Harvard Health Content API

Most aortic aneurysms do not cause any symptoms. Usually they are discovered when an imaging procedure like an ultrasound test or CT scan is performed during screening or unexpectedly when the test is performed for some unrelated reason. Sometimes people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm will notice a bounding pulse in their belly or they may have abdominal, chest or back pain. A leaking or ruptured aneurysm is a life threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an abnormal widening to 4.5 centimeters or more of a portion of the aorta that resides within the chest cavity. Even 5.0 centimeters in the section of the aorta just after it leaves the heart would be considered large. The greater the diameter of the aneurysm, the higher the risk of rupture.

Thrush is the common name for a mouth infection caused by the Candida albicans fungus. It affects moist surfaces inside the lips and cheeks, and on the tongue and palate. It can be treated with topical antifungal medications such as nystatin and clotrimazole. For mild cases, a liquid version of nystatin can be swished in the mouth and swallowed, or a clotrimazole lozenge can be dissolved in the mouth. For more severe cases, an antifungal drug such as fluconazole can be taken once a day by mouth.

The diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is made when there is accumulation of fat in the liver not caused by alcohol, medication or other competing condition. People with obesity and/or diabetes have a 75% chance of developing the condition. The major contributing factors are over consumption of calories, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle and insulin resistance.

The minority of breast cancers are suspected because a woman or man notices a lump in the breast or unusual skin changes over the breast. The diagnosis of breast cancer most often starts when a woman without symptoms has a mammogram that shows a worrisome finding. Ultrasound and MRI are two other imaging procedures that can detect potential cancer. The definitive diagnosis is made by doing a biopsy.

Consumption of excess sugar in people with type 2 diabetes causes higher blood sugars. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to many problems, including 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.

In developing countries with high rates of tuberculosis, a vaccine against the disease often is given at birth. The vaccine is not used routinely in the United States and most European countries because the risk of transmission in these countries is low. People with a positive skin test for TB (PPD) who have never received medication to prevent TB from becoming active should consider taking a course of an anti-TB drug to prevent disease activation.

There are a number of stretching exercises that may be recommended for trigger finger. Some commonly recommended exercises include:

 

• Finger flexion – Using the opposite hand, grasp the affected finger at its base (near where the finger attaches to the hand). Flex the joints near the tip and in the middle of the finger without moving the rest of the finger. Then extend the affected finger back to where it started. Repeat 5 times.

• Finger extension – Start with the palms flat on a surface in front of you. Pick up the affected finger with the other hand and gently pull it up, away from the flat surface, slowly extending the finger. Hold that position for 10 seconds and relax. Repeat twice more.

 

• Resistance exercise – Bring the tips of the fingers and thumb together. Place a rubber band around them the mid-points of the fingers and thumb; the band should be snug but not uncomfortable. Gently pull the fingers apart against the resistance of the rubber band. Then relax and repeat 5 times.

Hyperemia refers to more than the usual amount of blood perfusing tissues in a part of the body. Erythema is most commonly recognized form of hyperemia. Erythema is used to describe tissue, most often the skin, that has become red and swollen due to injury, inflammation or infection.

Coccydynia (or coccygodynia) is pain in the coccyx (or tailbone). It usually develops after an injury, such as falling backwards onto a hard surface though it can also develop due to prolonged sitting on a hard surface, childbirth, or bone spurs. Rarely, coccydynia is caused by infection or cancer.

Initial treatment typically includes avoiding pressure on the coccyx with “donut” or wedge pillows, pain relievers, and the application of heat or cold to the painful area. Injection of an anesthetic (with or without steroids) may be recommended for persistent symptoms. Surgery to remove part or all of the coccyx is occasionally offered as a last resort.

For coccydynia caused by infection or cancer, more specific and aggressive treatment of the underlying condition is appropriate.