Category: Uncategorized

The discomfort of heartburn is actually not originating in or around the heart. Heartburn refers to the burning feeling in the chest caused by acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Sometimes there can also be a squeezing or pressure sensation from heartburn when there is associated spasm of the esophagus. This can make it difficult to differentiate from angina, chest pain due to decreased blood flow to a portion of the heart. It’s always best to call for immediate medical advice when a person is unsure about the cause of chest pain.

There are many reasons for a people to lose their appetite, what doctors call anorexia. Short term anorexia is common with infections such as the flu or COVID. Anxiety, stress or depression may lead to appetite loss. Doctors especially worry about an underlying serious medical problem when someone has both anorexia and significant weight loss.

An overactive bladder often causes urge incontinence, the overwhelming feeling that you need to empty your bladder can be followed by leakage before you make it to the bathroom. The most common treatments for urge incontinence include:
•    Lifestyle modifications. Avoid drinks that can irritate the bladder (caffeinated drinks, sodas, and alcohol) and schedule regular bathroom breaks. If you wake up at night to urinate, try to reduce fluids for an hour or two before bed. Managing constipation can also reduce urge incontinence.
•    Pelvic floor exercises. A trained pelvic floor physical therapist can help you learn to effectively squeeze and release the muscles near your bladder so you can retain urine until you can reach the bathroom.
•    Medications. Anticholinergic medications, such as oxybutynin, inhibit the tightening of the bladder muscle; sympathomimetics, such as mirabegron, increase bladder capacity.

To stop a foot or leg cramp once it happens, stand up and slowly lean forward. If you don't want to get out of bed, sit up and reach forward so you can grab your toes, then slowly bend your foot up toward your head. Hold for about 20 seconds, then release. Repeat as needed.
Despite the lack of a scientifically proven and safe therapy to prevent recurrent nighttime leg cramps, a few approaches may be worth trying.
Begin with stretching exercises. While facing a wall and standing about two feet away, lean forward until your hands touch the wall. Keep your legs straight and feet flat on the floor. You should feel a stretch, but it should not be painful. Hold the position for 20 seconds and release. Repeat the stretch four to five times. Try to do this three times per day for at least the first few weeks and then as needed. The most important time to stretch is before bedtime.

Pyuria is the term used to indicate the presence of white blood cells in the urine. The most cause is a urinary tract infection, such as a bladder or kidney infection. Inflammation in the kidney known as nephritis or in the bladder wall (interstitial cystitis) also can lead to pyuria. Bladder and kidney infections are treated with antibiotics. Inflammation without infection requires additional testing to determine the best treatment approach.

There are different types of white blood cells. A severely low white blood cell count usually refers to a neutrophil count of less than 500 per microliter of blood. A severely low neutrophil count increases the risk of infections, especially bacterial infections. Low neutrophil counts most often occur shortly after a round of chemotherapy. 

The primary goal of treatment for bipolar disorder is to improve or eliminate symptoms, not necessarily to cure it. This is because for the majority of people, bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition and requires lifelong treatment. Bipolar disorder is usually treated with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Do not stop your treatment for bipolar disorder because you are feeling better or you believe you no longer need it: always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Treatment of most patients with bowel obstruction will take place in the hospital. Fluids are given via an IV, as most patients are unable to take anything by mouth. Without surgical treatment, a complete blockage will rarely get better on its own. Patients with an incomplete or partial bowel blockage may not need immediate surgery.

Bipolar disorder can be caused by many different factors including your genetics, your environment, and imbalances in chemicals in your brain that regulate mood. Before you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your doctor will ask you questions to try to determine what factors may have contributed to developing bipolar disorder. Ultimately, it is impossible to pinpoint exactly what caused it or why, however a thorough history taken by your doctor can help you and them understand better.

There is no specific diagnostic procedure or laboratory test to establish a Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis. Doctors diagnose the disease based on the symptoms and physical and neurological exams. Your doctor will look for classic signs of PD, especially the typical pill-rolling tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity, and abnormal gait. Symptom improvement after taking PD medication helps confirm the diagnosis.