Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

The most common causes include low iron, poor or irregular sleep, certain medications, caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine, pregnancy, chronic conditions like kidney disease or diabetes, and genetics. You may get relief tonight by cutting evening caffeine and alcohol, avoiding antihistamine sleep aids, setting a consistent sleep schedule, and trying gentle stretches or heat, while iron testing, medication changes, or management of underlying conditions typically require a doctor. There are several factors to consider; see below for specifics, quick at-home fixes vs when to seek care, and red flags that can change your next steps.

Some Robitussin products can make you drowsy, especially nighttime versions that contain the sedating antihistamine doxylamine, while daytime or DM formulas with dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are typically non drowsy for most people. There are several factors to consider, including individual sensitivity, illness related fatigue, and interactions with alcohol or other sedatives, so see the complete guidance below for important details that can affect safety, driving, and when to contact a clinician.

Safer choices are usually single-ingredient Robitussin with dextromethorphan or guaifenesin used at the lowest effective dose, while products with decongestants like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, alcohol, or multi-symptom combos are best avoided, especially in the first trimester, unless your clinician advises otherwise. There are several factors to consider. See below for important details on trimester-specific cautions, label-reading tips, non-drug alternatives, safe dosing, and red flags that mean you should call a doctor.

The ingredient most likely to knock you out is doxylamine succinate, a sedating antihistamine found in Robitussin Nighttime or PM formulas. Other ingredients like diphenhydramine, higher-dose dextromethorphan, or prescription codeine can add to drowsiness, so always check the Active Ingredients and drowsiness warnings. There are several factors to consider, including age, alcohol or other medications, driving safety, and when to call a doctor; see the complete guidance below to understand what to do next and which non-drowsy options may be safer.

Pneumonia is not always contagious, but many of the viruses and bacteria that cause it are; after household exposure, those most likely to develop pneumonia include older adults, babies and young children, people with lung or heart disease or diabetes, anyone with a weakened immune system, and smokers. There are several factors to consider, including how the germ spreads at home, when the sick person is most contagious, early warning symptoms to watch for, and proven steps to protect others; see the complete details below to guide your next steps and when to seek medical care.

Starting antibiotics does not make you noncontagious right away; with bacterial pneumonia you may still spread germs for 24 to 48 hours after the first doses, and if the cause is viral, antibiotics do not reduce contagiousness at all. There are several factors to consider, including the germ, the antibiotic, illness severity, and who around you is high risk; see below for practical precautions, when to delay going out, and the urgent warning signs and next steps that could change what you should do.

Expect an adjustment period in week 1: common effects include drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, and sleep changes; benefits may start subtly but often build over 1 to 4 weeks, so take exactly as prescribed and be cautious with driving and alcohol. There are several factors to consider, including possible mood changes and rare but urgent red flags like severe confusion, trouble breathing, or suicidal thoughts; see below for dosing strategies, what to avoid, when to follow up, and other details that can guide your next steps.

Yes, you can usually take Sudafed and Mucinex together safely, since they target different symptoms when used correctly for short term relief. There are several factors to consider: avoid double dosing from combo products like Mucinex D, follow label doses, and use caution if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving to a child; a pharmacist can help you check. See below for exact dosing tips, who should not combine them, side effects to watch for, and when to seek medical care.

Yes, Sudafed can make some people sleepy. Despite being a stimulant, drowsiness can come from individual nervous system reactions, sedating add-ons in multi-symptom versions, the underlying illness, mild blood flow changes, rebound fatigue, or dehydration. There are several factors to consider. See below for label-checking tips, timing and hydration advice, when it’s usually not a problem, and the warning signs that mean you should talk to a doctor.

Superoxide dismutase safety at a glance: oral SOD has limited and variable absorption, dosing is not standardized, quality and labeling vary, and mild effects like digestive upset, bloating, nausea, or headache can occur; topical forms are usually lower risk but may irritate sensitive skin. Use extra caution if pregnant or breastfeeding, with autoimmune disease or severe allergies, during cancer treatment, or with liver or kidney disease, and check for melon or bovine sources if allergic; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below and talk with your clinician before starting.

Taking Metamucil right before bed is the most common mistake; with less water intake and slower overnight gut motility, psyllium can thicken and sit longer, leading to hard pellet-like stools, bloating, cramping, or reflux-like discomfort. For best results, take it in the morning or midday with a full glass of water, stay upright, and leave 2 to 3 hours before lying down; there are several factors and exceptions to consider, plus red flags that may need medical attention, so see the complete guidance below.

Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and is recommended at age 11-12, once in adulthood if you have never had it, during every pregnancy at 27-36 weeks, and as a booster with Td or Tdap every 10 years or sooner after certain wounds. It is safe and effective, but your exact plan can vary based on prior doses, age, pregnancy status, exposure to infants, missed boosters, school or work requirements, and allergy history. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete timing charts, special situations like catch-up and wound care, and guidance on when to talk with your clinician.

Sudafed and Mucinex can be safe together when you use single‑ingredient versions like Sudafed with pseudoephedrine only and Mucinex with guaifenesin only, but multi‑symptom formulas can quietly double dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, or decongestants, increasing risks like liver injury, rapid heart rate, and confusion. There are several factors to consider, including your blood pressure and which exact products you picked; check the active ingredients, avoid taking two products with DM, track doses, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if unsure. See the complete details below for specific safe pairings, overlap traps, and warning signs that should prompt medical care.

Hip dips are a normal, anatomy-driven contour shaped by your pelvis and bone structure, so influencer fixes like targeted exercises, diets, supplements, or waist trainers cannot erase them, and you cannot spot-redistribute fat. You can strengthen hips for function and comfort, and if you have pain, stiffness, clicking, or night pain you should seek proper medical guidance. There are several factors to consider; see the complete details below for what helps, what does not, the risks of cosmetic options, and the best next steps in your care.

The one timing mistake is getting the Tdap vaccine too early or waiting until after delivery, which protects the parent but not the baby in time; the optimal window is 27 to 36 weeks in every pregnancy so antibodies cross the placenta and shield newborns from pertussis during their highest risk period. There are several factors to consider; see below for what to do if you are past 36 weeks, why cocooning alone is not enough, safety evidence, and when to contact your clinician, since these details can shape your next steps.

Farxiga often makes you pee more because it blocks SGLT2 in the kidneys, so glucose is lost in the urine and water follows, a normal osmotic diuresis that is usually most noticeable early on and often comes with larger volumes and increased thirst. It is not normal if this comes with dehydration signs, burning or urgency, genital itching or discharge, waking many times at night, or serious symptoms like nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, or extreme fatigue, in which case you should seek care. There are several factors to consider and practical steps that can change your next best move, so see the complete answer below.

Pneumonia can be contagious, and there are several factors to consider. Viral and some bacterial pneumonias spread through droplets and may still be transmissible even as you feel better, while aspiration, chemical, or immune related pneumonias are not; antibiotics usually lower bacterial spread within 24 to 48 hours. For how long you might be contagious, when to stay home, who is high risk, the tests doctors use, and urgent warning signs, see the complete guidance below.

The DayQuil and Mucinex combo often makes people feel worse by overstimulating the body through phenylephrine and by sending mixed cough signals, since DayQuil suppresses cough while Mucinex encourages it, leading to jitters, dizziness, nausea, chest tightness, and brain fog. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Below you will find who is most at risk, how dehydration and dosing play a role, safer ways to use or space these meds, and when to stop and talk to a doctor so you can choose the right next step.

The TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone blood test checks thyroid function; high TSH usually points to an underactive thyroid and low TSH to an overactive one, but results must be interpreted with your symptoms, medications, pregnancy status, and related tests like Free T4. There are several factors to consider, and next steps can range from repeat testing to treatment changes. See the complete details below to understand what your numbers may mean and which actions may be right for you.

TSH test normal range for most adults is about 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L; values above 10 or below 0.1 are more concerning and should prompt a doctor visit, and pregnancy has lower trimester specific targets. Mild abnormalities may not need treatment but should be monitored. There are several factors to consider, including symptoms, free T4, medications, recent illness, and lab specific ranges; see below for complete details and warning signs such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, confusion, or a rapid or irregular heartbeat that may require urgent care.

The TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone test measures the level of TSH in your blood to gauge thyroid function, with high TSH suggesting hypothyroidism and low TSH suggesting hyperthyroidism; doctors order it to investigate symptoms, screen at-risk people, and monitor treatment. Results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, history, and often free T4 or T3, and next steps may include repeating the test, additional labs, medication changes, or referral to an endocrinologist. There are several factors to consider for your situation, so see the complete details below to understand nuances that could affect your next steps.

