Dr. Christopher Drumm M.D.

Family Practitioner

1437 Dekalb St Suite 201 Norristown PA, 19401 Show map

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About

Dr. Christopher Drumm is a family practitioner practicing in Norristown, PA. Dr. Drumm 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. Drumm 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.

Education and Training

Drexel University College of Medicine

Provider Details

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Dr. Christopher Drumm M.D.

Dr. Christopher Drumm M.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Latest Posts
My Answers

Doggie Dementia
Residency was a difficult time for most young physicians. But it was also a time that my family grew. We got a dog named Murray. He is a Shih Tzu that is 10 pounds with a Mo-Hawk. He was named after a character from a television show on HBO called Flight of the Concords. In between long days of...
Eosinophils
Not everyone has a favorite type of white blood cell, but I sure do. Eosinophils have always been my favorite. If I see them elevated on the differential, I am usually less worried than when there are other elevations in different types of white blood cells. Neutrophils worry me about a significant...
My Meniscus
I spend my days running from room to room seeing patients. My weekends chasing my children. While trying to sneak in time to exercise and improve my health. And also time punishing my body with chips and occasional IPAs.But you never see the change in your joints coming and then it is there. I took...
Death of the Handshake
Physicians have been taught about the power of touch. Look a patient in the eye. Give them a strong handshake. Good patient care has shown that patients have a better experience when you sit down. They often report that a physician spent more time with the patient if the physician was seated and was...
Magic Mouthwash
Of all words that we should not use in science, magic is at the top of the list. Yet, we still are prescribing magic mouthwash. Sore throats are a common complaint in the office. So, why do some of us decide to add a little magic mouthwash in the mix? What is magic mouthwash anyway? It depends on...
Yelp
Sometimes you can hear a “yelp” even before you enter a room. You can hear them a few rooms away. It may be kidney stones, a slipped disc, or gout. This was the yelping I was ready for when I entered medical school. Bringing a calm presence to the room so that I can evaluate and develop a plan....
Silly Rabbit. Trix are for Kids
Silly Rabbit. Trix are for kids. Growing up this was a cereal commercial. It reminded us that this highly sugary cereal was meant for children. Not a cereal for adults or rabbits, but kids. Now the most common question I am getting is “Hey doc should my kids get a covid vaccine?” Silly parents....
Urine Drug Tests
Physicians often say the hardest thing about medical school was getting in. I am not sure that I agree but the rest of the experiences do not happen if you do not get in. How do you get into medical school? A test score is the main answer. We all had to take the MCAT. I remember realizing that...
Bad Santa
I have always loved the movie Bad Santa. Billy Bob Thorton is drinking too much and cursing at children in a Santa outfit. But this year a new version of Bad Santa could happen. Covid Santa. It is a difficult time in a pandemic where every decision we make is judged by the level of risk. Could you...
Flu Diet
What having the flu can teach us about nutrition. Everyone has gotten sick. Laying in bed with fevers, chills, and cough. We used to hope that we did not have the flu. Now we say I hope I have the flu and not Covid. Then we ask our loved ones to make us some chicken soup. As an overall theme...
Fevers
Doctors have never been afraid of fevers. Until now. It gave us information. Physicians have defined fever as a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees. Fever is an abnormal elevation of body temperature that occurs as a biologic response mediated by the central nervous system. Now the idea of...
Debate Club
I was not in the debate club during high school but I have learned the art of the debate. And no, I am not running for office. I enjoy a good discussion, but it is difficult to debate issues that are not debatable. During my day my main goal is to be a good listener. Process symptoms and develop an...
Magic Mouthwash
Of all words that we should not use in science, magic is at the top of the list. Yet we still are prescribing magic mouthwash. Sore throats are a common complaint in the office. So why do some of us decide to add a little magic mouthwash into the mix? What is magic mouthwash anyway? It depends on...
Jason Voorhees
That guy was scary. Almost everyone that is currently in their 40s had a nightmare after watching Friday the 13th. You would run from Jason as fast as you can. Yet he would take his time walking through the woods and still catch his prey. It is amazing that any of us ever wanted to go to summer camp...

