Archive for 2005
Lactose Intolerance
Dear Dr. B: I have chronic diarrhea. Is it possible that I may have lactose intolerance? Answer: Many conditions can cause diarrhea. It can be acute or chronic in nature. Acute diarrhea is more likely to be the result of a viral illness such as infection with rotavirus, adenovirus, or astrovirus. Bacterial or parasitic infection can also cause acute
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West Nile Virus
These days it is a rare event to find an ideal day when the wind is not howling, the rain is not falling, the sun is shining, the temperature is just right and the bugs are not getting into your ears, nose and throat. Then there are ants. Many houses are swamped by the ants but not many people talk about
Toenail Problems
There are many people with toenail problems. I wonder if toenails are the most neglected part of our anatomy. I have written about ingrown toenails and fungus infection in the nails. I feel it is time to revisit the subject. The nails are appendages of our most versatile organ – skin. Besides nails,
Heart and Stroke
On Friday June 3, the Medicine Hat branch of the Heart and Stroke Foundation had their 12th annual golf classic at Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club. I was one of the 160 golfers to participate in this fundraising event. It is a big event. After 18 holes of golf (even the rain stopped for six hours
Inguinal Hernia
Dear Dr. B: I have a groin hernia. My doctor says it is an inguinal hernia. How did I get this and what is the best treatment for an inguinal hernia? Answer: There are two types of hernia in the groin: inguinal and femoral. Inguinal hernia is by far the commonest hernia. Inguinal hernia can appear at
Hemorrhoids
My doctor says I have hemorrhoids. Can you please tell me more about this subject? What is the treatment for hemorrhoids? Answer: We all have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions in the anal canal. External hemorrhoids are in the margins of the anal canal. Internal hemorrhoids are at the junction
Vitamin B12
Dear Dr. B: What is the importance of vitamin B12? What are the causes of its deficiency? Answer: Our body needs vitamin B12 to make blood cells. It is also important for normal function of nerve cells in the brain and the peripheral nerves. Vitamin B12 deficiency frequently occurs in elderly people
Did you know?
Here are some medical news items of interest. Enjoy! Candles in church? Holy smoke! A news item by Karen Birchard in the Medical Post (December 7, 2004) reports that church air, filled with the particulates from burning candles and incense, is likely a health hazard. Dutch researchers found the air quality
Medication Awareness
Last week Thursday, Palliser Health Region’s Community Health Services organized a medication awareness session at the Medicine Hat Public Library Theatre. Speakers for the evening were Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi, a family physician who has practiced in Medicine Hat for the past 14 years and Ken Walker, a
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dear Dr. B: I broke my foot about eight months ago and while in a cast ended up with a blood clot in the opposite leg two weeks later. I was on warfarin (blood thinner) for six months. I am now wondering what the chances are of this happening again and is there any way of knowing for sure that the blood
