KUSP's Ask Doctor Dawn

More about topical vs. injected testosterone supplement; Meat allergies develop after being bit by certain ticks; A reanalysis of the SELECT study about vitamin E and prostate cancer; Numb pinky finger at night is probably a pinched ulnar nerve; FDA improves nutrition labels on food to reflect more realistic serving sizes; A blue spot on the stomach should be monitored for growth; Why is my ferritin level high? Risks of contrast MRI are also discussed; The monoclonal antibody Xolair helps desensitize people to food allergies; Using healthy mitochondria from a 2nd ovum donor is a controversial method to treat mitochondrial disease; Non-drug pain management suggestions

Warnings about using morcellation to remove fibroids; Why doing pet scan for all fibroid cases isn't practical; More about testosterone supplementation — creams are better than shots; Annual screening in a male with BRCA2 breast cancer gene and the problem with pancreatic cancer detection; Is there any inflammation reduction benefit to fasting two days a week? Does more antibiotic use increase chances of obesity? Sore arms and shoulders, especially while sleeping; A runner struggles with bone spurs on her heals; Antibiotic resistance makes it harder to treat urinary tract infections; Is the mold growing on my organic yogurt safe to eat? HPV may cause skin cancer in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipient — get the vaccine! Swollen ankles is making it difficult to walk — possible causes are discussed; Inflammation markers rise during chronic stress — implications for PTSD

Review of research claiming lack of reduction in breast cancer deaths with mammogram screening; How consistent are radiologists in reading mammograms? How do I prevent blood clots in my legs from recurring? Drinking hydrogen peroxide is not advisable! Use sun screen to reduce cold sores on lips — also test for gluten sensitivity; Support for using anti-oxidants such as vitamin C during chemotherapy; Inability to reduce inflammation is linked to Alzheimer's disease; Using laparoscopic surgery to remove ovaries and avoid hysterectomy; Research reveals how stem cells differentiate into different adult cell types; Differences in gut bacteria between thin and heavy people and rats; Non-drug options to manage chronic pain; Monitoring blood levels is essential when using testosterone supplementation

Astaxanthin is an natural anti-inflammatory useful for arthritis and other diseases; Reference librarians can help find health information in both books and on the Internet; Using a punching bag is not a good form of exercise when you get older; The problem of sanitation in public facilities like spas, baths, pedicures etc; About mushroom supplements for immune and anti-cancer support and how to judge supplement brand quality; Supplements to ease joint and muscle pain from hepatitis C; Avoiding impact exercises is essential for achilles tendonosis; Support for liver damage in a former alcohol drinker; Review of research connecting testosterone supplements with heart attack and stroke; Look for low grade infection in a case of irritation during urination; A pessary helps with pelvic organ prolapse, but yeast infections may be a problem; Topical creams with gabapentin and ketamine for postherpetic neuralgia after shingles; Statins may protect against Hantavirus

An acid bath creates pluripotent stem cells from adult cells; Website goodrx.com and their mobile app gives you good drug prices; Monitoring vitamin D levels is important when taking supplements; Dr Dawn criticizes study showing association of vitamin D with skin cancer; Will flu shot for younger people work for seniors? Trying to find the cause of a strange sharp leg pain; What supplements to take for nail fungus after a damaged finger? Growing your own probiotics in yogurt and other fermented foods; Research in biodegradable polymers and stem cells to make artificial ligaments and other organs; Is my immune system good enough for a desensitizing program for my OCD?

The problems of attributing measured radiation on beaches to contaminated seawater from Fukushima; Placebo-controlled study supports acupuncture is shown to help chronic fatigue; Stem cells are used to make a mobile micro-robot; It's not too late to get a flu shot that addresses the H1N1 variety; Diet for helping kidney disease — check for medications that may be harmful; Surgery and other options for varicose veins; Supplements and topical creams for arthritis pain in the elderly; Good advice from a caller about planning for old age; Nerve conduction test is needed to diagnose the cause of back and arm pain; A new strategy to develop new antibiotics against bacteria; Recommendations for boosting the immune system against cold and flu; Pyrroloquinoline quinone supplement can increase the number of mitochondria; Help to diagnose the source of a rash; Lab tests to monitor physiological health

Advances in stem cell research for restoring bone marrow and retinal cells — public research is praised; Observations and research are noted by a listener about causes of obesity from increased sugar intake; Exposure to toxic chemicals is probably the cause of this person's liver problems; When injectible bisphosphonates are a good idea; Are there stem cell approaches to treat Alzheimer's disease? Review of recent critical reports about vitamin supplements; Caller asks about seafood radiation contamination from nuclear reactor in Japan; Dealing with a diaphragm disease that impedes breathing; Asthma attacks while traveling abroad — bring an inhaler

Beware! Generic drug prices vary widely from different pharmacies; "The Conversion Project" encourages talk about one's desires when dying — prepare your wishes way ahead of time; Drug related rashes and the problem of doing placebo studies with rashes and other conditions; The physiology of back pain and how medicines intervene; Exercise and other means to lower blood pressure — new guidelines discussed; Expectations for drug treatment of stage 4 prostate cancer; The cause of recurrent bronchitis and proper use of antibiotics with respiratory infections; Overuse of specialists in end-of-life hospital stays — you can demand to go home to die; Try magnesium instead of quinine for muscle cramps and why some old drugs like quinine are not available; Review of using probiotics to counter digestive side effects of Clindamycin given for a root canal

