Ask The Doctor A Medical Question

Here's where you find answers to medical questions and you can ask a doctor for medical advice.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

The human body is a very interesting and fascinating piece of architecture. Scientists are constantly learning more and more about the way this wonderful machinery functions.

Something that is very exciting has been the discovery of free radicals and free radical therapy. You might ask “what is a free radical?” Inside the cells of our body, we manufacture a type of oxygen with an electrical charge on it. It is called a free radical.

The job of this free radical is to protect us from illness. These little charged oxygen bodies fight infection, reduce inflammation, and help keep our body functioning without disease. They almost seem too good to be true. Well they are! Because these free radicals are so powerful in their search for abnormal things going on in our body, they are also capable of hunting down things that are a normal part of our body.

The free radicals attack lipids, carbohydrates, and other normal items in our body. Because they are so powerful, scientists have discovered ways to balance the number of free radicals so that they do not harm normal tissue or cells.

When a free radical attacks something it is called oxidation. Scientists have discovered items to deactivate excess free radicals. These substances are obviously called anti oxidants. That means that they reduce the number of excess free radicals that are scavenging our body trying to oxidize normal things.

It is now believed that excess free radicals cause among other things macular degeneration, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, fibromyalgia syndrome, fatigue, aging of the skin, cancer, and many other things that are either dangerous or unwanted.

The best part about this news is that there is a treatment. It is all nutritional, and it is all natural. There is not one ounce of disagreement on this issue. You must take a significant amount of anti oxidants on a daily basis. This is provided for you in the form of a powerful vitamin supplement containing many wonderful anti oxidants.

I strongly urge all of my patients to use anti oxidants. I take one called CNCR four times a day along with a number of other items. Please consider protecting your health in the same fashion. I can purchase a wonderful supplement in bulk and sell it to you much more cheaply than you could buy it in a store. Even more important is the fact that it is from a reputable company called Douglas Laboratories. You can learn more about CNCR at www.RingoldMD.com

W. J. Ringold, M.D.
Chief, Department of Family Medicine
Oakwood Hospital
Dearborn, Michigan 48124

Friday, April 07, 2006

Detain X

Detain X is an all natural treatment for premature ejaculation that consists of a doctor formulated herbal remedy. The product is manufactured in a FDA compliant US laboratory which is ISO 9001 certified and ISO 17025 accredited. Many men have given positive testimonials to the effectiveness of Detain X. While the supplement is not guaranteed to work for every single man that uses it, it still remains a very good alternative to prescription SSRI's and is worth trying for 60 to 90 days. It's designed to increase serotonin in the brain, similiarly to an SSRI. However, Detain X is not a prescription medication and can be purchased through the website at http://www.DetainX.com

Pink Eye - Treatment for Conjunctivitis

About Pink Eye--
The treatment of pink eye (conjunctivitis) is for the most part quite simple. The majority of these cases are viral in nature and respond quite nicely to soothing drops. Some of the cases are bacterial and require antibiotic drops, and some are from the dreaded herpes virus (rare).

So if you are suffering with an eye that is filled with mucous and almost stuck shut in the morning you are probably suffering from pink eye. There is commonly some minor burning or stinging discomfort as well as some itching of the involved eye. It is quite contagious, and it is very easy to spread it to your other eye with your own hand. It is important that you wash your hands after putting the drops in your involved eye. You must be careful not to scratch at the eye and then touch your other eye as this can result in transmission from one eye to the other.

The condition is common in both toddlers as well as young adults. It is less common in older people. If a child is being treated they normally need to be kept out of school for a couple of days after treatment begins because of how easily they can touch the hand of another child after rubbing the infected eye. This can lead to transmission from child to child.

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Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Arthritis treatment

INTERVIEW WITH WARREN RINGOLD, MD ON ARTHRITIS AND ARTHRITIS TREATMENT.

Dr. Ringold is the Chief of Family Medicine at a major metropolitan hospital in the State of Michigan. He was elected to this position by his colleagues. He also serves on many overseeing committees including the Medical Executive Committee, Quality Assurance Committee, Family Medicine Quality Committee, as well as other governing bodies.

