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    Ask The Expert

    See the Answers to patients questions provided by California Pacific Medical Center doctors and clinicians on MyLifeStages.com.

    Aging Gracefully

    Question: Is it possible to lift small breasts without needing implants to fill up the sagging skin?
    Answer: Can lift alone firm breasts by Larry Fan, MD

    Question: I'm 52 years old, and have always been happy with my looks, but lately I'm feeling and looking older. What non-surgical procedures can I do that will give me the "biggest bang for the buck?"
    Answer: Non Surgical Cosmetic Procedures by Larry Fan, MD

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    Alcohol and Substance Abuse

    Question: I've been taking Norco for post surgery pain. I'm feeling much better now and wonder how long I should take to go off of it? I've been taking three a day and I'm afraid of withdrawals.
    Answer: Pain Medication Withdrawls by Toni Brayer, MD

    Question: Is drinking hard alcohol more likely to contribute to addiction than wine or beer?
    Answer: Alcohol Consumption and Addiction by Toni Brayer, MD

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    Allergy and Asthma

    Question: This past two years my brain seemed very foggy and I've had a lot of memory problems. Yet when I take pseudoephedrine for a sinus headache, it not only clears my sinuses, it causes me to be able to think very clearly and I have improved memory. Why?
    Answer: Pseudoephedrine/ Improved Thinking by Catherine Madison, M.D.

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    Bone Joint & Muscle Health

    Question: I’m suffering from tarsil tunnel in both feet and had surgery on my right 5 months ago. The pain is still bad in my right foot but now my left foot is almost as bad as the right before surgery. Will I ever walk normally again and how long will it take?
    Answer: Tarsil Tunnel Recovery by Alexander Reyzelman, DPM, FACFAS

    Question: Are there certain exercises I can do after knee replacement to strengthen my knees to allow for climbing stairs easily?
    Answer: Knee Strengthening Exercises by Toni Brayer, M.D.

    Question: For the past 5-6 years the balls of my feet hurt and burn all the time. I’ve tried inserts, Dansko shoes, foot soaks, and pain and nerve meds. Any suggestions?
    Answer: Causes for Pain on Ball of Foot by Alexander Reyzelman, DPM, FACFAS

    Question: I have pain around my ankle and the bottom of my heel. The pain is sharp at times. What should I do?
    Answer: Ankle and Heal Pain by Alexander Reyzelman, DPM, FACFAS

    Question: I have pain and numbness across my upper back, in my shoulders, down my arms through my elbows wrists and hands. I know I have ulnar nerve damage of some kind. How and where do I start to ease pain /numbness so I can sleep and work comfortably?
    Answer: Nerve Damage by David Chang, MD

    Question: My husband (61) has bilateral hip and shoulder replacements all do to having to take Prednisone after his kidney transplant 30 yrs ago. Needless to say he has had every problem that Prednisone can cause. Could he benefit by taking glucosamine/chondroitin?
    Answer: Glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements by David Chang, MD

    Question: I have chronic pain in my feet and legs. I’m 37 and have had this pain for about six months. The longer I stand the worse it is at night and sometimes at night I cannot get up very easily. The pain is mostly in the bottom of my feet.
    Answer: Foot Pain Sources by Alexander Reyzelman, MD

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    Child/Teen Health

    Question: Why would a young adult male, 19 years old and physically fit, have decreased energy levels? He never feels well rested and when awakens has a hard time becoming alert. What lab work should he have done? What are other areas do we need to look at?
    Answer: Teenager Tired All the Time by Lisa Dana, M.D.

    Question: Does a girl have to reach a certain weight before her periods begin?
    Answer: Menarche (the start of a girl's menstrual period) by Toni Brayer, MD

    Question: My 7 year old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?
    Answer: Flat Feet in Children by Alex Reyzelman, MD

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    Diabetes

    Question: What steps should I take to prevent diabetes?
    Answer: Diabetes Prevention by Gyorgy Pataki, M.D.

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    Fitness

    Question: I’m 86, 5'4" and 140 lbs. I exercise daily (2 mile walk, active gardener, keep up my own home) and I’m in fine health, but I’m plagued with abdominal fat. Osteoarthritis rules out weight lifting type of exercising. How do I get rid of this fat abdomen?
    Answer: Getting Rid of Abdominal Fat by Robert Napoles, M.D.

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    Heart Health

    Question: My heartrate is high over 100 per minute at rest, once in a while, why is that?
    Answer: Fast Heart Rate Causes by Richard Gray, M.D.

    Question: How do I know if I have hardening of the arteries?
    Answer: Heart Disease Symptons by Richard Gray, M.D.

