Tag Archives: FAQ

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: “Why would my doctor tell me not to take a decongestant?”

General Health and Wellness, Head/Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat, , , , , , , , , ,

decon

As you struggle from allergies season, the lede is a reasonable question, here is its answer.
Based on how ubiquitous cold and flu remedies are, you would think they were the safest medications known to man. That’s actually not the case and in some instances can be quite far from the truth. The reason for this is simple. Decongestants work by manipulating blood vessels. Specifically, they narrow nasal blood vessels, creating more room for air flow and mucous drainage while reducing swelling and other effects of inflammation. This is a major part of how you treat upper respiratory viral infections like colds and the flu; antibiotics don’t work against viruses.
Unfortunately, if you have certain medical issues, you should not take decongestants. Here’s a list situations that can make it dangerous to take decongestants:

  • Allergies to pseudo-ephedrine
  • Children under age 4
  • Diabetes
  • Glaucoma
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Prostate disease
  • Pregnant
  • Breast feeding women
  • Thyroid disease

So … even if it’s an over the counter preparation, if you’re not sure, head over to the pharmacist before you make that purchase at the store. Of course, you can always connect with your SterlingMedicalAdvice.com consultant as well.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Why would my doctor tell me not to take a decongestant?"

Head/Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat, , , , , , , , , ,

decon

Thanks for all the reader submissions on Blog and FAQ ideas. Here’s my first response.
Based on how ubiquitous cold and flu remedies are, you would think they were the safest medications known to man. That’s actually not the case and in some instances can be quite far from the truth. The reason for this is simple. Decongestants work by manipulating blood vessels. Specifically, they narrow nasal blood vessels, creating more room for air flow and mucous drainage while reducing swelling and other effects of inflammation. This is a major part of how you treat upper respiratory viral infections like colds and the flu; antibiotics don’t work against viruses.
Unfortunately, if you have certain medical issues, you should not take decongestants. Here’s a list situations that can make it dangerous to take decongestants:

  • Allergies to pseudo-ephedrine
  • Children under age 4
  • Diabetes
  • Glaucoma
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Prostate disease
  • Pregnant
  • Breast feeding women
  • Thyroid disease

So … even if it’s an over the counter preparation, if you’re not sure, head over to the pharmacist before you make that purchase at the store. Of course, you can always connect with your SterlingMedicalAdvice.com consultant as well.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Straight, No Chaser: The Week In Review, Oct. 13, 2013

The Week In Review, Public Health, , , , , , ,

New Logo

I want to take a moment to thank my readers for support Straight, No Chaser and to inform you of a few new developments. The launch of www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com occurs on Nov. 1st, 2013; you can actually head there now for a sneak peek. Straight, No Chaser was and is designed to provide a taste of what will be available within SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, which will also feature a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) databank with thousands of pre-answered questions, as well as personalized, immediate, always available interactions with healthcare professionals on your urgent and non-urgent questions. Additional content is currently available on Google+ and Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, and on Twitter @asksterlingmd.

Now to the week in review.

On Monday, we discussed angioedema, a condition often presenting with severe swelling of the lips, tongue and throat. This is to be considered a life-threatening emergency prompting immediate medical attention. The risk of the tongue occluding your airway, resulting in an ability to breathe is real.
On Tuesday, we began a series on breast cancer. The first post introduced Breast Cancer Awareness Month and called for more universal awareness.
On Wednesday, we presented two posts (check here and here) listing various myths regarding breast cancer. I’m encouraged that so many of you are aware that men can develop breast cancer as well as women.
On Thursday, we focused on demographic information and discussed risk factors relating to breast cancer. It’s not just being an older women that places you at risk. You can control certain things, such as alcohol intake and obesity.
On Friday, we began the self-empowerment process, giving you tools to self-assess for breast cancer and providing detailed instructions on how to perform the breast self-exam.
On Saturday, we discussed the actual signs, symptoms and long-term prognosis for breast cancer. There are more symptoms to worry about than just lumps. Also remember: the evidence is very clear that your survival rates directly relate to early detection and evaluation.
On Sunday, we discussed breast cancer treatment options. Although breast cancer is scary and deadly in many cases, be encouraged that nearly 3 million survivors are with us in the U.S.
In the next few weeks, we will continue to blog as well as provide additional information from the www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com FAQ database and still more information about the new service. Thanks for supporting Straight, No Chaser, and be sure to check us out on the social media sites as well.
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