Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Most cases last: viral 7–14 days (sometimes up to 21), bacterial 2–5 days to improve with antibiotics or 7–14 days without, and allergic as long as you’re exposed to the trigger. There are several factors that can change this timeline—including treatment, hygiene, and your overall health—and important red flags for when to seek care; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Most people with flu are contagious from about 1 day before symptoms start through roughly 5–7 days after, with peak spread during days 1–3; children and people with weakened immunity may remain contagious for 10–14 days. There are several factors that can change this window (age, immune status, strain, and early antivirals) and important guidance on isolation, reducing spread, and when to seek care—see the complete details below.

For most new bald spots, you can monitor for up to 4–6 weeks if the patch is small, smooth, and symptom‑free, reassessing every 2–4 weeks. Seek care sooner if it’s spreading or multiplying, or if you notice itching, pain, scaling, redness/crusting/oozing, fever or swollen nodes, nail changes, eyebrow/eyelash involvement, or an autoimmune history. There are several factors to consider—see the complete guidance below for the full red‑flag list, what to expect at the visit, and treatments that could change your next steps.

There are several factors to consider—most evidence shows the fluid commonly called “squirt” is often a diluted mix of urine from the bladder plus smaller amounts of Skene’s-gland secretions, not purely urine. It’s a normal variant of sexual response, but watch for pain, burning, blood, foul odor, or unusual color/texture, which warrant evaluation. See below for how it happens, tips to manage or minimize it, and clear guidance on when to seek care.

There are several factors to consider: most healthy adults improve within about 3 days with fluids, bland foods, and OTC options, but if you’re at the 3-day mark and not improving—or you have red flags like dehydration (dizziness/low urine), severe belly pain, fever >102°F/39°C, blood or black stools, inability to keep fluids down, very frequent watery stools, or recent antibiotics—you should see a doctor now. Higher-risk people (age 65+, pregnant, immunocompromised, with chronic conditions, and especially anyone with liver cirrhosis) should seek earlier care, with cirrhosis needing evaluation within 24 hours. See details below for the full list of warning signs, practical home-care steps, and how to decide between urgent care and watchful waiting.

Childhood alopecia areata itself is not linked to a higher cancer risk later in life, as current studies don’t show increased overall malignancy rates. There are several factors to consider—especially any past systemic treatments (steroids, methotrexate/cyclosporine, JAK inhibitors) and your family history and lifestyle—which can affect monitoring and screening; see the details below to understand important nuances and the best next steps to discuss with your doctor.

Cod fish is good for you: a lean, low-calorie source of high-quality protein, vitamin B12, selenium, iodine, and omega-3s that can support heart, metabolic/blood sugar, liver, brain health, and weight management when prepared healthfully. There are several factors to consider—including low but relevant mercury guidance (especially for pregnancy/children), possible fish allergy, sustainability choices, and avoiding deep-fried preparations—see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Mild halos and glare around headlights at night are common due to pupil dilation and normal light scattering, and often improve with clean lenses, anti‑reflective coatings, and proper headlight care. However, persistent or worsening symptoms—especially with blurred vision, pain, or sudden onset—can signal issues like uncorrected refractive error, dry eye, early cataracts, corneal problems, medication effects, or rare emergencies such as acute angle‑closure glaucoma. There are several factors to consider—see below for detailed causes, practical ways to reduce symptoms, and when to seek professional care.

Yes—tonsillitis is contagious, whether viral or bacterial, spreading through respiratory droplets, close contact, and contaminated surfaces. It’s most contagious in the first 2–3 days; viral cases remain contagious until the fever resolves, and strep usually stops being contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics. There are several factors to consider for prevention, testing, treatment, and when to seek care—see the complete guidance below to understand your next steps.

No—alopecia areata isn’t associated with an increased cancer risk, so extra or specialized cancer screening isn’t recommended; follow the standard age-, sex-, and risk-based screenings used for the general population. There are several factors to consider that could change your screening plan (family history, smoking history, symptoms, or other medical conditions)—see the complete guidance and recommended intervals below. If your risks or symptoms change, discuss personalized screening with your clinician.

Common, preventable tongue issues include a coated/white tongue, black hairy tongue, oral thrush, geographic tongue flares, canker sores/ulcers, fissured tongue irritation, traumatic burns or bites, and soreness from vitamin deficiencies or product/food allergies. Simple habits—daily tongue cleaning and good oral hygiene, staying hydrated, quitting tobacco, moderating coffee/alcohol, proper denture and inhaler care, eating a balanced diet, and fixing sharp dental edges—reduce risk; there are several factors to consider, so see below for specific triggers, prevention steps, and red flags that should prompt medical or dental care.

