I am having an argument with my daughter and I’m hoping you can help. She says that I don’t exercise enough. I do not look obese, and probably am of normal weight. What do you think? She reads The Tablet every week and will listen to your opinion. Exercise Averse in Elmhurst Dear Exercise Averse, […]
Ask The Doctor
Dr. Steven Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He also hosts Ask the Doctor on NET TV on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Time Warner Channel 97, Cablevision Channel 30 and Verizon FIOS on Demand.
Colonoscopy Screens Save Lives
Dear Dr. Garner, I have colon cancer, which has spread to other parts of my body, and I am undergoing painful chemotherapy. The worst part is that this all could have been much easier to treat had it been found much earlier. I am now 65 and while my husband went for a colonoscopy when […]
Averting Medication Mix-Ups
Dear Dr. Garner, I was recently reading about children who got the wrong pills from the pharmacy. Apparently they got cancer medication instead of the fluoride pills for their teeth. Between my husband and myself, we take about 12 pills a day. How can we make sure we get the right pills? This is really […]
Medical and Artwork Tattoos
Dear Dr. Garner, I heard you talking about tattoos on TV last week. I believe you said that tattoos could be good if they carried medical information, like allergies to pills. The discussion awakened old wounds as my son got a tattoo on his arm two years ago against my wishes. I think that […]
Childhood Development and The Autism Puzzle
Dear Dr. Garner, My grandchild is two years old and seems different from my other grandchildren. He is not talking, and frequently makes different movements of his body, which I don’t understand. He doesn’t look at me when I hold him. He seems to want to be by himself. We are all very worried about […]
Chest Pain Is Not Always a Heart Attack
Dear Dr. Garner, I am 43 years old and have a problem that is beginning to worry me. When I sleep, I am awakened with severe pains under my right breast. I have to turn around in different directions, sometimes I have to get up altogether. Also, I notice that when I press on the […]
Tackling Back Pain
Dear Dr. Garner, Inspired by the Giants’ Super Bowl win, I went to Prospect Park to play some touch football — against my wife’s protests that I’d hurt myself. All went well during the game, but going to sleep that night, I had terrible back pain. I have been home from work and in bed […]
Statins Help Keep Cholesterol in Check
Dear Dr. Garner, I have slightly high cholesterol and the bad type of cholesterol is high as well. My doctor wants me to go on Lipitor, but I have read about some really nasty side effects from the drug. I’ve tried changes in my daily routine, such as eating better and exercising, but the cholesterol […]
Lifestyle Modification Can Calm Irritable Bowels
Dear Dr. Garner, I am 35 and in good condition except for a problem I have been having lately. Whenever I get upset or worried about something my bowels go haywire. I have pain and diarrhea and I feel a little depressed. My doctor feels it is due to irritable bowel disease. Is there a […]
Diverticulitis Versus Diverticulosis
Dear Dr. Garner, Could you tell me the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis? My doctor told me that I have diverticulosis. My sister was recently told she had diverticulitis. She says it is the same thing but I don’t think it is. Could you settle our disagreement? Is there any treatment for either condition? How […]