Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 3-17-17

Health
If you have pain below your belly button and above your legs, it counts as pelvic pain. It can be caused by a lot of things. It may be a harmless sign that you’re fertile, a digestive disorder, or a red flag that you need to go to the hospital.
Some Things Don’t Mix Well
You may know that some medicines don’t work well to- gether. But what you eat and drink can have an effect on some drugs, too. Before you take a medication for the first time, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if there’s anything you should stay away from.
GRAPEFRUIT
This citrus fruit changes the way certain cells in your gut take in and move medica- tion through your body -- it can affect more than 50 drugs. It can make some, like fex- ofenadine (Allegra) for allergies, less effec- tive and make others too strong, including
ones that lower your cholesterol like atorvastatin (Lipitor).
MILK
This dairy product can make it harder for your body to process certain antibiotics. Minerals in milk like calcium and magne- sium are part of the reason, along with the protein casein. If you’re taking antibiotics, make sure to find out about the foods or beverages you should stay away from.
CHOCOLATE
Dark chocolate in particular can weaken the effects of drugs meant to calm you down or make you sleep, like zolpidem tar- trate (Ambien). It also can boost the power of some stimulant drugs, like methylphenidate (Ritalin). And if you take
an MAO inhibitor, used to treat depression, it can make your blood pressure dangerously high.
IRON SUPPLEMENT
This can lower the effects of levothyrox- ine (Synthroid), a medicine that gives you thyroid hormone when your body doesn’t make enough (a condition called hypothy- roidism). If you take this medication and a
multivitamin, check to see if the vitamin has iron in it. If you need an iron supplement, ask your doctor about taking it and your medica- tion at different times.
ALCOHOL
This makes certain drugs less effective or even useless, including some blood pres- sure and heart medicines. It also can make others stronger than they should be or cause dangerous side effects.
COFFEE
It can weaken antipsychotic drugs like lithium and clozapine, but boost the effects -- and side effects -- of others. Those in- clude aspirin, epinephrine (used to treat se- rious allergic reactions), and albuterol (taken by inhaler for breathing problems).
It can also make it harder for your body to take in and use iron.
ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUGS (AEDS)
These control seizures in people who have epilepsy. But AEDs can make birth control pills less able to prevent pregnancy, and early research shows they may make
other drugs stronger and cause potentially serious side effects.
VITAMIN K
If you take the drug warfarin -- used to treat and prevent blood clots -- be aware of how much vitamin K you take in. It can make the blood thinner less effective and put you at higher risk of a dangerous blood clot. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, pars-
ley, and spinach are some of the most common foods high in vitamin K. Try to eat the same amount of these foods every day so the level of warfarin in your blood stays the same.
Appendicitis
If you have a sharp pain in the lower right part of your belly, are vomiting, and have a fever, it could be appen-
dicitis. If you have these symptoms, go to the ER. An infected appendix may need surgery. If it bursts, it can spread the infection inside your body.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Do you have belly pain, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea or constipa- tion that keeps coming
back? Talk to your doctor to figure out the problem. It could be IBS, sometimes called spastic colon. Doc- tors aren’t sure what causes it. Diet changes, stress management, and medications may help.
Mittelschmerz (Painful Ovulation)
Ever feel a painful twinge between periods? You may be feeling your body ovulate. When you
do, the ovary releases an egg along with some fluid and blood. It can cause irritation. This feeling is called mittelschmerz -- German for "middle" and "pain." That’s because it happens midway through your monthly cycle. The pain may switch sides from month to month. It isn't harmful and usually goes away in a few hours.
PMS and Menstrual Cramps
You can usually feel these cramps in your lower belly or back. They typically last 1 to 3 days.
Why the pain? Every month, your uterus builds up a lining of tissue. That’s where an embryo can implant and grow. If you don't get pregnant, the lining breaks
down and is shed during your period. When the uterus tightens to push it out, you get a cramp. Try a heating pad and over-the-counter pain relievers to ease pain. Exercise and de-stressing can help, too. You can also talk to your doctor about PMS pain.
Ectopic Pregnancy
This happens when an embryo implants some- where outside of the uterus and begins to grow. This usually hap-
pens in the fallopian tubes. Sharp pelvic pain or cramps (particularly on one side), vaginal bleeding, nausea, and dizziness are symptoms. Get medical help right away. This is a life-threatening emergency.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Pelvic pain is a warn- ing sign of some STDs. Two of the most common are chlamydia and gon-
orrhea . You often get both at the same time. They don't always cause symptoms. But when they do, you may have pain when you pee, bleeding between peri- ods, and abnormal vaginal discharge. See your doc- tor. It’s also important to get partners checked and treated, too, so you don’t pass the infection back and forth.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovaries release eggs when you ovulate. Some- times a follicle doesn't open to release the egg. Or it recloses after it does
and swells with fluid. This causes an ovarian cyst. They’re usually harmless and go away on their own. But they may cause pelvic pain, pressure, swelling, and bloating. And if a cyst bursts or twists, it can cause sudden, severe pain, sending you to the emer- gency room. Doctors can spot them during a pelvic exam or ultrasound.
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