Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Milia are tiny, firm keratin cysts that can look like whiteheads but are not pimples, which is why they will not pop and squeezing can lead to scarring or infection. Next steps range from leaving them alone and gentle exfoliation to dermatologist removal or retinoids, while red flags like growth, pain, rapid spread, or doubt about the diagnosis should prompt a medical visit; there are several factors to consider, and important details that can affect your care are explained below.

Feeling stuck in the past with outsized reactions to triggers? EMDR is a structured, evidence based therapy that uses bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements, to help your brain reprocess frozen trauma and reduce panic, nightmares, and shame. There are several factors to consider, and below you will find step by step medical next steps, including when to seek urgent care, how to rule out medical causes, how to get a mental health assessment, and how to choose a qualified EMDR therapist and prepare for the commitment.

Sudden eye pain can stem from surface irritation, infection, inflammation, or spikes in eye pressure, and it becomes an emergency if you have severe pain, sudden vision changes or loss, halos around lights, nausea or vomiting, a very red or bulging eye, chemical exposure, or trauma. Immediate steps include removing contact lenses, avoiding rubbing, not using leftover drops, and seeking urgent care, ideally with an ophthalmologist, if symptoms persist or are severe. There are several factors to consider. See below for a complete guide to causes, red flags, diagnosis, and medically approved treatments that could change which next steps you should take right now.

If sumatriptan is not relieving your migraines, there are several factors to consider, including timing the dose earlier, using the right dose or formulation, trying a different triptan, addressing medication overuse headache, or adding preventive therapy, and sometimes a reassessment of the diagnosis is needed. There are clear, medically approved steps you can take next such as adjusting dose and timing, switching to nasal or injection forms or another triptan, considering prevention like CGRP inhibitors or Botox, tracking attacks, and knowing urgent red flags, with full details below.

Persistent limb swelling that does not improve with rest may be lymphedema, a chronic buildup of lymph fluid from damaged or underdeveloped lymph vessels often after cancer treatment, infection, injury, obesity, or venous disease, with early signs like heaviness, tightness, and skin thickening. There are several factors to consider; see below for causes, warning signs, and how doctors confirm it. Next steps include prompt medical evaluation to rule out emergencies such as a blood clot and confirm the diagnosis, then individualized management with compression, manual lymph drainage, exercise, skin care, weight management, and in select cases surgery; there are key details that can change your next steps, so see the complete guidance below.

Cauliflower ear forms when ear trauma causes an auricular hematoma that starves ear cartilage of nutrients, leading to permanent, lumpy scarring if not treated. Early swelling is often reversible with prompt clinician drainage within 24 to 72 hours. Use brief icing, avoid more trauma, never self drain, and seek urgent care for rapid swelling, severe pain, fever, spreading redness, pus, dizziness, or hearing changes; there are several factors and other causes to consider, including infection or a pseudocyst, so see below for complete next steps, prevention tips, and when surgery is needed.

Swollen lymph nodes are most often a normal response to infection and tend to improve within 1 to 4 weeks. There are several factors to consider, including viral vs bacterial causes, location, and age; see below for the complete medically approved steps and nuances that can affect your next healthcare decisions. Start by monitoring size and duration, treating the underlying illness, using rest, hydration, warm compresses, and OTC pain relievers, and see a clinician for suspected bacterial infections. Seek prompt care for nodes larger than about 1 inch, lasting more than 2 to 4 weeks, that are hard or fixed, or if you have fever, night sweats, weight loss, rapid growth, or trouble swallowing or breathing; details and what to do next are outlined below.

Tennis elbow often persists because the tendon is degenerating rather than simply inflamed, so rest alone rarely fixes it. Evidence based next steps include relative rest, progressive eccentric and grip strengthening guided by a therapist, bracing and ice for symptoms, cautious short term NSAIDs, with PRP or shockwave considered if rehab fails and surgery rarely needed; healing typically takes weeks to months. There are several factors to consider; see below for specific exercise progressions, ergonomics, timelines, when to try injections, and red flags that mean you should see a doctor.

Suspect salmonella? Diarrhea, cramps, fever, and nausea often start 6 hours to 6 days after high‑risk foods because your immune system inflames the intestines; most healthy people recover in 4 to 7 days with hydration and rest. Seek urgent care for dehydration, persistent high fever, severe pain, bloody stool, symptoms over a week, or if you are very young, older, pregnant, or immunocompromised; antibiotics are reserved for severe or high‑risk cases after medical evaluation. There are several factors to consider, including testing, how long you are contagious, and key prevention steps; see below for complete details that could change your next steps.

Unexplained bone pain can rarely signal multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer that weakens bones through lytic lesions and may also cause anemia, kidney issues, and high calcium; risks increase with age and certain factors, and it can evolve from MGUS or smoldering myeloma. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. If symptoms persist, ask your doctor about blood and urine protein tests, kidney and calcium checks, imaging, and possibly a bone marrow biopsy, and seek urgent care for sudden severe back pain, leg weakness, or bladder or bowel changes. Key details that can guide your next steps are explained below.

