Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

A changing mole can be harmless or a sign of skin cancer, and there are several factors to consider. See below for the ABCDE warning signs, why evolving or rapidly growing spots matter, other red flags like bleeding or an odd mole that looks unlike your others, and when to seek urgent care. Medical next steps are explained below, typically a prompt skin exam and dermatoscope check, and if suspicious a quick numbed biopsy, with early melanoma often cured by simple surgical removal; the full guidance below covers risk factors, self checks, and prevention that may influence your plan.

Vertigo is a spinning sensation most often caused by inner ear problems such as BPPV from loose crystals, with other treatable causes including vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, and migraine-related vertigo. Medically approved next steps include canalith repositioning maneuvers, vestibular rehabilitation, and targeted migraine or Ménière’s care, and you should seek urgent evaluation for any stroke-like symptoms. There are several factors to consider and diagnosis often relies on symptom patterns and simple bedside tests, so see the complete guidance below to choose the right next step.

Feeling like the world is fake can be derealization, a common and treatable dissociative symptom where surroundings feel unreal or dreamlike, often triggered by stress, anxiety, trauma, poor sleep, or substances, and it is distinct from psychosis. Medically approved next steps include getting a medical evaluation to rule out causes like thyroid or B12 problems, migraines, seizures, or medication effects; addressing anxiety or trauma with therapies such as CBT; using grounding and sleep optimization; and avoiding triggering substances. There are several factors to consider, including when to seek urgent care for persistent or disabling symptoms or red flags like severe confusion, neurological symptoms, chest pain, or thoughts of self harm; see below to understand more.

Light spotting that is pink or brown, very light, and lasts hours to 1 to 2 days about 6 to 10 days after ovulation can be implantation bleeding, while heavier red flow with clots and increasing cramps is more like a period. There are several factors to consider, including other causes like hormonal shifts, ovulation spotting, cervical irritation, infections, fibroids, and pregnancy complications, plus when to time a pregnancy test for accuracy. See the complete guidance below, including urgent red flags like heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting that need immediate care, to decide your next steps.

If Tylenol is not working, common reasons include inflammation that acetaminophen does not treat, nerve related or severe pain, chronic pain, too low a dose, or an underlying condition. Do not exceed safe daily limits, and consider alternatives like anti inflammatory medicines, topical or nerve pain treatments, plus non medication strategies and a medical evaluation, seeking immediate care for dangerous red flag symptoms. There are several factors to consider. See below for important dosing guidance, red flags, and step by step next options that could change what you do next in your care.

Viagra can safely improve erections for many men with blood flow related ED, but ED can also be an early warning of cardiovascular or metabolic disease and Viagra is not appropriate for everyone, especially if you take nitrates or have unstable heart problems. There are several factors to consider. See below for key details that could change your best next step, including medical evaluation for heart risks, diabetes, and low testosterone, correct dosing and timing, and alternatives like other PDE5 inhibitors, vacuum devices, injections, therapy, and lifestyle changes that support long term health.

Xanax can sometimes make anxiety feel worse when it wears off, a short-acting effect called rebound anxiety that can heighten nervousness, insomnia, and irritability; over time it may also lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal if stopped abruptly. There are several factors to consider; see the complete details below, including who is at higher risk and why the brain rebounds. Safer next steps usually include talking with your doctor before any dose changes, considering a slow taper or a switch to longer-acting or long-term treatments like SSRIs, SNRIs, and CBT, and avoiding alcohol or opioids; seek urgent care for severe confusion, trouble breathing, seizures, or suicidal thoughts. For guidance that could change your plan, review the full recommendations and red flags below.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; 120–129 with under 80 is elevated, 130–139 or 80–89 is Stage 1, 140+/90+ is Stage 2, and 180/120 or higher is an emergency. Next steps depend on your pattern of readings and risk factors: confirm with repeat home checks using proper technique, make lifestyle changes like reducing sodium and following DASH, see a clinician for guidance or medication if numbers stay high, and seek urgent care for 180/120 or concerning symptoms. There are several factors to consider, and important nuances that could change your plan are covered below.

There are several factors to consider: BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and it can mislead because it does not reflect body fat, fat distribution, age, or ethnicity; your true risk is better shown by waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, fitness, and symptoms. See below for key details that could change which next steps are right for you. Next steps may include metabolic labs, blood pressure and sleep apnea screening, body composition testing, and evidence-based lifestyle changes, with prompt medical review even at a normal BMI if you have risk factors or concerning symptoms.

Most fevers are a normal immune defense and not dangerous, but seek care for 103°F or higher in adults, 100.4°F or higher in babies under 3 months, 104°F in children, fevers lasting more than 3 days, or when red flags like trouble breathing, severe headache with stiff neck, confusion, seizures, dehydration, or a rapidly spreading rash appear. For mild cases, focus on rest and fluids, light clothing and a cool room, and consider acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed while avoiding aspirin in children; there are several factors to consider, with important exceptions and emergency symptoms explained below.

