Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Turmeric can help women support a healthier inflammatory response, with research on curcumin suggesting modest relief for menstrual cramps, joint stiffness, digestive discomfort, and skin concerns when used regularly, especially in food with black pepper and healthy fats. There are several factors to consider about realistic benefits, dosing, supplement selection, and interactions, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners, or have gallbladder issues. Many more important details that could change your next steps, including when to seek care, who should avoid supplements, and why turmeric is not a cure-all, are outlined below.

Ulcerative colitis can be newly diagnosed after 60 and is often manageable with the right plan that starts with careful testing to rule out lookalikes, recognizes key symptoms like persistent diarrhea, blood or mucus, urgency, fatigue and weight loss, and uses age aware treatments such as 5 ASA, short steroid tapers when needed, and selective immunotherapies. There are several factors to consider, including medication interactions, bone and infection risks, nutrition and hydration, colon cancer surveillance, potential complications, and red flag symptoms that require urgent care; see below for complete details that can guide your next steps.

Creatinine levels after 65 require context, because kidney filtration often slows while muscle mass declines, so a normal number can still mask reduced function; typical ranges are about 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for older men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL for older women, but trends in eGFR and changes from your baseline matter more. There are several factors to consider, from temporary shifts like dehydration or recent exercise to conditions like CKD, diabetes, or medicines that affect the kidneys, plus red flag symptoms and kidney friendly steps you can take; see below for specific next steps, when to call a doctor urgently, and practical tips to protect your kidneys.

After 65, grief is common and multifaceted, affecting emotions, the body, and daily routines; the stages of grief are a flexible framework rather than a checklist, and symptoms like sleep, appetite, memory, and energy changes are typical. There are several factors to consider, including warning signs of complicated grief, practical coping steps, and when to contact a clinician or seek urgent care; see below for detailed guidance, support options, and next steps that can shape your healthcare journey.

POTS after 65 often brings dizziness, unsteadiness, palpitations, and fatigue on standing, raising fall risk through blood flow changes, deconditioning, and medication effects; key steps include slow position changes, steady hydration with clinician guided salt, compression, targeted strength and balance work, home safety updates, and a medical review to rule out other causes. There are several factors to consider, including red flag symptoms that need urgent care and individualized plans with your doctor; see the complete guidance below for practical checklists, medication considerations, and screening tools that could impact your next steps.

Oil of oregano may offer short-term support for immune or mild digestive discomfort, but for seniors it should be used cautiously at low, diluted doses and never as a replacement for medical care. There are several factors to consider, including side effects, who should avoid it, and drug interactions with blood thinners and diabetes or blood pressure medicines; see below for specifics and guidance on when to stop and call a doctor.

There are several factors to consider. For seniors, vitamin B3 as niacinamide supports brain energy, cognitive function, and skin barrier health, is typically better tolerated than niacin without flushing, and should be obtained through food first, with supplements used carefully since high doses can cause side effects. See below for food sources, who is at higher risk of low intake, how to use supplements safely, red flags and side effects, and when to speak with a doctor including if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or gout, as these details may shape your next steps.

For women, Vraylar can help stabilize mood in bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia and improve daily functioning, but it may cause restlessness, sleep changes, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, movement symptoms, weight and metabolic shifts, and occasional menstrual or prolactin concerns, with special caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are several factors to consider, including how to monitor labs, adjust timing and dose, manage side effects, and recognize red flag symptoms that need urgent care; see the complete guidance below to inform your next steps with your healthcare provider.

For adults over 65, Vraylar may help with schizophrenia, bipolar I episodes, and as an add-on for major depression, but it requires careful use. There are several factors to consider, including the boxed warning in dementia-related psychosis, higher risks of movement symptoms, dizziness and falls, and metabolic changes; see details below. Doctors often start low and go slow, monitor weight, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, review other medications, and watch for delayed side effects since it stays in the body a long time; never stop it on your own and seek urgent care for severe confusion, fever with stiffness, fainting, or suicidal thoughts. Important nuances, alternatives, and what to discuss with your clinician are explained below to guide your next steps.

Cellulitis is a deeper skin infection that can spread quickly; early warning signs include redness that expands, warmth, swelling, and tenderness, and it usually needs prompt antibiotics, especially if fever or red streaks appear. Women may be at higher risk due to leg and foot skin problems, shaving or hair removal, leg swelling, diabetes or other chronic conditions, and recent surgery. There are several factors to consider for prevention and when to seek urgent care; see below for key details that could influence your next steps.

Balanced glucose supports women’s energy, mood, hormones, heart health, and pregnancy, and it naturally shifts with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and PCOS. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand key symptoms of highs and lows, everyday habits for stable blood sugar, who should get tests like fasting glucose, A1C, or tolerance testing, and urgent warning signs that should guide your next healthcare steps.

Blepharitis is a common, usually noncontagious eyelid inflammation that often affects women, causing red, gritty, itchy eyes and fluctuating vision, and it is typically manageable with warm compresses, gentle lid cleansing, and simple lifestyle changes. There are several factors to consider, including hormonal shifts, skin conditions, bacteria or Demodex, makeup and contact lens habits, and meibomian gland dysfunction, plus clear guidance on when to see a doctor and which treatments may help if home care falls short. For the key details that can shape your next steps, see the complete answer below.

This guide explains how grief affects women, covering the non linear stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, and the ways grief can impact emotions, the body, and daily life. It also offers practical, research informed coping strategies and self care, from counseling and support groups to gentle movement, routines, mindfulness, and journaling. There are several factors to consider that could change your next steps, including signs of complicated grief and when to seek medical help or try a free symptom check, so see the complete details below.

Women with psoriasis often see flares shift with hormones, commonly worsening before periods as estrogen falls, sometimes improving in pregnancy then flaring postpartum, and tending to worsen around menopause with drier, thinner skin. There are several factors to consider, including common triggers, skin care routines, lifestyle supports, safe treatment choices across life stages, and when to seek urgent care for infection or joint symptoms, so see the complete guidance below to understand key details that could affect your next steps.

Ulcerative colitis in women: triggers include infections, NSAIDs, missed or stopped medications, hormonal shifts around the menstrual cycle, poor sleep, and individualized food sensitivities; management focuses on anti-inflammatory and immune therapies, tailored nutrition and hydration, mental health support, and pregnancy safe planning, recognizing this is a chronic disease with flares and remission. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand symptom patterns and diagnosis, fertility and medication safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding, diet adjustments, cancer screening timelines, and red flags that should prompt urgent care, any of which could shape your next steps.

The latest women’s health news highlights a shift to personalized, preventive care across life stages, with key advances in heart disease recognition, cancer screening, reproductive and fertility options, menopause care, integrated mental health, digital tools, and more inclusive research. There are several factors to consider for your next steps, from risk-based screening and family history review to symptom tracking, mental health support, and wise use of technology. See below for specific recommendations and urgent warning signs that could influence when to seek care and which choices to make.

There are several factors to consider for safe hydrocortisone use in women: it is a low potency corticosteroid that can quickly calm itching, redness, and swelling from mild eczema, contact dermatitis, bites, and rashes when applied as a thin layer in the lowest effective strength once or twice daily for only 3 to 7 days, with extra caution on the face, eyelids, groin, and vulva. See below for key details on pregnancy and breastfeeding, menopause, cosmetic interactions, side effects like skin thinning and color changes, when hydrocortisone is not appropriate such as fungal infections, acne, and rosacea, and the red flags that mean stop and seek medical care to guide your next steps.

Women’s high blood pressure is shaped by hormones across life stages, with risks rising after menopause and during pregnancy, and it can also be affected by birth control, stress, sleep, weight, and diet. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand how hormones, medications, and life events influence readings and when to seek care. The full guide below covers target numbers, warning symptoms, effective lifestyle steps, home monitoring tips, and when medication is appropriate, including considerations for pregnancy and menopause, which could change your next steps.

Women’s mental health is shaped by hormonal changes across life stages, plus caregiving roles, workplace pressures, and higher exposure to trauma. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including how to recognize when normal stress becomes a concern and why burnout is not the same as depression. Below you will find key symptoms to watch for, evidence based habits that help, when to seek care including urgent red flags, and treatment options such as primary care evaluation, therapy, medication, and hormonal assessment, plus a symptom checker link to help plan your next step.

Probiotics for women support gut comfort, vaginal balance, and immune function, but benefits rely on picking the right strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, consistent daily use, and thoughtful timing with antibiotics and hormonal shifts. See below for how to choose foods versus supplements, target strains and CFUs, expected timelines, safety exceptions, and red flag symptoms that warrant a doctor visit, since these details can guide your next steps.

