Alzheimer’s disease causes the majority of dementia in the elderly (up to 75%) but it is a diagnosis of exclusion. There exist other etiologies dementia and The American Academy of Neurology recommends testing for reversible causes such as hypothyroidism and vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, depression may be associated with symptoms of dementia (psychomotor slowing,… Continue reading My father has dementia. How do I know if its alzheimers or if something else is causing it?
Category: General Medicine
Why are women more likely to be anemic than men?
Anemia is a condition in which a person has low red blood cells as measured by “hemoglobin” and “hematocrit.” Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein within red blood cells and hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in a sample of blood take from a patient (red blood cells, white blood cells, proteins and… Continue reading Why are women more likely to be anemic than men?
why am i not supposed to drink when i’m taking tylenol?
Tylenol (the trademark name for acetaminophen or paracetamol) is a common drug used to control fever and pain. The metabolism of Tylenol involves liver enzymes, which are also required for the metabolism of alcohol. In layman’s terms, Tylenol metabolism requires two steps: Tylenol is broken down by a liver enzyme, cytochrome P450 CYP2E1 and CYP1A2,… Continue reading why am i not supposed to drink when i’m taking tylenol?
My doctor says I have keloids. I cut myself on the chin a few days ago. Is there anything I can do to stop the scaring?
Keloids are benign lesions that arise in scars because of an overgrowth of the scar tissue. These lesions can be quite large and can often cause pain if nerves are involved. Physicians can apply silicone gel on developing lesions to minimize pain and prevent growth of a keloid. Alternatively, injection of corticosteroids into the developing… Continue reading My doctor says I have keloids. I cut myself on the chin a few days ago. Is there anything I can do to stop the scaring?
I had a positive PPD test and my chest xray was clean so last year I was treated for 9 months with INH. Do I need repeat chest xrays every year to follow?
Not unless you have symptoms. A chest xray is only indicated prior to initiation of INH to rule out active disease. Asymptomatic patients who have been treated with a full 9 month course of INH are not indicated for a repeat chest xray even if the PPD is positive.