Advances in stem cell research helps regenerate kidney cells; How to minimize premium cost for Affordable Care Act health insurance; How long does the lens replacement last after cataract surgery? One should get shingles vaccine a year after a shingles episode; A person with Mallet finger should keep the splint on for the full 8 weeks; Nuts are a good source of calories for a vegan wishing to gain weight; Experiences of a woman born with cataracts; New technology to detect retinal diseases early; Alternatives to repeating CT scans to detect coronary calcium and arterial plaque; Advanced testing for arterial health; More about how to gain weight — supporting digestive enzymes helps; All about heart valves and tricuspid regurgitation; Food sensitivities in a vegan that is now eating meat and minimizing grains; A case of foot pain could be plantar fasciitis — stretching the tendons helps; Ayurvedic "oil pulling" might help reduce tooth plaque, but probably won't cure an abscess; Supplements to help leg cramps

New meta-analysis claims vitamin D supplement doesn't improve health; Topical creams are good for joint arthritis pain; Artificial cartilage from stem cells is on the horizon; Miso soup helps side effects of radiation therapy for cancer; The fluid in the knee from housemaid's knee will subside; Dr. Dawn opposes the FDA shutdown 23andMe genome testing; Magnesium, l-arginine and other more natural ways to reduce high blood pressure; The side effects of lithium for bipolar disorder; Dr. Dawn reviews her support for the HPV and other vaccines; More about the importance of addressing inappropriate inflammation

New flu vaccines may last for more than one year; A new drug to treat Hepatitis C; Acupuncture treatment for macular degeneration — essential tremor also discussed; Experiments to show fat accumulation in liver, not skin; The problem of acid reflux — natural supplements and other advice in addition to strong antacids; Are my sore hips related to my hernia? What to do if diagnoses with human papillomavirus; Clicking in knee when walking is probably not causing damage; What is causing a tingling feeling on my middle toe? How to detect if a skin rash is a drug side effect or not; Compounded creams can deliver pain relief without the side effects of ingested drugs; Gall stone surgery is recommended to someone with a large gallstone; Habituation to Tramadol after many years of use for scoliosis

Breast cancer cells create growth factors out of cholesterol; Severely overweight mice have fewer taste buds and thus don't taste sweets as well; Vitamin D levels in African Americans and the problems of measuring hormone levels; Various ways to escape chronic migraines and rebound headaches; Legumes, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein — advice to reduce carbohydrates; Are birth control pills good to prevent ruptured ovarian cysts? Restoring gut flora with probiotics after antibiotics for a root canal; Dental problems in elders: exaggerated gag reflex and loosing too many teeth! A scratch test to diagnose itching from excess histamine and how to combat it

More about updated guidelines and the new cardiac risk calculator; Side effects of using dimethyl fumarate for multiple sclerosis; Using probiotics to decrease depression by producing GABA; Post operative vomiting and nausea after lymph node surgery; Nausea side effects of methotrexate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is probably caused by MTHFR (folic acid) mutation; Supplements and herbs to treat migraine; Uncomfortable mask for CPAP device for sleep apnea — suggestions to help sleep; Another lipid panel evaluation example; How long should I take off after a total hip replacement? Review of anti-inflammatory strategies for joint and muscle pain; Optimal time to take aspirin for cardiac health may be at dinner time; Longevity advantages to eating lots of nuts and alkaline diet is discussed

CA ballot initiative for mandatory drug testing of doctors and raising the cap on pain and suffering lawsuits; Difficulties in income requirements prevents many from getting new exchange health insurance, and other ACA law issues; Will the proposed dietary supplements labeling act over-regulate and reduce availability? Caller's Medicare supplemental is going to be canceled — more discussion about ACA insurance reform issues; A frequent walker has muscle pain — use D-ribose to support your mitochondria; Can I take the oral rehydration therapy solution as my regular drink? Will the noise (crepitus) after my knee replacement lead to any medical problems? American College of Cardiology revises risk criteria and promotes more statin use; Discussion on healthy eating and lifestyle changes over time and in different countries; Visceral adipose tissue in your gut is the source of health problems; American College of Cardiology revises risk criteria and promotes more statin use; Discussion on healthy eating and lifestyle changes over time and in different countries; Visceral adipose tissue in your gut is the source of health problems; Dimethyl fumarate was approved this year to treat multiple sclerosis; Dr. Dawn comments on local oil and gas issues: fracking, water quality and other energy sources

Obesity rates later in life are higher with Cesarian section births; Compounds in ginger act as anti-asthma drugs; Printing a 3D glass matrix is a good substrate to reconstruct damaged bone; Molecular mimicry explains the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis; The types of bacteria in your intestine depend on what you eat; Chest pain when moving might be esophageal spasm; Caller shares experiences with esophageal spasm; Head cardiologist from Cleveland Clinic supports use of statins; Simple carbohydrate diet during radiation therapy for uterine cancer upsets the intestinal flora; Selenium is a good supplement but too much is not good; So called "heart healthy" claims just because they contain oat bran is shady advertising; Do my supplements help or exacerbate my joint pain?