Juliette Borda

Q: I feel like my bladder must be shrinking. I’m always looking for the nearest bathroom. What’s wrong with me?

A: You could have a urinary tract infection. UTIs are the result of bacteria entering through the urethra and multiplying in the bladder. Women are twice as likely as men to develop at least one UTI in their lifetimes. Our urethras are shorter, so bugs have to travel a shorter distance before they can wreak havoc. And, as we age, bladder tissues thin, making us more susceptible.

A frequent need to pee plus pain and cloudy or bloody urine are common symptoms. Antibiotics like Levaquin or Cipro are the first line of treatment. If a UTI isn’t causing your peeing problem, it may be a side effect of a medication you’re taking. If you’re on an antidepressant or diuretics for high blood pressure, or recently changed dosages, that may send you to the restroom more often, too. Your doc might change doses or prescribe a new medicine altogether to fix the problem.

Q: I take several ibuprofen tablets almost every day for various aches. Is this bad for me?

A: Probably. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), similar to naproxen and aspirin. These medications can up your risk of intestinal bleeding—and that may happen with just a few pills per week. The bleeding can damage the lining of your digestive tract, causing ulcers to develop in your stomach, small intestine, or colon without your realizing it.

Some NSAIDs can also increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, and the longer you use them, the more your risk goes up. You should talk to your doctor to see if the NSAID you’re using is safe for you. Never take more than 800 milligrams of ibuprofen each day (typically four nonprescription pills) without medical supervision. And if you begin having black, bloody, or tarry bowel movements, tell your doc; it’s possible that the medicine has caused bleeding or ulcers in your bowels.

Q: My fingers and toes get chilled immediately in cold weather—and it’s really hard to warm them up. What’s the problem?

A: Those frigid fingers and toes could be symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease (RD). People with RD are very sensitive to cold. In fact, exposure to cold temps causes blood vessels in their extremities to spasm and contract, diminishing the blood supply going to the hands and feet (and sometimes the nose, ears, and lips). At first, sufferers’ hands may turn white, then blue, from a lack of oxygen. Later, the constricted blood vessels may open suddenly, and hands may turn red. A slight burning sensation is common.

RD affects women almost two times more than men—and women younger than 40, in particular. Doctors don’t know what causes it, but there is a medicine available that dilates blood vessels. And common-sense measures can help: Before going outside, wear multiple layers of gloves and insulated socks; if they get wet, put on clean, dry ones ASAP.

 
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Go ahead, try to make our medical editor Dr. Raj blush. Not only is she Health’s go-to doc for embarrassing questions, but she’s heard everything imaginable in her four years at New York University Medical Center. And so has your own physician, she says: “Trust me, you can’t shock your doc. You may think your health confession is unique or strange, but your doctor’s heard it—and worse—a million times.”

That’s one reason embarrass­ment should never keep you from talking to your doctor about anything, she says. (In a recent Health.com poll, 47% of respondents said they’d ignored a health problem because of embarrassment.) What’s more, sometimes those strange little symptoms or moments really do signal that something’s wrong.

“As smart as patients are these days, they don’t always know what’s normal or not,” Dr. Raj says. “Like gas. Everyone passes gas; it’s completely normal. But thinning hair, sweating profusely, vaginal odor—there may be some­thing going on that needs to be addressed. And we can’t help if you don’t tell us about it.” Here, her top ways to make talking to your doc (about anything) easier.

1. It’s not a date
It’s your job to be totally honest and open about what’s going on, and it’s your doc’s job to be nonjudgmental about everything, Dr. Raj says: “This is a professional relationship. It’s not like a first date. You don’t have to make steady eye contact, be superarticulate, or worry about what kind of impression you’re making.” If you feel like you’re on a first date—or if your doc is too handsome or too cool for you to confess something embarrassing to—that’s probably not the right doc for you, she says.

2. Be a regular
If you’re having regular checkups and physicals, you’re more likely to develop a comfy tell-all relationship with your doc, Dr. Raj says. Then you’re not just calling when something funky crops up.

3. Prepare to strip
No matter why you’re going to the doc, assume that you’ll end up in the paper gown. If being half-undressed makes you uncomfortable, do whatever you need to do to get comfortable. “Like your mama always told you, wear good underwear and shave your legs. It doesn’t matter at all to the doc. But if it matters to you and affects whether or not you’ll be able to say what you need to say, be prepared,” Dr. Raj says. If you simply cannot talk to the doc while half-naked, ask to chat with him or her before the exam.

4. Talk your talk
Use your own words. The doc doesn’t care if you say, “I notice blood every time I poop” versus “I’m experiencing rectal bleeding” or “It smells weird down there” versus “I’m experiencing some vaginal odor.” Describe your symptoms or problem in whatever words work best for you.

