Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Both Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 and have similar safety profiles; for most people, the best choice is the one available soonest, along with staying current on boosters. There are several factors to consider, including age authorization, dosing interval, availability, and the slightly higher myocarditis risk observed with Moderna in younger males. See the complete details below to understand what may matter for you and your next steps.

MPV reflects the average size of your platelets and, interpreted with your platelet count, can point to inflammation and cardiovascular risk, shifts from liver disease, or bone marrow and vitamin issues, though delays and analyzer differences can falsely raise or lower it. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including when an unexpected MPV should be repeated promptly, how to pair it with other labs, and which symptoms or rising trends mean you should contact your clinician to guide your next steps.

Early symptoms of glaucoma can be subtle, such as patchy blind spots and gradual loss of side vision, halos around lights, slow adaptation to darkness, occasional blurred vision, mild eye aching or brow headaches, and sometimes eye redness. Because many people have no early symptoms at all, your risk factors and the need for timely eye exams are crucial to next steps; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.

Vision loss from glaucoma usually begins with subtle peripheral blind spots that are easy to miss, progresses to a narrowing of the visual field that feels like tunnel vision, and can ultimately affect central vision and lead to permanent blindness if not treated. There are several factors to consider; see below for details on the stages of vision loss, real-life warning signs, urgent symptoms, and the specific tests and treatments that can help protect your sight and guide next steps.

A glaucoma eye exam is a painless, comprehensive visit that typically includes history and vision checks, eye pressure measurement, corneal thickness testing, drainage angle evaluation, optic nerve assessment, visual field testing, and OCT imaging. Your doctor then explains your risk or diagnosis and recommends monitoring, eye drops, laser, or surgery as needed, but there are important details that can affect your next steps; see the complete breakdown below.

Left untreated, glaucoma causes irreversible optic nerve damage and progressive vision loss, usually beginning with peripheral vision, advancing to tunnel vision, and potentially ending in blindness. There are several factors to consider, and timely treatment that lowers eye pressure has been proven to slow progression; risks to safety, independence, and daily tasks are explained in detail. See below for key details and practical next steps for your care.

A coffee enema involves introducing brewed, cooled coffee into the rectum and colon to promote bowel cleansing and purported liver detox; high quality clinical evidence is minimal and major liver guidelines do not endorse it. There are several factors to consider. See below for many important details on risks like electrolyte imbalance, infection, tissue injury, and caffeine side effects, who should be cautious, when to seek care, and evidence-based alternatives that could change your next steps.

An enema is a medical procedure in which liquid is introduced into the rectum and lower intestine to trigger a bowel movement, deliver medication locally, or cleanse the colon before diagnostic tests. There are several factors to consider, including the type of enema, proper technique, and potential risks such as electrolyte shifts or irritation. See below for essential details and safety guidance that may influence your next steps.

Gemtesa (vibegron) is a prescription medicine used to treat overactive bladder in adults, reducing sudden urinary urgency, frequent urination, leakage, and nighttime urination by relaxing the bladder muscle. There are several factors to consider, including who is a good candidate, how quickly it works, possible side effects, and safety considerations; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Midodrine is used to raise blood pressure by tightening blood vessels; its main evidence-based uses are neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and, in advanced liver disease, type 1 hepatorenal syndrome when combined with octreotide and albumin. There are several factors to consider, including dosing frequency and avoiding doses near bedtime due to supine hypertension risk, potential side effects, and important precautions and interactions; see below for complete details that could influence your next steps and when to contact a clinician.

Nurtec, or rimegepant, is used for migraines in adults in two ways: it treats an acute migraine attack with or without aura, and it helps prevent episodic migraine when taken on a regular schedule. There are several factors to consider, including who should use it, dosing and how quickly it works, possible side effects, liver or kidney limits, pregnancy and breastfeeding questions, and drug interactions. See the complete answer below to understand more and decide on next steps with your clinician.

The strongest prescription lidocaine patch is the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster, often known as Lidoderm, which provides targeted numbing for up to 12 hours and is stronger than OTC 4% options. There are several important factors to consider, including safe dosing limits, correct placement and wear time, potential side effects, costs, and when to talk to a clinician. See below for details that could influence your next steps.

If you have a parent, sibling, or child with primary open-angle glaucoma, your risk is about 3 to 4 times higher than average; siblings may face up to around a 10 percent lifetime risk versus about 2 to 3 percent in the general population. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand how age, eye pressure, corneal thickness, optic nerve appearance, and race influence your individual risk and to review screening recommendations and next steps.

Confirm your glaucoma type and stage and your target eye pressure with your eye doctor, then follow a personalized plan that may include prescription drops, laser like SLT, or surgery, with regular pressure checks, visual field tests, and OCT imaging. Use reminders to take drops correctly, make supportive lifestyle changes, involve family, and know urgent warning signs such as sudden severe eye pain, halos, or vision loss that need immediate care. There are several factors to consider, and the specifics can change your next steps. See the complete details below for monitoring timelines, drop techniques, when to seek a second opinion, mental health and low vision resources, and what to do in emergencies.

Start with cool liquids for the first 24 hours, move to purees and very soft foods on days 2 to 3, then soft solids like mashed potatoes, eggs, oatmeal, and very tender shredded meats on days 4 to 7, and slowly return to regular foods after a week while avoiding straws, hot, hard, crunchy, sticky, or seedy foods. There are several factors to consider, including staying well hydrated, prioritizing protein and healthy fats, keeping foods cool, and recognizing warning signs like worsening pain, fever, pus, or persistent numbness that mean you should contact your surgeon. See the complete guidance below for specific food lists, timing, what to avoid, and when to seek care.

