Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

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.

See a doctor if spotting is heavy (soaking a pad/tampon in under 2 hours), lasts longer than 7–10 days, recurs for more than two cycles or is continuous/after sex, or comes with anemia symptoms, severe pelvic pain/cramps, fever or foul discharge, large clots, a sudden pattern change, a new pelvic/abdominal mass, or a positive pregnancy test. Seek emergency care for heavy bleeding with dizziness/fainting or chest pain, severe abdominal pain with vomiting or high fever, or signs of shock—there are several factors to consider; key causes, red flags, and what to expect at an evaluation are explained below.

Mild hemorrhoids often improve with home care, but see a doctor if you have heavy or recurrent bleeding, severe pain that doesn’t respond to treatment, a non‑reducible or very tender lump, fever or pus, dizziness/shortness of breath, a change in bowel habits, or symptoms lasting more than 7–10 days. People over 40–50 or with anemia, unexplained weight loss, a family history of colon cancer, liver disease, use of blood thinners, or immunosuppression should be evaluated sooner—there are several factors to consider; see details below to guide your next steps.

The appendix is a small, finger-like pouch attached to the cecum (the first part of the large intestine) in the right lower abdomen. Because its position can vary—often behind the cecum or hanging into the pelvis—the location of pain and the best tests or treatments can differ; there are several factors to consider, and important details that may guide your next steps are explained below.

Bloodshot eyes have many causes—from minor dryness, allergies, irritants, eye strain, contact lens issues, or a small subconjunctival bleed to infections and urgent problems like uveitis, corneal ulcers, or acute glaucoma, and sometimes even systemic conditions such as high blood pressure or autoimmune disease. There are several factors to consider; see below for the full list of causes, home relief tips, and key red flags (severe pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, discharge, injury) that guide whether to self-care or seek urgent medical attention.

Some patches regrow while others don’t because the autoimmune attack varies from follicle to follicle and interacts with each hair’s growth cycle, local scalp factors (blood flow, friction, microbiome), your genetics/other autoimmune conditions, and how quickly and effectively each area is treated. Patches with milder, transient inflammation and early therapy often re-enter growth and show fine new hairs within weeks, while chronically inflamed or treatment‑resistant spots can stay dormant for months. There are several factors to consider—see below for key details, red flags, and next steps that could change your care plan.

Hairs become thinner and shorter before falling out when the growth phase is shortened or the follicle miniaturizes—most commonly from pattern hair loss (DHT-related) or telogen effluvium after stress, illness, childbirth, or rapid weight loss. Other contributors include iron or thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances (such as PCOS), autoimmune alopecia areata, traction/scarring conditions, and certain treatments; there are several factors to consider—see the complete answer below for red flags, testing, and treatment options that could shape your next steps.

There are several factors to consider—see below to understand more. This hairline-band pattern is more persistent because follicles at the scalp margin face sustained immune attack (collapse of immune privilege and chronic T‑cell inflammation), exist in thinner, mechanically stressed skin that hinders treatment delivery, and show hair‑cycle shifts that reduce responsive anagen hairs—leading to lower regrowth rates and higher risk of progression. Key nuances that can affect your next steps (timing, treatment mix, and scalp-care choices) are explained below.

A white tongue is common and often harmless—there are several factors to consider, and key details are below. Common causes include debris buildup from poor oral hygiene or dryness (mouth breathing, dehydration, tobacco/coffee/alcohol, “hairy tongue”); other causes include thrush, inflammatory conditions (oral lichen planus/geographic tongue), nutritional deficiencies, and less commonly precancerous leukoplakia. Start with hydration and gentle tongue cleaning and cut irritants, but see a dentist/doctor if patches can’t be wiped off, pain/ulcers last >2 weeks, you have trouble swallowing, weight loss/bleeding, or a weakened immune system—full guidance on treatments and next steps is provided below.

There are several factors to consider: infections (yeast, bacterial vaginosis, STIs), irritants/allergies, skin conditions, hormonal dryness, tight or damp clothing/douching, parasites, and systemic illnesses like diabetes or liver disease. Seek prompt care for new or foul discharge, sores, severe pain or swelling, fever, blood, or STI risk; otherwise, targeted OTC options and avoiding triggers may help until you’re seen. See the complete guidance below for key signs to tell causes apart, evidence-based treatments, and the right next steps.