These columns appeared in Ladue News, from 2009-2010
Chest Pains and the Emergency Room by Randall Howell, DO
My 57-year-old husband had a pain in his chest last week. It went away after 10 minutes, so he didn’t go to the emergency room. Should all chest pain be evaluated in the ER?
Colon Cancer Under 40 by James Fleshman, Jr., MD
My 40 year-old daughter has just been diagnosed with a colon cancer in her right colon. What should we do now?
My doctor has sent me for a stress EKG every year for the past 5 years. This year, he wants me to get a stress echocardiogram. What is the difference? I am 60 years old, female and recently seem short of breath after exercise.Exercise for Children with Asthma by Leonard Bacharier, MDWhat is exercise-induced asthma? Should I keep my asthmatic 11-year-old son out of active sports?Facial Aging by Gregory Branham, MDI’m looking tired all the time. My eyes look swollen no matter how much sleep I get. I know I’m getting older but what exactly is happening to my face and what can I do about it?
My 15-year-old daughter seems tired all the time and she has gained a lot of weight in the last few years. Could she have a thyroid condition?
I’m a 48-year old woman and simply can’t always make it to the bathroom when I feel the urge. Some times I have leakage. What, besides surgery, can I do?
My older brother had a radical prostatectomy 14 years ago. I’m 67 and just found out that I have a small cancer on one side of the prostate. Are there new options?
My husband has just been diagnosed with stage II liver cancer, although the doctors say the several tumors are still small. What are our options?
Ulcerative Colitis and Colon Cancer by Themos Dassopoulos, MDMy 35-year-old daughter has suffered from ulcerative colitis since age 15. Is she at risk for colon cancer and what can she do to decrease the risk?Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer by Jeff Michalski, MDQuestion: I am 67 years old and learned that I have an early stage prostate cancer. If you were me, what treatment option would you choose?
Urinary Tract Infections in Children by Paul Hmiel, MD
Question: My 3-year-old daughter has had several urinary tract infections - what causes them and what should we do to prevent another?
Torn ACL by Robert Brophy, MD
Question: My daughter is an active young athlete who tore her ACL. What does this mean for her as she wants to continue playing sports?
Trigeminal Neuralgia by Joshua Dowling, MDQuestion: My neurologist says I may need surgery for my trigeminal neuralgia since the medicine is not working well anymore. I have read about several different surgeries. Which one is the best?
Knee Pain in Runners by Gregory Holtzman, MD
Question: I’ve been running for years and now I am training for my first marathon. Recently, I’ve begun to have knee pain when I run. Why?
Crossed Eyes in Children by Gregg Lueder, MD
Question: Our new baby’s eyes seem to cross sometimes. My mother doesn’t remember it happening when I was a baby. Should we be worried about this? Fixing Tired Eyes by Gregory Branham, MD
Question: I look tired and have ‘speed bumps’ under my lower lids. Getting more rest doesn’t seem to help. I like my face, but don’t want to look so worn out. Can I just fix my eyes?
Spinal Tumors by Jacob Buchowski, MD, MSQuestion: My 64-year-old father was recently diagnosed with a spinal tumor. What are spinal tumors and how are they treated?
Aortic Aneurysms by Luis A. Sanchez, MDQuestion: My father has been diagnosed with an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta near the kidney. He has diabetes and high blood pressure. What are his options? Facial Rejuvenation by Mark Checcone, MD
Question: Is there an affordable option to give my face a “lift” in this economic downturn?
Hearing Aid Technology by Michael Valente, PhD
Question: My husband needs hearing aids, but we have friends who never seem happy with theirs. Is there a difference where we buy it or does everyone basically sell the same brand hearing aids?
Electrodiagnostic Studies by Muhammad Al-Lozi, MDQuestion: I have numbness in my right hand. My doctor thinks I may have carpal tunnel syndrome and advised surgery. Should I proceed with surgery or can I get tested first, to rule out other possible causes for the numbness?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children by Robert Rothbaum, MD
Question: Periodically, my 12-year-old son has cramps in his lower abdomen, often in the middle of a meal or when he wakes up in the morning. He gets the urge to have a bowel movement, which varies from loose to hard. What causes these symptoms? Cubital Tunnel Syndrome by Ryan Calfee, MDQuestion: My 50 year old father has numbness in his left small finger. My friends believe he has carpal tunnel syndrome. Is that accurate?
Groin Pain by Ryan Nunley, MD
Question: I’m 40 years old and I get groin pain with walking, running, climbing stairs, or sitting for a long time. Is this something to worry about?
About Bunions by Sandra Klein, MD
Question: I have bunions, but my feet don’t hurt. My sister says that I should have them fixed before they become worse. Is this true?
Irregular Periods in Adolescence by Sara Garwood, M.D.Question: My 14-year-old daughter started her periods two years ago. She is worried because sometimes her periods are less than a month apart and other times they are 45 days or more apart.
Cervical Dystonia by Susan Criswell, MDQuestion: In March, my head started turning to the left and now my neck muscles are sore and stiff. Driving is difficult because I can’t turn my head to the right. My doctor doesn’t know what’s wrong and muscle relaxants aren’t working. Are there other treatments?