Tongue sores are usually minor: general ulcers and canker sores are noncontagious shallow ulcers that heal in about 1 to 3 weeks, while cold sores from HSV are contagious, often start with tingling blisters that turn into ulcers, and typically clear in 10 to 14 days. There are several factors to consider, including triggers, home care, and red flags like severe pain, bleeding, or any sore lasting longer than 2 to 3 weeks that should prompt medical care. See below for the complete answer and important details that can guide your next steps.

Tongue warning signs to know include unusual color changes, a thick persistent coating, sores or lumps, swelling, burning pain or tingling, new texture changes, trouble moving the tongue or speaking, and changes in taste; seek urgent care for swelling with breathing difficulty or sudden numbness or weakness, and see a clinician if symptoms last more than two weeks, bleed, feel hard, or interfere with eating. There are several factors to consider. See below for the complete details, possible causes like nutritional deficiencies, infections, allergies, and nerve problems, plus guidance on when to monitor at home versus call a doctor or go to the emergency department.

Most tongue bumps or spots are harmless and short lived, often from irritated taste buds, canker sores, a coated or geographic tongue, or lifestyle irritation, though infections or vitamin deficiencies can also play a role. There are several factors to consider, and the key details that can guide your next steps are outlined below. Seek care promptly if a lump or sore lasts longer than 1 to 2 weeks, is hard or growing, or comes with persistent pain, bleeding, numbness, trouble swallowing or speaking, fever, fatigue, or weight loss; for the full list of red flags, self care steps, and when thrush or other conditions might be involved, see below.

Ulcerative colitis flare ups are driven by an overactive immune response in the colon and are commonly triggered by missed or stopped medications, gut infections, stress, certain foods or alcohol, NSAIDs or antibiotics, hormonal shifts, changes in smoking, and poor sleep or exhaustion. Triggers differ by person, so tracking your patterns and staying on prescribed therapy can reduce risk and help catch worsening symptoms early. There are several factors to consider, including when to seek urgent care for severe bleeding, pain, fever, or rapid weight loss; see below for a complete list of causes, red flags, and prevention steps that can shape your next healthcare decisions.

Blood in stool in women can stem from common issues like hemorrhoids or anal fissures, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or medications, but it can also signal colon polyps or colorectal cancer or diverticular bleeding; color gives clues, and black tar-like stools need urgent care. There are several factors to consider, including how often it happens, how much blood there is, other symptoms like pain, fever, diarrhea, or dizziness, and your age or family history; speak to a doctor if bleeding recurs or is heavy. See below to understand more.

Mucinex contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that thins and loosens chest mucus so coughs are more productive, which helps most with wet, phlegmy congestion from colds or flu and works best with good hydration. There are several factors to consider, including that it is not for dry or allergy-only coughs or coughs from reflux or asthma without mucus, some formulas add other drugs, and certain symptoms should prompt medical care; see the complete guidance below to decide your next steps.

Ulcerative colitis pain is usually cramping or squeezing with a dull, pressure-like ache in the lower abdomen or rectum, coming in waves and often worsening just before a bowel movement, sometimes with burning rectal discomfort and a constant urge to go. It can range from mild, occasional cramps to intense, persistent pain that limits daily activities, and relief after a bowel movement may be brief during flares. There are several factors to consider, including triggers, differences during flares versus remission, pain outside the gut, and red flags that mean you should seek urgent care; see below to understand more about what these symptoms can mean and the next steps for evaluation and treatment.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor taken once daily that lowers blood sugar by helping the kidneys excrete glucose and is also proven to reduce heart failure hospitalizations and slow chronic kidney disease progression, including in some people without diabetes. Key safety points include risks of dehydration and low blood pressure, rare ketoacidosis, urinary and genital infections, and kidney function changes, and it is not for type 1 diabetes or treating DKA. There are several factors and exceptions that could affect your next steps; see the complete indications, dosing, and safety guidance below.

Superoxide dismutase SOD is a key antioxidant enzyme that converts the damaging superoxide radical into safer molecules and exists as SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3 to protect cells in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and outside tissues. Its activity can decline with age, stress, and illness and is linked to inflammation and chronic conditions; minerals like copper, zinc, and manganese, healthy habits, and cautious supplement use can influence it. There are several factors to consider, and they could affect your next steps with your doctor; see the complete details below to understand more.