expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith

Internist

Dr. Rex Mahnensmith is an internist practicing in Southington and Waterbury, Connecticut. Dr. Mahnensmith specializes in Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Metabolism, Diabetes, Nutrition, and Urgent Care.
Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith
Specializes in:
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Diseases
  • Hypertension
  • Waterbury, Connecticut
  • MD at Yale School of Medicine
  • Accepting new patients

Should I go to the ER if I have a severe ear infection?

Ear infections have variable aspects. Some are simple external canal skin-only infections, caused typically by dirt, pollen, wax, and then bacteria. These are treated specifically READ MORE
Ear infections have variable aspects. Some are simple external canal skin-only infections, caused typically by dirt, pollen, wax, and then bacteria. These are treated specifically with ear drop antibiotics. Do not use Q-tips ever though, as these can push all of the accumulations to the ear tympanic membrane, which will create awful complications. On occasion, a clinical ear canal irrigation at an Urgent Care Center helps tremendously, followed by ear solution drops at home. So, an Urgent Care Center is most often the optimal place to go. The Provider Staff at an Urgent Care Center can also examine the ear tympanic membrane to evaluate for inflammation and middle ear infection. Antibiotics orally are prescribed. An Emergency Department may provide these cares, but ED Staff are busy with so many other ailments and you may wait a long time. An ENT office will provide best care if you can get in. The Urgent Care Visit is my best recommendation.

Rex

How conclusive is an HIV rapid test?

First, it is important to know that None of the available HIV tests can detect HIV immediately after infection. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, talk READ MORE
First, it is important to know that None of the available HIV tests can detect HIV immediately after infection. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, talk to your health care provider about prophylaxis with PreP tablets. The time between when a person may have been exposed to HIV and when a test can tell for sure whether you have the virus is called the window period. The window period varies from person to person and depends on the type of test used to detect HIV. A nucleic acid test (NAT)can usually tell you if you have HIV infection 10 to 33 days after an exposure. This is a vein sample. An antigen/antibody test performed by a laboratory on blood from a vein can detect HIV infection 18 to 45 days after an exposure. Antigen/antibody tests done with blood from a finger will not detect virus with certainty until after 90 days. So, finger prick negative may be false for 90 days. Vein Antibody tests can take 90 days to detect HIV infection after an exposure. The rapid tests and self-tests are antibody tests and thus are not accurate for ninety days. In general, antibody tests that use blood from a vein can detect HIV sooner after infection than tests done with blood from a finger prick or saliva.

Can the hospital do anything for broken ribs?

Yes. Assess for pleural injury. Assess for lung injury. Tape. Wrap. Secure. Give instructions to prevent pneumonia.

Taking senna?

Aiming at root causes is essential. Daily, consume foods that aim colon movements and maintain stool transit and stool texture: these foods include fruits, vegetables, whole foods, READ MORE
Aiming at root causes is essential. Daily, consume foods that aim colon movements and maintain stool transit and stool texture: these foods include fruits, vegetables, whole foods, whole grains, and at least 2 quarts of fluid per day; best foods are apples, peaches, pears, apricots, broccoli, peas, lima beans, strawberries, blueberries, mango, cantaloupe, melon,
olives, and whole grain foods such as high fiber oatmeal, quinoa, unpolished rice. Secondly, minimize simple carbohydrate foods such as pasta, white rice, boxed cereals, white breads, doughnuts, muffins, and dessert foods. Thirdly, avoid substances that adversely affect colon functions: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, narcotics. And fourthly, senna is a natural fiber that is processed variably. It can enhance stool fiber and stool water. Daily intake can help, yes. And activity is essential: walking, exercising, etc are essential.

Rex

My hernia repair?

If in the scrotum, it is safe. But it could twist or pinch. So, see a urologist.

Covid-19?

Presently, the straightforward way is to proceed to a covid testing clinic site: A PCR swab is necessary; this is a nasal swab sent to a medical laboratory for viral culture and READ MORE
Presently, the straightforward way is to proceed to a covid testing clinic site: A PCR swab is necessary; this is a nasal swab sent to a medical laboratory for viral culture and identification.

Rex

Sharp shooting pains after injury?

Most likely internal contusions to tendon and long nerve branches.

Pain and severe discomfort with bowel movements and sexual relief frustration?

Understood. Two major points. First, your colon is not able to provide normal peristalsis. Root cause factors include suboxone, leaky gut syndrome, lectin absorption and resultant READ MORE
Understood. Two major points. First, your colon is not able to provide normal peristalsis. Root cause factors include suboxone, leaky gut syndrome, lectin absorption and resultant colon wall inflammation and colitis. You have “irritable bowel syndrome." This requires expert evaluation and colonoscopy. Remedies include high-fiber diet daily, low saturated fat foods, and prescription medications that restore normal regular peristalsis and moisture regulation of stool. And long-term opiate use of any class and type reduces testosterone to very low levels. It is highly probable that low testosterone levels exist.

Extreme tobacco withdrawal?

Adding nicoderm patch will help.

Very itchy?

Yes. Your concern is appropriate. Edema is present and not good. Skin breakdown will progress. Bacterial infection will increase and add to skin breakdown. Please inform your care READ MORE
Yes. Your concern is appropriate. Edema is present and not good. Skin breakdown will progress. Bacterial infection will increase and add to skin breakdown. Please inform your care team right away. Elevate lower legs above knees and wrap legs. Antibiotic and diuretic is essential. Causation remedy is essential.

Alcoholic with bad cough?