Write it down. If something is too embarrassing to say out loud, it’s OK to hand the doctor a list of questions and concerns, Dr. Raj says.

 
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Awol tampons, gas, losing your breakfast on the doc? To prove that you are so not alone when it comes to mortifying health mishaps, Health readers shared some of their stories with us. And our own medical editor, Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, weighs in on when you really do need to talk to your doctor about an embarrassing episode or symptom.

A sticky situation
I sweat a lot. Let me rephrase that: My armpits spurt bodily moisture like a high-pressure fireman’s hose. I’ve tried everything to fix the problem—clinical-strength deodorant, extra layers of clothing—with little to no results. Last summer, I was a bridesmaid in my cousin’s wedding, which was outdoors during the thick of the July heat.

Knowing full well I was going to sweat profusely, I decided to stick panty liners in the armpits of my cap-sleeved gown. It worked through the ceremony and photos—no pit stains in the wedding album! By the time the reception rolled around and I’d had a few drinks, though, I’d forgotten about them. As I was dancing with a groomsman, one pad had come out and stuck to his shoulder.

“What’s that?” he asked. I snatched it up and said, “Oh, just my shoulder pad.” I don’t know if he believed me, but I was impressed with my quick-thinking save. —Sadie, Dallas

What’s that smell?
A week after my period ended, I noticed an abnormal discharge and a strong odor emanating from down below. I couldn’t figure out what was causing it and why, so I scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist. During the examination, he pulled out an icky black lump, which he identified as a tampon. That’s when I remembered that I had put in two tampons on a heavy-flow day and must had forgotten to remove one.

He threw it out, and then asked the nurse to remove the trash. It was obvious why—the thing stunk to high heaven! Even though the doc told me not to worry because it happens often, I was beet-red with embarrassment and definitely learned my lesson about doubling up on tampons. Now I back up heavy-flow days only with pads. —Tina, Atlanta

I gotta go!
When I was pregnant, I was sent for an ultrasound to make sure everything was OK. Because I wasn’t very far along, I was told to drink a ton of water. I downed four big glasses before leaving home and took a bottle along for the ride to the clinic. By the time I got there, I was ready to explode—and, of course, they were running late. I waited patiently at first, but as the urge got worse I started getting up every few minutes to ask how much longer.

Eventually, I just laid down across a couple of chairs and moaned. Finally, I begged the nurse to tell me where the bathroom was and that I would reschedule the appointment—if I could please, please, please go pee NOW! I was rushed in to see the technician, who then made me go to bathroom because my bladder was too full for her to see anything. Go figure. —Patricia, Albuquerque, N.M.

A windy waxing
I’m lactose intolerant, but I just can’t kick my cheese and chocolate milk cravings. The unfortunate result of my dairy bingeing is usually gas, but I consider myself something of a flatulence ninja because I’m a pro at concealing it. That wasn’t the case, though, when I recently went in for a bikini wax after a night of lactose gluttony. I wanted the full monty, so when the aesthetician was done with my front, she made me flip over on all fours.

As she smeared wax in the most nether regions of my behind, I just couldn’t hold it in any longer and accidentally let one rip right in the poor woman’s face. If that wasn’t enough, I fell down laughing, which made my butt cheeks stick together from the wax, so the aesthetician had to separate them and re-apply. Let’s just say she got a very big—and (well-deserved) tip. —Sasha, Sheboygan, Wis.

Next: A gross gag

Edwina White/Kate Larkworthy Ltd.

Q: I occasionally have a cigarette when I’m out with my friends, but none of us smokes regularly. Is it OK to just have one now and then?

A: It’s really not. There’s no safe level of smoking. Whether you’re talking two packs a day or a few drags once in a blue moon, you’re doing yourself harm by lighting up at all. Casual puffing is actually a dangerous slippery slope: Recent studies show that “social” smokers are at risk for becoming heavier smokers over time (a few puffs really can lead to a few packs a week). What’s more, social smokers may be at greater risk for heart disease and lung disease than nonsmokers.

We also know that secondhand smoke is dangerous to people who don’t smoke—in fact, a panel of researchers recently determined that regular exposure to secondhand smoke may be linked to an increased risk for breast cancer. So, if you’re around friends and they’re lighting up, you’re upping your risk anyway.

Many social smokers light up more often if alcohol is present. If that sounds like you, offer to be the designated driver and sip soda or a virgin drink to avoid temptation.

Q: I recently discovered a tiny growth of what looks like extra skin under my left breast. Could it be cancer?

A: It’s more likely a skin tag: a common and harmless type of growth that tends to first pop up in your 30s, often on the neck, underarms, groin, eyelids, or, yes, beneath the breasts. A dermatologist or primary care doc can easily remove an annoying skin tag either by snipping it off with scissors (don’t try this at home!) or with liquid nitrogen or medical cauterization. Your insurance may cover it, but check first.

