Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and is contagious through cough and contact, while chronic bronchitis from long term irritants like smoking is not contagious. There are several factors to consider; see below for key differences that can change what you do next. To lower spread, practice hand hygiene, cover coughs, clean surfaces and consider a mask around vulnerable people; most cases improve in 2 to 3 weeks and antibiotics are rarely needed. Seek medical care sooner for high fever, trouble breathing, chest pain or bloody mucus, and find additional details and next steps below.

Gently and infrequently cracking your back is generally safe and can provide short-term relief, but doing it often or forcefully can irritate joints, increase laxity, and sometimes hide underlying issues; rare serious complications are mostly tied to high-velocity manipulations, particularly in the neck. There are several factors to consider, including red flags like worsening pain, numbness, weakness, or bladder and bowel changes, and conditions like osteoporosis; see below for safer alternatives, when to seek care, and how professional treatment differs.

Metamucil, a psyllium fiber supplement, can support regular bowel movements, lower LDL cholesterol, smooth post-meal blood sugar, and may help you feel fuller when taken as directed. There are several factors to consider; start low, drink plenty of water, separate it from medicines, and check with a clinician if you have swallowing problems, bowel narrowing, active IBD flares, severe fluid limits, or liver disease, and see complete safety tips and red flags below.

Yes, urine contains DNA. It includes DNA from shed urinary tract cells plus highly fragmented human cell-free and mitochondrial DNA and microbial DNA, with amounts that can be low and variable based on hydration, kidney function, infection, and time of day. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including how sensitive tests detect it and how findings may guide bladder, prostate, or kidney cancer screening and monitoring, prenatal screening research, transplant surveillance, and infection testing, as well as important limitations and lab quality issues that could change your next steps.

Generally safe when used as directed, Voltaren gel offers localized pain relief with lower systemic risks than oral NSAIDs, and most side effects are mild skin irritation. Serious issues are rare but can occur with large-area or prolonged use or in people with heart, kidney, liver, or stomach disease, during late pregnancy, or when combined with blood thinners or other NSAIDs; see below for dosing limits, interactions, and red flags that should prompt medical care.

Yes, taking two Aleve 220 mg tablets at once 440 mg can be within standard adult dosing, but after 65 you should be cautious; space doses 8-12 hours apart, do not exceed 3 tablets 660 mg in 24 hours, and take with food. There are several factors to consider. Older adults have higher risks for stomach bleeding, heart and kidney issues, and drug interactions, so review your conditions and medications and consider alternatives like acetaminophen; key details and when to contact a clinician are explained below.

There are several factors to consider with cefdinir after 65: it does not treat viral illnesses, cultures may be needed to rule out resistance, and you should complete the full prescribed course. See below to understand more. Important details below cover dose adjustments for reduced kidney function, sensitivity to side effects like diarrhea and C diff, and how liver disease and low albumin can change drug levels, which could affect whether you need testing, a different dose, or urgent care.

There are several factors to consider. Five common mistakes with Metamucil include taking too much without enough water, using it as a diet replacement, assuming it is safe with liver or kidney disease, taking it too close to medications, and expecting immediate results; see below for the complete answer and why these specifics could change your next steps. For safer use, follow label doses with a full 8 oz of water and extra fluids, combine with whole food fiber, separate it from medicines by 1 to 2 hours, give it days to weeks to work, and talk to your clinician first if you have cirrhosis, ascites, kidney issues, or red flag symptoms; key details and exceptions are explained below.

There are several factors to consider; psyllium is not just for constipation in adults over 65, it can also help steady blood sugar after meals, lower LDL cholesterol, and support a healthier microbiome when used correctly. See below for details. Start low and increase gradually, split doses, separate it from other medicines by 1 to 4 hours, drink at least 8 oz of fluid with every 5 g, and do not stop diabetes or cholesterol medications without your clinician, especially if you have liver disease or notice red flag symptoms. Complete dosing tips, interaction cautions, hydration guidelines, and when to seek care are explained below.

Avoid combining benzonatate with CNS depressants, including opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep aids, muscle relaxants, barbiturates, and alcohol, and with sedating first generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, and hydroxyzine, as well as other local anesthetics and drugs that slow gut motility such as opioids and anticholinergics. Use caution if you take liver metabolized medicines like some statins, certain antidepressants such as sertraline or paroxetine, or antifungals like ketoconazole. Older adults have higher interaction risk due to polypharmacy and slower drug clearance, so watch for dizziness, confusion, or breathing changes and talk to your clinician before starting or stopping any medicine. There are several factors to consider, and you can find important details and next steps below.