He has had a private medical practice for nearly 30 years. He is a 1975 graduate of the prestigious University of Michigan Medical School. Today he is interviewed by Andrew Cook from California.

Mr. Cook: Dr. Ringold, do you see a lot of patients suffering from arthritis?

Dr. Ringold: Yes, Andrew, I see patients suffering with this difficult affliction on a daily basis. It can vary from annoying to completely debilitating depending on the patient.

Mr. Cook: How do you treat these patients?

Dr. Ringold: Prior to late in 2004, I always used prescription medication. However, when the popular medication called Vioxx was withdrawn from the market, I decided to take a strong look at my approach to arthritis treatment.

Mr. Cook: What changes have you made?

Dr. Ringold: Traditionally for the first 20+ years or so of my practice I would use medications from a class of drugs called NSAIDS. These drugs treated both the inflammatory source of the pain as well as the pain. They were known to be potentially harsh on the stomachs of some people so they were used with caution in people with history of ulcer or stomach irritation.

Mr. Cook: You said you used them for 20+ years, then what happened?

Dr. Ringold: A new class of drugs emerged called COX-II drugs. These drugs were presented to us as physicians as drugs that would greatly help arthritic patients without such a high risk of stomach difficulty. Most physicians began prescribing these in high volumes in order to avoid the difficult complication of gastrointestinal bleeding that came along with the NSAIDS.

Mr. Cook: Did the COX-II drugs work well?

Dr. Ringold: Yes, these drugs worked very well; however, in 2003 there began to be some talk that Vioxx might have some potentially bad side effects. These side effects had to do with the heart and heart failure.

Mr. Cook: Is that why Vioxx was recalled?

Dr. Ringold: Yes, the drug was recalled after it was shown that it increased the risk of heart attack or stroke when compared to other arthritis drugs.

Mr. Cook: Were there other drugs in this class that you could use?

Dr. Ringold: Yes, there are other drugs in this class; however, I have become afraid of all of the prescription drugs for arthritis as well as the over the counter anti inflammatory drugs. All of the drugs have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Mr. Cook: What do you prescribe now?

Dr. Ringold: I try to recommend glucosamine or glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate. These are natural supplements that have not been shown to be associated with these horrible side effects. I also recommend over the counter acetaminophen. This drug has not been shown to cause heart attack or stroke, and when used in combination with the supplements; fairly substantive pain can be controlled.

For more information on supplements to treat arthritis, please visit:
http://www.ringoldmd.com

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Cure Athletes Foot

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is usually very easy to diagnose. It usually involves the areas between the toes, and it may extend to the top, side, or even the bottom of the foot. It rarely involves the ankle or any area above the ankle. There will be rather intense itching, and the patient suffering from athlete's foot will often awaken during the night scratching the feet or rubbing them on the sheets in an effort to ease the itching.

The problem is treatable with the application of anti-fungal creams. Most patients who have difficulty treating their athlete's foot problem simply have not treated long enough. There is a temptation to discontinue treatment after the initial itching has settled down and the redness and blisters have begun to heal. Athlete's foot needs to be treated for at least three weeks. The cream that is being ordered for your condition should have your feet looking and feeling like new by 10 days; however, you must continue to use it three times daily for a full three weeks.

I then recommend that you use it every time you shower for another three weeks. In almost all cases this is sufficient to defeat the fungus that causes athlete's foot. If your problem recurs after this treatment plan, then you must be treated with oral medications which are only available through your physician.

When patients follow the treatment protocol outlined above, it is rare for me to have to use oral medication. There are very few skin problems that can be confused with athlete's foot. However, shingles (herpes zoster) infection can come on very suddenly. It is a blistering rash, and it may itch as well. The difference between this and athlete's foot is that shingles is almost always painful. Another condition that can occur that can mimic athlete's foot is contact dermatitis. This can occur when the patient is allergic to various dyes either in socks or shoe leather. This normally would be confined to the shape of the shoe or the sock, and is less likely to occur between the toes.

The best part about athlete's foot treatment over the Internet is that even if you have one of the other two problems, this treatment cannot hurt you. It simply will not make things much better. Therefore, I always ask patients to check with their own physician if they are not better in the proper length of time. I hope this helps you in your efforts to get the stubborn problem treated easily and effectively.

