Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Nasal spray that goes down your throat is usually harmless, causing a brief bad taste, mild throat irritation or cough, and sometimes slight stomach upset, though it can also make the nasal dose less effective. There are several factors to consider based on the spray type and your health; systemic effects are uncommon but possible, especially with decongestants that can raise blood pressure or cause jitteriness and a fast heart rate. Sip water and rinse your mouth now, and seek urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, a racing heartbeat, or allergy signs; see below for details on side effects, red flags, and the best technique to keep medicine in your nose.

Squirting is a real, normal fluid release from the urethral area that can occur with arousal or orgasm; the fluid often contains diluted urine plus secretions from the Skene’s glands, and it is not the same as orgasm. There are several factors to consider, including that not everyone can or will squirt and that pressure to perform can harm sexual well-being; see important details below. If you notice burning, blood, persistent pelvic or bladder pain, or urinary changes, consider medical advice and use the quick symptom check linked below for next steps, while healthy exploration can include communication, relaxation, hydration, positioning, and pelvic floor exercises.

For most sore throats, start with acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever, and consider numbing lozenges or sprays; if pain is severe enough to prevent swallowing, a clinician may use a single dose of dexamethasone, while antibiotics are only appropriate for confirmed strep. There are several factors to consider, including correct dosing, child specific guidance such as avoiding aspirin, pregnancy and liver or kidney problems, and red flag symptoms that require urgent care. See below for doses, cautions, and when to seek testing or medical help.

Keto sweets you can enjoy include very dark chocolate 90 percent cocoa or higher, fat bombs, almond or coconut flour cookies or brownies, sugar-free jello or pudding, cheesecake, and keto ice creams made with low carb sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit. There are several factors to consider to stay in ketosis and feel well, including reading labels for net carbs, portion control, and tolerance to sugar alcohols that may cause bloating or diarrhea, plus appetite effects and when to seek care; see complete details and tips below.

There are several factors to consider. Upper back pain with coughing is often from muscle strain or intercostal inflammation, but infections like bronchitis or pneumonia and pleurisy, thoracic spine problems, and rare heart or abdominal causes can also be involved. See below to understand more, including red flags like fever, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or neurological symptoms that mean you should seek care promptly, plus practical steps you can try at home such as posture changes, OTC anti-inflammatories, heat, gentle exercises, and cough control.

Puffy nipples are often harmless and usually caused by normal breast development, hormonal shifts, weight or anatomy differences, and in males can be benign gynecomastia. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Get medical care sooner if you have a hard or fixed lump, nipple discharge, skin changes, rapid one-sided swelling, fever with redness, or severe pain, as serious causes like infection, medication effects, endocrine or liver disease, or rarely cancer are possible; below you will find home checks, when to see a clinician, what tests to expect, and treatment options that can guide your next steps.

The baking soda trick for ED is unproven and can be dangerous, with risks such as metabolic alkalosis, electrolyte disturbances, blood pressure spikes from high sodium, kidney strain, and interactions with common medications; relying on it can also delay diagnosis of underlying heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal issues. Safer next steps include lifestyle changes, proven treatments like PDE5 inhibitors under medical guidance, and evaluation for root causes; see below for who is at higher risk, red flag symptoms that need urgent care, and a simple symptom check tool to help you plan what to do next.

The three biggest misconceptions about tonsillitis outbreaks are that most cases are bacterial, that antibiotics or tonsillectomy are routinely needed, and that it spreads to everyone instantly. In reality, most cases are viral and self-limited, antibiotics are reserved for confirmed strep after testing, surgery is only for strict recurrent-episode criteria, and contagiousness depends on the germ and exposure with simple hygiene lowering risk. There are several factors to consider, and important testing, red-flag symptoms, and prevention details that can affect your next steps are explained below.

The top three reasons to avoid the baking soda trick are clear: it can trigger metabolic alkalosis and electrolyte shifts, flood you with sodium that drives fluid retention and high blood pressure while straining kidneys and the heart, and cause GI upset that may also worsen liver problems like ascites or encephalopathy. There are several factors to consider, especially if you have hypertension, kidney disease, or any signs of liver trouble, and certain warning symptoms need urgent care; see below for the complete explanation, red flags, and safer next steps to discuss with your clinician.

Bad-smelling stool after certain meals is usually from how gut bacteria ferment specific foods, with common culprits including sulfur-rich vegetables and eggs, high-protein meats, beans and legumes, dairy if lactose intolerant, high-fat or fried foods, and sometimes spicy seasonings. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Odors can also signal issues like malabsorption, infections such as C. diff or Giardia, medication effects, or bile duct and inflammatory conditions; seek care if smells persist with greasy stools, weight loss, blood, severe pain, or jaundice. For practical fixes and next steps, the complete guidance below covers food diaries, gradual diet changes, hydration, probiotics or enzymes, and when to talk with a clinician.

