Hydroxyzine for anxiety

Is hydroxyzine useful for treatment of anxiety?

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. It has been around for over 70 years and not much used today. The drug is sometimes prescribed by GPs for anxiety. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that this drug works for anxiety. My advice to you is seek the assistance of a psychiatrist for your anxiety. Most GPs are clueless about treatment of mental health disorders. Any doctor who prescribes hydroxyzine today is an idiot.

Quetiapine for anxiety

Recently I was prescribed quetiapine for my anxiety. Does this medication work?

Anxiety is a difficult disorder to treat. Even though there are medications for treatment, resistance quickly develops. Now there has been an interest in the use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of anxiety. Current data show that quetiapine does relieve anxiety. Unfortunately, the drug has numerous side effects and most patients stop taking the medication.

Vitamin C for pneumonia

Does vitamin C help patients who have a pneumonia?

There have been thousands of papers published on vitamin C and its health benefits. As far as pneumonia is concerned, this vitamin only is helpful for pneumonia that develop as outpatient. In recent studies done in hospitalized patients, vitamin C has not been shown to be of any benefit. In general, the treatment of a bacterial pneumonia is antibiotics. Viral pneumonias are treated with supportive therapy. You may take vitamin C if you want for any illness, but whether it helps is another story.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Is there anything I can do to improve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

CFS is a very difficult to treat and patient dis- satisfaction is very high. No one person responds to the same medications and even medications that work, stop working in the long term. The one treatment I can recommend is exercise. More data indicate that exercise is of great benefit. Not only does it help you lose weight, but exercise also improves self esteem and confidence.

Acupuncture for hot flashes

I am a 49 year old female and have hot flashes. I do not want to take any hormones. Do you think acupuncture can help me?

Acupuncture is one treatment that is still searching for a medical disorder it can treat. The evidence for acupuncture for treatment of many medical disorder is conflicting. For hot flashes and menopausal symptoms, the evidence that acupuncture works is scant. 

Definitely not recommended. More important, you have to go for many sessions with no guarantee that it will work. Each session can cost $75-$150. My advice- give acupuncture a rest- it is a glorified treatment that does very little except make the providers rich.

Minocycline for acne

Recently my doctor prescribed me minocycline for acne. Does this medication work?

First, dump your doctor-he/she probably is too stupid to read the current literature. There is ZERO evidence that minocycline works for acne. It definitely is not a first line medication for acne. In addition, evidence now indicates that you are more likely to develop a lupus like syndrome from this medication.  So my advice to you is dump this bum MD, see a bona fide skin doctor and ask for a retinoid.

Liraglutide for diabetes

 I am a type 2 diabetic and was recently prescribed liraglutide. Is there something cheaper I can take?

Your doctor is scamming you. Please find a new doctor. The glucagon like peptides for type 2 diabetes are relatively new. Many doctors have started to prescribe these medications but there is NO evidence that these drugs are better than metformin. Secondly, these newer medications are prohibitively expensive. Thirdly, they cause weight gain. 

My advice to you is find a new doctor. It appears this doctor is working for the drug manufacturer and is interested in getting commissions for writing this bullcrap prescription. See any doctor and ask for metformin. It is cheap, causes weight loss and is the best drug around for type 2 diabetes. It has been around for 70 years and very safe.

Painful cracked heels

I have dry cracked heels. Is there something I can do for the pain and itching?

Many people neglect their feet. Lack of moisturizer is the number one cause of dry crackled heels. The heels can be tender to touch when the skin is cracked. Best advice is use an oil-based moisturizer 2-3 times a day and you must do this everyday. Within a few days, you will see the difference. Drink ample water, avoid tight socks and wear comfortable shoes.

Generic Abilify

Is there a generic anti-psychotic I can take which is cheaper than Abilify?

Yes, try Geodon. There is a generic version, which is cheaper and works just as well.

Hair on nipples

I have hair on my nipples and would like to get rid of them. Is there anything I can do at home?

Sure, you have several choices -none of them are great. If there are just a few hairs, trim them with a scissors. If you pull them out with a tweezer, the hair will definitely grow back and you will be back to square one. Do not shave, as the hair that grows will generally become thick and dense. You can also bleach the hair. Even though laser and electrolysis are often done at spas, this treatment is not only VERY painful, but also expensive and not a permanent cure. In the end, it is all a personal choice.

Facial hair

Why do I have so much facial hair? I hate it.

