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Reticulation refers to a pattern seen on a chest x-ray or lung CT scan. A reticular pattern means there is thickening of some of the lung tissues that surround the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. The thickening can be due to fluid accumulation, inflammation or scarring. Subpleural reticulation means the thickening is located in outermost part of the lungs. It is usually seen in people with interstitial lung disease.

The medical term for coughing up blood is hemoptysis. People with bronchitis and a heavy cough can sometimes cough up a bit of blood streaked sputum (mucus) for a few days. But coughing up a large amount of blood or having the symptom persist or recur are reasons to seek prompt medical evaluation. There are many possible reasons for hemoptysis. The first diagnostic test is usually a chest x-ray or chest CT scan. Whether the person is a smoker and what other symptoms such as fever, chest pain or weight loss help determine the diagnostic process.

Bronchospasm means there is some constriction of airflow in the bronchial tubes due to tightening of the bronchi’s small muscles. The most common symptom is wheezing. However, some people with bronchospasm will primarily experience coughing. Bronchospasm also can lead to shortness of breath, especially when it is severe.

Most episodes of typical diarrhea are acute — that is, short-term — and they resolve on their own. Common causes of acute diarrhea are virus infections, like norovirus, and E. coli from contaminated food or water. Persistent diarrhea has many potential causes, including food intolerances, celiac disease, medicine side effects and inflammatory diseases.

The most common recommendation is to consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. While that might be a worthy goal, many people can regularly consume more than that without any harm. However, some people, such as those with heart failure and hard to control blood pressure, will get benefits from even less than 2,300 milligrams per day. 

Interestingly, surveys asking this question have resulted in very different lists. The causes of stress that seem to be on most lists are money, family situations, work related issues and health concerns. Other top stressors include worry about the political strife, climate change, and the suffering of many people around the world due to war, famine or contagious diseases.

The most important natural way to lower your cholesterol numbers is to adjust the overall pattern of your diet. Best is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. This helps in two ways. First, the more of these healthful foods you eat, the less you generally consume of foods that are high in saturated fat and highly refined carbohydrates, which both damage the cardiovascular system. Second, high-fiber foods help reduce your cholesterol level by making dietary cholesterol harder to absorb from the gut. But to lower the cholesterol fast, a statin or other cholesterol lowering medication is the way to go.

These conditions are quite different. Fibromyalgia is a condition of unknown cause in which widespread body pain, fatigue and cognitive problems are the most common symptoms. Fibromyalgia is not considered an inflammatory condition and there is no evidence of autoimmunity; that is, fibromyalgia is not known to be due the immune system’s attack on the body. Physical examination is generally normal (except for areas of soreness called ‘tender points’) and blood tests are typically normal as well.

 

Systemic lupus erythematosus (or, just “lupus”), on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease in which there is inflammation throughout the body. Typical features include rashes, joint pain, chest pain and kidney disease, all due to inflammation. Physical examination may reveal a rash on the face and extremities, swollen joints, and an abnormal lung exam (due to inflammation around the lining of the lung). Blood tests may reveal low blood counts while urine testing often reveals red blood cells and protein due to kidney inflammation. Autoantibody testing may demonstrate an array of abnormal results including anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), antibodies to red blood cells, and autoantibodies associated with abnormal blood clotting (called anti-phospholipid antibodies). Of note, people with lupus (or any other autoimmune disease) may also have fibromyalgia.

Treatment also differs. For people with fibromyalgia, treatment is directed at reducing pain, improving sleep and increasing exercise. With lupus, anti-inflammatory and immune suppressing medications are most important.

Finally, in some cases lupus may be life-threatening. While fibromyalgia causes significant suffering, it does not lead to organ damage or premature death.

The primary causes of fatty liver are weight gain, overuse of alcohol, and type 2 diabetes. About 20% of the time, the fat causes the liver to be inflamed, a condition called steatohepatitis. Untreated steatohepatitis can progress to cirrhosis of the liver. Fatty liver, even when there is inflammation, can be reversed or at least slowed with diet, calorie restriction, exercise, and avoiding alcohol.

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.