Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Over 65, clear rectal mucus is often not an emergency and may come from hemorrhoids, fissures, or IBS, but because cancer risk rises with age you should be checked if it is frequent or high volume or if any red flags appear. Red flags include blood, unexplained weight loss, a new persistent change in bowel habits, significant abdominal or rectal pain, fever, or signs of anemia, and seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pain with distension, high fever, or fainting. There are several factors to consider, including possible colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, proctitis, rectal prolapse, and special concerns if you have liver disease, so see below for complete guidance on when to get checked, what to monitor, and safe home measures.

There are several factors to consider: in adults over 65, persistent hunger after meals often reflects diet balance issues (low protein or fiber, high-glycemic carbs), dehydration, medication effects, or blood sugar swings, but it can also point to thyroid disease, diabetes, malabsorption, or liver-related muscle loss. Watch for red flags like unintended weight loss, severe belly symptoms, black stools, dehydration signs, or unstable glucose; start with protein- and fiber-rich meals, better hydration, and a medication review, and see your doctor if it continues, with fuller guidance and next steps detailed below.

There are several factors to consider for adults over 65 with a burning skin sensation and no visible rash: while dry skin or minor irritation are common, it can also indicate neuropathy from diabetes or vitamin deficiency, early shingles, medication side effects, or cholestatic liver disease. It is serious if the burning is sudden and severe or one-sided, or comes with weakness, numbness, coordination issues, bowel or bladder changes, fever, chest pain, or rapid skin color changes; see a clinician if it lasts more than two weeks, worsens, spreads, or disrupts sleep, and find the complete evaluation, tests, and self-care steps below.

In adults over 65, a vibrating or buzzing leg is concerning if it persists or worsens, or if it occurs with numbness or tingling, burning, weakness, balance trouble, skin color change, swelling, or a cold foot; seek urgent care for sudden one sided weakness or numbness, severe pain, trouble walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or signs of a blood clot. Brief episodes that ease with rest and follow exertion or caffeine, without pain, weakness, or color change, are usually benign. There are several factors to consider, including neuropathy, restless legs, circulation and spine problems that affect testing and treatment; see below for the full list of red flags, workup, and next steps.

Go to the ER or call 911 if fainting during a bowel movement in someone over 65 is accompanied by chest pain or palpitations, confusion or weakness, seizure-like movements or loss of consciousness over a minute, very low blood pressure or slow pulse, shortness of breath, heavy rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fever, or any head injury. Most brief episodes from straining are benign, but age, heart disease, medications, dehydration, and fall risks raise the stakes. There are several factors to consider; important details that may change your next steps are outlined below.

If you are over 65, left-side chest or upper abdominal pain that worsens with a deep breath needs the ER when it is sudden or severe, comes with new shortness of breath, pain spreading to the jaw, arm, or back, fast or irregular heartbeat, coughing up blood, high fever, dizziness or fainting, or one-sided leg swelling. These red flags can signal pulmonary embolism, heart attack, pneumonia, collapsed lung, pericarditis, or aortic dissection, while milder causes like muscle strain, pleurisy, or reflux are also possible. There are several factors to consider, including risks after surgery or long travel and how symptoms evolve; see below for the complete answer and next-step guidance.

There are several factors to consider for sudden right rib pain in adults over 65; even minor falls can cause multiple rib fractures and complications. Go to the ER immediately if you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain that radiates, coughing blood, high fever or confusion, faintness or a very rapid heartbeat, signs of shock, persistent vomiting or abdominal swelling, or pain so intense you cannot breathe deeply or lie flat. If symptoms are mild without red flags, short-term rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers may be reasonable, but arrange prompt doctor follow-up; see below for specific causes, added warning signs, and the right next steps.

Go to the ER now if the pain is sudden and severe or disabling, or if you have high fever, persistent vomiting, a hard tender groin lump you cannot push back in, scrotal redness or swelling, trouble urinating, blood in urine or semen, dizziness, fainting, or other signs of shock. These red flags can signal emergencies like testicular torsion, an incarcerated hernia, kidney stone colic, Fournier’s gangrene, or a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm where minutes to hours matter. If symptoms are milder and gradual, outpatient care may be appropriate, but there are several factors to consider. See below for details on specific red flags, what the ER will do, when office care is reasonable, and age related risks that could change your next steps.

In adults over 65, viral tonsillitis usually stops being contagious about 5–7 days after symptoms start, while untreated strep can spread for up to 2–3 weeks; after 24 hours of appropriate antibiotics and no fever, you are generally no longer contagious, though older or immunosuppressed adults may shed longer. Get checked promptly for high fever lasting more than 2 days, trouble breathing or swallowing, severe pain or dehydration, or if you have chronic conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or cirrhosis, take steroids, or had known strep exposure. There are several factors to consider; see complete details below.

