Congestive heart failure, now more often just called heart failure, is a syndrome defined by a constellation of symptoms and signs. Typical features include shortness of breath caused by fluid buildup in the lungs, leg swelling, fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance. Heart failure can be caused either by weak heart muscle cells or a thick stiff heart.
Stage 1 (Class 1) heart failure means there is evidence that the heart is weaker or stiffer than normal, but the person has no symptoms at rest or with normal daily activities. The prognosis today for stage 1 heart failure is very good because there are a host of medications available to help prevent progression to later stages.
The treatment of hypoglycemia depends on the cause. For people with diabetes on medications to control blood sugar, frequent hypoglycemia requires adjustments in diet, exercise and medication dose and timing. People with “reactive” hypoglycemia are sensitive to rapid falls in blood sugar levels, even when the level is not dangerously low. The standard advice is to avoid all simple sugars and consider eating smaller meals more frequently to help prevent rapid swings in blood levels.
There may be the slightest increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer after a single episode of acute pancreatitis. But if it exists at all, that risk is extremely small. However, people with chronic pancreatitis have about 5% lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer according to some studies.
There are very effective treatments for the different forms of depression, including major depression, which can lead to complete resolution of all symptoms. However, symptoms of depression can return even if they are not present for a long period of time. Therefore, one cannot use the term cure for depression.
Abrasions of the skin on the back or any other part of the body should not cause meningitis, infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. If the abrasion became infected with bacteria, it’s possible to imagine that the bacteria might get into the bloodstream and then into the fluid that surrounds the brain, causing meningitis. But this would be an extremely rare event.
Painful intercourse, also known as dyspareunia, is especially common after menopause. In fact, one-quarter to one-half of postmenopausal women experience some pain during sex. Causes include hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications such as antihistamines, and anxiety or depression. As estrogen levels fall with menopause, the vaginal tissue becomes thinner, less lubricated, and less elastic, leading to vaginal dryness, burning, itching, and pain. Using lubricants during intercourse can help reduce friction. Extended foreplay can help with vaginal lubrication. Certain sexual positions may be more comfortable than others. And sex doesn’t have to involve penetration. Oral sex and masturbation are other ways to achieve sexual pleasure that may be less painful.
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown though it is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks parts of the nervous system.
The disease may be hereditary. There are hundreds of genetic variants linked to the development of multiple sclerosis and in up to 20% of cases there is a family member with the disease. A sibling or a non-identical twin of a person with multiple sclerosis has a 3% to 5% risk of developing the disease (approximately 30 to 50 times higher than expected) while an identical twin has an even higher risk, in the range of 20% to 40% (approximately 200 to 400 times higher than expected).
Someone with macular degeneration will find it easier to read content written in black letters with a white background. But so do many people without the condition or any eye disease. If you have any concern about your vision, you should make an appointment for a thorough visual exam.
There are two forms of macular degeneration, both of which can lead to significant vision loss. Dry macular degeneration tends to cause subtle symptoms at first that become more noticeable over time. Wet macular degeneration is usually more serious, with a greater chance of more rapid vision loss.