Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Normal bowel frequency ranges from three times per week to three times per day; going more than three times daily is most concerning when paired with loose watery stools, urgency, blood or black stools, unintended weight loss, severe pain, waking at night to go, dehydration, or fever. There are several factors to consider besides frequency, including stool consistency, volume, color, odor, ease of passage, and potential causes like infections, IBS-D, malabsorption, medications, thyroid problems, and liver treatments such as lactulose. See below for key details, red flags, and practical next steps that could influence when and how you seek care.

Ginger may modestly support erectile function by aiding blood flow through nitric oxide effects and lowering inflammation and oxidative stress, but human trials are small, short, and inconclusive, particularly in men with cirrhosis. There are several factors to consider, including dosage ranges, product quality, potential bleeding and drug interaction risks, and red flags that warrant medical evaluation. See the complete details below to help you choose safe next steps and discuss options with your clinician.

Hypnopompic hallucinations are vivid, dream-like experiences on waking that are usually brief and harmless; there are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. They are a concern if they are frequent or last more than a few minutes, are intensely frightening, occur with sleep paralysis longer than a minute, cause daytime sleepiness or concentration problems, or come with neurological symptoms or signs of narcolepsy. See below for key red flags, triggers, evaluation steps, and treatments that could change your next steps.

Most brief voices as you fall asleep are hypnagogic hallucinations, a common and usually harmless sleep transition that often improves with consistent sleep, stress reduction, and limiting substances. There are several factors to consider, including sleep loss, medications or alcohol, and sleep disorders like narcolepsy; see a clinician if episodes are frequent or distressing, occur when fully awake, or come with daytime sleepiness or sudden muscle weakness. See below for important details and specific next steps that could guide your care.

There are several factors to consider: idiopathic hypersomnia is defined by persistent, overwhelming daytime sleepiness despite adequate or long nighttime sleep, unrefreshing long naps, and difficulty waking, without cataplexy and without another condition explaining it. Diagnosis is clinical plus testing after ruling out other causes and typically includes sleep diaries or actigraphy, overnight polysomnography, and a next-day multiple sleep latency test showing mean sleep latency 8 minutes or less with fewer than two SOREMPs, or extended monitoring documenting more than 11 hours of total sleep time; there are important nuances that can change next steps, so see below for key criteria, look-alikes to rule out, and when to seek specialist care.

Sleeping more than 10 hours and still feeling exhausted is rarely laziness and often points to fixable causes like sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, anemia, depression or anxiety, medication effects, poor sleep habits, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sometimes serious problems such as advanced liver disease or electrolyte imbalances; seek urgent care for red flags like confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, severe headache, or fainting. There are several factors to consider. Key next steps include tracking sleep, optimizing sleep hygiene, reviewing medications, and asking a clinician about tests such as a CBC, TSH, liver function tests, electrolytes, and a sleep study, plus mental health support and exercise; see below for complete details that can guide which actions to take and when to contact a doctor right away.

Sudden muscle weakness with laughter is not just fatigue; it can point to cataplexy from narcolepsy, neuromuscular conditions like myasthenia gravis or Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome, electrolyte disturbances, or liver issues such as cirrhosis or hepatic encephalopathy. There are several factors to consider. See below for red flags like confusion, drooping eyelids or swallowing trouble, jaundice, or excessive daytime sleepiness, along with the tests and treatments that could change your next steps.

There are several factors to consider. Brief, self limited sleep paralysis is common, but waking immobility can also signal urgent problems like stroke or seizure, metabolic issues such as hepatic encephalopathy or severe electrolyte disturbances, or neuromuscular disorders. Seek care now for one sided weakness, slurred speech, facial droop, severe headache, confusion, or episodes lasting more than a few minutes or recurring, and see below for key red flags, what to track, and the tests and treatments that can guide your next steps.

Falling asleep in class often reflects brain wiring, not laziness, when your homeostatic sleep drive fueled by adenosine and your circadian clock are out of sync with lecture times. There are several factors to consider, including sleep debt, poor sleep quality, late night light exposure, classroom environment, nutrition and hydration, medications, and underlying health issues. See below for simple in-class tactics, longer term circadian realignment tips, and red flags that should prompt medical care.

Emotions can be the on switch for cataplexy: sudden, brief loss of muscle tone with preserved awareness that is often triggered by laughter, surprise, excitement, or anger, commonly in narcolepsy type 1 where hypocretin is low. There are several factors to consider; see below for key symptoms to watch for, when to seek urgent care, how diagnosis is confirmed with sleep studies, and which treatments and safety strategies can guide your next steps.