BDSM is consensual and, with proper safety, is not abuse, not linked to poorer mental health, and usually results only in minor, temporary injuries. Doctors worry most about preventable harms like nerve compression, skin injuries, bloodborne infections from unsterilized tools, delayed care due to stigma, trauma triggers, and substance-impaired consent. There are several factors to consider. See below for practical risk-reduction steps on negotiation, hygiene, first aid, safer equipment, aftercare, and when to seek medical help.

BDSM can be safe when done with care, but major risks include bruising from impact, nerve injury from tight or prolonged pressure, and choking, which carries the highest risk of brain damage or death even with brief oxygen restriction. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Safety steps include warm-ups, avoiding bony areas, wide padded restraints with frequent checks, never leaving someone restrained, and treating breath play with extreme caution and never doing it solo. Know red flags that need medical care like rapidly expanding bruises, persistent numbness or weakness, or any loss of consciousness or breathing trouble after breath play; full prevention tips and next-step guidance are detailed below.

Brown discharge without a period often reflects old blood and is commonly related to ovulation, early pregnancy implantation, changes in hormonal contraception, perimenopause, or fibroids and polyps. It can also signal infections, PCOS, thyroid or liver and clotting disorders, and less often pregnancy complications or endometrial hyperplasia or cancer; watch for red flags like heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, dizziness, foul odor, or suspected pregnancy issues and seek care. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below for key patterns, timing, and next steps that could change what you do.

Pregnancy symptoms often follow a timeline: little to nothing DPO 1 to 7, possible light spotting or cramps at DPO 8 to 10, early fatigue and breast changes between DPO 10 to 14 as hCG rises, and clearer signs after a missed period, with nausea commonly starting around weeks 5 to 6 and peaking near week 9. Some home tests can turn positive by DPO 10 to 12 and standard tests by about DPO 13 to 14, but timing varies; there are several factors to consider, including when to seek care for heavy bleeding or severe symptoms, so see below for the complete day by day guide and next steps.

Vagal, or vasovagal, syncope is a common and usually normal cause of brief fainting in otherwise healthy people, often triggered by stress, pain, dehydration, or prolonged standing, and it typically comes with warning signs and a rapid recovery. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including simple steps to stop an episode, prevention strategies, how doctors diagnose it, and the red flags that mean you should seek care, such as fainting during exercise, no warning signs, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, head injury, or frequent episodes.

Most first-time moms notice early pregnancy symptoms between 4 and 6 weeks of pregnancy, about 2 to 4 weeks after conception, though some feel subtle changes sooner such as implantation spotting or breast tenderness at 6 to 12 days and nausea typically intensifies around 6 to 8 weeks; there are several factors to consider, see below to understand more. For next steps, home tests are most reliable on or after the first missed period and you should seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fainting, high fever, or other red flags, while the complete guidance on timelines, variability, and self-care appears below.

For teens, nipple tenderness when touched is usually from puberty hormones, friction from clothing or exercise, or mild skin irritation, and boys may also have temporary gynecomastia tenderness. Rarer causes include cysts, benign lumps, or infection, and there are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Try a well fitted sports bra, gentle skin care, and over the counter pain relievers, but seek care urgently for severe pain, fever, spreading redness, discharge, a hard or fixed lump, skin changes, or if symptoms last beyond two cycles or two months.

To stop a vagal response fast, act at the first warning signs. Lie flat with legs elevated, use counterpressure maneuvers, try a brief Valsalva, breathe slowly, and sip cold water or cool down; there are several factors to consider, and the complete step by step guidance is below. For prevention and safety, see below for hydration and salt strategies, compression garments, tilt training, optional medications, and clear signs that mean you should seek medical care, such as recurrent episodes, injury, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or neurological symptoms.

Avoid taking aspirin for right testicle or lower abdominal pain, because it can hide emergencies like testicular torsion, appendicitis, kidney stones, or infection and raises bleeding risk, especially with liver disease, alcohol use, blood thinners, ulcers, or clotting disorders. There are several factors to consider. See below for red flags, medication interactions and side effects, and what to do instead, including when to seek urgent or emergency care.

BDSM is not inherently bad for your health; research shows practitioners often have similar or better mental health than nonparticipants, and physical effects are usually minor when play is consensual, well prepared, and uses proper technique, communication, and aftercare. There are several factors to consider, including STI prevention, avoiding substances that impair consent, accounting for medical conditions, and knowing when symptoms like persistent pain, numbness, heavy bleeding, infection, or severe distress require medical care; see below for detailed safety guidance and next steps that could influence your healthcare decisions.

