The Following "Ask A Pro" interview was taken from Self Magazine.com.
Dr. Lisa Callahan is a medical director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. I've picked my favorite of readers questions and responses by Dr. Callahan.
Self Magazine Reader Question: I saw an ad offering to pay women $500 to join a clinical trial. Is this practice legit?
Dr. Callahan: Yes. Research institutions often compensate study participants. Still, it's crucial to do your homework before signing up: First, ask for a copy of the informed consent form. Look for a dated approval number from an institutional review board, an independent committee that takes steps to ensure the study is safe and ethical. Then carefully review the potential benefits and risks of joining (though rare, injuries can occur). Once you're satisfied the money will be worth the risk, you can make a contribution to medicine with confidence.
SM Reader: What are heart palpitations, and are they ever dangerous?
Dr. C: Heart palpitations are a series of rapid or irregular beats that can be scary—but they are not dangerous in and of themselves. Occasionally, however, they are caused by serious underlying medical problems, such as heart disease or hyperthyroidism (an overly active thyroid gland). That brief fluttering or pounding you feel in your chest when you speak in front of a group or when you narrowly avoid an accident is most likely benign anxiety-provoked palpitations. Other culprits include caffeine, exercise, stress, nicotine, cough and cold medications, asthma inhalers and some herbal supplements. If you have heart palpitations but no other suspicious symptoms, you're probably fine. But if you're in doubt, or you're experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath or chest pain, for instance, do see a doctor right away.
SM Reader: Can using a light box help me keep the winter blues away?
Dr. C: Yes. Research suggests light therapy can help people who have seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that strikes in the dark months of fall and winter. Talk to your M.D. if you have symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems and food cravings. They affect up to 20 percent of adults. How light therapy works: Each morning, you sit in front of a lamp that's about 20 times brighter than a normal light (you can find one at SunBox.com). You should notice a sunnier mood within a few weeks.
SM Reader: I've been feeling more tired than usual. Should I take an iron supplement?
Dr. C: Not so fast. Iron deficiency is a common problem among women of childbearing age, but it's not the only possible cause of your fatigue. Anything from thyroid dysfunction to sleep deprivation to depression could be to blame, which is why it's critical that you and your doctor first pinpoint the cause. If your exhaustion lingers longer than two weeks, ask her for an iron profile, a blood test that can reveal below-normal iron levels. If you are anemic, she'll likely recommend a short-term supplement. Don't take iron pills unsupervised, however—it could be dangerous. If you are one of the 2 million people who have hemochromatosis, a genetic condition that prompts the body to store too much iron, supplements can lead to liver damage. (You'd never know if you have it without the iron profile.) If your problem isn't with iron, your M.D. can help you figure it out. Chances are, you'll start feeling more like your old energetic self very soon.
SM Reader: I haven't had any shots since high school. Do I need boosters?
Dr. C: Probably. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta now recommends all adults get the new Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough), if it's been more than 10 years since their last tetanus shot or if they have close contact with infants. (Babies are particularly vulnerable to whooping cough.) You also might want to ask about a hepatitis B injection, especially if you live with someone who's already infected, you're not sexually monogamous or you work in an environment that exposes you to blood or bodily fluids. Visit CDC.gov and click on Vaccines and Immunizations for a quick shot of important information.
