Health Decision Guides

Welcome to the symptom guide on sudden hearing loss. We're sorry that you're having this problem!

This symptom guide is designed for persons who have noticed a recent onset of hearing loss and would like to find out more about this symptom. This guide is about sudden, not gradual, hearing loss. Many causes of longstanding or gradual loss will not be covered here, such as hearing loss associated with aging (also called presbycusis) or rare genetic diseases.

Please keep in mind that this guide cannot replace a face-to-face evaluation with your own health care provider. It is meant to provide helpful information while you are awaiting further evaluation, or to supplement what you may have already learned after evaluation with your doctor.

In this guide, you'll be asked a series of questions that will guide you through some of the most common causes that may explain your symptoms. This guide will cover the most common reasons for sudden hearing loss; however, it won't cover every cause.

So, if none of the conditions covered in this guide seem to apply to you, keep in mind that sometimes no cause can be found. Or, you may have a rare cause of hearing loss that's not covered here.

Okay, let's get started.

The first questions are aimed at the possibility of a serious or dangerous cause of sudden hearing loss.

Were you ever diagnosed with meningitis in the past? Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and may cause hearing loss as a complication.

Yes, I've had meningitis.

No, I've never had meningitis.

Good, meningitis can be quite serious.

So, we'll move on to some other questions.

Have you had a recent head injury?

Yes, I have had a head injury recently.

No, I haven't had a head injury.

Welcome to the Decision Guide for Swallowing Difficulty.

Swallowing problems can be associated with pain, but that is not always the case. This interactive guide can help you to identify some of the causes that might explain your symptoms and to anticipate the recommendations that your doctor might make for your evaluation.

Swallowing problems need to be evaluated by a doctor because swallowing difficulty can arise from a serious medical problem. This guide is intended to be used as a complement to discussions with your doctor, not as a substitute for evaluation by your doctor.

You will encounter a small number of survey questions about your swallowing symptoms as you proceed through this program. Your answers to these questions will help us apply our information to your personal circumstances.

Let's get started.

Is your swallowing problem brand new (present for a day or less)?

Yes, my problem is brand new.

No, my problem has been present for longer.

Welcome to this symptom guide about tinnitus. We're sorry to hear you have this problem!

While tinnitus is often called ringing in the ears, that's just one way people with tinnitus describe the problem. Others describe hearing a hissing, whooshing, roaring, or buzzing sound, or experiencing a beating sensation in the ear. So, for the purposes of this guide, we'll stick with the more general term, tinnitus.

There are a number of causes of tinnitus. This guide will cover some of the most common, but it is not exhaustive; rarer causes will not be covered. In addition, tinnitus results from just about any cause of hearing loss. For example, excessive buildup of wax in the ears may cause hearing loss and tinnitus. However, this guide will focus on tinnitus rather than hearing loss.

By answering a short series of questions, you will learn about the more common reasons for tinnitus and the cause that most likely applies to you. This guide is not intended to replace a face-to-face meeting with your doctor about these symptoms. Many causes of tinnitus require an in-person examination and testing to diagnose.

Let's get started.

Have you had any significant injury or trauma to your head, neck, or ears recently?

Yes, I have had recent injury or trauma.

No, fortunately, I've had no injury or trauma recently.

Good!

Because certain causes of tinnitus are more likely in older people, the next question is about your age.

Are you over the age of 55?

Yes, I'm over the age of 55.

No, I'm 55 or younger.

Welcome to our Health Decision Guide for women who are concerned about excessive body and facial hair (called hirsutism).

By answering a short series of questions, you will learn about the most common reasons for hirsutism.

The guide is intended to provide information. It is not intended to make a specific diagnosis; nor is meant to replace a face-to-face evaluation with your doctor or other health care professional.

Click here to start.

Approximately 10% of American women believe that they have more body hair than they should.

There is great variation in hair pattern in different ethnic groups and in people from different parts of the world. Mediterranean women and those from the Near East and India tend to have more body hair, but this is completely normal for them. Asian American and Native American women tend to have less body hair, and that pattern is normal for them.

There is also variation between families that should be kept in mind in deciding whether hair growth is excessive.

Do you have more body hair than your female relatives?

Yes, I have more body hair than my female relatives.

No, I don't have more body hair than my female relatives.

Welcome to the Symptom Guide about tooth and jaw pain. We're sorry you are in pain!

