Vaginismus, also known as pelvic floor hypertonus, refers to involuntary tightening of pelvic floor muscles that can be painful. It may make sexual intercourse extremely uncomfortable and sometimes not possible. There are multiple causes, such as stress, past sexual abuse, relationship difficulties, anxiety, or fear of pregnancy.
Diagnosing the cause of a balance problem starts with a visit to your doctor. He or she will want to know when symptoms occur, and whether they are long-lasting or come and go. Any recent illnesses or injuries, particularly from falls, may provide clues, too. For example, even a bad cold can temporarily upset the inner ear’s balance system. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your muscle strength and range of motion of your joints.
A “get up and go test” requires you to rise from a chair without pushing off with your arms, and then walk several steps back and forth. This allows your doctor to assess your balance and gait (the speed and rhythm of the way you walk). Taking a few steps with your eyes closed shows whether proprioception is impaired. Tests for peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that is a long-term complication of diabetes and other conditions), such as the ability to perceive a light touch or vibration on the feet and ankles, may also be done.
Our balance system depends on many body parts to function normally. Aging alone can affect any one or more of these parts. Balance and mobility disorders are the most prevalent limitation in activities of daily living of seniors, affecting nearly 40 percent of those over age 80. A few of the contributors to poor balance at any age include:
• History of stroke or brain disease
• Abnormalities of the motion detectors in our inner ear
• Impaired vision
• Loss of nerve sensitivity in feet
• Arthritis affecting joints in the legs or feet
• A medication side effect
"Fatigue is a relative term, meaning each of us evaluate our current energy level based upon how we feel most of the time. For example, people who are very energetic and go nonstop from early morning to late at night might say they have fatigue if they felt like most of us do every day.
Despite that variation, most people do have a sense when their level of fatigue feels like something more than just being tired. If that's case, even if it lasted only seven to 10 days, it's time to call your doctor's office. Signs that your fatigue might be related to an underlying illness or infection include low grade fever, night sweats, shortness of breath or loss of appetite. Other triggers for calling your doctor might be waking up exhausted despite a good night's sleep, not feeling motivated to begin the day, or struggling to do activities that are usually easy for you."
The cause of basal cell carcinoma is not known. There could be different causes in different people. However, risk factors include:
• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation – For example, risk rises after a high number of sunburns or radiation therapy, as given certain cancers. These effects are particularly important if exposure occurs in childhood or early adulthood.
• Hair, eye and skin color (higher risk with fair skin, light-colored eyes, red hair)
• Advancing age
• Certain genetic conditions, such as xeroderma pigmentosum
• Immunosuppression, as with HIV infection or organ transplantation
A leading theory about the cause of most basal cell carcinomas is that they are due to a combination of skin damage by radiation and genetic factors.
Yes, a person can live a healthy life with Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is caused by persistent acid reflux irritating squamous cells in the esophagus causing them to become glandular cells. This condition is called Barrett's esophagus. Glandular cells are more likely to become cancerous than squamous cells. Stopping acid reflux and periodic endoscopy to catch changes in the esophagus helps prevent the condition from becoming cancerous.
A Baker’s cyst (named for the 19th century surgeon, William Morrant Baker) is a collection of fluid behind the knee. Baker’s cysts develop due to an accumulation of fluid in the knee joint that travels behind the knee and becomes trapped there. The reason fluid accumulates in the knee in the first place is usually trauma, torn cartilage, or some type of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis).
There is no particular sleeping position that reliably improves restless leg syndrome. Some experts suggest sleeping with a pillow between the legs, but this approach is of uncertain benefit. Even if a position is found to be particularly helpful, people move around while sleeping so it’s impossible to reliably adopt a single position throughout a night’s sleep.
Standard treatment of this condition includes moderating caffeine intake, getting regular exercise, distraction (such as working on a crossword puzzle), massaging the legs, and application of heat to the legs. A number of medications can also help, including carbidopa-levodopa or gabapentin. If iron levels are low, supplemental iron can be effective as well; the cause of iron deficiency should be investigated.
No rabies cannot be transmitted from person to person even if they are in very close proximity. Rabies is almost always transmitted through an animal bite or extremely rarely from direct exposure to an infected animal’s saliva.
To help reduce acid reflux you want to limit foods and beverages that cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax during digestion. Examples include coffee, chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint and spearmint. Limit acidic foods that make the irritation worse when they are regurgitated, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes. Also avoid carbonated beverages, as burps of gas force the esophageal sphincter to open and can promote reflux.