Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

If you’re pregnant and took Robitussin, it’s usually not an emergency, but safety depends on the exact formula, dose, timing, and your health history; dextromethorphan is generally low risk, while multi-symptom products with decongestants or alcohol need more caution. Stop further doses, check the product label for ingredients and amounts, and contact your clinician, especially if you’re in the first trimester, took repeated or high doses, or have conditions like high blood pressure. There are several factors to consider that could change your next steps, including red flag symptoms to watch for and safer alternatives, so see the complete information below.

Some Robitussin products can make you drowsy, especially nighttime versions that contain the sedating antihistamine doxylamine, while daytime or DM formulas with dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are typically non drowsy for most people. There are several factors to consider, including individual sensitivity, illness related fatigue, and interactions with alcohol or other sedatives, so see the complete guidance below for important details that can affect safety, driving, and when to contact a clinician.

Safer choices are usually single-ingredient Robitussin with dextromethorphan or guaifenesin used at the lowest effective dose, while products with decongestants like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, alcohol, or multi-symptom combos are best avoided, especially in the first trimester, unless your clinician advises otherwise. There are several factors to consider. See below for important details on trimester-specific cautions, label-reading tips, non-drug alternatives, safe dosing, and red flags that mean you should call a doctor.

The ingredient most likely to knock you out is doxylamine succinate, a sedating antihistamine found in Robitussin Nighttime or PM formulas. Other ingredients like diphenhydramine, higher-dose dextromethorphan, or prescription codeine can add to drowsiness, so always check the Active Ingredients and drowsiness warnings. There are several factors to consider, including age, alcohol or other medications, driving safety, and when to call a doctor; see the complete guidance below to understand what to do next and which non-drowsy options may be safer.

Pneumonia is not always contagious, but many of the viruses and bacteria that cause it are; after household exposure, those most likely to develop pneumonia include older adults, babies and young children, people with lung or heart disease or diabetes, anyone with a weakened immune system, and smokers. There are several factors to consider, including how the germ spreads at home, when the sick person is most contagious, early warning symptoms to watch for, and proven steps to protect others; see the complete details below to guide your next steps and when to seek medical care.

Starting antibiotics does not make you noncontagious right away; with bacterial pneumonia you may still spread germs for 24 to 48 hours after the first doses, and if the cause is viral, antibiotics do not reduce contagiousness at all. There are several factors to consider, including the germ, the antibiotic, illness severity, and who around you is high risk; see below for practical precautions, when to delay going out, and the urgent warning signs and next steps that could change what you should do.

Yes, you can usually take Sudafed and Mucinex together safely, since they target different symptoms when used correctly for short term relief. There are several factors to consider: avoid double dosing from combo products like Mucinex D, follow label doses, and use caution if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving to a child; a pharmacist can help you check. See below for exact dosing tips, who should not combine them, side effects to watch for, and when to seek medical care.

Yes, Sudafed can make some people sleepy. Despite being a stimulant, drowsiness can come from individual nervous system reactions, sedating add-ons in multi-symptom versions, the underlying illness, mild blood flow changes, rebound fatigue, or dehydration. There are several factors to consider. See below for label-checking tips, timing and hydration advice, when it’s usually not a problem, and the warning signs that mean you should talk to a doctor.

Taking Metamucil right before bed is the most common mistake; with less water intake and slower overnight gut motility, psyllium can thicken and sit longer, leading to hard pellet-like stools, bloating, cramping, or reflux-like discomfort. For best results, take it in the morning or midday with a full glass of water, stay upright, and leave 2 to 3 hours before lying down; there are several factors and exceptions to consider, plus red flags that may need medical attention, so see the complete guidance below.

Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and is recommended at age 11-12, once in adulthood if you have never had it, during every pregnancy at 27-36 weeks, and as a booster with Td or Tdap every 10 years or sooner after certain wounds. It is safe and effective, but your exact plan can vary based on prior doses, age, pregnancy status, exposure to infants, missed boosters, school or work requirements, and allergy history. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete timing charts, special situations like catch-up and wound care, and guidance on when to talk with your clinician.