Skin tags aren’t a sign of any diseases or other conditions , and they shouldn’t cause pain (unless they’re in an area where they can get caught in a zipper or be frequently irritated).

If you want a reassuring opinion—or if the spot in question is oozing or bleeding, in which case it probably isn’t a skin tag—have it checked out by your doctor as soon as you can to rule out skin cancer. Find out how to spot skin cancer.

Next: Do I need sleeping pills?

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Q: I get really sleepy when driving long distances, no matter how well-rested I am. What can I do about this?

A: Unless you rarely drink caffeine, chugging it during a road trip won’t keep you awake—and you could end up jittery. Instead, try these healthier stay-alert approaches:

• Keep it cool. Warmer temperatures can make you drowsy, so crank up the air conditioner or roll down your windows a little.
• Take five. Stop and stretch at rest stops or gas stations.
• Rock out. Keep tunes handy and sing along shamelessly. Unfamiliar music (or talk radio) isn’t as good, because it’s easier to tune out. Stick with your favorites.
• Keep your mouth moving. Chewing gum or sucking on a piece of hard candy can help keep you alert.
• Travel light. Sunlight is a natural stimulant, so try to drive during the day.
• One thing you should not do: Dial up a pal to gab away the grogginess. Talking on the phone (even hands-free) diverts your attention from the road, upping your chance of having an accident.

Next page: My arms are getting hairier as I age. What’s the best solution?

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Q: I’m starting to slump really badly, and it looks horrible. What’s going on?

A: Lots of things in your crazy-busy life can be posture-busters:

• You sit wrong. At your desk, remind yourself to sit up straight: Push your back against the chair’s back, keep feet flat on the floor, and place arms at a 75- to 90-degree angle from your elbows.
• You wear the wrong shoes. Poor fit or inadequate support can make you slump. See a podiatrist, who may recommend inserts, healthier styles, or an orthopedic shoe.
• You’re tied in knots. Muscle tension or stress can greatly restrict flexibility. Stretch out well before and after your workouts, or have a massage therapist work out the kinks.
• You’re not eating right. With-out ample nourishment, your frame may start to sag. Eat more calcium- and vitamin D–rich foods (salmon, yogurt, kale), or add a multi to keep bones strong.
• Your core is weak. Those midsection muscles help you stand up straight. Strengthen them with some specific yoga poses, like the Wheel or Cobra.

Q: The dark circles under my eyes keep getting darker, but I feel like I’m getting enough sleep. What’s wrong?

A: A few things may have you reaching for the concealer. Sinus blockage triggered by a food or seasonal allergy can cause swelling of the tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin—and, voila, “darkened” areas around your nose and eyes. An allergist can determine your allergy trigger. If yours is seasonal or the irritant is unavoidable, an over-the-counter drug like Claritin or Zyrtec should help. Note, too, that weight loss, smoking, or a high salt intake can worsen the appearance of dark circles.

A vitamin deficiency could be another culprit. Take a daily multi, and add a night cream or facial mask containing vitamins K and A (a.k.a. retinol) to your skin-care regimen. One to try: L’Oréal Paris Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Eye Serum ($19.99). Unfortunately, those dark circles can also be a genetic thing.

Excessive pigmentation can darken under-eye skin, especially if you’re out in the sun a lot. Laser surgery, which resurfaces skin and destroys highly pigmented cells, is a solution, but expect a lengthy recovery period and a price tag in the thousands of dollars. Before you commit, try squeezing in an extra half-hour of sleep—fatigue can dull skin and make any discoloration more visible.

Next: My sister offered me some of her migraine meds. OK to take?

Diane Bigda

Q: I’ve developed some ugly, painful bunions. Do I have to stop wearing my high heels?
A: Any shoe that pinches your feet could aggravate a bunion, so you need to be sure you’re giving your feet the room they need. Bunions form when bone grows abnormally at the base of the big toe in the joint between your toe and foot. As they develop, they turn the big toe inward toward the smaller toes, and the enlarged joint can become inflamed, red, and painful. Though most bunions are inherited, a narrow shoe with a small toe box can sometimes cause them.

Make sure any style that you wear provides at least a half-inch of space between the end of your longest toe and the shoe tip. The shoe should conform to the shape of your foot and be comfortable across the widest part. (A recent study said most of us wear shoes a size too small!)

How you walk also could be part of the problem. Placing too much stress on the big toe or inside of your foot can cause bunions and a host of other problems, including back pain.

If your bunions hurt, see a podiatrist. She may suggest special padding for your shoes or medication to reduce the swelling and pain. Also, orthotic shoes or inserts may help keep your feet in the right position as you walk.

Next: I bruise really easily. Should I be worried?

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