In adults over 65, a faint is a red flag if it happens without warning, is paired with chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, head injury, or abnormal vitals or ECG, or occurs in someone with known heart disease, a strong family history of sudden death, or repeated episodes despite precautions. Any San Francisco Syncope Rule item also means urgent evaluation is needed: systolic blood pressure under 90, dyspnea, abnormal ECG, hematocrit under 30 percent, or a history of heart failure. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including the full checklist of warning signs, other conditions that mimic vasovagal syncope, and the tests and next steps that may change what you do today.

Seek urgent care if you have severe, unrelenting upper-abdominal pain (often radiating to the back), persistent vomiting, fever over 101°F, rapid heartbeat, jaundice, shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness/low blood pressure, or decreased urine—these can signal serious complications or organ failure. Mild cases may improve with rest and fluids, but severe pancreatitis is life-threatening; there are several factors to consider, and the complete guidance below covers key warning signs, when home care is unsafe, how doctors gauge risk (BISAP), follow-up, and long-term risks that could affect your next steps.

For seniors with stage 3 liver cirrhosis, realistic survival is often around 1 to 3 years, though it varies widely with age, other illnesses, and control of complications; if it advances to Child-Pugh C, median survival may drop to about 6 months to 2 years. There are several factors to consider and proven steps that can improve outcomes, including transplant evaluation; see below for specific numbers, how MELD and complications change risk, and the next actions to discuss with your doctor.

Early signs can include abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex, or after menopause), unusual watery or foul-smelling discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, pain during sex, and sometimes urinary changes or unexplained lower back or leg pain. Because early stages can be silent, routine Pap and HPV screening are important. There are several factors to consider that could affect your next steps, including when to see a clinician and what tests might be needed; see complete details below.

Pancreatitis most often stems from gallstones blocking the duct or heavy alcohol use; other causes include very high triglycerides, certain medications, autoimmune pancreatitis, genetic mutations, structural duct abnormalities, infections or trauma, and high calcium levels. There are several factors to consider—see below for details on risk factors, warning signs, tests, and next steps for care.

Pancreatitis often feels like sudden, severe, unrelenting upper-abdominal pain (usually mid or left side) that can burn or ache, radiate straight through to the back, and worsen after eating, with nausea/vomiting, bloating, fever, and a rapid pulse. Chronic cases bring recurrent upper-belly pain plus poor digestion (weight loss, greasy stools) and can lead to new or worsening diabetes. There are several factors to consider—including red flags and when to seek urgent care, treatment options, and risk checks—see below for the complete answer and next steps.

During cervical cancer screening, a clinician performs a brief pelvic exam, gently inserts a speculum, and uses a soft brush to collect cells from the cervix for a Pap test, an HPV test, or both; it takes about 5 to 10 minutes and usually feels like pressure or mild cramping, with results in 1 to 3 weeks. There are several factors to consider that can affect next steps, including how to prepare, how often to screen by age, and what different results mean, from routine follow-up to colposcopy or treatment. See below for the complete answer to guide your next steps.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas—an organ that makes digestive enzymes and insulin—caused when enzymes activate too early and begin digesting the pancreas itself, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes life‑threatening complications. It can be acute (sudden, often resolves) or chronic (long‑term, irreversible damage with digestive problems and diabetes), commonly triggered by gallstones, alcohol, high triglycerides, or certain medications. There are several factors to consider, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and when to seek urgent care—see below for complete details that may affect your next steps.

Exercise is strongly linked to erectile function: regular aerobic, strength, and pelvic floor training improves blood flow and endothelial health, supports testosterone, aids weight loss, lowers cardiometabolic risks, and eases anxiety, with studies showing meaningful improvements and even restoration of erections in some men. There are several factors to consider, including which types and amounts of exercise help most and key safety steps or red flags that require medical care; see below for specific routines, precautions, and guidance on when to talk to a doctor.

Advanced cervical cancer commonly causes abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, pelvic or back pain and pain with sex, plus urinary or bowel changes; whole body symptoms like fatigue, weight loss and anemia can also appear. When it spreads, people may develop leg swelling, kidney or flank pain from blocked urine flow, continuous leakage of urine or stool, bone pain or fractures, cough or shortness of breath, jaundice, or neurological changes such as headaches or seizures. There are several factors to consider. See below for the complete list of symptoms, urgent red flags, how treatment side effects can mimic disease, and what next steps to take with your care team.

No—using a dildo does not permanently loosen your vagina; its elastic tissues typically rebound, though a temporary relaxed feeling right after play is normal. There are several factors to consider, including pelvic-floor strength, childbirth and aging, and safe toy use (size, lubrication, hygiene). See the full details below, including when to seek care (pain, bleeding, pelvic pressure) and simple Kegels to maintain tone.

