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Ask The Visiting Nurse ONLINE
Use this feature to "Ask The Visiting Nurse" a question by e-mail or our online form. A new set of Questions & Answers will periodically be posted here. Your question may relate to any health or preventive topic, such as aches and pains... medications... vaccinations... nutrition and weight management... blood pressure... or signs and symptoms of heart attacks, strokes and other disorders. You may also ask about VNSW and its home health care services, or pose a question about insurance coverage as related to home health care.
VNSW has its own on-staff physician: Dr. Albert L. DeMartino. Dr. "Al" provides medical backup for our staff and for you.
Due to the volume of questions VNSW receives, inquiries may not be responded to individually. Please check here periodically to determine if yours is one of the questions answered. Questions with the broadest appeal and/or most timeliness will be the ones most likely answered. Selection of questions for reply online is at the sole discretion of Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester, Inc.
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Disclaimer: All information published by "Ask The Visiting Nurse ONLINE" is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for advice by your physician. You are advised to consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations appearing here.
Please give me details about a condition called “displacia?”
Displacia is when
you have abnormal changes in cells of the cervix. It is the first step
in a series of slow changes that can lead to cancer, years later. Some
abnormal changes are pre-cancerous; they may become cancer in time. Low
grade/high grade number of cells, low grade when there are few cells,
is called mild displacia, high grade, when there are a large number of
abnormal cells, called severe displacia.
What do I do about water blisters caused by a rug burn?
If
you are asking about care, keep the area clean and dry, use a topical
ointment like Bacitracin.
I am aware that Voltaren-xr 100mg is a sort of anti-inflammatory
-- is that correct? Could you explain what it is, and if my allergies
to the following drugs will affect the use of the Voltaren-xr or if it
is in any of the families that I am allergic to? My allergies are to
Aspirin, Penicilin, Erythromyicen, Ceclor and any Sulfa drugs. My doctor
gave me Voltaren-xr for pain and arthritis. I take Tinormen 50 mg daily.
Voltaren does come with caution if the patient has allergies, and is contraindicated with the use of other drugs. It is important that you discuss this with your physician based on your medical history and any other medications you are taking as to whether there would be any problems or caution in using this drug.
I recently finished cutting app. 200 stencils from 10mil acetate sheets. The process included using a heated art blade to cut the sheets. I heated the blade with a small butane torch. Since that time I've experienced chest pain and hair loss. Inasmuch as acetate art sheets are not usually used in this way (exerting heat) and thereby changing the chemical composition of the material from a solid into a gas (?) or at least releasing the fumes into the air, I am concerned as to what the risks were as to toxicity. I did not use a mask or any other protective safety measures. It never entered my mind that I may be putting myself at risk.
Acetate is a salt of acetic acid. For information you can call the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at 1-888-422-8737 and/or consult with your physician.
My mother has normal blood pressure all the time, but when she goes to the doctor's office she is so afraid that they might find some thing wrong with her that her doctor's measurement of the blood pressure is way above the usual. She measures her blood pressure every day with a blood pressure machine and at the pharmacy. She tells her doctor that the readings that they take are unusual and they do not believe her. Now they want to give her more medication for the high blood pressure. What can I do to help?
Sometimes blood pressure readings done by the patient at home or in stores may not be accurate. If the readings are done daily at least 3 times a day, AM, midday and PM, and a diary of the readings are kept for at least a week and shown to the physician, he may consider an alternate approach. If you and your mother are still not satisfied, I suggest seeking a second opinion.
My wife has many allergies. We currently use coal for heat, but she wants to move where the heat is gas. Will gas be better for her than coal?
My recommendation is for your wife to speak with her physician or allergist to find out if she is allergic to gas. We all are, in one way or another, always exposed to gas.
My elderly mother lives with me
and she sometimes grabs whatever
prescribed medication bottle from cabinet and tries to open it. She is
not always successful, but I'm worried she might get into my Ambien.
Would an overdose of Ambien prove fatal?
Every precaution must be taken to prevent her from doing this by placing the meds in a protected and inaccessible location. Side effects can cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty with coordination, etc., which can have a serious consequence in the elderly. The amount of the drug taken, the medical condition of your mother, could potentially be fatal.
Can I take Tylenol P.M. if I have taken Tylenol with codeine earlier in the day?
You should not take both unless you clear it with your physician because the two may have contra-indications or side effects when taken together.
Can I consume alcohol while on Ritilin?
Absolutely NOT!!
Lately I have been experiencing lower leg cramps in the morning. What is causing them, and is it a problem?
If you
don't have a medical condition, such as a heart, blood pressure or kidney
problem, and it disappears with activity, it may not be a problem. But
it is best to consult with your physician to rule out a peripheral vascular
or nerve condition.
Disclaimer: All information published by "Ask The Visiting Nurse
ONLINE" is for educational purposes only and should not be construed
as a substitute for advice by your physician. You are advised to consult
your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations
appearing here.