Well, there can be many reasons for facial hair but in most cases, the answer is simple- bad luck and bad genes. Some women may have a disorder like polycystic ovarian syndrome. If you are on no medications and still have facial hair, I would not worry about it. Hair on a woman’s face is very common. Most learn to live with it or hide it.

Shy about buying condoms

I am very shy about buying condoms at a pharmacy. Is there any other way to buy them?

Many people are shy about buying condoms but do not admit it. However, with the internet, you can now buy them online, or call in an order. Most of the stores will mail you condoms in plain packages, so they won’t be conspicuous.

lambskin condoms

Recently my girlfriend suggested I use condoms made from lambskin. Are these condoms special?

Lambskin condoms have been around for many decades. They are very thin and offer a natural feel.  Most women prefer men use these condoms. However, while these condoms can prevent pregnancy, they are not great at preventing all the STDs or even HIV. These condoms can be used with either oil or water lubricants without risk of perforation. Overall these condoms are very expensive but if you want a natural feel of the sexual organs, try them out.

Condom wirh spermicidal

I am going on a vacation to the Orient and have decided to take some condoms that are already lubricated with a spermicidal. Are they worth the extra money?

No, condoms lubricated with spermicidals are useless and a waste of money. These condoms are no better than other condoms. In fact, the presence of the spermicide on the condom may cause an allergic reaction or blisters in either partner. Best advice- go with latex condoms.

Studded condoms for extra pleasure

I would like to increase pleasure for my GF during sex. Do you think studded condoms can help?

There are many types of condoms on the market. The two most common sold for extra genital stimulation are the studded or ribbed condoms. However, the majority of these condoms are quite thick and the male will not be able to feel the vagina (like wise for the female- she wont even know you are there). 

Some females like studded condoms because of the increased stimulation, but lubrication is vital. If the vagina is dry or not well lubricated, the studded or ribbed condoms can induce friction and pain. So when you buy studded condoms, you also need to buy a gallon of Vaseline.

Surgery to tighten the vagina

 I am a 38-year-old female and have two children. Is there any way to tighten up my vagina?

Many women who have children often feel that their vagina feels loose or saggy. While in most cases, the vagina regains its size and elasticity after birth, in some cases it does become saggy. The only thing that can tighten the vagina safely is kegel exercises. Essentially these exercises tighten the pelvic floor and have other benefits. Kegel exercises increase the elasticity of the bladder wall, so you won’t leak urine in future. However, you need to do these kegel exercises many times a day for at least 8-12 weeks or even longer to see the results. Do not expect miracles as the benefits are not seen in everyone. Kegel exercises are not fun. Most women give up because of the monotony of squeezing a ball in between the thighs 100 times a day.

As far as surgery is concerned- a word of warning. Do not go for it. Even though some doctors do perform vaginal tightening,  the surgery is extremely hazardous and the results are horrendous. Keep away from any surgeon who recommends vaginal tightening, as you will live to regret it.

Clove cigarettes

Are clove cigarettes safe?

No, clove cigarettes are not safe. They have a high concentration of tobacco and are just as bad as normal cigarettes. Data released from the CDC suggest that these cigarettes release just as much carbon monoxide and nicotine as regular cigarettes.

The clove in these products contains eugenol, a substance about which very little is known. Eugenol acts like an anesthetic and can numb the throat. Data suggest that smokers of these products can easily ingest food in their lungs, leading to pneumonias and other infections.
 

Best advice I can give is stop smoking. You will save your money and have good health.

Black eyes

Sometimes after partying I often develop black eyes. Is there a way to treat them at home?

Sure, when you retire to bed, apply a cold compress on your face. Do not wait till the morning because once the black eyes have developed, there is little you can do. The cool compress will minimize swelling. Sleep with the head of the bed elevated and this will also help reduce swelling on your face. When you wake up in the morning, you will feel refreshed and revitalized. If you do not have a cold compress just use a packet of frozen vegetables.

Treatment for Bell's palsy

I have been told I have bell's palsy. Do I need treatment for it?

The majority of people who develop bell's palsy will recover without any treatment. The key requirement for you is to be patient. The most important thing that you have to do is avoid injury to your eye. This means keeping it moist and avoid rubbing the eye. There is very little evidence that use of antiviral drugs or steroids can help you recover faster.

Bell's palsy

I have bell's palsy. How do I protect my eye? I do not have insurance to see a doctor.

You do not need to see a doctor for treatment of Bell's palsy. Most cases recover on their own. However, it is important that you protect the eye. The open eye can easily be scratched or be exposed to a foreign body.