Blurry vision might simply mean you need updated glasses, but it can also signal urgent conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, or even stroke, so an ophthalmologist is the right specialist to evaluate you. Seek immediate care for sudden vision loss, new flashes and floaters, a curtain over vision, vision loss in one eye, severe headache, or eye pain with nausea. There are several factors and medically approved next steps to consider, including when to book an exam, how to manage underlying conditions, and what treatments to follow; see the complete guidance below.

Blurry vision is common and often treatable, most often due to refractive errors, dry eye, screen strain, cataracts, or diabetes-related changes, but sudden or painful blurring, a curtain over vision, or new weakness or slurred speech can signal emergencies such as retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or stroke. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Medically approved next steps include scheduling a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist, tracking when and how symptoms occur, controlling conditions like diabetes and blood pressure, practicing healthier screen and lubrication habits, and seeking urgent care immediately for any sudden severe changes, with full details and timing guidance below.

Vulva pain is common and usually treatable, with causes ranging from irritation and infections like yeast, BV, or STIs to cysts, skin conditions, hormonal changes, trauma, and chronic vulvodynia. There are several factors to consider, and your specific symptoms can change the safest next step, see below to understand more. Start with gentle care like fragrance-free cleansing and loose cotton, and seek medical evaluation if pain is severe or worsening, lasts more than a few days, or occurs with fever, sores, unusual discharge, or a growing lump, with red flags and treatments outlined below.

Morning back stiffness that improves with movement, especially if it lasts over 3 months, can signal ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory spine disease where early diagnosis helps prevent spinal fusion, posture changes, and chronic pain. There are several factors to consider and key next steps, including proper evaluation with history, exam, and imaging, treatment with NSAIDs or biologics plus daily physical therapy, and knowing urgent red flags like eye pain with light sensitivity, new weakness, or loss of bowel or bladder control; see the complete details below to guide your next healthcare decisions.

Weight gain with olanzapine is common because the medication can increase appetite, slow metabolism, and reduce insulin sensitivity, which may raise risks like metabolic syndrome. There are several factors to consider, and safe, medically approved steps include not stopping suddenly, working with your prescriber on dose or alternatives, considering metformin, starting early lifestyle changes, and getting regular lab checks. See below for important details that can shape the best next steps in your care.

Defending someone who hurt you can be a survival response called Stockholm syndrome or trauma bonding, where severe threat, isolation, and intermittent kindness activate stress and reward pathways that create powerful, confusing bonds. There are several factors and safety steps to consider, from assessing immediate risk and planning safely to reconnecting with trusted supports and seeking trauma-informed therapy; see below for expert guidance and key details that may affect your next healthcare decisions.

Apathy is a real brain-based symptom of disrupted motivation and reward circuits, often tied to depression, burnout, anxiety, medical illnesses, medications, or poor sleep. Medically approved next steps include using a symptom check, seeing a clinician for screening and labs, supporting sleep, movement and nutrition, practicing behavioral activation, and considering therapy or medication, with urgent care for red flags; there are several factors to consider, and key details that can change your next steps are explained below.

Relief can fail for several common reasons, and there are safer, medically approved next steps. Zyrtec often misses congestion and sinus pressure, ongoing triggers, nonallergic rhinitis, or mismatched timing or drug choice, so doctors typically add or switch to a nasal steroid, use combination therapy, reduce exposures, pursue testing, or consider immunotherapy rather than taking more. Do not increase your dose without medical advice; for red flags, exact step by step options, and when to see a doctor, see the complete details below.

Electric, shock-like pain in the hand is usually nerve related, most often carpal tunnel from median nerve compression that affects the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger and often worsens at night, though other causes like a pinched neck nerve, ulnar nerve compression, or neuropathy are possible. There are several factors to consider, and medically approved next steps range from night wrist splints and ergonomic changes to anti inflammatory treatments, therapy, and sometimes surgery, with urgent red flags like sudden arm weakness or stroke-like symptoms needing immediate care, so see the complete guidance and what to do next below.

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder, not laziness, that causes overwhelming daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, and sometimes cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and disrupted nighttime sleep. Next steps include seeing a sleep specialist for testing like overnight polysomnography and MSLT, then individualized treatment with wake-promoting medicines, options for cataplexy or sodium oxybate, lifestyle strategies, and safety planning for driving; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are explained below, including when to seek urgent care and how to start with a symptom check and a doctor visit.

