What's Up Doc 9/17/09

Is there any difference between bottled water and tap water? I keep hearing that drinking bottled water over tap water is healthier.
In general, there are no health benefits from drinking bottled water over tap water. Both must meet certain criteria that ensure safety. Many people just prefer bottled water because the bottle is easy to carry along. If you are more sensitive to color, odor and taste in tap water, drinking bottled water is just as good of an alternative.
Marne’ Devillier, MD, Family Medicine Physician with Maplewood Family Medical Clinic

I often feel rushed at my doctor’s office. I trust that he’s a qualified doctor, and I don’t want to change doctors, but is there a way I can get more out of the visits and not leave feeling confused?
Medical information is complex, just like engineering, accounting or carpentry, but the difference is, we participate in the solution. Choices we make every day with nutrition, medications and exercise affect our health. Clear communication is vital for a good doctor-patient relationship. I suggest writing down your questions or concerns before your visit and bring a notebook with you. Take notes about the instructions and repeat them back to the doctor to make sure you understood correctly. Ask questions about medications such as when you should see an improvement, what you can do to prevent the condition, and so on. Patients who don’t understand their doctor’s orders are at greater risk for infections, medication errors and repeated hospitalizations.
Todd Peavy, MD, Family Medicine Physician, with Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic

I suffer from depression and was wondering if there is a link between caffeine and depression. I drink a lot of coffee.
Caffeine is considered a mild stimulant, and there is no evidence that it causes depression. However, some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. In such individuals, caffeine may worsen existing depression. How or why this occurs isn't exactly clear, and is being studied. One possibility is that although caffeine initially gives you a "lift," it may later have the opposite effect as the stimulation it delivers wears off. Another is that caffeine can cause difficulties with sleep, which can worsen depression. Caffeine also appears to have some effect on blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes. Fluctuations in blood sugar can be associated with mood changes. If you have depression, you may consider limiting or avoiding caffeine to see if it helps improve your depressive symptoms. Because caffeine can be habit-forming, an abrupt decrease in consumption can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, irritability and nervousness. To lessen these withdrawal effects, gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you consume.
D. Dale Archer , MD, Psychiatrist with the Institute for Neuropsychiatry

What is the treatment for deteriorating disk of the neck?
It depends, and it's important to understand that all discs will degenerate in all individuals over time. Surgery is usually not needed unless there is nerve or spinal cord damage. Often the degeneration can be slowed down with simple injections and physical therapy, with surgery used as a last resort.
Craig Morton, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, Center for Orthopaedics

What's Up Doc? 9/3/09

My granddaughter, who is 16, is having trouble keeping her skin clear from breakouts. I know it’s common for teenagers, and even adults, to deal with this. I wonder if the amount and the type of makeup she uses to cover up the blemishes is actually making it worse?

Hormones and oil production are in over-drive during the teen years and the combination of the two results in breakouts. You’re right that too much makeup can aggravate the problem. A good makeup option is often mineral makeup because it contains natural ingredients that generally do well on most skin types, including sensitive skin. Using a small amount is best and it’s very important to remove the makeup every night. Most people tend to aggravate acne by scrubbing too hard, covering with too much makeup, and not cleansing properly.
Maureen Olivier, MD, dermatologist with The Clinic

I’m a 29-year-old-woman just diagnosed with osteoporosis. I thought only older people had this disease; are there many young women with it?
At this time, two percent of college-age women already have osteoporosis. Fifteen percent have sustained significant losses in bone density and are well on their way to developing the disease. A common method of birth control, Depo-Provera, is associated with significant bone loss, and low body weight is also a contributing factor for osteoporosis in young women. Some young women are at greater risk than others for brittle bones, depending on estrogen levels and other factors.
Geoffrey Collins, MD, orthopedic surgeon with the Center for Orthopaedics

I’m noticing changes in my mother’s behavior. She doesn’t seem interested in her usual activities. She is physically able to participate, but she just doesn’t want to. I worry about her; she’s 71. Should I intervene or just let her sit alone?
Changes in appearance and behavior can mean a number of things. It could signal the need for a checkup and possibly an adjustment in medication; she may be depressed or forgetful. An aging family member may say they are doing just fine, but your observations raise some red flags. I’d suggest going with your mother for a checkup and then discussing your concerns with her doctor.
Amanda LaComb, MD, family medicine physician, medical staff of Jennings American Legion Hospital

I’m having cataract surgery next month. How long does the artificial lens last? Will it have to be replaced at some point? Also, will my vision deteriorate over time or stay the same?
In cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist removes the clouded lens from your eye and replaces it with a clear, artificial lens. This lens is very durable and should last for the rest of your life. If a traditional lens implant is used, you may require glasses for reading or working at near distances after surgery. However, new options in premium lens plants can correct existing nearsightedness and farsightedness, allowing many people see clearly without glasses of any kind after surgery. Your vision after cataract surgery generally doesn't deteriorate over time. However, sometimes the lens capsule that holds the implant becomes cloudy. In such cases, the cloudy capsule can easily be treated with a laser to make it clear again.
A.J. O’Byrne, ophthalmologist with The Eye Clinic