Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Yes, you can sleep with a lidocaine patch if you keep it on for no more than 12 hours, apply before bed and remove in the morning, and do not use more than three patches at once. There are several factors to consider, like rotating sites and watching for irritation, and special cautions with liver disease, drug interactions, or imaging, so review the important details below to decide your next steps.

In many people, glaucoma can be slowed or even halted by lowering eye pressure with prescription eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery; while lost vision cannot be restored, early diagnosis and consistent follow up are key. There are several factors to consider, including your personalized target pressure, strict medication adherence, supportive lifestyle steps, and urgent symptoms that need immediate care; see the complete details below for guidance that could affect your next steps.

Yes, young people can get glaucoma, including juvenile open-angle, congenital, and secondary types, and it can permanently damage vision if not treated early. Family history, certain genes, eye injuries, and long-term steroid use raise risk, and because early glaucoma is often symptom free, regular eye exams and prompt treatment matter; there are several factors to consider, see below for warning signs, tests, and the best next steps.

Colace, or docusate sodium, is an over-the-counter stool softener that draws water into stool to make bowel movements easier without cramping; doctors recommend it for short-term constipation or to prevent straining, typically 50 to 400 mg daily (often 100 mg twice daily) with a full glass of water for no more than 7 days. There are several safety factors and red flags to consider, including diarrhea or cramps at higher doses, dehydration risk in older adults, special guidance in liver disease, avoiding mineral oil near dosing, and seeking care for severe pain, vomiting, blood or black stools, fever, weight loss, or symptoms lasting more than a week; see the complete guidance below for when Colace may not be enough and what to try next.

Glaucoma does not always cause blindness; with early detection and consistent treatment, most people maintain functional vision. Still, untreated or advanced glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss or legal blindness, and there are crucial factors and next steps to consider, so see below for risks, warning signs, screening schedules, and treatment options that can help protect your sight.

Five key doctor warnings about enemas: electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, mucosal injury including rare ischemic colitis, bowel perforation, dependency with disrupted bowel function, and infection or microbiome disruption. There are several factors to consider; see below for who is at higher risk, safer use tips, and red flags that need urgent care. People with kidney disease, immune compromise, recent colorectal surgery, active IBD or diverticulitis, or severe hemorrhoids should consult a clinician first, and anyone who develops severe pain, bleeding, fever, dizziness, chest symptoms, or dehydration signs should seek immediate care; full guidance and alternatives like fiber and osmotic laxatives are outlined below.

Gemtesa (vibegron) treats overactive bladder by relaxing the bladder muscle, with improvements in urgency, leakage, and frequency often starting by 2 weeks and reaching full effect by 8 to 12 weeks. Doctors want you to know about common side effects like headache and mild GI upset, rare but urgent risks such as urinary retention or allergy, special caution in severe liver disease, blood pressure considerations and bladder outlet obstruction risk, and interactions or additive side effects with other OAB drugs; if you see no benefit by 12 weeks or develop trouble urinating, jaundice, or severe symptoms, seek care promptly. There are several factors to consider, and complete details are provided below to guide your next steps.

Glaucoma causes vision loss when fluid buildup raises intraocular pressure and reduces blood flow, damaging the optic nerve and killing retinal ganglion cells; this typically begins with peripheral vision loss and can become permanent if untreated. There are several factors to consider, including the type of glaucoma, your risk factors, early warning signs, and treatments that can slow or prevent further damage. See below for the complete answer with details that could guide your next steps and when to seek care.

Glaucoma without symptoms is detected during a comprehensive eye exam that combines intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve evaluation, OCT imaging to measure retinal nerve fiber thickness, and visual field testing, often refined by pachymetry and gonioscopy; no single test is definitive, so doctors synthesize results. Because damage can occur before any vision changes, routine screening is advised, especially if you are over 40 or have risk factors like family history or high myopia; there are several factors to consider, and important details that can affect your next steps are explained below.

