Resources: Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic Medical

Q: When does a headache become an emergency?

A: Most headaches are not dangerous. The pain is real and must be addressed, but generally one does not need to worry about something terrible causing the pain. Rarely though, there is a real concern about what is causing the headache. Sudden, terrible pain needs to be explained. Pain that continues to worsen, that is always in the same spot, that is associated in any way with neurologic signs or symptoms (weakness, visual loss, change in personality, sensory changes such vision, hearing, numbness, imbalance, etc) is cause for immediate evaluation. Headache along with a high fever should also be taken seriously. Headache worse at night, particularly when associated with projectile vomiting, may be caused by increase pressure in the head. In all cases, such a patient should be evaluated by a physician without delay.

Q: How do I know if I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

A: Some symptoms of IBS include: cramping lower abdominal pain that may be mild to severe; gassiness and bloating; and changes in bowel habits that may be diarrhea, constipation or a mixture of both diarrhea and constipation. Mucus may be passed with the stool.

Symptoms of IBS do NOT include: bleeding, fever, weight loss, persistent severe pain and persistent diarrhea or severe constipation. A Family history of intestinal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease is also a "red flag" to physicians to look for another cause of symptoms.

Q: How can I prevent getting osteoporosis?

A: Prevention begins with a diet that contains adequate calcium and vitamin D. Calcium rich foods include dairy products (milk, yogurt and cheese,) broccoli, kale, bok choy, salmon, sardines, tofu and calcium fortified orange juice. Recommended calcium intake varies with age. Calcium may also be provided in tablet form. Many products are available in drugstores. The daily recommended intake of vitamin D is 400 units. Vitamin D is found in fortified milk and egg products. Our skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. Ten minutes of sunshine a day does the trick. Vitamin D is an ingredient of most multivitamin products as well.

The next step in the prevention of osteoporosis is exercise, especially weight bearing exercise. Walking, jogging and aerobics are forms of weight bearing exercise. For non-ambulatory individuals physical therapists and occupational therapists can often come up with other alternatives. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are two more ways to ward off osteoporosis.