My doctor has diagnosed a little growth on my right wrist as a ganglion. This is causing this hand a great deal of discomfort and weakening. I am informed that it cannot be removed since a vein runs over it. Can more action be taken?
Ganglion cysts are the most common type of hand or wrist swelling seen by physicians. They are typically seen on the palm, the wrist, or the base of the thumb and are innocuous.
We do not know what causes them, but they can form after an injury and are more prevalent in people with arthritis.
Others, though, are aware of them since they might cause pain or discomfort with specific motions.
If a ganglion is not causing any discomfort, it is preferable to leave it alone, as the vast majority vanish on their own. Because they are fluid-filled cysts and not solid lumps, ignoring them poses no risk of their developing into something harmful.
In the past, doctors believed that the best way to cure Bible cysts was to hit them with a heavy book (which in most houses was a Bible, hence its namesake) to disperse the fluid and eliminate the swelling.
Thankfully, we have progressed somewhat since then.
Depending on the location of the ganglion, it may be surgically removed or the fluid may be extracted using a needle. The efficacy of such methods is contingent upon the location of the cyst and the presence of adjacent blood veins.
If the cyst is interfering with your daily life, the NHS should cover your treatment.
If a patient has questions concerning the removal of a ganglion, a general practitioner can refer them to an NHS hand surgeon who can provide additional information.
Can you assist me with my erectile dysfunction? I used to use Cialis or Viagra with great success, but neither drug appears to have any effect now. I am 82 years old, and it appears that my doctors do not take the condition seriously because they believe I am too elderly. Do you have any suggestions?
Any health issue that impacts your quality of life warrants a thorough assessment by a general practitioner, regardless of your age.
Cialis and Viagra both treat erectile dysfunction, but if neither is effective, a physician may question if the amount has to be increased or whether the medications are being taken properly.
Frequently, these medications must be administered at specified times and not too near meals.
There are alternative treatments available; vardenafil and avanafil are worthy of consideration.
As there is frequently an underlying cause, erectile dysfunction is typically treated as a symptom. GPs should perform blood tests to rule out diabetes and low testosterone, while also considering the possibility of pharmaceutical side effects. A vast array of drugs, including antidepressants and blood pressure medication, can cause sexual dysfunction.
Age and erectile dysfunction may indicate Parkinson’s disease or heart disease. If the condition arises quickly and is accompanied by other body weaknesses or changes, it may signal a stroke. Sexual function is also tightly linked to psychological health, and sexual dysfunction is frequently associated with sadness, anxiety, and stress.
Pills are not the only therapy option available. If medications are ineffective, men should be offered treatments such as vacuum pump devices, injections, and lotions that can be administered by a specialist.
I was diagnosed with an issue with my bicuspid heart valve five years ago. However, additional testing of my cardiac function yielded normal results, therefore the doctor stated that no action was necessary. Is it likely to continue as it is, or can the issue cause trouble?
The heart’s valves are essential for ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction. For example, oxygen-rich blood must move away from the heart to ensure that the rest of the body receives the nutrition it requires.
The major valve in the artery leaving the heart, the aortic valve, has three flaps that open when the heart beats and pumps out blood, ensuring that blood can only flow in one direction and cannot return to the heart.
About one in fifty people are born with an aortic valve containing only two flaps. This is known as a bicuspid valve. In the majority of cases, it does not create any difficulties, and it is only discovered after a cardiac scan is performed for another reason. If a doctor hears a cardiac murmur, he or she may search for it using a scan.
If it is recognized by a doctor and is not causing any difficulties, the doctor will do little more than monitor the patient regularly.
The majority of patients will not require further therapy. Bicuspid valves, which are more susceptible to wear and tear than standard valves, can also pose significant problems. It can become rigid and constricted or too lax, letting blood seep back into the heart.
These issues prevent the heart from functioning properly and result in shortness of breath, chest discomfort, vertigo, and even blackouts.
If there are indications that the valve is deteriorating, a specialist will increase the frequency of scans and may finally recommend replacing it. However, this requires extensive heart surgery, so it would only be performed if deemed extremely necessary.
Why you should not overuse HRT
Last week, I received an alarming message from a reader who claimed that her private physician had prescribed “too much” hormone replacement therapy.
When the prescribed dosage failed to alleviate her hot flashes and insomnia, the doctor instructed her to take twice as much medication. The physician then added a second medicine and increased the dosage of that one.
The patient was experiencing breast pain, cramps, bloating, nausea, and headaches at this point.
“I felt contaminated,” she wrote.
I’m not shocked. It is not suggested to take greater-than-usual dosages of female hormones because they can cause a variety of severe negative effects.
She decreased her dosage, observed an improvement, and never returned to that doctor.
Has anyone else experienced a similar experience? Send me an email and let me know.
Please inform me if you cannot access your GP online.
Concerned by the seemingly relentless push to transfer all GP services online? Do you believe that without a smartphone, you would be unable to obtain essential healthcare services? I am aware that there are many of you because I frequently receive correspondence from readers stating as much.
An estimated one in ten Britons has difficulty with internet-based services, so for some patients, modern GP offices may be a whole new universe, with apps, messages, and websites utilized for everything from prescriptions to appointment reminders.
I think it will become increasingly difficult for individuals who cannot access the Internet.
If you’re having trouble gaining access to the Internet, your primary care physician should be able to provide you with guidance, assistance, and support. But I fear that some individuals are missing out.
If this is the case, please contact me; I’d want to assist you in finding a solution.
