Dr. Dina S. Burke

It is usually diagnosed by a physician listening to your chest for the rate and rhythm of your heart during an exam, along with getting your history. Then an EKG can pick it up or a holter monitor that you wear for at least a day or several days can be ordered. A regular dr can do that or can refer you to a cardiologist for further work up.

The usual treatments that are available are nerve stabilizers like tricyclics like Amitriptylline. Your primary care dr can also try Gabapentin or Neurontin. Lyrics also helps but very expensive. Your PCP can discuss the pros and cons and side effects of these meds and help decide which one is best for you to try.

Burping is an indication of air trapped in your diaphragm - a thin muscle tissue that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. So when we burp, you release that gas. The burning sensation may be due to reflux (GERD) which can be resolved with taking antacids like Prilosec, Nexium or Pepcid and Zantac. Avoiding or limiting citrus fruits, alcohol, coffee, soda pops, chocolates, spearmint may also help. If it worsens, discuss with your PCP or see a gastroenterologist.

Your nasal passages are connected to your sinuses. The frontal sinuses are located just above the eyebrows. So when you blow your nose, you create an internal pressure that gets radiated to the sinuses, hence the sensation of that headache. If it worsens, you can see an ENT physician who can look for other structures in your passages that cause any”extra” pressures.

Sorry about your shingles- but you are recovering! When the blisters are all scabbed over then you are not contagious anymore. You may still experience pain over the skin area affected that may actually linger for a while or forever. We call it post herpetic neuralgia. It is one of the complications of getting shingles. I recommend that you get the Zostavax vaccine to prevent further recurrence. Yes, you can get another flare - and getting the vaccine may prevent it by 90%. You may get the shot after you have recovered completely after a month.

It typically takes about a week if antibiotics to make sure the bacteria is irradicated. You will know it is working when the eye redness goes away as well as the eye discharge. When all is resolved, then basically you are not infectious anymore. It the the eye fluids and discharge which are infectious.
I also recommend that you get rid of all eye makeup , also change your pillow case and even beddings ( wash them). Don't share face towel as they will carry the bacteria.

As far as I know, Lisinopril being taken by the male partner does not affect fertility. AACE Inhibitors, which Lisinopril belongs to as a class of blood pressure medications, has been associated with adverse outcomes in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. So, the mother or pregnant females should not take Lisinopril. Therefore, it should be safe for the male partner.

Dr. BURKE