The symptoms you are describing are consistent with an ileus. An ileus, also known as a bowel obstruction, is a disruption of the normal forward flow of the gastrointestinal tract. An ileus can be mechanical or non-mechanical. Symptoms often include excessive burping/belching, abdominal distension/discomfort, constipation, and lack of flatulence or bowel movements. Causes can include… Continue reading I woke up this morning with a very uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. It felt like I had something stuck there and it wasn’t going down. It wasn’t a sharp pain but I couldn’t walk right because of how it burned. I also couldn’t eat or drink anything. It went away after a few hours. What could this be? What is causing this? Should I go see a doctor?
Category: Nutrition
For the last couple of days my husband has been sleeping more and acted more tired. He hasn’t been sick and we haven’t done anything different but he’s been on depakote for many years to control his seizures. Last week, the doctor increased his dose to 1000 mg taken 3 times a day. That is the only pill he is taking. Could him taking more Depakote cause him to be more tired or is something else going on?
One of the common side effects of Depakote (divalproex sodium) is somnolence (excessive tiredness, sleepiness, etc). This is due to the depletion of L-Carnitine which can readily be replaced. However, one of the more rare but more deadly side effects of Depakote is heptatoxicity leading to high blood levels of ammonia which causes confusion, delirium,… Continue reading For the last couple of days my husband has been sleeping more and acted more tired. He hasn’t been sick and we haven’t done anything different but he’s been on depakote for many years to control his seizures. Last week, the doctor increased his dose to 1000 mg taken 3 times a day. That is the only pill he is taking. Could him taking more Depakote cause him to be more tired or is something else going on?
I hear that licorice can make you get high blood pressure. Is this true?
There is some truth to that statement. In susceptible individuals, licorice can indeed elevate blood pressure. In individuals who have a history of hypertension, licorice can aggravate the hypertension if taken in excess amounts. The mechanism is that licorice inhibits the enzyme (11-B hydroxysteoid dehydrogenase) that allows cortisol (the body’s natural stress hormone) to be… Continue reading I hear that licorice can make you get high blood pressure. Is this true?
I had chinese food last night and this morning, my eyes were really puffy and my face looked swollen. Is this because the chinese food was really salty?
Most likely, in the absence of other symtpoms, you are experiencing swelling around the eyes (periorbital edema) and face because of your salty dinner. The sodium load causes you to retain excess free water, and with the aid of gravity, it pools in the dependent parts of your body. During the day, it would be… Continue reading I had chinese food last night and this morning, my eyes were really puffy and my face looked swollen. Is this because the chinese food was really salty?
After I get my gall bladder removed, is there anything i need to change about what I eat?
Patients undergoing a gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy) usually recover without any need to vary their diet. Some transient side effects of the surgery such diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence may occur especially with fatty meals but this usually resolve within a few weeks.