There are several factors to consider. Internal jaw clicking or a feeling of locking most often reflects TMJ disorders caused by the joint’s cushioning disc shifting out of place, and can be aggravated by clenching, muscle spasm, inflammation, or arthritis. Most people get relief with conservative, medically supported steps like jaw rest and diet changes, heat or ice, guided exercises and physical therapy, custom night splints, short NSAID use, and stress reduction, with injections or surgery only in select cases; see below for normal vs concerning clicking, urgent red flags, and which specialist to see next.

Norovirus can trigger a sudden "internal storm" by damaging the small intestine’s absorptive cells and speeding gut contractions, causing abrupt vomiting and watery diarrhea. The rapid loss of fluid and electrolytes is what leaves you weak, dizzy, and drained. Next steps focus on steady oral rehydration, gradual bland foods, strict handwashing and surface disinfection, staying home 24 to 48 hours after symptoms stop, and seeking care for dehydration, high fever, blood in stool or vomit, or symptoms beyond 3 days; there are several factors to consider, including who is at higher risk and how to prevent spread, so see the complete guidance below.

A suddenly stiff or locked neck with severe headache, fever, light sensitivity, confusion, or a rash that does not fade when pressed can signal meningitis and needs urgent medical care, since bacterial forms can worsen within hours and require immediate IV antibiotics. Early action greatly improves outcomes. There are several factors to consider. See below for how to tell viral from bacterial, exact red flags and when to go to the ER, what tests like a lumbar puncture involve, who is at higher risk, prevention with vaccines, and step by step next actions including when to use a symptom checker and when to call emergency services.

Burning “razor-blade” urination, frequent urges, cloudy or bloody urine, and pelvic pressure strongly suggest a UTI; if you develop fever, nausea, or back or side pain, or if symptoms last beyond 24 to 48 hours, seek prompt care because this can indicate a kidney infection. Next steps usually include a urine test and short-course antibiotics, plus hydration and avoiding bladder irritants while you wait; other conditions like STIs, vaginal infections, stones, or prostate issues can mimic a UTI and risks differ if you are pregnant, older, male, or immunocompromised. There are several factors to consider, so see below for complete guidance that could change which medical steps you take.

Rough, sandpaper-like bumps are often keratosis pilaris, a very common and usually harmless buildup of keratin that plugs hair follicles, not dirt or poor hygiene, and it responds to keratolytic creams like lactic or glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and 10 to 20 percent urea plus consistent moisturizing and gentle care. There are several factors to consider, including when to see a doctor for pain, severe itching, spreading redness, or pus, and when prescription retinoids or laser may help persistent redness. See below for triggers that worsen it, who is at higher risk, realistic timelines for results, and step-by-step medical and at-home treatments that can guide your next steps.

A sore throat that feels like swallowing glass is usually caused by viral infections, strep throat, postnasal drip, acid reflux, or irritants, and it often improves within a week with hydration, saltwater gargles, lozenges, humidified air, rest, and safe pain relievers; antibiotics are only for confirmed strep. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, drooling, inability to swallow saliva, a muffled voice, severe neck swelling, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 7 to 10 days. There are several factors to consider that could change your next steps, so see the complete guidance below for red flags, timelines, and when to test or treat.

Most "unfixable" skin texture can improve, and microneedling helps by triggering collagen and elastin remodeling to gradually smooth acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, mild laxity, and stretch marks over a series of sessions. It is not right for every cause of texture, as deep ice-pick scars, active acne, or certain bumps may need other treatments, and best outcomes depend on correct diagnosis, the right session plan, smart combinations like retinoids, peels, lasers or RF microneedling, and careful aftercare. For medically approved next steps, safety tips, timelines, and when to see a doctor, see below.

Chlamydia is a very common, often silent STI that can feel like stress, yet it is curable with prompt testing, a 7 day doxycycline course, no sex until completion, partner treatment, and retesting at about 3 months to prevent complications like PID and infertility. There are several factors to consider, including who should be screened, pregnancy safe options, urgent warning signs, reinfection risks, and prevention; see below for complete, step by step guidance that could change your next healthcare steps.

There are several factors to consider, and subtle, persistent changes lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks such as unexplained weight loss, unrelenting fatigue, ongoing pain, evolving skin changes, a cough lasting over 3 weeks, unusual bleeding, or bowel and bladder changes can be early signals to seek care. Medically approved next steps include a focused history and exam, targeted imaging, blood tests, and biopsy if needed, with screening guided by your personal risk. If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, seek urgent care, and see the complete guidance below for details that can change the right next step for you.

Prostate cancer is often silent with no early symptoms, yet it is highly treatable when found early. Persistent urinary or sexual changes warrant evaluation and a discussion of PSA and DRE screening, especially if you are older, have a family history, are Black, or carry BRCA mutations. If tests raise concern, next steps usually include repeating the PSA, getting a multiparametric MRI, and possibly a biopsy, with treatment tailored from active surveillance to surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or other advanced care based on stage and risk; there are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more about the details that could shape your next move.