Seven easily ruled-out causes of left eye twitching in women include stress and anxiety, fatigue and poor sleep, caffeine and other stimulants, dry eyes, eye strain, hormonal fluctuations, and nutritional imbalances; most twitches are harmless and resolve on their own. There are several factors to consider, and important details with simple fixes are below. See below for when to seek care, especially if twitching lasts longer than two weeks or comes with involuntary eye closure, spread to the cheek or mouth, redness or discharge, vision changes, or facial weakness, as these warrant prompt medical evaluation.

Usually normal and harmless, most left eyelid twitches in women stem from stress, caffeine, poor sleep, eye strain, dry eyes, dehydration, or hormonal shifts, and they often settle with rest, less caffeine, hydration, warm compresses, and lubricating drops. Seek care if it lasts over 3 to 4 weeks, spreads to other facial muscles, completely closes the eye, or comes with vision changes, redness, facial weakness, or other neurological symptoms, since rare causes like blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, thyroid problems, medication effects, or electrolyte issues can be involved; there are several factors to consider. For female-specific triggers, tracking tips, and treatment options including when botulinum injections help, see the complete details below.

For most seniors, the safest maximum is 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours, not the 4,000 mg adult limit; some should stay at or below 2,000 mg if they have liver disease, drink alcohol regularly, are malnourished or low weight, or take other liver-stressing medicines. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand dosing intervals such as spacing doses at least 4 hours apart, how to avoid hidden acetaminophen in combination products, early overdose warning signs, and when to contact a clinician.

Maximum acetaminophen in 24 hours is 4,000 mg for healthy adults; many experts advise a 3,000 mg cap for safety, keep at least 4 hours between doses, and count acetaminophen from all cold and flu combination products. There are several factors to consider, including lower limits for liver disease, regular alcohol use, older adults, and weight based dosing for children, plus overdose warning signs and when to seek urgent care; see the complete guidance below, as these details can affect your next steps.

Healthy adults should not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours, while higher‑risk people such as those with liver disease, chronic alcohol use, malnutrition, or older age should limit to 2,000 to 3,000 mg, and children need weight‑based dosing. The three common mistakes are double‑dipping with combination cold or pain medicines, ignoring personal risk factors, and taking doses too close together; there are several factors to consider, and key details on hidden ingredients, early warning signs, and when to call poison control are outlined below.

Quick fixes that actually help include ginger (tea, chews, or capsules), frequent small sips of fluids, smaller slower meals, staying upright or taking a short walk, acupressure at P-6, relaxation breathing, and when needed antacids or H2 blockers. There are several factors to consider, from common causes like dyspepsia, delayed stomach emptying, GERD, food intolerance, stress, and medications to red flags such as persistent vomiting, dehydration, blood, weight loss, jaundice, or severe pain that warrant medical care. See below for step by step tips, what to avoid, when to call a doctor, and the tests your clinician may use so you can choose the right next step.

Feeling nauseated after meals can have many causes, including motility disorders like gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia, reflux or ulcers, gallbladder or pancreatic problems, food intolerance or poisoning, medication effects, metabolic issues with the liver, kidneys, or electrolytes, pregnancy or migraines, and anxiety. There are several factors to consider, and some red flags need urgent care such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, jaundice, dizziness, or unexplained weight loss; see below for specific self-care steps, when to get tests or a specialist, and treatments that could change your next healthcare decisions.

Nipple tenderness without pregnancy is most often from hormone fluctuations around your menstrual cycle, puberty or perimenopause, or from medicines, and very commonly from irritation such as friction, ill-fitting bras, harsh fabrics, or fragranced soaps and detergents. Less common causes include skin conditions or infections, benign cysts, or nerve and referred pain; seek care promptly for red flags like pain lasting beyond two cycles, a new lump, discharge, fever, or skin changes. There are several factors to consider and simple self care steps that may help, so see the fuller checklist and next-step guidance below.

Brown discharge without a period is usually old oxidized blood or a minor hormonal shift, and it can also happen with ovulation spotting or early pregnancy implantation. There are several factors to consider, and key details about causes and timing are outlined below. Seek care if it is heavy, persists beyond 2 to 3 cycles, or comes with pain, fever, dizziness, foul odor, or postmenopausal bleeding; track symptoms, consider a pregnancy test, and know that infections, polyps or fibroids, thyroid issues, and rarely malignancy are possible, with recommended exams and tests described below.

Pregnancy symptoms most often show up between 4 and 8 weeks from the last period, but timing varies widely with implantation, hormone levels, and individual sensitivity, and some people have few or no early symptoms. There are several factors to consider, including when to take a home test and when to contact a clinician; see the complete guidance below for key details and red flags that could shape your next steps.