Liberally apply artificial tears to your eyes every few hours. You should use lubricants even at night. There are many types of artificial tears you can buy. During the daytime, wear sunglasses or protective shields to protect the eye from the environment. The one thing that is not recommended is use of eye patches. It often takes months to fully recover from Bell's palsy.

Low sex drive in a female

I am a 29-year-old female and have low sex drive. Is there any medication I can take to reverse this?

Low sex drive in females is quite common and unfortunately difficult to treat. There are no FDA approved medications for treatment of this disorder. Many women with this disorder are often prescribed bullshit psychotherapy. I have no idea if this works but it sure is not cheap. You have to go for many sessions and each session can cost $100-$300. Am really not sure how talking crap can improve libido-but gullible and foolish people with money often enroll for this therapy.

The one drug that has been evaluated in small studies for low libido is bupropion. This antidepressant has been shown to be effective in women with low sex drive.  It is not known if the reversal of libido is due to its antidepressant effects. The only thing I can recommend is for you to ask your doctor for a trial. You may need to take it for several weeks before you see any benefits. Bupropion can also help you lose weight and discontinue smoking- at least this is what the manufacturers claim.

Treatment of narcissistic personality

I am a 33-year-old male and am frequently told I have a narcissistic personality. Is there a medication to treat this?

Narcissistic personality is not treated with medications. You need to go for psychotherapy. This includes group/family therapy that is focused on some nonsense. I am not a psychotherapist and have very little idea what they talk about in these sessions. I doubt simply talking can change personality. 

In any case, medications are only used to treat any associated disorders that you may have like anxiety, depression or impulsivity. Narcissistic personality is quite resistant to treatment.

Cream for premature ejaculation

I am a 24-year-old male and have premature ejaculation. It is very embarrassing. Is there any cream I can buy to stop this problem?

Premature ejaculation is a major problem in many men.  Unfortunately premature ejaculation is difficult to treat. There are some who advocate psychotherapy and squeezing the testicles technique, but both these are bullshit. 

You may want to go to a chinese/korean health store. There is product known as SS (Super Secret). The Koreans claim that if this cream is applied on the penis, you can thrust in and out of the vagina, without spurting all over the place. The cream decreases sensations from the vagina and helps delay the ejaculation. Some men even use the local anesthetic lidocaine, which serves as a lubricant and a desensitizing cream. Unfortunately the local anesthetic will numb not only your penis but also the female’s erogenous zones-and neither of you will be able to sense the pleasurable sensations.

Premature ejaculation

I have premature ejaculation and was recently prescribed an antidepressant. Do these medications work?

Some doctors have been prescribing antidepressants for premature ejaculation. However, there are no good studies to show that these drugs work. In many cases, you have to be on the drug for many weeks before you see any affect. Personally I do not recommend antidepressants for premature ejaculation, because they can also lower your libido. Best advice- masturbate 30 minutes prior to intercourse. Your only problem then is if you can get it up again in time for the actual intercourse.

Do i need to measure my BP regularly?

Why should I monitor my blood pressure all the time?

Many individuals have high blood pressure in our society. The majority of individuals only get their blood pressure measured when they visit their physician, which may average about 1-3 times a year. Most of these individuals take several medications to help control the blood pressure but have little idea what the blood pressure is like on a daily basis. High blood pressure is a silent disease and there are generally no symptoms. When high blood pressure is not adequately treated, serious complications can occur.

Measuring blood pressure at home has many advantages including making an early diagnosis. Individuals who have had a diagnosis of borderline hypertension,  diabetes or kidney problems are always at risk for developing full-blown hypertension in the future. Routinely measuring blood pressure can help one make the diagnosis much earlier.

Blood pressure devices in the mall

I have high blood pressure but have no access to a blood pressure device at home. Are the machines in the malls ok?

Individuals who routinely rely on outdoor devices for blood pressure monitoring should always write down the number and compare it with the number obtained in the physicians’ office. If there is a difference of more than 10 mmHg, then the outside machines are useless. For machines to be valid, the difference in blood pressure must be less than 5 mmHg.

Many studies have indicated that automated blood pressure devices in the malls do not meet the criteria in terms of accuracy or reliability of measurements. Those individuals who have high blood pressure should get their measurements done at a health clinic or an outpatient medical facility.

Herbs to grow hair?

What are the common herbs touted to help hair growth?

He Shou Wu also known as Fo Ti is widely sold in many health food stores. It is chiefly used by many Orientals to increase hair growth. As far as clinical evidence is concerned, this herb is a big rip off. There is zero evidence that it can even grow one single hair strand, not even on the arse.

