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Bipolar disorder was previously known as ‘manic depression’ because it is a combination of two conditions, ‘mania’ and ‘depression’. However, this term is no longer used. Screening for depression is one component of diagnosing bipolar disorder. Some of the depression screening criteria your doctor will ask about when diagnosing bipolar disorder are sadness, loss of interest in activities, guilt, low energy, lack of concentration, poor appetite, suicidal thoughts, and feeling like you are moving very slowly.

Hepatomegaly means an enlarged liver. The enlargement could be temporary due to inflammation from viral hepatitis or it could be more persistent. The two most common reasons for persistent hepatomegaly are over use of alcohol and a fatty liver (known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). The hepatomegaly can be reversed by lifestyle changes including avoiding alcohol, a healthy diet, weight loss if necessary and exercise. Without treatment, alcoholic and fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.

It’s very common for people to have an occasional irregular heartbeat. A person might feel like the heart has skipped a beat or an electrocardiogram (heart tracing) shows some minor heart rate variation. These slight changes rarely mean there is a serious heart problem. But if you do feel something is not right, you should arrange for medical evaluation. This is especially true if you have any other symptoms such as lightheadedness, chest pain or shortness of breath.

"Fatigue is a relative term, meaning each of us evaluate our current energy level based upon how we feel most of the time. For example, people who are very energetic and go nonstop from early morning to late at night might say they have fatigue if they felt like most of us do every day.

Despite that variation, most people do have a sense when their level of fatigue feels like something more than just being tired. If that's case, even if it lasted only seven to 10 days, it's time to call your doctor's office. Signs that your fatigue might be related to an underlying illness or infection include low grade fever, night sweats, shortness of breath or loss of appetite. Other triggers for calling your doctor might be waking up exhausted despite a good night's sleep, not feeling motivated to begin the day, or struggling to do activities that are usually easy for you."

Our balance system depends on many body parts to function normally. Aging alone can affect any one or more of these parts. Balance and mobility disorders are the most prevalent limitation in activities of daily living of seniors, affecting nearly 40 percent of those over age 80. A few of the contributors to poor balance at any age include:
•    History of stroke or brain disease
•    Abnormalities of the motion detectors in our inner ear
•    Impaired vision
•    Loss of nerve sensitivity in feet 
•    Arthritis affecting joints in the legs or feet
•    A medication side effect

Diagnosing the cause of a balance problem starts with a visit to your doctor. He or she will want to know when symptoms occur, and whether they are long-lasting or come and go. Any recent illnesses or injuries, particularly from falls, may provide clues, too. For example, even a bad cold can temporarily upset the inner ear’s balance system. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your muscle strength and range of motion of your joints.

A “get up and go test” requires you to rise from a chair without pushing off with your arms, and then walk several steps back and forth. This allows your doctor to assess your balance and gait (the speed and rhythm of the way you walk). Taking a few steps with your eyes closed shows whether proprioception is impaired. Tests for peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that is a long-term complication of diabetes and other conditions), such as the ability to perceive a light touch or vibration on the feet and ankles, may also be done.

Vaginismus, also known as pelvic floor hypertonus, refers to involuntary tightening of pelvic floor muscles that can be painful. It may make sexual intercourse extremely uncomfortable and sometimes not possible. There are multiple causes, such as stress, past sexual abuse, relationship difficulties, anxiety, or fear of pregnancy. 

Yes, a person can live a healthy life with Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is caused by persistent acid reflux irritating squamous cells in the esophagus causing them to become glandular cells. This condition is called Barrett's esophagus. Glandular cells are more likely to become cancerous than squamous cells. Stopping acid reflux and periodic endoscopy to catch changes in the esophagus helps prevent the condition from becoming cancerous.

The cause of basal cell carcinoma is not known. There could be different causes in different people. However, risk factors include:

• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation – For example, risk rises after a high number of sunburns or radiation therapy, as given certain cancers. These effects are particularly important if exposure occurs in childhood or early adulthood.

• Hair, eye and skin color (higher risk with fair skin, light-colored eyes, red hair)

• Advancing age

• Certain genetic conditions, such as xeroderma pigmentosum

• Immunosuppression, as with HIV infection or organ transplantation

A leading theory about the cause of most basal cell carcinomas is that they are due to a combination of skin damage by radiation and genetic factors.

A Baker’s cyst (named for the 19th century surgeon, William Morrant Baker) is a collection of fluid behind the knee. Baker’s cysts develop due to an accumulation of fluid in the knee joint that travels behind the knee and becomes trapped there. The reason fluid accumulates in the knee in the first place is usually trauma, torn cartilage, or some type of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis).