Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Ulcerative colitis cycles between flares and remission in the colon; flares may be triggered by missed medicines, infections, stress, NSAIDs, or diet changes, and are managed with 5-ASA, short courses of steroids, immunomodulators, biologics, or small-molecule drugs to achieve clinical or deep remission. Surgery is considered for severe or medication-resistant disease, steroid dependence, high cancer risk, or serious complications and can be curative by removing the colon, with options like a J-pouch or a permanent ileostomy. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more.

Cholesterol is essential for your body, but imbalances increase heart and stroke risk. LDL raises plaque, HDL helps remove cholesterol, and high triglycerides add risk; doctors consider these together with age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and family history to estimate your heart disease risk. There are several factors to consider, including target ranges, how to improve levels with diet and activity, when medicines like statins are needed, and when to seek care; see the complete guidance below to decide your best next steps.

Vitiligo leads to skin depigmentation mostly from autoimmune attack on melanocytes, influenced by genetics, oxidative stress, and triggers like skin injury or severe sunburn. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Excimer UVB laser can repigment localized patches and is often paired with topical therapies like corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and newer targeted creams, but results, side effects, and required session frequency vary by body area and disease duration. Important details that may affect your next steps with a dermatologist, including when to seek care and how to combine treatments, are outlined below.

Not all moisture in your underwear is vaginal discharge; it could be sweat, light urine leaks, normal arousal fluid, or rectal mucus from hemorrhoids or bowel issues, often influenced by pelvic floor function. There are several factors to consider; see below to learn how to tell fluids apart by timing, odor, texture, and location. Seek care promptly if you notice green, gray, or frothy fluid, strong fishy odor, itching, burning, pain, unexpected bleeding, fever, sudden bowel or bladder changes, or persistent unexplained leakage. Practical tips, pelvic floor support options, and next steps for your healthcare journey are outlined below.

Morning blood in saliva or a bloody throat is most often from dry air, post-nasal drip, and mouth breathing irritating delicate tissues overnight, and it often improves with better bedroom humidity, hydration, and gentle nasal care. There are several factors to consider, and important red flags like increasing or frequent bleeding, trouble breathing, chest pain, or hoarseness lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks mean you should seek care; see the complete guidance below for step-by-step home fixes, humidity targets, and exactly when to call a doctor.

Smartwatches can help spot possible atrial fibrillation early by tracking heart rhythm with optical sensors and on demand ECG, prompting medical evaluation that can lower stroke risk and guide treatment. They support, but do not replace, a doctor’s diagnosis. There are several factors to consider, including false alerts, missed episodes, who benefits most, and clear steps to take if your watch flags AFib or you develop urgent symptoms. See below for important details that can guide your next steps, including when to seek emergency care and how to share data with your clinician.

Early, evidence-based treatment for multiple sclerosis with disease-modifying therapies is crucial; relying on diets or supplements instead can allow silent disease activity to progress, leading to irreversible nerve damage, higher disability risk, and fewer effective options later. No diet alone has been proven to prevent relapses or new lesions. There are several factors to consider, including how to pair nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress care with medical therapy, when to seek urgent help for new symptoms, and how to talk with your doctor about supplements and monitoring; see below for complete details that could affect your next steps.

Fragrance-free does not mean irritation-free for Atopic Dermatitis (eczema); hidden triggers like certain preservatives, botanicals, surfactants, drying alcohols, pH issues, and even masking fragrances can still inflame sensitive skin. There are several factors to consider when choosing products and next steps, including favoring short ingredient lists and low pH creams or ointments, patch testing new items, and seeking medical evaluation if flares persist or suggest infection; see the complete guidance below.

Low carb eating can steady blood sugar, but diet alone is often not enough because insulin sensitivity is strongly shaped by stress and sleep. Ongoing stress elevates cortisol, which increases liver glucose output and reduces insulin response, while short or poor quality sleep further worsens insulin function and appetite signals. There are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below for practical steps to improve stress, sleep, and nutrition together, plus important details and red flags that could change your next steps and when to talk with a clinician.

A "perfect" A1C reflects only an average over the past 8 to 12 weeks and can mask harmful blood sugar swings, including post meal spikes and medication related lows, which can still strain the heart and nerves even when labs look ideal. There are several factors to consider. Ask your clinician about fasting and post meal checks, finger sticks, or continuous glucose monitoring to uncover variability, especially if you have symptoms, use insulin or other glucose lowering drugs, are very active, or have conditions affecting red blood cells; see below for complete details that could change your next steps.

