Medical FAQs

Here's a list compiled over the years of commonly asked questions. The list was created by DAN MDs and represent specific, evidence-based recommendations our member should take into consideration.

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My wife and I love to travel to exotic destinations, and my previous doctor used to give me antibiotics in case I got sick in a remote location. I have a new primary care physician who is hesitant to do this. What does DAN recommend?
For some time now prescribing guidelines regarding antibiotic use for various conditions have favored a much more conservative approach due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Many illnesses are viral in nature, and antibiotics are of no benefit in these cases.

If you get sick while traveling, a local physician is your best resource; he or she will be aware of the common pathogens that cause problems in the area you are visiting.
When traveling, your best defenses against illness are handwashing, careful sourcing of water and food, getting relevant travel immunizations and taking appropriate precautions in areas where mosquitoes and other living organisms can transmit infectious diseases to humans. Talk to your doctor or visit a travel medicine clinic if you will be going to a region in which medical care is lacking.

The doctor can advise you about any medications you should take with you and when to use them.

My doctor recently put me on Coumadin. Could diving while taking this medication cause me any problems?
There is a well-recognized risk for uncontrolled bleeding in people who are being treated with anticoagulant medications such as Coumadin. However, many people who take anticoagulants — including divers — have carefully adjusted their prothrombin times and with appropriate behaviors may not be at undue risk.

Some physicians believe diving is an unnecessary risk for their patients who are taking anticoagulants and will advise against diving, but DAN is unaware of any data indicating that sport divers face an increased risk of complications. 

Some physicians trained in dive medicine may be willing to endorse recreational diving for these patients provided:

  • The underlying disorder or need for anticoagulants does not put the patient at increased risk of an accident, illness or injury while diving
     
  • The patient understands the risks and modifies his or her dive practices to reduce the risk of ear, sinus and lung barotrauma as well as physical injury. This includes avoiding forceful equalization — equalization must come easily for these people
     
  • The patient dives conservatively, planning short, shallow profiles to reduce the risk of decompression illness, which can involve bleeding in the inner ear or spinal cord
     
  • The patient avoids diving in circumstances in which access to appropriate medical care is limited
     
  • DAN medics are available for consultation with you or your doctor; don’t hesitate to give us a call