Key drugs to avoid or use cautiously with Farxiga after 65 include diuretics, blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs and nitrates, insulin or sulfonylureas, common NSAIDs, lithium, and potent CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors, since combinations can raise risks of dehydration, low blood pressure, kidney problems and hypoglycemia. There are several factors to consider, including liver disease and age-related changes that may require dose adjustments, monitoring and hydration strategies; see the complete guidance below and talk with your clinician or pharmacist before changing any medication.

Midodrine raises blood pressure by tightening blood vessels and is most often used for orthostatic hypotension and complications of advanced liver disease like refractory ascites or hepatorenal syndrome, with studies showing better symptoms, kidney function, and fewer hospitalizations. There are several factors to consider, including daytime-only dosing, important interactions such as with MAO inhibitors, and side effects like scalp tingling, urinary retention, and especially high blood pressure when lying down that require position-based blood pressure checks. See the complete details below to understand risks, red flags that need urgent care, and how these points could change your next steps.

Five common pitfalls when choosing OTC sore throat relief include treating every sore throat the same, ignoring your medical history, assuming all lozenges work the same, overlooking hidden ingredient overlap, and not following dosing or duration limits. There are several factors to consider; see below for how to match treatment to cause, safer choices if you have liver, kidney, or heart issues, differences among menthol, benzocaine, phenol and flurbiprofen lozenges, how to avoid acetaminophen or decongestant double dosing, and red flags that mean you should seek care.

There are several causes and fixes to consider for sudden muffled hearing in one ear: earwax, middle-ear fluid or Eustachian tube blockage, barotrauma, and noise exposure are common, but sudden sensorineural hearing loss is an emergency that often needs prompt steroid treatment within 72 hours. Try safe first steps like wax-softening drops, gentle swallowing or Valsalva to equalize pressure, and short-term decongestants, but seek urgent care if hearing drops suddenly without a clear cause or with ringing, vertigo, severe pain, drainage, facial weakness, or after head injury; key red flags, timelines, and step-by-step treatments are outlined below.

Most fluid released during squirting comes from the bladder and is urine, sometimes mixed with small amounts of Skene’s gland secretions; the exact mix can vary with hydration, bladder fullness, and individual anatomy. This is different from urinary incontinence, which is unintentional leakage not tied to pleasurable release. It is usually normal and harmless, but there are several factors to consider for comfort and safety; see below for practical tips, how to tell it apart from incontinence, and red flags like pain, frequent UTIs, or leakage outside sexual activity that should guide your next steps.

Voltaren gel is a topical NSAID for joint and muscle pain that can ease hand and knee osteoarthritis, strains, and tendonitis with lower systemic exposure than oral NSAIDs, often helping within 1 week and peaking by 2 to 3 weeks when used as directed on clean, dry skin without heat or tight bandages. There are several safety factors to consider; see below for key details on skin irritation, rare but serious stomach, heart, kidney and blood pressure risks, who should avoid or be cautious including those with liver or kidney disease, heart disease, late pregnancy, children under 14, or NSAID allergies, plus drug interactions, dosing limits, and when to seek care.

Batana oil can strengthen and smooth hair, soothe the scalp, deeply hydrate skin, support barrier repair and even tone, and its antioxidants and plant sterols may offer modest broader wellness benefits, although evidence for internal use remains preliminary. There are several factors to consider, including product quality, patch testing, proper application, and cautions if you plan to ingest it or have liver or heart concerns; see below to understand more and decide on the right next steps.

Black spots on the gums are most often benign pigmentation from natural skin tone, smoking, or an amalgam tattoo, but rarely they can indicate oral melanoma, medication effects, heavy metal exposure, or Addison’s disease. There are several factors to consider, especially rapid change, irregular borders or multiple colors, bleeding, pain, firmness, or systemic symptoms, which warrant prompt dental or medical evaluation; see below to understand more and decide the right next steps.

According to medical journals, many women describe a build-up of deep pelvic pressure or fullness that feels like needing to urinate, followed by a warm, pulsing or gushing release linked with intensified orgasmic pleasure; brain imaging studies such as Komisaruk et al. show activation of reward circuits and the involvement of pelvic floor muscles, the urethra, bladder, and Skene’s glands. There are several factors to consider, including how to tell this from urinary symptoms and when to seek care for pain, burning, blood, foul odor, or persistent urgency. See below for important details that can shape your next steps.

