Find expert answers to your health questions

Douglas Severance

Bio

Dr. Severance, a Sharecare Editorial Advisory Board member, is a family practice physician with a private medical practice in San Ramon, California. He is board certified by both the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He has been medical director for several detoxification and rehabilitation programs, both inpatient and outpatient, since the 1980's, and has practiced family medicine since 1979.

Education:
• MD: Loma Linda University

Residency:
• Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Internship:
• Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Certification:
• American Board of Family Practice
• American Board of Addiction Medicine
• American Society of Addiction Medicine

Specialties:

  • family medicine

Location:

Activity

  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What is an electrocardiogram (EKG)?
    An EKG (electrocardiogram or ECG) is a simple test your doctor can do to assess your heart muscle or valve function while diagnosing atrial fibrillation. When the EKG is done at the time of an arrhythmia, the doctor can see the arrhythmia happening. To diagnose paroxysmal or occasional atrial...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
    The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are heart palpitations, fluttering or pounding in your chest, a rapid heartbeat, an irregular pulse, difficulty catching your breath and/or dizziness. Yet, sometimes atrial fibrillation has no symptoms at all. You may be unaware that your heart is...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What are cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia?
    Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia may be difficult for other people to notice. For instance, you may not be aware that a person with schizophrenia has trouble understanding what people are saying. He may not be able to process information like others do, leaving him unable to follow...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How is mitral regurgitation treated?
    If the mitral valve regurgitation is mild, you may need no treatment at all. Your doctor may want to check your heart regularly to make sure the problem does not worsen. Also, you may need to take antibiotics before any medical or dental procedure. If the mitral valve regurgitation is...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What happens with the heart’s electrical system with atrial fibrillation?
    Atrial fibrillation arises from a problem with the heart's electrical system that spurs it to beat too fast and in an irregular pattern. This electrical system normally directs the heart to run in an even, predictable manner, sort of like a smoothly running car engine. But in atrial f...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How can atrial fibrillation cause a stroke?
    Certain arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, increase the risk of stroke. With atrial fibrillation, the atria in the heart quivers, making it unable to pump blood throughout the body effectively. This can cause the blood to pool, which can lead to the formation of blood clots. Once a blood...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How is atrial fibrillation (AF) treated?
    Treatment options for atrial fibrillation focus on preventing blood clots. Because of the risk of blood clots and stroke, anti-coagulant drugs are prescribed to thin the blood. Some medications control the heart rate and others control the heart's rhythm.

    Also, treatment is prescribed to treat...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What are the goals of atrial fibrillation treatment?
    Your doctor will prescribe treatment for atrial fibrillation, depending on how long you've had the arrhythmia, your symptoms, and the cause of your atrial fibrillation. The main goals of medical treatment for atrial fibrillation are to prevent blood clots from forming, reduce the rapid heart...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What does INR with atrial fibrillation mean?
    International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the blood test used to monitor the thinness or thickness of your blood. If you take warfarin, your doctor will monitor your  INR level at least once a month to make sure you have the proper amount of blood thinner in the body. If INR levels are too...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What is an echocardiogram?
    An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. An echocardiogram evaluates the presence of blood clots in the heart chambers and can assess the communication between the right and left sides of your heart. An echocardiogram may be done to check for heart function...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How is atrial fibrillation diagnosed?
    To diagnose atrial fibrillation, which is a fast and irregular heart rhythm, your doctor will do a complete physical exam, take your medical and family history, and talk with you about your signs and symptoms. Sometimes, atrial fibrillation is confirmed by an electrocardiogram (ECG or...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What is the prognosis for atrial fibrillation (AF)?
    The prognosis is positive for those with atrial fibrillation. If you continue with good medical care, you can live a normal, active life and do the things you enjoy. Here are some tips to live well with atrial fibrillation:
    • Keep your doctor's appointments. Let your doctor know if you have
    ...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How can I be an advocate for my child with ADHD at school?
    Your child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) needs you to be a strong advocate at school. Keep an up-to-date record of all information about your child. Important documents to include are all evaluations of your child and any documents about earlier treatment and placements....  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    If I have ADHD, how can I improve my functioning at work?
    To manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) issues at work, it is important to identify any ADHD work challenges that affect productivity and then determine strategies for improvement. Issues may include lack of concentration, meeting deadlines, difficulty in completing assi...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What is multimodal treatment for ADHD?
    Multiple therapies exist to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The National Institute of Mental Health Multimodal Treatment Study of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder showed that medication alone and medication combined with behavioral therapies were the best...  Full Post