Top cough home-remedy hacks include honey, ginger or thyme tea, steam inhalation, salt-water gargles, turmeric (golden) milk, marshmallow root, staying well hydrated, running a cool-mist humidifier, and using menthol chest rubs or warm compresses—paired with rest, head elevation, and avoiding irritants. There are several factors to consider (dry vs wet cough, safety notes like no honey for infants, and red flags such as high fever, shortness of breath, blood, or a cough lasting more than 3 weeks); for full instructions and when to seek care, see below.

For quick home relief, try gentle vulvar hygiene (plain water, no douching), warm sitz baths or cold compresses, probiotic yogurt/oral probiotics, and soothing topicals like coconut oil or pure aloe (use tea tree or apple cider vinegar only well-diluted); OTC antifungal creams may help if a simple yeast infection is likely. There are several factors to consider—identify triggers (irritants, tight clothing), limit sugar, stop anything that stings, and seek care if symptoms last over 7 days or include abnormal discharge, sores, fever, pain, or swelling; full step-by-step instructions, precautions, and next-step guidance are below.

Cloves are a nutrient-dense spice (notably high in manganese) packed with eugenol and other antioxidants, offering anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits that support oral and digestive health, with early research suggesting possible blood sugar and liver-protective effects. There are several factors to consider—including safe amounts, potential side effects, and medication interactions (e.g., blood thinners, diabetes drugs)—so see the complete details below to inform your next steps.

Appendicitis is typically caused by blockage of the appendix—most often from hardened stool (appendicolith), swelling of lymphoid tissue after an infection, or rarely a foreign body—leading to bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, and possible rupture. Risk factors include ages 10–30, male sex, low-fiber diets, family history, smoking, and recent gastrointestinal infections. There are several factors to consider; see the complete details below for symptoms to watch, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and when to seek urgent care.

Saggy breasts mostly occur when skin collagen/elastin and Cooper’s ligaments weaken—accelerated by aging, pregnancy/breastfeeding, weight changes, gravity, hormonal shifts (including menopause), and lifestyle factors like smoking and sun. You can regain some lift with the right bra, chest-strengthening exercises, targeted skincare (retinoids/antioxidants), protein and vitamin C-rich nutrition, posture work, and—if needed—medical treatments (radiofrequency/laser/fillers) or surgery (breast lift, implants, fat transfer); seek care for new lumps, discharge, redness, or sudden swelling. There are several factors and trade-offs to consider—see below for practical steps, expected results, and how to choose the right next move.

Financial support for alopecia varies widely by country and can include public insurance for dermatology and medications, partial wig vouchers or reimbursements, private insurance riders, disability benefits, tax credits, and nonprofit grants. Examples: the US offers insurance plus FSA/HSA and some state wig support; the UK’s NHS covers care and wig vouchers (often free for under‑18s); Canada and Australia cover medical visits but wigs are usually limited to private “extras”; many EU countries reimburse ~€150–€350 for wigs; Japan covers treatment but not wigs; India provides low‑cost public care, NGO wig donations, and some tax relief. There are several factors to consider—see the country-by-country details below for eligibility, amounts, and how to apply, which can affect your next steps.

A nitrogen test—most often the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test—measures urea nitrogen in your blood to help assess kidney and liver function, protein metabolism, and hydration status. Ask your doctor about it if you have kidney or liver risk factors or symptoms (changes in urination, swelling, jaundice, confusion), dehydration concerns, take meds that affect these organs, or after major illness/surgery or high-protein intake, since results are interpreted with other labs like creatinine. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below for what high or low results can mean and when to seek urgent care.

A prostate orgasm is a real, physiologically grounded climax triggered by stimulating the prostate gland (internally through the rectum or externally via the perineum), often described as deeper, fuller, and more whole‑body than a typical penile orgasm. Clinical reports and brain-imaging research support its legitimacy and accessibility for many people with prostates, though it isn’t for everyone. There are several factors to consider—safe techniques, who should avoid it, potential benefits, and when to see a doctor—see below for the complete answer and next steps.

BDSM is a consensual umbrella for power exchange, intense sensations, and roleplay (bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism) that many enjoy for pleasure, trust, and emotional bonding. To see if it’s for you, reflect on your fantasies and limits, learn reputable basics, communicate and set safewords with a trusted partner, start slow with low‑risk activities and aftercare, and monitor your physical/emotional responses—consult a clinician first if you have health conditions or distress. There are several factors to consider, plus key safety tips, community resources, and when to seek medical or mental health support; see the complete guidance below.