C. diff often persists because a disrupted gut microbiome, hardy spores, repeat antibiotic exposure, and weakened immunity let it rebound; most people recover with the right treatment, but seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, high fever, blood in the stool, dehydration, or worsening symptoms. Medically approved next steps include fidaxomicin or oral vancomycin (often as a taper), bezlotoxumab, and fecal microbiota transplant, along with prevention steps like strict handwashing, cautious antibiotic use, hydration, and discussing probiotics with your doctor. There are several factors to consider, and key details that could change your next step are explained below.

There are several factors to consider, and the complete guidance is below. On the Bristol Stool Chart, Types 3 and 4 are usually normal, Types 1 to 2 suggest constipation, and Types 6 to 7 signal diarrhea, but your typical pattern, ease of passing, and lack of pain or blood matter most. Seek care if changes persist beyond 2 to 3 weeks or if you notice blood or black stools, weight loss, severe abdominal pain, fever with diarrhea, or new changes after age 45 to 50; simple steps like gradually increasing fiber, drinking enough water, and staying active can help many cases, with important nuances covered below.

Low HDL cholesterol raises your risk of heart disease and stroke; low means under 40 mg/dL in men and under 50 mg/dL in women, and it usually has no symptoms so it is found on a blood test. Next steps center on reducing overall cardiovascular risk with regular exercise, quitting smoking, a Mediterranean style diet, weight loss if needed, and controlling blood sugar and triglycerides, plus talking with your clinician about your 10 year risk and whether statins are indicated even if LDL looks okay. There are several factors to consider; see below for causes, how to prioritize changes, specific targets, and urgent warning signs.

There are several factors to consider: strong evidence shows the Mediterranean diet improves cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation, which together lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke. For the right next steps, see the complete guidance below on checking your numbers, monitoring blood pressure at home, when medications may be needed, pairing diet with activity, sleep, and quitting smoking, and the urgent symptoms that require immediate care.

Most adults have a normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 BPM, with well-trained athletes often 40 to 60, and day-to-day swings from activity, stress, sleep, caffeine, illness, hydration, and medications being expected. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand what your number means for you. Seek medical care if your resting rate is consistently above 100 or below 50 unless you are an athlete, or if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, severe dizziness, or sudden changes; see below for medically approved next steps, from lifestyle changes and tracking to when to get tests or urgent care.

Hematocrit is the percent of your blood made up of red blood cells; low levels often point to anemia or nutrient deficiencies, while high levels are commonly due to dehydration, smoking, altitude, lung or heart disease, or rarer marrow disorders. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Next steps typically include repeating the test, targeted labs, and treating the cause such as iron or B12 for low, or hydration, smoking cessation, sleep apnea treatment, or phlebotomy for high, with urgent care for red flags like chest pain, stroke signs, severe shortness of breath, or heavy bleeding. Important details that could change your plan are outlined below.

Jaw pain at the back of your mouth is often from impacted wisdom teeth caused by crowding, gum inflammation, or infection; removal is typically advised when there is pain, infection, damage to nearby teeth, cysts, or repeated inflammation, while symptom free, well aligned teeth may be safely monitored after a dental exam and X-rays. There are several factors to consider, including urgent red flags like rapidly spreading swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing, plus recovery timelines and when watchful waiting is reasonable, so see below for medically approved next steps and details that could affect which care path you choose.

A sudden, red, swollen, intensely painful joint is often a gout flare caused by uric acid crystals, usually in the big toe, and it is highly treatable with the right plan. Start care promptly with doctor guided anti inflammatory meds, rest, ice, and hydration, and consider long term uric acid control and lifestyle changes to prevent damage and future attacks; there are several factors and urgent red flags like fever that can change your next steps, so see the complete guidance below.

The Mandela effect is a normal quirk of how memory reconstructs information, but frequent, worsening, or function-impacting lapses can point to Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia, so there are several factors to consider. Medically approved next steps include tracking patterns, improving sleep, exercise, diet, and stress, reviewing medications, considering a cognitive screening, and seeing a clinician if concerns persist or urgently for sudden or severe symptoms; see the complete guidance below for reversible causes, red flags, and what evaluation may involve.

Placenta health matters because it is your baby’s lifeline for oxygen, nutrients, waste removal, and hormones; when function is reduced by issues like previa, abruption, accreta, or placental insufficiency, risks include bleeding, pain, slowed growth, preterm birth, and rarely stillbirth. There are several factors to consider and your next steps may range from closer monitoring and Doppler or NST testing to hospital care, medications such as steroids, or early delivery; seek urgent care for bleeding, severe pain, or decreased movement, and see below for the full list of warning signs, tests, risk factors, and decision points.