Female Incontinence by Theresa (Tracy) Spitznagle, PT, DPTQuestion: Sometimes when I exercise, I leak urine. It is embarrassing and it prevents me from leading an active lifestyle. Can physical therapy help?
Injectable Fillers by Eva Hurst, MDQuestion: If I am thinking about getting a "filler" product injected, what factors should be considered?
Childhood Diabetes by Abby Hollander, MDQuestion: A girl on my 10-year-old daughter’s soccer team has diabetes. She takes several shots a day. Why can’t she be treated with pills?
Childhood Snoring by M. Allison Ogden, MD
Question: My five-year-old daughter snores very loudly at night and I’m often checking to make sure she is breathing okay. I’m also noticing some inability to focus. Should I be worried?
Hereditary Colon Cancer by Andrea Wang-Gillam, MD, PhD
Question: My father died of colon cancer at the age of 70, and my brother has been diagnosed with it at the age of 45. Is it hereditary and how do I find out if I am especially at risk?
Congenital Heart Disease in Children by Angela Sharkey, MD
Question: My sister just had a baby who was born with a hole in his heart. I am pregnant and worried that my baby could have a heart problem too.
Photorejuvenation by Ann Martin, MD
Question: My face is getting tired looking, but I am not ready for surgery or resurfacing. What is photodamage and photorejuvenation?
Recurrent Sinus Infections by Anne Getz, MDQuestion: I get a lot of colds. Some-times the congestion and pressure in my face is so bad that I have to miss work. How do I know when I should see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist?
Glaucoma by Carla Siegfried, MD
Question: My 75 year-old mother was diagnosed with glaucoma and she doesn’t seem to tolerate any of the eye drops her doctor has prescribed. Are there any other treatments?
Actinic Keratosis by Caroline Mann, MD
Question: I have rough dry scaly patches on my arms. My doctor says it’s actinic karatoses. What are my options for treatment?
Driving Assessment by David Carr, MD
Question: My father is 72 years-old and has had a stroke. He’s also had several unexplained minor car accidents over the last six months. He and my mom frequently argue over his driving. Is it time to ask for the keys?
Identifying Cancerous Moles by David Sheinbein, MDQuestion: "My sister was recently diagnosed with skin cancer. For years she thought the spot was just a plain mole. How can you tell the difference?"
Neck & Shoulder Pain by Debra McDonnell, PT, DPT
Question: I spend many hours using a computer at work, and have neck pain almost every evening. It is better over the weekend. What strategies can I use to relieve the daily pain?
Arthritis of the Hand by Douglas Sammer, MDQuestion: I am a 55-year-old woman with arthritis at the base of my thumbs. Now they hurt all the time even at night. Opening a jar is very difficult. What are my options?
Diverticulitis by Elisa Birnbaum, MD
Question: I have just been discharged from the hospital after a bout of diverticulitis. Do I need to have surgery or can I just change my diet?
Eyebrow Lifts by Gregory Branham, MD
Question: When I raise my eyebrows, I look so much younger. Do I need my brows lifted or an eyelid tuck? Isn’t a brow lift a big operation with a lot of downtime?
Fixing a Crooked Nose by Mark Checcone, MDQuestion: I heard that there’s a way to change the shape of my crooked nose using non-surgical rhinoplasty. How is this done and is it a safe alternative?
Botox Injections by Dr. Gregory Branham, MD
Question: My friends are talking about getting injections of Botox for their forehead wrinkles. Is it safe and how long will it last?
Deviated Septum by Mark Checcone, MD
Question: My doctor said my septum is deviated. Would I benefit from a septoplasty or rhinoplasty? What is the difference?
Hearing Devices for Noisy Places by Michael Valente, MD
Question: I wear hearing aids which help except in very noisy situations or when I’m on the phone. Is there any help for me?
Persistent Reflux Disease by Brent Mathews, MD, FACS
Question: My husband has gastric reflux disease. He has changed his diet and takes medication, but his heartburn and regurgitation remain. What are his options?
Ptosis, the Droopy Eyelid by Philip Custer, MD
Question: What can be done about my drooping eyelids? Friends always say that my eyes look tired, even after a good night’s rest.
Otoplasty for Protruding Ears by Gregory Branham, MD
Question: I have prominent protruding ears. Is there anything that can be done to correct this? I am also concerned whether my children will inherit this condition.
Rectal Cancer by Matthew Mutch, MD
Question: Colon cancer runs in my family and my 57- year- old father has just been diagnosed with rectal cancer. Is surgery the best option?
Elbow Pain in Young Pitchers by Matthew Smith, MD
Question: My son started having elbow pain while pitching during a baseball game last summer. It still hurts when he tries to pitch. What should he do?
Heart Murmers in Children by Joshua Murphy, MD
Question: When my 14-year-old daughter was younger, I was told she had a heart murmur. Now she’s playing basketball and complaining of chest pain during practice. I’m worried that she has a problem with her heart.
Travel Health by Steven Lawrence, MD
Question: I will be traveling to Bali and rural Indonesia next month. Are there any specific health issues I should consider before leaving?
