Staying Healthy Archive

Inguinal Hernia

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Do you have pain in the lower abdomen or groin area?
• Have you noticed a bulge in your lower abdomen or groin area?
• Does lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing, or straining increase the size of the bulge?
• Can you push the bulge back in?
• Do you suffer from constipation?
• Have you had bloody stools?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Careful abdominal exam
• Groin exam (including testicular and scrotal exam in men)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Stool sample
• Abdominal/Pelvic ultrasound
• Abdominal/Pelvic CT scan

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Do you have pain or cramping in the lower stomach?
• How often do you get the pain?
• Is the pain related to meals?
• Do you suffer from constipation and small bowel movements?
• Do you have diarrhea that alternates with constipation?
• Do you have frequent bloating and gas?
• Do you have a feeling of fullness in the rectum?
• Is there a family history of inflammatory bowel disease?
• Do you have a history of mental illness or depression?
• Are there any things causing unusual stress in your life?
• Please describe your diet in detail.

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Careful abdominal exam
• Rectal exam

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Stool testing for blood and cultures
• Conventional abdominal X-rays
• Endoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
• Barium enema
• Complete blood count and other blood tests

Irregular Menstrual Periods

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Have you been experiencing high levels of stress?
• How much do you exercise?
• Have you ever had an eating disorder?
• Have you lost weight recently?
• Have you been intolerant of heat or cold.
• Have you had rapid heartbeats, dry skin, hair loss, constipation or diarrhea, or a change in weight (these are symptoms of thyroid abnormalities, which can cause irregular periods)?
• Do you have abnormal body hair?
• Have you gained weight?
• Do you have regular menstrual cycles?
• Is your bleeding always heavy or prolonged?
• How old were you when you started menstruating?
• How long ago did you develop irregular periods?
• When you do have your period, is it accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal cramping, mood changes, and bloating?
• Are you sexually active?
• When was your last period?
• How many times have you been pregnant?
• What was the outcome of each pregnancy (live births, miscarriages, cesarean sections)?
• Have you ever had difficulty getting pregnant?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Heart rate, blood pressure, and weight
• Heart and lungs
• Pelvic examination

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Pregnancy test
• Blood tests for certain hormone levels (thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, DHEA)
• 24-hour urine collection for free cortisol
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Pap smear (see p. 1066)

Lactose Intolerance

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Do you have rumbling abdominal sounds after eating milk products?
• Do you get abdominal cramps, bloating, or diarrhea after eating milk products?
• Can you tolerate small amounts of milk?
• Do your symptoms improve when you eliminate milk products from your diet?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Careful abdominal exam
• Rectal exam

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Trial of elimination of milk products from the diet
• Hydrogen breath test
• Lactose tolerance test

Macular Degeneration

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Have you noticed a change in vision in one eye or both?
• Do you have trouble reading, even with reading glasses?
• Do you have difficulty seeing fine details?
• Do you see a gray patch in the middle of the words when you read?
• Do straight vertical lines appear "wiggly" when you look at them?
• Is your side or peripheral vision affected?
• Do you have diabetes?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you have a family history of macular degeneration?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• The inside of your eye, using an ophthalmoscope (see p. 417)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Referral to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) who will do a complete eye exam with drops to dilate your pupils.

Multiple Myeloma

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Have you had any recent infections?
• Do you know when to call your doctor with symptoms of infection?
• Do you have pain in any of your bones? If so, is it constant, or does it occur only when you move?
• Have you had any recent fractures?
• Do you have pain in your spine? Does it radiate to another part of your body?
• Have you noticed a decrease in sensation or strength in your hands or feet?
• Have you had loss of bladder or bowel control?
• Do you know when to seek medical attention for back pain?
• Have you been fatigued?
• Have you been lightheaded?
• Have you been short of breath with minimal exertion?
• Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
• Do you bruise easily, or get nosebleeds?
• Have you been weak, nauseated, constipated, or confused?
• Have you had a headache or a change in your vision?
• Can you feel any lumps or masses under your skin?
• Are you aware of the possible complications that can develop from multiple myeloma?
• Do you know which symptoms should cause you to call your doctor?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Skin
• Heart
• Lungs
• Arms and legs
• Spine
• Neurology examination (to check for strength and sensation in your hands and feet)
• Lymph nodes (neck, axilla, and groin)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Blood tests for complete blood count, electrolytes, kidney function, uric acid, calcium, and beta-2 microglobulin
• Serum protein electrophoresis or SPEP
• Urine protein electrophoresis or UPEP
• Quantitative immunoglobulin levels in the urine and blood
• Immunoelectrophoresis
• 24-hour urine collection for protein
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Skeletal radiographs
• CT scan
• MRI scan

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Have you had an echocardiogram?
• What did it show?
• Does your mitral valve leak?
• Do you get chest pain?
• What brings it on?
• How long does it last?
• What relieves it?
• Do you ever get a rapid or pounding heartbeat (palpitations) for no reason?
• How long does it last?
• Do you feel faint or develop chest pain or shortness of breath?
• Have you ever fainted?
• Do you get short of breath when you lie down or exert yourself?
• Have you ever taken any medications for your heart?
• Did you develop any side effects from these medications?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Heart rate, blood pressure, and weight
• Heart (sometimes while you are standing, squatting, or performing other maneuvers)
• Lungs

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram
• Holter monitor or event monitor

Multiple Sclerosis

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Do you have cloudy or double vision?
• Do you ever have eye pain or involuntary jumping of your vision?
• Do you have problems with clumsiness or poor coordination?
• Have you ever had numbness or tingling in your arms or legs? Tremors?
• Do you ever have hearing loss or vertigo?
• Do you have difficulty concentrating or problems with memory loss?
• Do you have any problems with bladder or bowel control?
• Do you have constipation?
• Do you have any family history of multiple sclerosis?
• Are you taking any medications?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Complete neurological exam focusing on reflexes, strength, gait, sensation, and vision

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Lumbar puncture for removal and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)