Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are diseases in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy stem cells, the cells that produce red and white blood cells and platelets. As a result, people with MDS don’t have enough healthy blood cells and have low blood cell counts. The abnormal stem cells also can develop into blood cancers like leukemia.
Dementia is a pattern of mental decline caused by different diseases or conditions. Most commonly, dementia occurs when brain nerve cells (neurons) die, and connections between neurons are interrupted. Symptoms of dementia emerge slowly, get worse over time and limit the person's ability to function. Most often the first symptom is memory loss. Along with memory loss, a person with dementia may have trouble with complex mental tasks. They may have difficulty balancing a checkbook, driving, knowing what day it is and learning new things. They may be inattentive, and display poor judgment. Their mood and behavior also may change.
Diet and exercise cannot shrink a hiatal hernia, but weight loss and prudent exercise can help it from getting worse. However, the main symptom related to having a hiatus hernia is acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Lifestyle measures alone can lead to significant improvement in GERD symptoms.
The effect of caffeine on blood pressure varies considerably. For many, even heavy use doesn’t raise it. But for some, even a small amount can significantly raise the systolic blood pressure (the top number). Most studies have been done on regular coffee. Higher consumption over a short period of time is most predictive of a spike in blood pressure. Otherwise research results looking at longer term effects of daily moderate coffee consumption have shown different results, even in people with known hypertension.
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell. The normal range of eosinophils is zero to 400 eosinophils per microliter of blood. In some laboratories up to 500 is still considered normal. Mild eosinophilia is not strictly defined. Eosinophil counts between 400 to 750 are common, and happen most often in people with allergies, asthma, eczema, or parasitic infections. Medication reactions are also a common reason for mild eosinophilia.
Paralysis means lack of movement of a body part. It could affect one arm, one leg, one side of the face; both legs; or the whole body below the neck. Examples include Bell’s palsy which leads to drooping on one side of the face; a stroke could cause marked weakness in both the arm and leg on the same side of the body; or a spinal cord injury causing lack of movement of both legs or the whole body if the injury is in the neck.
Chorea is a condition in which the person has random, uncoordinated and uncontrolled movements. It looks like the person is fidgeting and restless. The muscles of the arms and legs are involved much more often than trunk or facial muscles. There are multiple underlying causes, such as from a hereditary disorder, brain injury, stroke, certain infections, or medication side effect. Finding a treatable underlying cause is the first step in management. Medications that can either deplete dopamine or block dopamine receptors can significantly improve symptoms.
Impotence (erectile dysfunction) often improves through a combination of lifestyle changes, open communication with your sex partner, and medications. Getting more exercise, eating a healthier diet, not smoking, using alcohol in moderation or not at all, and losing weight if necessary can be surprisingly helpful. Engaging your partner and focusing on intimacy rather than erections and orgasms can take the pressure off performing. Doctors commonly prescribe an oral medication known as a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor taken prior to sex or daily. Additional potential treatments include penile inserts and injections, vacuum devices and penile implants.
When a man needs surgery to completely remove the prostate to treat prostate cancer, sexual changes often occur. The surgical procedures available to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are less invasive, but still can lead to sexual issues. If the problem is erectile dysfunction, the usual first step is a trial of an oral medication known as a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. Additional treatments include penile inserts and injections, vacuum devices and penile implants.
Sudden sadness, such as learning of an unexpected death, could trigger a seizure. Also people with partial (focal) seizures can sometimes display uncontrolled emotions such as looking very sad and crying as a manifestation of the seizure. In this situation, the sadness and crying would stop once the seizure has resolved.