Sudafed and Mucinex can be safe together when you use single‑ingredient versions like Sudafed with pseudoephedrine only and Mucinex with guaifenesin only, but multi‑symptom formulas can quietly double dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, or decongestants, increasing risks like liver injury, rapid heart rate, and confusion. There are several factors to consider, including your blood pressure and which exact products you picked; check the active ingredients, avoid taking two products with DM, track doses, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if unsure. See the complete details below for specific safe pairings, overlap traps, and warning signs that should prompt medical care.

Hip dips are a normal, anatomy-driven contour shaped by your pelvis and bone structure, so influencer fixes like targeted exercises, diets, supplements, or waist trainers cannot erase them, and you cannot spot-redistribute fat. You can strengthen hips for function and comfort, and if you have pain, stiffness, clicking, or night pain you should seek proper medical guidance. There are several factors to consider; see the complete details below for what helps, what does not, the risks of cosmetic options, and the best next steps in your care.

The one timing mistake is getting the Tdap vaccine too early or waiting until after delivery, which protects the parent but not the baby in time; the optimal window is 27 to 36 weeks in every pregnancy so antibodies cross the placenta and shield newborns from pertussis during their highest risk period. There are several factors to consider; see below for what to do if you are past 36 weeks, why cocooning alone is not enough, safety evidence, and when to contact your clinician, since these details can shape your next steps.

Farxiga often makes you pee more because it blocks SGLT2 in the kidneys, so glucose is lost in the urine and water follows, a normal osmotic diuresis that is usually most noticeable early on and often comes with larger volumes and increased thirst. It is not normal if this comes with dehydration signs, burning or urgency, genital itching or discharge, waking many times at night, or serious symptoms like nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, or extreme fatigue, in which case you should seek care. There are several factors to consider and practical steps that can change your next best move, so see the complete answer below.

Pneumonia can be contagious, and there are several factors to consider. Viral and some bacterial pneumonias spread through droplets and may still be transmissible even as you feel better, while aspiration, chemical, or immune related pneumonias are not; antibiotics usually lower bacterial spread within 24 to 48 hours. For how long you might be contagious, when to stay home, who is high risk, the tests doctors use, and urgent warning signs, see the complete guidance below.

The DayQuil and Mucinex combo often makes people feel worse by overstimulating the body through phenylephrine and by sending mixed cough signals, since DayQuil suppresses cough while Mucinex encourages it, leading to jitters, dizziness, nausea, chest tightness, and brain fog. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Below you will find who is most at risk, how dehydration and dosing play a role, safer ways to use or space these meds, and when to stop and talk to a doctor so you can choose the right next step.

Ulcerative colitis flare ups are driven by an overactive immune response in the colon and are commonly triggered by missed or stopped medications, gut infections, stress, certain foods or alcohol, NSAIDs or antibiotics, hormonal shifts, changes in smoking, and poor sleep or exhaustion. Triggers differ by person, so tracking your patterns and staying on prescribed therapy can reduce risk and help catch worsening symptoms early. There are several factors to consider, including when to seek urgent care for severe bleeding, pain, fever, or rapid weight loss; see below for a complete list of causes, red flags, and prevention steps that can shape your next healthcare decisions.

Blood in stool in women can stem from common issues like hemorrhoids or anal fissures, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or medications, but it can also signal colon polyps or colorectal cancer or diverticular bleeding; color gives clues, and black tar-like stools need urgent care. There are several factors to consider, including how often it happens, how much blood there is, other symptoms like pain, fever, diarrhea, or dizziness, and your age or family history; speak to a doctor if bleeding recurs or is heavy. See below to understand more.

Mucinex contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that thins and loosens chest mucus so coughs are more productive, which helps most with wet, phlegmy congestion from colds or flu and works best with good hydration. There are several factors to consider, including that it is not for dry or allergy-only coughs or coughs from reflux or asthma without mucus, some formulas add other drugs, and certain symptoms should prompt medical care; see the complete guidance below to decide your next steps.

