I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering and Psychology from Northwestern University. I finished medical school and completed my M.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. I am currently in my residency for surgery- hopefully to be specializing in neurosurgery.
I want to answer questions on medical type questions. I'm a big fan of Dr. Drew Pinsky on Love Line and would like to help younger people from the mistakes I see a lot of young people do when they come into my ER.
Gender: Male
Location: I'm from all over.
Occupation: Physician- Surgeon
Age: 29
AIM: ArunKSherma
Member Since: January 23, 2005
Answers: 188
Last Update: January 2, 2009
Visitors: 18493
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Melanie4981
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Lately I have been noticing that down around ,y vaginal area I have been kinda itchy... and like I went to the store and bought some kinda cream stuff but the last time I out it on it was like my skin was pelling! Can some1 plz give me an Idea on what I have?
Thanks.. I rate 5's! (link)
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It can be several things depending on your history and other associated symptoms. The peeling of the skin after the cream does sound like a contact dermatitis and hopefully you stopped using the cream. The best thing to do is to see your OBGYN or another physician.
Due to HIPAA and other legislation this will be kept confidential and no one else has to know. They'll do a few tests (most likely at most a culture) and treat it accordingly.
Best of Luck,
AK
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well, Im super scared for my friend. She asked me thia question. "If you're giving a guy a hand job, and he whipes some of the stuff away, and then fingers you, can you get pregnate?"
I have no clue, and i wanna help her and be there for me! Please help me (well, i guess it would be my friend)
If you don't know dont answer, because I only want to tell her the real truth!
thanks! (link)
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The chances of that scenario are slim. Sperm can live in air, b/c of the stuff that sperm swims in (semen) it is other diseases (HIV for example) that die when exposed to air.
However, it is possible for a girl, esp younger girls, to have a period and still be pregnant. I have seen cases where a girl had a period, or what she thought was a period, and then later learned she was 3 mos pregnant. If your friend has doubt on status she can buy an inexpensive pregnancy test at the drug store or can get one at Planned Parenthood.
Hope that helps,
AK
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how often a week should u do cardio and for how long at a time? (link)
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The best answer for this is 3 times a week for at least a half hour, making sure your heart rate is about 125% of your resting rate. Depending on your fitness goal- say fat burning, you'd want to up that for about 45 minutes (the body doesn't start burning fat until your store of glycogen is used up which can be up to a half hour then it converts into burning fat). And make sure to drink a lot of water before, during and after.
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me and my boyfriend have been going out for like a week now. and the other day he asked me if i wanted sex.
we r madly in love, but im not sure if its the right time in the relationship?
what should i do?
luv nicki xxxxx (link)
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First, how do you know that you are madly in love with him? I'm older than you probably, and I'm not even sure on that word's definition. Regardless, it's been a week and if you feel that this relationship is going to last- then the sex can wait. You're asking for advice which means that you already know in your heart that you may not be ready for it. If he really loves you then he'll wait for you. If not, then you'll know that it wasn't meant to be and you'll meet a guy who will wait for you as long as it takes.
However, if you do decide to engage in sex PLEASE use at a minimum a condom. Yeah, I know, I sound like a PSA, but I've seen way too many 13year olds giving birth that I tell pretty much pre-teens now too.
Hope that helps,
AK
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I have something mentally wrong with me, and I aknowledge this. I dont know what exactly, but I know I serverly need help. I asked my mom if I could go to therapy, and she's fine with that, but I think I need more than that, like maybe being commited for a while. I cant just say 'Hey mom, I think I need to be committed to the loony bin for a while, is that cool?' She really doesnt see what goes on with me, i usualy just keep to myself while I'm at home. I really think I need more than just therapy, and possibly anti depressants (I havent gone to therapy yet, so I dont know what would go on) I really think it would help for me to go to an institution for a while. How do I approach this though? (link)
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It shows a lot of maturity that you know that you need to get help. There are only a few typical "institutions" left, and most psych in-patient is done at the hospital. The only times when someone really is put into the hospital is a suicide attempt, any serious threat that they may hurt themselves or others, and for those that can't take care of yourself.
