Question 1

I'm looking for some advice regarding my mom's health. About a year and a half ago, she had a heart attack and went through angiography and angioplasty, where they found a blockage and put in a stent. Since then, we've been going for regular checkups, and her health reports have been mostly fine.

But recently, her blood report showed her creatinine levels were at 2.47, which the doctor said might be due to heavy medication. They suggested that stopping the medication could reverse this and help her kidneys recover. After consulting a nephrologist, she started on a new treatment and diet plan, and her creatinine levels went down to 1.79 and then to 1.59.

Even though her creatinine is decreasing, I'm worried because she's still experiencing swelling. Could there be another issue that's causing this? What should we be looking into or asking at her next appointment?

Accepted Answer

While her creatinine levels are improving, swelling could still be due to kidney or heart-related issues, medications, or dietary factors. It's essential to continue working closely with her healthcare providers, and follow the prescribed treatments and diet plan. Regular check-ups, blood tests, and open communication with her doctor will help guide the best course of action.

Question 2

I've been dealing with a boil on my buttock, and after finishing a 5-day course of antibiotics yesterday, it developed a white head today. When I did a warm compression, it released some pus and then blood. I cleaned it up and covered it with cotton,...

Accepted Answer

The boil on your buttock has likely come to a head, released pus and blood, and is now in the process of healing; however, given the continued bleeding, it's essential to monitor the wound closely, keep it clean, and apply antibiotic ointment to promote healing and prevent infection; if the bleeding persists, increases, or is accompanied by increased pain, redness, or swelling, seek medical attention from a healthcare professional or a dermatologist for further evaluation and guidance.

Question 3

I drank 3 cans of Red Bull hoping to get through my back-to-back exams since it's my final semester, but now I'm regretting it. I had one can in the evening, the next at around 11 PM, and the last one this morning at about 5:30 AM. After that third o...

Accepted Answer

Consuming 3 cans of Red Bull in a short period, especially on an empty stomach, can lead to caffeine toxicity, causing nausea, vomiting, and weakness; to recover, drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids, like coconut water or sports drinks, to replenish lost salts; eat small, frequent meals of bland foods, like crackers or toast; avoid caffeine and energy drinks for a while; and if your weakness persists, or you experience severe symptoms like chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.

Question 4

I've been getting really anxious about my HIV status and could really use some advice. Nine months ago, I had unprotected sex, and since then, I've been super vigilant about getting tested. I've taken the HIV 12 test every three months up to now, and...

Accepted Answer

No need to worry as your test results are negative you are free from the disease.

Question 5

I'm feeling really confused and worried right now. I had a fever and took a paracetamol tablet at night, then ended up sweating a lot. I thought it might be some reaction to the tablet, but the next morning I woke up feeling really cold. I decided to...

Accepted Answer

Dengue fever concerns:
 
 *Immediate Action:*
 
 1. Hospitalize your sister if possible, especially with severe symptoms.
 2. Consult the doctor who diagnosed her for guidance.
 
 *Temperature Management:*
 
 1. Continue Paracetamol (PCM) and Pan (anti-pyretic) as prescribed.
 2. Monitor temperature closely.
 3. Consider IV fluids and medication in a hospital setting.
 
 *Platelet Count (2lacs):*
 
 1. Closely monitor platelet count.
 2. Transfusion may be necessary if count drops below 1 lac.
 
 *Dietary Advice:*
 
 1. Fluid-rich foods:
 - Soups
 - Broth
 - Coconut water
 - Fresh fruit juices
 2. Easy-to-digest foods:
 - Porridge
 - Idlis (steamed rice cakes)
 - Toast
 - Plain rice
 3. Avoid:
 - Spicy foods
 - Heavy meals
 - Fried foods
 
 *Body Pain and Burning Sensation:*
 
 1. Follow doctor's advice on pain management.
 2. Use cool compresses or wet towels to reduce fever.
 
 *Solo (Paracetamol) Dosage:*
 
 1. Consult the doctor before administering another dose.
 2. Typically, 1 tablet every 4-6 hours, not exceeding 3 tablets in 24 hours.
 
 *Worry Signs:*
 
 1. Severe abdominal pain
 2. Vomiting
 3. Bleeding gumsnose
 4. Difficulty breathing
 5. Platelet count below 1 lac

Question 6

I'm trying to understand the differences between the typhoid IgG IgM test and the Widal test. Can one of these tests detect typhoid better than the other? I'm not sure which test is more reliable or if there's any specific situation where one might b...

Accepted Answer

The Typhoid IgGIgM test is a serological test that detects the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against Salmonella Typhi in the blood, indicating acute or past typhoid infection, respectively; this test is more sensitive and specific than the traditional Widal test, which detects agglutinating antibodies, and can be used as a replacement or complementary test, especially in the early stages of infection or in immunocompromised patients; both tests can detect typhoid, but the Typhoid IgGIgM test is preferred due to its higher accuracy and ability to distinguish between acute and past infections.

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General Physician/ Internal Medicine

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