Diagnosis Questions

Answers for your specific questions.

Wondering about your health? Confused by what you’ve read? Browse our Ask the Nurse answer archive to find answers to many women's health questions and concerns. All answers are from a Cleveland Clinic women's health nurse.

Ask the Nurse Archive

Why do I have thinning skin and bleeding?

August 10, 2012 at 3:26pm

I am 59 years old, post-menopausal, in good health, and at a healthy body weight. For the last 3 - 4 years I have had problems with thinning of the skin on my hands, arms, and upper body, and excessive bleeding under the skin. At this point, the slightest bump or scrape results in skin tears with a lot of bleeding, and/or large (sometimes painful) ’blood blisters’ (1" to 3" or more in diameter). I often attract comments from total strangers who assume I am taking blood thinners. Articles I have read essentially credit this sort of thing to aging (but cite 70s+ as the bracket) or some condition, (ex: adrenal tumors) which my general good state of health would seem to exclude.

I eat a balanced diet, including taking a green food supplement and a liquid-form multi-vitamin daily. The only medication I take is Vesicare (on it for less than 8 months). I do not see a doctor, other than my OB/GYN, routinely.

Is this actually ’normal’ at my age or should I be concerned? Is there anything diet-wise that might improve the situation?

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Are my fevers associated with hot flashes?

August 9, 2012 at 2:35pm

I am 61-years-old and have been suffering with fevers ranging from 96.5 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for more than six weeks. I was referred to an infectious disease specialist where everything looked normal more or less. The doctor did prescribe an antibiotic because in addition to the fevers, I have really bad congestion.

I am wondering if these fevers could be solely from medications I am taking or can you experience some type of hot flash in my age bracket? I am taking a plant-based estrogen and progesterone.

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Restless Leg Syndrome

July 10, 2012 at 10:29am

After 51 years of restless leg syndrome, I began taking 50mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxtyptophan), recommended by a friend. My restless leg goes away when I take the medicine. My doctor does not approve of OTC’s and naturals. I also take 3bp meds: 5 mg amlodipine, 40mg Lisinopril and 12.5mg Hydrochlorot.)

Am I doing harm to myself by taking the HTP? The restless leg was so severe that at times it would drive me to tears and walking the floor. Thank you for being here.

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Treatment Options for Fibroids

March 28, 2012 at 9:45pm

My doctor says I have fibroids and need a hysterectomy. Are there any other options?

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Hiccups and Chest Pain

March 7, 2012 at 12:14pm

Not every time, but sometimes when I eat, I start to get hiccups and then experience pain in my upper chest area. I then feel that I have a lot of mucus to spit up. I have Tourette Syndrome and I turn my head to the left a lot and have neck and face twitches. I am sometimes stressed when I am eating a meal, but not all the time.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

September 5, 2011 at 11:44am

My daughter was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Does this mean she won’t be able to have children?

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Cervical Dysplasia

August 29, 2011 at 11:37am

My sister just had a pap smear and the results showed cervical dysplasia. What exactly is this and could she be at risk for cancer?

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Pagets Disease

August 23, 2011 at 5:46pm

I would like to know what Paget’s Disease is and what the symptoms are.

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laryngopharyngeal reflux

August 23, 2011 at 5:42pm

Is there a cure for LPR (Laryngopharyngeal) reflux? I am not a medication person and do not want to take Zantac forever.

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HDL levels

August 23, 2011 at 5:27pm

Recent blood work revealed that my HDL is low. My new primary care physician seemed unconcerned. What can I do to raise my HDL level? My long time physician recently retired and scheduled blood work for me every three months. My new primary care physician is scheduling only every six months or 12 months. I am 80-years-old and get fairly good reports although my triglycerides and cholesterol are slightly elevated. Should I be concerned about this?

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