quitting smoking cigarettes. I have been smoking for 50 years, and I have tried to quit this bad habit at least 8 times. I am so frustrated, do you have any suggestions?

One of the reasons it is so difficult to quit smoking is that it is not just a bad habit, it is an addiction. Your body becomes physically addicted to nicotine. Because of that, some people will need to slowly decrease their nicotine intake, and to use one of the nicotine patches. There are also medicines which can decrease the physical craving. See your
Read More

Urinary Incontinence

by Dean Heller MD July 29th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I have incontinence of urine, and it is very embarrassing. A doctor recommended a bladder pacemaker, and I never even heard of that, have you?

Yes, this procedure does have proven benefits in some patients. It helps the bladder function more normally, and it decreases the incidence of incontinence. This device is similar to pacemakers that are used in the heart, so it is a well-proven technology.

Expert:  Nebraska Medical Center

To learn more about urinary incontinence, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
Read More

Sun Exposure

by Dean Heller MD July 22nd, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
Since I live in a cold weather state, I rarely wear sunscreen. But with this heat wave, it seems like the sun is stronger. Should I be wearing sunscreen in these hot months?

Absolutely! You actually should wear sunscreen all year round if you get sun exposure. Even if it is cold out, or even cloudy, you are still getting exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. You should use a sunscreen with a SPF factor of at least 15 to all sun exposed body parts. In the summer, when you may be sweating, or even going in the pool,
Read More

Sprained Ankles

by Dean Heller MD July 18th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
While my son was playing in a baseball game, he slid into 2nd base and twisted his ankle. It became swollen immediately, then turned black and blue. The x-ray did not show any broken bones, and the doctor told him it was just a sprain, and that it will get better after a week or two. This looks bad, and I am worried. What exactly is a sprained ankle?

A sprained ankle occurs very commonly with this type of twisting motion. It can swell up, and become bruised. It occurs when the ligaments in the ankle joint are damaged. Usually
Read More
All health and medical information is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the medical advice or treatment of your healthcare professional.