Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

The most commonly considered causes include infectious colitis (such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, toxigenic E. coli, C. difficile, or Entamoeba), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's), ischemic colitis, and medication or radiation related colitis, with less common but important possibilities like colorectal cancer, vascular malformations, and anorectal sources. There are several factors to consider. See below for key red flags, which exposures and medications matter, and how doctors test and treat these conditions so you can choose the right next steps and know when urgent care is needed.

There are several factors to consider: Crohn’s often causes ongoing abdominal pain, urgent diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, fevers, mouth sores, or perianal issues; below you’ll find how to recognize patterns, what serious warning signs look like, and exactly how doctors test for Crohn’s. If symptoms persist over 4 weeks or include bleeding, significant weight loss, high fevers, severe pain, dehydration, or joint, skin, or eye inflammation, seek care promptly, since only proper testing with stool, blood, scopes, and imaging can confirm Crohn’s and early treatment prevents complications; see below for a free symptom check, self-care tips, and when to go to the ER.

Ulcerative colitis is more likely if you have blood in your stool, persistent diarrhea with urgency or a feeling of incomplete evacuation, crampy lower left abdominal pain that eases after a bowel movement, mucus in stool, and unintended weight loss or fatigue; joint pain, red painful eyes, or tender skin bumps together with bowel symptoms raise suspicion further. There are several factors to consider. See below for key risk factors like family history and age peaks, conditions that can mimic it, red flags that need urgent care, and the tests doctors use to confirm the diagnosis, plus a free online symptom check to guide next steps.

Yes, warm salt water gargles can temporarily soothe a sore throat by drawing out swelling, loosening mucus, and slightly discouraging germs, but they provide symptom relief rather than curing bacterial infections. There are several factors to consider, including the proper mixture and how often to gargle, other helpful treatments like hydration and pain relievers, and red flags that mean you should see a clinician. See the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Milk can offer brief soothing by neutralizing stomach acid, but it often triggers rebound acid within an hour and, especially if high fat, can slow stomach emptying and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, worsening reflux. There are several factors to consider, including opting for low fat milk or non dairy alternatives and addressing meal timing and other triggers; see below for important details and red flags that can guide your next steps.

In healthy sleep, the first REM period usually starts about 70 to 100 minutes after you fall asleep; REM within 45 to 60 minutes is short, and REM within 15 minutes is especially concerning and may suggest narcolepsy. Early REM can be caused by sleep deprivation, irregular schedules, alcohol or medications, mood disorders, or sleep disorders like narcolepsy; if you often dream right away plus have extreme daytime sleepiness, muscle weakness, paralysis at sleep wake transitions, or hallucinations, speak with a clinician. There are several factors to consider and important red flags and next steps are outlined below.

Dreaming right as you fall asleep can signal a sleep-onset REM period, often from sleep loss or irregular schedules, stress or PTSD, medication effects or withdrawal, and occasionally from narcolepsy or advanced liver disease. There are several factors to consider; see below for specific red flags like severe daytime sleepiness, sudden muscle weakness, confusion, jaundice, or hallucinations, plus the key steps you can take now and when to see a doctor.

There are several common causes of a dry, tickly cough that won’t go away, most often post-viral cough, post-nasal drip, asthma, acid reflux, ACE inhibitor medicines, or cough hypersensitivity, and a cough lasting more than eight weeks is considered chronic. See below for red flags that need urgent care, how doctors diagnose the cause, home measures that help, and the specific over-the-counter and prescription treatments so you can choose the right next steps.

Falling asleep in meetings may be brief microsleeps lasting seconds from fatigue or monotony, or persistent excessive daytime sleepiness that can signal disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Track how often it happens and any red flags such as loud snoring, cataplexy, or unrefreshing sleep; improve sleep habits, try the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and seek a sleep specialist if it persists. Complete details and step-by-step next actions are below.

There are several factors to consider; falling asleep on your feet can result from severe sleep deprivation, medication effects, sleep disorders like sleep apnea, idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy with cataplexy, and even look-alikes such as seizures or fainting from heart rhythm issues or blood pressure drops when standing; see below to understand the differences. Urgent warning signs that need immediate medical care include actual loss of consciousness, chest pain, palpitations, severe shortness of breath, seizure-like movements, head injury, or known heart disease; see below for the full list of red flags, what your doctor may check, and practical safety steps that can guide your next steps.