Pins and needles when you get hot is usually due to nerve heat sensitivity, often cholinergic urticaria, where a rise in body temperature triggers acetylcholine and histamine that overstimulate skin nerves, causing stinging, tingling, itching, and sometimes tiny hives. There are several factors to consider, including other causes like small fiber neuropathy, vitamin B12 or thyroid problems, or medication effects, and urgent warning signs like breathing trouble, fainting, facial or throat swelling, chest pain, or persistent weakness, so see the complete guidance below for practical ways to reduce symptoms, when antihistamines may help, and when to speak to a doctor.

There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. The sensation often reflects pelvic floor dysfunction and rectal pressure signals traveling through shared sacral nerves, which makes the urge to poop feel like it is in the lower back. Likely contributors include constipation even if you go daily, tenesmus, and sometimes IBS or rectal irritation, and the key red flags plus what to do next are explained below.

A sharp, sour stool odor usually reflects gut bacteria fermenting undigested carbohydrates, most often from malabsorption, lactose intolerance, or diet shifts like high sugar or rapid fiber changes. If it persists or comes with diarrhea, blood, fever, weight loss, vomiting, or significant pain, speak to a doctor; short term steps like reducing dairy, limiting sugary drinks, eating smaller balanced meals, adding fiber gradually, staying hydrated, and tracking symptoms may help. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including potential IBS, what red flags mean, and which next steps fit your situation.

Morning urination can take longer because sleep-related changes slow the start of flow, including overnight ADH effects, your nervous system still waking up, a very full bladder, and pelvic floor tension. If the stream improves later in the day, this is usually normal. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like persistent all-day weak flow, pain or burning, blood, fever, or inability to urinate mean you should seek care, with practical at-home tips and when to see a doctor outlined below.

One eye watering is most often caused by digital strain that reduces blinking, drying the eye and triggering reflex tearing that can affect one side more than the other. Women working from home are especially prone due to long screen sessions, screen angle and airflow differences, and hormonal influences; a blocked tear duct is another common one sided cause. There are several factors to consider, along with red flags and simple fixes that may change your next steps in care; see below for the complete answer and what to do next.

Frequent ibuprofen use can cause medication overuse headache, a rebound pattern where using it 15 or more days a month for 3 months sensitizes pain pathways, shortens relief, and makes Migraine attacks more frequent and harder to control. There are several factors to consider, including safer ways to cut back, bridge and preventive treatments, warning signs, and risks like stomach or kidney problems; see below for complete guidance that can shape your next steps.

Your period meds can wear off early because acetaminophen often lasts only 4 to 6 hours and does not treat inflammation, while cramps are driven by ongoing prostaglandins and can be intensified by late dosing, stress, dehydration, or skipped meals; NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen last longer and reduce inflammation. Manage the cramp gap safely by dosing on schedule without exceeding labels, considering alternating acetaminophen with an anti-inflammatory only with medical guidance, adding heat, gentle movement, hydration, and sleep, and seeking care if pain is severe, worsening, or atypical; key details and when to call a doctor are explained below.

A sunburn-like feeling on your face without a visible burn is often due to neuro-sensitivity, where overactive trigeminal nerves and blood vessel changes cause flushing, burning, and stinging, commonly linked to rosacea or sensitive skin and triggered by heat, alcohol, spicy foods, stress, or certain products. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more about less common neuropathic facial pain, red flags that should prompt urgent medical care, and step by step ways to calm nerves and protect your skin so you can choose the right next steps.

A 10-day period is longer than average and can be related to hormones, birth control changes, fibroids, or life stage shifts, but it may indicate menorrhagia if bleeding lasts over 7 days, includes large clots, or soaks protection every 1 to 2 hours. Seek urgent care if you soak a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, feel dizzy or faint, have chest pain or shortness of breath, severe lower abdominal pain, or any bleeding during pregnancy. There are several factors and next steps that can change your care plan, including anemia risks and what testing and treatments are appropriate, so see the complete guidance below.

Water-based, silicone, and oil-based lubricants each offer different benefits and limits: water-based is condom and most toy safe and easy to clean but may dry out; silicone is long lasting, works in water, and is condom safe but should not be used with silicone toys; oil-based feels rich and lasts long but is not safe with latex condoms, can be harder to clean, and may raise infection risk for some. There are several factors to consider, including your sensitivity or history of infections, whether you use condoms or toys, session length, and medical changes like menopause. See complete guidance below for key tips, safety warnings, and when to seek care so you can choose the right option for your body.

