Articles & Posts by Cory SerVaas
Help for Overactive Bladder
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
I am an 82-year-old male and have the urge to urinate every 30 to 60 minutes. I‘ve had this for about three months and no medicines seem to help. I had prostate surgery about 25 years ago. Do other urologists have patients as old as me with similar symptoms?
R. D.
Texas
Dr. Jerry Blaivas [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
A Rare Type of Breast Cancer
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
Why don’t more mammogram technicians know about inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)? I am aware of three cases in my area. However, I recently had a mammogram at a large hospital, and the technician had never heard of it. IBC does not show on a mammogram.
Dorothy
Colorado
“Medical Mailbox” readers can help raise awareness about [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
Dental Cleaning and Heart Health
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
I have mitral valve prolapse, and my dentist said it’s no longer necessary to take an antibiotic before I have my teeth cleaned. But I read that Bobby Darin died at 37 after having his teeth cleaned. Should I insist on taking an antibiotic before teeth cleaning?
Dee
Post cardiology consultant Dr. Douglas Zipes replies:
“Antibiotic [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
A Life Saved
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
In August 2008, my husband, Frank, and I arrived at the Seattle Airport after a 10-hour flight from Europe. We had just picked up our bags when Frank’s eyes suddenly opened wide. As he started to fall over the luggage rack, I cried out for help. Almost immediately, two men lowered him to [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
Skin Problem Could Be Eczema
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
My husband (age 62) has red spots on both feet. They are not bothersome unless they form blisters under the toes that later peel. The mystery is that he also had this problem last winter. When warm weather came they totally disappeared. He just had a complete blood work up and everything is [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
About Bruises
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
My lovely wife has a problem. The least thing she bumps with her hand or arm immediately causes a distinct bruise that lasts for days. Why does this happen or what can be done to stop it? If age is a factor, please explain why.
Barney
Alabama
Post contributing editor and dermatology expert Dr. C. William [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
Omega-3 Tackles Her Triglycerides
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
In response to Margaret Coy in your March/April 2009 issue, I would have to say that taking omega-3 definitely has a role in good health. My cholesterol has always been high, with triglycerides soaring above desired levels. Lipitor brought the LDL and HDL to appropriate levels but did not affect the triglycerides, so [...]
April 17, 2009 | Read more »
A Heartfelt Thank You
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
In your November/December 2008 issue I happened to read that leg and hand spasms could be caused by the cholesterol medicines. I had been having such severe pains that I would have to pull over in traffic because I was afraid to drive with them. I tried eating bananas and all the other [...]
March 1, 2009 | Read more »
Treating Pernicious Anemia
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia in 1982 and prescribed 1000-microgram shots of B12 (cyanocobalamin) every month for the rest of my life. I have since moved, and my current doctor advises that 100 micrograms a month is sufficient, a dose I have been taking for more than two years. I have many [...]
February 11, 2009 | Read more »
Is Mineral Oil Safe for Constipation?
Dear Dr. SerVaas,
A letter in the November/December 2008 issue prompted me to ask if mineral oil is still available as a laxative for severe constipation. I will check out lactulose as suggested. It was used years ago for the problem, but I never hear of it now. Can you advise me?
Geneve
Mineral oil is a [...]
February 11, 2009 | Read more »