Taking medication for congestion and running nose?
I would avoid the pseudophedrine. It can make your heart rate and blood pressure go up. You are taking carvediolol to try and keep your heart rate low. I would use OTC flonase one spray twice daily and nasal saline rinses to try and clear up your nasal congestion. READ MORE
What can I take for bloating and diarrhea?
It depends on the etiology. Bloating is often from the bodies inability to breakdown different foods. It could be too much fiber or dairy or gluten. Each person is different. There are antispasmodic medications such as dicyclomine and hyoscyamine that help with bloating if a patient has diarrhea. The first step is trying to make sure that you get an evaluation to try to find a diagnosis. Weight loss and fever and bloody stools are red flags and need to be evaluated right away. There are many things in this differential diagnosis from IBS, food sensitivities, infection, celiac and many more. Lactaid works if it is due to dairy. Beano is safe as a trial. There is not great data that probiotics would help you in situation but are likely safe to try. READ MORE
Can I get COVID vaccine if I have type 2 diabetes?
Not only can you, but you should. Having Type 2 Diabetes puts patients at increased risk of having more severe Covid illness. Keep your sugars low. Keep covid away. READ MORE
Homeopathic medicine for immunity support?
Yes and No. Everyone wants a magic vitamin or some sort of anti-oxidant but we have not proven a particular vitamin boosts one's immune system. But there are things we can do to try and help our immune system. Limit alcohol and tobacco use. Get adequate sleep. Make sure to stay up to date on your immunizations. But there is a not a magic pill. But if you want to take vitamin C, Zinc or Omega 3 fish oils they are safe overall and unlikely to cause any harm. Except to maybe your wallet. READ MORE
What are the best ear drops for an ear infection?
It depends on what type of ear infection you have. Inner ear infections are usually treated with oral antibiotics. If you have otitis externa, also called swimmers ear, it's treated with antibiotic drops. They all actually work quite well and I would take whichever one was covered. If it is swimmers ear/otitis externa, find a way to make sure that you are keeping your ears dry. READ MORE
If my mother has diabetes am I guaranteed to have it later in life?
You are not guaranteed to have it. There is a strong genetic component but there is a good chance you can live your entire life without getting diabetes. Watch your sugar/carbohydrate intake. Make sure that your family physician screens you yearly for diabetes. READ MORE
What's the treatment for osteoporosis?
There are many medications that treat osteoporosis. There is not actually not that much data showing extra calcium or vitamin D changes the results from a dexa scan unless there is a deficiency. Weight bearing exercises definitely are important for treatment. Bisphosphonates (such as fosamax and boniva) and rank-ligand inhibitors ( prolia) have good data for the treatment of osteoporosis. Depending on risk for falls and fractures will affect how aggressive treatment should be. READ MORE
Does a family practitioner test for allergy?
There are different ways to check for allergies. Skin prick testing is usually done by allergist but some family practitioners have the capabilities. Family physicians check allergies via blood work. There are blood tests that will check for either respiratory allergy profile or a food allergy profile. These tests give an IgE level to try and quantify the level of allergy. The blood tests for this are not as good as the skin prick test but it does give extra information and can be added to your routine blood work. READ MORE
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?
The term stomach pain is often used when someone is referring to any abdominal pain. Right lower quadrant abdominal pain that starts abruptly is serious and needs to be evaluated. Pain that also has fever, weight loss and decreased appetite is also possibly serious. Stomach pain that is affected by stress or that is described as a cramping or bloating is less serious. READ MORE
Should I go to the urgent care for the swelling?
Yes and yes. Calf pain and chest discomfort is worrisome for a clot that could have gone from your calf to your lungs. Other risk factors are long flights, family or personal history of blood clots, smoking and birth control. I would actually recommend that you go the ER instead of an urgent care. READ MORE
What is the normal range for blood sugar?
For non-diabetics a normal fasting sugar is 70-100. But if someone has diabetes the ranges are different depending on age and comorbidities. I usually recommend fasting sugars in the range of 70-130 for my patients that have diabetes. READ MORE