Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

There are several factors to consider: celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to gluten that damages small-intestinal villi, causing gut and whole‑body symptoms, and it is confirmed with antibody blood tests and often an endoscopic biopsy while you are still eating gluten. Do not remove gluten before testing; see a clinician for evaluation, and if diagnosed, follow a strict lifelong gluten-free diet with monitoring for nutrient deficiencies and bone health, and dietitian support; see below for key warning signs, look‑alike conditions, risk factors, and step‑by‑step testing details that could change your next steps.

There are several factors to consider: chlamydia often hides without symptoms in the genitals, rectum, or throat, so the only way to know is a urine or swab lab test. If positive, medically approved next steps are antibiotics, no sex until treatment is finished, and partner testing and treatment, with urgent care for severe pelvic or testicular pain or fever; see below for key timelines, screening recommendations, prevention tips, and lookalike conditions that could change your next steps.

There are several factors to consider; colitis means your colon is inflamed, with causes ranging from infections to ulcerative, ischemic, or microscopic colitis or medication reactions, and red flags like severe pain, heavy bleeding, high fever, or dehydration require urgent care. Next steps usually include stool and blood tests and a colonoscopy with biopsy, and you should see a clinician for diarrhea lasting more than a few days, blood in your stool, weight loss, or persistent abdominal pain. For fuller guidance, including symptom patterns, treatment options, and when to use a UC symptom check, see the complete details below.

Chest tightness can be caused by reduced blood flow from coronary artery disease, especially if it feels like pressure, spreads to the jaw or arm, or comes with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or symptoms during activity or at rest; call emergency services for severe or sudden symptoms. Medically approved next steps range from urgent care to doctor-guided testing and treatment with lifestyle changes, medications, or procedures depending on your risks and symptom pattern. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more.

There are several factors to consider: a brain that feels foggy or like it is shutting down can be depression if multiple symptoms such as persistent low mood, loss of interest, extreme fatigue, sleep or appetite changes, and poor concentration last 2 or more weeks and disrupt life, but thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, anemia, sleep problems, medications, and burnout can mimic it. Your next steps are to do a quick symptom check, book a medical and mental health evaluation to rule out other causes and discuss effective treatments like therapy and antidepressants, and seek urgent help for any thoughts of self harm. See the complete guidance below for key red flags, specific tests, and decision points that can change which path is right for you.

Down syndrome, or Trisomy 21, happens when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21, most often from random nondisjunction, with less common translocation or mosaic forms; risk rises with maternal age and signs can include characteristic facial features and developmental delays. Medically approved next steps are to confirm with diagnostic genetic testing after screening by working with your obstetrician or pediatrician and a genetic counselor, and to start early intervention if diagnosed; there are several factors to consider, including associated heart, thyroid, hearing, vision, and feeding or breathing issues that can be urgent, so see the complete guidance below.

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep leg vein that can cause one-sided swelling, pain, warmth, or redness and can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism; it occurs when blood flow slows, blood clots more easily, or a vein is damaged. There are several factors to consider and some conditions can mimic it; see below for risk factors, symptom clues, and how doctors confirm it. If you suspect it, do not massage the leg and seek prompt care for evaluation with D-dimer and ultrasound, and go to the ER immediately for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or coughing blood, with treatment, prevention, and next-step details outlined below.

Dyslexia is a common neurodevelopmental reading difference affecting about 1 in 5 people, causing difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, spelling, and decoding due to phonological processing differences, not vision problems or low intelligence. There are several factors to consider in choosing next steps; see below for medically approved guidance on proper evaluation and support, including talking with a doctor to rule out hearing or vision issues, requesting a school evaluation for IEP or 504 services, using structured literacy programs, assessing coexisting issues like ADHD or anxiety, and knowing when symptoms need urgent care.

Ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus; warning signs include one-sided lower abdominal or pelvic pain, unusual vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting, and any severe pain or fainting needs emergency care. There are several factors to consider, and the safest next steps vary by your situation: take a pregnancy test if you missed a period, track symptoms, contact your clinician promptly, and seek emergency care for severe pain or signs of shock; see below for full details on risks, diagnosis with hCG and transvaginal ultrasound, treatment options like methotrexate or surgery, and guidance on future fertility and emotional support.

Encephalopathy is a broad term for brain dysfunction that can cause sudden confusion, unusual sleepiness, personality or memory changes, seizures, or coma, most often from issues like liver or kidney failure, low oxygen, infections, toxins or medications, and electrolyte or blood sugar problems. There are several factors to consider; urgent medical evaluation and treatment of the cause are critical, and you should seek emergency care for severe confusion, seizures, inability to wake, or stroke-like symptoms. See the complete, medically approved next steps, red flags, reversible causes, tests doctors use, and prevention tips below.

