Lead paint was commonly used in houses built before 1950s and automobiles prior to the 1980s. Exposure can lead to developmental delays, cognitive defects, anemia, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Lead is commonly tested for on routine pediatric visits with finger sticks being an easy screening tool and venous lead levels drawn for quantitative blood lead levels… Continue reading My sister moved into a new house with her sons aged 3 and 5. We’re worried about lead poisoning in the kids. They’re due for their physical exams next week. The doctor can test for lead? If so, how much lead requires treatment?
Category: Gastroenterology
When would a person need dialysis?
Dialysis is a treatment in which toxic metabolites, ions, and excess water are removed from the blood. There are two types of dialysis: Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis. Hemodialysis works by circulating blood outside the body through a filter. Peritoneal Dialysis, on the other hand, takes place inside the body and uses the membrane in your… Continue reading When would a person need dialysis?
When would you use a sigmoidoscopy over a colonoscopy?
The advantage a sigmoidoscopy has over a colonoscopy is that the bowel does not need to be prepared. In other words, whereas a colonoscopy requires the patient to clean their colon with bowel prep, a sigmoidoscopy can be performed on an unprepped patient. Therefore, if an emergency or unstable patient requires direct visualization of the… Continue reading When would you use a sigmoidoscopy over a colonoscopy?
After I get my gall bladder removed, is there anything i need to change about what I eat?
Patients undergoing a gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy) usually recover without any need to vary their diet. Some transient side effects of the surgery such diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence may occur especially with fatty meals but this usually resolve within a few weeks.
Can I breastfeed while taking Flagyl?
Flagyl (metronidazole) is a drug used to treat systemic, intestinal, and vaginal infections. Flagyl has been shown to concentrate in breast milk but there hasn’t been any documented adverse effects in breastfed babies. However, there have been reports of babies becoming “fussy” once a mother is started on a course of Flagyl. Some pediatricians believe that… Continue reading Can I breastfeed while taking Flagyl?