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Ask an Expert
James D. Kelly, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?
I suggest you get treatment for your impingement. Impingement is a fairly simple thing to treat, and most patients recover well and are able to resume activities like push-ups. If you have had treatment but did... continue reading about I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
When should you tell a potential sex partner about herpes?
Herpes simplex is a very common virus and can break out on any moist surface of the body. A person is contagious when there is an active herpetic lesion, and close contact must be avoided during these times. Th... continue reading about When should you tell a potential sex partner about herpes?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
Non-surgical nose reshaping is a popular alternative to traditional nose reshaping surgery for patients who seek to correct mild to moderate nasal imperfections without having to undergo surgery. In non-surgica... continue reading about I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
California Pacific Medical Center
My heart has been skipping and I'm feeling dizzy. I went in for testing and was diagnosed with second degree heart block. The doctor said that if it goes to third degree, he might suggest a pacemaker. What can I do to avoid moving to third degree?
When the heart beat starts to slow down, or when the conduction starts to block every so often, sometimes it is because a medication is stressing the heart's electrical system. If there are no medications to ac... continue reading about My heart has been skipping and I'm feeling dizzy. I went in for testing and was diagnosed with second degree heart block. The doctor said that if it goes to third degree, he might suggest a pacemaker. What can I do to avoid moving to third degree?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar stroke?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase the risk of ischemic stroke (lacunar stroke is a subtype of ischemic stroke). Although the absolute risk of complications such as stroke is relativel... continue reading about What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar stroke?
Rodman S. Rogers, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I was recently diagnosed with a kidney stone, but my doctor thinks it will pass on its own without treatment. What is a kidney stone, and is there anything I can do to prevent getting them again?
Kidney stones form in several ways but typically start as crystals that form in concentrated urine. So one thing everyone can do to help prevent stones is to drink extra liquids (to produce 2.5 liters of urine ... continue reading about I was recently diagnosed with a kidney stone, but my doctor thinks it will pass on its own without treatment. What is a kidney stone, and is there anything I can do to prevent getting them again?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
California Pacific Medical Center
What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
A pacemaker is an implanted device that is designed to keep your heart rate from getting too slow. It is given to patients who have too slow a heart rate that makes them feel weak, short of breath, or dizzy. Th... continue reading about What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
California Pacific Medical Center
My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
The EP study is an "electrophysiology study." This is a test that is performed by a cardiac electrophysiologist (a specialized cardiologist that is trained to manage heart rhythm problems). The EP study is a co... continue reading about My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I'm having chest pains, but all my tests related to the heart have come up clear. What could be the causing this pain?
Your question is at the heart of an important and common issue that cardiologists deal with regularly. When is chest pain a serious problem related to the heart? When is chest pain from something other than the... continue reading about I'm having chest pains, but all my tests related to the heart have come up clear. What could be the causing this pain?
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