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My mom (74 y/o) awoke in tremendous pain yesterday and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. It turns out to be "only" a sliding hiatal hernia. That's better than many of the other things it could have been, but the catch is, there isn't really a treatment.^* We're told it can be managed, though. Have you (or someone you know) dealt with this? And what did you find that was helpful? [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:04 AM - 2 answers

Waiting two weeks for a dying patient to improve before getting a closer look at their probable cancer seems risky. What has happened in your experiences with cancer diagnosis? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 4:01 AM - 8 answers

I have long Covid and my doctor told me to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. What specific foods should I eat or avoid? What are some recipes for anti-inflammatory meals? Any chance that there's a meal delivery service that fits the bill? [more inside]
posted by nixtamalization at 9:35 PM - 10 answers

My daughter is going to be on crutches for 6 weeks and in a boot for at least a month after that, if not more. How can I help keep her going insane from inactivity when she can only use 1 leg? [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 4:49 PM - 14 answers

My (non-US, English-speaking) friend has undergone 2 cancer-related surgeries, and is now frustrated that his doctor has suggested follow-up medication treatment - because he was told the purpose of the 2nd surgery was to avoid this - and he's also unsure about whether the side-effects will warrant the precautionary benefit. I suggested looking on cancer forums to find folks who have encountered similar choices, or have experience with the medication in question, but I realize specific recommendations would be much more helpful - can anyone help me with this? [more inside]
posted by my log does not judge at 7:13 AM - 4 answers

Abour a week and a half ago, my spouse got his second dose of Shingrix. Today I have shingles. [more inside]
posted by stray at 3:39 PM - 5 answers

I want to track some simple medical data over time: cholesterol, blood pressure, AHI, PSA, and the like. Is a spreadsheet the simplest way to do this, or is there some purpose-built tool? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:18 AM - 5 answers

If a person were to be instantly transported in a way that only the parts of their body that were actually them were to come through, but all the other organisms that live in/on us -- all their intestinal bacteria and eyelash mites and whatnot -- were left behind, how quickly would that kill them, what would be the symptoms, and would it be possible to save them with probiotics or a fecal bacteria transplant or something like that? Also is there a distinction that makes sense so that a virus could still ride along even when all the bacteria we depend on to survive could not? Prefer a sci-fi explanation to a magical one. Thanks!
posted by Jacqueline at 8:58 PM - 13 answers

Can you recommend excellent books about recovering from a traumatic brain injury? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:25 AM - 11 answers

Seeking some sort of alternative to a neti pot. Is there such a thing? Details inside... [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 4:40 AM - 24 answers

I wake up with a numb arm and hand. I sleep on my side but it's the top arm that's been going numb, not the one I lay on. [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 10:12 AM - 15 answers

I’m experiencing a new type of pain and at a loss of how to describe to my docs. I’m hoping someone has experienced something similar and knows a relevant medical term so I can communicate effectively with my doc. [more inside]
posted by gilsonal at 8:27 PM - 13 answers

My toenails have been problematic for a few years. It started with just one of them turning white and becoming thicker. This then happened to first all toes on my right foot, and more recently the left. Right now, two nails on my left foot look healthy. The other three are thicker than they should be, soft and dull instead of shiny, and there's a small blue stripe under the big toenail. On my right foot, two nails are thickened and slightly discolored (beige). The big toenail appears loose. It's firmly attached at the base, but not so much at the top. [more inside]
posted by toucan at 8:23 PM - 13 answers

My kid was diagnosed with strep two days ago via throat culture and is on meds. Is it important that I get swabbed too? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 2:53 PM - 14 answers

YANMD, etc. I don't typically feel any hunger in the mornings, and I haven't eaten breakfast regularly since I was in high school (I'm now in my 50s). My usual routine is two cups of coffee with non-dairy creamer and sugar substitute. But all of a sudden, during the last month or so, I feel hungry almost as soon as I wake up. What gives? [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 1:01 PM - 7 answers

YANMD - should I be concerned with these spots (whitish, flaky) on my wrists and lower legs? I have a history of eczema.
posted by eggman at 12:30 PM - 3 answers

I have to buddy wrap two of my fingers during athletic activities for the next several months. The random brands of buddy straps I’ve bought all stretch out quickly: the velcro-ish bit remains sticky but the loop around my finger becomes too large and annoying. Any recommendations for specific brands, available in the US, that don’t stretch so quickly?
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:21 AM - 7 answers

This is mostly idle curiosity but, I know a woman who had thin, fine hair her entire life. During menopause and for a bit after, it was pretty standard menopause hair -- thinning even further, scalp visible, etc. Now, 10 years out, all of a sudden she has insanely thick, fast-growing hair. Like an absolute ton of it. What could cause this? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:45 PM - 12 answers

Have you had Spravato treatment? How quickly did it work? What do you recommend that someone bring to treatment? How can/should one prepare? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Hazlenut at 5:17 PM - 1 answers

How do I get work experience while I am still working on the certification? I am in Marietta, Georgia, and I need 6,000 hours of work experience in the field. I'm looking for anyone with their CAC or CADC I who can help me figure out how they got the hours while working on the certification. [more inside]
posted by shaarog at 5:50 AM - 4 answers