Recent Articles
Light exposure at night may raise risk for heart disease
Whole grains may improve several heart risk factors at once
A lumbar belt may help ease low back pain
Children of centenarians may stay healthier and live longer too, study finds
Signs of pneumonia: Sometimes vague and unexpected
The surprising link between ovarian cancer and the fallopian tubes
Using a vibration plate: What it can — and can't — do for your body
People who walk more or walk faster live longer, study finds
For sleep apnea, a dental device may be as effective as CPAP
Rosacea treatments: What works?
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Diabetes Archive
Articles
When You Visit Your Doctor - Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Where is the pain in your back?
- Does it radiate to your legs?
- Is it worse when you walk?
- Does the pain from walking occur suddenly or gradually?
- Is it relieved by standing?
- Is it relieved by sitting or lying down?
- What bothers you more, the pain in your back or the pain in your legs?
- Does the pain worsen when you cough or sneeze?
- Do you have numbness or decreased sensation in your legs?
- Have you had problems with your balance?
- Have you had any changes or difficulty in your ability to urinate?
- How long have you had the pain?
- Is it getting worse?
- How much does it limit your usual activities?
- How is your quality of life affected by the pain?
- Have you ever had spinal surgery?
- Have you ever injured your back?
- Have you ever had hip surgery?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Do you have poor circulation, such as peripheral artery disease?
- Do you have foot ulcers?
- Have you ever had vascular surgery?
- Do you have any sort of neuropathy (nerve damage)?
- What are you doing to treat the pain?
- Have you seen a physical therapist?
- Are you interested in an injection of a cortisone-like medication into your back? Do you know anything about this procedure?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Spine
- Hip
- Pulses in the feet, behind the knee and in the groin
- Neurologic exam
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- X-rays of the spine
- CT scans of the spine
- MRI scans of the spine
When You Visit Your Doctor - Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- What medications do you take (including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies)?
- Have you been ill recently?
- What other medical problems do you have?
- Could you be pregnant?
- Have you ever been tested for HIV?
- Have you had fever?
- Have you had rashes?
- Have you had diarrhea?
- Have you had abdominal pain?
- Have you had headache?
- Have you had neurologic symptoms?
- Have you been lightheaded?
- Have you been short of breath with minimal exertion?
- Have you had chest pain or pressure?
- Have you had a cough?
- Do you have any bruises or nosebleeds?
- Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
- If you are a woman, have you had unusually heavy menstrual periods?
- How long have you had symptoms?
- Does anyone else in your family have low platelets?
- How many alcoholic beverages do you drink in an average week?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Eyes
- Mouth
- Heart
- Lungs
- Abdomen
- Skin
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Blood tests, which might include complete blood count with microscopic evaluation, kidney function tests, liver function tests, antinuclear antibody, an HIV test
- Bone marrow biopsy
When You Visit Your Doctor - Insomnia
Insomnia
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Are you particularly stressed at work or at home?
- Are you depressed or anxious?
- Do you have any underlying medical problems such as hyperthyroidism or sleep apnea?
- Do you snore?
- Do you have chronic pain or difficulty breathing at night?
- Do you have restlessness or twitching of your legs at night?
- Do you drink caffeine-containing beverages after noon (such as coffee or sodas)?
- Do you use stimulants? Drink alcohol? Take sedatives? Smoke cigarettes?
- Do you take any medications?
- What time do you usually go to bed?
- What time do you get up in the morning?
- Do you eat or work before going to bed?
- Have you noticed changes in your sleep patterns?
- Do you wake frequently at night?
- Do you feel tired during the day?
- How long do you stay in bed before you fall asleep?
- Do you have worries about not sleeping?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Blood pressure, heart rate, weight
- General physical exam
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Complete blood cell count
- Thyroid function
- Sleep study with monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen level, eye movements, and brain waves
When You Visit Your Doctor - Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal Hernia
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Do you have pain in the lower abdomen or groin area?
- Have you noticed a bulge in your lower abdomen or groin area?
- Does lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing, or straining increase the size of the bulge?
- Can you push the bulge back in?
- Do you suffer from constipation?
- Have you had bloody stools?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Careful abdominal exam
- Groin exam (including testicular and scrotal exam in men)
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Stool sample
- Abdominal/Pelvic ultrasound
- Abdominal/Pelvic CT scan
When You Visit Your Doctor - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Do you have pain or cramping in the lower stomach?
- How often do you get the pain?