Excessive daytime sleepiness often means you’re missing restorative sleep, key nutrients, or the diagnosis of an underlying condition such as obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, hypothyroidism, diabetes, heart or lung disease, or liver disease with subtle brain changes. There are several factors to consider; see below for a step by step plan to track sleep, improve habits, get targeted labs and sleep studies, screen for liver issues, and know when to seek urgent care, since these details can change your next steps.

Daytime sleepiness can be a simple sign of not getting enough or good-quality sleep, but it can also be a clue to conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, anemia, kidney disease, neurological disorders, or liver disease such as hepatic encephalopathy. There are several factors and warning signs to consider; see the complete answer below for key symptoms that need urgent evaluation, practical steps to improve alertness, and which tests and specialists to ask about. If your sleepiness persists or you notice confusion, mood changes, abdominal symptoms, or jaundice, seek medical care promptly.

Neck weakness when you laugh is usually cataplexy, a brief emotion-triggered drop in muscle tone that can be tied to narcolepsy type 1, though conditions like myasthenia gravis, muscle loss, or cervical spine problems can also play a role. There are several factors to consider and important next steps about when to seek care, which tests may help, and how treatment differs by cause; see the complete information below to guide your healthcare decisions.

Insomnia often stems from stress, mental health conditions, medical illnesses, medications or substances, and irregular routines, and it can impair daytime function while increasing risks for heart, metabolic, immune, and safety problems. The most effective treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, supported by consistent sleep hygiene and, when needed short term under medical supervision, medications. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are explained below.

Five warning signs to watch for include persistent trouble falling or staying asleep at least 3 nights a week for 3 months, daytime fatigue and cognitive lapses, increasing reliance on sleep aids or alcohol, mood changes, and noticeable effects on work, school, or relationships. There are several factors to consider. See below for practical insomnia tips, evidence-based options like CBT-I, and critical red flags that need prompt care such as suspected sleep apnea, chest pain or fainting, and thoughts of self-harm, which can shape your next steps.

Doctor-approved, evidence-based strategies include CBT-I as the gold standard, plus consistent sleep schedules, a cool dark bedroom, pre-bed wind-down, and relaxation techniques; low-dose melatonin 0.5–1 mg 30–60 minutes before bed may help, while prescription sleep aids are a short-term, secondary option that need close follow up. There are several factors to consider, including red flags like loud snoring or gasping, severe daytime sleepiness, mood changes, chest pain, or breathing problems that warrant medical evaluation. For step-by-step protocols, dosing details, and when to seek specialist care, see below.

Insomnia often signals stress or anxiety, mood disorders, poor sleep habits, circadian misalignment, medication effects, or medical problems such as pain, thyroid issues, restless legs, or sleep apnea. Fast fixes include optimizing your sleep environment and schedule, stimulus control, sleep restriction, relaxation techniques, and CBT-I, with short-term medication considered selectively and clear signs for when to seek care. There are several factors to consider; see below for step-by-step guidance, specific options and precautions, and other details that could shape your next healthcare steps.

Genetics contribute to sleep apnea, with about 35 to 40 percent of risk tied to inherited factors, but airway anatomy, weight, age, and habits are major drivers too; if close relatives have OSA your risk is higher. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. To improve symptoms fast, start evidence based treatments like CPAP for moderate to severe cases, or dentist fitted oral appliances and positional therapy for milder cases; also avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed, optimize sleep habits, and pursue weight loss if needed. Key tips and when to seek medical help are detailed below.

There are several factors to consider: a jaw that suddenly gives way with laughter for seconds, with full awareness and often accompanied by excessive daytime sleepiness, favors cataplexy related to narcolepsy, whereas pain, clicking, progressive fatigue with chewing, or eyelid drooping point more to muscle or joint causes such as TMJ disorders or myasthenia gravis. See below for key differences, red flags, simple self-checks, and the tests and treatments doctors use, since these details can change which next steps you should take.

Joint pain with diarrhea can suggest IBD when inflammatory patterns are present; red flags include diarrhea over four weeks, blood or weight loss, fever or night sweats, morning stiffness, migratory large-joint pain or inflammatory low back pain under 45, enthesitis, skin rashes, eye inflammation, or a family history of IBD or related conditions. Evaluation may include CRP/ESR, fecal calprotectin, targeted imaging, and colonoscopy, with treatment aimed at controlling gut inflammation and careful use of pain medicines; there are several factors to consider, and important details that can affect your next steps are outlined below.

