Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith

Yes!! And lung inflammation is the mayor concern and the major illness that arises. Coronavirus is unique in its way of sticking to respiratory membranes. The virus sticks and holds and enters. Our body’s response to this is a surge of white blood cells and lymph cells to consume viruses, and plasma follows. Lungs become wet and heavy with these inflammatory materials, and this impairs respirations.

Hi,

Yes, you may. You will receive an exam. You can receive a lab test. You can receive initial medication. You can receive follow up. It all can benefit you. You can receive a referral then to a primary care physician.

Hello,

Published data from many hospital centers around the world document that over 70% of stroke events occur during day hours, specifically between 6 AM and 6 PM. And, when analyzed in greater detail, the peak incidence of acute ischemic stroke spans mid-day hours, specifically from 12 PM to 6 PM. These hours correlate with biological rhythms of rising blood pressures through morning and mid-day hours and rising stress hormones, which contribute to a vascular change by constriction of arteries and arterioles. Stroke prevention includes healthy diet, healthy exercise patterns, healthy thinking, and social interactions. These moderate stress hormone levels and blood pressure variations.

Rex

Yes. A kidney infection can linger in its middle sections. Antibiotics for lower urinary tract infection will eradicate the infection with 5-7 days. When upper tract infection occurs, then the bacteria have ascended into the middle sections of one’s kidney. Antibiotic courses must extend beyond 10 days for these kidney infections. And some infections become encapsulated over time, which is more complicated and clearance with ongoing antibiotic therapy will require at least 14 days and on occasion longer. The culture and sensitivity stat are very important. The antibiotic selection must be effective. And finally one’s own kidney ureter bladder synchronization matters. Completely emptying of the bladder is essential with each void. Knowing if one has reflux from bladder up into ureter matters. Knowing if partial blockage exists. Or stones or gravel or bladder polyps or any renal cyst matters too. And high urine flow matters, drinking 3-4 quarts per day so voiding of 3-4 quarts per day will happen. If antibiotic course was 5 days, then it was too short. For upper tract kidney infections, the antibiotic should be 10-14 days.

Lemon water is a nourishing and beneficial liquid. One must be careful not to drink large gulps at once, but to sip gently over time, such as 4-6 ounces over 30-45 minutes. Lemon water will ease stomach upset because it neutralizes stomach acid. Lemon water is most beneficial when loose stool is occurring, as the lemon replaces bicarbonate lost in diarrhea stool. It is essential with bloating to consume small portions at a time of any food and drink.

Rex

Anemia can be dangerous. The word indicates lower than normal hemoglobin levels in one’s whole blood stream. One’s health is affected at all degrees of anemia, though the actual impact varies. So, the actual cause of anemia matters. The degree of anemia matters. Your age matters. The existence of other illness matters. Anemia compromises oxygen delivery to vital tissues and organs. If one has heart disease, then anemia threatens the heart. Causation must be discovered and remedied. Organs must be tested and protected.

Hi,

IBS refers to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS features bowel wall muscle spasms and cramps. The usual location of this discomfort is peri umbilical. Around the navel. Middle of the abdomen. This is usual. Pain is generalized in this mid-abdominal space.

Hello,

No. The uterus should not shed its endometrium during pregnancy. If happening, then see OBGYN right away.

Rex

Most commonly yes, it does. Because food stimulates stomach acid secretion and this irritates and burns more. And stomach stretching is painful too. Blocking acid secretion is essential for healing. And gentle small portion eating is also essential.

Hello,

This sleep concern may happen because of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is a common cause of sleep restlessness, sleep movements, and sleep walking. Since she is 13 years old, then her total body iron may be reduced enough to be the cause. First step - have blood testing done for serum iron and serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. Any reduction in serum iron and serum ferritin calls for oral replacement therapy, and this may resolve her sleep disturbances. The pediatrician or family medicine practitioner can provide the order and dialogue and guidance. Oral iron tablets can be taken easily though some of the tablets do upset the stomach and cause constipation. So, management requires careful selection -- Slow FE is easy
to take, as are child liquid formulations. So start with this.

Rex

Heart muscle aching and cramping occurs when oxygen supply to muscle fibers is not sufficient for the work the muscle is doing. Heart muscle contracts every second. Oxygen supply must be continuous.

There is no single answer. The length of stay depends heavily upon why it happened, what the conditions are, any heart injury, or lung injury or kidney or brain injury, age, and outcome and complications.

Good evening. Asthma can become serious quickly. An ER check can be life saving. If you are equipped at home: use albuterol every four hours. Use nebulizer mist if you have it. But get checked quickly.

Endocarditis has variable features. Endocarditis may be subacute, indolent, asymptotic in some, but nevertheless persistent and progressive. Or endocarditis may be acute and quickly threatening. The actual bacterial species matters. Staphylococcal endocarditis may have a staphylococcal epidermis species which is more indolent and less symptom producing. Or staphylococcal endocarditis may have a staphylococcal aureus species which is more aggressive and virulent and complication producing. Streptococcal endocarditis has various species also with either less virulent features or more aggressive virulence. So, yes. Endocarditis has variations depending upon the actual bacteria involved and which valve is involved as well. In all cases, prolonged antibiotic courses are essential.