    Question: My cholesterol is greater than 200, but my good cholesterol is high. Should I be concerned?
    Answer: Ratio of bad to good cholesterol by Richard Gray, M.D.

    Question: What can cause dizziness and light-headedness? I have low blood pressure and sometimes a heart rate in the high 30s. Is this normal?
    Answer: Low Heart Rate and Dizziness by Andrea Natale, M.D.

    Question: If you are a cardiac patient, what does it mean when your ankles are swollen? How much is too much, and for how long? Could this be diet, meds, or both?
    Answer: Causes of edema by Steven Hao, M.D., F.A.C.C.

    Question: I see screening offers for heart health and stroke. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?
    Answer: Heart Health and Stroke Screenings by Richard Hongo, MD, FACC

    Question: I’m a healthy 140 lb., 5' 5", 50 year old woman. My resting pulse is about 50-60. When I run on the treadmill at a 6 mph pace for 2 miles, my pulse will get to 172. I get 35-40 minutes of cardio 5 times a week. Is 172 too high?
    Answer: Resting Pulse by Gary Milechman, M.D.

    Question: I am a 52 year old woman who was diagnosed with mild mitral valve prolapse about 5 years ago. I no longer notice the symptoms. Can a mitral valve problem heal on its own?
    Answer: Mitral Valve Prolapse by Gary Milechman, M.D.

    Question: How do I know if I have had a stroke?
    Answer: Symptoms of Stroke by Catherine Madison, MD

    Question: I'm a healthy male (52) who had a normal stress echocardiogram. However it showed mild mitral regurgitation and trace tricuspid regurgitation. I do have chronic gingivitis and my mom died following a mitral valve replacement. Should I see a cardiologist?
    Answer: Mild Mitral Valve Regurgitation by Gary Milechman, M.D.

    Question: How do I know if I'm having a heart palpitation? What do they feel like?
    Answer: Symptoms and Causes of Heart Palpitations by Richard Hongo, MD, FACC

    Question: What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
    Answer: Pacemaker vs. Defibillator by Richard Hongo, M.D.

    Question: What is sudden cardiac death and who is at most risk? Are there any signs or symptoms?
    Answer: Sudden Cardiac Death by Richard Hongo, MD

    Question: How does the sac that surrounds the heart become infected?
    Answer: Pericarditis by Gary Milechman, MD

    Question: My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the Cardiologist looking for?
    Answer: Abnormal Heart Rhythm Tests by Richard Hongo, MD

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    Menopause

    Question: What is the more appropriate way to treat menopausal depression, hormone replacement or SSRIs?
    Answer: Treatment for Menopausal Depression by Toni Brayer, MD

    Question: Could the hormonal changes I’m experiencing during perimenopause be affecting my memory? I’ve heard a lot of references to “Meno-fog.”
    Answer: Memory Impairment by Toni Brayer, M.D.

    Question: My menstrual cycle has been getting shorter and shorter. The last two cycles were 23 days apart and now 16 days. I'm 43 and do not use birth control. Are there possible causes other than perimenopause? Should I see a doctor or just wait and see?
    Answer: Irregular Uterine Bleeding by Elizabeth Ziemann, M.D.

    Question: How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?
    Answer: Menopause with Joint and Muscle Pain by Toni Brayer, M.D.

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    Men's Health

    Question: Are mammograms effective for men?
    Answer: Mammograms by Allison Bunch, FNP-BC

    Question: My sex drive does not seem to be as strong as it used to be. I'm a 47 year old man. Is there anything I can do naturally about this? If not, would hormones (testosterone) be the solution?
    Answer: Decreased Sex Drive by Elizabeth Ziemann, M.D.

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    Nutrition

    Question: What are the health risks from not drinking water? My husband is terribly addicted to soda and any other drink that is not plain water. He drinks about a 1/2 cup of plain water a day.
    Answer: Healthy Hydration by Toni Brayer, M.D.

    Question: During my last physical exam, my blood work showed a value of 926 for Vitamin B12 out of a range of 211-911 pg/ML. I traced it to a supplement that I’ve been taking. Should I discontinue or reduce the dosage? What is the risk of high B12?
    Answer: Health Risks from Vitamin B12 by Elizabeth Ziemann, MD

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    Weight Management

    Question: Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?
    Answer: Height Loss With Aging by Toni Brayer, M.D.

    Question: What is (or should be) the average weight for a woman who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and in her 40's?
    Answer: Healthy BMI for woman in her 40's by Allison Bunch, FNP-BC

    Question: There are several web sites that sell HCG supplements for weight loss. It’s to be taken for a month, along with a 550 calorie diet, and when you reach your goal you return to a normal diet. Does HCG work and are there any reliable sources for it?
    Answer: Weight Loss and HCG Supplements by Toni Brayer, M.D.