Lowering intraocular pressure is the cornerstone of glaucoma treatment, and combining it with early detection and regular monitoring is what most effectively preserves vision. Because the right plan depends on your personal risk factors, target pressure, and consistent use of therapies, there are several factors to consider; see below for the key details that could shape your next steps.

There are key differences to consider: cataracts cloud the eye’s lens, causing blurry, glare-prone vision that is usually reversible with surgery, while glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often from high eye pressure, leading to irreversible vision loss managed with drops, laser or surgery. Because glaucoma can be silent early and angle-closure can be an emergency with sudden eye pain, halos, redness, nausea and vomiting, important next steps depend on these nuances. See the complete details below for symptoms, tests, treatment choices, prevention and when to seek urgent care.

Surgery is generally recommended when eye pressure stays above your target despite maximum tolerated drops, if vision or optic nerve damage progresses, if drops cause significant side effects or are hard to use consistently, or in advanced or secondary glaucomas. There are several factors to consider, and options range from in-office lasers to minimally invasive or filtering surgeries, with the choice guided by how low your pressure needs to be and your risk profile; see below for important details that can affect the best next step in your care.

Get a tetanus shot as soon as possible if your last booster was 10 years or more ago for a clean minor cut, 5 years or more ago for a dirty, deep, puncture, bite, or crush wound, or if you never completed the three dose series, in which case you may also need tetanus immune globulin. There are several factors to consider; see below for details that could change your next steps, including the ideal 24 to 48 hour window, that it is still helpful after 3 days, and when to seek urgent care.

People at higher risk include adults over 60, those with a first-degree family history, people of African or Afro-Caribbean descent, Hispanic/Latino adults especially after 70, individuals of Asian descent for angle-closure, and anyone with elevated eye pressure or thin corneas. Other contributors include diabetes, hypertension, migraines or vasospastic disorders, severe myopia, sleep apnea, eye injuries, long-term steroid use, and uveitis. There are several factors to consider, and the full list plus symptoms, screening schedules, and when to seek urgent care can change your next steps; see below for the complete answer.

Early detection of glaucoma is crucial because it often has no early symptoms yet can cause irreversible vision loss; catching it early lets your eye doctor lower eye pressure, slow progression by up to 50 percent, preserve vision and independence, and may reduce treatment burden and costs. There are several factors to consider, from personal risk and screening timing to the most useful tests and treatments; see the full guidance below to decide your next steps, including when to book a comprehensive eye exam.

Eye drops are used because they directly lower intraocular pressure by either reducing the eye’s fluid production or increasing its drainage, which protects the optic nerve and slows or prevents vision loss; they are the first-line treatment since they are effective, targeted, and easy to use at home. There are several factors to consider, including which drug class is best, proper drop technique, adherence, side effects, and when laser or surgery might be needed; see below for details that can guide your next steps and follow-up care.

It often advances quietly because early damage targets peripheral vision while central sight stays sharp, the brain fills in missing areas, and there is usually no pain; optic nerve injury can continue from fluctuating or even normal eye pressure. There are several factors to consider, including age, family history, eye-to-eye differences, and missed drops or visits; see below for warning signs, when to get screened, and the next steps that could change your care plan.

Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because it causes progressive, irreversible damage to the optic nerve that usually starts without pain or early warning, gradually stealing peripheral vision before noticeable changes occur. There are several factors to consider, including who is at higher risk, how to catch it early with routine eye exams, and which symptoms require urgent care; see below for key tests, treatment options, and the right next steps.

Ongoing care is vital because only consistent lowering of eye pressure through drops, laser, or surgery slows irreversible optic nerve damage, preserving vision and reducing the risk of blindness. Regular monitoring and strong adherence matter, since pressure spikes from missed meds or appointments can speed progression; there are several factors to consider, and important next steps may depend on them, so see below to understand more.

Take Colace at night to sync its 12 to 72 hour stool softening effect with a morning bowel movement, build a consistent routine, and limit daytime cramps or interactions with other medications. There are several factors to consider; see below for important details on hydration timing, liver disease considerations, combining with fiber or laxatives, practical dosing tips, and when to seek medical care so you can choose the right next steps.

Glaucoma can silently and permanently damage vision without pain or early warning, so screening is crucial even when your eyes feel normal. Detecting high eye pressure and optic nerve changes early allows timely treatment that can reduce risk and slow progression. There are several factors to consider, including age, family history, and race, plus how often you should be screened and what tests are used. See below for the complete guidance and next steps that could influence when to schedule an exam and when to seek urgent care.

Yes, feeling distressed about chemo related appearance changes is common and normal, as treatment can cause hair loss, skin and nail changes, weight shifts, and swelling. There are practical ways to cope and clear signs for when to contact your care team for medical or emotional help; see below for key details that can guide your next steps.

Yes, it is completely normal to feel distressed by appearance changes during chemotherapy, as treatments commonly affect fast-growing cells in hair, skin, and nails and can deeply impact self-image and daily confidence. There are several factors to consider, including which changes are expected, practical coping options, when to contact your doctor for urgent symptoms, and which effects are usually temporary; see below for details that could shape your next steps with your care team.

Mild, brief stinging or a dull ache during an arm IV infusion can be normal from vein irritation, but intense burning, rapid swelling or blistering, a hard tender cord, fluid leakage, or numbness in the hand are red flags that need urgent evaluation. There are several factors to consider, including steps to reduce pain during infusion, what to do if discomfort starts, and when to ask about a port or PICC; see the complete guidance below for specific actions and when to contact your oncology team immediately.