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Matthew Hoffman, MD

Matthew Hoffman, MDMatthew Hoffman, MD

Internist, WebMD Medical Expert

Internal Medicine

131 Answers25 Followers26,939 Helpful Answer Votes
 

Bio

Matthew Hoffman, MD, has written for WebMD since 2006.

He worked for CNN as a medical consultant during the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign, and also contributed to production on health-related programs such as House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. As a freelancer, he has also written for numerous publications in Atlanta and North Carolina.

Credentials

Organization Affiliations:
  • Emory University
 

My Answers

A. Uric acid is a chemical breakdown product of metabolism. The liver produces uric acid by breaking down other chemicals, called purines. Uric acid is...
A. Dopamine is mainly a neurotransmitter: a small molecule that one nerve releases when stimulated, in order to stimulate other nearby nerves. Dopamine...
A. Most people being screened for tuberculosis get the tuberculin skin test, also called the purified protein derivative (PPD). A small amount of...
A. A heart murmur is a sound created by the flow of blood in the heart, heard when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Some heart murmurs, called...
A. The adrenal glands are a pair of organs that sit on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands produce numerous hormones responsible for our...
A. Dysuria is pain or discomfort with urination. The discomfort may be a sensation of itching, irritation, tingling, or burning. Dysuria occurs most...
A. The hip flexors are a group of muscles that you use when you pull your knee upward. This movement is called hip flexion. The major hip flexors are...
A. Doctors, nutritionists, and public health authorities most often use the body mass index to define a healthy weight. Body mass index (BMI) is your...
A. Albumin is an important protein made by the liver and released continuously into the blood. One of albumin’s main functions is to bind with other...
A. Yes. The pancreas has two main functions: secretion of insulin, which controls blood sugar levels, and secretion of digestive enzymes and hormones...
A. Infectious mononucleosis or “mono” is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a  member of the herpes virus family. It’s spread during close...
A. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. As they mature, white blood cells are continually released into the bloodstream. White blood cells...
A. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell, which fight infections. Neutrophils circulate through the blood and are normally detected on routine...
A. First, err on the side of caution. Always see a medical professional for any burn that’s not obviously minor. That generally includes any burn that:...
A. Abnormal cholesterol levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes). Although many people with high cholesterol will...