Knee buckling during laughter happens because laughing spikes knee joint load and quad demand, so instability often reveals quadriceps weakness or imbalance; it can also reflect osteoarthritis, ligament or meniscus injury, patellar instability, or rarely a neurological issue. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including red flags that need prompt evaluation and practical next steps like targeted strengthening, balance training, bracing, pain management strategies, and when to see a specialist.

There are several factors to consider: low iron with diarrhea often points to a gut problem such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, medication injury, or advanced liver disease. See below to understand more. If diarrhea lasts longer than 2 to 4 weeks, iron does not improve with supplements, or there is weight loss or blood in the stool, ask about targeted blood and stool tests and possible endoscopy so the cause can be treated while iron is replaced, and review urgent warning signs and next steps outlined below.

Location and pattern matter: right lower quadrant pain often suggests Crohn’s ileitis or sometimes appendicitis, left lower quadrant points toward diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis, suprapubic pain can indicate UTI or proctitis, and periumbilical pain aligns with gastroenteritis or, if severe and out of proportion, possible ischemia. Patterns that refine the cause include duration (acute vs persistent vs chronic), stool features (blood or mucus suggests colitis, large-volume watery suggests secretory), nocturnal stools and weight loss as red flags, and context like recent antibiotics or liver disease; there are several factors to consider, and the detailed guidance on what these mean and when to seek care is below.

There are several factors to consider; small amounts can be normal, but more or discolored mucus can signal IBS, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids or fissures, food intolerances, or even complications of advanced liver disease. Watch for red flags like blood or black stool, fever, persistent diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, or worsening pain and seek care promptly; tests, treatments, and self-care steps you can take are detailed below.

Small, occasional, clear mucus without pain, blood, fever, or bowel habit changes is usually normal, but mucus that is thick or abundant, lasts more than a week, or comes with blood, pus, urgency, cramps, fever, fatigue, or weight loss can signal colitis. There are several factors to consider. See below for important details on the types of colitis, the exact red flags that need urgent care, and what diagnosis and treatment steps to expect.

Narcolepsy symptoms at a glance: excessive daytime sleepiness, emotion-triggered cataplexy, sleep paralysis, vivid hallucinations at sleep onset or awakening, and fragmented nighttime sleep. Not typical are long confusion after waking, hallucinations during full wakefulness, violent dream enactment, seizure-like events, or systemic red flags, and look-alikes include idiopathic hypersomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, depression, medication effects, and seizure or fainting disorders; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below for what testing, safety steps, and urgent signs may change your next steps.

Neck weakness brought on by laughter or strong emotions most often points to cataplexy, the hallmark feature of narcolepsy type 1. Episodes are brief, with sudden loss of muscle tone and preserved awareness. There are several factors to consider, including less common causes such as myasthenia gravis, functional weakness, or cervical spine problems, but a consistent laughter trigger makes cataplexy most likely; see below for key symptoms to track, when to seek care, diagnostic steps, and treatment options.

Daily naps can be normal or a sign of excessive sleepiness; they are typically normal when tied to an early afternoon circadian dip, short or poor sleep, shift work, recovery, or older age, and when short naps restore energy without disrupting night sleep. Be concerned if you nod off unintentionally, feel unrefreshed after naps, have difficulty waking, score above 10 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, or have loud snoring, gasping, sudden muscle weakness, or mood and concentration problems, which can signal sleep apnea, narcolepsy, thyroid problems, anemia, medication effects, or depression. There are several factors to consider; see below for quick self-checks, targeted fixes, and when to see a doctor, as these details can change your next steps and safety at work or on the road.

Waking up at night to have diarrhea is a red-flag because the gut normally quiets during sleep; when that rhythm is disrupted, it often points to an organic cause such as inflammatory bowel disease, infection, malabsorption, medication effects, or certain systemic conditions rather than IBS. There are several factors to consider, including red flags like blood or black stools, weight loss, fever, severe pain, dehydration, and episodes that persist beyond a week or recur more than once or twice a month. See below for the full list of causes, tests your doctor may use, and treatment options that could change your next steps.

There are several factors to consider: fissures cause sharp, tearing pain during and after bowel movements with scant bright red blood and sometimes a visible crack, hemorrhoids typically cause painless bleeding unless an external clot triggers sudden severe pain and swelling with itch, and proctitis brings a constant ache with urgency, mucus, and sometimes fever. See below for the complete answer, including red flags that need urgent care, how each is diagnosed, and specific home care and treatment options that can guide your next steps.