Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Grinding, cracking, or morning stiffness often points to early arthritis, most commonly osteoarthritis from cartilage wear, while painless cracking alone is usually harmless but pain, swelling, or long morning stiffness raise concern for types like rheumatoid arthritis or gout. There are several factors to consider, including red flags that need urgent care, how doctors diagnose it, and treatments from exercise and weight management to medications, physical therapy, assistive devices, and surgery. See the complete guidance below to understand key details that can change your next medical steps.

Blepharitis commonly causes gritty, burning sandpaper eyes by inflaming the eyelids and clogging oil glands that destabilize the tear film; it is chronic but usually manageable with consistent care. Medically approved relief starts with daily warm compresses, gentle lid cleansing, and preservative free artificial tears, with omega 3s or doctor prescribed treatments when home care is not enough, plus clear warning signs that need prompt evaluation. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete steps, triggers to address, and when to seek care that could influence your next healthcare decisions.

Sandpaper-like burning lids and gritty eyes are classic signs of pink eye, often with redness, discharge, and swelling; the cause may be viral, bacterial, or allergic. Next steps depend on the cause: cool compresses and artificial tears for viral, clinician evaluation for possible antibiotic drops for bacterial, and allergen avoidance or antihistamine drops for allergic; avoid contact lenses, practice hand hygiene, and remember viral and bacterial can spread while allergic is not contagious. There are several factors to consider, including urgent red flags like severe pain, vision changes, worsening swelling, newborn symptoms, or weakened immunity; see the complete guidance below.

A hot, rough, sandpaper-like rash that spreads from the hairline down often means your immune system is fighting measles, a highly contagious viral illness that begins with high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and Koplik spots before the rash appears. Isolate, call a clinician before visiting, use supportive care like rest, fluids, and fever reducers, and know the red flags that need urgent care, while vaccination and doctor-directed vitamin A for children lower complications. There are several important timelines, risks, and recovery steps to consider; see below for complete guidance that could change your next steps.

Starbursts around lights are most often from astigmatism, but can also stem from dry eye, cataracts, corneal conditions, or temporary effects after LASIK; the proven path forward starts with a comprehensive eye exam to confirm the cause and guide treatment such as updated glasses, toric contacts, laser correction, dry eye therapy, or cataract surgery. Get urgent care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, flashes with floaters, or a curtain in vision, and see the detailed guidance below on night driving risks, what tends to improve on its own, and which next steps may best fit your situation.

Sensory static describes brain overload when your filtering of sounds, lights, touch, and thoughts falters; it is common and medically recognized in ASD, though it can also relate to ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, migraine, or poor sleep. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including clear next steps like talking to a primary care clinician to rule out other causes, requesting a formal ASD evaluation, considering occupational therapy and sensory supports, optimizing sleep, and seeking urgent care if symptoms are severe or sudden.

There are several factors to consider. When sex starts to feel like a chore, it often reflects common, treatable issues like chronic stress, hormonal shifts, erectile dysfunction, mental health or relationship strain, or medical conditions that affect blood flow, including diabetes, thyroid disease, sleep apnea, and early heart problems. See below for key red flags and practical next steps, from improving sleep and exercise, addressing health conditions, reducing alcohol and smoking, and honest partner communication, to when to see a doctor and which treatments or an ED symptom check may help.

Progressively dimming or narrowed side vision often points to glaucoma, a silent optic nerve disease usually related to eye pressure; a sudden painful red eye with blurred vision, halos, headache, or nausea can signal acute angle closure that needs emergency care. Treatment focuses on lowering eye pressure with prescription drops, sometimes oral meds, laser therapy, or surgery, plus consistent follow up; lost vision cannot be restored, so early diagnosis is key and there are several factors to weigh, with important details on testing, risks, and next steps below.

Sharp, cracking rib pain is most often from costochondritis, a musculoskeletal inflammation that is tender to touch and worse with movement or deep breaths; most cases are not dangerous and improve with rest, NSAIDs, heat or ice, posture changes, and gentle stretching. There are several factors to consider, including red flags like crushing pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or neck, shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, or sudden severe pain that require emergency care. See below for how to tell costochondritis from heart pain, other possible causes, and medically approved next steps to guide what you should do next.

Sharp pain under the right ribs that worsens after eating is often from the gallbladder, usually gallstones causing biliary colic; if pain is constant or comes with fever, chills, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, it may be acute cholecystitis that needs urgent care. Doctors confirm with an exam, blood tests, and ultrasound, and treatment ranges from pain control and a low-fat diet to antibiotics and gallbladder removal; there are several factors to consider for your next steps, so see the complete details below.