Most people can try a burger about 2 weeks after surgery if recovery is uncomplicated, waiting 3 to 4 weeks after tougher extractions, and only once soft solids are painless with no swelling or bleeding. There are several factors to consider. See below for step-by-step ways to ease in, what to avoid, warning signs you are not ready, and when to contact your dentist, which can affect your timing and next steps.

Most procedures take 30 to 90 minutes in total, with the extraction itself often 20 to 60 minutes; simple erupted teeth can be as quick as 1 to 5 minutes per tooth while complex or impacted teeth may take up to 30 minutes per tooth. There are several factors to consider, including anesthesia setup, surgeon experience, and pre and post op time, so see below for the full timeline, recovery expectations, and guidance on planning your next steps.

Early glaucoma screening means regular comprehensive eye exams beginning at 40, or sooner if you have risk factors like family history, certain ancestries, diabetes, high eye pressure, steroid use, or prior eye injury, using tonometry, optic nerve evaluation, visual field testing, and OCT, with intervals tailored to your risk. Watch for subtle changes in peripheral vision or halos and seek prompt care, as early treatment preserves sight; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below for who is high risk, how often to screen, what to expect at an exam, practical ways to access screening, and when symptoms require urgent care.

Glaucoma is not curable and is typically a lifelong condition; optic nerve damage cannot be reversed, but lowering eye pressure with drops, lasers, or surgery can slow progression and help preserve vision. There are several factors to consider, including early detection, strict treatment adherence, and your personal risk profile. See below for details on monitoring frequency, treatment options, lifestyle steps, and when to seek urgent care.

Most glaucoma tests are not painful; they are quick and designed for comfort, with air-puff or rebound measurements feeling like a brief tap and contact tests made comfortable with numbing drops. There are several factors to consider about what each test feels like, normal mild irritation afterward, options if you have anxiety, and red flags like severe pain or sudden vision changes that need prompt care. See below for complete details and next steps.

Yes: nearsightedness is linked to a higher risk of glaucoma, especially primary open-angle glaucoma, and the risk rises with severity (about 1.7x for low myopia, ~2.5x for moderate, ~3.3x for high). There are several factors to consider. See below for why myopic eye structure increases vulnerability and can hide early disease, the key warning signs, and the recommended exam schedule and treatment options that could shape your next steps.

For most healthy adults, Premier Protein can be a convenient, low sugar, moderate calorie way to meet protein needs and support muscle recovery. There are several factors to consider, and the details below can guide your next steps. Key considerations include artificial sweeteners and dairy tolerance, cost compared with whole foods, and extra caution for those with kidney or liver issues; who benefits most and how to use it wisely are outlined below.

Generally safe at low doses for adults over 65, melatonin gummies can help you fall asleep and modestly improve sleep quality when taken 30 to 60 minutes before bed, with typical effective doses around 0.5 to 2 mg. There are several factors to consider; interactions with blood thinners, diabetes and blood pressure medicines, and caution with significant liver disease mean you should start low, monitor side effects, and talk to your clinician if problems persist. See the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Melatonin gummies can support short-term sleep challenges like jet lag or shift work when used correctly; doctors recommend starting low (about 0.5 to 1 mg taken 30 to 60 minutes before bed), using them for a limited time, and combining them with good sleep habits. There are several factors to consider that may change your next steps, including side effects, important drug interactions with medicines like blood thinners and antidepressants, and added caution for children, pregnancy, and chronic conditions; see the complete guidance below, including when to stop and when to talk with a doctor if sleep issues persist.

Midodrine raises blood pressure by tightening blood vessels and is used for orthostatic hypotension and, in select cases of advanced liver disease, to support kidney function. Doctors emphasize knowing who benefits, watching for side effects including supine hypertension and urinary retention, following three times daily dosing away from bedtime, and monitoring lying and standing blood pressure while staying hydrated and considering compression stockings. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete details that could affect your next steps.

