FitSugar

When a Stomachache Needs Medical Attention

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:30:00 PST

Have you ever had a stomachache that makes you wonder, is this more than just a stomachache? You're not alone perhaps every time I have gas pains I wonder if I something more serious is going on down there.

Sometimes it is just hard to tell with our bodies, so I was thrilled to see this list of symptoms that would indicate that tummy ache is something more (and may even warrant a trip to the hospital):

Very sharp, severe and sudden pain
Fever along with your stomach or abdominal pain
Vomiting blood, or having bloody diarrhea
Soreness or tenderness in the abdomen
An abdomen that is hard and rigid
Inability to have a bowel movement, particularly if you are also vomiting
Pain in the chest, neck or shoulder
Dizziness or lightheadedness

Source

5 Steps to Take When You're Filing For Bankruptcy

Emily Co — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:00:03 PDT

Bankruptcy may sound scary and it should be. Filing for it should always be looked at as the last resort. It's a difficult and emotionally exhausting process, which requires the aid and expertise of an attorney. The legal costs can run up to thousands of dollars, and the effect on your credit score is quite damaging. Read on to see if bankruptcy is right for you.

Alternatives to bankruptcy. Are you really all out of options? You need to have given some serious effort to paying off your debt. Make sure that you've tried to lower the interest rate of your debt or negotiate better terms. You can also seek help from a credit counselor. Greatly downsize your living expenses with a smart budgeting plan and find ways to earn extra money.

Know the ramifications. Your life isn't going to be one clean slate after filing for bankruptcies. You'll still be responsible for some debt like student loans and tax debt. Although you filed for bankruptcy, anyone who you cosigned or guaranteed the loan with is still obligated to pay and may even have to pay off the debts you're off the hook for. Your credit score will be greatly damaged for years, which means that it'll be very hard for you to take out loans and the interest rates will be very high. You can also face problems when getting a new job since a lot of employers now request a credit report from potential hires.

Gather documents. You need to start gathering financial documents together for your lawyer. Get a hold of records of your debt, which includes credit card bills, unpaid medical bills, loan statements, and more. Find documentation of the assets you currently hold and monthly income statements. Your attorney will help you figure out what else you need.

Read on to find out more.

DrSugar Discusses Breast Asymmetry

DrSugar — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:30:24 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she tackles the topic of different sized breasts.

This week on DrSugar, we round out our series on women's health issues with a discussion on breast size asymmetry - this is a surprisingly common concern among female adolescents and even adult women! Breast size asymmetry is when a woman's breasts are different in size and is defined as a difference of form, position, or volume of the breast, and it affects more than half of all women. Typically, the asymmetry is more noticeable during puberty and eventually breast size evens out during development. However, according to the Massachusetts General Hospital website, up to 25 percent of women have a persistent visible breast asymmetry. To learn more, keep on reading.

DrSugar on UTI Prevention

DrSugar — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:13:44 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's schooling us in preventing dreaded UTIs.

This week we will continue our ongoing discussion of all things gynecologic and discuss the ever awful urinary tract infection (UTI). As someone who has gotten urinary tract infections in the past, I can truly say they are one of the most unpleasant infections I’ve ever had, and given how common they are, I figured it would be a good topic to write about this week. To learn more about urinary tract infections and how to prevent them, keep reading!

DrSugar: Could I Be Allergic to Exercise?

DrSugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:42:42 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's tackling a reader suffering from an allergic reaction to exercise.

Dear Dr. Sugar,
I work out regularly, but I have had a sort of reaction during my last two intense cardio workouts. My face turns bright red; I wheeze slightly, cough, and my eyes and nose itch. I have to stop and rest, but the symptoms go away after about 30 minutes. The symptoms seem to be similar to a food allergy, however I work out first thing in the morning and only have coffee before starting. What could be the cause of this reaction and how can I avoid it?
- Not Seeking a Workout Excuse, I Swear

Thank you for asking such an interesting question! Your symptoms that are brought on by exercise are actually quite concerning (especially the respiratory symptoms - cough and wheezing). I am glad that you stop and rest when these symptoms appear, as they could be a sign of possible allergic reaction to exercise. Yes, that's right, although rare, some people have an allergic response to exercise or physical exertion and their symptoms can range from a hives-like rash to a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

Allergic symptoms from physical exertion are called "exercise-induced anaphylaxis," according to Medscape. The most common symptoms present with this condition are itching, hives, angioedema (swelling of the eyes, lips, throat, hands, or feet), flushing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, passing out (syncope), profuse sweating, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), and choking, throat constriction, or hoarseness of the voice. Symptoms may occur at any stage of exercise, and stopping the exercise typically resolves the symptoms. However, Medscape does note that some people continue to have serious symptoms even after they stop exercising.

Learn more about an exercise-induced allergic reaction after the break!

DrSugar Answers: What to Do About Red Face After Exercise

DrSugar — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 03:47:31 PST

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear Dr. Sugar,
I still have to take PE in school this year and next, and I turn beet red. It's really embarrassing; no one else seems to get as red as I do. It makes me sad to be teased about it . . . Is there any way to get less red?
-FitSugar reader

We all worry about red faces (blushing, rashes, acne, etc.), but when it comes to exercise and a red face, there really shouldn’t be too much worry, as it typically represents your body’s normal reaction to the physical demands of exercise! I suffer from a seriously red face after vigorous exercise, and sometimes it lasts for hours after I’ve cooled down! Most of my fair-skinned family reacts the same way, and we’ve learned to just accept it. To learn more about exercise and a red face, keep reading!

DrSugar Answers: Can I Prevent Stretch Marks?

DrSugar — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:50:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! She's here to answer your health-related questions, and this week she's discussing stretch marks.

