Ask The Visiting Nurse ONLINE Archive
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 tell me about chemo thearpy. What happens when you go for Chemo. Go where? What happens?
Chemotherapy means a treatment of disease by the use of drugs. It is only one method of treating cancer -- it can be used in conjunction with surgery/radiation. There are many different drugs used in chemotherapy. Talk frankly with your doctor for more detailed information. He/she knows you best and your particular condition and is the best person to decide what methods of treatment may be used or combined to help you combat cancer.
What is displacia? A friend says it is cancer in her female parts.
This is a change in the cells of the cervix from normal cells, usually found with a pap smear. This must then be followed up with appropriate evaluation and treatment by the Gynecologist. He/she will determine if this is a precursor to cancer and recommend what further treatment is necessary.
She should consult with her Gynecologist to express her concerns and any questions she may have.
What are the differences between heart attack symptoms and panic attacks?
Heart attack presents with the following key symptoms:
- A crushing chest pressure or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. This may be felt as a burning sensation that could be mistaken for heartburn.
- Chest pain that spreads to the shoulders and arms on the left or both sides, as well as to the neck or back.
- Accompanying nausea, vomiting, sweating, cold sweats, shortness of breath, palpitations, light-headedness or faintness.
- A sense of impending doom.
Panic attacks can have similar symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Choking, dizziness, unsteady feelings or faintness.
- Fear of dying.
- Fear of going crazy or loosing control.
- Feelings of unreality, strangeness or detachment from the environment.
- Flushes or chills.
- Nausea or abdominal distress.
- Numbness or tingling sensations.
- Palpitations or accelerated heart rate.
- Shortness of breath or smothering sensation, sweating, trembling or shaking.
In any event, if you suffer any of these symptoms, please consult with your physician immediately because it is only with a medical evaluation can a diagnosis be made and appropriate treatment instituted.
Why shouldn't children be given Aspirin?
Because of the risk of "Reye Syndrome" a serious illness, the use of asprin in children is contraindicated. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually the drug of choice.
I have been diagonosed with temporal artheris due to bad headaches. I am taking Predisone, starting at 60 mg and reduced it so far to 50 mg. My question is, can predisone make you really thristy? I am taking drinking a lot more than I did before. (I am only drinking water.)
Usually this medication causes retention of fluids. Some patients do get thirsty and drink lots of water. In any event, you should consult with your physician to let him know of your symptoms so that he can advise you whether or not it is a problem.
I have some Ibuprofin which says on the bottle to use before 1994. Is it really necessary to throw it out? I hate to waste it.
Absolutely do not use any prescription drug or over-the-counter medication like Ibuprofen after its expiration date. It loses its potency and may be harmful. Monitary loss should not be considered if it presents a risk to your health. It is important that you adhere to the expiration date oncontainers.
I'm male, 18 yrs old, 5'5 and weigh about 148 lbs. I was considering taking Xetalean to help shed a few pounds and get more defined in my chest and abs. Do you think Xetalean is a good way to shed some weight, and, if so, is it a SAFE way of losing it?
The medication you mention is not FDA approved. Herbal remedies and other dietary supplements should not be taken without consulting with your doctor. Herbal supplements can interfere with prescription drugs, sometimes seriously and can also have serious side effects. A proper diet and exercise are the safest way of reducing weight.
I have a 68 year old mother who suffers from a number of health conditions including Type 2 diabetes, Gout, Hypertension, and difficulty walking. She does not drive and tends to spend the majority of her time in her apartment. My brother and I share the responsibilities of taking care of her and taking her to doctor's visits etc. Both of us are limited in the time we can spend in helping my mother in her daily activities. I would like to speak to someone about services she could receive to help improve her daily activity and situation.
Medicare requires that a patient be homebound, require skilled nursing care plus one other service (home health aide or rehabilitation therapy). Your mother's physician can be helpful in determining whether home care services are applicable. Otherwise, if she does not meet Medicare requirements, it would mean services can be obtained at a cost. Our sister Agency, Westchester Care At Home, can provide a homemaker, nursing services or other support services which is on a private pay basis. Their phone number is (914) 997-7912. Another resource could be the Westchester County Office of the Aging at (914) 665-5920.
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.
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