Chronic sinusitis in women is usually a long-term inflammatory condition lasting 12 weeks or more, not just a sinus infection, and responds best to a consistent plan using daily saline rinses, intranasal corticosteroid sprays, targeted allergy control, and only selective antibiotics or brief oral steroids, with surgery considered if these fail. Hormonal shifts, allergies, asthma, and structural issues can shape symptoms and timing, and there are several factors to consider, including urgent red flags and helpful habits like hydration, humidifiers, and smoke avoidance; see below for details that can guide your next steps and when to see an ENT or your doctor.

Menopause-related sleep changes are common, but better sleep hygiene can help, including a consistent sleep and wake schedule, a cool dark quiet bedroom with breathable layers, limiting caffeine and alcohol, a short wind-down routine, and morning light. There are several factors to consider. See below for practical hot flash strategies and key red flags like loud snoring, severe daytime sleepiness, mood changes, or chest pain that may signal conditions needing medical care, plus step-by-step tips and treatment options to guide your next healthcare decisions.

After 65, yeast infections can still be common due to lower estrogen, shifts in vaginal bacteria, certain medications, diabetes, and age related immune changes; symptoms may be drier or milder and can mimic BV or vaginal atrophy, so getting the right diagnosis matters. There are several factors to consider; see below for guidance on accurate testing, safe treatment options like antifungals and when vaginal estrogen may help, prevention steps, and red flags that mean you should speak to a doctor.

Zinc helps seniors maintain stronger immune defenses by supporting T cells, moderating inflammation, preserving skin and airway barriers, and aiding recovery; because absorption and intake often decline with age, low zinc can mean more infections, slower wound healing, and changes in taste and appetite. Aim to get zinc from foods like seafood, meat, beans, nuts, and fortified grains, and use supplements carefully at about 8 to 11 mg per day unless your clinician advises otherwise, since higher doses and some medications can cause problems; there are several factors to consider, and important safety details and when to seek medical care are outlined below.

Zinc supports clear skin, wound healing, and resilient immunity in women, with needs that change across life stages. Most women need about 8 mg daily, rising to roughly 11 mg in pregnancy and 12 mg while breastfeeding. There are several factors to consider, including the best food sources, when supplements are appropriate, deficiency warning signs, medication interactions, and safe upper limits that could affect your next steps. See below to understand more.

The most telling signs of inflammatory stool are visible blood, mucus mixed with diarrhea, black or maroon stools, and urgency that can wake you at night, which point toward IBD rather than IBS because IBS does not cause bleeding. IBS stools may be hard or loose and tied to stress or food without blood, pus, or nighttime symptoms, while celiac and infections can mimic inflammation, so see the complete details below for red flags, when to seek care, and the tests doctors use to confirm the cause.

There are several factors to consider. Typical food-related illness is sudden and short-lived, viral stool is very watery and brief, Giardia causes greasy, floating, foul-smelling stools that can last weeks and require medication, and C. diff brings frequent watery diarrhea with a strong odor, especially after antibiotics, and can be serious. Watch for red flags like blood, high fever, dehydration, or diarrhea lasting more than 3 to 5 days, and see below for important details on what each looks like, when to test, and which next steps to take with your doctor.

Learn how to prepare for a clear, confident conversation about possible tardive dyskinesia from dopamine blocking medications, including tracking symptoms, using plain language, and asking about risks, dose changes, TD specific treatments, and referrals. Never stop or change medication on your own. There are several important details to consider, like balancing mental health with side effects, documenting concerns, getting a second opinion, and knowing red flags that require urgent care. See below for the complete guide and next steps that could influence your treatment plan.

Most baby poop colors are normal and reflect age, diet, and digestion, with yellow, green, brown, and orange usually harmless. Seek urgent care for white or gray stools or black stools beyond the first week unless clearly linked to iron, and call a doctor for repeated red streaks or frequent mucus, or if color changes come with fever, vomiting, dehydration, poor feeding, or poor weight gain. There are several factors to consider and patterns matter more than one diaper; see the complete color-by-color guide below for specific causes, what’s normal versus not, and clear next steps on when to monitor at home versus contact a clinician.

Black and tarry stool, called melena, often indicates bleeding in the upper digestive tract and needs prompt attention, though iron supplements, bismuth medicines, or dark foods can also make stool look black. Go to emergency care if you have black tarry stool with dizziness, weakness, fainting, or vomiting blood, and seek evaluation if it persists or you have risks like ulcers or liver disease. There are several factors to consider. See below for full causes, non bleeding lookalikes, warning symptoms, and exactly when to seek urgent versus routine care.