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Lightheadedness is most often a temporary symptom from a transient blood pressure drop when a person goes from a lying or sitting position to standing. There are a number of causes, such as dehydration, a medication side effect, anemia (low red blood cell count), a heart problem and a number of other situations. When a person has “brain fog” and just not feeling like the brain is functioning normally, he or she may describe it as continuous lightheadedness.

A butterfly rash is a common symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (often called “lupus” for short). The rash gets its name from its shape over the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose that may resemble the shape of a butterfly. It is often worsened by sun exposure.

 

It is important to note that not everyone with lupus has this rash. And lupus can also cause other rashes elsewhere on the body. In addition, not everyone with this rash has lupus. For example, rosacea is a common condition that may cause a rash with a similar appearance.

A stroke is a brain injury that occurs because the brain's blood supply is interrupted. It can happen because of bleeding in or around the brain (hemorrhagic), a blood clot (thrombus) forms inside one of the brain's arteries (thrombotic stroke), or a blood clot that travels to the brain, where it blocks a brain artery (embolic stroke). If a stroke affects speech, the type of stroke and how quickly it is treated influence how quickly and how much speech will improve.

Exercise is considered a standard, initial treatment for spinal stenosis. Cycling and swimming are often well-tolerated and beneficial.

Exercises for cervical (neck) spinal stenosis include:

• Flexion: Bring your chin down toward your chest and hold it there for 10 seconds. Then, slowly bring your chin back up to level. Repeat 3 times.

 

• Cervical rotation: Turn your head gently to the right toward your shoulder as far as is comfortable and hold it there for 10 seconds. Return to looking straight ahead. Then turn your head gently to the left toward your shoulder as far as is comfortable and hold it there for 10 seconds. Repeat with alternating turns for 3 cycles.

 

• Sideways bend: Move your right ear toward your right shoulder and hold it there for 10 seconds. Slowly return to normal position. Then, move your left ear toward your left shoulder and hold it there for 10 seconds. Repeat with alternating bends for 3 cycles.

Exercises for lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis include:

• Back extension – While standing with your feet slightly apart, gently lean backward and hold there for 15 seconds and return to upright. Repeat 3 times. Place your hand on a chair for balance and support if needed.

 

• Back flexion – Lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Pull your knees up toward your chest and hold them there with your hands. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat 3 times.

 

These can be repeated several times throughout the day. Working with a physical therapist is often helpful to individualize your exercise program.

The treatment of severe spinal stenosis often includes surgery. However, even with significant symptoms, conservative (non-surgical) treatments may be worth trying first. These include:

• oral pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

• physical therapy – This may include exercises for stretching, strengthening and improving balance.

• steroid injections – Recent studies suggest that these are not reliably effective. However, they can provide relief in select cases and many doctors still recommend them.

• surgery – This is usually reserved for people with severe symptoms that is not improving with other treatments.

Talk with your doctor for advice if you have severe spinal stenosis; based on your symptoms, examination findings and imaging tests, he or she can recommend appropriate treatment, whether non-surgical or surgical.

Cycling and swimming are often well-tolerated and beneficial for spinal stenosis of the lower back and neck.

Stretching exercises for cervical (neck) spinal stenosis include:

• Flexion: Bring your chin down toward your chest and hold it there for 10 seconds. Then, slowly bring your chin back up to level. Repeat 3 times.

• Cervical rotation: Turn your head gently to the right toward your shoulder as far as is comfortable and hold it there for 10 seconds. Return to looking straight ahead. Then turn your head gently to the left toward your shoulder as far as is comfortable and hold it there for 10 seconds. Repeat with alternating turns for 3 cycles.

• Sideways bend: Move your right ear toward your right shoulder and hold it there for 10 seconds. Slowly return to normal position. Then, move your left ear toward your left shoulder and hold it there for 10 seconds. Repeat with alternating bends for 3 cycles.

Stretching exercises for lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis include:

• Back extension – While standing with your feet slightly apart, gently lean backward and hold there for 15 seconds and return to upright. Repeat 3 times. Place your hand on a chair for balance and support if needed.

 

• Back flexion – Lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Pull your knees up toward your chest and hold them there with your hands. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat 3 times.

 

These can be repeated several times throughout the day.

Working with a physical therapist is often helpful to individualize your exercise program.

Other treatments for spinal stenosis include:

• oral pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

• steroid injections – Recent studies suggest that these are not reliably effective. However, they can provide relief in select cases and many doctors still recommend them.

• surgery – This is usually reserved for people with severe symptoms that is not improving with other treatments.

Several treatments are available for spinal stenosis, including:

• oral pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

• physical therapy – This may include exercises for stretching, strengthening and improving balance.

• steroid injections – Recent studies suggest that these are not reliably effective. However, they can provide relief in select cases and many doctors still recommend them.

• surgery – This is usually reserved for people with severe symptoms that is not improving with other treatments.

There are hundreds of autoimmune diseases and there is no single diet or individual food that is effective or recommended for all of them.

Soy flour may be a good choice for people with celiac disease because it is gluten-free (unless mixed with other ingredients that contain gluten). However, there is no reason to expect soy flour to help people with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or most other autoimmune diseases. Conversely, there is little or no convincing evidence in humans that consuming soy flour increases the risk of developing autoimmune disease or causes worsening of existing disease.

Here are some natural ways to help you fall asleep:

• Set up a regular bedtime and a relaxing bedtime routine.

• Use your bed only for sleeping or lovemaking. Avoid reading and watching television in bed.

• Whenever possible, schedule stressful or demanding tasks early in the day and less challenging activities later.

• Be sure your bed is comfortable and your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet.

• Don't take long naps during the day. If you need a nap, restrict it to 20 to 30 minutes in the early afternoon.

• Practice relaxation breathing. Use slow breaths, especially when you exhale.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation (dermatitis) that causes a red, oily, flaking skin rash in areas of the body where glands in the skin called sebaceous glands are most abundant, such as the scalp. When seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp, it appears as either patchy or diffuse areas of redness and flaking. The condition can lead to hair loss, but the amount of hair loss is usually not significant unless there is persistent, aggressive scratching.