Genetic Testing for Marfan's Syndrome by Marcia Willing, MD, PhD
Question: My 19-year-old son Seth was recently diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. Should my other children be evaluated? They are also tall.
How Mood Affects Your Health by Charles Conway, MD
Question: My husband has become very negative and discouraged since this economic downturn. He isn’t feeling well, either. Can a negative outlook on life affect a person’s overall health?
High Risk Pregnancies by George Macones, MD, MSCE
Question: I am expecting and keep hearing about high-risk pregnancy. How do I know
if I am high risk?
Second Rhinoplasty - Revision Nose Surgery by Mark Checcone, MD
Question: I had a nose job when I was younger and living in California. Now, I don’t like the way my nose has changed. Is there anything that can be done?
Thyroid Surgery by Jason Diaz, MDQuestion: My aunt recently underwent thyroid surgery. What does the thyroid do? Is it hard to diagnose problems and is surgery the only treatment?
Bleeding after Menopause by Israel Zighelboim, MD
Question: My wife went through menopause a few years ago, but started bleeding again. Is this normal or should she be tested to find out what is wrong?
Family Registry for Colon Cancer in Young Adults by Anne Lin, MD
Question: I am 32 years old and was just diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer runs in my family. What are my options for surgery and what else should I know about inherited colon cancer syndromes?
Osteoarthritis of the Knee by James Kenney, MD
Question: My 56 year old mother has osteoarthritis and a cartilage tear in her knee. Is she is doing damage by not having it treated?
Radiation Therapy for Liver Cancer by Parag Parikh, MD
Question: I have cancer that has spread to the liver. Are there any options for treatment other than chemotherapy?
Crohns Disease During Pregnancy by Chien-Haun Chen, MD, PhD
Question: I am 25 years-old with a history of Crohn’s disease and now 15 weeks pregnant. Should I continue medications for Crohn’s disease during pregnancy??
Why Clinical Trials for Cancer Patinets by Jeffrey Bradley, MD
Question: My father has a newly-diagnosed lung cancer that involves lymph nodes. He is not a candidate for surgery. The oncologist has offered participation in a clinical trial. Should he participate?
Intac Lenses by Anjali Pathak, MDQuestion: I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with keratoconus in my 20s. Contact lenses no longer help with the blurring and distortion. Is my only option corneal transplants?
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome by Robert Thompson, MDQuestion: I’m a 25 year-old violinist with pain in my neck and shoulder and increasing numbness and tingling in my fingers. My doctor says it may be thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). What is it and how is it treated?
New Asthma in Adults by Shirley Joo, MD
Question: Every spring and summer I seem to get colds with runny nose and coughing, but my sister thinks that I could have allergies. Is she right?
Repetitive Overuse Syndrome by Lynnette Khoo-Summers, PT, DPT
Question: I’ve heard about repetitive overuse syndrome. Can you tell me more about this diagnosis?
Calcium Screening for Heart Disease by Andrew Kates, MD
Question: I saw an advertisement for a calcium screening test for heart disease. What is it and should I have one?
Foot Ulcers in Diabetics by David Sinacore, PT, PhD
Question: My father is diabetic. I noticed a sore on the bottom of his foot which he was unaware existed. Does this mean that amputation will soon follow?
What is a Hospitalist? by Mark Thoelke, MDQuestion: My mother was admitted to the hospital and was cared for by a ‘hospitalist’ instead of her regular doctor. What is a “hospitalist”?
New Options for Breast Cancer by Marie Taylor, MDQuestion: My 39-year-old daughter has Stage II breast cancer. The tumor is small, but she has two positive lymph nodes. What are her options?
Computer Headaches by Mary Kate McDonnell, PT, DPT, OCS
Question: I get frequent headaches and it occurs most often when I spend too much time sitting at the computer. Is there anything that can relieve the pain?
GI Problems in Infants by Jacqueline Saito, MD
Question: My 5-week-old baby is spitting up a lot. Should I be concerned?
Sinus Rinses by Nick Denath, MD
Question: My mother had sinus surgery and uses a Neti pot to rinse out her nose with salt water. I get lots of sinus infections. Would salt water help me?
Osteomyelitis in Diabetics by David Warren, MDQuestion: My mother is a diabetic and has a foot ulcer. She was recently told that she has osteomyelitis. Is that a symptom of diabetes?
Falls by Beth Crowner, PT, DPT, NCS, MPPA
Question: My 75-year-old mother is becoming unsteady on her feet. I am worried about her falling. Can anything be done to prevent an accident?
Blood in the Stool by Randall Howell, DO, FACOEP
Question: I frequently see blood on the paper when finishing at the toilet. When should I become concerned?
Unhealed Sprained Ankle by Jeremy McCormick, MD
Question: I sprained my ankle last spring while I was running. The ankle doesn’t really hurt anymore, but it keeps “giving out”. What should I do?
Facial Paralysis by J. Gail Neely, MDQuestion: My mother woke up and the left side of her face was drooping. Could it be Bell’s palsy and are there any treatments?