By the way, I am an 80-year-old female.

DEAR READER:
Balloon kyphoplasty is a relatively new procedure used to correct painful compression fractures of the vertebrae. These fractures are often the result of osteoporosis.

The procedure is done through a small incision near the vertebrae. A small, deflated orthopedic balloon is then guided into the fracture site where it is then inflated. This pushes the bone back into a more normal alignment. The balloon is then deflated and removed which creates a hole that is then filled with a special bone cement to ensure the bone stays in the corrected position. To ensure that the vertebrae are repaired correctly and put back into as close to a normal configuration, the procedure is done on both sides of the bone. Balloon kyphoplasty generally takes less than an hour to complete and may need a short hospital.

According to the Kyphon website, most patients have complete pain relief. Those who don’t, usually experience a vast improvement. Narcotic pain medication can be eliminated in most cases and there are very few, if any, procedure-related complications.

Anyone interested in learning more about this procedure should check out the website www.kyphon.com. You can even find a physician who does the procedure in your area.

Thanks for writing to share your experience. I hope this helps others in a similar situation.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “An Informed Approach to Surgery”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Many years ago I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. It does not give me any trouble, unless it is somehow connected with my other problem. I have been diagnosed with air hunger.

Occasionally I have the sensation of a shortage of air in my lungs. This causes me to cough suddenly and take several deep breaths to relieve the feeling. I have never smoked and over the years have had several normal chest X-rays. A stress test also showed no abnormalities.

My doctor has prescribed Ativan and Buspirone daily. These seem to help somewhat but are not a cure. The problem intensifies when I have a cold and at other times for no apparent reason. This has been occurring for many years.

DEAR READER:
Air hunger is a respiratory distress condition. It is marked by labored breathing, difficulty breathing and/or the feeling of not getting enough air into the lungs. It can be very disturbing when it occurs. It is not related to mitral valve prolapse.

Your physician appears to have taken appropriate first steps in testing. I believe the next step should be a CT scan or MRI which shows more detail and may pick up an abnormality previously missed. Lung masses, cancer and other conditions need to be ruled out before you can be definitively diagnosed with a benign condition.

I would like to mention that since you appear to be responding favorably to Ativan (an anti-anxiety drug) and Buspirone (a tranquilizer), your air hunger may simply be a manifestation of a panic disorder. Perhaps a psychiatrist or therapist would be the appropriate next step to take.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title.

I am a 57-year-old female.

DEAR READER:
According to the report you sent me, the MRI impression was “multi-level degenerative disc changes”. Taking a closer look at the findings, I note that most of your lower back appears normal. Two of the discs show mild narrowing and mild to moderate desiccation (drying). One disc also shows a “small subligamentous central disc protrusion with slight effacement of the thecal sac”. This lovely little gem of “medicalese” simply means that one of your discs has been squashed causing the soft inner part to “bulge” which has thinned an area of the membrane that covers the spinal cord and contains the spinal fluid.

All in all, your MRI is not bad. I am, however, concerned about the disc protrusion that has caused thinning of the thecal sac. Without treatment this could worsen and lead to a hole in the membrane causing the spinal cord to be exposed allowing it to be easily damaged.

You are experiencing pain which has been ongoing for more than two years. In my opinion, you need to make an appointment with the physician who ordered the MRI. He or she should then order a follow-up MRI to see if there is new damage and to asses the extent of the existing damage. At this point you should also ask what treatment options he recommends.

Don’t let your lack of funds prevent you from seeking appropriate medical treatment. If you let this go, there is a chance of permanent damage and disability. If your physician is unwilling to make payment arrangements and/or lower his fees, find someone who will. You may also wish to try to get temporary medical assistance through your local department of social services.

Can you shed any light on this? Do you think it’s advisable to wait six months or should I go to a pulmonary doctor?

DEAR READER:
I advise you not to wait. Were I in your shoes, I would opt to discover what the “spot” is now, not later.

You need to have proof that the “small spot” is benign and not an early lung cancer. In my opinion, you should be referred to a pulmonary specialist who may choose to obtain a CT scan or MRI possibly followed by a biopsy of the lesion. Depending on the outcome of the tests, the specialist can then advise whether treatment is necessary, and if so, can provide you with appropriate options.

While I may be over-reacting, I would hate to miss diagnosing an early lung malignancy that could be cured if addressed early in the course of the disease. Let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Pulmonary Disease” and “Medical Specialists”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).