Rough patches on skin are usually due to common conditions like dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, contact dermatitis, or sun damage (actinic keratosis), but they can also reflect systemic issues such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, nutritional deficiencies, or cholestatic liver disease that causes intense itching. Watch for red flags—rapid change, bleeding, infection, or systemic symptoms (like jaundice)—which warrant medical evaluation. There are several factors to consider; see below for detailed causes, home care versus professional treatments, diagnostic steps, and when to seek care.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common, treatable condition marked by persistent, excessive worry most days for months that’s hard to control and often causes restlessness, muscle tension, sleep problems, and impaired daily functioning. If these patterns fit you, tools like the GAD-7 (a score of 10 or higher suggests higher likelihood) can guide you to seek a professional diagnosis and care—there are several factors to consider, so see below for key symptoms, risks, self-checks, effective therapies and medications, self-help steps, and urgent warning signs that can shape your next steps.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) uses and side effects: SOD is an antioxidant enzyme (available as oral, topical, or injectable) studied for reducing radiation-related tissue damage and supporting liver health, joint/muscle recovery, skin/UV aging, respiratory issues, chronic inflammation, and eye health—though evidence varies. Side effects are usually mild (GI upset, headache/dizziness, rare allergic reactions, and injection-site irritation), with important cautions for pregnancy/breastfeeding, autoimmune conditions, blood thinners, and during chemo/radiation. There are several factors to consider; see below for dosing forms/ranges, realistic benefit timelines, interactions, and when to seek care, which could affect your next steps.

The cheapest options are free or low‑cost community clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) with sliding‑scale fees; for minor issues, telemedicine ($20–$50) and retail clinics ($50–$100) are often next most affordable, with urgent care ($100–$200) still cheaper than the ER. Use the NAFC, HRSA “Find a Health Center,” or 2‑1‑1 to locate care and always ask for self‑pay discounts. There are several factors to consider—eligibility paperwork, prescription help, and bill negotiation can further cut costs—see the complete details below to choose the best next step and know when emergency care is needed.

A typical headache causes dull, pressing pain (often on both sides) and rarely nausea or light/sound sensitivity, while a migraine is a neurological attack with moderate–severe throbbing pain (often one-sided) lasting 4–72 hours, commonly with nausea, light/sound sensitivity, and sometimes aura. Because treatments and next steps differ—OTC measures often help tension headaches, whereas migraines may need prescription therapy, prevention, and trigger management—there are several factors to consider; see below for detailed differences, red flags, and when to seek care.

Chronic alopecia areata typically involves unpredictable relapses with ongoing dermatology visits, periodic lab monitoring, and mental health/supportive care. Annual costs often run about $1,500–$4,500 for mild cases and $17,000–$45,000 for severe disease, largely driven by systemic therapies and prosthetic needs. There are several factors to consider—see below for details on cost drivers (e.g., JAK inhibitors), visit and lab schedules, comorbidity screening, and practical ways to lower out-of-pocket costs.

Effective at-home treatments include strict hand hygiene and not sharing towels, warm compresses for viral/bacterial cases or cool compresses for allergic cases, lubricating or antihistamine drops (avoid prolonged use of redness‑relief drops), removing contact lenses, and gentle eyelid cleaning; most cases improve within 1–2 weeks, and mild bacterial conjunctivitis often gets better without antibiotics after a short watch‑and‑wait period. There are several factors to consider—pinkeye type, which drops and compresses to use, and red flags like severe pain, vision changes, swelling, fever, or no improvement by 7–10 days—see the complete guidance below to decide your next steps.

Over-the-counter options include artificial tears/lubricants, ketotifen antihistamine/mast‑cell stabilizer drops for allergies, short‑term redness relievers like naphazoline or tetrahydrozoline (limit to 3–4 days), sterile saline eyewash, bedtime lubricating gels/ointments, oral pain relievers, plus warm/cool compresses and gentle eyelid hygiene. There are several factors to consider—antibiotic drops require a prescription and often aren’t necessary, and you should seek care for severe pain, vision changes, or persistent thick discharge; see the complete guidance below to choose the safest next step.

Build a healthy breakfast by combining 25–35 g protein (eggs, Greek yogurt, tofu or a protein smoothie), 5–10 g fiber from whole grains, fruits and vegetables, a small amount of unsaturated fat (nuts, seeds, avocado or olive oil), and fluids. Easy examples include a veggie omelet with whole-grain toast and fruit, oatmeal with nuts and berries, or Greek yogurt with berries and chia. There are several factors to consider—including blood sugar control, heart health, weight goals, digestive comfort, and cirrhosis—plus foods to limit and portion targets; see the complete guidance below.

There are several factors to consider—see below for full guidance. Seek urgent care now for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, high fever (over 102°F/39°C), confusion or fainting, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, signs of dehydration, or coughing up blood; make a routine appointment if the cough lasts more than 3 weeks (especially >8 weeks), is worsening, causes wheeze or noisy breathing, wakes you at night, recurs, or comes with weight loss or night sweats, or if you smoke or have harmful exposures. Mild, short‑lived coughs can be managed at home, but if you’re not improving after 1–2 weeks or have any red flags, see a clinician—complete details and age‑specific warnings are below.