Question:  My doctor has prescribed a medication to improve my breathing.  I was told that by my friend that this medication is a steroid.  I have heard so many bad things about taking steroids.  Are they really safe?  Is the medication methylprednisone a steroid? 
Answer:  Methylprednisone, or prednisone is an anti-inflammatory medication that is classified as […]

Question:  I am 56 years old and have just been diagnosed with lung disease.  I have been smoking for 18 years.  Do you have any advice on the most successful plan to quit smoking.  I have tried to quit smoking several times and still can’t break the habit.
Answer:  It is not uncommon to have tried […]

Question:  I am 62 years old and have been smoking for greater than 25 years.  I have become more short of breath recently.  I am concerned that I may have developed a problem associated with smoking.  I have never seen a lung docotor.  What symptoms should I be aware?  Should I see my family doctor?
Answer:  […]

Question:  I am 46 years old and was just told by my doctor that I have high blood pressure.  I was prescribed several new medications.  I wanted to know if this is curable, or will I have high blood pressure the rest of my life.  I also want to know if there is something else […]

Breast self-examination should be a routine part of your personal care. It helps you learn how your breasts normally look and feel. Breast self-examination also helps you detect changes in your breasts. Being able to detect changes is an important part of finding breast cancer in its early stages. Patients with breast cancer found early […]

Diuretic Medications are relied heavily upon for the managemnent of disease processess in which an individual retains fluid. Although this fluid can be seen in such places as the lower extremities, it can also be located around the heart and lungs. Diuretics such as Lasix, Bumex, Demadex, as well as many others reduce the amount […]

Is pain truly the fifth vital sign? It seems interesting that for centuries the medical field has not contemplated the idea of considering pain as the fifth vital sign. When thinking of vital signs, temparature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and respirations are still what most medical professionals continue to place great emphasis upon. Pain, although […]

Question: I am a 43 year old female with a family history prevalent for strokes. As I approach middle age, I am concerned that I may not recognize the early warning signs of a stroke. Are there any taletell signs that I should be aware of? Are there any particular risk factors that indefinitley lead […]

QUESTION:
I am a male, 37 years old and over the past couple years I have experienced recurring athletes foot.  I don’t know whether it is relevant or not, but it seems that I most frequently get it when I travel on business.  Whenever I feel it coming on I use whatever over the counter lotion […]

The signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure are easy to mistake with various other diseases.