Harvard Health Content API

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

Surgery may be considered for very selected people with advanced emphysema. In this condition, millions of the lungs' tiny air sacs (alveoli) stretch out of shape or rupture. As these thin, fragile air sacs become damaged or destroyed, they can form large non-functioning air pockets. They can be removed with lung volume reduction surgery, making more room for the healthier parts to function better.

Menopausal symptoms often begin several years before a person’s final period and can continue for an average of 4 to 5 years afterward, though the symptoms do tend to improve with time. If your symptoms last longer or are more severe than expected, see your doctor to make sure you don’t have an underlying medical condition.

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.

An abscess, a pocket of pus, can arise in any part of the body. The three most common causes of bowel abscesses are diverticulitis, appendicitis and Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease causing inflammation of intestines.