EXPERT
Colin Kerr
Family Practitioner
Dr. Colin Kerr is a family practitioner practicing in Prescott, AZ. Dr. Kerr specializes in comprehensive health care for people of all ages. In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, family practitioners also put focus on preventative care with routine checkups, tests and personalized coaching on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Kerr possesses immense general knowledge on maintaining health and today, family practitioners provide more care for the underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty.
Colin Kerr
- Prescott, AZ
- Accepting new patients
The Miracle of a Healthy Lifestyle
Recently, we have been able to reduce a patient's mortality by 20 to 30 percent by treating heart disease with a statin or beta-blocker. These two medications have had the most...
Ear infections?
If you have a fever with an earache, that is a strong reason to go to the doctor for a likely course of antibiotics. The most likely cause is a typical ear infection with pus behind READ MORE
If you have a fever with an earache, that is a strong reason to go to the doctor for a likely course of antibiotics. The most likely cause is a typical ear infection with pus behind the ear drum. The other leading cause of earache is swimmer's ear, which does not usually have a fever. When it does, it is more serious and requires an antibiotic.
Growing single long thick white hair on chest?
The answer is hormones. Before you are fully developed, hairs tend to come in light or white. With the growth of black hairs on your chest, it is an indication of relatively too READ MORE
The answer is hormones. Before you are fully developed, hairs tend to come in light or white. With the growth of black hairs on your chest, it is an indication of relatively too much male hormones in your blood. We all have some of each type in our blood. The good news is that the condition is treatable with an inexpensive medication. Spironolactone is there most
commonly used.
commonly used.
Antibody test?
Having Covid infection gives you immunity for at least 3 months and possibly as long as 6 months. The CDC expressly advises against using the antibody test to know whether you READ MORE
Having Covid infection gives you immunity for at least 3 months and possibly as long as 6 months. The CDC expressly advises against using the antibody test to know whether you should get the vaccine. Their advice and my advice is to get the vaccine between 3 and 6 months after infection. This is especially true with the much worse Delta variant going unchecked right now.
How long does it take an ear infection to go away?
There is no simple answer as there are 3 types of ear infections. 1. There external type, known as “swimmer’s ear”, where fungi or bacteria invade the tissues outside of the East READ MORE
There is no simple answer as there are 3 types of ear infections. 1. There external type, known as “swimmer’s ear”, where fungi or bacteria invade the tissues outside of the East drum. Treatment is with drops, pain killers (it can really hurt), and some time an oral antitrust is it is advanced.
2, the common ear infections where there bacteria invade the fluid inside the East drum. While it hurts, it usually responds promptly to oral antibiotics.
3. A low-grade, more chronic inflammation associated with the presence of a lot of fluid behind the ear drum which may be triggered by either allergies or low grade bacterial infection. The main symptoms are more pressure than pain and possible dizziness/vertigo or reduced hearing due to the excess fluid behind the ear drum. Treatment is less effective, usually with either a week of antibiotics or 10 days of cortisone pills. These are only about 50% effective. Full relief, if these treatments fail may require tubes to be placed in the ear drum.
The patient cannot usually know which of these infections they have by themselves as the symptoms are so similar. Correct diagnosis requires a careful ear exam by your medical provider. It matters because the treatments are different.
2, the common ear infections where there bacteria invade the fluid inside the East drum. While it hurts, it usually responds promptly to oral antibiotics.
3. A low-grade, more chronic inflammation associated with the presence of a lot of fluid behind the ear drum which may be triggered by either allergies or low grade bacterial infection. The main symptoms are more pressure than pain and possible dizziness/vertigo or reduced hearing due to the excess fluid behind the ear drum. Treatment is less effective, usually with either a week of antibiotics or 10 days of cortisone pills. These are only about 50% effective. Full relief, if these treatments fail may require tubes to be placed in the ear drum.
The patient cannot usually know which of these infections they have by themselves as the symptoms are so similar. Correct diagnosis requires a careful ear exam by your medical provider. It matters because the treatments are different.
How do I know if my stomach pain is my appendix?
Appendix pain usually starts right around the belly button and slowly over hours moves down to the lower right side of your abdomen. There are almost always other symptoms such READ MORE
Appendix pain usually starts right around the belly button and slowly over hours moves down to the lower right side of your abdomen. There are almost always other symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, and cessation of bowel movements. Commonly there is low grade fever as well.
How long do you need to go gluten free to notice a difference?
Several weeks should do it if you truly have celiac disease.
How can I help my toddler with a cold?
It will go away on its own. In general it is better not to give him/her oral over-the-counter medications due to low efficacy and side effects. The important treatment is to keep READ MORE
It will go away on its own. In general it is better not to give him/her oral over-the-counter medications due to low efficacy and side effects. The important treatment is to keep the nose clear for breathing. If there is heavy or profuse nasal discharge you can use a suction bulb available at any drugstore or Amazon to remove it every few hours. If there is also a lot of nasal swelling you can treat this with 2-3 saline nose drops every few hours. Available at your drugstore or Amazon.
Can you walk after a stent?
Yes, and it is definitely recommended.
Does CBD help with anxiety attacks?
Yes. Everyone is different. But it works well for most patients. Many of my patients use it for this reason. Not for teens though. Risk for schizophrenia is too high for that age. READ MORE
Yes. Everyone is different. But it works well for most patients. Many of my patients use it for this reason. Not for teens though. Risk for schizophrenia is too high for that age.
When do you need a blood transfusion?
The current consensus is that you need a red blood cell transfusion when your hemoglobin count drops to 7 GM/dL or very close thereto.
Can varicocele cause abnormal sperm?
Yes, it can, but at a pretty low rate for an infertile man (in the case of a varicocele, the problem is usually abnormal or defective sperm, rather than no sperm). Usually they READ MORE
Yes, it can, but at a pretty low rate for an infertile man (in the case of a varicocele, the problem is usually abnormal or defective sperm, rather than no sperm). Usually they do a semen analysis, and if it is normal, you don’t have to worry. If it is abnormal, they may recommend surgical removal, a very minor procedure, but that is not a guarantee of a return to fertility, but it is something to try. The problem is believed to be caused by excessive blood flow, which generates excess heat, and the heat can damage the spleen.
Colin Kerr, MD
Colin Kerr, MD
