Mayo Clinic Q & A - July 2013 Archives

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My grandson played rugby in college. He suffered a concussion and now has trouble with many mental functions, including maintaining thoughts. His peripheral vision has been affected and noise prevents him from working. What could help him return to normal? He is 23 years old and should be in the prime of his life. Instead, he just stays in the house all the time. ANSWER: Symptoms caused by a concussion often go away within several weeks. But sometimes they may last much longer. In those cases, it can be useful to consult a physician who has expertise in treating concussions. Ongoing care, including rehabilitation therapy, may help your grandson better manage his symptoms and return to a more active lifestyle.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How long after a heart attack do I need to wait to resume sexual activity? ANSWER: For men and women with cardiovascular disease — no matter how young or old — sexual activity is important to quality of life. But after a heart attack, it’s not uncommon to lose confidence in your heart’s ability to work properly under stress. In addition, your partner may worry that resuming sexual activity might harm you or cause physical pain, especially if you had open-chest surgery. The good news is, it may be safe for you to resume sexual activity sooner than you think. But because each person’s situation after a heart attack is unique, be sure to talk with your doctor about your specific situation.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m a 38-year-old woman, and I get migraine headaches occasionally, usually one every few months. I have a hard time functioning when I have a migraine. I don’t want to take medication for this problem if I don’t have to. Are there ways to prevent or treat migraine headaches without medication? ANSWER: Even if you don’t get them very often, migraine headaches can have a big impact on your life. A number of lifestyle changes may help reduce how often you get migraine. But if they continue, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. Migraine headaches involve moderate to severe pain that is often throbbing and typically affects one side of the head. The pain usually gets worse with exertion such as climbing stairs. Additional symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, also accompany a migraine attack.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a 55-year-old woman and have had headaches my entire life. In the past, ibuprofen would get rid of a headache rather quickly, but lately nothing has been working. Do I need to get a stronger medicine from my doctor? ANSWER: You should definitely talk to your doctor about your headaches. A different type of medication might make a difference. However, it is possible that the problem could be linked to taking too much medication. Your doctor can assess your symptoms, review your current medications and help you come up with a more effective treatment plan for your headaches. Your headaches sound like they fall under the category of tension headaches. These common headaches tend to involve mild to moderate pain. They typically feel like a tight band around your head. These headaches may last from a few hours to several days.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: As the result of a sports injury, my 16-year-old daughter has chronic pain that has lasted for more than a year. It is really taking a toll on her. The pain makes it hard for her to go to school and to do the activities she enjoys. Medication doesn’t make much difference. What can we do? Is there a chance the pain will go away with time? ANSWER: Your daughter’s pain may fade over time. While she has pain, though, it is important for her to find ways to manage it. A cure may not be possible, but there are many strategies that can help her get back into life. Pain usually comes from illness, injury or surgery, and it goes away as our bodies heal. This type of pain is called acute pain. Chronic pain is different. It is generally defined as daily pain that lasts more than three months. Chronic pain may continue after an injury or illness has passed. It may come from a medical condition that is hard to treat. Sometimes chronic pain may not have any clear source.