There are several factors to consider. Estrogen shifts are a common, biologically plausible cause of mood changes, sleep problems, brain fog, hot flashes, and irregular cycles, but symptoms can reflect low, high, or fluctuating levels and can also mimic thyroid disorders, anemia, or other conditions. Next steps include tracking symptoms for 4 to 6 weeks, using a structured symptom check, and speaking with a clinician about labs and tailored treatments ranging from lifestyle changes to hormone or nonhormonal options, with urgent red flags and who should avoid hormones explained below.

There are several factors to consider. Chest enlargement in men is usually either soft, diffuse fat that improves with weight loss or gynecomastia, a firm or rubbery tender disc under the nipple from a hormone imbalance that often does not fully resolve with weight loss. Next steps may include watchful waiting, lifestyle changes, medication review, hormonal therapy, or surgery, with urgent care for a hard immovable mass, nipple discharge, rapid or one sided growth, or testicular changes; see below for detailed causes, diagnosis steps, and red flags that can change what you should do.

FDA approval means the FDA reviewed evidence that a product is safe and effective for its intended use, but it does not guarantee it will work for everyone or be free of side effects. There are several factors to consider, and some products like supplements and most cosmetics are not FDA approved; see details below. If your body is reacting, it could be a common side effect, an allergy, a drug interaction, incorrect dosing, or a sensitivity related to your health conditions; review the label, track symptoms, call your doctor, and seek urgent care for warning signs like trouble breathing, facial swelling, chest pain, severe rash, or persistent vomiting, and find step by step next actions below.

Gangrene is tissue death from lost blood flow or severe infection, often in toes, feet, fingers, legs, or wounds, and it requires urgent medical care. Watch for rapidly worsening discoloration to blue, purple, black or green, swelling, blisters, foul odor, severe pain or sudden numbness, and fever; early treatment may include IV antibiotics, urgent surgical removal of dead tissue, restoring blood flow with angioplasty or bypass, and sometimes hyperbaric oxygen. There are several factors to consider, especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems, so see the complete guidance below for key risks, warning signs, and medically approved next steps.

Genital herpes is common, and while classic signs include painful grouped fluid-filled blisters, tingling before sores, and flu-like symptoms with a first outbreak, many look-alikes like ingrown hairs, razor burn, yeast infections, contact dermatitis, and folliculitis are also common. There are several factors to consider, see below to understand more. Next steps include prompt medical evaluation with swab testing of fresh sores and blood tests when needed, starting antivirals to shorten outbreaks and reduce transmission, avoiding sex until lesions heal, using condoms for partial protection, and seeking urgent care for severe symptoms or if pregnant or immunocompromised, with more details below.

There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more: genital warts are common, treatable growths from low risk HPV that often appear as small flesh colored or cauliflower like bumps, but other conditions can look similar. Below you will find medically approved next steps on diagnosis, proven treatments and recurrence, when to seek urgent care, safer sex and partner guidance including avoiding sex until evaluated, vaccination, and what to do now such as not self treating and scheduling an appointment.

There are several factors to consider: glioblastoma is serious but relatively rare, and many brain changes are more commonly caused by treatable problems like migraines, sleep or mood disorders, thyroid or B12 issues, or medication effects. Be concerned if symptoms are progressive or focal, are new and different, or include a first-time seizure or sudden weakness, speech trouble, severe headache, or vision loss. Medically approved next steps are to track symptoms, see your primary care clinician or a neurologist promptly to discuss ruling out a brain tumor with an MRI, and use emergency care for red flags; see below for important details that can affect which steps you take.

There are several factors to consider with possible gonorrhea. See below to understand symptoms versus silent infection, site specific testing, and medically approved next steps that can affect what you should do now. It is a common bacterial STI that can cause burning urination, abnormal genital, throat, or rectal discharge, pelvic pain, or no symptoms at all, so testing is the only way to know; prompt treatment with recommended antibiotics like ceftriaxone, partner treatment, and 7 days of no sex help prevent serious complications, and severe pelvic pain, fever, joint swelling, or a rash need urgent care.

Fever and sore throat followed by painful mouth sores and small red spots or blisters on the hands and feet, sometimes spreading to the mouth area, buttocks, elbows, knees, or trunk, most often indicates hand foot and mouth disease; the rash can appear in waves because the virus circulates in the bloodstream and some strains cause wider involvement, and it usually resolves in 7 to 10 days. Medically approved next steps are supportive care using acetaminophen or ibuprofen, plenty of cold fluids and oral rehydration, gentle skin care, good hygiene, and staying home while fever or painful blisters are active; seek urgent care for dehydration, severe headache, stiff neck, breathing problems, persistent vomiting, or fever lasting more than 3 days, especially in young infants. There are several factors to consider that could change your next steps; see below to understand more.

Chest burning after meals that improves with antacids suggests heartburn, but pressure-like chest discomfort that lasts or returns, spreads to the arm, jaw, back, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or unusual fatigue can indicate a heart attack that needs immediate emergency care. If you are unsure, assume it is urgent and call emergency services, especially if you have risk factors or are a woman or a person with diabetes who may have atypical or mild signs. There are several factors to consider, and important details about symptoms, risk, and what to do next are covered below.

