Frequently Asked Questions
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A
- Abnormal sperm morphology: What does it mean?
- Acetyl-L-carnitine: Can it relieve MS fatigue?
- Acid reflux and GERD: The same thing?
- Acne scars: What's the best treatment?
- Acute bronchitis: Is it contagious?
- Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help?
- Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
- Adult bed-wetting: A concern?
- Air travel during pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Air travel with infant: Is it safe?
- Albuterol side effects: Can I avoid them?
- Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
- Alkaline water: Better than plain water?
- Allergy medications and pregnancy: What's safe?
- Alzheimer's and dementia: What's the difference?
- Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
- Ambien: Is dependence a concern?
- Ankle swelling during pregnancy: What helps?
- Antibiotics and alcohol
- Antibiotics and pregnancy: What's safe?
- Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
- Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
- Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
- Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
- Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
- Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
- Aortic calcification: An early sign of heart valve problems?
- Apple cider vinegar for weight loss
- Arcus senilis: A sign of high cholesterol?
- Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?
- Artificial tears: How to select eye drops for dry eyes
- Aspirin allergy: What are the symptoms?
- Aspirin during pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Asthma and acid reflux: Are they linked?
- Asthma diet: Does what you eat make a difference?
- Atypical cells: Are they cancer?
- Autism spectrum disorder and digestive symptoms
- Avulsion fracture: How is it treated?
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B
- Baby fat: When is it cause for concern?
- Baby poop: What's normal?
- Baby teeth: When do children start losing them?
- Bacterial vs. viral infections: How do they differ?
- Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?
- Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?
- Bioidentical hormones: Are they safer?
- Bipolar disorder and alcoholism: Are they related?
- Bipolar disorder in children: Is it possible?
- Bipolar medications and weight gain
- Bipolar treatment: Are bipolar I and bipolar II treated differently?
- Birth control pills: Harmful in early pregnancy?
- Birth control: Can preejaculation fluid cause pregnancy?
- Bladder infection in men
- Bladder outlet obstruction: Causes in men?
- Bleeding after hysterectomy: What can I expect?
- Bleeding after menopause: A concern?
- Blighted ovum: What causes it?
- Blood clots during menstruation: A concern?
- Blood glucose monitors: What factors affect accuracy?
- Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
- Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
- Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?
- Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?
- Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?
- Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?
- Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?
- Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons
- Blood thinners: Can I still get blood clots?
- Breast implants and cancer: Any connection?
- Breastfeeding and alcohol: Is it OK to drink?
- Breastfeeding strike: Why do babies refuse to nurse?
- Bulging disk vs. herniated disk: What's the difference?
- Bump on the head: When is it a serious head injury?
- Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
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C
- CA 125 test: A screening test for ovarian cancer?
- CBD: Safe and effective?
- COVID-19 and pets: Can dogs and cats get COVID-19?
- COVID-19 drugs: Are there any that work?
- COVID-19 infections by race: What's behind the health disparities?
- COVID-19 vaccine: Should I reschedule my mammogram?
- COVID-19 variants: What's the concern?
- Caffeine: Does it affect blood sugar?
- Caffeine: How does it affect blood pressure?
- Caffeine: Is it dehydrating or not?
- Calcium supplements: A risk factor for heart attack?
- Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?
- Calcium supplements: When should they be taken?
- Can vaginal tears during childbirth be prevented?
- Can vitamin D protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
- Can vitamins help prevent a heart attack?
- Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?
- Can you recommend a diet after gallbladder removal?
- Candida cleanse diet: What does it treat?
- Car sickness in children: Can I prevent it?
- Cardiac asthma: What causes it?
- Carpal tunnel exercises: Can they relieve symptoms?
- Cellulitis infection: Is it contagious?
- Cellulitis: How to prevent recurrent episodes
- Cervical cysts: Can they be cancerous?
- Cervical dysplasia: Is it cancer?
- Cervical length: Why does it matter during pregnancy?
- Chelation therapy for heart disease: Does it work?
- Chemotherapy and sex: Is sexual activity OK during treatment?
- Chemotherapy side effects: A cause of heart disease?
- Chickenpox and pregnancy: What are the concerns?
- Child growth: Can you predict adult height?
- Cholesterol level: Can it be too low?
- Cholesterol ratio or non-HDL cholesterol: Which is most important?
- Cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate?
- Chronic bladder infection: Is there a cure?
- Chronic diarrhea: A concern after gallbladder removal?
- Cigar smoking: Safer than cigarette smoking?
- Clinical depression: What does that mean?
- Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism?
- Coconut water: Is it super hydrating?
- Coffee and health: What does the research say?
- Coffee calories: Sabotaging your weight loss?
- Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
- Cold or allergy: Which is it?
- Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?
- Colloidal silver supplements: Are they safe?
- Colon cancer screening: At what age can you stop?
- Colon cleansing: Is it helpful or harmful?
- Concussion in children: What are the symptoms?
- Coping with anxiety: Can diet make a difference?
- Coping with pain after breast surgery
- Coronary artery disease: Angioplasty or bypass surgery?
- Coronary artery spasm: Cause for concern?
- Coronavirus: What is it and how can I protect myself?
- Coughing more after quitting smoking: What's the deal?
- Coxsackievirus in children: How serious is it?
- Craving and chewing ice: A sign of anemia?
- Curcumin: Can it slow cancer growth?
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D
- Degenerative changes in the spine: Is this arthritis?
- Demyelinating disease: What can you do about it?
- Dental floss vs. water flosser: Which is better?
- Denture care: How do I clean dentures?
- Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
- Detox foot pads: Do they really work?
- Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
- Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?
- Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?
- Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
- Diabetes: How do I help protect my liver?
- Did the definition of Alzheimer's disease change?
- Diet soda: How much is too much?
- Digestion: How long does it take?
- Discolored baby teeth: A cause for concern?
- Discolored semen: What does it mean?
- Diuretics and gout: What's the connection?
- Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?
- Diverticulitis: Can certain foods trigger an attack?
- Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?
- Do the benefits of vitamin C include improved mood?
- Does atrial fibrillation run in families?
- Does older age increase the risk of atrial fibrillation?
- Does prickly pear cactus have health benefits?
- Does soy really affect breast cancer risk?
- Does sunscreen expire?
- Doppler ultrasound: What is it used for?
- Drinking alcohol: Is it safe after hepatitis C cure?
- Dry mouth treatment: Tips for controlling dry mouth
-
E
- Early HIV symptoms: What are they?
- Early miscarriage: Is stress a factor?
- Eating the placenta: A good idea?
- Ebola transmission: Can Ebola spread through the air?
- Eczema bleach bath: Can it improve my symptoms?
- Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol?
- Ejection fraction: What does it measure?
- Elective abortion: Does it affect subsequent pregnancies?
- Emerging treatments for multiple sclerosis
- Enlarged prostate: Does diet play a role?
- Enterovirus D68 and parechovirus: How can I protect my child?
- Exercise and illness: Work out with a cold?
- Exercise and multiple sclerosis
- Exercise: How much do I need every day?
- Extended-cycle birth control pills: Is spotting common?
- Eye dilation: Necessary with every eye exam?
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F
- Fainting during urination (micturition syncope): What causes it?
- Falling during pregnancy: Reason to worry?
- Fallopian tubes: Is pregnancy possible with only one?
- Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health?
- Fear of public speaking: How can I overcome it?
- Female orgasm: No climax with vaginal penetration?
- Fiber supplements: Safe to take every day?
- Flaxseed: Is ground better than whole?
- Flu mask: Should I wear one?
- Flu shot in pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Flu shot: Will it prevent the stomach flu?
- Flu shots for kids: Does my child need a flu shot?
- Flu symptoms: Should I see my doctor?
- Flu vaccine: Safe for people with egg allergy?
- Foamy urine: What does it mean?
- Food allergy vs. food intolerance: What's the difference?
- Food poisoning: How long can you safely keep leftovers?
- Foot swelling during air travel: A concern?
- Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?
- Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer?
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia
- Fructose intolerance: Which foods to avoid?
- Fundal height: An accurate sign of fetal growth?
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G
- GERD: Can certain medications make it worse?
- GLP-1 agonists: Diabetes drugs and weight loss
- Gallbladder cleanse: A 'natural' remedy for gallstones?
- Gallbladder polyps: Can they be cancerous?
- Genital herpes: Can you get it from a toilet seat?
- Glucosamine: Does it protect cartilage in osteoarthritis?
- Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?
- Granuloma: What does it mean?
- Grapefruit: Beware of dangerous medication interactions
- Grass-fed beef: What are the heart-health benefits?
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H
- HCG diet: Is it safe and effective?
- HER2-positive breast cancer: What is it?
- HPV infection: A cause of cancer in men?
- Hand swelling during exercise: A concern?
- Headaches during pregnancy: What's the best treatment?
- Heart attack prevention: Should I avoid secondhand smoke?
- Heart cancer: Is there such a thing?
- Heart failure and sex: Is it safe?
- Heart rate: What's normal?
- Heartburn medicines and B-12 deficiency
- Heavy periods: Can folic acid help?
- Hemorrhoids during pregnancy: What's the best treatment?
- Hepatitis C: How common is sexual transmission?
- Hepatitis C: What happens in end-stage liver disease?