Sharp, worsening pain in the lower right abdomen with nausea, loss of appetite, or fever can signal appendicitis, a time sensitive emergency that often intensifies over 12 to 24 hours and can rupture if untreated within 24 to 72 hours. Seek urgent in person care if pain persists or worsens with movement; doctors confirm with exam, labs, and imaging, and most people need quick laparoscopic surgery while some mild cases may try antibiotics. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.

Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower right abdomen is often a sign of appendicitis, which may start near the belly button, then shift right and worsen with movement; without prompt care it can rupture and become life threatening. Seek urgent care for rapidly worsening right-sided pain, fever, vomiting, or marked tenderness, and avoid eating, heat, or strong pain medicine before evaluation. There are several factors to consider, including how doctors diagnose it, when antibiotics might be enough, surgical options, and look-alike conditions; see below to understand more and to guide your next steps.

A sharp, one-sided pelvic twinge in early pregnancy can signal an ectopic pregnancy, where implantation occurs outside the uterus and can lead to internal bleeding; warning signs include pain that persists or worsens, spotting, shoulder tip pain, dizziness, fainting, or heavy bleeding. If you are or could be pregnant, seek prompt medical evaluation, and call emergency services for severe symptoms; doctors confirm with hCG blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound and treat with methotrexate or surgery when needed. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below.

Sharp zapping tooth pain is usually from exposed dentin caused by sensitivity, cavities, cracks, gum recession, grinding, or sometimes infection, and it is a sign that something needs attention. Dentist approved steps range from desensitizing toothpaste and fluoride to fillings, bonding, night guards, or urgent care if pain lingers, throbs, or comes with swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are explained below.

Shooting leg pain that travels from your lower back down one leg is often sciatica, a misfiring nerve signal from irritation or compression due to things like a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, piriformis irritation, or spondylolisthesis, and most cases improve with time, smart movement, and targeted care. Know the red flags and next steps: seek urgent care for new bladder or bowel loss, groin numbness, or rapidly worsening leg weakness, and otherwise use gentle activity, heat or ice, NSAIDs if safe, posture changes, and physical therapy, with imaging or injections considered if symptoms last beyond 6 to 8 weeks; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your plan are outlined below.

Widespread pain with normal tests may be fibromyalgia, a nervous system disorder driven by central sensitization that turns up pain signaling and often brings fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and brain fog. Diagnosis is clinical after other diseases are excluded, and care focuses on calming the system with options like duloxetine or milnacipran, pregabalin, gentle exercise, sleep optimization, CBT, and stress reduction while avoiding opioids. There are several factors to consider, including red flags and step by step next actions, so see the complete guidance below to choose the best path forward.

Silent cravings arise from alcohol-driven changes in the brain’s reward pathways involving dopamine and opioid receptors, making urges feel automatic; FDA-approved naltrexone, used with medical guidance, blocks these receptors to reduce alcohol’s reward, curb cravings, and lower heavy-drinking days. There are several factors to consider, including who should not take it if using opioids or with severe liver disease, possible side effects, oral versus monthly injection, and the benefit of pairing it with counseling; see the complete answer below for key details that can shape your next steps and when to seek urgent care.

High blood pressure silently strains and damages your arteries and vital organs, yet it is measurable, manageable, and often preventable with checking your numbers, a DASH-style diet, regular exercise, weight loss, lower sodium, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, better sleep and stress control, and medications when needed. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, including your personal risk profile, primary vs secondary causes, how to monitor at home, medication options, and urgent warning signs; see below for complete details that can guide safer, more personalized decisions.

Colonoscopy is your best shield against silent colon cancer, which often causes no symptoms even when you feel fine, because it not only finds early disease but can remove precancerous polyps during the same visit; most people should start at 45, earlier if higher risk. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, including symptoms that need prompt care, how stool tests differ and when an abnormal result means colonoscopy, safety and prep, and what happens if something is found; see complete details below.

Silent plaque builds up quietly when the liver overproduces cholesterol, driven by genetics, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, diet high in saturated or refined foods, and conditions like hypothyroidism, kidney disease, obesity, or diabetes, raising heart attack and stroke risk. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Rosuvastatin blocks hepatic cholesterol production to lower LDL, stabilize plaque, and reduce events, and it is used with lifestyle changes, risk-based dosing, and lab monitoring; see below for who should consider therapy, how dosing and tests are timed, side effects to watch for, and urgent symptoms that require care.

High blood pressure often rises quietly and can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Common drivers include excess salt, weight gain, inactivity, stress, sleep apnea, certain medications, and temporary spikes from caffeine, nicotine, pain, or missed doses; patterns matter more than one reading, and 180/120 or higher with chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, vision changes, confusion, or weakness needs urgent care. Clinical steps include confirming home readings correctly, tracking over days, optimizing lifestyle with DASH eating, sodium reduction, exercise, weight and sleep, limiting alcohol and stopping smoking, and discussing medication and checks for secondary causes with your clinician if readings stay at or above 130/80; there are several factors to consider, and the complete, step by step guidance is below.