Rex Mahnensmith, MD

Good question - "Ganglion cyst" refers to a fluid filled cyst on the wrist. The cyst arises most commonly on the back of the lower wrist. It emerges from thin linings of wrist tendons most commonly. The cyst emerges up and out, is filled with thin fluid, and does not indicate disease. It rarely causes pain or discomfort, but it can become firm and can begin to be sore. It can be submerged with firm point pressure but this is not advisable. It can soften and disappear over weeks to months. It can appear because of some wrist strain or overuse but most often an exact cause is not clear. It can be surgically managed or even drained by a skilled operator. It hardly ever becomes inflamed or infected. It is best left alone - not to be pinched or squeezed repeatedly. These moves make more fluid seep into the sac. "Ganglion cyst" could be viewed as a "synovial cyst" but this is not precisely accurate. "Synovial cyst" refers to a pouch or diverticulum sac that emerges from the synovial membrane lining of a joint. "Synovial cyst" is most common in the back of the knee, where it is called "Baker's Cyst." Or "Synovial cyst" is also commonly diagnosed in the lumbar spine region, where strain and sprain ailments result in inflammatory fluid secretion, but the excess fluid does not have any "space" so it promotes an "extrusion" sac emerging from the lumbar vertebral line. The fluid in a synovial cyst is thicker, more inflamed, and longer lasting compared with a ganglion cyst
at the back of a wrist. It will not disappear or shrink and will warrant surgical remediation. It can be a source of discomfort in one's lower back because of the tight space there and the accompanying inflammation and inflammatory fluid. Similarly, a synovial cyst in the back of the knee, called Baker's Cyst, is also inflammatory and strain-related and it has discomfort and its natural history is to persist and grow. It is best managed with surgery.

Best,

Rex Mahnensmith, MD

Hi,

Very thoughtful question. The chance or risk of a healthy, young person like you to develop liver disease is very, very, very low. “Primary or Idiopathic “ liver disease (i.e., with no known or discoverable secondary cause) is very, very, very rare. Liver disease almost always comes as a consequence. The potential root ailments include: Excess alcohol. Excess body weight with excess fat = so-called fatty liver. Virus infection. Hepatitis A, B, or C. Then cancers can go to the liver. Some prescription medications may create an allergic reaction settling in the liver. Allergic hepatitis. Or toxic hepatitis on the rare occasion from some medications, which is usually dose related. And advanced lung disease can cause back pressure into the liver circulation and thus cause liver congestion and eventual scarring if not remedied. Gallstones stuck in the common bile duct can create another type of pressure damage within the liver. So, these mentioned ailments can eventuate in liver injury. The liver is a secondary victim then. So, the health of internal organs such as the liver requires regular surveillance and thoughtful care by your physician.

Hello,

Ear pain in children most commonly occurs from ear canal irritation. Ear canal irritation most commonly occurs from pollen or dust or dirt particles that land in the ear canal, and then the ear canal secretes cerumen wax in reaction to this. The cerumen wax coats the wall of the ear canal and this traps the particles there. Then the canal wall may become itchy and inflamed. This is painful. Infection may set it as well. This creates more pain. Water in the ear can bring bacteria in also.

Rex

Upper abdominal pain occurs from one of several possible root causes - and the root cause is what would need to be diagnosed. Possible root causes include: 1-acute gastritis; 2-acute pancreatitis; 3-peptic ulcer; 4-peptic ulcer with bleeding; 4-gallstone that has moved into common bile duct; 5-small bowel obstruction due to acute peptic ulcer in duodenum; 6-acute cholecystitis; 7-acid reflux from stomach into esophagus with spasm and esophagitis. Each of these has characteristic features, such as vomiting with or without blood, fever or not, radiation of the pain from center to right or center to back. And the preceding hours before your acute upper abdominal pain are relevant to deduce actual the root cause. So, really, if your pain is self-limited, less than 1-2 hours, and has a precipitant, such as spicy or fatty food or alcohol, then an ER visit may not be compelling; on the other hand, if pain is persistent, with or without vomiting, then an ER visit is compelling for exam, blood work, and ultrasound.

Rex

Anatomically, scoliosis means a curvature of the spinal vertebral alignment - by itself, scoliosis is not life shortening. Scoliosis can be remedied without surgery or with surgery. Maintaining flexibility and resilience and muscle balances are essential. Focused physical therapy incorporating myofascial release and electrical stimulation helps. Laser surgeries can
help. Obtain expert multimodal care that focuses on restoration of flexibility and alignments - - minimize/avoid opioids for any pains - - stay fit, straight, and use supports.

Rex

Greetings,

The underlying actual cause of the hip pain is important to know for sure. Is the pain a trochanteric bursitis right on the hip bone? Is the pain connective tissue pain such as tendonitis of a muscle insertion? Is the pain arthritic at the hip socket? Is the labrum intact which is a connective tissue between the socket and ball of the hip? Is the pain a gluteal muscle strain? Or an IlioTibial band sprain? These are some of the possible root causes. Focal pain when resting suggests a bursitis.....
Some things can help:

1) an egg-crate-like cushion between your mattress and your body
2) cool pack on the hip prior to bedtime
3) rub in analgesic such as Voltaren
4) Naproxen two 220 mg tabs in the evening or one 500 mg tab
5) muscle relaxer such as Flexeril in the evening
6) analgesic patch such as lidocaine patch or salicylate patch.

Of course, remedy for the root cause, too: injection of steroid for bursitis; physical therapy; massage therapy.
Hope this helps some.

Rex Mahnensmith, MD