- Herbal treatment for anxiety: Is it effective?
- High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
- High cholesterol in children: How is it treated?
- High cholesterol treatment: Does cinnamon lower cholesterol?
- High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
- High-dose vitamin C: Can it kill cancer cells?
- High-protein diets: Are they safe?
- Hodgkin's vs. non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: What's the difference?
- Honey: An effective cough remedy?
- Hookah smoking: Is it safer than cigarette smoking?
- How do COVID-19 antibody tests differ from diagnostic tests?
- How many hours of sleep are enough?
- How to heal cracked heels
- How to heal cracked skin at thumb tip
- How to track saturated fat
- How to treat a piercing site infection
- How to treat baby eczema
- Hyperinflated lungs: What does it mean?
- Hyperinsulinemia: Is it diabetes?
- Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?
- Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection?
- Hypothyroidism diet: Can certain foods increase thyroid function?
- Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems?
- Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
- Hypothyroidism: Can it cause peripheral neuropathy?
- Hypothyroidism: Does it cause joint pain?
- Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements?
-
I
- Implantation bleeding: Common in early pregnancy?
- Induced lactation: Can I breastfeed my adopted baby?
- Infant constipation: How is it treated?
- Infant growth: What's normal?
- Insomnia: How do I stay asleep?
- Intermittent fasting: What are the benefits?
- Is a home sperm test useful?
- Is depression a factor in rheumatoid arthritis?
- Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?
- Isometric exercises: Good for strength training?
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L
- L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?
- Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?
- Laryngospasm: What causes it?
- Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?
- Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): What is it?
- Leg cramps during pregnancy: Preventable?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting
- Livedo reticularis: When is it a concern?
- Liver cysts: A cause of stomach pain?
- Loss of sex drive in men: Natural with aging?
- Loss of taste and smell: Natural with aging?
- Low amniotic fluid: Can it be treated?
- Low blood sodium in older adults: A concern?
- Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?
- Lung nodules: Can they be cancerous?
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M
- MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
- MRI: Is gadolinium safe for people with kidney problems?
- Macrocytosis: What causes it?
- Magic mouthwash: Effective for chemotherapy mouth sores?
- Male masturbation: Does frequency affect male fertility?
- Mammogram guidelines: What are they?
- Marijuana and depression: What's the link?
- Measles vaccine: Can I get the measles if I've already been vaccinated?
- Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
- Menopause hormone therapy: Does it cause vaginal bleeding?
- Migraine medications and antidepressants: A risky mix?
- Migraine treatment: Can antidepressants help?
- Migraines and gastrointestinal problems: Is there a link?
- Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?
- Ministroke vs. regular stroke: What's the difference?
- Moldy cheese: Is it OK to eat?
- Monkeypox: What is it and how can it be prevented?
- Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr: What's the connection?
- Mononucleosis: Can it recur?
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Is it harmful?
- Mucus in stool: A concern?
- Multiple sclerosis: Can it cause seizures?
- Multivitamins: Do young children need them?
- Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain?
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N
- NSAIDs: Do they increase my risk of heart attack and stroke?
- Nail ridges: Cause for concern?
- Narrow stools: Should I be concerned?
- Natural breast enhancement: Do supplements work?
- Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
- Nausea during pregnancy: A good thing?
- Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
- Neti pot: Can it clear your nose?
- Neurontin side effects: How do I manage them?
- Newborn sleep: Should I wake my baby for feedings?
- Niacin overdose: What are the symptoms?
- Nighttime headaches: How can I get relief?
- Nocturnal panic attacks: What causes them?
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O
- Occipital nerve stimulation: Effective migraine treatment?
- Ocular migraine: When to seek help
- Omega-6 fatty acids: Can they cause heart disease?
- Osteopathic medicine: What kind of doctor is a D.O.?
- Outpatient joint replacement: Is it a safe option?
- Ovarian cancer: Still possible after hysterectomy?
- Ovarian cysts and infertility: A connection?
- Ovulation signs: When is conception most likely?
- Ozone air purifiers: Can they improve asthma symptoms?
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P
- PSA levels: Can they rise after partial prostate removal?
- Pain and depression: Is there a link?
- Pap smear: Do I need one if I'm a virgin?
- Pap test: Can it detect ovarian cancer?
- Passive-aggressive behavior: What are the red flags?
- Penis fracture: Is it possible?
- Petroleum jelly: Safe for a dry nose?
- Phantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations?
- Phentermine for weight loss
- Phenylalanine in diet soda: Is it harmful?
- Pink eye: How long is it contagious?
- Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
- Polypill: Does it treat heart disease?
- Post-traumatic stress: How can you help your loved one?
- Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?
- Pregnancy acne: What's the best treatment?
