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There is no individual test to establish the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome. In practice, the diagnosis depends on the combination of symptoms, physical examination findings, selective testing and the exclusion of other conditions.

Criteria for the diagnosis include the following:

• Chronic pain without clear explanation

• At least 3 of the following 4 reported symptoms –

o Excessive sensitivity or pain to stimulation that ordinarily doesn’t cause discomfort

o Abnormal temperature or skin color (such as one arm feeling cooler to the touch or appearing redder than the other)

o Swelling or changes in sweating in an extremity

o Reduced motion or function in an extremity and/or abnormal hair, skin or nails

• At least 2 of the following 4 examination findings –

o Excessive sensitivity to pinprick or excessive pain to light touch, temperature, pressure or movement

o Temperature or skin color difference between extremities

o Swelling or abnormal sweating

o Decreased range of motion or function or changes in skin, nail or hair

Testing may include x-rays, a bone scan and measures of skin temperature.

Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus in other parts of the body such as the outer surface of the uterus, the ovary, fallopian tubes, and bladder. The exact cause is unknown though genetics or hormonal irregularities may contribute. Birth control pills can help reduce the pain associated with endometriosis and are a common treatment option.

Yes, but it depends on the specific condition causing alopecia.

 

Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss. There are many causes and types. For some of them, hair can grow back, particularly if there is no scarring in the skin and damage to hair follicles where hair is lost. But, if the hair follicles are severely damaged and there is extensive scarring (as may occur in some cases of lupus or with burns, for example), hair cannot regrow.

 

However, if alopecia is due to a different condition, such as alopecia areata, it is common for hair to eventually regrow. Male pattern baldness is another condition that has at least some capacity for hair regrowth in some men: medications that encourage hair regrowth are effective in some, but not all, cases. Alopecia due to a medications tends to resolve once the medication is stopped.

Pulmonary hypertension affects only the pulmonary arteries, the vessels that transport blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. The vessels narrow and thicken, tighten, or develop blood clots. These changes can severely limit blood flow, which boosts pressure in the pulmonary arteries. Sometimes the higher pressures are transient. More often the goal is to slow disease progression, ease symptoms and improve quality of life.

The most common cause of painful urination (dysuria) is infection of the bladder or urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder). Bacterial bladder infections are more likely to occur in women than men. Infections of the urethra called urethritis require evaluation for a sexual transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea. Non-infectious inflammation of the urethra or bladder (such as interstitial cystitis) can also cause dysuria. Another cause of dysuria is a herpes simplex infection of the genitalia.

We all occasionally get “pins and needles”, the feeling that your skin is tingling or numb.  Typically, it’s caused by pressure on a nerve and is often temporary and harmless, like if you fall asleep on your arm or sit with your legs crossed for too long.  But there are many medical conditions, some more dangerous than others, that can trigger paresthesia, namely diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, shingles, a herniated disk, hardening of the arteries, and toxins.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms associated with not ovulating (producing an egg) on a monthly basis. It is associated with an imbalance in hormone levels that lead to weight gain, difficulty losing weight and often infertility issues. Treatment starts with lifestyle changes, including taking in fewer calories, staying physically active and dedicating more time for exercise.

Pulmonary edema is a condition in which fluid leaks out of the small blood vessels into lung tissue. The most common cause of pulmonary edema is heart failure. Heart failure happens when the main chamber of the heart becomes too weak or too stiff to pump blood effectively. This leads to high pressure in the lung’s blood vessels causing fluid leak. Other causes of pulmonary edema include diffuse lung tissue damage from an infection or inflammation and high altitude sickness.

Nausea is a general term describing a queasy stomach, with or without the feeling that you are about to vomit. There are several things you can do on your own to help, including:  
•    Drink beverages that settle the stomach, such as ginger ale or chamomile tea.  
•    Avoid caffeinated colas, coffees and teas.  
•    Drink clear liquids to avoid dehydration (if vomiting is associated with nausea).  
•    Eat small, frequent meals to allow the stomach to digest foods gradually.  
•    Eat foods that are bland and simple for your stomach to digest, such as crackers or unbuttered bread, rice, chicken soup and bananas.  

Menopause does not need to be treated unless it’s causing symptoms that interfere with daily life. These include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment but can increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease so should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time necessary. Portable fans, air conditioning, and wearing light clothing to bed can reduce the severity of hot flashes and night sweats. Vaginal creams can improve dryness. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms, and acupuncture may also be helpful for some.