Questions & Answers

Q&A

Answered by Dr. Tonina Sleiman

Can a hair test detect ketamine in my hair?

Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. I understand your concern; based on your description, this episode is most consistent with an acute episode of impaired awareness and memory that can occur with alcohol alone in combination with fatigue, dehydration, or mixing with other sedating substances, but drug-facilitated intoxication, for example, sedative agents such as GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) or ketamine, cannot be excluded based on symptoms alone. From a medical testing perspective, a standard urine or blood toxicology test is only useful within a short time window, from hours to a few days depending on the substance, so after several days it is often no longer reliable. A hair follicle test can sometimes detect exposure to certain drugs for weeks to months, but it is not always sensitive for a single isolated exposure and cannot reliably determine timing or confirm a one-off event with certainty, so results must be interpreted cautiously.

July 1, 2026

How do flu-prevention measures protect my family?

Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern, Flu or influenza season is primarily caused by the circulation of influenza viruses. However, the timing of the flu season is different in different countries. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine ranged from moderate to high. It can vary from year to year, depending on several factors like vaccine strain selection, antigenic drift and shift, and individual factors such as age, overall health, and the strength of the person's immune response.

April 10, 2026

What are the strategies to manage obesity effectively?

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern. Successful weight management combines diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Here are my recommendations: 1. Create a calorie deficit by eating nutrient-dense whole foods, and reducing processed items.

September 19, 2024

Can sinus infections cause breathing difficulties?

Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I understand your concern. Sometimes, sinus infections can lead to complications such as difficulty breathing and chest discomfort. However, the sensation of heaviness over your heart and difficulty breathing could also indicate signs of other serious conditions. While your heart rate seems normal, the combination of symptoms you are experiencing like sinus pressure, difficulty breathing, and heart-related sensations, requires medical investigation to rule out other conditions.

August 24, 2024

Can CMV cause prolonged low-grade fever?

Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and can understand your concern. A borderline result for CMV (cytomegalovirus) can be challenging to interpret. It might indicate a recent infection, a reactivation of a past infection, or a false-positive result. Further testing or retesting after a few weeks might be necessary for clarification.

August 21, 2024

How can diarrhea and vomiting be managed in a baby?

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for choosing us as your healthcare provider. I have gone through all your details and appreciate your concern. It is important to replace the fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhea to prevent dehydration. The main treatment is to give enough fluid to your child, such as water, oral rehydration solution, breast milk, or formula.

August 17, 2024

How to improve immunity against dengue fever?

Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I understand your concern. Dengue is a viral infection spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms may include high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and rash. The main symptoms requiring immediate care include severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, restlessness, and fatigue.

August 17, 2024

Gastritis symptoms persist despite medication. What to do?

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Regarding your medical history and your current complaints, you can keep using your medication, including proton pump inhibitor and antacid. You have to make dietary adjustments to avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and oily or fried foods by eating small portions more frequently. Eat healthy food rich in antioxidants and fiber as whole fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, yogurt, fish, and nuts. Avoid or reduce the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

July 5, 2024

What are the management strategies that aid in smoking cessation?

Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understood your concern. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) offers various options such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and mouth sprays to provide nicotine and alleviate cravings during the smoking cessation process. Patches deliver a steady stream of nicotine through the skin and work best when used alongside other oral NRT. Gum and lozenges provide a quicker nicotine release to address cravings, with the 4 mg dose being more effective than the 2 mg.

July 2, 2024

How does HPV lead to anal cancer?

Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. We feel glad that you reached out to us. HPV or human papillomavirus (a common sexually transmitted infection), especially high-risk strains like 16 and 18, can lead to persistent infections that cause precancerous anal lesions, potentially progressing to invasive anal cancer if untreated. Risk factors include HPV infection, weakened immune system, anal sex, multiple partners, and smoking. Symptoms may include anal bleeding, pain, itching, discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and bowel changes, though it can be asymptomatic initially.

July 2, 2024

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