Harvard Health Content API

Dandruff itself shouldn’t cause hair loss. However, the reasons for dandruff can lead to itching and excessive scratching which can damage hair follicles leading to hair loss. It’s best to consult with a medical provider to determine if the problem is just a dry scalp, seborrheic dermatitis or an overgrowth of a common fungus. By addressing the underlying reason for dandruff should help stop the hair loss.

People with osteoporosis or at risk of developing osteoporosis need to be sure they get adequate amounts of vitamin D and dietary calcium. No specific foods need to be avoided in people with the condition. However, it's best to limit salt and not consume large amounts of caffeine. High amounts of salt and caffeine can cause the kidneys to excrete more calcium, which could potentially worsen osteoporosis.

Pyrosis means a burning sensation in the upper part of the abdomen and/or lower part of the chest. Because acid reflux is by far the most common cause, it is more commonly known as heartburn. Living a healthy lifestyle may be the best thing you can do to tame pyrosis. This includes maintaining a healthy body weight; not smoking; getting 30 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; limiting coffee, tea, or soda to no more than 2 cups per day; and eating a healthy diet. Each one of these factors may prevent the inappropriate relaxation of the sphincter muscle between the stomach and the esophagus, helping to keep acid from refluxing up and causing heartburn. 

Most throat infections are caused by a virus. Because antibiotics do not work against viruses, viral pharyngitis usually is treated by treating the symptoms to make you feel more comfortable until your body's immune system defeats the infection. These measures include:
•    Getting enough rest
•    Taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin (in adults only) to relieve throat pain
•    Drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration
•    Gargling with warm salty water to ease throat pain
•    Drinking warm liquids (tea or broth) or cool liquids or eating gelatin desserts or flavored ices to soothe the throat
•    Using a cool mist vaporizer to relieve throat dryness
•    Using nonprescription throat lozenges or anesthetic throat sprays
When bacteria cause a throat infection, strep is the usual culprit. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. 

Globus sensation is the feeling of a lump in the throat. Globus is often due to anxiety and stress or to acid that travels up from the stomach. Addressing stress and anxiety with meditation and breathing exercises can help. For globus that could be related to acid reflux, talk with your doctor about a trial of acid reflux therapy. 

No particular foods need to be avoided when a person is being treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, some antibiotic prescriptions come with instructions about not eating certain foods and the timing of the antibiotics in relation to meals.

The immediate symptoms of poorly managed type 2 diabetes are related to high blood sugar levels. The most common symptoms are fatigue, excessive urination, and constant thirst. Longer term, complications from uncontrolled diabetes include eye damage with loss of vision, painful and poorly function nerves and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, excess sugar causes fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver failure and higher risk of liver cancer.

People with diabetes, especially when blood sugar levels are not controlled, are at risk for nerve damage anywhere in the body. Damage to the nerves that innervate the stomach can lead to gastroparesis, a painful condition in which the stomach does not empty properly. Damage to nerves in the intestine can cause bowel symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation and fecal incontinence.

Fear is the emotion we feel when we believe someone or something poses a threat of pain or harm.  When someone has a phobia, they have a persistent, excessive, and irrational fear of an object, person, animal, activity, or situation.  Examples include the fear of heights, spiders, or needles.  Phobia is considered a type of anxiety disorder.

Hirsutism refers to excessive facial or body hair in women. The amount of hair you have is strongly influenced by the appearance of other women in your family and your ethnic background. All women produce some male hormones, called androgens. Androgens tend to stimulate hair growth in certain sites — the mustache or chin area, around the nipples, in the midline of the lower abdomen and on the arms and legs.
Excessive hair growth in these areas sometimes provides a clue that a woman is producing too much androgen or her skin is especially sensitive to normal levels of androgens. 
Medical treatments are available for women who have androgen-driven hirsutism. Cosmetic treatments can be very successful for excessive body and facial hair, no matter what the underlying cause.