Hey TJMS Family, Whats up Doc? I’m experiencing weight gain, a bloated stomach and little appetite. What do these symptoms indicate?
Sounds like something related to your gastrointestinal tract. You need a check up from your primary care doctor.
Doc, I’m having chest pains right in the center of my chest. Am I OK?
It’s likely muscular pain but any chest pain should be checked out.
Good morning. I have high blood pressure, but no insurance. I make just enough money not to be able to get any of the government special programs. I need medication for my pressure. I can’t get medication because I can’t afford to see a doctor to get a prescription what should I do?
Check the internet to see if there is a local health clinic where you can be seen for free or for a sliding scale. Call the hospital in your area; some have programs that can help low-income patients with visit fees. There are also prescription plans for low-income patients. Whatever you do, see a doctor, high blood pressure is too important to ignore.
I have swelling in my lower back, should I apply ice only or should I switch between ice & heat?
Use heat.
Dr. Claybrooks, If you are sick (vomiting food and blood for over a month) is it appropriate to continue to go the ER to get all the tests done to get a diagnosis? The primary care doctor does nothing but shove meds but gives no reason why the vomiting and loss of weight still exists.
You need to see a gastrointestinal doctor.
I keep getting a shooting pain on my left side by my heart. What’s that?
Could be muscle spasm or could be spasms of the arteries that supply the heart. Go see your primary care doctor and mention it.
What is the difference between emergency room care and urgent care centers? Which is best?
If you feel that it is minor, go to urgent care. If it feels serious, go to ER. If you’re not sure, go to ER. When I am sitting, I get dizzy/feel my head spinning. What is that a sign of? Possibly vertigo. You should have your primary care doctor check it out.
Can herpes be given to an unborn child?
Dr. Claybrooks was unsure on this, but according to several medical sites, only if you are in the midst of an outbreak during labor and delivery. Let your OB/GYN know that appropriate steps can be taken.
The top of my feet hurt. Does that mean anything?
Could be arthritis or joint pain.
What’s the best help for sciatic nerve pain?
Physical therapy and weight loss.
My dad is a diabetic and he has a bruise on his toe that didn’t/won’t go away. Not to mention his stool is black. But he won’t go to the doctor. How serious is this?
Very serious. The toe bruise means he could lose his toe. They may have to cut it off. Black stool means his intestines are bleeding. Please get him to an doctor or ER right away.
Doc, what causes a numbness and tingly feeling in hands, fingers and forearm?
Pinched nerve in neck or arm.
Doc, what can I take to help boost my metabolism? I’m about 25 pounds overweight.
You don’t need to boost your metabolism, you need to eat less and exercise more.
What could cause me to have so much pain in my upper right thigh? So much that I can’t turn over in my bed or when I get up from sitting I have to stop in my tracks. I’m at the point of falling because I can’t put any weight on it from the tightening feeling.
It could be a problem with your hip or your back. I work for Chrysler, and I’ve been having really bad lower back pain on my right side. When I bend over and try to re-stand I feel needle pricking pain. It’s not until I feel a pop in that same area that I’m able to stand straight up again.
Back pain is very common.It could be degenerative disc disease or a “slipped disc.”
Hey doc, I am 30 years old and have been on hemodialysis since I was 15. I have had two kidney transplants one when I was a year old I received from my mother and another at the age of 14. My question to you is smoking marijuana bad for me? When I come off the machine, it helps me feel better and helps me eat so my sugar and blood pressure doesn’t drop.
I am unaware of any marijuana research related to dialysis patients, though the active ingredient in marijuana does have documented medical uses for pain relief.
What are the main symptoms of the stroke? Slurred speech or inability to speak, weakness on one side of the body, and a deviated tongue (unable to stick the tongue out straight in the middle of the mouth.)
Dr. Claybrooks has written a series of books, The Black Student’s Guide To Success and the workbook companion is available now on Amazon.com. The series includes, “The Black Student’s Guide to Financial Success” and “The Black Parent’s Guide to Financial Success.”
Claybrooks was compelled to write his series of books after meeting so many patients in the emergency rooms of Detroit that were living beneath their potential and not maximizing their gifts. His goal is to decrease the high school dropout rate by increasing enrollment among financially-challenged youth and college bound prospects. Claybrooks wants to equip them with resources to aid them in not only finding money to attend school but showing them how to navigate a successful journey through life.
An example of some of the issues discussed in his books include the following:
* Why African Americans Trail Other Groups in this Country Socially, Academically and Economically
* How to Find a Mentor and Foster Relationships that will Contribute to Your Success
* Why it Does Matter How You Look and What You Wear
* How to Choose A Career
* How to Build Wealth
* Acting White
If Dr. Claybrooks had his way “Academic superstars would be as popular as ‘American Idol’ and as publicized as the Super Bowl. It pains me that many youth, especially African-American boys and girls, see entertainment or athletics as the only ticket to success.”
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Get Well Wednesday: Dr. Roderick Claybrooks Answers Your Health Questions was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
