Harvard Health Content API

Symptoms in these two conditions are not identical. For example, loss of smell and cough are more common among people with long COVID than with chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis).

However, there is a lot of overlap between symptoms of long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome. For example, either condition may cause:

• difficulty concentrating, poor memory, “brain fog”

• muscle and joint aches

• severe fatigue

• anxiety and depression

• exercise intolerance or a worsening of symptoms after physical exertion

• symptoms that begin suddenly after a viral infection

The specific cause of these symptoms in these conditions and the optimal treatment remain uncertain.

Precancerous cells are abnormal cells that could turn into cancerous cells. Depending on the grade of the precancerous cells of the cervix, you may need to undergo treatments. In rare cases, these procedures can interfere with a patient’s ability to conceive, but women of childbearing age who still want to conceive are usually treated with the procedure that is least likely to have an impact on fertility.

People with cerebral palsy have trouble with movement and using their muscles. The problem originates in the brain, and can be caused by many different things that affect the brain before or after birth, including prematurity, lack of oxygen, infection, injury and genetic factors.

Some of the best home remedies for a stiff neck include:

•    apply cold for the first 2 days, then apply heat
•    gentle stretching exercises balanced with rest
•    gentle massage
•    over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, and/or anti-inflammatory medicines (such as ibuprofen)
•    intermittent use of a soft neck brace or collar

Epiphora is the medical term for excessive tear production, commonly called “watery eyes.” The excessive tears are not dangerous, but the reason it’s happening may be caused by something serious. There are many possible causes:
•    Eye infections, such as viral conjunctivitis or the more serious bacterial or herpes eye infection
•    Foreign object, which can lead to a corneal abrasion.
•    Dry eyes. It sounds odd, but people with dry eyes often make excess ineffective tears in response to the dryness.
•    Allergies.
•    Colds, COVID, sinus infections.
•    A blocked tear duct.
•    Stye, chalazion, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), ingrown eyelash.

Cloudy urine could be the result of inadequate cleaning of the opening of the urethra before urinating into the specimen container. Other causes include an infection of the bladder, kidney or urethra; kidney stones; acute kidney injury; or marked dehydration. 

The treatment of muscle spasm includes rest balanced with gentle stretching, heat or cold, massage, and, in some cases, a pain reliever or muscle relaxant medication. Muscle cramps and spasm may be due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance (for example, after exercising in a hot environment) so rehydration and replacement of electrolytes can be effective. For persistent or severe muscle spasms, prompt medical evaluation is appropriate.

Here are home treatments to help relieve a sore throat:
•    Getting plenty of rest (either in or out of bed)
•    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

There are so many reasons for abdominal pain. The best way to think about your pain is to ask yourself the following questions:
•    Did the pain start abruptly in the past one to two hours, or has it been going on for a few days or even longer?
•    Which part of the abdomen hurts the most, or does it hurt all over?
•    Does the pain come and go, or is it steady?
•    What is the quality of the pain: sharp, dull, burning?
•    Does the pain stay localized, or does it move to the back or up into the chest?
•    Are you having other symptoms, such as fever, chills, diarrhea?
By answering these questions, you can narrow down the possibilities.

Popular protein supplements often have individual amino acids, such as creatine. Creatine is the one amino acid that may have some athletic benefit. It contributes to rapid energy production and may enhance power or speed bursts requiring short periods of anaerobic activity. It does not increase endurance. Creatine can result in water retention. If used in recommended doses, it has a good safety record. But long term effects of regular use are still unknown.