Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

In adults over 65, a vagal response is often benign, but age-related changes, medications, and dehydration can make drops in heart rate and blood pressure more dangerous by increasing the risk of falls and masking heart rhythm problems. Seek emergency care for chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, one-sided weakness or confusion, fainting lasting over a minute, or any head injury; otherwise, book a prompt visit for any fainting or near-fainting, recurrent episodes, unclear triggers, or dizziness on standing. There are several factors to consider. See below for key triggers, red flags, tests your doctor may order, and self-care steps that could change your next steps.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Brown discharge before a period is usually old menstrual blood or minor hormonal spotting, but it can occasionally be implantation bleeding (typically light brown/pink, brief, and about a week before your expected period). If you might be pregnant, take a home test after a missed period and seek care sooner for heavy/prolonged bleeding, severe pain, fever, or foul odor. There are several factors to consider (including birth control effects, infections, and fibroids/polyps)—see below for complete details that can guide your next steps.

Here are 20 key signs of endometriosis: painful periods and chronic pelvic pain; pain with sex, urination, bowel movements, or ovulation; heavy or irregular bleeding; infertility; fatigue/brain fog; GI upset (bloating, gas, nausea), low back or leg pain/sciatica; pain with exercise or pelvic exam; rectal bleeding or mucus; urinary frequency/urgency; constipation or diarrhea; mood changes; cramps between periods; and pelvic swelling/bloating. There are important nuances—like symptoms peaking around menstruation and poor response to typical pain relievers—that can guide your next steps (tracking symptoms, using a symptom checker, talking to a clinician); see the complete details below.

There are several factors to consider—see below to understand more. Narcissism exists on a spectrum; persistent patterns of grandiosity, entitlement, lack of empathy, and attention‑seeking that show up across settings and cause distress or impairment point toward Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The details below cover the two types (grandiose and vulnerable), validated ways to assess (NPI and clinical evaluation), practical next steps (journaling, feedback, symptom checks, therapy options), look‑alike conditions that can change your plan, and when to seek urgent help.

Fatal outcomes from Crohn’s are rare today, but possible—usually from complications like perforation, toxic megacolon, severe infections, or major bleeding if not recognized and treated promptly. Most people live a normal lifespan with modern therapies and close follow-up; there are several factors and warning signs to consider—see below for the details that could guide your next steps.

There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Clues include rare, cyclical and usually one-sided sciatica that flares around your period (buttock-to-back-of-thigh pain with numbness/tingling or weakness), overlap with pelvic endometriosis symptoms, and poor response to standard sciatica treatments. Below you’ll find when to suspect it, what tests confirm it (MRI/laparoscopy), how to track symptoms, treatment options, urgent red flags, and how to discuss next steps with your doctor.

Cyclic leg pain, numbness/tingling, or weakness that follows the sciatic nerve and worsens around your period—especially with pelvic pain, painful periods, or known endometriosis—can suggest sciatic endometriosis, though it’s rare and other sciatica causes are more common. Diagnosis often involves a focused history and neuro/pelvic exam, pelvic and lumbosacral MRI or ultrasound, and sometimes laparoscopy; treatment may include hormonal therapy, pain control, surgery, and physical therapy. There are several factors to consider and urgent symptoms to watch for—see below for key differences from typical sciatica, risk factors, testing steps, and what to do next.

There are several factors to consider: current evidence does not show a direct link, though one small study found DHT rose during a high‑dose loading phase in young men, and no trials have measured actual hair thinning. Genetics, dose (loading vs 3–5 g/day), and other common causes of shedding often matter more; if concerned, monitor your hair and talk with a clinician. See the complete answer below for key nuances, practical dosing tips, and when to seek care that could affect your next steps.

Yes—there are several factors to consider. Creatine often causes a small, early weight increase (about 1–2 kg) from water moving into muscles; with training, later increases are usually from added lean muscle rather than fat, and weight typically stabilizes on maintenance dosing. Important safety and strategy details (hydration, skipping the loading phase, and when to avoid use—e.g., kidney/liver disease or certain meds) are covered below.

By most definitions, using a dildo does not change your virginity status—it’s solo masturbation, not sexual intercourse with another person. There are several factors to consider, including that “virginity” is a social/personal concept that varies by culture and belief, plus important health and safety points (hymen myths, toy hygiene/lube, and when to seek care); see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the GI tract, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and sometimes complications like strictures, fistulas, and abscesses. Diagnosis typically uses blood and stool tests, imaging, and endoscopy, and treatment ranges from nutrition strategies and short-term steroids to immunomodulators and biologics, with surgery for complications. There are several factors to consider for diet, monitoring, vaccines, pregnancy, and when to seek urgent care—see the complete guidance below to inform your next steps.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes symmetrical joint pain, swelling, and morning stiffness and, without early treatment, can lead to permanent joint damage and other systemic complications. There are several factors to consider—how it’s diagnosed (RF/anti-CCP and imaging), evidence-based treatments (DMARDs, biologics, JAK inhibitors), lifestyle and monitoring plans, vaccine and safety guidance, and urgent red flags—see below for complete details and which next steps to take.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: track them daily, try an online symptom check, and book a prompt medical visit—ideally with a rheumatologist—for evaluation with RF/anti‑CCP, ESR/CRP, and imaging. Early treat‑to‑target therapy (DMARDs like methotrexate, short‑term NSAIDs/steroids, or biologics) plus lifestyle measures can slow progression; seek urgent care for high fever, infection signs while on immunosuppressants, chest pain, or sudden severe joint pain. There are several factors that can change your next steps—diagnostic criteria, what to bring to your visit, monitoring frequency, and more—see below for the complete details.