Eating with Crohn’s is highly individualized: during flares, focus on low-residue, easily digested foods, small frequent meals, adequate protein, and hydration; in remission, gradually reintroduce fiber, whole foods, and fermented/probiotic options as tolerated. There are several factors to consider—macronutrient balance, fat and lactose tolerance, key vitamins/minerals (iron, B12, vitamin D/calcium), options like enteral nutrition, and lifestyle steps (stress, smoking, exercise, sleep); see below for specifics, red-flag symptoms, and how to work with your care team.

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection spread by direct contact with an infected person or animal, touching contaminated objects or surfaces (like towels, hairbrushes, gym mats, floors), and less commonly from soil; it can also spread to new areas on your own body through scratching. Your risk rises in warm, humid conditions, with heavy sweating, tight or non-breathable clothing, close-contact sports or crowded living, skin breaks, poor hygiene, or a weakened immune system. There are several factors to consider—including key prevention tips and when OTC treatment is enough versus when to see a doctor (especially for scalp or nail infections)—see below to understand more.

For adults and children 12+, take 2 caplets at migraine onset and, if needed, repeat every 6 hours; do not exceed 8 caplets in 24 hours, and limit use to about 2 days per week (no more than 10 days per month) to avoid medication-overuse headaches. There are several important safety factors to consider—liver disease or heavy alcohol use, bleeding risk from aspirin, caffeine sensitivity, pregnancy/nursing, older age, and drug interactions—see details below. If you need it more often or your headaches are changing, talk with a clinician about preventive options and review the red-flag symptoms listed below.

Endometriosis can often be diagnosed without immediate surgery by combining expert transvaginal ultrasound (adding MRI when needed) with symptom/risk questionnaires and limited biomarkers like CA-125, then integrating results to guide a trial of medical therapy. Accuracy depends on specialist interpretation and disease severity, and laparoscopy remains the gold standard when tests are inconclusive, pain is severe, or fertility is a priority. There are several factors to consider and a step-by-step workflow that can affect your next steps—see the complete guidance below.

For fast relief, start treatment at the first sign: rest in a dark, quiet room, use a cold compress, hydrate, consider a small dose of caffeine, and take early OTC pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen); if these aren’t enough, migraine‑specific prescriptions like triptans—especially sumatriptan plus naproxen—can work better, with newer options (ditans/gepants) if triptans aren’t suitable. To reduce future attacks, manage triggers with regular sleep/meals/exercise and consider non‑drug therapies or preventive medicines (e.g., beta‑blockers or CGRP antibodies), and know the red‑flag symptoms that need urgent care—there are important dosing limits, safety caveats, and step‑by‑step choices to consider, so see the complete guidance below.

Fast relief usually comes from treating early with OTC NSAIDs or acetaminophen, prescription triptans, anti-nausea meds, and non-drug steps (dark, quiet room; cold/warm compresses), while long-term control relies on consistent sleep, hydration and trigger management, regular exercise, stress-reduction techniques (relaxation, CBT, biofeedback, mindfulness), and preventive options like beta-blockers, topiramate, amitriptyline, CGRP antibodies, magnesium, riboflavin, CoQ10, and Botox for chronic cases. There are several factors to consider—including dosing, which triptan works fastest, when to start prevention, how to use a headache diary, and urgent red flags—so see the complete guidance below to choose the right next steps with your clinician.

Endometriosis happens when tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing varied symptoms (pelvic pain, heavy periods, painful sex, bowel/bladder pain, fatigue, and sometimes infertility); diagnosis can involve imaging, with laparoscopy as the gold standard. Management is individualized—ranging from hormonal therapies and surgery to pain strategies, pelvic floor PT, lifestyle changes, fertility planning, and mental health support—plus knowing urgent red flags like sudden severe pain or heavy bleeding. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below to understand your options and next steps, including building a care team, tracking symptoms, workplace accommodations, and when to seek specialist care.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include symmetrical pain, soft swelling, warmth, and reduced motion in small joints (hands, wrists, feet), with morning stiffness lasting 30–60 minutes or more, plus fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss. Some people also develop extra-articular issues like firm skin nodules, dry or inflamed eyes, lung or heart involvement, anemia, or nerve compression—there are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including red flags and next steps for diagnosis and care.

Creatine helps women increase strength and power, build lean muscle, recover faster, and may support bone density and cognitive function by boosting phosphocreatine stores for quicker ATP regeneration. It’s generally safe for most healthy women at 3–5 g/day of creatine monohydrate, but there are several factors to consider—hydration, loading vs. maintenance, mild side effects, and when to avoid or talk to a clinician (kidney/liver disease, pregnancy, certain meds); see complete guidance and next steps below.

Ringworm typically appears as circular or ring-shaped red patches with raised, well-defined edges and a clearer center, often scaly, itchy, and expanding outward. The look varies by location—scalp (scaly hair loss with broken hairs), feet (peeling/cracking between toes), groin (itchy rings with central clearing), nails (thick, discolored, crumbly)—so there are several factors to consider. See the complete details below, including early vs. advanced signs, how it spreads, treatment options, and when to seek care, as these can affect your next steps.