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Dysphoria is a profound sense of dissatisfaction with life.  It may be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition such as depression and PTSD or a symptom of a chronic medical condition.  Gender dysphoria refers specifically to the unease felt by someone whose assigned sex at birth does not match their gender identity.  People with dysphoria often lose interest in activities they once found pleasurable.  They may have feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, poor appetite, and lethargy.  The best way to treat dysphoria is to address the underlying cause.  Other treatment options include stress reduction, relaxation techniques, pain management, therapy, and medications.

A normal respiratory rate for a healthy relaxed adult at rest is 12 to 16 breaths per minute. A respiratory rate greater than 20 would be considered high. But many circumstances can cause an appropriate increase, such as exercise, fever or anxiety. When a simple explanation for fast breathing is not apparent, it raises concern that something is causing a low blood oxygen level.

Proteinuria refers to the excretion of more than the normal amount of protein, usually albumin, by the kidneys. Most often this is first detected when a person submits a urine sample for analysis. A little extra protein in the urine may be present without any current or future kidney problem. Repeat urine testing should first be done to confirm the proteinuria. If confirmed, a blood test to measure kidney function should be the next step.

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs when a major nerve (called the median nerve) becomes compressed in an already tight channel in the wrist (called the carpal tunnel). It can also occur with conditions that damage nerves, such as diabetes.

Untreated or prolonged carpal tunnel syndrome does not lead to arthritis. However, the reverse is often true: arthritis can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Arthritis of the wrist joint (in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis) causes increased pressure in the area and that pressure can cause nerve irritation and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Untreated or prolonged carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. That’s one reason that detection and treatment of this common condition is so important.

While surgery is a highly effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, it is considered a last resort. There are several non-surgical options, including:

• wearing a splint – Keeping the wrist relatively straight reduces pressure in the carpal tunnel and can reduce symptoms. Though they are often worn at night (during sleep), they can be worn during the day as well or during certain activities when symptoms are worse.

• cortisone injection – This may provide relief more quickly than splinting but should not be performed too often; many doctors recommend limiting this treatment to no more than twice a year.

• treat the underlying condition (if present) – For example, effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can reduce wrist arthritis, reduce pressure on the nerves in the wrist and reduce or eliminate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

These treatments can be offered individually or in combination. Prior to considering surgery for persistent symptoms, additional testing may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis or identify other possible causes of symptoms.

A body temperature higher than what is normal for you can actually be beneficial. There is evidence that a low grade fever augments the immune system’s ability to fight infection. Even though a high fever can be uncomfortable, rarely is it dangerous unless it reaches very high levels. In general, a true fever lasting more than one week should prompt a call to your medical provider.

Emotional or physical stress can cause a special type of cardiomyopathy. Stress cardiomyopathy, also called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and broken-heart syndrome, is a cardiac disorder characterized by a sudden onset of chest pain and heart dysfunction that mimics a heart attack. But, in contrast with what is seen during a heart attack, doctors are unable to find evidence of a blood clot or abnormalities with cardiac blood flow.

Amenorrhea can be primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhea occurs when a woman has not had her first menstrual period (menarche) by age 15 or 16. This condition is also called delayed menarche. It is most often due to late puberty. This is fairly common in teenage girls who are very thin or very athletic. 
Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman has experienced menstrual periods, but stops menstruating for three or more consecutive months. Secondary amenorrhea is expected in pregnancy, breast feeding, and menopause. Other common causes include emotional or physical stress, rapid weight loss, frequent strenuous exercise, hormonal birth control methods, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

Musculoskeletal fitness consists of muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.  Any impairment in one or more of these areas can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and can significantly impact one’s physical and mental well-being.  Improvements in musculoskeletal fitness are associated with multiple health benefits including a reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.  There are many ways to improve one’s musculoskeletal fitness including walking, swimming, resistance training, lifting weights, and stretching.  Regular physical activity of any type can provide musculoskeletal benefits. 

A heart murmur is a sound made by turbulent blood flow within the heart. Your doctor hears this sound with a stethoscope. The turbulence most often happens in a normal heart creating what is known as a benign flow murmur. A murmur can occur in a normal heart. Or, a heart murmur may indicate a structural abnormality of a heart valve or heart chamber, or it may be due to an abnormal connection between two parts of the heart. Some abnormalities of the heart that create heart murmurs include a tight or leaky heart valve, mitral valve prolapse and a congenital heart problem.