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    Womens Health

    Question: I'm going to get an organic bladder sling made of pigs skin. Are there any more risks to getting that kind instead of the mesh kind?
    Answer: Mesh Slings Treatment by Rodman Rogers, M.D.

    Question: I just had a vaginal hysterectomy last week. When can I start exercising again and what type would be best?
    Answer: Hysterectomy Recovery and Exercise by Andrew Brill, M.D.

    Question: I just had a Davinci hysterectomy last month. They removed my uterus, cervix, right ovary and fallopian tubes. They left the left ovary. What kind of symptoms should I experience?
    Answer: Symptoms after surgery by Andrew Brill, M.D.

    Question: How do I decide on a treatment plan for my uterine fibroids?
    Answer: Best Fibroid Treatment Options by Andrew Brill, M.D.

    Question: Is a 68 year old female a good candidate for breast augmentation?
    Answer: Breast Augmentation for Older Women by Dr. Karen Horton, MD, MSc

    Question: I stopped breastfeeding over two years ago but now I have discharge from my left breast. About a year ago I had breast augmentation. Do you think the discharge is related, and is it something I should have checked out?
    Answer: Breast Augmentation and Nipple Discharge by Karen Horton, MD, MSc

    Question: I'm a 40-year-old woman considering modest-sized breast implants. Will they interfere with the ability to detect breast cancer?
    Answer: Breast Implants and Cancer Detection by Karen Horton, MD, MSc

    Question: I’m considering breast implants. What should I look for (beyond board certification) in selecting my plastic surgeon?
    Answer: Finding a Plastic Surgeon for Breast Implants by Karen Horton, MD, MSc

    Question: I have recently lost all desire to be intimate with my partner. I sometimes feel it to be repulisve. I do find him attractive, but the thought of sex or even just kissing him makes me freak out.
    Answer: Loss of Sexual Attraction by Toni Brayer, M.D.

    Question: 18 years ago I had a partial hysterectomy (my ovaries were not removed). Lately I've been having pain and cramping so recently had x-rays and an ultrasound. The doctor could not find my ovaries. Can ovaries just disappear on their own?
    Answer: Cause for shrinking ovaries" by Heidi Wittenberg, MD

    Question: My doctor says I have chronic urinary retention. I need to urinate more, and when I do the whole process seems to take a long time. I’m also getting more urinary infections. My doctor discussed prescription and surgical treatments. Any advice?
    Answer: Chronic Urinary Retention Treatment by Rodman Rogers, M.D.

    Question: Regarding stress incontinence and using the pig skin mesh sling option - is it possible for a patient to reject the sling?
    Answer: Pig Dermis Sling Rejection by Rodman Rogers, MD

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    Senior Health

    Question: We recently took my mother to a doctor and she was told that she has mild stages of Alzheimer's and dementia. Should she be prescribed medication at this stage?
    Answer: Mild Stages of Alzheimers by Robert Napoles, M.D.

    Question: I’ve been noticing slight tremors, some speech difficulties and stiffness in my 72 year old dad. Could these symptoms be related to Parkinson’s disease? How is it diagnosed?
    Answer: Parkinson's Disease Symptoms and Diagnosis by Catherine Madison, MD

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    Other

    Question: Should I be concerned with a report of "scattered pulmonary nodules" on a chest CT? they measure 2mm and are subpleural. Would they be visible on a ches x-ray? A repeat CT is recommended in 6 months.
    Answer: Pulmonary Nodules by Steven Hays, M.D.

    Question: Two years ago I was diagnosed with a 4mm brain aneurism. My doctor told me that surgery is not performed until the aneurism is at least 7mm. I have an MRI every year and the size has not changed. Should I be concerned and doing something more?
    Answer: Aneurism by Nobl Barazangi, MD

    Question: I'm having chest pains, but all my tests related to the heart have come up clear. What could be the causing this pain?
    Answer: Chest Pain Causes by Gary Milechman, MD

    Question: Are there symptoms of a brain tumor, and if so, what are they?
    Answer: Symptoms of a Brain Tumor by Nobl Barazangi, MD

    Question: Is the pelvic sling procedure typically covered by insurance? I have a typical HMO; what's the best way to make this happen?
    Answer: Pelvic Sling Procedure by Rodman Rogers, MD

    Question: What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? What are the differences of Crohn's and IBS?
    Answer: Crohn's Disease and IBS Symptoms by Elizabeth Ziemann, MD

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