Falling asleep while eating usually signals abnormally high sleep pressure and often an underlying sleep disorder, not just a post-meal slump. There are several factors to consider, including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, severe sleep deprivation, and sedating medications or alcohol; see below to understand more. Because this can raise choking risk and may require tests like a sleep study, review the details below for warning signs and next-step guidance you can take to your clinician.

The fecal calprotectin test measures calprotectin, a neutrophil protein, in stool to estimate inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is most useful to differentiate inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome, to triage chronic GI symptoms, and to monitor known IBD and guide the need for colonoscopy. There are several factors to consider, including result cutoffs, when to repeat testing, and potential false positives from infections or NSAIDs; see the complete answer below for details and next steps.

A noticeable increase from your usual bathroom pattern especially more than three times a day with loose, urgent stools that lasts over four weeks can indicate chronic diarrhea, with causes that range from diet and infections to IBS, IBD, malabsorption, medications, thyroid problems, and bile acid issues. There are several factors to consider. Red flags like blood or black stools, weight loss, fever, severe abdominal pain, dehydration, or symptoms after antibiotics warrant prompt care, and the complete answer below explains which tests, treatments, and special considerations like liver disease can guide your next steps.

Hearing brief voices as you fall asleep is often a normal hypnagogic experience, especially with poor sleep, irregular schedules, stress, or stimulant use. There are several factors to consider. See below for details on what is benign and what can improve with simple sleep-habit changes. It becomes concerning if the voices persist when fully awake, are frequent or distressing, or come with daytime sleepiness, mood or thinking changes, neurologic symptoms, substance or medication issues, or signs of liver disease, which can indicate conditions like narcolepsy, psychiatric illness, seizures, dementia, or metabolic causes. See the full guidance below for specific red flags and when to seek medical care, testing, and specialist evaluation.

IBS is suspected when you have recurrent abdominal pain for at least 3 months that is related to bowel movements or accompanied by changes in stool frequency or form. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like bleeding, unexplained weight loss, fever, anemia, or symptom onset after age 50 mean you should seek prompt medical evaluation. Diagnosis relies mainly on symptom patterns with limited testing, and many people improve with diet changes, stress management, and exercise; see below for the Rome IV criteria, IBS subtypes, what to track, when to see a doctor, and the next steps to confirm your diagnosis.

Crohn’s is diagnosed by combining your medical history and exam with blood and stool tests including fecal calprotectin to rule out infection and gauge inflammation, plus endoscopy with biopsies as the gold standard, and imaging like CT or MR enterography to map disease and complications; capsule endoscopy is used when needed. There are several factors to consider, and results are interpreted together to confirm the diagnosis and plan treatment; see below for important details and next steps, including when to seek care.

Most dry coughs clear within 2 to 3 weeks, often after a viral infection; about 25 percent can persist 3 to 8 weeks as a post-viral cough, and anything over 8 weeks is considered chronic and should be evaluated. There are several factors to consider, including common triggers, simple home care, medicines that can help, and red flags that mean you should seek care. See below for the complete answer and next-step guidance that could change what you do next.

Most sore throats clear within 7 to 10 days, with pain peaking around days 2 to 3 and easing by day 5; untreated strep can last 7 to 10 days, but symptoms often improve within 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including red flags that warrant medical care if symptoms persist beyond 10 days or are severe, as well as practical home relief tips and when testing or antibiotics are appropriate.

Most acid reflux episodes last 30 minutes to 2 hours, typically beginning 30 to 60 minutes after a trigger meal, and antacids can ease symptoms within minutes though relief may fade after 1 to 3 hours. If symptoms occur weekly or persist despite 2 to 4 weeks of over-the-counter treatment, it may be GERD that can last months to years without proper care. There are several factors and warning signs to consider, along with lifestyle and medication options that can shorten episodes; see below for complete details to guide your next steps.

Most stomach flu cases last 1 to 3 days, though some viruses can cause symptoms for up to a week or a little longer. There are several factors that affect duration, plus warning signs that need prompt care and steps to speed recovery and prevent spread; see below for details by virus, how long you may be contagious, and what to do next.

There is no single permanent cure, but many people achieve long-lasting control with a personalized plan that may include a low-FODMAP diet, targeted treatments like rifaximin for IBS-D, select medications or supplements, CBT, and lifestyle changes. There are several factors to consider, including your specific triggers, symptom pattern, and when to seek care for red flags; see below for the complete, step-by-step options and how to choose your next steps.

