General Health Questions
101 Question and Answer Results
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What's the Best Way to Deal With Swollen Feet and Ankles?
The first and best way to bring down swelling (edema) in the feet and ankles is to find and treat the underlying cause, if there is one. That's why you should bring the problem to the attention of a doctor or other healthcare provider when you notice an increase in swelling in one or both feet that doesn't go down or is accompanied by pain or redness... -
What's the Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
If you've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, it's likely your doctor will first suggest fitting you with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, a specially designed nasal mask that blows air directly into your airways... -
How Can I Find Out if My Snoring Is Sleep Apnea or Something Else That's Serious?
Start by asking him or her if your snoring is very loud and erratic; that's the most common clue to what's called obstructive sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly and make a characteristic snorting sound, as if they're catching their breath... -
What's the Best Way to Limit Salt in My Diet?
It’s all about reading labels. Lowering sodium is one of the easiest lifestyle changes you can make to lower blood pressure, but it takes time to check the sodium content of everything you buy. And be aware: Sodium can be listed as sodium benzoate or sodium citrate. Whatever extra words are attacheded, it’s still salt... -
What Causes Toenails to Become Thick and Yellow?
There are many possible causes of yellowing, thickened toenails. The two most common are fungus and trauma. -
How can I control the urge for sex when my partner is not well?
I am not sure controlling the urge for sex is the answer. Our sex drive ebbs and flows throughout life and is sometimes related to life circumstances. While it is normal for someone to have decreased interest in sex when they are ill, it can be frustrating for both partners... -
How Do I Know Which Is the Best Antidepressant?
There's no single "best" antidepressant. The doctor prescribes what seems like the most appropriate antidepressant for a specific situation, set of symptoms, and health history. -
Am I tired or depressed?
To screen for depression, doctors often ask the following two key questions: -
Are Over-the-Counter Anti-inflammatory Pain Relievers Safe for Older Adults?
Ibuprofen (brand names Advil, Motrin) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be unsafe for many older adults, especially when taken daily. Geriatricians much prefer that older adults take acetaminophen (Tylenol), because it causes almost no side effects and only rarely interacts with other medications a person may be taking... -
How Can I Tell if an Elder Is Just Sad or Is Depressed?
It's not always easy to tell if an elder is just sad or is depressed. Depression is not uncommon among older people, especially among those with illnesses such as dementia. But depression is not a normal part of aging, either. -
What are the signs of depression?
The most important signs of depression concern emotions. These include a persistently sad or hopeless mood and/or loss of interest in activities one used to enjoy. One or both of these signs must be present for at least two weeks for a diagnosis of major depression to be made... -
How Can I Get My Doctor to Take My Sleep Problems Seriously?
You've done the right thing by talking to your primary care doctor about your sleep concerns, but, unfortunately, what you've encountered is a common problem. Many primary care doctors, faced with a host of health issues, too quickly dismiss sleep problems. And that forces you to advocate for yourself... -
What's Wrong if I Get Poor Sleep but Don't Have Sleep Apnea?
It sounds like you might have a sleep problem called Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS), and the good news is that it's very treatable. But you'll need to be proactive and seek treatment from a knowledgeable expert, because many doctors aren't familiar with this disorder. -
Do the effects of hypothyroidism include black nails?
Black nails are not normally caused by hypothyroidism. However, medications (like Cytoxan) can cause this to happen. Also, certain other medical conditions, like fungal infections of the nail, can do this. Injuries to the nail itself can make your nails turn black... -
What is a hernia??
A hernia is an outpouching of your intestines that bulge through an opening in the abdominal muscles. They often look like a bump or lump under the skin of the abdomen. They are generally not a problem, unless they can become painful, which can occur if stool or gas gets stuck in the bulging loop. If this happens, they may need to be repaired surgically... -
What is hypothyroidism, and what are the symptoms to watch for?
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which your thyroid gland is underactive. This is a problem because your thyroid gland is responsible for producing other hormones that help regulate some of your body's functions. Hypothyroidism is easily diagnosed with a routine blood test. It is also easily treated by using thyroid hormone medication... -
What could this rash in my genital area be?
The rash sounds like it might be fungal, especially if it is itchy. However, since it has been a month, you are starting to bleed, and it the rash is worse/spreading, you really should have it seen by a health care professional to make sure it gets the proper treatment. -
Could this be something to worry about?
From reading your question, I do believe that you should be concerned about the symptoms you are having. The pain that you describe could be from worsening circulation from arterial blockages in your legs (especially since your last test was 2 years ago, and not normal), or it can be caused by a problem with your back (like spinal stenosis or radiculopathy)... -
What could cause loss of feeling in fingers?
Loss of feeling in your fingers is usually caused by a nerve or circulation problem. The most common causes include carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, or Raynaud's syndrome (her fingers would turn blue if she had this). I recommend that she get checked out for this complaint by her health care... -
How do I deal witih nasal polyps?
A nasal polyp is a generic term used to describe any kind of abnormal swelling or growth inside the nose or sinuses. Swelling of the mucous membranes by itself doesn't mean polyps—growth or extension of the soft tissues beyond the normal boundaries is more typical of poly...
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