Yittz's Clinic!!

[Han Solo]

Alright Dr. Solo, I am going on a business trip from the US to China in 11 days. Today i got a flu shot, hepatitis A+B shot, and a Typhoid shot. I think I need to get a tetanus booster, what do you think? Anything else?

Also, while I’m in china, I'm under the impression I need to avoid drinking tap water, or eating salads (cause they were most likely washed in water). The VP of the company told me not even to use water to brush my teeth! He suggested beer (which besides the fact that it would taste like shit, and I’d be going into work smelling like a drunk, is a pretty good/safe idea, correct?)... I’m thinking about bottled water, that has been filtered as apposed to a "natural spring water" which may or may not be filtered... This should be pretty safe, correct?

Along the same lines, I need to eat only cooked food… soup, and steamed rice, noodles and other stuff made with water should be safe as long as it was heated up above the 60°C (or whatever) mark? Other bottled beverages made with water, such fruit juice, should be avoided because the water may or may not be filtered, but alcohol should be safe?

Are there any other health related tips for travel?

You made it sound like you are going deep into the depth of Africa, rather than modern China.

Most of your precautions seems good, i would add on a diphteria/tetanus/pertussis rather than just tetanus vaccine.

Using bottled water should be safe. One ought to boil any water in china anyway.
Using beer to brush teeth is a no no.

Anyway, enjoy your trip.

Do not be afraid, learn the local culture and cuisine, otherwise, it would just be a waste of your trip there.

Han solo

[31770]

You made it sound like you are going deep into the depth of Africa, rather than modern China.

Most of your precautions seems good, i would add on a diphteria/tetanus/pertussis rather than just tetanus vaccine.

Using bottled water should be safe. One ought to boil any water in china anyway.
Using beer to brush teeth is a no no.

Anyway, enjoy your trip.

Do not be afraid, learn the local culture and cuisine, otherwise, it would just be a waste of your trip there.

Han solo

I wasn't really worried to begin with, but my boss said he lost 15 pounds in three days from illness the last time he went to China... I was trying to make it sound more like I was going to Mexico rather than Africa

[lysil]

First, I just want to tell you that your thread is so useful... and interesting... Actually, it is one of my favorite one!!

Okie, now, let me tell you about my friend's complex...

Doc, I don't know if you can help her... She doesn't want to go sleep over any of her friends' place because she... farts a lot... especially when she fall asleep... I tried to convince her that this is natural... I am a girl and I fart too... Anyway, who doesn't fart in this world? But she still mind it because she said that she farts all the time... So what possibly can help her... fart less? Thks!!

Oh yeah, as for my English... I know it is really bad... sorry about that!

[Han Solo]

First, I just want to tell you that your thread is so useful... and interesting... Actually, it is one of my favorite one!!

Okie, now, let me tell you about my friend's complex...

Doc, I don't know if you can help her... She doesn't want to go sleep over any of her friends' place because she... farts a lot... especially when she fall asleep... I tried to convince her that this is natural... I am a girl and I fart too... Anyway, who doesn't fart in this world? But she still mind it because she said that she farts all the time... So what possibly can help her... fart less? Thks!!

Oh yeah, as for my English... I know it is really bad... sorry about that!

First of all, thanks for the compliment.

Secondly, with regards to your friends problem, passing wind is a natural thing. I think the bowel produces about 1.5L of gas a day. Personally, as long someone who had passed wind made a polite mention of it, it would not be a problem for someone like me.

One thing would be to try and reduce certain food that increases gas productions e.g. foods that are high in sugar or oil, as this may not be completely absorbed, and are then broken-down by the bacteria in the large bowels producing gases.

I'm sure other ppl here may have other suggestions.

Han Solo

[soccerfeva]

hi han.

I believe I have heart problem and maybe chest pains. I hope Im wrong of course.

Like now, when I breath in deeply, my heart hurts. Im still waiting for my army medical report and its taking a long time - more than a month.

What should I do? What should I avoid? Is it serious?

I think when Im going through periods of excitement or nervous the pain will trigger.


Thanks again.

[Han Solo]

hi han.

I believe I have heart problem and maybe chest pains. I hope Im wrong of course.