Both Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 and have similar safety profiles; for most people, the best choice is the one available soonest, along with staying current on boosters. There are several factors to consider, including age authorization, dosing interval, availability, and the slightly higher myocarditis risk observed with Moderna in younger males. See the complete details below to understand what may matter for you and your next steps.

MPV reflects the average size of your platelets and, interpreted with your platelet count, can point to inflammation and cardiovascular risk, shifts from liver disease, or bone marrow and vitamin issues, though delays and analyzer differences can falsely raise or lower it. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including when an unexpected MPV should be repeated promptly, how to pair it with other labs, and which symptoms or rising trends mean you should contact your clinician to guide your next steps.

Early symptoms of glaucoma can be subtle, such as patchy blind spots and gradual loss of side vision, halos around lights, slow adaptation to darkness, occasional blurred vision, mild eye aching or brow headaches, and sometimes eye redness. Because many people have no early symptoms at all, your risk factors and the need for timely eye exams are crucial to next steps; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.

Vision loss from glaucoma usually begins with subtle peripheral blind spots that are easy to miss, progresses to a narrowing of the visual field that feels like tunnel vision, and can ultimately affect central vision and lead to permanent blindness if not treated. There are several factors to consider; see below for details on the stages of vision loss, real-life warning signs, urgent symptoms, and the specific tests and treatments that can help protect your sight and guide next steps.

A glaucoma eye exam is a painless, comprehensive visit that typically includes history and vision checks, eye pressure measurement, corneal thickness testing, drainage angle evaluation, optic nerve assessment, visual field testing, and OCT imaging. Your doctor then explains your risk or diagnosis and recommends monitoring, eye drops, laser, or surgery as needed, but there are important details that can affect your next steps; see the complete breakdown below.

Left untreated, glaucoma causes irreversible optic nerve damage and progressive vision loss, usually beginning with peripheral vision, advancing to tunnel vision, and potentially ending in blindness. There are several factors to consider, and timely treatment that lowers eye pressure has been proven to slow progression; risks to safety, independence, and daily tasks are explained in detail. See below for key details and practical next steps for your care.

A coffee enema involves introducing brewed, cooled coffee into the rectum and colon to promote bowel cleansing and purported liver detox; high quality clinical evidence is minimal and major liver guidelines do not endorse it. There are several factors to consider. See below for many important details on risks like electrolyte imbalance, infection, tissue injury, and caffeine side effects, who should be cautious, when to seek care, and evidence-based alternatives that could change your next steps.

An enema is a medical procedure in which liquid is introduced into the rectum and lower intestine to trigger a bowel movement, deliver medication locally, or cleanse the colon before diagnostic tests. There are several factors to consider, including the type of enema, proper technique, and potential risks such as electrolyte shifts or irritation. See below for essential details and safety guidance that may influence your next steps.

Gemtesa (vibegron) is a prescription medicine used to treat overactive bladder in adults, reducing sudden urinary urgency, frequent urination, leakage, and nighttime urination by relaxing the bladder muscle. There are several factors to consider, including who is a good candidate, how quickly it works, possible side effects, and safety considerations; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Midodrine is used to raise blood pressure by tightening blood vessels; its main evidence-based uses are neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and, in advanced liver disease, type 1 hepatorenal syndrome when combined with octreotide and albumin. There are several factors to consider, including dosing frequency and avoiding doses near bedtime due to supine hypertension risk, potential side effects, and important precautions and interactions; see below for complete details that could influence your next steps and when to contact a clinician.

Nurtec, or rimegepant, is used for migraines in adults in two ways: it treats an acute migraine attack with or without aura, and it helps prevent episodic migraine when taken on a regular schedule. There are several factors to consider, including who should use it, dosing and how quickly it works, possible side effects, liver or kidney limits, pregnancy and breastfeeding questions, and drug interactions. See the complete answer below to understand more and decide on next steps with your clinician.