Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Early scalp plaque psoriasis signs include well-defined raised patches on a pink-red base covered with thick, silvery-white scales, persistent itch or burning, and stubborn flaking that may crack or bleed; lesions can cross the hairline or appear behind the ears, and nail pitting can be an early clue. Unlike dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, the scales are thicker and more adherent with sharply bordered plaques. There are several factors to consider for distinguishing causes, triggers, and when to seek treatment—see the complete details below, which can affect your next steps.

Plaque psoriasis typically appears as raised, well-defined patches covered with a silvery-white (or slate-gray) scale—red or pink on lighter skin and dark brown or purple on darker skin—commonly on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and sometimes the nails. It can itch, crack, or bleed, and there are several factors to consider that could affect your next steps; see below for important details on variations by skin tone and location, triggers, a symptom check tool, and when to see a doctor.

Yes, oral appliances are an alternative to CPAP for treating sleep apnea.

Yes, dentists can help with sleep apnea using special mouthpieces called mandibular advancement devices.

Yes, losing weight can help reduce symptoms of sleep apnea. Studies show that weight loss can lead to less severe sleep apnea and better breathing during sleep.

Narcolepsy medications like dextroamphetamine and modafinil can affect mood, sometimes improving it, but effects can vary. It's important to monitor mood changes and seek help if needed.

Yes, pregnancy can increase the risk of sleep apnea due to changes in the body that affect breathing.

Sleep apnea can sometimes be improved without a machine using methods like weight loss, oral devices, or surgery, but it depends on the individual case.

Yes, sleep apnea can cause learning and behavior problems in kids.

Yes, sleep apnea can cause memory loss and brain fog due to poor sleep quality affecting brain function.

Yes, sleep apnea can cause morning headaches. This happens because breathing problems during sleep can reduce oxygen levels and increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Yes, sleep apnea can come back after treatment or surgery, even if you don't gain weight.

Yes, sleep apnea can make other health problems worse, like heart and lung issues, and can also be linked to conditions like diabetes.

Yes, thin people can have sleep apnea. It is not only a condition seen in people who are overweight.

Yes, untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of stroke and diabetes.

Sleep apnea can make your heart work harder and increase your blood pressure, which is not good for your heart health.

If your partner snores loudly and seems tired during the day, they might have sleep apnea.

Drinking alcohol and smoking can make sleep apnea worse by increasing snoring and breathing problems during sleep.

Sleep apnea can make you feel very tired during the day and can make it harder to focus and think clearly.

CPAP therapy helps people with sleep apnea breathe better at night by using a machine that gently blows air into their nose and mouth.

Sleep apnea is diagnosed using sleep studies, either at home or in a lab, to monitor breathing and other body functions during sleep.

Sleep apnea and acid reflux, or GERD, are linked because both can make each other worse, especially at night. This happens because sleep apnea can change how the body works during sleep, leading to more acid reaching the throat.

Taking sleeping pills if you have narcolepsy is not generally recommended, as they may interfere with narcolepsy treatments like oxybate.

Snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnea. While snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, many people snore without having this condition.

Tracking narcolepsy symptoms at home can be done using mobile apps and wearable technology to monitor sleep and fatigue.

The early warning signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and feeling very tired during the day.

Signs of sleep apnea in children include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, and daytime sleepiness or behavioral problems.

If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and daytime sleepiness.

When you stop breathing during sleep, your body doesn’t get enough oxygen, which can cause you to wake up and feel tired.

Positional sleep apnea happens when breathing stops during sleep because of the way someone is lying. Changing sleeping positions, like avoiding sleeping on the back, can help reduce this problem.