Harvard Health Content API

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs when a major nerve (called the median nerve) becomes compressed in an already tight channel in the wrist (called the carpal tunnel). It can also occur with conditions that damage nerves, such as diabetes.

Untreated or prolonged carpal tunnel syndrome does not lead to arthritis. However, the reverse is often true: arthritis can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Arthritis of the wrist joint (in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis) causes increased pressure in the area and that pressure can cause nerve irritation and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Untreated or prolonged carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. That’s one reason that detection and treatment of this common condition is so important.

Emotional or physical stress can cause a special type of cardiomyopathy. Stress cardiomyopathy, also called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and broken-heart syndrome, is a cardiac disorder characterized by a sudden onset of chest pain and heart dysfunction that mimics a heart attack. But, in contrast with what is seen during a heart attack, doctors are unable to find evidence of a blood clot or abnormalities with cardiac blood flow.

A body temperature higher than what is normal for you can actually be beneficial. There is evidence that a low grade fever augments the immune system’s ability to fight infection. Even though a high fever can be uncomfortable, rarely is it dangerous unless it reaches very high levels. In general, a true fever lasting more than one week should prompt a call to your medical provider.

Amenorrhea can be primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhea occurs when a woman has not had her first menstrual period (menarche) by age 15 or 16. This condition is also called delayed menarche. It is most often due to late puberty. This is fairly common in teenage girls who are very thin or very athletic. 
Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman has experienced menstrual periods, but stops menstruating for three or more consecutive months. Secondary amenorrhea is expected in pregnancy, breast feeding, and menopause. Other common causes include emotional or physical stress, rapid weight loss, frequent strenuous exercise, hormonal birth control methods, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

A heart murmur is a sound made by turbulent blood flow within the heart. Your doctor hears this sound with a stethoscope. The turbulence most often happens in a normal heart creating what is known as a benign flow murmur. A murmur can occur in a normal heart. Or, a heart murmur may indicate a structural abnormality of a heart valve or heart chamber, or it may be due to an abnormal connection between two parts of the heart. Some abnormalities of the heart that create heart murmurs include a tight or leaky heart valve, mitral valve prolapse and a congenital heart problem.

Musculoskeletal fitness consists of muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.  Any impairment in one or more of these areas can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and can significantly impact one’s physical and mental well-being.  Improvements in musculoskeletal fitness are associated with multiple health benefits including a reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.  There are many ways to improve one’s musculoskeletal fitness including walking, swimming, resistance training, lifting weights, and stretching.  Regular physical activity of any type can provide musculoskeletal benefits. 

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is made based on the presence of certain symptoms and findings on physical examination. Your doctor will look for the classic resting pill-rolling tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity and gait problems. There is no specific diagnostic procedure or laboratory test to establish a Parkinson's diagnosis. If a patient's symptoms improve after taking PD medication, the diagnosis is probably correct. However, it is important for your doctor to exclude other causes of parkinsonism, symptoms similar to those of PD but caused by another problem.