Month: November 2009

I wore braces at 40 years of age for a slight overbite.

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Patient: I wore braces at 40 years of age for a slight overbite. Two weeks after the bands were yanked off my molars, I needed a root canal and crown. Two years later the crown broke and a new gold crown was put in place. Two years later I am having horrible pain and my dentist sent me to an endodontist. He said that he will have to go in through the gum and remove the remaining nerves. I thought when you get a root canal that there are no nerves left. I didn’t want 2/3 of a root canal. Is this common? The pain has been horrible. I’ve missed days from work and now the bill is $1400 for a tooth that I have already paid for a root canal and two crowns. What responsibility does my dentist that has performed all this work hold?

Optional Information
Gender: Female
Age: 48

Doctor: hi,

thanks for posting your question on health.is.edu ,

A root canal treatment is used to treat teeth that the decay has reached the pulp,

there is no guaranteed 100 percent success rate in any root canal treatment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endodontic_therapy

the root canal treatment usually takes care of the problem, however it Continue reading I wore braces at 40 years of age for a slight overbite.→

My sister (age 76), has Type 2 diabetes. Could this cause her constant severe fatigue?

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Patient: Until the past couple of years she was very active, but the fatigue prevents her from exercise, she says. She also has much stiffness in her body and joints. N.B: This is really my sister, living in California; not me. I live in NYC and see her only once or twice a year, and I get worried.

Doctor: Well controlled diabetes should not cause constant severe fatigue. This should be evaluated further by doing blood test. She should have her hemoglobin checked, her thyroid function checked. These are the first two tests that I would like to do in her case.

Regards

My question is about the swine flu virus. I live in New York.

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Patient: My question is about the swine flu virus. I live in New York (an area where many cases of swine flu have been reported), and I’m about to travel abroad to see my family, which includes a 3-year old kid. Almost all of the cases of swine flu in that country have their origin in someone who contracted the virus either in NYC or on an airplane.

I intend to stay away from them for a few days, just to make sure that I didn’t catch anything in NY just before leaving or on the airplane. My question is: How many days do you think I should avoid having contact with them? What is the incubation period of swine flu? Are 3 or 4 days enough, or should I wait for 7 days (assuming I have no symptoms, of course)?

Also, does one HAVE TO have a high fever to suspect swine flu, or can one have swine flu without a fever? In other words, is NOT having a fever a guarantee that you don’t have the swine flu?

Optional Information
Gender: Male
Age: 30
State/Country: Massachusetts
Already Tried: I have no symptoms of flu.

Doctor: The typical incubation period of swine flu is around 2 days with a maximum of 4 days in some cases. But is is best to avoid contact with another person for a period of 7 days because it is still thought that a person can remain contagious for a period of about one week or so.

You MAY or MAY NOT have fever. Even if you do not have fever you will have symptoms such as nasal congestion and Continue reading My question is about the swine flu virus. I live in New York.→

I am 49 years old and my period stopped 3 months ago.

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Patient: I am 49 years old and my period stopped 3 months ago. I have been experiencing a burning pain on the left side. It also feels like it is itching and I have pain along my low back. What could this be?

Optional Information
Gender: Female
Age: 49
Already Tried: Pelvic exam one in July. It was normal.

Doctor: Please let me know if this is deep pelvic discomfort or superficial–as if your skin is burning or itching. Any history of heavy periods or this type of pain in the past? Any history of cancer in you or your family?

Patient: The discomfort is deep and sharp and the burning and itching sensation is coming from within. I have never had heavy periods. The last period I had was in August. I have not had cancer. My mom had breast cancer. I’ve had 3 separate experiences with cysts but the last time was in the mid-90’s.

Doctor: This certainly is concerning for an ovarian cyst. However, pelvic discomfort is sometimes related to your bowel function. If you have not had diarrhea or constipation, I recommend visiting your ob/gyn. Your mother having breast cancer may put you at higher risk for developing ovarian cancer if related to a genetic disorder (BRCA), however, this is usually more certain if you’ve had at least two close Continue reading I am 49 years old and my period stopped 3 months ago.→