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Sunday, April 02, 2006

Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear (external otitis) is usually very easy to diagnose. It usually involves the external area of the ear canal only, and it is extremely painful. There will sometimes be an odor eminating from the ear. There will almost always be a recent history of swimming. The best test to determine if you have swimmer's ear is to touch the pointed part of the ear which covers the opening. This is called the pinna. It is extraordinarily sensitive to push on this area if you have swimmer's ear. Another type of ear infection is called otitis media. This condition does not result in tenderness when one pushes on the pinna of the ear. It almost always follows an upper respiratory infection that has included head congestion.

The problem is treatable with the application of appropriate drops. Most patients who have difficulty treating their swimmer's ear problem simply have not treated long enough. There is a temptation to discontinue treatment after the initial painhas settled down. Swimmer's ear needs to be treated for at least two weeks. The drops that you use for your condition should have the pain significantly improved by three or four days; however, you must continue to use it four times daily for a full two weeks.

I then recommend that you use it every time you shower or swim for another three weeks. In almost all cases this is sufficient to defeat the infection. If your problem recurs after this treatment plan, then you must be treated with more aggressive drops or oral medications which are only available through your physician.

When patients follow the treatment protocol outlined above, it is rare for to have to use oral medication. There is only one problem that can mimic swimmer's ear closely, and that is an internal ear infection that has ruptured the ear drum and allowed pus to flow out of the ear. In this situation the patient would have had significant ear pain; however, it would not have hurt to touch the pinna. In addition as soon as the pus began to come through the ear drum, the pain would subside significantly.

The best part about swimmer's ear treatment over the Internet is that even if you have the other problem, this treatment is highly unlikely to cause any problems. It simply will not make things much better. Therefore, I always ask patients to check with their own physician if they are not better in the proper length of time. I hope this helps you in your efforts to get this stubborn problem treated easily and effectively.

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Saturday, April 01, 2006

Jock Itch Treatment

Jock itch (tinea cruris) is usually very easy to diagnose. This condition occurs almost exclusively in men. It usually involves the areas between the legs and the scrotum. It is caused by a fungus, and it is spread by fomites. These are things such as towels, linens, and washcloths. It can also be spread by direct contact. A patient itches the area and can move it to another area with the fingernails. The symptoms range from mild itching to intense itching with burning. There can also be a significant odor when one touches the area and smells the finger.

The problem is treatable with the application of anti-fungal creams. Most patients who have difficulty treating their jock itch problem simply have not treated long enough. There is a temptation to discontinue treatment after the initial itching has settled down. Jock itch needs to be treated for at least three weeks. The cream that is being ordered for your condition should have this area looking and feeling like new by 10 days; however, you must continue to use it three times daily for a full three weeks. Following the completion of treatment there may be a brownish discoloration (hyperpigmentation) that persists for weeks. Nonetheless, you are adequately treated if the itching, burning, and odor have gone away.

I then recommend that you use the cream every time you shower for another three weeks. In almost all cases this is sufficient to defeat the fungus that causes jock itch. If your problem recurs after this treatment plan, then you must be treated with oral medications which are only available through your physician.

When patients follow the treatment protocol outlined above, it is rare for me to have to use oral medication. There are very few skin problems that can be confused with jock itch. However, patients who have diabetes are predisposed to this infection. Therefore, if your condition is not improving with this treatment, then you should see your own physician.

The best part about the treatment for jock itch over the Internet is that even if you have diabetes, the treatment is the same, and the cream cannot hurt you. It simply will not let the fungus be eradicated as easily for some reason. Therefore, I always ask patients to check with their own physician if they are not better in the proper length of time. I hope this helps you in your efforts to get this stubborn problem treated easily and effectively.

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Congestive Heart Failure

Today in my office I examined a patient who was complaining of shortness of breath. He was a heart patient who was experiencing a slight amount of congestive heart failure (CHF). Just what is CHF? It is a condition that occurs when fluid is backing up from the heart into the small air sacks of the lungs. The patient will begin to feel like they are drowning in the most serious form. As it worsens the patient with CHF cannot get enough air and may actually begin foaming a liquid out of their mouth that may appear to be stained with blood. It can come on quickly, and it can be deadly.