Pygeum (Pygeum Africanum) is another herb that is hyped up to grow hair. The vendors of this herb recommend a pill a day and claim that hair loss can be prevented. Even though it has been widely used in china, there is no clinical evidence or even one scientific study to show that it works.

Panax Ginseng is the most well known herb and widely sold for the treatment of many medical disorders including hair loss. The vendors of this herb claim that Panax ginseng increases blood supply to the scalp and increase nutrition to the scalp. There is a lot of publicity given to this herbs ability to increase hair growth- in reality, it does absolutely nothing.

Panax ginseng is found in many hair tonics and shampoos manufactured in Asia. For the consumer, Panax ginseng grows as much hair on the scalp that you would get by washing your hair with urine.
Other herbs commonly sold for hair growth in health food stores include Dong 

Quai (Chinese Angelica), Stinging nettles, Saw palmetto, gingko Biloba, and green tea extracts. Each and every one of these herbs is hyped up to grow hair back in a few weeks. Ads like having a full head of hair with herbs are common

So what about the real facts?

There is not one individual in the entire universe that has grown hair after using these herbal products. At the very best, a few individuals have grown 1-2 strands of hair on their pubis or the anal area. There is no clinical study showing that use of such herbal products can grow hair. In all cases, herbs are just as useless as all the drugs for hair growth. In simple words, herbs and drugs for hair growth should be considered a scam.

For all consumers, remember there is no drug or herb that will bring back your hair. If you have no money and no hair, learn to live with a baldhead or wear a hat. For those who have money and no hair, try getting hair transplant- expensive, painful and sometimes works.

Finally, in the end, remember, it is not what is on your scalp that is important, but what is in-between your ears (at least this is what some women who love bald men claim).

CT scan and kidney stone

I keep on having severe left side pain, which radiates to my pubic area. The ultrasound was negative. Is there another test for kidney stones?

US is a bullshit test and is operator dependent. In most cases it is excessively ordered with no conclusive diagnosis. The ideal test for kidney stone today is a non-contrast CT scan. Takes a few minutes and is very sensitive. If you feel that you have a stone, get a Ct scan. IVP used to be done in the past, but now has been replaced by the CT scan.

Blood in urine

I have been lifting weights for a few months and recently noticed a few drops of blood in my urine. I have no pain. Is this something to worry about?

If you had no trauma to your abdomen, and developed some red discoloration of urine, I would not worry about it. Hematuria or blood in the urine can occur after intense exercise or even jogging. Just drink lots of water and take it easy for a few days. However, if the blood in the urine persists for more than 2 weeks, I would go and see a doctor to make sure there is no underlying cause. In some people, blood in the urine is often a sign of a bladder cancer. If you have pain with blood in the urine, it could be a kidney stone.

Skin tags

I have several skin tags on my neck. My doctor recommended that I remove them. Any suggestions?

Yes, dump your doctor. Millions of people have skin tags. These are harmless skin lesions. If they do not bother you, leave then alone. Why skin tags occur is not fully known. Many spontaneously disappear. Sometimes the skin tag may bleed during shaving, but you can easily stop this by finger pressure. There are many ways to remove skin tags. The simplest is to cut them off at the base. One can use laser or a knife. No matter what technique is used, the doctor should use a local anesthetic because it can be painful cutting the skin tag. My advice is leave them alone. In many cases, skin tags do recur. The less you muck around with your body, the fewer the complications you will develop. In many cases, going to surgeons can be more hazardous than the skin tag.

Fluid around the heart

I have renal failure and have been told that I have fluid around my heart. Do I need treatment for this condition?

Fluid around the heart often occurs in patients with renal failure. The treatment depends on presence of symptoms and the amount of fluid. In most cases, the fluid can be aspirated under ultrasound. Of course, this has to be done by a good cardiologist and not some buffoon like a GP.  If the fluid has recurred several times, you may need a small surgery procedure like a pericardial window. Too much fluid around the heart can be very dangerous and life threatening. You must be followed up with frequent echos.

Steroids and swollen face

I was started on a high dose of corticosteroid for my sarcoidosis and now I have developed a swollen face and neck. Is there anyway to reverse this?

Unfortunately you have developed a well-known side effects of steroids- moon facies and humped neck. This is common when high dose steroids are used for long periods. If you continue to require steroids, then this side effect is unavoidable. Ask your doctor if the dose can be lowered or the therapy can be discontinued. Do not stop the steroid without first speaking to your doctor. Steroids usually have to be tapered off slowly. The only good thing is that the side effect is reversible when the corticosteroid is stopped.