Seniors often lack magnesium despite a healthy diet because absorption and retention decline with age, medications and digestive changes interfere, and menopause related estrogen loss and stress increase magnesium needs and losses. There are several factors to consider, including symptom overlap with menopause, what to test and when to seek care, and safe ways to use diet, lifestyle, and supplements; see below for the complete answer and guidance on next steps.

Asymptomatic or silent STIs are common, can be passed on even when you feel fine, and may lead to serious problems over time such as infertility, pregnancy complications, or cancer, with frequent silent infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, herpes, and early HIV. There are several factors to consider, including how transmission occurs without symptoms, who should be screened, and practical prevention and treatment steps, so review the complete information below to understand risks and the right next steps for your care.

For breastfeeding, the most reliable and milk-safe options are the implant and IUDs, hormonal or copper (each over 99% effective), with progestin-only pills and the Depo shot also acceptable; combined estrogen methods are usually delayed until at least 6 weeks postpartum due to milk supply and clot risks. There are several factors to consider, including that barrier methods are safe but less effective and that LAM protects only under strict conditions; see below for timing, effectiveness numbers, and medical considerations that could change which method and start date are best for you.

Perimenopause at work: fluctuating estrogen and progesterone, often starting in your 40s, can trigger brain fog, mood shifts, hot flashes, sleep disruption, and fatigue that impact confidence and performance. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand practical adjustments, how to communicate at work, evidence-based treatments including nonhormonal options and hormone therapy, and when symptoms warrant medical care, so you can choose the right next steps.

Chlamydia is a common STI that often has no symptoms; when they do occur, men and women may notice abnormal discharge, burning with urination, pelvic or testicular pain, and infections can also involve the rectum or throat, so routine urine or swab testing based on your sexual practices is important. It is curable with antibiotics, typically doxycycline for 7 days or azithromycin in select cases, and you should avoid sex until treatment is complete and partners are treated to prevent reinfection. There are several factors to consider, including pregnancy, site of infection, when to retest, and risks like PID or infertility if untreated; see the complete guidance below to decide the best next steps.

A well aligned circadian rhythm drives nighttime DNA repair, supports metabolic and immune function, and is linked with healthier aging and lower risk of chronic disease; chronic disruption from irregular sleep, light at night, late eating, or shift work can impair cellular repair over time. There are several factors to consider. Practical steps like morning light, regular sleep and meal timing, limiting evening light and late caffeine, and timing exercise are outlined below along with when to seek care, which may influence your next steps.

Estrogen fluctuations during perimenopause and after menopause commonly cause temporary brain fog, affecting word finding, memory retrieval, and focus by altering neurotransmitters, blood flow, and executive function. There are several factors to consider; sleep loss, stress, mood symptoms, hot flashes, and aging can worsen it, simple habits can help, and hormone therapy has nuanced risks and timing and is not approved specifically for cognition. See below for important details, warning signs that need medical care, and practical next steps to guide your healthcare decisions.

There are several factors to consider. In senior care, sexual consent remains voluntary, informed, specific, ongoing, and based on capacity; cognitive decline does not erase sexual rights, but capacity is task specific and can fluctuate, so it must be assessed individually. Watch for red flags like confusion about a partner’s identity, distress, inability to communicate discomfort, or staff resident power imbalances, and involve healthcare professionals to balance dignity and safety; see details below on capacity checks, trauma considerations, facility policies, and when to speak to a doctor.

There is no fixed number of dates before sex after 65; the right time is an informed, mutual choice grounded in trust, communication, and your physical and emotional readiness. See below for specifics on practical timing ranges, including a common comfort window of 3 to 8 dates when trust is present, plus consent and boundaries, STI testing and protection, and how conditions, medications, or symptoms like dryness or erectile changes can guide safe decisions. These details can shape your next steps in dating and your healthcare journey, including when to speak with a clinician.

There is no set number of dates; the right time is when both partners have enthusiastic consent, can talk openly, feel emotionally ready, and have a clear plan for STI testing, condoms, and birth control. There are several factors and warning signs to consider that can change your next steps, such as past trauma, mismatched expectations, and when to seek medical care for STI risks, pregnancy concerns, pain, or distress; see below for complete guidance.