Yittz's Clinic!!

[LuNaR]

hey yittz what is the recommended sleeping hours? i mean if i sleep 8+ hours i feel tired when i wake up, if i sleep 7 hours i fall asleep in class but actually for past few weeks ive been getting 6. also do u know anyway where i can remember my dreams? also what is a good time to fall asleep? before 12? at like 11?

[wkeej]

Looks like we have more doctors?

May I ask this question (i apologize if this question has been asked)?
Is there any effect of taking one pandalo (pain-killer) every now and then? for the past week, I have slight headache once in a while. so I have been popping one pill every 2 days.

[yittz]

Ah, now I know why my HDL is high


My pulse is around 60. I haven't had any of these symptoms as of late and I haven't felt like fainting for a couple years now, but I remember a few months ago sometimes when I'd get up from lying on the bed or whatever, my mind would black out for a couple of seconds. I assumed it was because I was eating very little those days (food in rural China sucks). The main reason why I'm concerned about these tests at all is because I don't eat even close to what the food pyramid recommends and caffeine is my best friend.

Hehe. Though I doubt you drink a lot - how many drinks a week?

Caffeine doesn't work that well if you use it routinely, like any drug its effects goes down with use. Just do you best with the recommendations .

[yittz]

hey yittz what is the recommended sleeping hours? i mean if i sleep 8+ hours i feel tired when i wake up, if i sleep 7 hours i fall asleep in class but actually for past few weeks ive been getting 6. also do u know anyway where i can remember my dreams? also what is a good time to fall asleep? before 12? at like 11?

Everyone have different requirements - range from 5 to 10 hr (adults). I think yours should be around mine, which is 8-8.5. Also depends how sleep deprived you are and whether you take naps. When you don't get enough sleep it builds up, and we generally release it in the weekends. Not enough sleep impairs your performance, reaction time + judgement, although classes being boring may contribute to your sleeping in class.

Before 12 is good, the best sleep is 12-3 according to some (don't remember source). You want to follow the light-dark cycle so you have good sleep hygiene and little trouble falling asleep.

Lol dreams. Can't help there. Why would you want to?

[yittz]

Looks like we have more doctors?

May I ask this question (i apologize if this question has been asked)?
Is there any effect of taking one pandalo (pain-killer) every now and then? for the past week, I have slight headache once in a while. so I have been popping one pill every 2 days.

Drugs have side effects. So it's a way up of the side effects with its help for your headache. How disabling is the headache, can you manage without the pain killer or a lower dose?

Do you know what's causing the headache? It's on and off yeah? Is your doctor and you happy that this drug is used for this problem?

btw is it panadol?

1 pill doesn't sound to bad. If you need it, you need it.

[oGaKirA]

Hi Docs,

I've often wonder how come pple always find out they have cancer when it's already too late and have spreaded throughout?

So what is recommended as prevention measures of diagnosing before it's too late? I mean, I don't even know what kind of tests are done to diagnose for cancer. Im guessing blood test? But what kind do we ask our doctors for? And how often?

As always, thanks.

[yittz]

Hi Docs,

I've often wonder how come pple always find out they have cancer when it's already too late and have spreaded throughout?

So what is recommended as prevention measures of diagnosing before it's too late? I mean, I don't even know what kind of tests are done to diagnose for cancer. Im guessing blood test? But what kind do we ask our doctors for? And how often?

As always, thanks.

NP

When the cancer is late stage and have spread, there will usually be symptoms clear and severe enough to alert the patient to come seek advice from practitioners. So the problem is not finding the cancer earlier when it's treatable, ie before it progress to the above.

There are a number of reasons why:
- Some early stage cancer cause minimal symptoms or ones that aren't that disabling.
- Patients ignore symptoms, delay diagnosis, in denial of possible problem, fear of finding out cancer etc. (we are all like that, esp. men, - oh it's nothing, it will get better)
- People don't go to screening programmes due to education, accessibility, fear of side effects or knowledge or the procedure etc.
- Lack of or poor screening programmes for some cancer
- Misdiagnosis due to tests/tech/docs.
- Some cancers are aggressive or in positions (such as brain) which are difficult to cure

In reality, a lot of early cancer are picked up and treated as there are better technology in tests and screening programmes, and increase awareness of general populace.

In terms of diagnosis and screening it depends on type of cancer you are talking about. Cancer is like a lottery sometimes, it's hard to know who will get it and who won't get a particular type, doing tests depends on your risk factors and how common the cancer is.

CT/MRI - cancers in the head/spine
Density scans - bones, thyroid etc.
Chest X-ray - lung cancer
Mammography - screening for breast
Pap smear - screening for cervical
Various blood tests for cancer markers - wide variety, some inaccurate
Rectal exam - prostate
Scopes - along GI, mouth to anus
Physical exam - skin, lymph node enlargement, general sick appearance, mouth tongue

History is important. Many tests require a good history before deciding whether to proceed. All tests have side effects, and one have to weigh up the benefits vs risks. So I wouldn't advise you to pop up to your GP and ask for all cancer relevant tests.