A racing or pounding heart is often harmless but can overlap with high blood pressure or other conditions; compare your numbers to the blood pressure chart (normal under 120/80, Stage 1 is 130 to 139 over 80 to 89, Stage 2 is 140 or higher over 90 or higher, and 180/120 or higher with red flag symptoms is an emergency). Check your pulse and blood pressure after resting, address triggers like caffeine, anxiety, dehydration, or poor sleep, and seek care for repeated Stage 1 or 2 readings, a resting heart rate over 100, or any emergency signs such as chest pain or vision changes. There are several factors to consider. See complete details below for the full chart, risks, home monitoring steps, and proven treatments that could change your next steps.

Early pregnancy often starts quietly, with subtle changes like a missed period, breast tenderness, mild cramping, fatigue, nausea, and frequent urination that can mirror PMS. For the most accurate, medically approved approach, take a home test after a missed period using first morning urine, read and follow the package exactly, check the expiration date, and if negative but your period has not arrived, retest in 2 to 3 days. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including when a blood test is appropriate, what to do after a positive test such as starting prenatal vitamins and avoiding alcohol, and urgent red flags like severe pelvic pain or heavy bleeding that require immediate medical care.

LDL cholesterol can climb without symptoms due to subtle diet shifts, weight or waist gain, less activity, aging, hormonal changes like menopause or low thyroid, genetics, and conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease, and risk depends on your whole cardiovascular profile. Medically approved next steps are to confirm the lab, improve diet with more soluble fiber and less saturated fat, exercise regularly, pursue modest weight loss, screen for secondary causes, and consider medicines like statins if risk is higher; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below.

Fatigue, low libido, brain fog, and slower recovery can reflect connected anatomy misfires, often from hormonal imbalance like late-onset low testosterone, and they warrant attention because untreated issues can affect bones, heart, mood, and metabolism. There are several factors to consider, and medically approved next steps include structured symptom checks, a doctor visit with morning labs to confirm and rule out other causes, lifestyle treatment first, and carefully monitored testosterone therapy when appropriate; see the complete guidance below because key details there can change which next step is right for you.

Facial heaviness that feels like concrete is most often sinus congestion from sinusitis or a cold; short-term, properly dosed Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) can shrink swollen nasal tissues to open drainage and ease pressure, and works best when combined with saline rinses, fluids, warm compresses, nasal steroids for allergies, and head elevation. There are several factors to consider. See below for who should avoid Sudafed, which product and dose to choose, how long to use it, and the red flags that may signal bacterial infection or urgent issues, which can affect your next healthcare steps.

Hemorrhoids swell when pressure builds in rectal veins from straining, constipation or diarrhea, prolonged sitting on the toilet, pregnancy, obesity, aging, or heavy lifting, and the sharp “sitting on glass” pain often comes from an inflamed or thrombosed external hemorrhoid. Most improve with fiber and hydration to soften stool, limiting toilet time, warm sitz baths, short-term topical relief, gentle hygiene, and reducing sitting pressure with regular activity; there are several factors to consider, so see below for key red flags that may change your next steps and the in-office treatments available if home care does not help.

Persistent breakouts often come from excess oil, clogged pores, Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammation; when moderate to severe or scarring acne does not improve with standard treatments, isotretinoin (Accutane) targets all four causes and can provide long-term remission with proper medical monitoring. There are several factors to consider, so see below for medically proven Accutane steps and safety essentials, including how doctors evaluate candidacy, required labs and pregnancy precautions, typical dosing and side effects including early flare, urgent red flags, and what to confirm before starting.

Burning, itchy welts are often hives, usually triggered by allergies, medications, infections, stress, or physical factors like heat and pressure, and they often respond to non drowsy antihistamines, cool compresses, and avoiding triggers. Get emergency care for breathing difficulty, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, or fainting, and see a clinician if episodes persist, recur, or may be medication related. There are several factors to consider, including how to tell hives from other rashes and which next steps are right for you; see the complete details below.

Scabies is a common cause of intense nighttime itching with a bumpy, burrowed rash, and it is curable with prescription permethrin 5 percent cream or, when needed, oral ivermectin, alongside same-day treatment of close contacts and basic hot-wash cleaning; expect post-scabies itch to last up to 2 to 4 weeks. There are several factors to consider. See below for how to confirm the diagnosis, who in the household needs treatment, exactly how to clean, warning signs like crusted scabies or infection, and when to seek medical care.