Like now, when I breath in deeply, my heart hurts. Im still waiting for my army medical report and its taking a long time - more than a month.

What should I do? What should I avoid? Is it serious?

I think when Im going through periods of excitement or nervous the pain will trigger.


Thanks again.

Tell me more about the chest pain first.

Describe it in your own words about the quality of the pain.

Where is it located?
Does it goes anywhere else: neck, arms, back?
Is it worse with breathing in?
Is it worse when you do activities e.g. walking vs resting?
How long has this been happening?
how long does the pain last for?
What stops the pain normally?
What other medical condition do you have?
How is your mood?

Han Solo

[soccerfeva]

Tell me more about the chest pain first.

Describe it in your own words about the quality of the pain.

Where is it located?
Does it goes anywhere else: neck, arms, back?
Is it worse with breathing in?
Is it worse when you do activities e.g. walking vs resting?
How long has this been happening?
how long does the pain last for?
What stops the pain normally?
What other medical condition do you have?
How is your mood?

Han Solo

Ill tell you about my heart pain, since it happens more often. The chest pain only happened once or twice so I cant tell much. It like a little stinging sensation when I breath in deeply. Its the same thing with the chest pain.

No it doesnt go anywhere else.
yes, worse with breathing in deeply
Im not sure. I think when Im excited or nervous it is more likely to happen.
more than a month
It varies.
After some time.
I dont have other medical conditions, just that my shoulders/neck are usually sore from sitting for long periods.
my mood is ok.


btw, cod liver oil vs salmon oil. which one is better for the heart? Should I take 1 serving of each per day? Or 2 servings of only 1 type?

thanks.

[Han Solo]

Ill tell you about my heart pain, since it happens more often. The chest pain only happened once or twice so I cant tell much. It like a little stinging sensation when I breath in deeply. Its the same thing with the chest pain.

No it doesnt go anywhere else.
yes, worse with breathing in deeply
Im not sure. I think when Im excited or nervous it is more likely to happen.
more than a month
It varies.
After some time.
I dont have other medical conditions, just that my shoulders/neck are usually sore from sitting for long periods.
my mood is ok.


btw, cod liver oil vs salmon oil. which one is better for the heart? Should I take 1 serving of each per day? Or 2 servings of only 1 type?

thanks.

Wouldn;t be too worried about the chest pain..... sounds a bit like anxiety type chest pain.

BUT

It wouldn't hurt just to see your local doctor, get an ECG and some blood tests like your cholesterol and glucose, just for ease of mind.

2) Dunno about which is better. Which one has more omega fat?

Han Solo

[31770]

I wasn't really worried to begin with, but my boss said he lost 15 pounds in three days from illness the last time he went to China... I was trying to make it sound more like I was going to Mexico rather than Africa

okay, okay....

I've been here for four days, and i'm fine... The worst thing that's happend has been me stuffing myself sick with noodles, fried rice, and vegitables....

I'm still only drinking bottled water tho...

By the way, Shenyang is amazing! I love it here!

[Han Solo]

okay, okay....

I've been here for four days, and i'm fine... The worst thing that's happend has been me stuffing myself sick with noodles, fried rice, and vegitables....

I'm still only drinking bottled water tho...

By the way, Shenyang is amazing! I love it here!

Wonderful to see that you are doing well in Shenyang.

Han Solo

[Uchiha Itachi]

To Han Solo,
Why is it that once in a while i always get these spots all over my body much like chicken pox but to alesser degree?
This is usually flowed by the flu or a cold, can i cure this?

[Han Solo]

To Han Solo,
Why is it that once in a while i always get these spots all over my body much like chicken pox but to alesser degree?
This is usually flowed by the flu or a cold, can i cure this?

I suspect that what you are describing could be virus exanthema, or even just plain eczema exacerbated by upper respiratory tract infection.

Photos pls?