Zoloft and loss of sex drive

 I have lost my sex drive ever since I was started on Zoloft. Is there anyway to reverse this?

Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done. The majority of drugs used to treat mental health disorders will lower libido and take away your sex drive. There is no point in changing the drug, because all of them have the potential to cause the same side effect. Best advice- try some Viagra. It does work in some people who take antidepressants and antipsychotic medications.

Buying a portable blood pressure machine

 I want to buy a blood pressure measuring device, is there anything I should know?

Measuring blood pressure with a small sized cuff in a large individual always gives erroneously low readings. To ensure that you are getting a reliable reading, the inflatable portion of the cuff should cover more than ¾ of the upper arm.

Today, there are a wide variety of blood pressure monitors available for home use. All blood pressure monitors are available without a physicians’ prescription. However before you buy a blood pressure device, it is essential to buy the right device and develop the proper technique of measuring blood pressure. Speak to your doctor and get him/her to teach you how to measure blood pressure the right way.

Blood pressure devices in Malls

Are Blood Pressure Measurement Devices in Malls and Pharmacies reliable?

There are blood pressure monitoring devices in almost all pharmacies, malls and even grocery stores. Even though these machines are for free usage, they are simply not maintained, calibrated and have cuffs of only one size. Right off the bat, these devices are useless for measuring blood pressure in children (or those individuals with a small body size) and large or overweight individuals.

The manufacturers of these outdoor automated blood pressure devices install them all over the place and rarely come back to service them. In some cases, parts are missing or the cuffs are ripped. Therefore, to summarize- these devices suck. If you have high blood pressure, you should either get your blood pressure measured at the doctor’s office or get a device, which fits your arm and produces reliable measurements that match the doctor.

Should I buy diabetic socks?

Do diabetics need to wear special socks?

Everyone nowadays seem to be making money of diabetics. First, healthcare workers continue to prescribe expensive useless shoes. Secondly, diabetics are often recommended expensive medications, which are no better than the old ones and now healthcare workers have started to prescribe special diabetic socks. All this is BS treatment designed to scam desperate diabetic patients, who are in constant fear of losing their toes or legs.

All diabetics should use common sense when it comes to protection of their feet. This means maintaining good hygiene, excellent foot care and wearing proper shoes; there is also a need to wear the right type of socks.

This does not mean buying $100 pair socks-that is ridiculous. Listening to unethical healthcare workers and buying diabetic socks is nothing more than a rip off. Just buy any cotton socks, which are stretchable and have a mild pressure gradient. Diabetics should not wear socks, which have high-pressure gradients or are too tight. The gradient pressure socks help drive the blood up the leg.

Cotton is the preferred fabric as it can absorb moisture and keep the feet dry. Socks made from other fabric may look elegant, but are not helpful for diabetics. Never buy socks with a tight binding top, which is designed to prevent the socks from sliding down the leg.

In addition, make sure the socks are thick to protect the soles and toes from friction and external trauma. If possible get socks with a reinforced heel. You do no need to buy socks which are impregnated with antimicrobial fabrics-these garments do not do anything special, except cost you a lot of money.

Today, there are diabetic socks available in all styles, colors and sizes. Many are elegant and can be worn on a daily basis. Diabetic socks can be bought online but it is important to try out a pair first. Above all else, diabetic socks should feel comfortable.

The average cost of a pair of socks starts around $5 and above. Of course, there are some that are better than others. The graded pressure socks generally cost about $15 and above. To ensure that your socks maintain elasticity and shape, always hand wash your socks and air-dry them.

All diabetics should know that buying a good pair of socks is only one aspect in preventing the foot complications. One should also try and keep the glucose under control, exercise on daily basis (or at least walk) and avoid smoking.

Does MSM work for back pain

Are there any clinical studies on MSM and back pain?

As far as clinical studies are concerned, there is very little scientific data on MSM. Except for a few animal studies there is little known about it. The only anecdotal data on MSM are made by the manufacturers and dealers. There is not a single individual who has come forward and revealed that his/her back pain, diabetes or arthritis has been cured with MSM.

With regard to MSM and back pain, there is zero evidence that it does anything. In fact the FDA has already warned dealers against making false claims about MSM. No one questions the fact that sulfur is needed by the body but the amounts needed are miniscule.

Therefore, for individuals seeking a miracle in MSM, you are going to be disappointed. For the moment, it is nothing more than a scam. In addition, MSM does not come cheap. Ninety capsules cost anywhere from $15-$20 and you can add up the yearly cost. If you have back pain, go to a bona fide health care professional and seek a therapy that works.