Rapid symptom relief within about 24 hours is realistic: take a single 150 mg fluconazole tablet or use an OTC intravaginal azole such as tioconazole or miconazole, and complete the recommended course even if you feel better. There are several factors to consider, including pregnancy and medication interactions, correct application, supportive steps like breathable underwear and no douching, and when to follow up if symptoms persist 48 to 72 hours; see the full guidance below.

Act quickly by rehydrating with an oral rehydration solution or diluted sports drinks, follow a gentle diet like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, and consider short-term over the counter options such as loperamide or bismuth; add probiotics if your diarrhea started after antibiotics, and do not use loperamide if you have fever or blood in the stool. Seek medical care urgently for signs of dehydration, high fever, blood or black stools, severe pain, or if symptoms last more than 2 days. There are several factors to consider and important dosing limits, plus alternatives like racecadotril or rifaximin and prevention tips that could change your next steps, so see the complete details below.

Most cases improve with oral rehydration solution and clear fluids, a gentle diet like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, and carefully used over the counter medicines such as loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate only when there is no fever or blood in the stool; zinc can help children, and kids should not use anti motility drugs without medical advice. There are several factors to consider, including red flags like dehydration, high fever, bloody stools, severe pain, or symptoms lasting more than two weeks. See below for full details, including exact dosing, what to avoid, when to seek medical care, prevention tips, and when antibiotics or stool testing may be needed.

Most snoring improves with simple changes like losing weight, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol and sedatives at night, clearing nasal congestion, and elevating the head of the bed; a dentist-fitted oral appliance can help, and CPAP is the gold standard if sleep apnea is diagnosed, with surgery reserved for structural causes. Seek medical evaluation promptly if snoring is loud and frequent or there are breathing pauses, gasping, morning headaches, or daytime sleepiness, since these can signal obstructive sleep apnea and affect whether you need a dental device, CPAP, or other treatment. There are several factors to consider; see below for important details that can guide your next steps.

To stop snoring, start with weight loss, side sleeping, avoiding late alcohol and sedatives, quitting smoking, treating nasal congestion, and doing daily throat exercises; if snoring persists, dentist-fitted oral appliances can help, CPAP is best for moderate to severe sleep apnea, and surgery is a later option. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like loud nightly snoring, witnessed pauses or gasping, daytime sleepiness, or heart and blood pressure issues should prompt medical evaluation. See the complete guidance below for key details that can change the best next step for you.

Most uncomplicated yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter azole antifungal creams or suppositories; if symptoms do not improve within a few days or recur, a clinician may prescribe oral fluconazole or alternatives like boric acid or nystatin. There are several factors to consider, including pregnancy, recurrent infections, diabetes or immunocompromise, and red flags like severe pain or fever; complete your treatment course and see the detailed guidance below for safe options, dosing, prevention tips, and when to seek urgent care.

Clinicians tell idiopathic hypersomnia from narcolepsy by patterns of symptoms and sleep studies: hypersomnia usually involves very long night sleep and pronounced sleep inertia with no cataplexy, whereas narcolepsy shows sudden sleep attacks, REM-related hallucinations or paralysis, and cataplexy in type 1. On testing, an overnight polysomnogram followed by an MSLT with mean sleep latency of 8 minutes or less and two or more sleep onset REM periods suggests narcolepsy, and low CSF hypocretin confirms type 1. There are several factors to consider that affect treatment choices, safety, and next steps; see below for key differences, red flags, and exactly which tests to ask about.

Rectal bleeding is the one symptom that should make you stop guessing and see a doctor. There are several factors to consider, including other red flags like weight loss, fever, anemia, and nighttime symptoms, plus guidance on stool, blood, and endoscopic tests such as fecal calprotectin and colonoscopy; see below for details that can affect your next steps.

There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including red flags and next steps. IBS more often causes crampy pain that improves after a bowel movement with bowel habit changes linked to meals or stress, and typically lacks blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, or nighttime symptoms. IBD is more likely with blood or mucus in stool, nocturnal diarrhea, unintended weight loss, persistent pain not relieved by defecation, fever, fatigue, urgency, or family history, which should prompt timely medical evaluation.