In the case of this patient it was mild, and I was able to treat him with intravenous furosemide. This is a medication that forces the patient to produce a great deal of urine very quickly. The removal of liquid in this fashion results in a reduction of the fluid in the lungs and an improvement in the breathing. The best thing that a patient who has CHF can do is to record their weight every day. A sudden change of weight by three or four pounds over one or two days can lead to the rapid development of CHF. A rapid weight change like this is almost always fluid retention.

Healthy people can easily handle two or three extra quarts of water in their bodies; however, this type of fluid retention in heart patients can be lethal. I advised him to record his weight daily and to limit his fluid intake. I explained the importance of daily weight and the avoidance of salt. This case turned out well, and the patient understood the importance of taking an active role in his cardiac care. I will be leaving him on medication to increase his fluid output as well as other cardiac medications. Another day at the office with a great outcome is very gratifying!!

Headlice

Today I examined a four year old girl who presented with an itchy scalp. She is the only child of a young couple. A quick examination revealed the old nemesis that every parent is horrified to see??..head lice. We found about six mature lice running around deep in her beautiful hair. Her hair follicles were loaded with hundreds of nits.

When I explained to Mom that this was not because they were dirty or or because she had neglected her daughter, she felt a little better. Nonetheless, all parents kind of recoil when they hear that their child has head lice. This is a common disorder that for the last couple of decades has been easily treated. The problem now is that the darn things have developed some resistance to the most common forms of treatment.

Head lice are easily passed from child to child with head contact while playing. The lice also can be passed when kids interchange hats or beanies. Therefore, children are typically at the highest risk for lice. Adults become infested when they lay next to their child in bed reading stories or when they share the same pillow. The mature louse can transfer quickly. Within days many new eggs are attached to the hair follicles. The eggs are called nits and look almost like flakes of dry scalp. The difference is that the nits are tightly attached to the hair follicle. The nits hatch within a few days. It takes about a week for the louse to mature and be able to lay eggs. So the life cycle is rapid, and the infestation results in hundreds of nits within two to three weeks.

Invariably when I tell a parent that their child has head lice, the parent begins to think their scalp is itching. I cannot ever remember telling a parent about the lice who did not begin scratching within minutes. It is the only humor that can be found in the situation because the treatment can be a bit onerous. First of all the standard treatment has some toxic chemicals that we all would prefer not to have to use. The problem is that no better cure has come along.
If parents follow the directions perfectly, I have never seen a failure to successfully treat for head lice. The directions are very specific and must be followed to the letter.

The shampoo for lice is an insecticide so everyone agrees that children should be exposed to as little as possible.

I use something called Eliminate. You begin treatment by slowly adding the shampoo to dry hair. Keep rubbing it until it forms a nice lather. Slowly add a little water to help the process penetrate to the bottom of the hair shafts and to the scalp. Once a very rich lather is obtained using enough water to make the hair wet, you allow it to remain in place for 15 minutes while the child plays in the tub. The next task is to use a fine comb and get out as many of the nits as possible. The largest number of nits will usually be at the back of the neck. The shampoo kills many of the nits, but it does not kill all of them. The more of them you can comb out the better. Any nits that remain can hatch within a day or two; however, they cannot lay eggs for six to eight days.

Therefore, the process has to be repeated in seven or eight days to kill any new lice that have hatched. These new lice must be killed before they can begin laying new eggs. Sometimes some dead nits remain, and these need to be meticulously combed out of the hair with a very fine toothed comb.

It is also important to wash in hot water above 120 degrees all of the child's bedding. Hats should be put in a plastic bag for two weeks as the adult louse can live without feeding for many days. So you must allow a full life cycle to pass for the adult and the nits. Without blood the lice are deprived of food and will die out naturally.

Lastly it is important to report the case regardless of whether you feel embarrassed because all children who are in school or day care with your child need to be inspected.

If these instructions are followed almost all cases of head lice are treated effectively. Some newer forms of treatment are being tried as lice become more resistant to pesticides. These have not been completely proven but involved trying to smother the lice and the nits with mayonnaise or vaseline. It will take time to evaluate this items.