Han Solo

[sassygirl]

I had one of the worst days of my life. I woke up today and seeing that there was nothing to eat for breakfast, I decided against my better judgement to eat chocolate filled wafers with chrysanthemum tea (heck, I thought no problem, since I used to eat junk food once in a while for breakfast). A few minutes later, I had stomach pains and it lasted for almost 3 hours. In between, I vomited three times and also had to hit the potty. Did I get food poisoning or as my aunt described in asian terms: clashing hot (wafers) and cold (chrysanthemum tea) foods? I never got sick for this long before and will probably never eat chocolate wafers for breakfast ever again but question is, what should I do if I am ever feeling sick like that?

[Han Solo]

I had one of the worst days of my life. I woke up today and seeing that there was nothing to eat for breakfast, I decided against my better judgement to eat chocolate filled wafers with chrysanthemum tea (heck, I thought no problem, since I used to eat junk food once in a while for breakfast). A few minutes later, I had stomach pains and it lasted for almost 3 hours. In between, I vomited three times and also had to hit the potty. Did I get food poisoning or as my aunt described in asian terms: clashing hot (wafers) and cold (chrysanthemum tea) foods? I never got sick for this long before and will probably never eat chocolate wafers for breakfast ever again but question is, what should I do if I am ever feeling sick like that?

Food poisoning sounds like it.

Just make sure that you are able to tolerate oral fluid. What you can have are anti-emetics such as metoclopramide.

Now if you are so ill that you are not able to tolerate oral fluid, you need to go to a hospital and receive some intravenous fluid to ensure that you do not become dehydrated.

Han Solo

[yittz]

Hey Han,

Talking of chest pains - I get this chest pain near my sternum (more to left). Hurts everytime I expand my chest > resting inspiratory, or tense my chest muscles. No radiation, 3 weeks onset, aching type, low severity. I am pretty sure it's musculoskeletal. Maybe related to my sitting posture? I can crack my sternum (well appear to anyways), like one cracking other joints, sometimes relieves pain. Is cracking it bad?

Btw, what's the noise made by cracking? Some says it's joint on joint, some says its gas being released from the joints (sounds eh..).

Thx

[Han Solo]

Hey Han,

Talking of chest pains - I get this chest pain near my sternum (more to left). Hurts everytime I expand my chest > resting inspiratory, or tense my chest muscles. No radiation, 3 weeks onset, aching type, low severity. I am pretty sure it's musculoskeletal. Maybe related to my sitting posture? I can crack my sternum (well appear to anyways), like one cracking other joints, sometimes relieves pain. Is cracking it bad?

Btw, what's the noise made by cracking? Some says it's joint on joint, some says its gas being released from the joints (sounds eh..).

Thx

Is there any tender spots?

If there is tender spot, does pressing on it reproduce the pain that you have?

It sound very much like a musculoskeletal pain - ?costo-chondritis.

The thing about chest pain is that it can be very non-specific.

The approach that many took in chest pain is mainly to exclude the serious things like ischemic chest pain, pneumothorax, PE, dissection and anything that doesn;t sound serious, will then be deemed as a musculoskeletal/anxiety type chest pain.

Now, this is not related to you. In my day to day work, i tend to see a lot of ppl with chest pain. Many patients have harmless sounding chest pain, but due to their risks of smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or a family history, many of these patients would then need to have ECG and serials cardiac enzymes to exclude a heart attack, and then further stress testing post that.

2) Pretty sure that the sound when you crack the knuckle are produced by gases.
I don't have any scientific source for this though.

Han Solo

[yittz]

Thx.

Tender over 3 rib, near sternum-rib joint - reproduce pain. What do I need to do about costal-chondritis?

I heard its N2 gas being released, my do a wiki-search

[Han Solo]

Thx.

Tender over 3 rib, near sternum-rib joint - reproduce pain. What do I need to do about costal-chondritis?

I heard its N2 gas being released, my do a wiki-search

1) Nothing.

Rest and painkillers such as anti-inflammatories cures it.

2) But do you have any scientific source that actually confirms this rather than postulates it?

Han Solo

[Sugar]

I have been getting sporadic legs cramp lately. Last time i got a cramp,one that felt like a lot of muscles clumping together.... it went away eventually but left a big bruised mark at the area.

Am i getting tetanus by any chance?

[TommyH]

I already made a thread on this and most people said no but I want to hear it from you.

Does gel cause excessive hair loss? The receding of hairlines? And eventually, baldness?