Mitchell Hecht

Dr. Mitchell W. Hecht is the physician-author of "Ask Dr. H," a weekly Q&A medical column distributed by McClatchy-Tribune News Service. Dr. Hecht's goal is to present medical information that is clear and interesting to non-medical people. Send questions to him at: "Ask Dr. H," P.O. Box 767787, Atlanta, GA 30076. Due to the large volume of mail received, personal replies are not possible.

Ask Dr. H: Alcohol's link to red cheeks

By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Posted 07/06/2009

Question: I've had rosacea for most of my life. I've always avoided alcohol because it makes my rosacea flare up. That's why I'm so perplexed by a medical study that says rosacea is not related to alcohol. What do you think?

Ask Dr. H: Importance of mucus and phlegm

By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Posted 06/29/2009

Question: Can you tell me why we need phlegm or mucus? Answer: Phlegm is just an accumulation of thick mucus secreted by cells that line the nasal and respiratory tracts. It's usually clear/white/yellow in appearance and is spit out with coughing.

Ask Dr. H: Why pain relievers help some to sleep - 06/22/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: Can you explain why whenever I take Advil or Tylenol at bedtime I fall asleep so much faster and sleep so much better? They're not sleeping pills, but to me, they sure act like they are.
Ask Dr. H: Low folic acid's link to depression - 06/15/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: Have you ever heard of taking folic acid to help with depression? I read about it in a health magazine.
Ask Dr. H: He's getting severe headaches after sex - 06/08/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: I've recently been getting bad headaches after ejaculation. I've checked my blood pressure and it's good. Would you recommend that I see a neurologist?
Ask Dr. H: Red, itchy skin is vascular problem - 06/01/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: I saw my doctor recently because of a reddened, intensely itchy area on the left inner ankle. He said that it was "stasis dermatitis," a skin condition caused by my varicose veins. He recommended a steroid cream and a visit to a vascular surgeon. Can you explain more?
Ask Dr. H: Anatomy of a knee-jerk reaction - 05/25/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: I've always found it kind of funny the way my leg jumps when my doctor taps on the knee with his rubber hammer. What causes the knee to jerk like that?
Ask Dr. H: Did steroids cause diabetes? - 05/18/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: My 78-year-old-brother has type-2 diabetes. He's at least 20 pounds overweight and doesn't exercise. He claims that he got diabetes from several cortisone shots received many years ago. Is that possible?
Ask Dr. H: What's the cause of 'brain freeze'? - 05/11/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: What causes me to get a headache when eating ice cream? Answer: Ice cream headaches, also known as a "brain freeze," are very common and short in duration. What happens when you eat or drink something really cold is that tiny sensory nerves embedded in the roof of your mouth send a signal to the brain of a very cold temperature.
Ask Dr. H: Most anal cancer is linked to HPV - 05/04/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: I've heard the news that Farrah Fawcett has anal cancer and it has spread to her liver. What causes anal cancer? Is it from HPV (human papilloma virus)?
Ask Dr. H: Pulmonary hypertension explained - 04/27/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: Could you please explain what pulmonary hypertension is? Is it similar to emphysema? Answer: Pulmonary hypertension means there's too much blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, the blood vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.
Ask Dr. H: Meralgia paresthetica, a pain in the thighs - 04/20/2009: By Mitchell Hecht, For The Inquirer

Question: For the last eight years, I've had a superficial burning pain with numbness and tingling affecting both outer thighs. I believe I have a condition called meralgia paresthetica. What can I do to make it better? Does being 10 to 15 pounds overweight cause this?