Diseases & Conditions Archive

Blood pressure problems might contribute to glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerves and causes vision loss. If blood pressure is too low, for example, blood flow to the optic nerves might decrease. That could deprive the optic nerves of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in nerve damage. High blood pressure might also reduce blood flow to the optic nerves, by damaging the blood vessels that supply the nerves. If glaucoma gets worse despite treatment, blood pressure should be considered as a factor.

Surgery is usually warranted when bunion pain becomes disabling, a skin ulcer develops, or it's necessary to prevent a bunion from dislocating the second toe. However, recovery can be long and painful, and there's no guarantee that bunions won't come back. Prior to surgery, it might help to use strategies that reduce bunion pain, such as adding cushioning to shoes, stretching shoes where a bunion rubs against them, getting roomier shoes or shoes made with stretchy fabrics, and using toe spacers.

A 2025 analysis suggested that GLP-1 medications used for diabetes and weight loss are associated with lower risks for an array of conditions, but that they increase risks for several others.

A 2025 study suggested that people with sedentary jobs are at higher risk of developing insomnia, which can persist for many years.

Nosebleeds are common, and dry air is the most prevalent cause. Other triggers include allergies, blood-thinning medications, or a deviated septum. People with frequent, heavy nosebleeds may need evaluation for a more serious underlying condition.

Headaches happen to people every day, and about 4% of Americans report being bothered a great deal by them in the past three months. Only a tiny percentage of headaches indicate a serious underlying problem. Red-flag signs include headaches occurring with other symptoms; new headaches in people over 50; headaches that get worse with exercise, sex, coughing, or lying down; and "thunderclap" headaches that involve rapidly worsening head pain. People experiencing these signs should seek prompt medical attention.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects up to a million Americans, more than three-quarters of whom are women. A main feature of POTS is an intolerance to being upright. Symptoms include heart rate spikes, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. Risk factors include recent viral infection, surgery, concussion, or a long period of inactivity. POTS symptoms can be managed through exercising, drinking more fluids, increasing salt intake, wearing compression garments, and using counter-pulsation poses.

Older people with atrial fibrillation are sometimes advised to stop taking clot-prevention drugs due to fears about bleeding. But a 2025 study suggests that the risk of stroke and heart attack from stopping the drugs outweighs the risk of bleeding.

With ticks thriving in a wider geographic range, appearing earlier and sticking around later, it's important to stay vigilant about protecting yourself against ticks that cause Lyme disease and other illnesses. Learn some steps you can take to avoid tick bites.