A growing, raised scar that extends beyond the original wound is often a keloid, a benign over-healing from excess collagen that can itch or hurt and may keep enlarging; risk is higher with family history, darker skin, and high-tension areas. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more. Next steps usually start with corticosteroid injections and silicone therapy, sometimes combined with cryotherapy, laser, or surgery plus pressure or radiation to reduce recurrence; see a dermatologist and seek prompt care if the lesion bleeds, changes quickly, or limits movement.

Nonhealing skin often stems from ongoing irritation or allergy, eczema, or infection, and can also reflect diabetes, poor circulation, nutrient deficiencies, stress, or rarely skin cancer. If a sore or rash is not improving within 2 to 3 weeks or is worsening, spreading, painful, or oozing, it deserves prompt evaluation, especially if you have fever, red streaks, or blackened tissue. There are several factors to consider and specific next steps on when to see a dermatologist, what to change in your skincare, and which urgent signs matter; see below for the complete details that can guide the safest path forward.

Glaucoma is a common, often silent cause of fading or narrowing vision that damages the optic nerve from increased eye pressure or reduced blood flow; once vision is lost it cannot be restored, but early diagnosis and pressure lowering treatments can preserve remaining sight. Next steps include scheduling a comprehensive eye exam now and seeking urgent care for sudden severe eye pain, halos around lights, headache, nausea, or abrupt blurred vision. There are several risk factors, key tests, and treatment choices that can change what you should do next, so see the complete guidance below.

There are several factors to consider: flares are commonly triggered by dry skin, irritants, allergens, stress, weather changes, or infection. Medically approved steps include thick fragrance free moisturizers, short lukewarm bathing, trigger avoidance, and correct use of prescribed treatments, with urgent care if signs of infection or worsening appear; important nuances and next step guidance are outlined below.

If clotrimazole is not stopping the itch, there are several factors to consider. The most common are a wrong diagnosis, a resistant or deeper fungal infection, a mixed fungal and bacterial problem, irritation or allergy to the product, or a non skin cause of itch; using it correctly for 2 to 4 weeks matters. See below for red flags, when to see a doctor, and step by step next moves including confirming the cause, avoiding product stacking, trying a different or stronger antifungal or oral therapy, and what to do if there is itch without a rash.

There are several factors to consider. Itching without odor most often suggests a yeast infection, a fishy smell points to bacterial vaginosis, and frothy yellow green discharge with soreness can indicate trichomoniasis, but causes overlap and some cases are due to irritants or low estrogen; see the complete guidance below for medically approved next steps on assessment, when to use OTC treatment versus get testing and prescriptions, partner treatment for STIs, prevention, and urgent red flags.

Itching that will not stop after yeast infection treatment usually has a clear cause and solution, most often a wrong diagnosis, resistant yeast, too short or missed doses, or contributors like recent antibiotics, diabetes, hormones, or irritants; there are several factors to consider, with important details below. If symptoms last more than 3 to 5 days, worsen, or occur during pregnancy or with diabetes or immune problems, see a clinician for an exam and swab to confirm the cause and get targeted therapy, and review the testing steps and home care guidance below.

Itchy, uniform bumps on the chest, back, shoulders, or forehead that do not clear with typical acne treatments often point to Malassezia folliculitis, a yeast overgrowth that needs antifungals rather than acne meds. Next steps usually include antifungal topicals like ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, with a clinician considering short oral therapy if needed; seek care sooner if the rash spreads, itching is severe, you recently took antibiotics, or you have a weakened immune system. There are several factors to consider about triggers, look-alike conditions, and preventing recurrences; see the complete guidance below to choose the right next steps for your situation.

Athlete’s foot often lingers when treatment is stopped too soon, moisture persists, contaminated shoes or socks cause reinfection, the condition is misdiagnosed, or the fungus has spread to the toenails. Key medical steps include using OTC antifungal creams for 2 to 4 weeks, keeping feet and footwear dry, disinfecting or replacing shoes, and seeing a clinician for stubborn cases or if you have risks like diabetes; there are several factors to consider, and important red flags, prevention tips, and when oral medicines or tests are needed are detailed below.

An itchy rash is often contact dermatitis, a noncontagious reaction to irritants like soaps or sanitizers or to allergens such as nickel or fragrances, and it usually improves once the trigger is removed. Start by stopping the suspected product, washing gently, moisturizing, and using short courses of OTC hydrocortisone or an antihistamine, and seek medical care for severe, spreading, infected, facial, eye, or genital rashes or any breathing or swelling symptoms. There are several factors to consider; see below for detailed guidance on identifying triggers, how long recovery can take, prevention, and the exact red flags that change your next steps.