- Pregnancy constipation: Are stool softeners safe?
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Different from PMS?
- Prenatal vitamins: OK for women who aren't pregnant?
- Probiotics and prebiotics: What you should know
- Prostate cancer metastasis: Where does prostate cancer spread?
- Prostate cancer: Does PSA level affect prognosis?
- Prostatitis: Can sexual activity make it worse?
- Protein shakes: Good for weight loss?
- Pseudoaneurysm: What causes it?
- Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
-
R
- Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?
- Recurrent prostate infection: What are the treatment options?
- Recurring strep throat: When is tonsillectomy useful?
- Renal diet for vegetarians: What about protein?
- Repeat C-sections: Is there a limit?
- Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
- Rhabdomyolysis from statins: What's the risk?
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?
- Ricin poisoning
-
S
- Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
- Scalp psoriasis vs. seborrheic dermatitis: What's the difference?
- Sea salt vs. table salt: What's the difference?
- Secondary infertility: Why does it happen?
- Self-care for the flu
- Semen allergy: A cause of infertility?
- Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
- Sex and COVID-19: Can you get COVID-19 from sexual activity?
- Sex during vaginal infection: Is it harmful?
- Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker?
- Shingles treatment: Does alcohol use affect therapy?
- Shingles vaccine: Can I transmit the vaccine virus to others?
- Shingles vaccine: Should I get it?
- Should I make changes to my diet if I've been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation?
- Silent heart attack: What are the risks?
- Silicone breast implants: What happens if they rupture?
- Sinus infection and toothache: Any connection?
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- Sleep aids: Could antihistamines help me sleep?
- Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?
- Small cell, large cell cancer: What this means
- Soy: Does it reduce cholesterol?
- Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism?
- Spastic colon: What does it mean?
- Sperm: How long do they live after ejaculation?
- Statins: Do they cause ALS?
- Stomach flu: How long am I contagious?
- Stool color: When to worry
- Strep throat in young children: A common diagnosis?
- Stress and hair loss: Are they related?
- Sulfa allergy: Which medications should I avoid?
- Sundowning: Late-day confusion
- Swallowing gum: Is it harmful?
-
T
- Tailbone pain: How can I relieve it?
- Taurine in energy drinks: What is it?
- Tendinitis pain: Should I apply ice or heat?
- Test anxiety: Can it be treated?
- Testicular microlithiasis: Is it linked with testicular cancer?
- Testosterone therapy in women: Does it boost sex drive?
- Tetanus shots: Is it risky to receive 'extra' boosters?
- The dawn phenomenon: What can you do?
- Thin skin? Added protection helps
- Thyroid disease: Can it affect a person's mood?
- Thyroid guard: Do I need one during a mammogram?
- Thyroid peroxidase antibody test: What is it?
- Tinnitus causes: Could my antidepressant be the culprit?
- Toddler speech development: What's typical for a 2-year-old?
- Too much vitamin C: Is it harmful?
- Tumor vs. cyst: What's the difference?
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V
- VLDL cholesterol: Is it harmful?
- Vaccination schedule: Why so many so fast?
- Vaccines during pregnancy: Are they safe?
- Vaginal dryness after menopause: How to treat it?
- Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
- Vaping during pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Vegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?
- Viagra for women: Does it exist?
- Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
- Vitamin B-12 and depression: Are they related?
- Vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss: Do they work?
- Vitamin D and MS: Is there any connection?
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Vitamin D deficiency: Can it cause high blood pressure?
- Vitamin D for babies: Are supplements needed?
- Vitamin D toxicity: What if you get too much?
- Vitamins for MS: Do supplements make a difference?
- Vocal cord dysfunction: Is it a type of asthma?
- Vulvar varicosities during pregnancy: What can you do?
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W
- Walking pneumonia: What does it mean?
- Walking: Is it enough for weight loss?
- Warfarin diet: What foods should I avoid?
- Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
- Water after meals: Does it disturb digestion?
- Water retention: Are there natural diuretics?
- What are opioids and why are they dangerous?
- What are superbugs and how can I protect myself from infection?
- What is BPA? Should I be worried about it?
- What is MERS-CoV, and what should I do?
- What is a heart failure action plan?
- What is chikungunya fever, and should I be worried?
- What is meant by the term "heart age"?
- What is thirdhand smoke, and why is it a concern?
- What's the difference between H1N1 flu and influenza A?
- When to brush your teeth
- White coat hypertension: When blood pressure rises in a medical setting
- White patch on skin: A cause for concern?
- White stool: Should I be concerned?
- Whole-body vibration: An effective workout?
- Why isn't there a hepatitis C vaccine?
- Wisdom teeth removal: When is it necessary?
- Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?
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