Ulcerative colitis pain is usually cramping or squeezing with a dull, pressure-like ache in the lower abdomen or rectum, coming in waves and often worsening just before a bowel movement, sometimes with burning rectal discomfort and a constant urge to go. It can range from mild, occasional cramps to intense, persistent pain that limits daily activities, and relief after a bowel movement may be brief during flares. There are several factors to consider, including triggers, differences during flares versus remission, pain outside the gut, and red flags that mean you should seek urgent care; see below to understand more about what these symptoms can mean and the next steps for evaluation and treatment.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor taken once daily that lowers blood sugar by helping the kidneys excrete glucose and is also proven to reduce heart failure hospitalizations and slow chronic kidney disease progression, including in some people without diabetes. Key safety points include risks of dehydration and low blood pressure, rare ketoacidosis, urinary and genital infections, and kidney function changes, and it is not for type 1 diabetes or treating DKA. There are several factors and exceptions that could affect your next steps; see the complete indications, dosing, and safety guidance below.

It most often begins in young adulthood, typically between ages 15 and 30, with a smaller second peak between 50 and 70, though it can start at any age. Symptoms usually start gradually over weeks to months, but some people have a sudden onset with diarrhea, urgency, and blood or mucus in the stool. There are several factors to consider, including early signs, triggers, and when to seek care; see below for the complete answer and guidance on next steps.

There are several factors to consider. Be more concerned if bleeding is repeated or increasing, dark maroon or black, has no clear cause, or comes with weakness, dizziness, weight loss, ongoing belly pain, changes in bowel habits, fever, or signs of anemia, especially if you are over 45 or have a family history. Seek urgent care for large amounts of blood, black tarry stools, fainting, or severe abdominal pain. See the complete guidance below for what stool color means, which symptoms matter most, who is higher risk, and which next steps to take.

Ulcerative colitis occurs in the large intestine, always starting in the rectum and spreading continuously upward along the colon’s inner lining without skipping areas. It does not involve the small intestine, stomach, esophagus, or mouth, and the exact extent can influence symptoms, testing, and treatment options. There are several factors to consider, see below for important details that may affect your next steps in care.

Most often on the lower left side of the abdomen, because ulcerative colitis usually starts in the rectum and sigmoid colon; pain may also occur deep in the pelvis or near the anus when only the rectum is involved, along the left side with left-sided colitis, or across the whole abdomen in extensive disease. There are several factors to consider, including cramping that improves after bowel movements, occasional rectal or lower back pain, and warning signs that need urgent care; see below for complete details that could affect your next steps in care.

Gastroenterologists are the primary specialists who diagnose and manage IBD long term, with pediatric gastroenterologists for children; primary care doctors help coordinate care, and colorectal surgeons step in when complications or refractory disease require surgery. Care teams often also include registered dietitians, mental health professionals, and IBD‑trained nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants; there are several factors to consider about who to see first and when to add specialists, so see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Inflammatory bowel disease causes diarrhea for several reasons. See below to understand more. Active inflammation injures the intestinal lining and speeds transit, so less water and electrolytes are absorbed while the gut secretes extra fluid; ulcers, bile acid malabsorption, microbiome shifts, prior bowel surgery, and some medications can further trigger watery, urgent stools, and these details can influence which treatments and next steps are right for you.

Inflammatory bowel disease occurs when a genetically susceptible person’s immune system misfires against normal gut microbes after environmental triggers, causing chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. There are several factors to consider, including specific genes, shifts in the gut microbiome, and exposures such as smoking, diet, and antibiotics. Stress does not cause IBD but can worsen flares; see below for the complete explanation and how these details can influence testing, treatment choices, and when to seek care.

There are several factors to consider: in ulcerative colitis, inflammation injures the colon’s lining so it cannot absorb water, ulcers add fluid and mucus, and faster transit reduces absorption, together causing frequent, urgent, watery stools that may include blood. Important details about triggers, dehydration, and when to seek urgent care can influence your next steps, so see the complete explanation below to understand more.

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease usually shows on colonoscopy, which can reveal visible inflammation, ulcers, bleeding, and patterns typical of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; biopsies taken during the procedure help confirm the diagnosis. However, there are exceptions such as remission, early disease, or Crohn’s limited to the small intestine where colonoscopy may appear normal, so additional tests may be needed. There are several factors to consider that can influence next steps; see below for important details.