Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

There are several factors to consider: in adults over 65, a cold typically brings a runny or stuffy nose and a mild cough with little or no fever, while pneumonia is more likely if you have a high fever, a persistent cough with yellow, green or blood-tinged mucus, noticeable shortness of breath, sharp chest pain with breathing, or new confusion and severe fatigue. Because complications rise with age, seek urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, or high fever, and see below for important details on risk factors, tests like chest X-ray, when hospital care is needed, at-home care for colds, prevention, and how to choose your next steps.

In adults over 65, painless abdominal twitching is usually a benign muscle fasciculation linked to caffeine, stress, dehydration, electrolyte shifts, medications, or muscle fatigue. Seek prompt care if you notice weakness, numbness, pain, rapid spread of twitches, trouble swallowing or breathing, fever, weight loss, or if symptoms persist or worsen. There are several factors to consider. For key self-care steps, when to see a doctor, and which tests may be appropriate, see the complete details 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There is no clinical proof that baking soda plus apple cider vinegar cures ED, and for men 65 and older the mix can increase risks like high blood pressure, fluid retention, reflux, and medication interactions. ACV may modestly lower post-meal blood sugar and baking soda can help high-intensity exercise, but neither improves penile blood flow or nerve signaling, so proven options like PDE5 inhibitors, cardiovascular risk control, and pelvic floor exercise are more effective. There are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below for specific risks, dosing pitfalls, safer next steps, and when to seek care.

There are several factors to consider; older adults are at higher risk from new COVID symptoms, especially with heart, lung, diabetes, kidney, or liver disease; see below to understand more. Seek urgent care now for trouble breathing or oxygen under 94 percent, chest pain or pressure, new confusion or severe drowsiness, bluish lips or nails, persistent high fever, severe dehydration, or sudden severe headache, vision changes, or one sided weakness. Call 911 for seizures, fainting, slurred speech, stroke symptoms, or severe injury, and see below for home monitoring steps, online symptom checkers, and when to contact your doctor.

In adults age 65 and older, mucus leakage without stool often reflects irritation or inflammation of the lower bowel from IBS, IBD, infection, diverticular disease, hemorrhoids or anal fissures, fecal incontinence, medication or diet changes, or reduced blood flow to the colon; less commonly it can be from colorectal polyps or cancer. Seek prompt care if there is blood, fever, severe or persistent abdominal pain, weight loss, dehydration, or a new change in bowel habits lasting more than a week. Key red flags, what to track, and which tests and next steps to consider are outlined below.

After age 65, fainting commonly results from an exaggerated vagus nerve reflex that widens blood vessels and slows the heart; age-related changes in blood pressure control, dehydration, multiple medications, and conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s raise the risk and make triggers like heat, prolonged standing, or sudden standing more likely. Prevention often includes good hydration, clinician-approved salt, slow position changes, avoiding known triggers, compression stockings, and counterpressure maneuvers at early warning signs. There are several factors to consider; see below for key diagnostic steps and when to seek urgent care.

A vagal response is an overactivation of the vagus nerve that abruptly slows the heart and widens blood vessels, dropping blood pressure and sometimes causing dizziness or fainting. In adults 65 and older it happens more easily due to age-related changes in blood pressure control, dehydration or lower blood volume, and medications, and it can be triggered by pain, emotional stress, heat, straining, or standing up quickly. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete details on warning signs, prevention, testing, and when to seek care that could guide your next steps.

Defecation syncope in adults 65+ is a brief fainting episode triggered by straining during a bowel movement, more likely with constipation, dehydration, certain medicines, and heart or autonomic nerve problems. If you feel faint on the toilet, stop straining, sit and lean forward with your head down, breathe slowly, call for help, and if you pass out lie on your side and call 911 if you do not wake quickly, hit your head, or have chest pain or shortness of breath. There are several warning signs, prevention steps, and reasons to see a doctor that could change your next steps; see below for important details.

There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. In people 65 and older, post-meal hunger commonly stems from changes in appetite hormones, altered digestion or muscle loss, medication effects, blood sugar or thyroid issues, and meals that are low in protein or high in refined carbs. Helpful fixes and when to seek care are outlined below, including specific protein and fiber targets, meal timing, hydration and strength training tips, guidance on reviewing medications, and red flags like unintended weight change, weakness, or new digestive symptoms.

In adults 65 and older, left-sided pain with a deep breath is often from musculoskeletal strain or costochondritis, but lung issues like pleurisy, pneumonia, or a pulmonary embolism, heart problems such as pericarditis or a heart attack, and abdominal causes like GERD or spleen or pancreas conditions can also be responsible. Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, heavy sweating, coughing up blood, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, while mild muscle-related pain may improve with rest and over the counter medicine. There are several factors to consider and key clues that can guide your next steps; see the complete details below to understand what to watch for and when to contact a doctor.

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.

There is no clinical evidence that baking soda or apple cider vinegar improve erectile function in men over 65. Apple cider vinegar may modestly help weight and blood sugar control, which can indirectly support vascular health, but neither remedy is proven for ED and both carry risks, including electrolyte issues with baking soda and tooth or throat irritation and medication interactions with vinegar. Safer, evidence based options are available; there are several factors to consider, so see below for important details and guidance on next steps.

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.

Cervical cancer is common worldwide, with about 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020, making it the fourth most frequent cancer in women; in the U.S., it causes roughly 14,100 new cases and 4,280 deaths each year. Rates vary widely by region and can drop with HPV vaccination and screening, and there are several factors and next steps to consider for your situation. See the complete details below.

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.

Start screening at 21; ages 21 to 29 get a Pap test every 3 years; ages 30 to 65 choose HPV testing every 5 years, Pap every 3 years, or both tests together every 5 years, with co-testing preferred. You can stop after 65 if you have had adequate negative prior screening or after a total hysterectomy for noncancer reasons, but people with a history of high grade precancer, cancer, or who are immunocompromised need different plans. There are several factors to consider that may change your timing and follow up; see below for the complete guidance.

Endometriosis is diagnosed through a detailed history and pelvic exam, then imaging with transvaginal ultrasound to look for ovarian endometriomas and MRI when deep involvement is suspected or ultrasound is unclear. Blood tests like CA-125 may support the picture but cannot confirm it. Definitive confirmation requires diagnostic laparoscopy with biopsy, which can also allow treatment; there are several factors to consider about which test to use when, when surgery is appropriate, and when to see a specialist. See below for important details that could affect your next steps.

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.

Bleeding after sex can be a warning sign of cervical changes, but most cases are not cancer; in a large study, fewer than 1 in 500 women with this symptom were diagnosed with cervical cancer within a year, though about 5 to 7 percent had high grade precancerous changes. There are several factors to consider, and key details about other causes, red flags, and the best next steps for testing and prevention are below.

The baking soda trick means drinking about 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water before sex to try to boost erections by briefly raising body alkalinity. There is no clinical evidence it works, and a teaspoon delivers about 1,260 mg of sodium that can raise blood pressure and worsen heart or kidney disease, plus it can cause stomach upset and medication interactions. There are several factors to consider and safer, proven treatments; see below for details that could affect your next steps.

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.

In adults over 65, a cold usually builds slowly with mostly nasal congestion and a mild cough, while newer COVID is more likely to bring sudden loss of smell or taste without a stuffy nose, higher or persistent fever, marked fatigue, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, or confusion, and it can last longer or worsen faster. Because seniors can have atypical signs and a higher risk of complications, test early and contact a clinician if symptoms change or persist. There are several factors to consider; for subtle red flags and exact next steps, see the complete details below.