Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Most painless belly fluttering at age 65+ is usually due to benign muscle fasciculations linked to mild electrolyte imbalances or dehydration, caffeine or other stimulants, medications, or stress; less often it stems from nerve irritation or thyroid or liver disease. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like persistent or worsening twitching, new weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, or bowel changes should prompt medical care; see below for specific self-care steps, when to seek help, and the evaluations a doctor may recommend.

Common causes include gallbladder disease, biliary infections, liver problems, kidney stones or infection, musculoskeletal strain or rib fracture, lung or pleural issues like pneumonia or pulmonary embolism, heart attack, gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers or pancreatitis, and early shingles. In adults over 65, symptoms can be atypical and complications are more likely. Seek urgent care for severe or persistent pain, fever, jaundice, breathing trouble, fainting, or blood in vomit or stool. There are several factors to consider; see the details below for specific warning signs, diagnostic tests, and treatments to guide your next steps.

First, isolate immediately and wear a well-fitting mask around others, then contact your healthcare provider right away to arrange testing and ask whether you qualify for early antiviral treatment. Start monitoring at home by checking your oxygen level with a pulse oximeter and your temperature, and note when symptoms began. There are several factors to consider, including which symptoms are red flags that require emergency care and how to support recovery; see the complete, step-by-step guidance below.

A vibrating or buzzing feeling in the leg after age 65 is usually nerve-related paresthesia, most often from peripheral neuropathy or restless legs syndrome, but circulation problems, spinal nerve compression, and medication effects are also common causes. There are several factors to consider. Evaluation may include blood tests, nerve studies, Doppler or spine imaging, and you should seek urgent care for new weakness, severe pain, swelling, warmth or redness that could suggest a clot. See below to understand more about specific causes, red flags, and treatment options to discuss with your doctor.

At-home steps that can improve ED in men over 65 include a Mediterranean-style, heart-healthy diet; regular aerobic and pelvic-floor exercises; weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar control; quitting smoking; limiting alcohol; better sleep; and stress management, with any supplements used cautiously and reviewed by your doctor. Managing diabetes, cardiovascular and liver disease is also crucial, and urgent care is needed for sudden loss of erections, chest pain with sex, or penile pain or changes; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.

Yes, changes in vaginal discharge can sometimes signal cervical disease, including cervical cancer, though most discharge changes are benign. Patterns that warrant prompt medical evaluation include watery or blood-tinged discharge, a strong foul odor, or a persistent increase, especially if accompanied by spotting after sex, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, or symptoms after menopause. There are several factors to consider. See below for what is normal vs not, when to seek care, and the role of Pap and HPV testing, vaccination, and other next steps.

Pelvic or lower back pain is common and usually due to benign causes, but it can rarely be linked to advanced cervical cancer, especially if the pain is persistent or worsening, wakes you at night, is not relieved by rest or over-the-counter medicine, or is accompanied by abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, weight loss, fever, or leg numbness or weakness. There are several factors to consider; see below for the full list of red flags, how cervical cancer can cause pain (tumor pressure and spread to pelvic and lumbar bones), and the best next steps, including when to see a doctor right away.

Yes, the HPV vaccine greatly reduces the risk of cervical cancer by blocking infection with the highest-risk HPV types, especially 16 and 18, which has led to large drops in precancerous cervical lesions where vaccination rates are high. It works best when given before exposure, but catch-up vaccination and routine cervical screening remain important since the vaccine does not prevent all cancer-causing HPV types. There are several factors to consider, including recommended ages, dosing, safety, and how vaccination pairs with screening; see below for details that can guide your next steps.

Yes—you can die from pancreatitis. Most mild acute cases recover and have <1% mortality, but severe acute pancreatitis with persistent organ failure carries 15–30% mortality (and up to ~30–40% with infected necrosis), and chronic pancreatitis raises long-term risks through malnutrition, diabetes, and cancer. There are several factors to consider—see below for danger signs, who’s at highest risk, and the treatments and next steps that can improve outcomes.

There is no single specific color or smell; abnormal bleeding can be bright red, dark red or brown, or light pink and may be watery or mucus-tinged, and odor can be absent or occasionally foul or fishy if there is tissue breakdown or infection. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including when to seek care. Seek prompt medical attention for a strong unusual odor, bleeding between periods or after sex, heavier or longer bleeding than usual, or any bleeding after menopause.

There are several factors to consider: irregular periods mean your cycle timing or flow varies but stays within normal limits without heavy bleeding, large clots, or bleeding between periods or after sex. Abnormal uterine bleeding includes heavy, prolonged, or unexpected bleeding, such as soaking a pad or tampon every hour for 2 or more hours, clots larger than a quarter, bleeding lasting more than 8 days, or bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause, especially with anemia symptoms or significant pain. See below for key details on causes, tracking, red flags, and when to seek care that may change your next steps.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer, especially bleeding after sex, any bleeding after menopause, or bleeding between periods, though most abnormal bleeding has other causes. There are several factors to consider; see below for which patterns need prompt evaluation, other common explanations, and how screening and tests can guide your next steps.

Yes, the HPV vaccine can be effective for adults, especially if you have not been exposed to all HPV types; in women 27 to 45 who were HPV naive, it reduced persistent infection and related disease by about 88 to 96 percent. Benefits are smaller if you have prior exposure and it will not treat existing infections, but it is safe; routine vaccination is through age 26, and adults 27 to 45 may still choose it via shared decision-making based on risk of new partners, cancer prevention goals, and insurance coverage. There are several factors to consider; see below for who may benefit most, dosing, side effects, costs, and how to decide with your clinician.

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.