Medications are needed to help you maintain the physiological function of your body. Your body is not able to stay healthy by itself.

Sometimes, these failings are temporary as in infection. Other times, they can be longstanding as in hypertension. The doctor can monitor the ongoing ability of your body to adjust to its function. He may be able to tell if the medication is having the desired effect or if there are any side effects?

Your doctor also monitors medical literature. That old medicine may not be the best choice six months after he prescribed it. There may also be a need to see how the rest of your bodily functions are handling the medication.

Most doctors don't even prescribe medication for themselves or their families! This is considered foolhardy, as we are poor judges of someone that is so close to us. Prescribing for oneself is considered foolish, even for doctors.

Aqdas Kuraishi, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Family Medicine
Diplomate, American Board of Emergency Medicine
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc

A common cause of heel pain is an inflammatory process called, plantar fasciitis in which the plantar fascia ligament connecting into your heel and extending out to your toes becomes stressed and inflamed. Symptoms may include swelling, redness in the heel area, and sharp to dull pain either first thing in the morning or after a period of rest. Once walking, the pain eases because the ligament is now stretched.

Treatment at home can include rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) to the area, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and stretching. Additional treatment by a physician can include night splints, injections, or custom made orthotics, usually after some course of conservative treatment and time, the plantar fasciitis will subside. However, a small percentage of people may need surgery if conservative treatment fails.

Tara K. Lee, D.P.M.
American Board of Podiatric Surgery
Member, South Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc

Leg cramps can certainly be painful but they rarely mean anything serious. The cramp usually lasts only a short time and can often be relieved by standing, walking, or stretching. The best treatment however, would be to prevent them from happening in the first place. Commonly the muscles are just plain "dry". Drinking 6-8 glasses of liquid a day not only is healthy in general but also provides dry muscles with needed moisture. Stretching before going to bed may also help. Looping a towel around your foot and gently pulling back will stretch the calf muscle and loosen it up. If you still have the cramps talk to your doctor. You should have a blood test to check your potassium and calcium to make sure that the levels are normal. Too high or too low levels can cause cramps. Finally, a prescription for quinine sulfate is very helpful in preventing the cramp if taken before going to sleep. If the cramps start happening more frequently, especially when you are walking, speak to your doctor because there may be some other problem causing your discomfort.

Owen L. Robinson, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

Which patients are good candidates for liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes localized collections of fatty tissue to give the properly selected patient a slimmer and smoother body contour. Patients who achieve the best results should be of relatively normal weight with extra fat localized in specific areas such as the hips, buttocks, and abdomen. Liposuction is also effective in removing fat deposits from the back, legs, arm, face and neck. Liposuction is not a substitute for proper diet and exercise and is not a procedure for overall weight loss. If the patient's skin has lost much of its elasticity, they may need a skin tightening procedure such as a thigh lift, tummy tuck, arm lift or buttock lift. Following surgery, the patient may wear a snug garment to promote skin shrinkage and to minimize swelling and bruising. The patient can expect to return to work within one or two weeks.

Ronald F. Rosso, M.D. Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Member,
South Bay Independent Medical Group, Inc

Diabetes is currently much more commonly recognized. The use of screenings and the ease of glucose monitoring have made finding diabetes simple. Diabetes is quite common in our community and its incidence is clearly increasing locally and on a worldwide basis.

Diabetes causes early death from heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Most diabetes is related to being overweight and therefore, attention to diet and exercise make the disease preventable. By the time the classical symptoms of thirst, excess urination and weight loss occur, the disease has been existent for some time. Today physicians have new medications and tools to treat and delay the complications of diabetes. Early attention to the treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of these problems. In many cases medications are avoidable, if careful dietary restrictions and prudent exercise are made part of a lifestyle change.

Ronald J. Ruby, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Board Certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

Recently, a large study concluded that women who take Premarin and Provera are at a slightly higher risk for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots to the lung. This risk was very slight. It is estimated to be less than one-tenth of 1% per year.

If a woman is taking hormones to prevent heart disease or osteoporosis, she should probably stop the hormones and use other medications that can accomplish the same thing. If she is concerned about breast cancer, she should consult her physician about the risk of taking the hormones versus the benefits to health. Women who are taking the hormones because of hot flashes and night sweats are probably safe to continue the medication, particularly if they have been taking it for less than five years.

In any case, women taking hormone replacement therapy should consult their physicians about the risks and benefits of the medication.

Robert B. Sloves, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.