This guide is intended for people who have jaw, gum, or tooth pain.

The goal of this guide is to provide information while awaiting evaluation with your dentist, doctor, or other health professional. Or, it may be useful for additional information after you've seen a healthcare provider. Please keep in mind that this guide is not intended to replace a face-to-face evaluation with your doctor or dentist. The diagnoses provided are among the most common that could explain your symptoms, but the list is not exhaustive and there are many other possibilities. In addition, more than one condition may be present at the same time.

First off, it's important to get emergency care if your symptoms sound like a dangerous condition or an immediate threat to your health. For example, jaw pain can sometimes be a symptom of angina or a heart attack.

Are you experiencing jaw pain when you exert yourself or with emotional reactions? Do you have jaw pain that is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweats, or nausea?

Yes, I have one or more of these symptoms.

No, I do not have any of these symptoms.

That's good. That makes a heart-related cause of your symptoms less likely.

Do you have jaw or tooth pain along with facial swelling, high fever, shaking chills, a severe headache, or feeling faint?

Yes, I do have those symptoms.

No, I do not have any of these symptoms.

Welcome to the symptom guide on hand tremor. This guide will ask you a series of questions about involuntary hand shaking, trembling, or what is more commonly called tremors.

Keep in mind that, at least to some degree, everyone has a tremor. It's simply impossible to keep your hands perfectly still! So, deciding when involuntary movement of the hands is abnormal can be tricky. And the range of conditions that can cause a hand tremor is vast. Be sure to see your doctor if you've noticed you have tremors, especially if they are getting worse.

This guide is not intended to replace a face-to-face evaluation with your doctor. The goal of this guide is to provide information while awaiting evaluation with your doctor or other health professional. Or, it may be useful for additional information after you've seen a healthcare provider.

Finally, the diagnoses provided here are among the most common that could explain your symptoms, but the list is not exhaustive and there are many other possibilities. In addition, more than one condition may be present at the same time. For example, a person with tremors could have a thyroid problem and have a familial tremor.

Click here to get started.

First, we'd like to ask about symptoms related to the most common causes of hand tremors.

Does your tremor stop when you're at rest, increase in certain positions (such as with your arms and hands outstretched), and decrease when you try to use your hands?

Yes, that sounds like me.

No, that's not the trouble I have.

Weight loss in children is always concerning. The only exception is when overweight children lose weight under a doctor's supervision.

Any unexplained weight loss in a child warrants a call to the doctor. This decision guide does not replace that call and should not delay it, but will give you an idea of some of the questions the doctor will have, and what tests or treatments may be ordered.

Children lose weight when they are either not getting enough calories or are burning up more calories than usual due to illness or other reasons. Let's look at the possible causes of weight loss in your child.

Click here to continue.

Along with the weight loss, does your child have any of the following?

- Fever

- Vomiting and/or diarrhea

- Cough, sore throat, ear pain or chest pain

- Decreased urination

- Increased sleepiness

No, my child does not have any of these.

Yes, my child has one or more of these.

Weight gain in children, as in adults, is usually due to eating more or exercising less.

It can be caused by an illness or medication, though this is not common.

If your child has gained weight and you don't know why, you should call your doctor. This decision guide doesn't take the place of and shouldn't delay that call, but it will give you an idea of the questions your doctor may ask and the tests that he or she may order.

Click here to continue.

Along with the weight gain, have you noticed that your child is having swelling, which might be most noticeable in the hands, feet, or face?

Yes, my child is having swelling.

No, my child is not having any swelling.

This guide is designed for women who are experiencing uncomfortable vaginal dryness.

Vaginal dryness is common. It can cause vaginal itching and soreness. For many women, it is particularly bothersome during sexual intercourse. By answering a short series of questions, you will learn about the possible causes of vaginal dryness and treatments that are likely to help.

If your symptoms are significant, it is appropriate for you to be evaluated by a doctor. He or she can help you to decide how to manage your symptoms.

Click here to begin.

Vaginal dryness can be caused by using douches, perfumes, deodorants, spermicides, or other cosmetic products applied in or on the vagina. It can even result as a reaction to deodorants or perfumes in pads or panty liners.

Did your symptoms begin after you began using one of these products?

Yes, that's when the symptoms began.

No, I haven't been using any of those products.