Nasal spray that goes down your throat is usually harmless, causing a brief bad taste, mild throat irritation or cough, and sometimes slight stomach upset, though it can also make the nasal dose less effective. There are several factors to consider based on the spray type and your health; systemic effects are uncommon but possible, especially with decongestants that can raise blood pressure or cause jitteriness and a fast heart rate. Sip water and rinse your mouth now, and seek urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, a racing heartbeat, or allergy signs; see below for details on side effects, red flags, and the best technique to keep medicine in your nose.

Benzonatate is a non-opioid prescription cough suppressant used to relieve cough from colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and similar respiratory conditions by numbing airway receptors; it is generally used in adults and children over 10. It has relatively few known drug interactions, but use caution with other sedating medicines like benzodiazepines or antihistamines and with local anesthetics, and always review all medications and health conditions with your clinician first. There are several safety details and exceptions that can affect next steps, including age limits and how to take it safely; see below to understand more.

Cefdinir is an oral third generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat mild to moderate bacterial infections such as acute sinusitis, community acquired pneumonia, strep throat, uncomplicated skin infections, and middle ear infections. It may also be used off label for bronchitis flare-ups, some uncomplicated UTIs, or Lyme prophylaxis in certain children. There are several factors to consider; see below for details on dosing by age and kidney function, key interactions, allergy and pregnancy considerations, and side effects that could change your next steps.

Drisdol is a prescription form of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency, supporting healthy bones, calcium balance, and muscle function. It is generally safe when used as directed with medical oversight, but there are several factors to consider because excessive dosing can cause high calcium, kidney problems, and other side effects or drug interactions. For important details that could change your next steps such as who should be cautious, monitoring needs, and when to seek help, see below.

Farxiga is an SGLT2 inhibitor used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, and it also helps treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and slow chronic kidney disease progression, even in people without diabetes. There are several factors to consider, including common side effects like genital yeast and urinary infections, dehydration and low blood pressure, and rare ketoacidosis, plus who should avoid it such as those with type 1 diabetes or severe kidney impairment; see the complete details below to guide safe use and discuss next steps with your healthcare provider.

Gemtesa is a prescription beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist used to treat overactive bladder in adults, reducing urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, and urge incontinence by relaxing the bladder muscle. There are several factors to consider, including who is a good candidate, dosing, side effects, precautions, and interactions; see below for the complete answer and details that could shape your next steps.

Guanfacine is prescribed for ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults, most commonly as extended-release Intuniv, and for high blood pressure with immediate-release Tenex. It is also used off label for tics, sleep issues, behavioral dysregulation, and PTSD-related hyperarousal, and there are several factors to consider, including side effects, drug interactions, blood pressure changes, and the need to taper; see below for complete details that could influence your next steps.

Midodrine is used to raise blood pressure, primarily for symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, and it is also prescribed off label for dialysis-related hypotension, paracentesis-induced hypotension and refractory ascites in cirrhosis, and certain neurogenic causes of low blood pressure. There are several factors to consider, including dosing timing to reduce high blood pressure while lying down, potential side effects, and conditions where it should not be used. See below to understand more.

Nurtec (rimegepant) is used in adults to treat acute migraine attacks with or without aura and, on a different dosing schedule, to prevent episodic migraine by reducing monthly migraine days. There are several factors to consider, including how and when to take it, who should avoid it, potential side effects, and drug interactions; see below for the complete answer and details that could shape your next steps.

Psyllium husk is a natural, plant-based soluble fiber from Plantago ovata seeds that absorbs water to form a gentle gel in the gut, helping regulate bowel movements in both constipation and diarrhea. It is widely used to support digestive health, lower LDL cholesterol, help control blood sugar after meals, and increase fullness, but dosing, hydration, medication timing, and potential side effects are important. There are several factors to consider that could influence your next steps; see complete details below.

Squirting is a real, normal fluid release from the urethral area that can occur with arousal or orgasm; the fluid often contains diluted urine plus secretions from the Skene’s glands, and it is not the same as orgasm. There are several factors to consider, including that not everyone can or will squirt and that pressure to perform can harm sexual well-being; see important details below. If you notice burning, blood, persistent pelvic or bladder pain, or urinary changes, consider medical advice and use the quick symptom check linked below for next steps, while healthy exploration can include communication, relaxation, hydration, positioning, and pelvic floor exercises.