It is very, very good of you to be concerned. A physical examination is important. The likely cause of cough is not directly related to wine or alcohol, but probably a chronic READ MORE
It is very, very good of you to be concerned. A physical examination is important. The likely cause of cough is not directly related to wine or alcohol, but probably a chronic bronchitis is present. Exam with stethoscope and chest X-ray is essential. A spirometer exam in the office of the practitioner is straight forward and will inform about air flow and bronchitis. Simple inhaler intake daily will help. The X-ray will inform regarding possible pneumonitis. Encourage him to be checked please.

Particles in bloodstream ?

Blood test particles assessments refer specifically to Lipoproteins that are circulating in your plasma. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol and fatty acids and triglycerides principally. READ MORE
Blood test particles assessments refer specifically to Lipoproteins that are circulating in your plasma. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol and fatty acids and triglycerides principally. These particles are essential for the plasma carriage of proteins, some vitamins, the various cholesterol compounds, triglycerides and phospholipid compounds. The composition of a lipoprotein particle changes as it circulates throughout the bloodstream because these particles will release some carried compounds and will pick up other compounds. The function is "carriage protein."

So, particle count is a concentration per milliliter of plasma. The higher the particle count, the more concerned one would become, as the count reflects cholesterol and triglyceride principally. The particle count thus is an indicator of cardiovascular disease risk

Lump in upper-right chest area, severe pain in armpit and shoulder?

Please present for a physical exam and blood work and diagnostic imaging. The cause and nature of this requires exam and focused imaging and blood testing.

Rex

Possible aspiration of vomit?

Hello,

I advise going to either a hospital ER or Urgent Care to have an examination and chest X-ray.

Rex

Yellow nipples?

Skin should be pink, dark pink. Yellow color means reduced blood flow. Yes. Be checked.

Covid19 antibodies?

Hello, Specific virus antibodies that develop from invasive infection help your body resistant subsequent same-virus invasive infection. If the same genus-species virus is inhaled READ MORE
Hello,

Specific virus antibodies that develop from invasive infection help your body resistant subsequent same-virus invasive infection. If the same genus-species virus is inhaled by you, that virus will be attacked quickly by your specific antivirus antibodies. Your immune response will engage within hours of colonization in your nose or throat and will eradicate the specific virus over several hours. Nevertheless, your skin or clothing or hair can hold a virus for a short time. The natural antibody development and any vaccine-induced antibody development protects you from invasion and illness. Your nostrils can be swabbed for influenza A and for influenza B and for coronavirus to determine if your nasal passages carry any such virus. Vaccination intends to protect you and to minimize virus reproduction within you. Hence your contagiousness is much much much less, as is your vulnerability. Cleaning nostrils is essential for all people. This rids nasal passages of any virus. Gargle accomplishes the same in throats. Hand washing accomplishes disinfection as well. The true news is that Betadine Nasal Spray is germicidal and protective and the most effective action that anyone can do to protect self and others. Betadine Nasal Spray is MUCH more effective than any mask. Betadine Nasal Spray is safe, studied, effective, and available worldwide. Essential personal hygiene is the optimal WAY. Betadine Nasal Spray is cornerstone to nasal nostril virus-eradication and hygiene. (I am politically non-aligned)

Rex

Accidentally swallowed a fish bone?

It is possible for a a small bone to get stuck at the laryngeal region. Small folds and pockets exist there. Symptoms could include what you describe. Be examined.

Vitamins?

Biotin is vitamin B7. Biotin is contained in many foods. Between 50 and 100 micrograms per day of biotin is recommended for adolescents and adults. Biotin is water-soluble, so READ MORE
Biotin is vitamin B7. Biotin is contained in many foods. Between 50 and 100 micrograms per day of biotin is recommended<http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/biotin-oral-route/description/drg-20062359> for adolescents and adults. Biotin is water-soluble, so extra intake of biotin will simply pass through your body when you urinate. And most people can handle biotin supplements with no problem. However, some people report mild side effects including nausea<https://www.healthline.com/symptom/nausea> and upset stomach and irritable bowel. There are no known toxicity symptoms associated with too much biotin. The dose you ask about is excessive, though unlikely to be toxic. Wiser to supplement with less than 10,000. Recommend 1,000 mcg instead.

Question regarding having adverse side effects after mrna vaccine?

Agree that second mnra shot may trigger another adverse reaction. Meanwhile, high intake vitamins and minerals and poly phenols and anti oxidant diet is essential. Exuberant exercise READ MORE
Agree that second mnra shot may trigger another adverse reaction. Meanwhile, high intake vitamins and minerals and poly phenols and anti oxidant diet is essential. Exuberant exercise plus deep tissue massage are essential ongoing. Stretching and yoga stretching are essential. Obtain Gundry Vital Reds and take two scoops per day. Same with Power Blues. Really boost your immune wellness and recovery. Ongoing 4-6 months at least. Biotin 10000 mcg per day. B12 100 mcg daily. Thiamine daily. Magnesium 400 mg daily. Green tea extract 400 mcg EGCG DAILY. Vitamin K2 90-100 mcg daily. For virus protection, use Betadine Nasal Spray one spray every other day. Superior to masks. Superior viral eradication of all kinds.

Taking Aleve and Tums together?

Hi, Yes. This combination is safe and prudent. Aleve is capable of thinning stomach protective lining and allowing gastric acid to be irritable to stomach wall. Tums acts to READ MORE
Hi,

Yes. This combination is safe and prudent. Aleve is capable of thinning stomach protective lining and allowing gastric acid to be irritable to stomach wall. Tums acts to reduce gastric acidity because it buffers acids. So, it is wise. And helpful.