Doc, I have a Question

It sounds like you are describing either a bedsore, also known as a decubitus ulcer, or possibly a muscle soreness and nerve-type pain known as sciatica. I will do my best to answer your question by describing both conditions.

Bedsores are actually ulcers that typically develop in an area of skin that consistently is in contact with and under pressure from sitting or lying in one position over a period of time. For example, people most often seem to get these ulcers on the back, rear-end, or legs because these are the areas that are under pressure from sleeping or sitting in one position for too long. In order to prevent these ulcers if you are predisposed to developing them, it is important to change positions every few hours or prop oneself in bed with the use of pillows to prevent the same area of skin from being under pressure for an entire overnight. Sometimes these ulcers can get severe and require specific treatment at your doctor’s office or wound care clinic, so be sure to seek medical care if you feel these bedsores are worsening or not healing well with the aforementioned practices.

Sciatica results from a pinched or irritated nerve in the back and typically causes shooting or burning back pain that radiates down one or both legs. Treatments for sciatica can include: pain medications, avoiding activities or bodily positions that seem to exacerbate the pain, physical therapy, oral or epidural glucocorticoid medication, and sometimes in severe cases, surgery. Most cases of mild to moderate sciatica respond to conservative treatments with activity modification, physical therapy, and/or short-term use of medication.

Can dehydration cause your legs to cramp? I got an awful calf pain in the middle of the night and thought I was never getting out of bed. I remembered that I didn’t drink much water during the day and thought that could be related. Was it?

Yes, dehydration can definitely cause leg cramps. Other potential causes can include electrolyte abnormalities, a recent change in exercise routine or activity, prolonged inactivity or sitting, side effects from certain medications, and less commonly, nerve, muscle, or vascular disorders. If the cramps seem to resolve with keeping better hydrated, that is then the most likely cause. If the cramps continue and do not lessen or resolve, I would recommend consulting with your doctor to see if one of the other causes listed above is a potential culprit.

Why does allergy season last so long?

The duration of allergy season in respect to outdoor seasonal allergies is dependent on the general climate of a particular area. In more northerly areas of the United States (for example, here in Siouxland), the seasonal allergy season is shorter in duration compared to areas of the South because of our colder overall temperatures and shorter warm-weather seasons. Our allergy season may appear to last quite a long time or for a majority of the calendar year because there are also many other potential causes of allergies besides outdoor seasonal allergies. Outdoor seasonal allergies most typically occur in the spring and in autumn when pollen counts are highest. Many people with seasonal allergies also suffer from indoor allergies from pets, dust, and/or mold. People with indoor allergies often describe their allergies as being worse in the winter when people are spending more time indoors rather than outdoors, where we come in contact more with indoor pets, dust, and/or potentially mold. Having both indoor and outdoor allergies can explain why your allergies may be lasting for such a large chunk of the calendar year, making the allergy season seem so long.

What’s the best gift you could give new parents?

As a physician, I would say that the best gift you could give new parents is a good support system. Having a new baby is a wonderful and joyous thing, but can also cause lots of new unanticipated stress for new parents. Offering a helping hand, words of encouragement, or even a listening ear can go a long way in providing just the thing new parents need to adjust to this new lifestyle in a healthy way. I know this sounds somewhat sappy, but we all can find enrichment in our lives by having good support systems through community with others. Of course, number two on the list would be diapers. Babies always need diapers.