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How to diagnose Obesity? | Overweight and Obesity (Diagnosis): Your doctor may diagnose overweight and obesity based on your medical history, physical exams that confirm you have a high body mass index (BMI) and possibly a high waist circumference, and tests to rule out other medical conditions. Confirming a high body mass index (BMI) To diagnose overweight and obesity, doctors measure BMI using calculations that depend on whether you are a child or an adult. Children: A healthy weight is usually when your child’s BMI is at the 5th percentile up to less than the 85th percentile based on growth charts for children who are the same age and sex. To figure out your child’s BMI, use the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI Percentile Calculator for Child and Teen and compare the BMI with the table below. Adults: A healthy weight for adults is usually when your BMI is 18.5 to less than 25. To figure out your BMI, use the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s online BMI calculator and compare it with the table below. You can also download the BMI calculator app for iPhone and Android. Even if your BMI is in the healthy range, it is possible to be diagnosed as obese if you have a large waist circumference that suggests increased amounts of fat in your abdomen that can lead to complications. Medical history Your doctor will ask about your eating and physical activity habits, family history, and will see if you have other risk factors Your doctor may ask if you have any other signs or symptoms. This information can help determine if you have other conditions that may be causing you to be overweight or obese or if you have complications from being overweight or obese. Physical exam During your physical exam, your doctor will measure your weight and height to calculate your BMI. Your doctor may also measure your waist circumference to estimate the amount of unhealthy fat in your abdomen. In adults, a waist circumference over 35 inches for women who are not pregnant or 40 inches for men can help diagnose obesity and assess risk of future complications. If you are of South Asian or Central and South American descent, your doctor may use smaller waist circumference values to diagnose your obesity. People from these backgrounds often don’t show signs of a large waist circumference even though they may have unhealthy amounts of fat deep in their abdomens and may be diagnosed with obesity. Visit Assessing Your Weight for more information. Read Living With for more information about why it is important to monitor your waist circumference to assess your risk for complications. Tests to identify other medical conditions Your doctor may order some of the following tests to identify medical conditions that may be causing your overweight and obesity. Blood tests. Blood tests that check your thyroid hormone levels can help rule out hypothyroidism as a cause of your overweight or obesity. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) tests can rule out Cushing’s syndrome. Total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) tests can help rule out polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Pelvic ultrasound to examine the ovaries and detect cysts. This can rule out PCOS. Reminders Return to Risk Factors to review family history, lifestyle, or other environmental factors that increase your risk of developing overweight and obesity. Return to Signs, Symptoms, and Complications to review common signs and symptoms of overweight and obesity. Return to Screening and Prevention to review how to screen for overweight and obesity. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Alcohol Use Disorder? | How to diagnose Alcohol use disorder?: Your health care provider will: - Examine you - Ask about your medical and family history - Ask about your alcohol use, and if you have any of the symptoms listed above Your provider may order tests to check for health problems that are common in people who use alcohol. These tests may include: - Blood alcohol level (This shows if you have recently been drinking alcohol. It does not diagnose alcohol use disorder.) - Complete blood count - Liver function tests - Magnesium blood test. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Causes): Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Risk factors): Risk factors for alcohol use disorder include: - Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorder. - Age. People who begin drinking at an early age, and especially in a binge fashion, are at a higher risk of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder occurs more frequently in the 20s and 30s. However, it can begin at any age. - Family history. The risk of alcohol use disorder is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors. - Depression and other mental health problems. It's common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances. - Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcohol use disorder. The glamorous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it's OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact risk. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Alcohol Use Disorder? | How to diagnose Alcohol use disorder?: Your health care provider will: - Examine you - Ask about your medical and family history - Ask about your alcohol use, and if you have any of the symptoms listed above Your provider may order tests to check for health problems that are common in people who use alcohol. These tests may include: - Blood alcohol level (This shows if you have recently been drinking alcohol. It does not diagnose alcohol use disorder.) - Complete blood count - Liver function tests - Magnesium blood test. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Symptoms): Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include: - Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink - Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so - Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use - Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol - Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use - Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social or interpersonal problems - Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies - Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming - Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount - Experiencing withdrawal symptoms - such as nausea, sweating and shaking - when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms Alcohol use disorder can include periods of alcohol intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal. - Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your blood stream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more impaired you become. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, impaired judgment, slurred speech, impaired attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called "blackouts," where you don't remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma or even death. - Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to four or five days later. Symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations. What is considered one drink? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines one standard drink as any one of these: - 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (about 5 percent alcohol) - 8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (about 7 percent alcohol) - 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of unfortified wine (about 12 percent alcohol) - 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof hard liquor (about 40 percent alcohol) When to see a doctor If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or it's causing problems, or your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your doctor. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health provider or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. Because denial is common, you may not feel like you have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem drinking, but has stopped. If your loved one needs help Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don't recognize they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you're concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Causes): Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Alternative medicine): Avoid replacing conventional medical treatment or psychotherapy with alternative medicine. But if used in addition to your treatment plan when recovering from alcohol use disorder, these techniques may be helpful: - Yoga. Yoga's series of postures and controlled breathing exercises may help you relax and manage stress. - Meditation. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. - Acupuncture. With acupuncture, hair-thin needles are inserted under the skin. Acupuncture may help reduce anxiety and depression. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Alcohol Use Disorder? | What are the treatments for Alcohol use disorder?: Many people with an alcohol problem need to completely stop using alcohol. This is called abstinence. Having strong social and family support can help make it easier to quit drinking. Some people are able to just cut back on their drinking. So even if you do not give up alcohol altogether, you may be able to drink less. This can improve your health and relationships with others. It can also help you perform better at work or school. However, many people who drink too much find they cannot just cut back. Abstinence may be the only way to manage a drinking problem. DECIDING TO QUIT Like many people with an alcohol problem, you may not recognize that your drinking has gotten out of hand. An important first step is to be aware of how much you drink. It also helps to understand the health risks of alcohol. If you decide to quit drinking, talk with your health care provider. Treatment involves helping you realize how much your alcohol use is harming your life and the lives those around you. Depending on how much and how long you have been drinking, you may be at risk for alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even life-threatening. If you have been drinking a lot, you should cut back or stop drinking only under the care of a doctor. Talk with your provider about how to stop using alcohol. LONG-TERM SUPPORT Alcohol recovery or support programs can help you stop drinking completely. These programs usually offer: - Education about alcohol use and its effects - Counseling and therapy to discuss how to control your thoughts and behaviors - Physical health care For the best chance of success, you should live with people who support your efforts to avoid alcohol. Some programs offer housing options for people with alcohol problems. Depending on your needs and the programs that are available: - You may be treated in a special recovery center (inpatient) - You may attend a program while you live at home (outpatient) You may be prescribed medicines to help you quit. They are often used with long-term counseling or support groups. These medicines make it less likely that you will drink again or help limit the amount you drink. Drinking may mask depression or other mood or anxiety disorders. If you have a mood disorder, it may become more noticeable when you stop drinking. Your provider will treat any mental disorders in addition to your alcohol treatment. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Treatment): Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on your needs. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Working to stop the use of alcohol to improve quality of life is the main treatment goal. Treatment for alcohol use disorder may include: - Detox and withdrawal. Treatment may begin with a program of detoxification or detox - withdrawal that's medically managed - which generally takes two to seven days. You may need to take sedating medications to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Detox is usually done at an inpatient treatment center or a hospital. - Learning skills and establishing a treatment plan. This usually involves alcohol treatment specialists. It may include goal setting, behavior change techniques, use of self-help manuals, counseling and follow-up care at a treatment center. - Psychological counseling. Counseling and therapy for groups and individuals help you better understand your problem with alcohol and support recovery from the psychological aspects of alcohol use. You may benefit from couples or family therapy - family support can be an important part of the recovery process. - Oral medications. Naltrexone (Revia), a drug that blocks the good feelings alcohol causes, may prevent heavy drinking and reduce the urge to drink. Acamprosate (Campral) may help combat alcohol cravings once you stop drinking. Disulfiram (Antabuse) may help to prevent you from drinking, though it won't cure alcohol use disorder or remove the compulsion to drink. If you drink alcohol, the drug produces a physical reaction that may include flushing, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Unlike disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate don't make you feel sick after taking a drink. - Injected medication. Vivitrol, a version of the drug naltrexone, is injected once a month by a health care professional. Although similar medication can be taken in pill form, the injectable version of the drug may be easier for people recovering from alcohol use disorder to use consistently. - Continuing support. Aftercare programs and support groups help people recovering from alcohol use disorder to stop drinking, manage relapses and cope with necessary lifestyle changes. This may include medical or psychological care or attending a support group. - Treatment for psychological problems. Alcohol use disorder commonly occurs along with other mental health disorders. If you have depression, anxiety or another mental health condition, you may need talk therapy (psychotherapy), medications or other treatment. - Medical treatment for health conditions. Many alcohol-related health problems improve significantly once you stop drinking. But some health conditions may warrant continued treatment and follow-up. - Spiritual practice. People who are involved with some type of regular spiritual practice may find it easier to maintain recovery from alcohol use disorder or other addictions. For many people, gaining greater insight into their spiritual side is a key element in recovery. Residential treatment programs For a serious alcohol problem, you may need a stay at a residential treatment facility. Most residential treatment programs include individual and group therapy, support groups, educational lectures, family involvement and activity therapy. Residential treatment programs typically include licensed alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, nurses, doctors and others with expertise and experience in treating alcohol use disorder. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Alternative medicine): Avoid replacing conventional medical treatment or psychotherapy with alternative medicine. But if used in addition to your treatment plan when recovering from alcohol use disorder, these techniques may be helpful: - Yoga. Yoga's series of postures and controlled breathing exercises may help you relax and manage stress. - Meditation. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. - Acupuncture. With acupuncture, hair-thin needles are inserted under the skin. Acupuncture may help reduce anxiety and depression. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder? | How to diagnose Alcohol use disorder?: Your health care provider will: - Examine you - Ask about your medical and family history - Ask about your alcohol use, and if you have any of the symptoms listed above Your provider may order tests to check for health problems that are common in people who use alcohol. These tests may include: - Blood alcohol level (This shows if you have recently been drinking alcohol. It does not diagnose alcohol use disorder.) - Complete blood count - Liver function tests - Magnesium blood test. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Diagnosis): You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. If your doctor suspects you have a problem with alcohol, he or she may refer you to a mental health provider. To assess your problem with alcohol, your health care provider will likely: - Ask you several questions related to your drinking habits. The health care provider may ask for permission to speak with family members or friends. However, confidentiality laws prevent your health care provider from giving out any information about you without your consent. - Perform a physical exam. Your health care provider may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health. There are many physical signs that indicate complications of alcohol use. - Lab tests and imaging tests. While there are no specific tests to diagnose alcohol use disorder, certain patterns of lab test abnormalities may strongly suggest it. And you may need tests to identify health problems that may be linked to your alcohol use. Damage to your organs may be seen on tests. - Complete a psychological evaluation. This evaluation includes questions about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may need to fill out a questionnaire to help answer these questions. - Use the DSM-5 criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is often used by mental health providers to diagnose mental health conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder? | Alcohol use disorder (Causes): Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - discharge (Resources): The American Parkinson Disease Association -- www.apdaparkinson.org The National Parkinson Foundation -- www.parkinson.org. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - discharge (Other Care): Having Parkinson disease may make you feel sad or depressed at times. Talk to friends or family about this. Ask your doctor about seeing a professional to help you with these feelings. Keep up to date with your vaccinations. Get a flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to drive. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - resources (Summary): The following organizations are good resources for information on Parkinson disease: - The Michael J. Fox Foundation -- www.michaeljfox.org - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke -- www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page - National Parkinson Foundation -- www.parkinson.org - Parkinson's Disease Foundation -- www.pdf.org - US National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference -- ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/parkinson-disease. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease (Symptoms): A number of disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson disease. People with symptoms that resemble Parkinson disease but that result from other causes are sometimes said to have parkinsonism. Some of these disorders are listed below. [1] Postencephalitic parkinsonism Drug-induced parkinsonism Toxin -induced parkinsonism Arteriosclerotic parkinsonism Parkinsonism- dementia complex of Guam Post-traumatic parkinsonism Essential tremor Normal pressure hydrocephalus Progressive supranuclear palsy Corticobasal degeneration Multiple system atrophy Dementia with Lewy bodies More information on each of these conditions is available in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) publication, Parkinsonian symptoms may also appear in patients with other, clearly distinct neurological disorders such as Wilson disease, Huntington disease, Alzheimer disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Each of these disorders has specific features that help to distinguish them from Parkinson disease.[1] The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) provides the following list of features that have been reported in people with this condition. Much of the information in the HPO comes from Orphanet, a European rare disease database. If available, the list includes a rough estimate of how common a feature is (its frequency). Frequencies are based on a specific study and may not be representative of all studies. You can use the MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary for definitions of the terms below. Signs and Symptoms Approximate number of patients (when available) Dysautonomia Occasional Hallucinations Occasional Bradykinesia - Constipation - Dementia - Depressivity - Dysarthria - Dysphagia - Dystonia - Insidious onset - Lewy bodies - Mask-like facies - Neuronal loss in central nervous system - Parkinsonism - Personality changes - Postural instability - Progressive - Resting tremor - Rigidity - Short stepped shuffling gait - Sleep disturbance - Sporadic - Substantia nigra gliosis - Urinary urgency - Weak voice - View complete list of signs and symptoms... If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - discharge (Resources): The American Parkinson Disease Association -- www.apdaparkinson.org The National Parkinson Foundation -- www.parkinson.org. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - resources (Summary): The following organizations are good resources for information on Parkinson disease: - The Michael J. Fox Foundation -- www.michaeljfox.org - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke -- www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page - National Parkinson Foundation -- www.parkinson.org - Parkinson's Disease Foundation -- www.pdf.org - US National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference -- ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/parkinson-disease. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease (Treatment): There is no cure for Parkinson disease, but treatment can help control your symptoms. MEDICINE Your provider will prescribe medicines to help control your shaking and movement symptoms. At certain times during the day, the medicine may wear off and symptoms can return. If this happens, your provider may need to change any of the following: - Type of medicine - Dose - Amount of time between doses - The way you take the medicine You may also need to take medicines to help with: - Mood and thinking problems - Pain relief - Sleep problems - Drooling (botulinum toxin is often used) Parkinson medicines can cause severe side effects, including: - Confusion - Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations) - Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea - Feeling lightheaded or fainting - Behaviors that are hard to control, such as gambling - Delirium Tell your provider right away if you have these side effects. Never change or stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider. Stopping some medicines for Parkinson disease may lead to a severe reaction. Work with your provider to find a treatment plan that works for you. As the disease gets worse, symptoms such as stooped posture, frozen movements, and speech problems may not respond to the medicines. SURGERY Surgery may be an option for some people. Surgery does not cure Parkinson disease, but it may help ease symptoms. Types of surgery include: - Deep brain stimulation. This involves placing electric stimulators in areas of the brain that control movement. - Surgery to destroy brain tissue that causes Parkinson symptoms. - Stem cell transplant and other procedures are being studied. LIFESTYLE Certain lifestyle changes may help you cope with Parkinson disease: - Stay healthy by eating nutritious foods and not smoking. - Make changes in what you eat or drink if you have swallowing problems. - Use speech therapy to help you adjust to changes in your swallowing and speech. - Stay active as much as possible when you feel good. DO NOT overdo it when your energy is low. - Rest as needed during the day and avoid stress. - Use physical therapy and occupational therapy to help you stay independent and reduce the risk of falls. - Place handrails throughout your house to help prevent falls. Place them in bathrooms and along stairways. - Use assistive devices, when needed, to make movement easier. These devices may include special eating utensils, wheelchairs, bed lifts, shower chairs, and walkers. - Talk to a social worker or other counseling service to help you and your family cope with the disorder. These services can also help you get outside help, such as Meals on Wheels. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease type 3 (Treatment): FDA-Approved Treatments The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products. National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal Medline Plus Health Information. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - discharge (Resources): The American Parkinson Disease Association -- www.apdaparkinson.org The National Parkinson Foundation -- www.parkinson.org. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Parkinson's Disease? | How to diagnose Parkinson disease?: Your health care provider may be able to diagnose Parkinson disease based on your symptoms and a physical exam. But the symptoms can be hard to pin down, particularly in older adults. Symptoms are easier to recognize as the illness gets worse. The examination may show: - Difficulty starting or finishing a movement - Jerky, stiff movements - Muscle loss - Shaking (tremors) - Changes in your heart rate - Normal muscle reflexes Your doctor may do some tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease (Diagnosis): There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to help diagnose sporadic cases of Parkinson disease. The diagnosis is generally made after careful evaluation of medical history, current symptoms, and exclusion of other conditions. [1] The clinical findings of tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia are highly suggestive of Parkinson disease. The genetic cause of some forms of Parkinson disease has been identified. In those cases, genetic testing may be utilized to identify affected family members. [5]. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Parkinson's Disease? | Parkinson disease - discharge (Resources): The American Parkinson Disease Association -- www.apdaparkinson.org The National Parkinson Foundation -- www.parkinson.org. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Epilepsy? | What is Epilepsy?: Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness. Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury, and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown. Doctors use brain scans and other tests to diagnose epilepsy. It is important to start treatment right away. There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines are not working well, surgery or implanted devices such as vagus nerve stimulators may help. Special diets can help some children with epilepsy. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Epilepsy? | Epilepsy: The epilepsies are a spectrum of brain disorders ranging from severe, life-threatening and disabling, to ones that are much more benign. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. The epilepsies have many possible causes and there are several types of seizures. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity—from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development—can lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, changes in important features of brain cells called channels, or some combination of these and other factors. Having a single seizure as the result of a high fever (called febrile seizure) or head injury does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. A measurement of electrical activity in the brain and brain scans such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are common diagnostic tests for epilepsy. Once epilepsy is diagnosed, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. For about 70 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. Some drugs are more effective for specific types of seizures. An individual with seizures, particularly those that are not easily controlled, may want to see a neurologist specifically trained to treat epilepsy. In some children, special diets may help to control seizures when medications are either not effective or cause serious side effects. While epilepsy cannot be cured, for some people the seizures can be controlled with medication, diet, devices, and/or surgery. Most seizures do not cause brain damage, but ongoing uncontrolled seizures may cause brain damage. It is not uncommon for people with epilepsy, especially children, to develop behavioral and emotional problems in conjunction with seizures. Issues may also arise as a result of the stigma attached to having epilepsy, which can led to embarrassment and frustration or bullying, teasing, or avoidance in school and other social settings. For many people with epilepsy, the risk of seizures restricts their independence (some states refuse drivers licenses to people with epilepsy) and recreational activities. Epilepsy can be a life-threatening condition. Some people with epilepsy are at special risk for abnormally prolonged seizures or sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Epilepsy? | Epilepsy (Overview): Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages. Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis. Treatment with medications or sometimes surgery can control seizures for the majority of people with epilepsy. Some people require lifelong treatment to control seizures, but for others, the seizures eventually go away. Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age. Epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Epilepsy? | What is Epilepsy?: The epilepsies are a spectrum of brain disorders ranging from severe, life-threatening and disabling, to ones that are much more benign. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. The epilepsies have many possible causes and there are several types of seizures. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activityfrom illness to brain damage to abnormal brain developmentcan lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, changes in important features of brain cells called channels, or some combination of these and other factors. Having a single seizure as the result of a high fever (called febrile seizure) or head injury does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. A measurement of electrical activity in the brain and brain scans such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are common diagnostic tests for epilepsy. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Epilepsy? | Epilepsy - children (Prevention): There is no known way to prevent epilepsy. Proper diet and sleep may decrease the chances of seizures in children with epilepsy. Reduce the risk of head injury during risky activities. This can decrease the likelihood of a brain injury that leads to seizures and epilepsy. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Epilepsy? | What are the symptoms of Epilepsy - overview?: Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have simple staring spells. Others have violent shaking and loss of alertness. The type of seizure depends on the part of the brain that is affected. Most of the time, the seizure is similar to the one before it. Some people with epilepsy have a strange sensation before each seizure. Sensations may be tingling, smelling an odor that is not actually there, or emotional changes. This is called an aura. Your doctor can tell you more about the specific type of seizure you may have: - Absence (petit mal) seizure (staring spells) - Generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure (involves the entire body, including aura, rigid muscles, and loss of alertness) - Partial (focal) seizure (can involve any of the symptoms described above, depending on where in the brain the seizure starts). If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Epilepsy? | Epilepsy (Symptoms): Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include: - Temporary confusion - A staring spell - Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs - Loss of consciousness or awareness - Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode. Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how the abnormal brain activity begins. Focal seizures When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain, they're called focal (partial) seizures. These seizures fall into two categories: - Focal seizures without loss of consciousness. Once called simple partial seizures, these seizures don't cause a loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. They may also result in involuntary jerking of a body part, such as an arm or leg, and spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness and flashing lights. - Focal seizures with impaired awareness. Once called complex partial seizures, these seizures involve a change or loss of consciousness or awareness. During a complex partial seizure, you may stare into space and not respond normally to your environment or perform repetitive movements, such as hand rubbing, chewing, swallowing or walking in circles. Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with other neurological disorders, such as migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness. A thorough examination and testing are needed to distinguish epilepsy from other disorders. Generalized seizures Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Six types of generalized seizures exist. - Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal seizures, often occur in children and are characterized by staring into space or subtle body movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking. These seizures may occur in clusters and cause a brief loss of awareness. - Tonic seizures. Tonic seizures cause stiffening of your muscles. These seizures usually affect muscles in your back, arms and legs and may cause you to fall to the ground. - Atonic seizures. Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, cause a loss of muscle control, which may cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down. - Clonic seizures. Clonic seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face and arms. - Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures usually appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches of your arms and legs. - Tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal seizures, are the most dramatic type of epileptic seizure and can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness, body stiffening and shaking, and sometimes loss of bladder control or biting your tongue. When to see a doctor Seek immediate medical help if any of the following occurs: - The seizure lasts more than five minutes. - Breathing or consciousness doesn't return after the seizure stops. - A second seizure follows immediately. - You have a high fever. - You're experiencing heat exhaustion. - You're pregnant. - You have diabetes. - You've injured yourself during the seizure. If you experience a seizure for the first time, seek medical advice. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Epilepsy? | Epilepsy - children (Symptoms): Symptoms vary from child to child. Some children may simply stare. Others may shake violently and lose alertness. The movements or symptoms of a seizure may depend on the part of the brain that is affected. Your child's health care provider can tell you more about the specific type of seizure your child may have: - Absence (petit mal) seizure: Staring spells - Generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure: Involves the entire body, including aura, rigid muscles, and loss of alertness - Partial (focal) seizure: Can involve any of the symptoms described above, depending on where in the brain the seizure starts Most of the time, the seizure is similar to the one before it. Some children have a strange sensation before a seizure. Sensations may be tingling, smelling an odor that is not actually there, feeling fear or anxiety for no reason or having a sense of déjà vu (feeling that something has happened before). This is called an aura. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Epilepsy? | Epilepsy (Treatment): Once epilepsy is diagnosed, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. For about 70 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. Some drugs are more effective for specific types of seizures. An individual with seizures, particularly those that are not easily controlled, may want to see a neurologist specifically trained to treat epilepsy. In some children, special diets may help to control seizures when medications are either not effective or cause serious side effects. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Epilepsy? | Epilepsy (Summary): Summary Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness. Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury, and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown. Doctors use brain scans and other tests to diagnose epilepsy. It is important to start treatment right away. There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines are not working well, surgery or implanted devices such as vagus nerve stimulators may help. Special diets can help some children with epilepsy. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Epilepsy? | Epilepsy - overview (Exams and Tests): The doctor will perform a physical exam. This will include a detailed look at the brain and nervous system. An EEG (electroencephalogram) will be done to check the electrical activity in the brain. People with epilepsy often have abnormal electrical activity seen on this test. In some cases, the test shows the area in the brain where the seizures start. The brain may appear normal after a seizure or between seizures. To diagnose epilepsy or plan for epilepsy surgery, you may need to: - Wear an EEG recorder for days or weeks as you go about your everyday life. - Stay in a special hospital where brain activity can be recorded while video cameras capture what happens to you during the seizure. This is called video EEG. Tests that may be done include: - Blood chemistry - Blood sugar - Complete blood count (CBC) - Kidney function tests - Liver function tests - Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) - Tests for infectious diseases Head CT or MRI scan is often done to find the cause and location of the problem in the brain. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Epilepsy? | Epilepsy (Diagnosis): To diagnose your condition, your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose epilepsy and determine the cause of seizures. Your evaluation may include: - A neurological exam. Your doctor may test your behavior, motor abilities, mental function and other areas to diagnose your condition and determine the type of epilepsy you may have. - Blood tests. Your doctor may take a blood sample to check for signs of infections, genetic conditions or other conditions that may be associated with seizures. Your doctor may also suggest tests to detect brain abnormalities, such as: - Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, doctors attach electrodes to your scalp with a paste-like substance. The electrodes record the electrical activity of your brain. If you have epilepsy, it's common to have changes in your normal pattern of brain waves, even when you're not having a seizure. Your doctor may monitor you on video while conducting an EEG while you're awake or asleep, to record any seizures you experience. Recording the seizures may help the doctor determine what kind of seizures you're having or rule out other conditions. Your doctor may give you instructions to do something that will cause seizures, such as getting little sleep prior to the test. - High-density EEG. In a variation of an EEG test, your doctor may recommend high-density EEG, which spaces electrodes more closely than conventional EEG - about a half a centimeter apart. High-density EEG may help your doctor more precisely determine which areas of your brain are affected by seizures. - Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses X-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of your brain. CT scans can reveal abnormalities in your brain that might be causing your seizures, such as tumors, bleeding and cysts. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a detailed view of your brain. Your doctor may be able to detect lesions or abnormalities in your brain that could be causing your seizures. - Functional MRI (fMRI). A functional MRI measures the changes in blood flow that occur when specific parts of your brain are working. Doctors may use an fMRI before surgery to identify the exact locations of critical functions, such as speech and movement, so that surgeons can avoid injuring those places while operating. - Positron emission tomography (PET). PET scans use a small amount of low-dose radioactive material that's injected into a vein to help visualize active areas of the brain and detect abnormalities. - Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). This type of test is used primarily if you've had an MRI and EEG that didn't pinpoint the location in your brain where the seizures are originating. A SPECT test uses a small amount of low-dose radioactive material that's injected into a vein to create a detailed, 3-D map of the blood flow activity in your brain during seizures. Doctors also may conduct a form of a SPECT test called subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM), which may provide even more-detailed results. - Neuropsychological tests. In these tests, doctors assess your thinking, memory and speech skills. The test results help doctors determine which areas of your brain are affected. Along with your test results, your doctor may use a combination of analysis techniques to help pinpoint where in the brain seizures start: - Statistical parametric mapping (SPM). SPM is a method of comparing areas of the brain that have increased metabolism during seizures to normal brains, which can give doctors an idea of where seizures begin. - Curry analysis. Curry analysis is a technique that takes EEG data and projects it onto an MRI of the brain to show doctors where seizures are occurring. - Magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG measures the magnetic fields produced by brain activity to identify potential areas of seizure onset. Accurate diagnosis of your seizure type and where seizures begin gives you the best chance for finding an effective treatment. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Epilepsy? | Epilepsy - children (Exams and Tests): The provider will: - Ask about your child's medical and family history in detail - Ask about the seizure episode - Do a physical exam of your child, including a detailed look at the brain and nervous system The provider will order an EEG (electroencephalogram) to check the electrical activity in the brain. This test often shows any abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In some cases, the test shows the area in the brain where the seizures start. The brain may appear normal after a seizure or between seizures. To diagnose epilepsy or plan for epilepsy surgery, your child may need to: - Wear an EEG recorder for few days during day-to-day activities - Stay in the hospital where brain activity can be watched on video cameras (video EEG) The provider also may order other tests, including: - Blood chemistry - Blood sugar - Complete blood count (CBC) - Kidney function tests - Liver function tests - Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) - Tests for infectious diseases Head CT or MRI scan are often done to find the cause and location of the problem in the brain. Much less often, PET scan of the brain is needed to help plan surgery. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Anemia? | What is Anemia?: Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different types of anemia include: - Anemia due to B12 deficiency - Anemia due to folate deficiency - Anemia due to iron deficiency - Anemia of chronic disease - Hemolytic anemia - Idiopathic aplastic anemia - Megaloblastic anemia - Pernicious anemia - Sickle cell anemia - Thalassemia. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Anemia? | What is Anemia?: Espaol Anemia (uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. Anemia also can occur if your red blood cells don't contain enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If you have anemia, your body doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, you may feel tired or weak. You also may have other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or headaches. Severe or long-lasting anemia can damage your heart, brain, and other organs in your body. Very severe anemia may even cause death. Overview Blood is made up of many parts, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets (PLATE-lets), and plasma (the fluid portion of blood). Red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body. These cells are made in the bone marrowa sponge-like tissue inside the bones. White blood cells and platelets (PLATE-lets) also are made in the bone marrow. White blood cells help fight infection. Platelets stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on the blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. With some types of anemia, you may have low numbers of all three types of blood cells. Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, or high rates of red blood cell destruction. These causes might be the result of diseases, conditions, or other factors. Outlook Many types of anemia can be mild, short term, and easily treated. You can even prevent some types with a healthy diet. Other types can be treated with dietary supplements. However, certain types of anemia can be severe, long lasting, and even life threatening if not diagnosed and treated. If you have signs or symptoms of anemia, see your doctor to find out whether you have the condition. Treatment will depend on the cause of the anemia and how severe it is. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Anemia? | What causes Anemia?: Although many parts of the body help make red blood cells, most of the work is done in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells. Healthy red blood cells last between 90 and 120 days. Parts of your body then remove old blood cells. A hormone called erythropoietin (epo) made in your kidneys signals your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. It gives red blood cells their color. People with anemia do not have enough hemoglobin. The body needs certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make enough red blood cells. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are three of the most important ones. The body may not have enough of these nutrients due to: - Changes in the lining of the stomach or intestines affect how well nutrients are absorbed (for example, celiac disease) - Poor diet - Slow blood loss (for example, from heavy menstrual periods or stomach ulcers) - Surgery that removes part of the stomach or intestines Possible causes of anemia include: - Certain medicines - Destruction of red blood cells earlier than normal (which may be caused by immune system problems) - Long-term (chronic) diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cancer, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis - Some forms of anemia, such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, which can be inherited - Pregnancy - Problems with bone marrow such as lymphoma, leukemia, myelodysplasia, multiple myeloma, or aplastic anemia. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Anemia? | What causes Anemia?: The three main causes of anemia are: Blood loss Lack of red blood cell production High rates of red blood cell destruction For some people, the condition is caused by more than one of these factors. Blood Loss Blood loss is the most common cause of anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia. Blood loss can be short term or persist over time. Heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive or urinary tract can cause blood loss. Surgery, trauma, or cancer also can cause blood loss. If a lot of blood is lost, the body may lose enough red blood cells to cause anemia. Lack of Red Blood Cell Production Both acquired and inherited conditions and factors can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it. "Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you. Acquired conditions and factors that can lead to anemia include poor diet, abnormal hormone levels, some chronic (ongoing) diseases, and pregnancy. Aplastic anemia also can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. This condition can be acquired or inherited. Diet A diet that lacks iron, folic acid (folate), or vitamin B12 can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. Your body also needs small amounts of vitamin C, riboflavin, and copper to make red blood cells. Conditions that make it hard for your body to absorb nutrients also can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. Hormones Your body needs the hormone erythropoietin (eh-rith-ro-POY-eh-tin) to make red blood cells. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to make these cells. A low level of this hormone can lead to anemia. Diseases and Disease Treatments Chronic diseases, like kidney disease and cancer, can make it hard for your body to make enough red blood cells. Some cancer treatments may damage the bone marrow or damage the red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen. If the bone marrow is damaged, it can't make red blood cells fast enough to replace the ones that die or are destroyed. People who have HIV/AIDS may develop anemia due to infections or medicines used to treat their diseases. Pregnancy Anemia can occur during pregnancy due to low levels of iron and folic acid and changes in the blood. During the first 6 months of pregnancy, the fluid portion of a woman's blood (the plasma) increases faster than the number of red blood cells. This dilutes the blood and can lead to anemia. Aplastic Anemia Some infants are born without the ability to make enough red blood cells. This condition is called aplastic anemia. Infants and children who have aplastic anemia often need blood transfusions to increase the number of red blood cells in their blood. Acquired conditions or factors, such as certain medicines, toxins, and infectious diseases, also can cause aplastic anemia. High Rates of Red Blood Cell Destruction Both acquired and inherited conditions and factors can cause your body to destroy too many red blood cells. One example of an acquired condition is an enlarged or diseased spleen. The spleen is an organ that removes wornout red blood cells from the body. If the spleen is enlarged or diseased, it may remove more red blood cells than normal, causing anemia. Examples of inherited conditions that can cause your body to destroy too many red blood cells include sickle cell anemia, thalassemias, and lack of certain enzymes. These conditions create defects in the red blood cells that cause them to die faster than healthy red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia is another example of a condition in which your body destroys too many red blood cells. Inherited or acquired conditions or factors can cause hemolytic anemia. Examples include immune disorders, infections, certain medicines, or reactions to blood transfusions. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Anemia? | Fanconi anemia (Causes): Fanconi anemia is due to an abnormal gene that damages cells, which keeps them from repairing damaged DNA. To inherit Fanconi anemia, a person must get 1 copy of the abnormal gene from each parent. The condition is most often diagnosed in children between 2 and 15 years old. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Anemia? | What are the symptoms of Anemia?: You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild or if the problem develops slowly. Symptoms that may occur first include: - Feeling grumpy - Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise - Headaches - Problems concentrating or thinking If the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include: - Blue color to the whites of the eyes - Brittle nails - Desire to eat ice or other non-food things (pica syndrome) - Light-headedness when you stand up - Pale skin color - Shortness of breath with mild activity or even at rest - Sore tongue. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Anemia? | Anemia (Signs and Symptoms): The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue (feeling tired or weak). If you have anemia, you may find it hard to find the energy to do normal activities. Other signs and symptoms of anemia include: Shortness of breath Dizziness Headache Coldness in the hands and feet Pale skin Chest pain These signs and symptoms can occur because your heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through your body. Mild to moderate anemia may cause very mild symptoms or none at all. Complications of Anemia Some people who have anemia may have arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs). Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Over time, arrhythmias can damage your heart and possibly lead to heart failure. Anemia also can damage other organs in your body because your blood can't get enough oxygen to them. Anemia can weaken people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS. This can make their treatments not work as well. Anemia also can cause many other health problems. People who have kidney disease and anemia are more likely to have heart problems. With some types of anemia, too little fluid intake or too much loss of fluid in the blood and body can occur. Severe loss of fluid can be life threatening. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Anemia? | Aplastic anemia (Symptoms): The symptoms of aplastic anemia vary depending on how severe it is and how low blood counts are. Signs and symptoms may include: [2] [3] [4] Low numbers of red blood cells (anemia): May cause paleness (pallor), headache, palpitations, rapid heart rate Low numbers of platelets ( thrombocytopenia ): May result in gum bleeding, nosebleeds or bleeding in the internal organs and skin bruises. Low white blood cells (neutropenia): May present infections, recurrent infections, mouth sores. The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) provides the following list of features that have been reported in people with this condition. Much of the information in the HPO comes from Orphanet, a European rare disease database. If available, the list includes a rough estimate of how common a feature is (its frequency). Frequencies are based on a specific study and may not be representative of all studies. You can use the MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary for definitions of the terms below. Signs and Symptoms Approximate number of patients (when available) Aplastic anemia - Bone marrow hypocellularity -. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Anemia? | What are the treatments for Anemia?: Treatment should be directed at the cause of the anemia, and may include: - Blood transfusions - Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system - Erythropoietin, a medicine that helps your bone marrow make more blood cells - Supplements of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or other vitamins and minerals. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Anemia? | Anemia (Treatment): Anemia treatment depends on the cause. - Iron deficiency anemia. Treatment for this form of anemia usually involves taking iron supplements and making changes to your diet. If the underlying cause of iron deficiency is loss of blood - other than from menstruation - the source of the bleeding must be located and stopped. This may involve surgery. - Vitamin deficiency anemias. Treatment for folic acid and B-12 deficiency involves dietary supplements and increasing these nutrients in your diet. If your digestive system has trouble absorbing vitamin B-12 from the food you eat, you may need vitamin B-12 shots. At first, you may receive the shots every other day. Eventually, you'll need shots just once a month, which may continue for life, depending on your situation. - Anemia of chronic disease. There's no specific treatment for this type of anemia. Doctors focus on treating the underlying disease. If symptoms become severe, a blood transfusion or injections of synthetic erythropoietin, a hormone normally produced by your kidneys, may help stimulate red blood cell production and ease fatigue. - Aplastic anemia. Treatment for this anemia may include blood transfusions to boost levels of red blood cells. You may need a bone marrow transplant if your bone marrow is diseased and can't make healthy blood cells. - Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. Treatment of these various diseases can include medication, chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. - Hemolytic anemias. Managing hemolytic anemias includes avoiding suspect medications, treating related infections and taking drugs that suppress your immune system, which may be attacking your red blood cells. Depending on the severity of your anemia, a blood transfusion or plasmapheresis may be necessary. Plasmapheresis is a type of blood-filtering procedure. In certain cases, removal of the spleen can be helpful. - Sickle cell anemia. Treatment for this anemia may include the administration of oxygen, pain-relieving drugs, and oral and intravenous fluids to reduce pain and prevent complications. Doctors also may recommend blood transfusions, folic acid supplements and antibiotics. A bone marrow transplant may be an effective treatment in some circumstances. A cancer drug called hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea) also is used to treat sickle cell anemia. - Thalassemia. This anemia may be treated with blood transfusions, folic acid supplements, medication, removal of the spleen (splenectomy), or a blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Anemia? | How to diagnose Anemia?: The doctor will perform a physical examination, and may find: - A heart murmur - Low blood pressure, especially when you stand up - Pale skin - Rapid heart rate Some types of anemia may cause other findings on a physical exam. Blood tests used to diagnose some common types of anemia may include: - Blood levels of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and other vitamins and minerals - Red blood count and hemoglobin level - Reticulocyte count Other tests may be done to find medical problems that can cause anemia. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Anemia? | Anemia (Diagnosis): To diagnose anemia, your doctor may ask you about your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and run the following tests: - Complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is used to count the number of blood cells in a sample of your blood. For anemia your doctor will be interested in the levels of the red blood cells contained in the blood (hematocrit) and the hemoglobin in your blood. Normal adult hematocrit values vary from one medical practice to another but are generally between 40 and 52 percent for men and 35 and 47 percent for women. Normal adult hemoglobin values are generally 14 to 18 grams per deciliter for men and 12 to 16 grams per deciliter for women. - A test to determine the size and shape of your red blood cells. Some of your red blood cells may also be examined for unusual size, shape and color. Additional diagnostic tests If you receive a diagnosis of anemia, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the underlying cause. For example, iron deficiency anemia can result from chronic bleeding of ulcers, benign polyps in the colon, colon cancer, tumors or kidney problems. Occasionally, it may be necessary to study a sample of your bone marrow to diagnose anemia. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Anemia? | How to diagnose Anemia?: Your doctor will diagnose anemia based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and results from tests and procedures. Because anemia doesn't always cause symptoms, your doctor may find out you have it while checking for another condition. Medical and Family Histories Your doctor may ask whether you have any of the common signs or symptoms of anemia. He or she also may ask whether you've had an illness or condition that could cause anemia. Let your doctor know about any medicines you take, what you typically eat (your diet), and whether you have family members who have anemia or a history of it. Physical Exam Your doctor will do a physical exam to find out how severe your anemia is and to check for possible causes. He or she may: Listen to your heart for a rapid or irregular heartbeat Listen to your lungs for rapid or uneven breathing Feel your abdomen to check the size of your liver and spleen Your doctor also may do a pelvic or rectal exam to check for common sources of blood loss. Diagnostic Tests and Procedures You may have various blood tests and other tests or procedures to find out what type of anemia you have and how severe it is. Complete Blood Count Often, the first test used to diagnose anemia is a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures many parts of your blood. The test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit (hee-MAT-oh-crit) levels. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Hematocrit is a measure of how much space red blood cells take up in your blood. A low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit is a sign of anemia. The normal range of these levels might be lower in certain racial and ethnic populations. Your doctor can explain your test results to you. The CBC also checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Abnormal results might be a sign of anemia, another blood disorder, an infection, or another condition. Finally, the CBC looks at mean corpuscular (kor-PUS-kyu-lar) volume (MCV). MCV is a measure of the average size of your red blood cells and a clue as to the cause of your anemia. In iron-deficiency anemia, for example, red blood cells usually are smaller than normal. Other Tests and Procedures If the CBC results show that you have anemia, you may need other tests, such as: Hemoglobin electrophoresis (e-lek-tro-FOR-e-sis). This test looks at the different types of hemoglobin in your blood. The test can help diagnose the type of anemia you have. A reticulocyte (re-TIK-u-lo-site) count. This test measures the number of young red blood cells in your blood. The test shows whether your bone marrow is making red blood cells at the correct rate. Tests for the level of iron in your blood and body. These tests include serum iron and serum ferritin tests. Transferrin level and total iron-binding capacity tests also measure iron levels. Because anemia has many causes, you also might be tested for conditions such as kidney failure, lead poisoning (in children), and vitamin deficiencies (lack of vitamins, such as B12 and folic acid). If your doctor thinks that you have anemia due to internal bleeding, he or she may suggest several tests to look for the source of the bleeding. A test to check the stool for blood might be done in your doctor's office or at home. Your doctor can give you a kit to help you get a sample at home. He or she will tell you to bring the sample back to the office or send it to a laboratory. If blood is found in the stool, you may have other tests to find the source of the bleeding. One such test is endoscopy (en-DOS-ko-pe). For this test, a tube with a tiny camera is used to view the lining of the digestive tract. Your doctor also may want to do bone marrow tests. These tests show whether your bone marrow is healthy and making enough blood cells. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Sickle Cell Anemia? | How to diagnose Sickle cell anemia?: Tests commonly done diagnose and monitor patients with sickle cell anemia include: - Bilirubin - Blood oxygen saturation - Complete blood count (CBC) - Hemoglobin electrophoresis - Serum creatinine - Serum potassium - Sickle cell test. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Sickle Cell Anemia? | Sickle cell anemia (Causes): Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make the red, iron-rich compound that gives blood its red color (hemoglobin). Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. In sickle cell anemia, the abnormal hemoglobin causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky and misshapen. The sickle cell gene is passed from generation to generation in a pattern of inheritance called autosomal recessive inheritance. This means that both the mother and the father must pass on the defective form of the gene for a child to be affected. If only one parent passes the sickle cell gene to the child, that child will have the sickle cell trait. With one normal hemoglobin gene and one defective form of the gene, people with the sickle cell trait make both normal hemoglobin and sickle cell hemoglobin. Their blood might contain some sickle cells, but they generally don't have symptoms. But they are carriers of the disease, which means they can pass the gene to their children. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Sickle Cell Anemia? | How to diagnose Sickle cell anemia?: Tests commonly done diagnose and monitor patients with sickle cell anemia include: - Bilirubin - Blood oxygen saturation - Complete blood count (CBC) - Hemoglobin electrophoresis - Serum creatinine - Serum potassium - Sickle cell test. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia? | What are the symptoms of Sickle cell anemia?: Symptoms usually do not occur until after the age of 4 months. Almost all people with sickle cell anemia have painful episodes called crises. These can last from hours to days. Crises can cause pain in the lower back, leg, joints, and chest. Some people have one episode every few years. Others have many episodes each year. The crises can be severe enough to require a hospital stay. When the anemia becomes more severe, symptoms may include: - Fatigue - Paleness - Rapid heart rate - Shortness of breath - Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice) Younger children with sickle cell anemia have attacks of abdominal pain. The following symptoms may occur because small blood vessels become blocked by the abnormal cells: - Painful and prolonged erection (priapism) - Poor eyesight or blindness - Problems with thinking or confusion caused by small strokes - Ulcers on the lower legs (in adolescents and adults) Over time, the spleen stops working. As a result, people with sickle cell anemia may have symptoms of infections such as: - Bone infection (osteomyelitis) - Gallbladder infection (cholecystitis) - Lung infection (pneumonia) - Urinary tract infection Other signs and symptoms include: - Delayed growth and puberty - Painful joints caused by arthritis - Heart failure due to too much iron (from blood transfusions). If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia? | Sickle cell anemia (Symptoms): Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia, which vary from person to person and change over time, include: - Anemia. Sickle cells break apart easily and die, leaving you without enough red blood cells. Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells usually die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Without enough red blood cells, your body can't get the oxygen it needs to feel energized, causing fatigue. - Episodes of pain. Periodic episodes of pain, called crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. Pain can also occur in your bones. The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few weeks. Some people have only a few pain episodes. Others have a dozen or more crises a year. If a crisis is severe enough, you might need to be hospitalized. Some adolescents and adults with sickle cell anemia also have chronic pain, which can result from bone and joint damage, ulcers and other causes. - Painful swelling of hands and feet. The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood flow to the hands and feet. - Frequent infections. Sickle cells can damage an organ that fights infection (spleen), leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Doctors commonly give infants and children with sickle cell anemia vaccinations and antibiotics to prevent potentially life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia. - Delayed growth. Red blood cells provide your body with the oxygen and nutrients you need for growth. A shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers. - Vision problems. Tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes may become plugged with sickle cells. This can damage the retina - the portion of the eye that processes visual images, leading to vision problems. When to see a doctor Although sickle cell anemia is usually diagnosed in infancy, if you or your child develops any of the following problems, see your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care: - Unexplained episodes of severe pain, such as pain in the abdomen, chest, bones or joints. - Swelling in the hands or feet. - Abdominal swelling, especially if the area is tender to the touch. - Fever. People with sickle cell anemia have an increased risk of infection, and fever can be the first sign of an infection. - Pale skin or nail beds. - Yellow tint to the skin or whites of the eyes. - Signs or symptoms of stroke. If you notice one-sided paralysis or weakness in the face, arms or legs; confusion; trouble walking or talking; sudden vision problems or unexplained numbness; or a headache, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia? | Sickle cell anemia - resources (Summary): The following organizations are good resources for information on sickle cell anemia: - American Sickle Cell Anemia Association -- www.ascaa.org - US National Library of Medicine -- ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/sickle-cell-disease - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute -- www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/ - Sickle Cell Disease Association of America -- www.sicklecelldisease.org - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Sickle Cell Anemia? | What are the treatments for Sickle cell anemia?: The goal of treatment is to manage and control symptoms, and to limit the number of crises. People with sickle cell disease need ongoing treatment, even when not having a crisis. People with this condition should take folic acid supplements. Folic acid helps make newred blood cells. Treatment for a sickle cell crisis includes: - Blood transfusions (may also be given regularly to prevent stroke) - Pain medicines - Plenty of fluids Other treatments for sickle cell anemia may include: - Hydroxyurea (Hydrea), which helps reduce the number of pain episodes (including chest pain and breathing problems) in some people - Antibiotics, which help prevent bacterial infections that are common in children with sickle cell disease - Medicines that reduce the amount of iron in the body. Treatments that may be needed to manage complications of sickle cell anemia include: - Dialysis or kidney transplant for kidney disease - Counseling forpsychological complications - Gallbladder removal inpeople with gallstone disease - Hip replacement for avascular necrosis of the hip - Surgery for eye problems - Treatment for overuse or abuse of narcotic pain medicines - Wound care for leg ulcers Bone marrow or stem cell transplants can cure sickle cell anemia, but this treatment is not an option for most people. Sickle cell anemia patients often cannot find well-matched stem cell donors. People with sickle cell disease should have the following vaccinations to lower the risk of infection: - Haemophilus influenzae vaccine (Hib) - Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV). If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Sickle Cell Anemia? | Sickle cell anemia (Diagnosis): A blood test can check for hemoglobin S - the defective form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia. In the United States, this blood test is part of routine newborn screening done at the hospital. But older children and adults can be tested, too. In adults, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm. In young children and babies, the blood sample is usually collected from a finger or heel. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it's screened for hemoglobin S. If the screening test is negative, there is no sickle cell gene present. If the screening test is positive, further tests will be done to determine whether one or two sickle cell genes are present. Additional tests If you or your child has sickle cell anemia, a blood test to check for a low red blood cell count (anemia) will be done. Your doctor might suggest additional tests to check for possible complications of the disease. If you or your child carries the sickle cell gene, you'll likely be referred to a genetic counselor. Tests to detect sickle cell genes before birth Sickle cell disease can be diagnosed in an unborn baby by sampling some of the fluid surrounding the baby in the mother's womb (amniotic fluid) to look for the sickle cell gene. If you or your partner has been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait, ask your doctor about whether you should consider this screening. Ask for a referral to a genetic counselor who can help you understand the risk to your baby. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Sickle Cell Anemia? | How to diagnose Sickle cell anemia?: Tests commonly done diagnose and monitor patients with sickle cell anemia include: - Bilirubin - Blood oxygen saturation - Complete blood count (CBC) - Hemoglobin electrophoresis - Serum creatinine - Serum potassium - Sickle cell test. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea (More About Gonorrhea): Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. It is most common in young adults. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth, or anus. You can get gonorrhea during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms. In men, gonorrhea can cause pain when urinating and discharge from the penis. If untreated, it can cause problems with the prostate and testicles. In women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild. Later, it can cause bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina. If untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems with pregnancy and infertility. Your health care provider will diagnose gonorrhea with lab tests. Treatment is with antibiotics. Treating gonorrhea is becoming more difficult because drug-resistant strains are increasing. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading gonorrhea. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is usually spread by having vaginal, oral, or anal sex. In 2014, gonorrhea affected more than 162,000 women in the United States.1 Antibiotics can treat gonorrhea. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems, including problems getting pregnant. Gonorrhea is an STI that is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is an especially serious problem for women because it can damage the female reproductive organs. In 2014, gonorrhea affected more than 162,000 women in the United States.1 Gonorrhea most often affects women ages 15 to 24. But, gonorrhea is becoming more common in older women too.1 Gonorrhea is spread through: Most women with gonorrhea do not have any signs or symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Signs or symptoms of gonorrhea depend on where you are first infected by the gonorrhea bacteria. Signs and symptoms in the genital area can include: Signs and symptoms in other parts of the body include: Gonorrhea can cause serious health problems, even if you do not have any signs or symptoms. You also need to get tested if you have any symptoms of gonorrhea. Testing is very important, because women with untreated gonorrhea can develop serious health problems. If you are tested for gonorrhea, you also need to get tested for other STIs, including chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. There are two ways that a doctor or nurse tests for gonorrhea: A Pap test is not used to detect gonorrhea. Your doctor or nurse will give you antibiotics to treat gonorrhea. The antibiotics are usually a pill you swallow. Although antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, they cannot fix any permanent damage done to your body. For this reason, it is important to get tested and to take the antibiotics as soon as possible. For the antibiotics to work, you must finish all of the antibiotics that your doctor gives you, even if the symptoms go away. Do not share your antibiotics for gonorrhea with anyone. If symptoms do not go away after treatment, see your doctor or nurse. It is possible to get gonorrhea again if you have sex with someone who has gonorrhea. Tell your recent sex partner(s) so they can be tested and treated. Gonorrhea that is not treated can cause serious health problems in women:3 Gonorrhea is easy to treat. But you need to get tested and treated as soon as possible. If you have gonorrhea: For pregnant women, untreated gonorrhea raises the risk of: Babies born to infected mothers are at risk for: Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is found in pregnant women will lower the risk of these problems for both mother and baby. Your baby will get antibiotics if you have gonorrhea or if your baby has a gonorrheal eye infection. The best way to prevent gonorrhea or any STI is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps: The steps work best when used together. No single step can protect you from every single type of STI. Yes. It is possible to get gonorrhea, or any other STI, if you are a woman who has sex only with women. Talk to your partner about her sexual history before having sex, and ask your doctor about getting tested if you have signs or symptoms of gonorrhea. For more information about gonorrhea, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both men and women. Caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, gonorrhea can cause infections in the genitals, rectum and throat. Although treatable, drug-resistant forms of gonorrhea are increasing. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and increased risk of HIV infection. Gonorrhea can also be passed from mother to child and cause blindness or life-threatening infections in the infant. NIAID supports a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program of research on Neissesria gonorrhoeae (gonococci). Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. It is most common in young adults. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth, or anus. You can get gonorrhea during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms. In men, gonorrhea can cause pain when urinating and discharge from the penis. If untreated, it can cause problems with the prostate and testicles. In women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild. Later, it can cause bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina. If untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems with pregnancy and infertility. Your health care provider will diagnose gonorrhea with lab tests. Treatment is with antibiotics. Treating gonorrhea is becoming more difficult because drug-resistant strains are increasing. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading gonorrhea. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Scientists have determined the complete genetic code, or sequence (genetic blueprint), of the N. gonorrhoeae genome. They are using this information to help us better understand how the bacterium causes disease and becomes resistant to antibiotics. NIAID also supports research to develop topical microbicides (antimicrobial preparations that can be appled inside the vagina) to prevent gonococcal infections. Another important area of gonorrhea research concerns antibiotic (drug) resistance. This is particularly important because strains of N. gonorhoeae that are resistant to recommended antibiotic treatments have been increasing and are becoming widespread in the United States. These events add urgency to conduct research on and develop new antibiotics and to prevent antibiotic resistance from spreading. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is usually spread by having vaginal, oral, or anal sex. In 2014, gonorrhea affected more than 162,000 women in the United States.1 Antibiotics can treat gonorrhea. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems, including problems getting pregnant. Gonorrhea is an STI that is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is an especially serious problem for women because it can damage the female reproductive organs. In 2014, gonorrhea affected more than 162,000 women in the United States.1 Gonorrhea most often affects women ages 15 to 24. But, gonorrhea is becoming more common in older women too.1 Gonorrhea is spread through: Most women with gonorrhea do not have any signs or symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Signs or symptoms of gonorrhea depend on where you are first infected by the gonorrhea bacteria. Signs and symptoms in the genital area can include: Signs and symptoms in other parts of the body include: Gonorrhea can cause serious health problems, even if you do not have any signs or symptoms. You also need to get tested if you have any symptoms of gonorrhea. Testing is very important, because women with untreated gonorrhea can develop serious health problems. If you are tested for gonorrhea, you also need to get tested for other STIs, including chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. There are two ways that a doctor or nurse tests for gonorrhea: A Pap test is not used to detect gonorrhea. Your doctor or nurse will give you antibiotics to treat gonorrhea. The antibiotics are usually a pill you swallow. Although antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, they cannot fix any permanent damage done to your body. For this reason, it is important to get tested and to take the antibiotics as soon as possible. For the antibiotics to work, you must finish all of the antibiotics that your doctor gives you, even if the symptoms go away. Do not share your antibiotics for gonorrhea with anyone. If symptoms do not go away after treatment, see your doctor or nurse. It is possible to get gonorrhea again if you have sex with someone who has gonorrhea. Tell your recent sex partner(s) so they can be tested and treated. Gonorrhea that is not treated can cause serious health problems in women:3 Gonorrhea is easy to treat. But you need to get tested and treated as soon as possible. If you have gonorrhea: For pregnant women, untreated gonorrhea raises the risk of: Babies born to infected mothers are at risk for: Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is found in pregnant women will lower the risk of these problems for both mother and baby. Your baby will get antibiotics if you have gonorrhea or if your baby has a gonorrheal eye infection. The best way to prevent gonorrhea or any STI is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps: The steps work best when used together. No single step can protect you from every single type of STI. Yes. It is possible to get gonorrhea, or any other STI, if you are a woman who has sex only with women. Talk to your partner about her sexual history before having sex, and ask your doctor about getting tested if you have signs or symptoms of gonorrhea. For more information about gonorrhea, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both men and women. Caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, gonorrhea can cause infections in the genitals, rectum and throat. Although treatable, drug-resistant forms of gonorrhea are increasing. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and increased risk of HIV infection. Gonorrhea can also be passed from mother to child and cause blindness or life-threatening infections in the infant. NIAID supports a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program of research on Neissesria gonorrhoeae (gonococci). Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. It is most common in young adults. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth, or anus. You can get gonorrhea during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms. In men, gonorrhea can cause pain when urinating and discharge from the penis. If untreated, it can cause problems with the prostate and testicles. In women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild. Later, it can cause bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina. If untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems with pregnancy and infertility. Your health care provider will diagnose gonorrhea with lab tests. Treatment is with antibiotics. Treating gonorrhea is becoming more difficult because drug-resistant strains are increasing. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading gonorrhea. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Scientists have determined the complete genetic code, or sequence (genetic blueprint), of the N. gonorrhoeae genome. They are using this information to help us better understand how the bacterium causes disease and becomes resistant to antibiotics. NIAID also supports research to develop topical microbicides (antimicrobial preparations that can be appled inside the vagina) to prevent gonococcal infections. Another important area of gonorrhea research concerns antibiotic (drug) resistance. This is particularly important because strains of N. gonorhoeae that are resistant to recommended antibiotic treatments have been increasing and are becoming widespread in the United States. These events add urgency to conduct research on and develop new antibiotics and to prevent antibiotic resistance from spreading. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea? | What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea?: Symptoms of gonorrhea most often appear 2 to 5 days after infection. However, it may take up to a month for symptoms to appear in men. Some people do not have symptoms. They may not know that they have caught the infection, so do not seek treatment. This increases the risk of complications and the chances of passing the infection on to another person. Symptoms in men include: - Burning and pain while urinating - Need to urinate urgently or more often - Discharge from the penis (white, yellow, or green in color) - Red or swollen opening of penis (urethra) - Tender or swollen testicles - Sore throat (gonococcal pharyngitis) Symptoms in women can be very mild. They can be mistaken for another type of infection. They include: - Burning and pain while urinating - Sore throat - Painful sexual intercourse - Severe pain in lower abdomen (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and stomach area) - Fever (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and stomach area) If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, symptoms include: - Fever - Rash - Arthritis-like symptoms - Abnormal vaginal discharge with greenish, yellow or foul smelling discharge. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea (Symptoms): In many cases, gonorrhea infection causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, gonorrhea infection can affect multiple sites in your body, but it commonly appears in the genital tract. Gonorrhea affecting the genital tract Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in men include: - Painful urination - Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis - Pain or swelling in one testicle Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include: - Increased vaginal discharge - Painful urination - Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse - Painful intercourse - Abdominal or pelvic pain Gonorrhea at other sites in the body Gonorrhea can also affect these parts of the body: - Rectum. Signs and symptoms include anal itching, pus-like discharge from the rectum, spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue and having to strain during bowel movements. - Eyes. Gonorrhea that affects your eyes may cause eye pain, sensitivity to light, and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes. - Throat. Signs and symptoms of a throat infection may include a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. - Joints. If one or more joints become infected by bacteria (septic arthritis), the affected joints may be warm, red, swollen and extremely painful, especially when you move an affected joint. When to see your doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any troubling signs or symptoms, such as a burning sensation when you urinate or a pus-like discharge from your penis, vagina or rectum. Also make an appointment with your doctor if your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea. You may not experience signs or symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention. But without treatment, you can reinfect your partner even after he or she has been treated for gonorrhea. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea (More About Gonorrhea): Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. It is most common in young adults. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth, or anus. You can get gonorrhea during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms. In men, gonorrhea can cause pain when urinating and discharge from the penis. If untreated, it can cause problems with the prostate and testicles. In women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild. Later, it can cause bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina. If untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems with pregnancy and infertility. Your health care provider will diagnose gonorrhea with lab tests. Treatment is with antibiotics. Treating gonorrhea is becoming more difficult because drug-resistant strains are increasing. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading gonorrhea. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea (Treatment): Gonorrhea treatment in adults Adults with gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics. Due to emerging strains of drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated only with the antibiotic ceftriaxone - given as an injection - in combination with either azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) or doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others) - two antibiotics that are taken orally. Some research indicates that oral gemifloxacin (Factive) or injectable gentamicin, combined with oral azithromycin, is highly successful in treating gonorrhea. This treatment may be helpful in treating people who are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone. Gonorrhea treatment for partners Your partner also should undergo testing and treatment for gonorrhea, even if he or she has no signs or symptoms. Your partner receives the same treatment you do. Even if you've been treated for gonorrhea, you can be reinfected if your partner isn't treated. Gonorrhea treatment for babies Babies born to mothers with gonorrhea receive a medication in their eyes soon after birth to prevent infection. If an eye infection develops, babies can be treated with antibiotics. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Gonorrhea? | What are the treatments for Gonorrhea?: A number of different antibiotics may be used for treating this type of infection. - You may receive one large dose of oral antibiotics or take a smaller dose for seven days. - You may be given an antibiotic injection or shot, and then perhaps be sent home with antibiotic pills. - More severe cases of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) may require you to stay in the hospital. Antibiotics are first given by IV. - Never treat yourself without being seen by your doctor first. Your health care provider will determine the best treatment. About half of the women with gonorrhea are also infected with chlamydia. Chlamydia is treated at the same time as a gonorrhea infection. You will need a follow-up visit 7 days after if your symptoms include joint pain, skin rash, or more severe pelvic or belly pain. Tests will be done to make sure the infection is gone. Sexual partners must be tested and treated to prevent passing the infection back and forth. You and your partner must finish all of the antibiotics. Use condoms until you both have finished taking your antibiotics. All sexual contacts of the person with gonorrhea should be contacted and tested. This helps prevent further spread of the infection. - In some places you may be able to take information and medicines to your sexual partner yourself. - In other places, the health department will contact your partner. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Gonorrhea? | How to diagnose Gonorrhea?: Gonorrhea can be quickly detected by looking at a sample of discharge or tissue under the microscope. This is called a gram stain. This method is fast, but it is not the most certain. Gonorrhea is most accurately detected with DNA tests. DNA tests are useful for screening. The ligase chain reaction (LCR) test is one of the tests. DNA tests are quicker than cultures. These tests can be performed on urine samples, which are easier to collect than samples from the genital area. Prior to DNA tests, cultures (cells that grow in a lab dish) were used to provide proof of gonorrhea, but are less commonly used now. Samples for a culture are most often taken from the cervix, vagina, urethra, anus, or throat. - Rarely they are taken from joint fluid or blood - Cultures can often provide an early diagnosis within 24 hours. A confirmed diagnosis is available within 72 hours. If you have gonorrhea, you should ask to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV herpes and hepatitis. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Gonorrhea? | Gonorrhea (Diagnosis): To determine whether the gonorrhea bacterium is present in your body, your doctor will analyze a sample of cells. Samples can be collected by: - Urine test. This may help identify bacteria in your urethra. - Swab of affected area. A swab of your throat, urethra, vagina or rectum may collect bacteria that can be identified in a laboratory. For women, home test kits are available for gonorrhea. Home test kits include vaginal swabs for self-testing that are sent to a specified lab for testing. If you prefer, you can choose to be notified by email or text message when your results are ready. You may then view your results online or receive them by calling a toll-free hotline. Testing for other sexually transmitted infections Your doctor may recommend tests for other sexually transmitted infections. Gonorrhea increases your risk of these infections, particularly chlamydia, which often accompanies gonorrhea. Testing for HIV also is recommended for anyone diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. Depending on your risk factors, tests for additional sexually transmitted infections could be beneficial as well. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (What Is HIV? What Is AIDS?): HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages and weakens the body's immune system-the system your body uses to fight off infection and disease. Having HIV puts a person in danger of experiencing other life-threatening infections and certain cancers.When the body cannot fight off infections and some other diseases anymore, HIV can lead to a serious illness called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). When someone has AIDS, they are more likely to get infections, and more vulnerable to unusual forms of cancers and other serious diseases. But, with early and uninterrupted treatment, it is possible that a person with HIV will never develop AIDS.If you think you may have HIV, you should get tested. Everyone age 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV. If you are over 64 and are at risk for HIV, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can help determine how often you should be tested and help find ways to reduce your risk.There are drugs that, when taken consistently, can help suppress the amount of HIV in your blood to undetectable levels, improving your health overall and making it harder to pass HIV on to your sexual partners. To get the best results, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. If you are unsure about your HIV status, get tested. Always protect yourself and your partners when having sex or using needles. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS: HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4 positive (CD4+) T cells, a type of white blood cell that is vital to fighting off infection. The destruction of these cells leaves people living with HIV vulnerable to other infections, diseases and other complications. As the leading U.S. government institute for HIV/AIDS research, NIAID is committed to conducting the research necessary to successfully end the fight against HIV/AIDS. Nearly 37 million people are living with HIV around the world. In the United States, 1.2 million people are living with HIV, of whom 13 percent are unaware of their diagnosis. Although progress has been made in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, the epidemic continues in the United States and the international community. Globally, AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 45 percent since their peak in 2004. Yet the rate of HIV transmission remains unacceptably high, with 2.1 million new infections occurring worldwide in 2015 alone. NIAID-supported investigators are conducting an abundance of research on all areas of HIV infection, including developing and testing preventive HIV vaccines, prevention strategies, and new treatments for HIV infection and AIDS-associated opportunistic infections. Through laboratories and clinics on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and a vast network of supported research at universities, medical centers, and clinical trial sites around the globe, NIAID is working to better understand HIV and how it causes disease, find new tools to prevent HIV infection including a preventive vaccine, develop new and more effective treatments for people living with HIV, and hopefully, find a cure. Preventing new HIV infections is a key step toward ending the HIV pandemic as we know it. NIAID-supported researchers have worked since the early days of AIDS in the 1980s to identify prevention tools to keep people healthy. Today, an array of prevention methods are available for use in combination or on their own, and scientists continue to work to develop and improve cutting-edge tools and techniques that can work to prevent HIV in diverse populations around the world. Historically, vaccination has been the best method for protecting people from infectious diseases. While an array of techniques are available for preventing HIV infection, the development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine remains key to realizing a durable end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. NIAID-supported scientists are working toward an HIV vaccine from two complementary angles: an empirical approach that quickly moves vaccine candidates into human testing, and a theoretical approach that designs vaccine candidates based on an understanding of the immune response to HIV infection. One of NIAID’s greatest success stories is that its research led to the development of numerous antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, turning what was once a uniformly fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition for many. NIAID is working to find new and more effective therapeutic products, drug classes, and combinations as well as safe and effective treatments for dangerous related co-infections and complications. NIAID is exploring therapies that suppress the amount of HIV to such low levels that an HIV-infected person would no longer need treatment because his or her immune system could keep the remaining virus in check, creating in essence a “functional cure.”. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes HIV/AIDS? | What causes HIV/AIDS?: The virus is spread (transmitted) person-to-person in any of the following ways: - Through sexual contact - Through blood -- by blood transfusions (now extremely rare in the U.S.) or more often by needle sharing - From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can spread the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can pass it to her baby through her breast milk The virus is NOT spread by: - Casual contact, such as hugging - Mosquitoes - Participating in sports - Touching items that were touched by a person infected with the virus HIV and blood or organ donation: - HIV is not spread to a person who donates blood or organs. People who donate organs are never in direct contact with the people who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is never in contact with the person receiving it. In all of these procedures, sterile needles and instruments are used. - But HIV can be spread to a person receiving blood or organs from an infected donor. To reduce this risk, blood banks and organ donor programs check (screen) donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly. People at high risk of getting HIV include: - Drug users who inject and then share needles - Infants born to mothers with HIV who did not receive HIV treatment during pregnancy - People who have unprotected sex, especially with people who have other high-risk behaviors, are HIV-positive, or have AIDS - People who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985, before screening for the virus became standard practice - Sexual partners of those who engage in high-risk activities (such as injection drug use or anal sex) After HIV infects the body, the virus can be found in many different fluids and tissues in the body. - Only blood, semen, fluids from the vagina, and breast milk have been shown to transmit infection to others. - The virus may also be found in saliva, tears, and spinal fluid. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Overview): HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4 positive (CD4+) T cells, a type of white blood cell that is vital to fighting off infection. The destruction of these cells leaves people living with HIV vulnerable to other infections, diseases and other complications. As the leading U.S. government institute for HIV/AIDS research, NIAID is committed to conducting the research necessary to successfully end the fight against HIV/AIDS. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Overview): Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. Without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS. There's no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are medications that can dramatically slow the progression of the disease. These drugs have reduced AIDS deaths in many developed nations. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (What Are the Symptoms of HIV?): Many people do not notice symptoms when they first acquire HIV. It can take as little as a few weeks for minor, flu-like symptoms to show up, or more than 10 years for more serious symptoms to appear, or any time in between. Signs of early HIV infection include flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, swollen glands, sore throat, fevers, chills, and sweating, and can also include a rash or mouth ulcers. Symptoms of later-stage HIV or AIDS include swollen glands, lack of energy, loss of appetite, weight loss, chronic or recurrent diarrhea, repeated yeast infections, short-term memory loss, and blotchy lesions on the skin, inside the mouth, eyelids, nose, or genital area. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Symptoms): The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary, depending on the phase of infection. Primary infection (Acute HIV) Most people infected by HIV develop a flu-like illness within a month or two after the virus enters the body. This illness, known as primary or acute HIV infection, may last for a few weeks. Possible signs and symptoms include: - Fever - Headache - Muscle aches and joint pain - Rash - Sore throat and painful mouth sores - Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck These symptoms can be so mild that you might not even notice them. However, the amount of virus in your bloodstream (viral load) is quite high at this time. As a result, the infection spreads more easily during primary infection than during the next stage. Clinical latent infection (Chronic HIV) In some people, persistent swelling of lymph nodes occurs during this stage. Otherwise, there are no specific signs and symptoms. HIV remains in the body and in infected white blood cells. This stage of HIV infection generally lasts around 10 years if you're not receiving antiretroviral therapy. But sometimes, even with this treatment, it lasts for decades. Some people develop more severe disease much sooner. Symptomatic HIV infection As the virus continues to multiply and destroy your immune cells - the cells in your body that help fight off germs - you may develop mild infections or chronic signs and symptoms such as: - Fever - Fatigue - Swollen lymph nodes - often one of the first signs of HIV infection - Diarrhea - Weight loss - Oral yeast infection (thrush) - Shingles (herpes zoster) Progression to AIDS Thanks to better antiviral treatments, most people with HIV in the U.S. today don't develop AIDS. Untreated, HIV typically turns into AIDS in about 10 years. When AIDS occurs, your immune system has been severely damaged. You'll be more likely to develop opportunistic infections or opportunistic cancers - diseases that wouldn't usually trouble a person with a healthy immune system. The signs and symptoms of some of these infections may include: - Soaking night sweats - Recurring fever - Chronic diarrhea - Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth - Persistent, unexplained fatigue - Weight loss - Skin rashes or bumps When to see a doctor If you think you may have been infected with HIV or are at risk of contracting the virus, see a health care provider as soon as possible. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Overview): HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4 positive (CD4+) T cells, a type of white blood cell that is vital to fighting off infection. The destruction of these cells leaves people living with HIV vulnerable to other infections, diseases and other complications. As the leading U.S. government institute for HIV/AIDS research, NIAID is committed to conducting the research necessary to successfully end the fight against HIV/AIDS. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Treatment): There's no cure for HIV/AIDS, but many different drugs are available to control the virus. Such treatment is called antiretroviral therapy, or ART. Each class of drug blocks the virus in different ways. ART is now recommended for everyone, regardless of CD4 T cell counts. It's recommended to combine three drugs from two classes to avoid creating drug-resistant strains of HIV. The classes of anti-HIV drugs include: - Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) turn off a protein needed by HIV to make copies of itself. Examples include efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence) and nevirapine (Viramune). - Nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are faulty versions of the building blocks that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include Abacavir (Ziagen), and the combination drugs emtricitabine/tenofovir (Truvada), Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine), and lamivudine-zidovudine (Combivir). - Protease inhibitors (PIs) inactivate HIV protease, another protein that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva) and indinavir (Crixivan). - Entry or fusion inhibitors Tblock HIV's entry into CD4 T cells. Examples include enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) and maraviroc (Selzentry). - Integrase inhibitors work by disabling a protein called integrase, which HIV uses to insert its genetic material into CD4 T cells. Examples include raltegravir (Isentress) and dolutegravir (Tivicay). When to start treatment Everyone with HIV infection, regardless of CD4 T cell count, should be offered antiviral medication. HIV therapy is particularly important for the following situations: - You have severe symptoms. - You have an opportunistic infection. - Your CD4 T cell count is under 350. - You're pregnant. - You have HIV-related kidney disease. - You're being treated for hepatitis B or C. Treatment can be difficult HIV treatment plans may involve taking several pills at specific times every day for the rest of your life. Each medication comes with its own unique set of side effects. It's critical to have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your health and treatment. Some of the treatment side effects are: - Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea - Heart disease - Weakened bones or bone loss - Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis) - Abnormal cholesterol levels - Higher blood sugar Treatment for age-related diseases Some health issues that are a natural part of aging may be more difficult to manage if you have HIV. Some medications that are common for age-related heart, bone or metabolic conditions, for example, may not interact well with anti-HIV medications. It's important to talk to your doctor about your other health conditions and the medications you are taking. Treatment response Your doctor will monitor your viral load and CD4 T cell counts to determine your response to HIV treatment. CD4 T cell counts should be checked every three to six months. Viral load should be tested at the start of treatment and then every three to four months during therapy. Treatment should lower your viral load so that it's undetectable. That doesn't mean your HIV is gone. It just means that the test isn't sensitive enough to detect it. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Finding a Cure): NIAID is exploring therapies that suppress the amount of HIV to such low levels that an HIV-infected person would no longer need treatment because his or her immune system could keep the remaining virus in check, creating in essence a “functional cure.”. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Treatment): One of NIAID’s greatest success stories is that its research led to the development of numerous antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, turning what was once a uniformly fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition for many. NIAID is working to find new and more effective therapeutic products, drug classes, and combinations as well as safe and effective treatments for dangerous related co-infections and complications. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose HIV/AIDS? | HIV/AIDS (Diagnosis): HIV is most commonly diagnosed by testing your blood or saliva for antibodies to the virus. Unfortunately, it takes time for your body to develop these antibodies - usually up to 12 weeks. A quicker test checks for HIV antigen, a protein produced by the virus immediately after infection. It can confirm a diagnosis soon after infection and allow the person to take swifter steps to prevent the spread of the virus to others. Home testing At least two Food and Drug Administration-approved home test kits for HIV are available. Depending on which you choose, you'll need a drop of dried blood or sample of saliva. If the test is positive, you'll need to see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and discuss your treatment options. If the test is negative, it needs to be repeated in a few months to confirm the results. Tests to stage disease and treatment If you receive a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, several tests can help your doctor determine the stage of your disease and the best treatment. These tests include: - CD4 T cell count. CD4 T cells are white blood cells that are specifically targeted and destroyed by HIV. Even if you have no symptoms, HIV infection progresses to AIDS when your CD4 T cell count dips below 200. - Viral load (HIV RNA). This test measures the amount of virus in your blood. A higher viral load has been linked to a worse outcome. - Drug resistance. Some strains of HIV are resistant to medications. This test helps your doctor determine if your specific form of the virus has resistance and guides treatment decisions. Tests for complications Your doctor might also order lab tests to check for other infections or complications, including: - Tuberculosis - Hepatitis - Toxoplasmosis - Sexually transmitted infections - Liver or kidney damage - Urinary tract infection. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose HIV/AIDS? | How to diagnose HIV/AIDS?: DIAGNOSTIC TESTS These are tests that are done to check if you've been infected with the virus. In general, testing is a 2-step process: - Screening test -- There are several kinds of tests. Some are blood tests, others are mouth fluid tests. They check for antibodies to the HIV virus, HIV antigen, or both. Some screening tests can give results in 30 minutes or less. - Follow-up test -- This is also called a confirmatory test. It is often done when the screening test is positive. Home tests are available to test for HIV. If you plan to use one, checkto make sureit's approved by the FDA. Follow instructions on the packaging to ensure the results are as accurate as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 15 to 65 have a screening test for HIV. People with risky behaviors should be tested regularly. Pregnant women should also have a screening test. TESTS AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH HIV People with AIDS usually have regular blood tests to check their CD4 cell count: - CD4 cells are the blood cells that HIV attacks. They are also called T4 cells or "helper T cells." - As HIV damages the immune system, the CD4 count drops. A normal CD4 count is from 500 to 1,500 cells/mm3 of blood. - People usually develop symptoms when their CD4 count drops below 350. More serious complications occur when the CD4 count drops to 200. When the count is below 200, the person is said to have AIDS. Other tests include: - HIV RNA level, or viral load, to check how much HIV is in the blood - A resistance test to see if the virus has any resistance to the medicines used to treat HIV - Complete blood count, blood chemistry, and urine test - Tests for other sexually transmitted infections - TB test - Pap smear to check for cervical cancer - Anal pap smear to check for cancer of the anus. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is life-threatening to the mother. In most pregnancies, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the womb (uterus). If the movement of the egg is blocked or slowed through the tubes, it can lead to an ectopic pregnancy. Things that may cause this problem include: - Birth defect in the fallopian tubes - Scarring after a ruptured appendix - Endometriosis - Having had an ectopic pregnancy in the past - Scarring from past infections or surgery of the female organs The following also increase risk of an ectopic pregnancy: - Age over 35 - Getting pregnant while having an intrauterine device (IUD) - Having your tubes tied. This is more likely 2 or more years after the procedure - Having had surgery to untie tubes to become pregnant - Having had many sexual partners - Some infertility treatments Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Hormones may play a role. The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within 1 of the 2 fallopian tubes. In rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, abdomen, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy can occur even if you use birth control. You may have early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Other symptoms may include: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Low back pain - Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis - No periods - Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include: - Fainting or feeling faint - Intense pressure in the rectum - Low blood pressure - Pain in the shoulder area - Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your provider may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life. If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include: - Surgery - Medicine that ends the pregnancy, along with close monitoring by your doctor You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock. Treatment for shock may include: - Blood transfusion - Fluids given through a vein - Keeping warm - Oxygen - Raising the legs If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube. One out of three women who have had 1 ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. Another ectopic pregnancy is more likely to occur. Some women do not become pregnant again. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy depends on: - The woman's age - Whether she has already had children - Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred Call your provider if you have: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Lower abdominal or pelvic pain Most forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. You may be able to reduce your risk by avoiding conditions that may scar the fallopian tubes. These steps include: - Practicing safer sex by taking steps before and during sex, which can prevent you from getting an infection - Getting early diagnosis and treatment of all infections caused by sexual relations (STDs) - Stopping smoking Updated by: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Ectopic Pregnancy? | How to diagnose Ectopic pregnancy?: The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone (quantitative HCG blood test) can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your doctor may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is life-threatening to the mother. In most pregnancies, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the womb (uterus). If the movement of the egg is blocked or slowed through the tubes, it can lead to an ectopic pregnancy. Things that may cause this problem include: - Birth defect in the fallopian tubes - Scarring after a ruptured appendix - Endometriosis - Having had an ectopic pregnancy in the past - Scarring from past infections or surgery of the female organs The following also increase risk of an ectopic pregnancy: - Age over 35 - Getting pregnant while having an intrauterine device (IUD) - Having your tubes tied. This is more likely 2 or more years after the procedure - Having had surgery to untie tubes to become pregnant - Having had many sexual partners - Some infertility treatments Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Hormones may play a role. The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within 1 of the 2 fallopian tubes. In rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, abdomen, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy can occur even if you use birth control. You may have early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Other symptoms may include: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Low back pain - Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis - No periods - Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include: - Fainting or feeling faint - Intense pressure in the rectum - Low blood pressure - Pain in the shoulder area - Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your provider may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life. If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include: - Surgery - Medicine that ends the pregnancy, along with close monitoring by your doctor You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock. Treatment for shock may include: - Blood transfusion - Fluids given through a vein - Keeping warm - Oxygen - Raising the legs If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube. One out of three women who have had 1 ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. Another ectopic pregnancy is more likely to occur. Some women do not become pregnant again. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy depends on: - The woman's age - Whether she has already had children - Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred Call your provider if you have: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Lower abdominal or pelvic pain Most forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. You may be able to reduce your risk by avoiding conditions that may scar the fallopian tubes. These steps include: - Practicing safer sex by taking steps before and during sex, which can prevent you from getting an infection - Getting early diagnosis and treatment of all infections caused by sexual relations (STDs) - Stopping smoking Updated by: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What causes Ectopic Pregnancy? | How to diagnose Ectopic pregnancy?: The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone (quantitative HCG blood test) can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your doctor may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy? | What are the symptoms of Ectopic pregnancy?: You may have early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Other symptoms may include: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Low back pain - Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis - No periods - Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include: - Fainting or feeling faint - Intense pressure in the rectum - Low blood pressure - Pain in the shoulder area - Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy (Symptoms): At first, an ectopic pregnancy might not cause any signs or symptoms. In other cases, early signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy might be the same as those of any pregnancy - a missed period, breast tenderness and nausea. If you take a pregnancy test, the result will be positive. Still, an ectopic pregnancy can't continue as normal. Light vaginal bleeding with abdominal or pelvic pain is often the first warning sign of an ectopic pregnancy. If blood leaks from the fallopian tube, it's also possible to feel shoulder pain or an urge to have a bowel movement - depending on where the blood pools or which nerves are irritated. If the fallopian tube ruptures, heavy bleeding inside the abdomen is likely - followed by lightheadedness, fainting and shock. When to see a doctor Seek emergency medical help if you experience any signs or symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, including: - Severe abdominal or pelvic pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding - Extreme lightheadedness or fainting - Shoulder pain. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is life-threatening to the mother. In most pregnancies, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the womb (uterus). If the movement of the egg is blocked or slowed through the tubes, it can lead to an ectopic pregnancy. Things that may cause this problem include: - Birth defect in the fallopian tubes - Scarring after a ruptured appendix - Endometriosis - Having had an ectopic pregnancy in the past - Scarring from past infections or surgery of the female organs The following also increase risk of an ectopic pregnancy: - Age over 35 - Getting pregnant while having an intrauterine device (IUD) - Having your tubes tied. This is more likely 2 or more years after the procedure - Having had surgery to untie tubes to become pregnant - Having had many sexual partners - Some infertility treatments Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Hormones may play a role. The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within 1 of the 2 fallopian tubes. In rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, abdomen, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy can occur even if you use birth control. You may have early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Other symptoms may include: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Low back pain - Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis - No periods - Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include: - Fainting or feeling faint - Intense pressure in the rectum - Low blood pressure - Pain in the shoulder area - Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your provider may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life. If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include: - Surgery - Medicine that ends the pregnancy, along with close monitoring by your doctor You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock. Treatment for shock may include: - Blood transfusion - Fluids given through a vein - Keeping warm - Oxygen - Raising the legs If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube. One out of three women who have had 1 ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. Another ectopic pregnancy is more likely to occur. Some women do not become pregnant again. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy depends on: - The woman's age - Whether she has already had children - Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred Call your provider if you have: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Lower abdominal or pelvic pain Most forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. You may be able to reduce your risk by avoiding conditions that may scar the fallopian tubes. These steps include: - Practicing safer sex by taking steps before and during sex, which can prevent you from getting an infection - Getting early diagnosis and treatment of all infections caused by sexual relations (STDs) - Stopping smoking Updated by: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy (Treatment): A fertilized egg can't develop normally outside the uterus. To prevent life-threatening complications, the ectopic tissue needs to be removed. If the ectopic pregnancy is detected early, an injection of the drug methotrexate is sometimes used to stop cell growth and dissolve existing cells. It's imperative that the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is certain before this treatment is undertaken. After the injection, your doctor will monitor your blood for the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). If the HCG level remains high, you might need another injection of methotrexate. In other cases, ectopic pregnancy is usually treated with laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the abdomen, near or in the navel. Then your doctor uses a thin tube equipped with a camera lens and light (laparoscope) to view the area. Other instruments can be inserted into the tube or through other small incisions to remove the ectopic tissue and repair the fallopian tube. If the fallopian tube is significantly damaged, it might need to be removed. If the ectopic pregnancy is causing heavy bleeding or the fallopian tube has ruptured, you might need emergency surgery through an abdominal incision (laparotomy). In some cases, the fallopian tube can be repaired. Typically, however, a ruptured tube must be removed. Your doctor will monitor your HCG levels after surgery to be sure all of the ectopic tissue was removed. If HCG levels don't come down quickly, an injection of methotrexate may be needed. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Ectopic Pregnancy? | What are the treatments for Ectopic pregnancy?: Ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life. You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock, an emergency condition. Treatment for shock may include: - Blood transfusion - Fluids given through a vein - Keeping warm - Oxygen - Raising the legs If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube. If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include: - Surgery - Medicine that ends the pregnancy, along with close monitoring by your doctor. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What are the treatments of Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is life-threatening to the mother. In most pregnancies, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the womb (uterus). If the movement of the egg is blocked or slowed through the tubes, it can lead to an ectopic pregnancy. Things that may cause this problem include: - Birth defect in the fallopian tubes - Scarring after a ruptured appendix - Endometriosis - Having had an ectopic pregnancy in the past - Scarring from past infections or surgery of the female organs The following also increase risk of an ectopic pregnancy: - Age over 35 - Getting pregnant while having an intrauterine device (IUD) - Having your tubes tied. This is more likely 2 or more years after the procedure - Having had surgery to untie tubes to become pregnant - Having had many sexual partners - Some infertility treatments Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Hormones may play a role. The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within 1 of the 2 fallopian tubes. In rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, abdomen, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy can occur even if you use birth control. You may have early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Other symptoms may include: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Low back pain - Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis - No periods - Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include: - Fainting or feeling faint - Intense pressure in the rectum - Low blood pressure - Pain in the shoulder area - Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your provider may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life. If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include: - Surgery - Medicine that ends the pregnancy, along with close monitoring by your doctor You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock. Treatment for shock may include: - Blood transfusion - Fluids given through a vein - Keeping warm - Oxygen - Raising the legs If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube. One out of three women who have had 1 ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. Another ectopic pregnancy is more likely to occur. Some women do not become pregnant again. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy depends on: - The woman's age - Whether she has already had children - Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred Call your provider if you have: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Lower abdominal or pelvic pain Most forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. You may be able to reduce your risk by avoiding conditions that may scar the fallopian tubes. These steps include: - Practicing safer sex by taking steps before and during sex, which can prevent you from getting an infection - Getting early diagnosis and treatment of all infections caused by sexual relations (STDs) - Stopping smoking Updated by: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy? | How to diagnose Ectopic pregnancy?: The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone (quantitative HCG blood test) can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your doctor may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy (Diagnosis): If your doctor suspects an ectopic pregnancy, he or she might do a pelvic exam to check for pain, tenderness, or a mass in the fallopian tube or ovary. A physical exam alone usually isn't enough to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, however. The diagnosis is typically confirmed with blood tests and imaging studies, such as an ultrasound. With a standard ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves are directed at the tissues in the abdominal area. During early pregnancy, however, the uterus and fallopian tubes are closer to the vagina than to the abdominal surface. The ultrasound will likely be done using a wandlike device placed in your vagina (transvaginal ultrasound). Sometimes it's too soon to detect a pregnancy through ultrasound. If the diagnosis is in question, your doctor might monitor your condition with blood tests until the ectopic pregnancy can be confirmed or ruled out through ultrasound - usually by four to five weeks after conception. In an emergency situation - if you're bleeding heavily, for example - an ectopic pregnancy might be diagnosed and treated surgically. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
How to diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy? | Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is life-threatening to the mother. In most pregnancies, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the womb (uterus). If the movement of the egg is blocked or slowed through the tubes, it can lead to an ectopic pregnancy. Things that may cause this problem include: - Birth defect in the fallopian tubes - Scarring after a ruptured appendix - Endometriosis - Having had an ectopic pregnancy in the past - Scarring from past infections or surgery of the female organs The following also increase risk of an ectopic pregnancy: - Age over 35 - Getting pregnant while having an intrauterine device (IUD) - Having your tubes tied. This is more likely 2 or more years after the procedure - Having had surgery to untie tubes to become pregnant - Having had many sexual partners - Some infertility treatments Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Hormones may play a role. The most common site for an ectopic pregnancy is within 1 of the 2 fallopian tubes. In rare cases, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, abdomen, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy can occur even if you use birth control. You may have early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Other symptoms may include: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Low back pain - Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis - No periods - Pain in the lower belly or pelvic area If the area around the abnormal pregnancy ruptures and bleeds, symptoms may get worse. They may include: - Fainting or feeling faint - Intense pressure in the rectum - Low blood pressure - Pain in the shoulder area - Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdomen The health care provider will do a pelvic exam. The exam may show tenderness in the pelvic area. A pregnancy test and vaginal ultrasound will be done. HCG is a hormone normally produced during pregnancy. Checking the blood level of this hormone can diagnose pregnancy. If the blood level of HCG is not rising fast enough, your provider may suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth (term). The developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life. If the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, treatment may include: - Surgery - Medicine that ends the pregnancy, along with close monitoring by your doctor You will need emergency medical help if the area of the ectopic pregnancy breaks open (ruptures). Rupture can lead to bleeding and shock. Treatment for shock may include: - Blood transfusion - Fluids given through a vein - Keeping warm - Oxygen - Raising the legs If there is a rupture, surgery is done to stop blood loss and remove the pregnancy. In some cases, the doctor may have to remove the fallopian tube. One out of three women who have had 1 ectopic pregnancy are later able to have a baby. Another ectopic pregnancy is more likely to occur. Some women do not become pregnant again. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy depends on: - The woman's age - Whether she has already had children - Why the first ectopic pregnancy occurred Call your provider if you have: - Abnormal vaginal bleeding - Lower abdominal or pelvic pain Most forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. You may be able to reduce your risk by avoiding conditions that may scar the fallopian tubes. These steps include: - Practicing safer sex by taking steps before and during sex, which can prevent you from getting an infection - Getting early diagnosis and treatment of all infections caused by sexual relations (STDs) - Stopping smoking Updated by: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
What is Appendicitis? | Appendicitis: Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the large intestine. Appendicitis is a very common cause of emergency surgery. The problem most often occurs when the appendix becomes blocked by feces, a foreign object, or rarely, a tumor. The symptoms of appendicitis can vary. It can be hard to diagnose appendicitis in young children, older people, and women of childbearing age. The first symptom is often pain around the belly button or mid upper abdomen. Pain may be minor at first, but becomes more sharp and severe. You may also have a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and a low-grade fever. The pain tends to move into the right lower part of your belly. The pain tends to focus at a spot directly above the appendix called McBurney point. This most often occurs 12 to 24 hours after the illness starts. Your pain may be worse when you walk, cough, or make sudden movements. Later symptoms include: - Chills and shaking - Hard stools - Diarrhea - Fever - Nausea and vomiting Your health care provider may suspect appendicitis based on the symptoms you describe. Your provider will do a physical exam. - If you have appendicitis, your pain will increase when your lower right belly area is pressed. - If your appendix has ruptured, touching the belly area may cause a lot of pain and lead you to tighten your muscles. - A rectal exam may find tenderness on the right side of your rectum. A blood test will often show a high white blood cell count. Imaging tests may also help diagnose appendicitis. Imaging tests include: - CT scan of the abdomen - Ultrasound of the abdomen Most of the time, a surgeon will remove your appendix as soon as you are diagnosed. If a CT scan shows that you have an abscess, you may be treated with antibiotics first. You will have your appendix removed after the infection and swelling have gone away. The tests used to diagnose appendicitis are not perfect. As a result, the operation may show that your appendix is normal. In that case, the surgeon will remove your appendix and explore the rest of your abdomen for other causes of your pain. Most people recover quickly after surgery if the appendix is removed before it ruptures. If your appendix ruptures before surgery, recovery may take longer. You are also more likely to develop problems, such as: - An abscess - Blockage of the intestine - Infection inside the abdomen (peritonitis) - Infection of the wound after surgery Call your provider if you have abdominal pain in the lower-right portion of your belly, or other symptoms of appendicitis. Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If your symptoms worsen or feel concerning, seek help from a healthcare professional. | mediqa_qa | safe |
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