- Is the pain related to meals?
- Do you suffer from constipation and small bowel movements?
- Do you have diarrhea that alternates with constipation?
- Do you have frequent bloating and gas?
- Do you have a feeling of fullness in the rectum?
- Is there a family history of inflammatory bowel disease?
- Do you have a history of mental illness or depression?
- Are there any things causing unusual stress in your life?
- Please describe your diet in detail.
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Careful abdominal exam
- Rectal exam
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Stool testing for blood and cultures
- Conventional abdominal X-rays
- Endoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
- Barium enema
- Complete blood count and other blood tests
When You Visit Your Doctor - Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Have you noticed a change in vision in one eye or both?
- Do you have trouble reading, even with reading glasses?
- Do you have difficulty seeing fine details?
- Do you see a gray patch in the middle of the words when you read?
- Do straight vertical lines appear "wiggly" when you look at them?
- Is your side or peripheral vision affected?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you have a family history of macular degeneration?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- The inside of your eye, using an ophthalmoscope (see p. 417)
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Referral to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) who will do a complete eye exam with drops to dilate your pupils.
When You Visit Your Doctor - Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Have you had any recent infections?
- Do you know when to call your doctor with symptoms of infection?
- Do you have pain in any of your bones? If so, is it constant, or does it occur only when you move?
- Have you had any recent fractures?
- Do you have pain in your spine? Does it radiate to another part of your body?
- Have you noticed a decrease in sensation or strength in your hands or feet?
- Have you had loss of bladder or bowel control?
- Do you know when to seek medical attention for back pain?
- Have you been fatigued?
- Have you been lightheaded?
- Have you been short of breath with minimal exertion?
- Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
- Do you bruise easily, or get nosebleeds?
- Have you been weak, nauseated, constipated, or confused?
- Have you had a headache or a change in your vision?
- Can you feel any lumps or masses under your skin?
- Are you aware of the possible complications that can develop from multiple myeloma?
- Do you know which symptoms should cause you to call your doctor?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Skin
- Heart
- Lungs
- Arms and legs
- Spine
- Neurology examination (to check for strength and sensation in your hands and feet)
- Lymph nodes (neck, axilla, and groin)
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Blood tests for complete blood count, electrolytes, kidney function, uric acid, calcium, and beta-2 microglobulin
- Serum protein electrophoresis or SPEP
- Urine protein electrophoresis or UPEP
- Quantitative immunoglobulin levels in the urine and blood
- Immunoelectrophoresis
- 24-hour urine collection for protein
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Skeletal radiographs
- CT scan
- MRI scan
When You Visit Your Doctor - Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Have you had an echocardiogram?
- What did it show?
- Does your mitral valve leak?
- Do you get chest pain?
- What brings it on?
- How long does it last?
- What relieves it?
- Do you ever get a rapid or pounding heartbeat (palpitations) for no reason?
- How long does it last?
- Do you feel faint or develop chest pain or shortness of breath?
- Have you ever fainted?
- Do you get short of breath when you lie down or exert yourself?
- Have you ever taken any medications for your heart?
- Did you develop any side effects from these medications?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Heart rate, blood pressure, and weight
- Heart (sometimes while you are standing, squatting, or performing other maneuvers)
- Lungs
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Electrocardiogram
- Echocardiogram
- Holter monitor or event monitor
When You Visit Your Doctor - Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Do you have cloudy or double vision?
- Do you ever have eye pain or involuntary jumping of your vision?
- Do you have problems with clumsiness or poor coordination?
- Have you ever had numbness or tingling in your arms or legs? Tremors?
- Do you ever have hearing loss or vertigo?
- Do you have difficulty concentrating or problems with memory loss?
- Do you have any problems with bladder or bowel control?
- Do you have constipation?
- Do you have any family history of multiple sclerosis?
- Are you taking any medications?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Complete neurological exam focusing on reflexes, strength, gait, sensation, and vision
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Lumbar puncture for removal and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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Recent Articles
Light exposure at night may raise risk for heart disease
Whole grains may improve several heart risk factors at once
A lumbar belt may help ease low back pain
Children of centenarians may stay healthier and live longer too, study finds
Signs of pneumonia: Sometimes vague and unexpected
The surprising link between ovarian cancer and the fallopian tubes
Using a vibration plate: What it can — and can't — do for your body
People who walk more or walk faster live longer, study finds
For sleep apnea, a dental device may be as effective as CPAP
Rosacea treatments: What works?
/
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