There are several factors to consider: hepatitis C is often silent, so testing matters more than guessing; simple blood tests (antibody then HCV RNA) confirm infection, and modern antivirals taken as pills cure over 95%. See below for details that may change your next steps. Next steps include speaking with a doctor, avoiding alcohol while being evaluated, and seeking urgent care for jaundice, confusion, severe abdominal swelling, or vomiting blood; risk factors, prevention tips, and how to protect others are outlined below and may change what you do.

Liver inflammation can be hepatitis, but not always; causes include viral infections, alcohol, fatty liver related to metabolism, autoimmune disease, and medication or supplement injury, confirmed with blood tests and imaging. Medically approved steps are to see a doctor promptly, avoid all alcohol, review every medication and supplement, get tested for viral hepatitis, and follow lifestyle and follow-up plans, with urgent care for severe pain, confusion, heavy jaundice, or persistent vomiting. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete details that could affect your next steps.

There are several factors to consider. Herpes is common and causes tingling and blisters because your immune system is reacting to HSV, but since many other conditions look similar, the only way to know is proper evaluation and testing, ideally a swab PCR from a new sore. Next steps include starting antivirals early, avoiding sexual contact during outbreaks, and getting urgent care for red flags like eye pain, severe headache, confusion, or pregnancy concerns; see below for important details on triggers, prevention, partner protection, and when blood tests help that could change your care plan.

A high reading is generally 130/80 or higher, with 180/120 an emergency; spikes can be caused by stress, caffeine, pain, certain medicines, or longer-term issues like excess salt, sleep apnea, kidney disease, or weight. Medically approved steps include confirming accurate home readings, cutting sodium, regular exercise, weight control, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco, better sleep and stress management, and using prescribed medicines, with urgent care for 180/120 or symptoms like chest pain, severe headache, vision changes, or weakness. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps. See the complete guidance below for key details on causes, safe self-care, and when to seek medical help.

Blistering, oozing sores or honey-colored crusts around the nose or mouth often indicate impetigo, a contagious bacterial skin infection, but similar blisters can also result from eczema, contact dermatitis, cold sores, shingles, fungal infections, or autoimmune conditions. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Next steps backed by medical guidance include gently washing and covering lesions, avoiding scratching and shared items, and seeing a clinician promptly for confirmation and antibiotic treatment if needed, while seeking urgent care for fever, severe pain, or rapidly spreading redness.

There are several factors to consider; gastroenteritis hurts because infection triggers inflammation and strong intestinal spasms, causing cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and the main danger is dehydration even though most cases resolve in a few days. Start with oral rehydration, rest and bland foods, use medicines carefully, prevent spread, and seek care for red flags like signs of dehydration, blood in stool or vomit, high fever, severe abdominal pain, or symptoms lasting more than 3 to 5 days; see below for complete guidance that could change your next steps.

RSV often starts like a routine cold with runny nose, cough, and low fever, but worsening cough or wheeze, fast or difficult breathing, poor feeding in infants, or symptoms that do not improve after several days can signal a lower respiratory infection that needs medical attention, especially in babies, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease. There are several factors to consider, including when to seek urgent care, what testing and supportive treatment look like, and how to reduce spread. See below for clear next steps, plus a trusted pneumonia symptom check, so you can decide when home care is enough and when to contact a doctor or go to the ER.

There are several factors to consider: most moles are harmless, but any spot that is new or changing, looks different from others, or fits ABCDE warning signs could be melanoma, which is far more curable when found early. Melanoma spreads when deeper tumor cells reach lymphatic vessels or the bloodstream, so medically approved next steps are prompt skin exam and biopsy, staging if cancer is confirmed, and treatment matched to stage such as surgical removal, lymph node evaluation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and close follow up; see the complete guidance below for nuances that could change your next steps.

A simple stomach ache often eases within a day, but appendicitis usually worsens, with pain moving from near the belly button to the lower right abdomen and symptoms like tenderness, nausea or vomiting, low fever, and loss of appetite that require prompt medical care to prevent rupture. There are several factors to consider, including different symptom patterns in children, pregnancy, and older adults, how diagnosis is confirmed with exams and imaging, and when surgery or antibiotics are used. See below for complete details on red flags, when to go to urgent care or the ER, and what recovery looks like.

Kidney pain typically feels like a deep, one-sided ache in the upper back or flank that does not improve with position changes and is often paired with urinary symptoms or fever, pointing to causes like a kidney infection or kidney stones rather than simple muscle strain. Seek urgent care for fever with flank pain, severe or worsening pain, vomiting, blood in urine, confusion, or signs of dehydration; clinicians confirm the cause with urine, blood, and imaging tests and treat infections promptly with antibiotics. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete next steps and important details below.