Dear DrSugar,
I have been dieting and losing weight, which is the good news. The bad news is I have stretch marks around my breasts, belly, and hips - not so attractive. Are they going to be permanent? Is there anything I can do to prevent them or make them go away? Thanks!
- Stressing on Stretch Marks

Thanks for asking this question because I’m sure that stretch marks are a common concern for other FitSugar readers. Medline Plus defines stretch marks, also known as striae, as irregular areas of skin that look like bands, stripes, or lines. Striae are typically seen when a person grows or gains weight rapidly or has certain conditions or diseases. To learn more about stretch marks, including prevention and treatment options, keep reading.

DrSugar Answers: Running and Yeast Infections

DrSugar — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:00:11 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I am training for my first marathon and have slowly been increasing my mileage and am experiencing an unexpected side effect: yeast infections. Not too sexy I know, but a painful problem. I know in my non-running life to wear loose cotton clothing to help prevent getting a yeast infection, but when logging miles that is just not an option due to chafing issues. I am hoping you can give me some preventative advice. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
- A Runner

First of all, congratulations on training for your first marathon! What an accomplishment and I wish you all the best on your fitness goals! I will quickly review causes of yeast infections, then answer your excellent question, so keep reading.

DrSugar Answers: Heart Murmur?

DrSugar — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:28 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
A few years ago, I started going to a new primary care physician, who I really like. But I was surprised when she listened to my heartbeat and told me I had a heart murmur. She said it was nothing to worry about, just something you "have," and that it probably wouldn't ever lead to any complications. I've never had a doctor tell me I had a heart murmur before, but she was so casual about it, it made me think it's very common. What exactly is a heart murmur, and is it something to be worried about?
- Telltale Heart

This is a fantastic question, considering the heart is one of the most important organs in the body and its main function is to supply all the other organs in the body (and even itself!) with oxygen-rich blood. Learn more about the heart and this issue when you keep reading.

DrSugar Answers: Birth Control and Trying to Conceive

DrSugar — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:00:10 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I just read your post about getting off of the pill and having irregular periods afterward. I am thankful for your article as I had experienced two to three months of no period! I am looking to conceive possibly in the next three to four years and wondering if you were able to do so after being on the pill for an extended period of time . . . I understand that irregular ovulation will certainly make conceiving more challenging but I'm interested to know your experience with this. Thanks!
- Baby on the Brain

I received this question from a reader after my recent post on what to expect when stopping oral birth control pills. I thought it was a great topic to discuss, and I will also share my personal, ongoing struggle with trying to conceive, so

read more. Assuming you have started menstruating again, it will be important for you to start keeping track of your cycle lengths. Because you are interested in conceiving in about three to four years, this gives you a long period of time to determine if there are any problems with irregular ovulation and menstruation. Should you determine that you have irregular ovulation, you should consult with a gynecologist or your primary care physician to determine the cause. First and foremost, infertility is a very common problem. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 percent of women in the United States ages 15 to 44 have difficulty getting or staying pregnant. But infertility is not always a woman’s problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, in about 20 percent of cases, infertility is due to a cause involving the male partner. For women, the most common causes of infertility include fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, or benign uterine fibroids. Fallopian tube blockage or damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube; chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is a common cause. Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus, often affecting the ovaries or fallopian tubes; the condition can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Ovulation disorders generally include problems that affect the hormones involved in ovulation. This can include injury or tumors of the pituitary or hypothalamus in the brain or excessive exercise and starvation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) develops when a woman’s body produces an excess of male hormone (testosterone), which in turn affects ovulation. Early menopause (or premature ovarian failure) is the absence of menstruation and the depletion of ovarian follicles before the age of 40. Other causes of infertility in women include thyroid problems, cancer and its treatment, excessive caffeine intake, and medical problems such as diabetes and kidney disease. There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to infertility. Age is an important factor. According to WebMD, the number of infertile couples rises with increasing age. The chances of having a baby decrease by three to five percent per year after the age of 30. The reduction in fertility is seen to a much higher extent after age 40. Tobacco smoking can also affect fertility in both males and females, and among American women, infertility is often due to a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight. Conversely, women who are underweight (especially due to eating disorders) are also at higher risk for infertility. Too little or too much exercise has also been shown to increase the risk. Whew. I know that was a lot of information all at once, so I’ll slow things down and share with you my journey with trying to conceive. I'm 31 and I was on the pill for 12 years. I stopped the pill about one and a half years ago as my husband and I were hoping to begin trying to conceive. After I stopped the pill, I had very irregular cycles that were five to 12 weeks in length. I finally decided to see a doctor about nine months after stopping the pill. After lab tests and a pelvic ultrasound, I was diagnosed with oligo-ovulation (which means that I did ovulate, but it was a rare occurrence). My lab tests showed a slightly elevated testosterone level, and the pelvic ultrasound revealed possible PCOS. Although my gynecologist did not feel that I truly met the diagnosis for PCOS, he prescribed a common medication for women who have PCOS. I was started on Clomid, which stimulates ovulation by causing the pituitary gland to release the hormones needed for egg growth. I have been on this medication for the past four months, three of which have resulted in ovulation. I have also modified my lifestyle by gaining some weight (I always had a very healthy diet and active lifestyle), stopping caffeine intake, and undergoing acupuncture not only for fertility but also to reduce stress. I remain hopeful that I will conceive in the near future. I encourage any of you who are thinking of or are already trying to conceive to see your primary care doctor or gynecologist for preconception evaluation and planning. Also, if you have been trying to get pregnant for six months or longer, it is recommended to seek consultation for evaluation and workup. Have a question for DrSugar? You can send to me via private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.