What can you do for your doc? Reduce risk factors for various cancers and healthy lifestyle. Obtain a family history to find cancers that MAY run in the family. Go to screening procedure recommended for your age. BE HAPPY and stress free.

ps nice signature , pm me if you have specific queries.

[oGaKirA]

Thanks Doc. There is no immediate concern but was just curious as someone on another forum had a father with cancer in the late stages.

I used to smoke and still smoke on occasions so I guess the chest x-ray is for me.

Thanks for the enlightment. So I guess we are pretty much at the mercy of the disease.

[yittz]

Thanks Doc. There is no immediate concern but was just curious as someone on another forum had a father with cancer in the late stages.

I used to smoke and still smoke on occasions so I guess the chest x-ray is for me.

Thanks for the enlightment. So I guess we are pretty much at the mercy of the disease.

Unfortunately X-rays give a bit of radiation too. Cancer is tricky in that people don't know when it's going to happen, quite a bit of luck and genetics, and it's our own cells rebelling.

[pemberly]

help...pain...according to another aspiring doctor, i might have sprained my neck. -_- i slept awkwardly one night and now i've been in pain for 3 days. what can i do to fix?

[yittz]

help...pain...according to another aspiring doctor, i might have sprained my neck. -_- i slept awkwardly one night and now i've been in pain for 3 days. what can i do to fix?

Sleeping awkwardly can give you that. Thinking back could there have been other causes - and trauma? Describe the pain, and how did it come along? Any change in pain during 3 days? How is the pain affecting you? Any other symptoms?

Generally heal themselves. Rest, apply heat, massage gently etc. similar to other muscle strains. If pain persists see doctor or physio (via referral). Can use pain meds, but remember they have side effects.

When to see your doc:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/neck_strain/page4_em.htm

Hope that helps. Remember tone down the vigorous activity in bed next time eh

[wkeej]

Drugs have side effects. So it's a way up of the side effects with its help for your headache. How disabling is the headache, can you manage without the pain killer or a lower dose?

Do you know what's causing the headache? It's on and off yeah? Is your doctor and you happy that this drug is used for this problem?

btw is it panadol?

1 pill doesn't sound to bad. If you need it, you need it.

Thanks, doc. Panadol is a brand name of aspirin. I often have such slight headaches when I do not sleep well at night.

[pemberly]

Sleeping awkwardly can give you that. Thinking back could there have been other causes - and trauma? Describe the pain, and how did it come along? Any change in pain during 3 days? How is the pain affecting you? Any other symptoms?

pain, mostly on the left side. comes and goes depending on the position i hold my head. been hurting for the last 3 days. one night i couldn't sleep bc i kept waking up in pain. making it hard to drive be i can't look to the side. -_-

Generally heal themselves. Rest, apply heat, massage gently etc. similar to other muscle strains. If pain persists see doctor or physio (via referral). Can use pain meds, but remember they have side effects.

i don't like to take meds. i guess i'll just have to grit my teeth and bear it. T_T

Hope that helps. Remember tone down the vigorous activity in bed next time eh

yeah, and this is while sleeping alone. omg, imagine how i can hurt myself if i actually had someone else in the bed!

[CrazyT]

help...pain...according to another aspiring doctor, i might have sprained my neck. -_- i slept awkwardly one night and now i've been in pain for 3 days. what can i do to fix?

Hey. That happen to me too. Bad sleeping position. I couldn't turn my neck for 2 whole days. It wasn't till a week later that I could move my neck more comfortably. I know it hurts but I tried to stretch my neck every chance I got. I think it helped.

[pemberly]

Hey. That happen to me too. Bad sleeping position. I couldn't turn my neck for 2 whole days. It wasn't till a week later that I could move my neck more comfortably. I know it hurts but I tried to stretch my neck every chance I got. I think it helped.

is this a sign that we're not as young as we used to be?

[CrazyT]

is this a sign that we're not as young as we used to be?

Maybe. Do you get sleepy at 10:30pm too?

[oGaKirA]

i don't like to take meds. i guess i'll just have to grit my teeth and bear it. T_T

Go buy them asian tiger balm patches or ointment. Massage with ointment.

[pemberly]

Maybe. Do you get sleepy at 10:30pm too?

uh...no. i'm not as old as YOU. i don't sleep until around 12:30.

Go buy them asian tiger balm patches or ointment. Massage with ointment.

eww, i don't like those. they smell.....like old people.

[yittz]

Go buy them asian tiger balm patches or ointment. Massage with ointment.

Yeah they work for me too. BUt then again I love the smell.

[Han Solo]

Thanks, doc. Panadol is a brand name of aspirin.

Panadol is a brand name of Paracetamol, not Aspirin. They have different mechanism of action altogether.