http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht RSS Feed for Inq Col Mitchell Hecht en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:01:00 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120213_Ask_Dr__H__Findings_about_the_cause_of_arthritis.html Question: What causes osteoarthritis? Answer: Osteoarthritis, the progressive wearing down of the cartilage in joints, is generally thought to occur because of wear and tear of the joint - especially the joints in the knees, hips, and low back. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120206_Ask_Dr__H__Tamoxifen_more_benefit_than_risk.html Question: My 41-year-old daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage. She opted for a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy. There was some lymph-node involvement. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120130_Ask_Dr__H__Generic_Viagra_produced_in_India.html Question: My husband has been taking Viagra for years. As you know, it is very expensive and there is no generic here in the United States. I heard on the radio that there is a much cheaper Viagra available. It is one-fourth the price of brand-name Viagra. What I received is "Fiagra." It is from India. When I called the distributor, they said it's exactly the same. Have you heard of it? Is it safe? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120123_Ask_Dr__H__Foam_in_urine_could_indicate_excess_protein.html Question: What causes my urine to have a lot of foam? Is it serious? Answer: Have you ever had lemon meringue pie? Those tall peaks of frothy white that make up meringue are made from two simple ingredients: sugar and egg whites. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120116_Ask_Dr__H__Why_there_are_more_colds_during_winter.html Question: Why are colds much more common in the winter? Answer: It's no coincidence that more colds, more flu, and more sinus infections occur in the winter than at other times of the year. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120109_Ask_Dr__H__A_folk_remedy_of_dubious_benefit.html Question: I have been taking apple cider vinegar tablets every day for the past nine months since I read that it can prevent genital warts caused by HPV. So far, it's working. Can you explain how it actually works? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20120102_Ask_Dr__H__Why_is_McDonald_s_in_a_hospital_.html Question: During a visit to my friend who was a patient at an Atlanta hospital, I discovered that in addition to their cafeteria, they have a McDonald's restaurant! I was shocked that a hospital supposedly promoting healthy eating and lifestyle would allow a fast-food restaurant. I think it's hypocritical. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20111226_Ask_Dr__H__A_blood_cancer_that_can_kill_quickly.html Question: Can you explain acute myelogenous leukemia? Someone we know was recently diagnosed with it, and two weeks later he was dead. What makes it so deadly? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20111219_Ask_Dr__H__But_Santa_s_a_jolly_old_elf_nonetheless.html Question: Just for fun, could you speculate on what health problems Santa Claus might have? Answer: Since I'm not the personal physician for the "jolly big guy," this is all conjecture. Given his advanced age, occupational hazards and obvious obesity, he might be dealing with several chronic medical conditions. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mitchell_hecht/20111212_Ask_Dr__H__Vitamin_D_levels_and_depression.html Question: I heard of a study that showed lower Vitamin D levels in people who are depressed. Does taking Vitamin D help with depression?