What is odynophagia and what causes it?

There are two types of swallowing problems. Difficulty swallowing is called dysphagia. Painful swallowing is called odynophagia. With odynophagia, you feel pain or a burning sensation in the throat or esophagus when you swallow. It can be caused by many factors, such as esophagitis, GERD, esophageal dysmotility, and infections. Some medications, such as the antibiotic doxycycline, can also cause irritation that makes swallowing painful.

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How to diagnose knee pain?

The cause of knee pain can usually be identified by a thorough review of symptoms and a physical examination. In some cases, x-rays and other tests may be helpful.  For example:

•    Symptoms – Knee pain accompanied by locking – when the knee is temporarily stuck in one position – may be due to torn cartilage. Use-related symptoms that worsen with higher levels of activity are typical of osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease). If symptoms of knee pain or stiffness are much worse in the morning and take more than an hour to improve, rheumatoid arthritis or another cause of knee inflammation may be suspected. Sudden pain and swelling are more suggestive of gout, pseudogout or infection.
•    Physical examination – If the ability of the knee to fully flex or extend is limited and there is a grinding sensation appreciated during movement, osteoarthritis is likely. Pain with pressure on the kneecap can suggest patellofemoral syndrome. A collection of fluid in front of kneecap suggests prepatellar bursitis while pain to pressure just below the kneecap may indicate tendinitis. Instability of the knee during examination suggests a ligament problem.
•    X-rays – Imaging of the knee by standard x-rays can demonstrate fracture, different types of arthritis, fluid in the knee, or abnormal calcium deposits.
Additional testing, such as MRI, may be needed to determine whether the cause of knee pain may be related to torn cartilage or a torn ligament. If there is fluid present in the knee, removing a sample of the fluid and testing it in the lab can be quite helpful in diagnosing the cause of knee pain.

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What is necrosis and how can we treat it?

Necrosis refers to cell death in some part of the body. This happens most often when there is major trauma or interruption of blood supply to tissues or an organ, Blocked blood supply leads to a lack of oxygen and vital nutrients needed to keep cells alive. When necrosis is setting in, regaining blood supply quickly can help limit the extent of permanent damage.

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What do you need to know about dyskinesia?

Dyskinesia refers to difficulty with voluntary movement. The prefix "dys" comes from the Greek word describing something that is bad, abnormal, diseased or the opposite of the rest of the word. The suffix “kinesia” means motion. The term dyskinesia is often combined with the term "tardive," which means "lateness," or something that does not occur right away. Tardive dyskinesia is a dreaded and sometimes permanent side effect of taking certain medications. It is characterized by involuntary movements of the lips, tongue, trunk, arms and legs.

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What causes a metallic taste in my mouth and what can I do about it?

The metallic taste in your mouth could be due to a dry mouth, a change in the saliva, or your taste buds becoming more sensitive. Common reasons why these changes in saliva or taste bud sensitivity happen are:
•    Side effects of medicine. There are about 400 different drugs that can affect taste sensation.
•    Dehydration. You might not even be aware that you are not drinking enough water. 
Other causes include a sinus infection, acid reflux, or advanced kidney or liver disease. 
First, try drinking more water than your normally do. If you are taking any medicines or supplements, ask your pharmacist if one of them may be the cause. If the problem persists, arrange a visit with your doctor.

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What is tenesmus and why does it occur?

Tenesmus is the urge to have a bowel movement but nothing passes through the anus. It can be a symptom of inflammation in the rectum or lower colon, caused by an infection or inflammatory bowel disease. The inflammation triggers false signals to the nerves and muscles. People with irritable bowel syndrome might also experience tenesmus.

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What causes polydipsia in diabetes and how can we treat it?

Polydipsia is the medical term for excessive thirst. When a person with diabetes develops a high blood sugar level, the kidneys cannot reabsorb all of the sugar passing through it. The excess sugar in the urine pulls out excess water from the body, leading to increased urination known as polyuria. The excessive thirst is essentially due to dehydration. Keeping blood sugar levels controlled will stop the symptoms.

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What is the treatment for breast cancer?

The treatment for breast cancer depends on the staging or a determination of how far the cancer has spread. Most patients undergo surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, either with a mastectomy (removing the entire breast) or a lumpectomy (removing the cancer and some surrounding healthy tissue). Women who undergo lumpectomy often undergo radiation as well to kill any remaining cancer cells. Some patients also undergo chemotherapy either before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to try to prevent a recurrence. Then depending on the type of breast cancer, some patients will undergo additional treatment with hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies.

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Can cellulitis cause a blood vessel to burst in the eye?

This sounds like a subconjunctival hemorrhage. That’s the medical term for a couple of drops of blood that escape from one of the tiny blood vessels just below the surface of the eye. The blood is under the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer of tissue that is the outermost coating of the eye. Most often, subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs spontaneously. Sometimes it is related to trauma. Cellulitis is a skin infection and could involve the eyelid, which might inflame the conjunctiva. But a cellulitis would be an unlikely direct cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

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