It sounds like your mom is very supportive though, I know my mom still has no idea of my past history. It sounds like you have Major Depression and anti-depressants will help, however, they will take some time before they work (4-6 weeks). I don't know what your story is, but you may be able to be seen quicker if you feel that you need help right away (In major hospitals they have something called PES (Psychiatric Emergency Services). Other than that, I'd wait for your appointment with your therapist (if its a psychiatrist he/she can prescribe meds, if it's a psychologist he/she won't be able to.)
If you want to talk in more detail or have more questions- feel free to ask me.
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I usually eat pretty healthily---fruits, veggies, protein, etc. But my problem is that I will eat alot. I won't just eat one serving, I may have more than I should. What is a good amount of food to have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and the occasional snack? (link)
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There is no "normal" amount for any one person. It all depends on what your goal is. You're eating a lot of good foods, which is fine. You want to eat what your body needs to burn to function, which is your basal metabolic rate (http://www.room42.com/nutrition/basal.shtml)
Calculate yours and then you can divide it up during the days with 4 meals a day up to 6 meals a day.
Any other questions- feel free to ask.
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I usually do cardio workouts (bike, eliptical or treadmill type cardio) 3, 4, or 5 days a week, depending on how much time I have. Weights (I go to Gold's Gym---so by weights I mean those machines they have that you can do arm press type things and things for your legs and butt) I do about twice a week. And then everyday I try to do situps, lunges, squats, stuff like that. I'm wondering...do I really need to do the weights twice a week? Is doing cardio 3 or more times a week with the situps, lunges, etc 7 days a week good enough? Feedback please! I mean...what really IS a good workout plan? (link)
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It all depends on your fitness goals. If you're just trying to lose weight and slim down then what you're doing is great and you don't need to do the weights as much.
If you want to add muscle bulk then you may want to cut down on the cardio a bit (20 minutes or so before you lift weights) and then concentrate on one group of muscles every other day when you lift.
Example
Day 1: Arms + Shoulders
Day 2: Rest/Cardio
Day 3: Legs + Butt
Day 4: Rest/ Cardio
Day 5: Chest + Back + Abs
Day 6: Rest/Cardio
Day 7: Rest/ Cardio
Your body needs that rest day to heal your muscles. You don't necessarily make new muscle, but rather it hypertrophies (breaks down and builds up- hence why muscles hurt after a long workout). Oh and plenty of water + like a high protein bar after you lift weights to help the muscle building process.
Any other questions- don't hesitate to ask.
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i KNOW everyone always asks about weight loos plans and everything...so now its my turn to ask..hehehe. anyways im 15/f, 5'8 and a half and weigh 155, i want to get to 140. any advice?
thanks so much (link)
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There are a lot of fad diets out there (most popular these days being the Atkins and South Beach Diet), but they just don't work and they're very unhealthy (for example- Atkins makes a person go into what diabetics know as ketoacidosis- which can damage your kidneys and not to mention gives you horrible breath).
I'm in medical school so they pound into us the best way to lose weight is a healthy loss of 1 lb per week. This way you don't starve yourself and on top of that it's manageable.
1. Calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) which is the amount of calories your body uses to function (http://www.room42.com/nutrition/basal.shtml). I calculated yours to be 1795 calories per day.
2. Reduce your caloric intake each day by 500 calories (3500 calories a week= one pound).
3. Eat fruits and veggies but not the ones full of sugar (beets, oranges, apples etc. high in sugar).
4. Reduce sugar intake (increased sugar causes increase in insulin, which causes an increase into fat cells).
5. Make sure to get plenty of protein (b/c if you starve your body breaks down muscle b/c your brain can't live on energy converted from fat).
6. Eat plenty of small meals (every 3-4 hours small portions)- b/c you want a steady blood glucose level b/c starving will cause your body to go to extremes and will actually store more fat (b/c it knows that this is the only meal it is going to get- so it's less willing to burn it).
7. Exercise (the body no matter what your weight can learn to minimize burning calories (up to only 800 calories a day)- but if you exercise it's forced to turn fat into energy. )
8. Don't over do it. After a workout the body needs time to rest and recoop. Drink plenty of water (carry a water bottle around with you- used as part of the mech of converting fat into energy).
Any other questions- don't hesitate to ask.
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