Ask a Nurse

In the video, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Common symptoms associated with IBS and contributing factors for developing IBS. Diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Cathy Parkes explains athlete’s foot. What causes athlete’s foot, risk factors associated with athlete’s foot, symptoms of athlete’s foot, and treatment and prevention of athlete’s foot.

In this episode of Ask a Nurse, we explain bed sores (pressure injuries). As a certified wound care nurse, Cathy Parkes has cared for thousands of patients with bed sores (pressure injuries). What causes a bed sore, areas of the body that are commonly affected, factors that increase the risk for developing a bed sore, and symptoms of a bed sore. Treatment and prevention of bed sores.

What is scarlet fever? How do you get scarlet fever? What are the symptoms of scarlet fever? How is scarlet fever diagnosed? How is scarlet fever treated? How can I prevent getting or spreading scarlet fever?

Diverticular disease (i.e., diverticulosis and diverticulitis). What diverticulosis is, what risk factors make an individual at higher risk for diverticulosis, and the symptoms of diverticulosis. What diverticulitis is and discusses the symptoms and complications of diverticulitis. The diagnosis of diverticular disease, how it is treated, and how to avoid diverticulitis.

Celiac disease causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Plus, how gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity are different from celiac disease.

Cathy answers your questions about otitis media, or middle ear infections. What causes a middle ear infection, symptoms of a middle ear infection, factors that increase the risk for a middle ear infection, and how a middle ear infection is diagnosed and treated. Key information about a myringotomy (i.e., ear tubes).

Cathy answers your questions about urinary incontinence. She shares the most common types of urinary incontinence, which includes stress and urge urinary incontinence. What causes stress urinary incontinence? How is stress urinary incontinence treated?. What is urge urinary incontinence, and how is it treated?. And finally, why it is so important to talk to your provider if you have urinary incontinence.

What causes shingles? What are the symptoms of shingles? How is is shingles diagnosed and treated? How can I prevent shingles?

How diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy in the legs and feet, causing damage to the sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nerves. Plus, a top 10 list of ways to care for your feet when you have diabetes and prevent serious complications associated with peripheral neuropathy.

What causes a UTI? How is a UTI treated? How can I prevent future urinary tract infections? What causes a urinary tract infection? Plus, learn the risk factors for UTIs, common symptoms of UTIs, how a UTI is diagnosed and treated, lifestyle changes to help prevent future UTIs, and interventions that may be necessary for chronic UTIs.

What is vitamin D’s role in the body? Who is at increased risk for low vitamin D levels? How can I increase my levels of vitamin D? Plus, learn the importance of vitamin D in bodily functions, recommended daily amounts for adults, the symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency, risk factors for low vitamin D levels, how to get your vitamin D levels checked, food sources rich in vitamin D, other ways to increase your vitamin D levels, and the risk of vitamin D toxicity and its symptoms.

What is a migraine headache? What can trigger a migraine headache? How can I treat a migraine headache? Learn common symptoms of migraines, migraine risk factors, common migraine triggers, what to avoid for migraines, lifestyle interventions for prevention of migraines and medications used to treat mild and severe migraine headaches.

What is GERD? What are the symptoms of GERD? How can I treat GERD? What causes GERD? Plus, learn about reflux risk factors, symptoms of GERD, lifestyle modifications and medications for treatment of GERD, and surgical interventions for chronic GERD.

What is a colonoscopy? Why is getting a colonoscopy important? What is it like to get a colonoscopy? What is done during a colonoscopy procedure? Plus, learn the relationship between polyps and colon cancer; what to expect before, during, and after your colonoscopy procedure; and Cathy's personal experience getting a colonoscopy.